Social distancing in England

I went into M&S in our town centre on Friday. First time since March. Big mistake. I asked member of staff on entrance if food hall downstairs was busy. She said she didn’t know. I asked if they were queuing, and she said no.

So I popped in for four items, second mistake. Busy but manageable inside, but when I came to pay there were long queues stretching along the shopping aisles, and v little distancing after the first couple of marked spaces. Shoppers were trying to squeeze through the queue to reach stuff.

I was the only one in the shop in a mask, so I think customers and staff alike were at risk.

I rang the store to voice my concern the next day and call was diverted to customer services in.............South Africa .

Lesson learnt, I won’t be going again.

Some of the mask making patterns on YouTube are pretty idiot proof. They must be if I've managed to sew mine! Just need and old pillowcase and cotton thread.

Gove said he preferred to trust to people's 'common sense'. I was gobsmacked! Did he see all those thousands of people cramming the beaches quite recently? They left their common sense at home, if they ever had any. Gove does not live in the real world.

Social distancing seems quite hit and miss. I choose very carefully where I go, and have not even considered going shopping, other than for food, or out to a restaurant yet. I fear we have more months to go before it will be safe.

lizzypopbottle

I wonder if many elderly people have no idea how to access face masks. Our corner shop is selling packs of three disposable masks but I've never been in there during lockdown. I only know because the shop posts on Facebook. I'm mildly obsessed with making my own masks but the patterns I use have been sourced from YouTube and I have the skills and resources because I'm already a person who sews (can't call myself a sewer!)

Elderly people (over 60) aren't stupid.

I wonder if many elderly people have no idea how to access face masks. Our corner shop is selling packs of three disposable masks but I've never been in there during lockdown. I only know because the shop posts on Facebook. I'm mildly obsessed with making my own masks but the patterns I use have been sourced from YouTube and I have the skills and resources because I'm already a person who sews (can't call myself a sewer!)

The only problem with wearing masks all the time if for those who wear glasses. I use one on a bus or at Drs etc, but always have to take my glasses of, the same for my husband, but he can't take them off as he can't see much without them, so yes wearings masks is a good thing, but not for everyone.

belle60

I live in Scotland. I went to local post office on Saturday to post a birthday card. Face covering are supposed to be compulsory. Most of the people in there who were elderly men were not wearing face coverings. I will not be going back.

Most of the people I saw on my one trip out who weren't wearing masks and weren't respecting social distancing were probably over 60 too. I've only been out once, so I thought it might not have been representative.

Gove said yesterday on the Andrew Marr programme that people will "use their common sense" about masks and that's it's a good idea to wear face coverings in crowded indoor places such as shops. Once again, no clear guidance, in other words do what you feel like, follow your instincts, leave it up to the general public to make up their minds, and then blame them once we get another surge in deaths. I so much prefer listening to Nicola Sturgeon.

Mollygo

It’s mostly OK up here with regards to mask wearing and distancing in shops, but it’s evident that in the UK you can’t tell some folk what to do and you can’t rely on common sense and sadly some will get violent to prove their point.
I read in the news today that for some folk it’s down to politics, i.e. they didn’t vote Tory, they don’t think he’s doing a good job, so anything the government say can be ignored.

You'd have to put a gun to my head to vote Tory, but I have masks and I'll wear them when I go out. I've just got the point when I don't believe a word the government says, so it's totally irrelevant to me what they say. They couldn't organise a piss up. I'll do what's sensible.

Priti....?

On the subject of masks and their effectiveness, a photo in the paper today shows Prior Patel and Gerald Darmanin (the French Interior Minister) inspecting police equipment in Calais. All officials in the photo are wearing masks. Both PP and GD have their arms folded. Is this the recommended way to avoid fiddling with their masks, I wonder? The unnamed, uniformed gendarme has his mask under his nose and the female official in the group has her right hand virtually pinching her nose through her mask! What else did she touch after that?

Here in rural North Yorkshire, social distancing remains very much the routine and if you dare to venture into a supermarket in our local market town without a mask, you can even feel like a pariah. With the first new case for 3 weeks reported in the Council District yesterday, I know plenty of people who, having ventured out, are now hunkering down again. Strange times.

Walking in Wharfedale last week everyone was social distancing. Ventured into our local market on Friday and won’t be doing that again. Hardly any masks, virtually no social distancing and tourists from all over, wandering about as though all was normal. We have a very low rate of Covid 19 around here but I can see it going up soon.

Pat123 Precisely. Why would someone not wear a mask because it's a bit "uncomfortable" or "scary"? It's much more uncomfortable and scary in an IT unit, unable to breathe. What's wrong with people?? And the poor NHS staff who have to deal with the pandemic. I don't suppose they enjoy wearing masks all day either.

People who live in the EU are more disciplined than us, the British are bolshie. Nearly all countries where mask wearing is mandatory have lower numbers than the UK. The photos of Brits piling onto beaches a couple of weeks ago went all round the world and we were the laughing stock. We have some of the highest numbers worldwide. Something is seriously wrong in the UK.

Lemmongrove...I am back in Spain now after been in the U.K. during lockdown and unfortunately the young people here are the same ...no distancing and still hugging and kissing friends they meet ( some do have masks most don’t. ) I think it’s an age thing...they think they are invincible!

I live in North Devon and so far Devon and Cornwall have had no virus deaths for 10 days or more but we have a huge influx of visitors from all over the UK particularly the Midlands.
Down to our nearest beach yesterday with our kayak and the place was heaving , so many people on quite a small beach at high tide and visitors and locals alike all bunched together. The beach cafe busy too but luckily only doing takeout. We worry our infection rates will go up. Will definitely be wearing a mask in shops from now on as Boris seems unable to make a coherent decision.

We appear to be OK where we are but I don't go out at peak times and certainly not to pubs etc. People seem respectful of one another - although I was queing at a local cafe for a takeaway yesterday when three people (a group) came towards me - the one who was best at judging 2m was carrying a white stick - just shows awareness with all the senses

I live in Scotland. I went to local post office on Saturday to post a birthday card. Face covering are supposed to be compulsory. Most of the people in there who were elderly men were not wearing face coverings. I will not be going back.

It’s mostly OK up here with regards to mask wearing and distancing in shops, but it’s evident that in the UK you can’t tell some folk what to do and you can’t rely on common sense and sadly some will get violent to prove their point.
I read in the news today that for some folk it’s down to politics, i.e. they didn’t vote Tory, they don’t think he’s doing a good job, so anything the government say can be ignored.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

neither does it suit the style of many Britains to follow directives

It would help if clear directives were given, as a start.

Queuing outside of shops fine but inside forgotten and as for all those recent marches and demonstrations arm in arm right next to folks no wonder some cities are in lockdown. I am feeling very pessamistic

Annaram1

grannyrebel, where do you live?

I am nearly 80 and walk with a stick. If people try to barge past me on the pavement I wave my stick at them and shout "Two metres distance!" that usually works.

What a great idea! I think I'll get myself a stick!