What s wromg with the UK?

Anyone out and about should be more responsible, they are idiots, I agree and could pass it on without suffering themselves.
But selling food on a stall when you have a terrible cough is really irresponsible if not criminal.
Especially when Macron had brought in lockdown hasn't he?

Callistemon

Yes I do. And no I wasn't because I live in the Dordogne. As they keep telling us on the British news, the UK is 2 weeks behind Italy and France in the progress of the virus. A woman coughing into her fur collar doesn't compare with all the people that were out and about yesterday, as I've posted today elsewhere.

Italy and France have more stringent measures in place and they haven't done much to slow the rate. My fear is that in the UK the death rate will ultimately be higher because not enough is being done now to prevent the movement of people.

small town

What s wromg with the UK?

Do you live in France Dinahmo?

I hope you weren't near those women I mentioned on another thread, people thronging a street market in a small own near Paris the other day, buying fresh produce. One woman stopped to speak to another, heads together talking, then wandered on. The woman (stallholder perhaps?) then coughed many times into the fur collar of her coat. Ugh! They were both standing just behind the reporter.

It’s done it again! Seriously GN admin! Get some professionals in to sort things out. There must be hundreds kicking their heels.

I check what I’ve written (thank you Miss Horner 5H ) but it changes when I press post.

There may well be Brit badgers but it was supposed to be bathers obviously ?

Bashing Brits is the main pastime of the vicious and disappointed who are still smarting over the Brexit result and the General Election. They focus entirely on the negativity seeming to revel in it.

A man nearby put out a thread about helping those in need and within an hour had 800 responses! The Brit badgers must surround themselves with the mean and the selfish.

Many other countries have also had problems with self isolating. It was the start of the problem in Italy and nationals from other countries are finding the same thing happening.

We could do with more positive news of the vast number surviving. Tom Hanks seems to be on the mend.

So many experts pushing their contradictory theories and that’s all they are - theories!

Maggiemaybe I agree, Britain bashing is a full time occupation for some ( perhaps it’s well paid.)

Tooting ?? Good post.

For all the stringent measures in Spain and Italy, people are not following them. Yes there are an element of very selfish people. There always will be as they were in the past. Whilst Britain harks back to the past, even in WW2 there was profiteering and a black market, looters etc. The majority of people are probably kind and OK and perhaps more news stories on this might help change behaviour. As a fellow colleague recently told me who worked with the press and media. Bad news sells papers promotes clicks on social media. Good news doesn't. If the Govt could do one thing I would lock down partisan press, scaremongers on social media and arguing scientists with big egos who were previously unheard of. (BtW I work with scientists and they scabble amongst themselves and question everything) These fuel panic and undermine the Govt message to the extent people will not believe or listen to government advice or act on it

We are no better no worse than other countries, but yes some just love to bash our country while extolling all others. It's amazing that anybody wants to come here we're just so dreadful!
suziewoozie are you 100% certain the yobs in Spain were English only, no Scots, Irish, Welsh? Or are you doing what so many people both foreign and domestic do and using English when you mean British? Certainly the Scots were still filling their pubs, and the Irish in America congregated for St Patrick's Day in huge numbers, so every bit as stupid.
Where I'd agree we were very lax was in letting planeloads of people arrive at the London airports from the worst affected parts of Italy, Italians and other nationalities and just asked them to self isolate for 14 days. Of course every last one was conscientious and did just that. Just like those Italians who when they heard of the lockdown immediately fled to the south to family and friends and took the virus with them.

We’re the usual mixture of good and bad as other countries.

Of course we are. But we can't see that. We much prefer to bash ourselves constantly, concentrate on the bad, and imagine that the rest of the world is oh, so much better.

In my town, there are many community groups and there are many selfish people still stripping the shelves. We’re the usual mixture of good and bad as other countries. In Italy there are volunteers going into infected peoples homes to treat them, take them to hospital ( if there’s a bed). Enough of this xenophobic English exceptionalism. I saw videos of English yobs in Spain ignoring the lock down- just wait until that bites here, we won’t compare well with many of our European neighbours.

I am delighted to see the number of help groups that have been created in the last few days in my own local community. Thank you all.

Hear, hear, Wiltshiregran. As ever we are very quick to talk our country down by concentrating on the bad elements in our society, slow to praise the many good people. I've lived in another European country and know the exact opposite applies there.

Our local Facebook group is full of people and organisations offering help to the vulnerable and anyone struggling in the current climate. These people get barely a mention in the media.

Very high population here but will not be the same after January 2021.

OOPS yes we can prove it, there a high pockets of Brits living in certain Communes here, statistically they were the first ones to have shelves stripped and bring in rationing.

Take care what you say, none of the shops around me are having problems, as I have said on another post our local retailers are sensible and organised and the local population appear to be respecting that.

Only speaking for here but thats the way it goes.

I am delighted to see the number of help groups that have been created in the last few days in my own local community. Thank you all.

I have been listening to the news reports from the PM and experts and the range of help being given to various sectors. It worries me that there has been a complete lack of priority given to helping our most vulnerable and pensioner living in poverty. We now know there has been an incredible increase in poverty in recent months, though I not sure of the main reason. Is it due to a far better way of reporting or gov cuts in some benefits?

Mamie I didn't see the lunchtime news but will look later on. Gardening at the moment. I thought that the certificates allowed us to go for walks for our health (or for dogs) I suppose they think that lots of people will congregate on the beaches. Also, it's a fairly easy target for them - don't have to work quite as hard as if they had to police a densely wooded area.

Felice I assume that you're talking about Brits abroad. Well, I live in the Dordogne which probably has the highest percentage of Brits and also some Dutch, Americans and Australians. In my commune, population over 600, there are 19 full time resident Brits and I think it's the same all over, apart from one or two towns so I hardly think that's a high population of us.

Sadly the main areas where shops have been stripped of goods is where a high population of Brits live ummmm

Are you a troll, felice?

That has to be the most pathetic comment I've seen on these boards for a long time

Any evidence?

No. Of course not.

Why frequent a board with many British people when you have such a low opinion of us?

Oh give over, Felice

Sadly the main areas where shops have been stripped of goods is where a high population of Brits live ummmm

Lockdown here and the only places open are food shops and Pharmacies no problems, all schools closed since Monday and online lessons since then.
Many shops have special times but I am using my amazing family run(since 1912) corner shop.
To use a British adage, they saw the area through 2 world wars and I am sure they will help us through this.
The rules are very strict here, but walking is allowed so DGS and I plan to go to the local lakes tomorrow and see if the babies have hatched yet.
Stay safe everyone.

Great post, Witzend

It's baffling

More info about the irrational panic buying that's gripping everywhere

Many stores here are having opening hours solely for the elderly and NHS workers.

Lots of very good people here

www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2020/03/16/Coronavirus-Europe-calls-for-calm-as-food-shortage-fears-spark-panic-buying

It’s not just us.
A Swedish friend in Stockholm is seeing panic buying, bare shelves, etc. And I dare say many other nationalities would say the same.

On the plus side, I’ve heard of masses of local help groups being set up. Where I live, days ago there were several offers of help for anybody needing it, emailed to dh, who is active in the residents’ association. And more have come in since.

Some GNers seem to me to be very eager to Brit-bash at every opportunity. They seem to positively enjoy thinking that we’re worse than everybody else.