Anger at rule breakers.

80 percent of people have no symptoms to speak of, when they have the virus.

Sparklefizz, if I had a single symptom I would immediately isolate myself. As I actually only come into contact with very few people (even at supermarket we are well apart from each other), it is not likely I will get it.

Point is, that I have not at any time through this, just stayed
indoors all of the time - my own mental health would have been at far greater risk than my physical one has been by my going out. So, I have continued weekly supermarket shopping, gone to park and met with daughter there - at least two metres apart and in open air. Started going into her garden couple of weeks ago, again, via side entrance and still apart from any of her family.

Did go to see daughter in London at weekend, I have grave concerns about her (nothing to do with the virus), we did not cuddle, but I was able to see her which helped me (and I hoped her).

Still go out most days on my mobility scooter, I wear a mask if going anywhere indoors, otherwise do not. Wash my hands carefully each time I return indoors, I am no danger to anyone - or even myself - but at least I am not keeping myself as an isolated prisoner in my home - if others feel safe that way, that is their choice, this is mine.,

Mercedes - the person who has been shopping while waiting for a test result has been reckless to say the least. In fact this action could be responsible for someone else's death. Incredible how irresponsible some people can be. Just because she has a potential mild case doesn't mean that subsequent infected person will have the same outcome.

Franbern ^ Do not understand that - nobody is forcing anyone outside their homes if that is the only place they feel safe - they can stay inside forever if that is how they feel, but I will not.^

But, with all due respect, it's not just about you, is it Franbern? What about the people you could unknowingly infect? What about those of us who are shielding and don't want to be forced to do that for ever and a day because of people doing their own thing? I'd like to feel safe outside just like anyone else.

Kim, the chances of your friend getting infected when having her hair cut in her garden are pretty remote. sure her hairdresser had ensured combs, scissors were all well disinfected from previous use, and this virus does not carry far in open air. Do not let's get totally paranoid about this.

Due to total mishandling and such confused messages it is very easy to make many different interpretations of the current (and ever changing) rules. Today shops open with 2-metre distancing - very likely that within a week or so that distancing will be reduced. I can have a cleaner into my house but not have a friend in my house for a visit. Can now stay overnight at my daughters house and cuddle g.children, but not then visit another daughters home.

As I have continued to do my weekly Sainsbury shop myself, I am very impressed as to how well organised that is and have never felt in any danger whatever and do enjoy my weekly short drive and change of scenery.

I accept that the chances of a vaccine ever being found for this particular virus is not very high, although I also realise that treatment of those who catch it is improving almost on a daily process - I accept we are just going to have to live with it for a few years before it burns itself out.

I have no intention of passing whatever time I have left in isolation, so, yes, I do put my own interpretation on the rules using my own common sense as to how I should behave. So, I would probably be one of those the original OP was so angry with. Do not understand that - nobody is forcing anyone outside their homes if that is the only place they feel safe - they can stay inside forever if that is how they feel, but I will not.

Oh I had my hair trimmed today as well. It was free. It was me. Looks pretty awful but I wouldn’t take that risk for a long time. I think people are experiencing a false sense of security thanks to someone who should have known better.

Gosh, this is a pain. Only yesterday my bosom buddy told me she had her hair cut in her garden. Ouch! Didn't remonstrate with her. Done deed. Love her. However, I'm now considerably concerned for her safety and will be counting the days (three weeks?) until I discover that she has experienced no adverse effects. Jeepers!

hope you will be ok, i live in Wallasey and touch wood, myself or family or friends, dont know anyone personally with cov

I'm sure we could all tell a story or two about this!

A friend, J, phoned yesterday, had plenty to say about neighbours gathering, then said that she and her DH went to visit DD, who cut her hair for her!

They then took DGS , first birthday last week, out for a walk in pushchair to give DD a break.

I mentioned that what they did was outside guidelines, but was told "Oh, we're ok, we don't go anywhere except to Asda."

give me strength!

No, it's not been easy for anyone, and we are getting restless now that there is a chance of restrictions easing. Then on the news today we hear there has been another outbreak in Beijing, triggering a shutdown in the affected area. Do what you have to, to keep yourselves safe.

We've followed the guidelines in our house, haven't been anywhere but out walking the dog in the park since the beginning of March and it's been hard. Today we actually saw son, DIL and granddaughter for the first time in the garden and it was lovely.
I've seen a lot of people I know break the guidelines and it does worry me what impact it will have on the rest of us.
One of the worst things I have come across is a friend of mine who has a close friend that has had all the symptoms of this awful virus for the last few days. She's had a very high fever, headache, cough, aches and pains and went for a test yesterday.
I couldn't believe it when my friend told me that the first thing she did after getting home from having the test was get back in her car and go shopping in a very large supermarket. She has a husband and 2 teenage children but they apparently wouldn't go. On the one hand I am thinking if she is well enough to go shopping then she can't be feeling as bad as she claims, but as she has been for a test surely she should wait for the results until she goes out

I agree. Think we should just go back to normal life and if it doesn't work then have lockdown again. Maybe then they would all listen when their relatives/friends get it.

Peardrop I agree.

Of course sparkle you are right. However, we also have a business in Scotland, but are managing it remotely out of respect for the people who live in the area. An area with an extremely low R rating.

Sparklefizz, I agree, feelings must be acknowledged if they are not to fester. Most important thing is to do our own risk assessment and know we are doing what is right for ourselves, our family, our friends, our community, our country. Unfortunately there are many who think only of me, me, me.
We are right to feel disappointed by their actions which put us, our family, our friends, our community and our country at risk.
In my opinion it invalidates the feelings of others to say ignore the rule breakers. Better to acknowledge that we are right to feel some anger, then empathise and suggest distraction.

Well, J52, I suppose one could argue that they are going back to work. It's not as if they are meeting a mate down the pub.

Charles and Camilla are leaving Scotland to go back to London and meet with President Macron on June 18th!
Scotland is in lockdown and people are advised to only travel 5 miles.
I can’t go to my second house, despite being able to isolate, not having servants or meeting any French people.
One rule again?

It is disturbing reading all these posts about people flouting the rules.

Would we be in a better position now regarding the virus if everyone had heeded the guidelines?

As many people are asymptomatic they can keep the virus going if people continue to meet up in crowds.

It is upsetting and annoying for those who are shielding or in risk groups and abiding by the rules to know this virus is being perpetuated by those who interpret rules to suit themselves.

This just keeps those groups locked down for longer.

You can't control other people only yourself. Do what's right for you and what you feel happy with and try to forget the rest. Same with govt's changing advice, just because Boris says you can meet up with 6 other people or whatever on a certain date it doesn't mean it's any safer to do so than it was a week before.

"This too shall pass" indeed, but it's not good for our mental health to suppress our anger or any emotions. E-motion is energy in motion, and the feelings need to be acknowledged before they can be let go, otherwise they will fester and erupt like a pressure cooker.

When I was distraught over the breakup of my marriage, my counsellor advised that when I woke up feeling sad and lost each morning, to say to myself "Ok, today's going to be a sad day".

On the days I did that, I found that by mid-morning I was feeling quite a bit better whereas on the days before I knew to do that, I would be feeling wretched all day.

It's only natural that we should feel angry at the behaviour of people who might make the pandemic worse, which will affect all of us, and we can handle those feelings by acknowledging them first and then finding a distraction.

@weeducky. As you are an apologist for Cummings my contribution above is directed at you too.

There is plenty of outrage at the protesters who aren't distancing.

@EllanVannin. Are you seriously comparing Cummings to those who went to the beaches and parks last weekend?
In England restrictions were relaxed by Boris (in my opinion to take the heat off of Cummingsgate) and those people were not breaking the rules, merely stupid.
Cummings, when thinking his wife had Covid19 and suspecting he might have too, actually returned to 10 Downing Street with no regard to the fact he might be infecting others, then he packed up his family putting his child at extremely high risk in an enclosed space with them and travelled almost the length of the country in complete defiance of the rules which he had helped set up.
The rules were that if you suspected that you had Covid19 you had to stay home, isolate from fellow members of your household and only contact the emergency services if your heath deteriorated dramatically.
By travelling to Durham to stay in his second home Cummings was flagrantly violating the rules. He added to the pressure on the Durham medical services when his son had to be rushed to hospital.
Then we have the farcical excuse that before returning to London the family had a day out to “test his eyesight”. They had a day out in complete contravention to the rules he helped formulate to celebrate his wife’s birthday.
Clearly you have decided that can all be swept under the carpet.
You may be naive or gullible but I can assure you the majority of voters are not.
Cummings should have done the decent thing and resigned. Boris has lost respect and will pay at the next election.
He will be remembered as the puppet who supported the puppet master and who was responsible for the U.K. having the worst death toll in Europe.

This will be controversial I know, but I feel Dominic Cummings did not harm anyone else as he was only protecting his family. Yes if push comes to shove he did break lockdown rules by leaving his home however nobody has mentioned the irresponsible reporters and cameramen outside his house, edging nearer and nearer to him and certainly NOT 2 m from each other. Nor is there any outrage at the demonstrations taking place all over the country which in my opinion should have been absolutely banned during this period of pandemic. No feelings or thoughts for the thousands indeed millions of others who have not left their house for the total period of lockdown, the thousands of carers, NHS staff, teachers and police etc who risk being infected by these idiots. Yes I am on a rant and in fact raging. Before anyone says that the murder of someone no matter of what colour or creed is an horrific act and especially by a 'trusted' member of a police force is far more important, I do not disagree on that score but the demos could and should have been postponed. This is an extremely serious pandemic with second waves in many countries so my slogan today is ALL LIVES MATTER.

You won't change others - stupidity is, sadly, an incurable disease. Don't get steamed up as it is pointless; I keep telling myself that the large majority of people are behaving and doing their upmost to stick to the rules, and the silly selfish stupid people are in the minority and will not cause that much harm. Also, the media love to inflame the situation with photos of 'crowded beaches' and 'thoughtless queueing' but many of the photos are seemingly taken from an angle to distort the truth, or are pre Covid. Breathe deeply - I have to often! - and have another glass of wine. 'This too shall pass.'