Not seeing family

Just to put your mind at at rest over cyclists and joggers. A doctor has stated that if you run or cycle pass people you are not likely to catch the virus from doing just that. You need at least 5 mins of contact with a person, unless they sneeze or cough or touching. So someone just cycling pass you are ok. I think we are just all having to get more tolerant towards others as everything is changing.

I am rather surprised how many people endorsed my post. In another site, when I write something like this, I am usually shot down in flames by all and sundry.

I appreciate that the original lockdown was in order to prevent the NHS services being completely overwhelmed. There was a genuine fear of that happening. I supported that, although felt it had been put in place rather late.

Never had a satisfactory explanation as to why the Cygnis Report of four years ago regarding pandemics had been totally ignored - if it had not then the country wouldhave been much more ready for this one and PPE stocks would have been in place.

Many years back in the late 1950's there was a government book giving advice on what to do in the event of a nuclear bomb attack. Much of what was in it appeared in that wonderful book 'Where the Wind Blows' by Raymond Briggs. But, one particular piece of advice was - What to do if you are caught outside when the bomb goes off' and the advice (official) was 'TURN YOUR BACK ON IT'.

Perhaps, I have, due to that, a life of cynicism on official government advice in extreme situations.

I recent heard that currently, they are saying that rather than use public transport to get to work, you can have one other person in your car with you - 'but, do not look at them'.

So much nonsense - no wonder there is serious breakdown as people come to seaside resorts and countryside.

I phoned one of my more elderly neighbours this morning and knew that she was in a bad way. She was in floods of tears.
I did no more, I ended the call and went to her to give her a big hug and sat and held her hand until she calmed down.
I don't care what people think or say!!! My dear kind neighbour was in distress and needed comfort.

Here we go again! Arriving at rules for 55m individuals, many of whom now think there own set of circumstances should have been considered. Only the truly self absorbed can have this mindset surely?

If your cleaner comes to the house surely you normally keep out of the way so they can do the job they are paid for. Or do you follow them around giving them a hug now and then?

If family come to the house most people hug on arrival, make a drink, possibly food and chat face to face with each other. Grandchildren are fussed over and admired and normally kissed and hugged as they leave. So much opportunity for someone to forget the rules and easily done as old habits are hard to break. Perhaps some families all sit in separate rooms and shout to each other or sit in silence ignoring their visitors? Who knows?

So many pointless comparisons comparing countries with totally different population size, land mass etc etc. Reminds me of children who insist that little Johnnie next door stays up til midnight even on school nights, never has to eat any fruit or vegetables and is allowed to eat sweets and sugary drinks whenever he wants. So presumably you would then let your child do the same, because that’s what little Johnnie does?

In the first days they predicted that hopefully 80% would apply common sense to keep themselves safe. That means that 8 out of 10 are doing their best to keep themselves and their families safe but people are now focusing on the 2 self absorbed halfwits wits who think they are invincible and that the Covid 19 virus will swerve right past them. Until it doesn’t then others lives are risked trying to save them.

I doubt there are many people enjoying the experience, and most of us have had wobbly moments, but most of us love our families enough to do whatever it takes to keep them safe and not leave them with the guilt of infecting family members who may die, or suffer life changing consequences, because we can’t bear not to see them in the flesh for a few months.

Stay safe and look long term at events and not for immediate self gratification.

The more reasonable people have probably scrolled past once they see all the self justification starting. I probably should have done the same!

Sussexborn
Maybe you should. I am neither self justifying or a halfwit and neither are many other people. The only halfwits in all of this debacle are Boris and his cronies. Think about what is happening out there over the next week or so, and then tell me if I and others are careful we can not have physical contact with the very children who will be sat next to their teacher all day. It is turning into a farce. I had a lot of respect for the rules when they made sense, now, not so much.

I think it’s ridiculous that people can play golf and go to garden centres, shops, beaches etc yet the bubble thing hasn’t been allowed.

It’s really important that grandparents are able to help out with childcare as soon as possible so why not focus on information directed at this situation?

If a grandparent was to look after a child then they could stay at home 7 days before the day the child arrived. Change outdoor shoes before coming inside wash all handles including In car at least 2 times a day, wash all shopping etc including fruit and veg.Keep a clean apron to slip over clothes

The child’s family could do the same.

Merylstreep, very well done for your compassion with your neighbour.

With good hand washing arrangements, sure it did her so much good and no harm.

Do wonder how many other people are in breaking down now due to this isolation

Franburn
Her next door neighbour was sectioned some time ago ( within the lockdown) We saw him brought home today by the nurses.

It’s the guilt complex from reading posts on here and other social media sites that gets me down.
If I arrive at the park and sit socially distanced from others and then my daughter and children appear on their daily cycle.
Shall we agree to sit socially distanced and chat for a while or wave them on saying we can only sit and chat to people we don’t know?
Do other people not chat to folk sitting socially distanced? It’s a new way of making friends.

Mollygo
You must not feel guilty at all. Social Media is full of people trying to ‘out’ people for breaking rules. These are probably the same people who 4 months ago would ignore someone in the street getting mugged as they ‘didn’t want to get involved’. The world has gone crazy and people are being encouraged to spy on people and report them, it is beyond belief!!
In the main, people are not stupid and we should be able to make decisions for ourselves and make the right choice depending on our risks. If I was obese or had a health condition which suppressed my immunity or I was over 75 I would stay in, my choice to stay safe.
I am fed up of being made to feel guilty about putting nurses and doctors at risk, nurses and doctors are ALWAYS at risk of being infected with something, every day. I have always had the utmost respect for them and always will, I do not need to clap for them I need to keep myself as safe as I can and keep healthy so I don’t burden the NHS unnecessarily. I do this always and will continue to do it for ever. That does not mean I need to keep away from everyone, it means I need to keep sane, go to work, make money and keep the country from falling to its knees, if I get the virus whilst doing that, let’s hope I am healthy enough to get over it.

I think the rules are silly. I am allowed to queue, with social distancing, with people I do not know, but am unable to follow social distancing in a public place with people I do know

I’m not in favour of any kind of “bubble.” It would split my family apart possibly forever. I have four AC, all married and 7 grandchildren. With my husband and me that makes 17 people. Our 3 SiLand Dil have parents, brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews etc etc. I was looking after the 5 younger GC on a regular basis before lockdown. They live in 3 separate households. Sadly I won’t be looking after any of them for a long time as I cannot possibly choose between them. Also as an older person I’m statistically more likely to become seriously ill with COVID. Where do we go from here?

Franbern, You are absolutely correct. We have been lied to throughout this whole ordeal. Get out and live your lives. The new patients coming down with this virus are from being locked up in their homes. It's another power grab to close down our freedoms.

Lucy2 what are you basing your comments on?

Lucy2. I would be very interested to hear where this information comes from.

Me too.

Which people are coming down with the virus whilst in isolation? I haven't seen any reports of this. Only case I can think of is a man who dropped dead of a heart attack due to the virus and his wife said he hadn't been out, but then she said he'd been to the shops to buy a newspaper.

I am in agreement you should be able to meet your ad and young docs in an open space so long as you socially distance

I agree Missgran but not everyone is adhering to the social distancing rules because their mental health is more important than keeping everyone safe it would seem.

If people who are vulnerable are staying indoors who am I putting at risk by protecting mine and my DD mental health, except for people who are comfortable being outdoors and risking getting the virus.

Scentia you could be prolonging the length of time that some of us have to stay inside.

JUST BLOODY STOP IT

Yes, many are missing family, that's how it is.

Yes, some will be ignoring all advice, you can't change them, just avoid them.

Yes, there will be a time when a big hug is the only thing you can do, not the thing you just want to do.

These are strange times, we must adjust, for the good of all.

Sorry

dragonfly46
I understand that, and if the current guidance made any sense then I would follow it, but I really cannot get my head around children going to school and grandparents still not able to meet their DGC. I understand that we need the schools back to get people back to work and if that means that vulnerable people have to protect themselves until we have a vaccine then, as sad as that is, what other options are there. Our business is already on its way out and now our biggest customer has announced 9000 job losses today.?. I am sorry that the sick and vulnerable are forced to stay indoors to keep safe but what else can be done. Do you have a better idea?