For everyone who's bending the rules!

I hope you're feeling OK now, Marydoll

A private hospital near me is being used by the NHS for non-Covid problems but all it takes is one infected person to slip in ( accidentally) and that's null and void

A very difficult time for our medical staff

Spot on Kandinsky, both your posts. How are garden centres essential ? Don’t tell me everyone there is growing vegetables.
How are places of worship essential? I thought one could worship one’s chosen deity anywhere, plus there are online services.

Yes of course we must all take individual responsibility - and the vast majority of us are sticking to the rules. But our government is to blame for this country’s truly tragic death statistics.

I m another who thinks it far too easy and not helpful to blame ‘the troops’ I can only speak of my area as of course I can’t go out of it but on Friday I did my weekly shop at two supermarkets (a couple of things i couldn’t get in one) and I felt extremely safe Everyone definitely was wearing masks I didn’t see one person without, everyone was keeping their own bubble distance and I felt very safe
I can only presume in the big cities there is more reluctance and maybe even in other areas of my town i don’t know I can only speak of what I personally see

sodapop

I think people must take their share of responsibility Kandinsky we are in the main responsible thinking adults. On one hand we blame the government for being a 'Nanny" then also want to blame them when things go wrong..

Yes of course we can do our bit but How can we do anything when the government acts so slowly and, sorry to say, illogically at times. That business of letting schools be declared safe on Sunday morning, open on Monday and lockdown on Monday night. I’ve still not got over that.

I think the majority of people are sticking to the rules. I wonder if people are not as vigilant as in March for several reasons. For many maybe their actions have kept them safe so far. Advice such as the 2 metre rule and time spent with people even outdoors was a guideline and that has not been emphasized as much.
I live in an area that in first wave had some of the lowest rates of infection in the country. This is scarily not the case any more. What seems to be alarming is the speed at which people are becoming very ill and also dying. My friends brother died last night . He was in his 70s and had Parkinsons and was vulnerable. Apparently it was very swift.
I dont have any massive scientific insights. There are many things that could/should of been done.
I think all we can do is reevaluate what we do,how and why.
Dont touch your face. Keep your distance from people you dont live with. Supermarkets seem rife with the virus. I havent been in one for nearly a year. Apparently the strict rules put in place last year are less stringent now. Home delivery can be hard to get. Look at click and collect or alternatives from smaller shops etc.
Surfaces have always been a much debated area with some being ultra cautious and others mocking them. What are the odds of the virus being on the packaging of food and contracting the virus from it? Probably low although the new strain may be different. Throughout I've been cautious. Household items I leave for 72hrs. Items that are eaten raw such as salad, bread are taken out of packet.
I know people who work in care now. They are tested weekly and with rapid tests before each shift. Uniforms are changed into on arrival and taken off before leave. Obviously PPE. Items coming into home are isolated for 72hrs. The virus is still creeping in.
Trying to persuade some people to follow rules is frustrating and stressful. I think all we can do is our best to protect ourselves over the next month or so.

Pressed too soon I think the government flip flopping and hazy rules have made it difficult for all to know what to follow
It should have been 1,2,3 from the start with no a little bit of this and a little bit of that
Christmas rulings were ridiculous and everyone with half a brain could see what January and February would bring with the last minute changes

Here’s a for instance a lady I know in her 50 s has just been vaccinated because she goes into care homes, fine, so far so good but why does she go into care homes? Because she’s a hair dresser now why for Gods name is that essential We can’t go to hairdressers so why should she be going in and out of care homes to do people s hair, according to her that is government guidelines
I haven’t looked it up so you might know differently

Popping back to the mention of animals transmitting the virus, I had a long conversation with a cousin in NZ who has merino sheep, dogs and cats. Apparently research there suggests this does not occur. They are incredibly fussy about disinfecting people's shoes and baggage on arrival in the country, they spray the cabins of the planes, but still occasionally the virus gets through from overseas travellers. Their livestock is unaffected.

I agree Bluebelle. I find a hairdresser going into care homes worrying. It's good for morale but certainly not essential. The two care homes I'm familiar with locally wouldnt even consider it. One is lucky enough to have a hair dresser as a carer,the other does it's best with rollers etc! I may be wrong but I was under the impression the vaccine may protect you but doesnt stop you passing it on. Maybe the residents have also been vaccinated?

For Christians, collective worship is a vital part of their faith, and for many the only thing that gives them hope during this crisis. I wonder when those of you crying for the churches to be closed last set foot in one? Congregations are very small to begin with, now much reduced, you have to sit over two metres away from anyone else not in your bubble, wear a mask and there is no socialising at the end. The airflow is much greater than in a shop. The precautions are far more rigorous than in a supermarket, and you are not insisting those are closed?

Breaking the rules isn't at all fair to others or the NHS, but far worse is the 30% of people (I read) still going out knowing they have the virus. I guess this is happening where people are still fit and need to work, even though they are irresponsibly transmitting the virus en route. Or those who pop to the shops.

Divide and rule - has been the mantra of the Johnson administration throughout. And, they have used it so very well with this virus. So.......nothing is their fault - it is all
down to your neighbours. Not YOU, obviously - YOU are obeying every rule, and u-turn as it comes. But those 'neighbours' are the ones who are making it all so bad.

Not the government - as has already been mentioned, not the one(s) who said on Sunday that schools are safe, send the all the children back on Monday, then on Tuesday they are not safe and need closing.

Not the government who has wasted (not how they would think of it) tens of millions of pounds (our money), on useless and wasteful contracts for themselves and their friends.

Not the government, led by a man who only knows how to twist and lie his way out of anything uncomfortable.

No.....it is our neighbours, and those people we know who just do not seem to follow the most current information.

Do understand why churches, etc are being kept open. Obviously no god is going to let this virus effect her followers!!!!

Where I live is very near a small supermarket and also near the start of a linear walk. Normally at this time in a Sunday I would see many people out for a walk, families, dog walkers. There is nobody. Not a soul.
The only busy area this week has been the small shopping precinct where young people congregate.
I think people are taking it seriously now, but there will always be exceptions.
Churches round here have closed and offer online worship, even though they are allowed to be open. It is just not safe.

Personally, I don’t just go by what the rules say, but what feels safe. Stricter!

B9exchange

For Christians, collective worship is a vital part of their faith, and for many the only thing that gives them hope during this crisis. I wonder when those of you crying for the churches to be closed last set foot in one? Congregations are very small to begin with, now much reduced, you have to sit over two metres away from anyone else not in your bubble, wear a mask and there is no socialising at the end. The airflow is much greater than in a shop. The precautions are far more rigorous than in a supermarket, and you are not insisting those are closed?

You are talking about one type of place of worship and possibly one church. It is possible not all are as assiduous. Plus it’s another reason to “go out”.
We have to eat. We don’t have to attend church, however much we’d like to, and I do understand the comfort people find in religion.
My own beliefs and visits to “church” are irrelevant to this

I find it hard watching friends breaking the rules when I don’t.I don’t feel the same about those that do.I doubt I will be in contact when this is over. I feel every one that breaks rules have no thought but for themselves, one friend saying she has to have different bubbles as she is an anxious person and it’s for her mental health. Like all of us I suppose in these times, but we manage it.

I agree with the OP AND Kandinsky.

People are taking needless risks because it's allowed. NO ONE needs to go out daily to shop. Unless you have a dog and no garden , you don't HAVE to go out.

Some schools are 50% full. If only one parent is a key worker, the children should not be in school. Yes, it's hard coping with WFH and having children. But it's dangerous out there.

The government is weak and disorganized. We need a FULL lockdown. Army on the streets. A pass dated and timed to go out.

I'm going to go slightly off piste. There are small things we can do to take the pressure off the NHS.

The ambulance service is being inundated with non urgent calls, I know because the paramedics, who treated me told me this.
There was a poster on here who phoned the ambulance service on a number of occasions because her BP was up, due to noisy neighbours. Phone 111 and let them decide if you need to go to hospital.

Secondly, I was in A& E for a long time and saw a lot of people trailing through with what appeared to be minor ailments. Of course I'm not a doctor, so obviously not qualified to diagnose.
Many were not wearing masks, which is compulsory. I am medically exempt from wearing one, but I still had to wear one, while attached to a heart monitor. These patients were wandering up and down, maskless and staff afraid to challenge them.
The nurses were so frustrated at people clogging up the system, when there was no need to come to A&E in the first place.

Based on my very recent experience, Kadinsky and watching news coverage, I have to disagree with you. People are partly to blame for spreading this virus. I watched the images yesterday of people in London parks, few wearing masks and little evidence of social distancing. The arrogance and self entitlement of some people, who were interviewed was absolutely astounding! ?

I'm used to hospital stays, but this traumatic experience was nothing like anything I have ever experienced before. I was discharged earlier than I normally would have been from the High Dependancy Unit, as it was much safer to recover at home and my discharge would unblock a bed for someone in more dire straits than I was.

Everyone has a responsibility to help prevent the spread of the virus.

We have a large supermarket locally that some people are now boycotting because of the numbers of people, lack of distancing, lack of masks and families shopping together. Shops like The Range and Home Bargains are open, I don’t see them as essential. The first lockdown allowed one hour of exercise per day, fewer people about and it was clear, so no debate. We need a proper lockdown again.

NfkDumpling

It was worrying last evening to see pictures of people taking legitimate exercise in London parks. All of them out with good reason. Each doing the right thing and following the rules, but all at the same time in the same place. It seems people think their right to do something overrides common sense.

Getting exercise is common sensical (is that a word?).

Following the rules is common sensical.

What's the problem? I'll answer that myself: I think the problem is excessive anxiety.

For which I'm not blaming anyone, just putting it out there.

I agree about protecting the NHS but know personally of an NHS employee who has been flagrantly ignoring the rules especially over Christmas and new year which is very disheartening

This is just government trying to blame us for their mess. Schools should be shut especially universities because people ARE abiding by the rules. And you are falling for their rubbish. Small example - why no mention of the problems joggers and cyclists are causing? You have to stand a long way away from me when I’m breathing normally but joggers can whisk past you panting....this thing is more contagious than they say.

It's taking me all my time to go out of the front door to the shop around the corner and even then I'm muffled up like a mummy.
D, my only contact has said she won't be visiting as such, only via the window or phone and I've been completely " contactless" since the 27th of December when I last saw her, just talking to the cats.

I'll do what it takes to avoid catching this killer. I just don't go anywhere at all and can walk up and down the garden to stretch my legs if I so wish. There's just no need to leave the house except for GP and hospital appointments or food shopping so why can't people adhere to the rules ?

Holidays aren't now important to me, neither is eating/drinking out, nor hairdressers / beauticians. I'll see my family again if I " do the right thing" but won't if I don't---it's as simple as that.
How much easier must it be where there are two of you ??

Bluebelle do not under estimate the importance to people of personal care like hair cuts. When DH went into hospital he was just about due a haircut and beard trim.

The fact that his hair was growing long and straggly and he was disappearing behind his beard was a constant source of distress to him, even when very ill indeed. At one point I broke the distancing rules to trim the hair growing from above his upper lift and into his mouth, which was making eating difficult.

When he got home, almost the first thing he did, ill though he still is, was ask me to get a table, mirror and beard trimmer in front of him and slowly trim his beard, not well but thoroughly. The effect this had on him was miraculous, mentally and physically.

DD is our bubble. She has bought some hair trimming scissors and will give him a haircut today, she too may not do it well, although she will do it better than I could, and I anticipate an other jump in mental and physical well being.

A& E for a long time and saw a lot of people trailing through with what appeared to be minor ailments

This is partly because some of those minor ailments cannot are not dealt with at GP surgeries any more and one can't call doctors to one's house. While I understand the reasons for that change, it does mean A&E has to do more than it used to. Its very name tells you that it is there to deal with 'accidents', even small ones, not just emergencies.

PS Glad you're still posting, mdoll ?