| The lockdown lifting announcement 08:14 - Feb 22 with 4089 views | Bluefish |
Waste of time. Went out for a couple of walks this weekend and saw plenty already doing the things that are being proposed. All sorts of ages but a couple of big groups in particular of about 18-25. Also seeing friends happily posting pictures with non household family indoors nd outdoors |  |
| |  |
| The lockdown lifting announcement on 10:04 - Feb 22 with 1378 views | C_HealyIsAPleasure |
| The lockdown lifting announcement on 09:31 - Feb 22 by PrideOfTheEast |
Yes exactly.
Local playgrounds were packed this weekend. But no different to a nursery is it - perhaps better as it's outside.
Parents naturally bump into people they know. Nobody is hugging and kissing and from what I witnessed being sensible. |
No doubt a lot of people do genuinely bump into each other however anecdotally it’s clear that a lot of ‘chance’ meetings at playgrounds have really been arranged. However I don’t see the problem or blame anyone doing this (within reason - obviously a mass meet up is different), kids need to play with other kids and I certainly doing begrudge people stuck at home juggling work and home schooling having an outdoor chat with a friend |  |
| |
| The lockdown lifting announcement on 10:06 - Feb 22 with 1377 views | giant_stow |
| The lockdown lifting announcement on 09:57 - Feb 22 by bluelagos |
Some will condemn you Ulla. I dont for a second. Only you know the stresses of yours, your kids and your parents lves. |
Cheers mr - I know it was out of line, but we all really needed it. |  |
| |
| The lockdown lifting announcement on 10:07 - Feb 22 with 1373 views | itfcjoe |
| The lockdown lifting announcement on 10:04 - Feb 22 by C_HealyIsAPleasure |
No doubt a lot of people do genuinely bump into each other however anecdotally it’s clear that a lot of ‘chance’ meetings at playgrounds have really been arranged. However I don’t see the problem or blame anyone doing this (within reason - obviously a mass meet up is different), kids need to play with other kids and I certainly doing begrudge people stuck at home juggling work and home schooling having an outdoor chat with a friend |
I tried to arrange to meet a mate at playground Saturday morning, but their youngest fell asleep so didn't make it.......but did then meet 2 other mates there genuinely by chance which was quite handy! |  |
| |
| The lockdown lifting announcement on 10:09 - Feb 22 with 1362 views | StokieBlue |
| The lockdown lifting announcement on 09:57 - Feb 22 by bluelagos |
Some will condemn you Ulla. I dont for a second. Only you know the stresses of yours, your kids and your parents lves. |
Agreed this is a small transgression which no doubt did him some good and probably was especially good for his son from what he has posted on here before.
However where do you see the line being drawn? You're basically saying the rules are open to interpretation depending on how someone feels and given that is there any point having outside rules at all as your justification can be applied to pretty much any outdoor meeting?
I'd love to drive to Ipswich and meet my family in the park, it would certainly do me and them some good but it's clearly not allowed so I don't do it.
Would it actually be better to scrap all rules outdoors and trust people to social distance where needed and just keep firm and inflexible (no excuses) for indoor meetings? Perhaps that would increase compliance as people would be free to do things outdoors and thus wouldn't feel the need to break any indoor rules?
SB |  |
| |
| The lockdown lifting announcement on 10:15 - Feb 22 with 1344 views | giant_stow |
| The lockdown lifting announcement on 10:09 - Feb 22 by StokieBlue |
Agreed this is a small transgression which no doubt did him some good and probably was especially good for his son from what he has posted on here before.
However where do you see the line being drawn? You're basically saying the rules are open to interpretation depending on how someone feels and given that is there any point having outside rules at all as your justification can be applied to pretty much any outdoor meeting?
I'd love to drive to Ipswich and meet my family in the park, it would certainly do me and them some good but it's clearly not allowed so I don't do it.
Would it actually be better to scrap all rules outdoors and trust people to social distance where needed and just keep firm and inflexible (no excuses) for indoor meetings? Perhaps that would increase compliance as people would be free to do things outdoors and thus wouldn't feel the need to break any indoor rules?
SB |
I think there's some sense to your last paragraph, but then maybe I'm just trying to justify myself.
Sorry if my confession irriates mr - I didn't mean it that way - just being honest. The frustrating thing on these rules is if you did decide to drive and see your fam in Ipswich, I know you'd do it carefully and safely, so 99.9999%, there's be no adverse affect. Respect to you for sticking to them though. | |
| |
| The lockdown lifting announcement on 10:19 - Feb 22 with 1326 views | StokieBlue |
| The lockdown lifting announcement on 10:15 - Feb 22 by giant_stow |
I think there's some sense to your last paragraph, but then maybe I'm just trying to justify myself.
Sorry if my confession irriates mr - I didn't mean it that way - just being honest. The frustrating thing on these rules is if you did decide to drive and see your fam in Ipswich, I know you'd do it carefully and safely, so 99.9999%, there's be no adverse affect. Respect to you for sticking to them though. |
I'm not annoyed at you, as I said, yours was a small transgression with only a small group and did everyone some good.
My post was more pondering around the rules themselves and how to increase indoor compliance which is the most important thing.
SB | |
| |
| The lockdown lifting announcement on 10:27 - Feb 22 with 1310 views | bluelagos |
| The lockdown lifting announcement on 10:09 - Feb 22 by StokieBlue |
Agreed this is a small transgression which no doubt did him some good and probably was especially good for his son from what he has posted on here before.
However where do you see the line being drawn? You're basically saying the rules are open to interpretation depending on how someone feels and given that is there any point having outside rules at all as your justification can be applied to pretty much any outdoor meeting?
I'd love to drive to Ipswich and meet my family in the park, it would certainly do me and them some good but it's clearly not allowed so I don't do it.
Would it actually be better to scrap all rules outdoors and trust people to social distance where needed and just keep firm and inflexible (no excuses) for indoor meetings? Perhaps that would increase compliance as people would be free to do things outdoors and thus wouldn't feel the need to break any indoor rules?
SB |
"Would it actually be better to scrap all rules outdoors and trust people to social distance where needed and just keep firm and inflexible (no excuses) for indoor meetings? "
Would make a lot of sense to me. Recognise where the risks are (indoors) and encourage people to make as much use of the outdoors (for our well being) as possible. |  |
| |
| The lockdown lifting announcement on 10:28 - Feb 22 with 1309 views | mikeybloo88 |
Expect to see plenty of vaxed oldies gathering for garden fizz and canapés... |  | | |
Login to get fewer ads
| The lockdown lifting announcement on 10:42 - Feb 22 with 1294 views | PrideOfTheEast |
| The lockdown lifting announcement on 09:42 - Feb 22 by Radlett_blue |
humans who live under non-authoritarian regimes are not going to accept endless solitary confinement. Meeting people socially outside, while maintaining distance, is a relatively safe way for people to enjoy some alternative human company from their household. I don't think any logical person should worry about this. |
Exactly. And I expect I'm not the only one feeling a millions time better for being outside in nice weather, having a conversation in the playground whilst the kids played etc. |  | | |
| The lockdown lifting announcement on 10:44 - Feb 22 with 1286 views | PrideOfTheEast |
| The lockdown lifting announcement on 10:04 - Feb 22 by C_HealyIsAPleasure |
No doubt a lot of people do genuinely bump into each other however anecdotally it’s clear that a lot of ‘chance’ meetings at playgrounds have really been arranged. However I don’t see the problem or blame anyone doing this (within reason - obviously a mass meet up is different), kids need to play with other kids and I certainly doing begrudge people stuck at home juggling work and home schooling having an outdoor chat with a friend |
Agree mate and I'd be lying if I said our meeting with one other family was chance. Although I spent the whole time talking to a random because our kids happened to be playing together in a sandpit. | | | |
| The lockdown lifting announcement on 10:56 - Feb 22 with 1264 views | giant_stow |
| The lockdown lifting announcement on 10:19 - Feb 22 by StokieBlue |
I'm not annoyed at you, as I said, yours was a small transgression with only a small group and did everyone some good.
My post was more pondering around the rules themselves and how to increase indoor compliance which is the most important thing.
SB |
fair dos mr. | |
| |
| The lockdown lifting announcement on 11:07 - Feb 22 with 1254 views | Timefliesbyintheblue |
| The lockdown lifting announcement on 10:56 - Feb 22 by giant_stow |
fair dos mr. |
For my part I think the nation has acted admirably during these last few months. I refuse to judge a few that might react differently to myself. Common sense and moderation has been prevalent in most of us and far too much criticising others for there actions.
I also belief that we all owe a big 'thanks' to the younger generation who have in the main put there lives on hold to protect those older than themselves. If I was still a teenager, I am not convinced that I would not have broken e few rules!
I am not fed up or bored; I have though had enough of lockdown and methinks what we want now is hope that this can be the beginning of the end of most of the current restrictions. | | | |
| In reality on 11:16 - Feb 22 with 1246 views | Guthrum |
it comes down to good information and common sense.
If the public are told why* they should do (or not do) something, the vast majority will go along with that. They don't want to get ill, after all.
Common sense has to be applied both in how people approach things (e.g. maybe have a limited meeting between two small family groups, not a 40-strong knees-up) and how the rules are applied (popping round to see a neighbour is less risky than driving 100 miles across the country for a cup of tea).
There will always be a core of deniers, CRG whingers and the irresponsible (young and old), who are not going to be put off doing stupid stuff even by the most draconian laws (how many times has Piers Corbyn been arrested now?), but they are only a minority. However, the more petty the rules appear to be - and especially if they are not well explained - the more people will be pushed into their arms.
* I mean specifically why, not just "for the good of your health" or "because we told you to". Input from Whitty and Van Tam is very useful for this. Tho perhaps fewer graphs. |  |
| |
| In reality on 11:39 - Feb 22 with 1222 views | urbanblue |
| In reality on 11:16 - Feb 22 by Guthrum |
it comes down to good information and common sense.
If the public are told why* they should do (or not do) something, the vast majority will go along with that. They don't want to get ill, after all.
Common sense has to be applied both in how people approach things (e.g. maybe have a limited meeting between two small family groups, not a 40-strong knees-up) and how the rules are applied (popping round to see a neighbour is less risky than driving 100 miles across the country for a cup of tea).
There will always be a core of deniers, CRG whingers and the irresponsible (young and old), who are not going to be put off doing stupid stuff even by the most draconian laws (how many times has Piers Corbyn been arrested now?), but they are only a minority. However, the more petty the rules appear to be - and especially if they are not well explained - the more people will be pushed into their arms.
* I mean specifically why, not just "for the good of your health" or "because we told you to". Input from Whitty and Van Tam is very useful for this. Tho perhaps fewer graphs. |
There is an interesting comparison to be made here in Australia.
The Melbourne and Victorian State Government went hard during lockdown with pretty draconian rules and orders and the Police went hard, fining and arresting any one who stepped out of line.
On the contrary the Premier of Sydney and NSW where I live took a very different approach. Yes, there were rules but they were explained and the public were 'asked' to do the right thing and follow the advice. The message was really well conveyed, the Police generally took a laid back approach, and the response from the public to this was superb.
I guess the results as per Covid were similar but the well being and satisfaction of the residents, certainly of Sydney and Melbourne, may be quite different.
https://www.9news.com.au/national/victoria-police-20-times-more-fines-than-nsw-f |  | | |
| OPEN BENIDORM!!! (n/t) on 11:46 - Feb 22 with 1210 views | Bloots |
|  |
| "The sooner he comes back the better, this place has been a disaster without him" - TWTD User (July 2025) |
| |
| In reality on 12:00 - Feb 22 with 1192 views | WeWereZombies |
| In reality on 11:16 - Feb 22 by Guthrum |
it comes down to good information and common sense.
If the public are told why* they should do (or not do) something, the vast majority will go along with that. They don't want to get ill, after all.
Common sense has to be applied both in how people approach things (e.g. maybe have a limited meeting between two small family groups, not a 40-strong knees-up) and how the rules are applied (popping round to see a neighbour is less risky than driving 100 miles across the country for a cup of tea).
There will always be a core of deniers, CRG whingers and the irresponsible (young and old), who are not going to be put off doing stupid stuff even by the most draconian laws (how many times has Piers Corbyn been arrested now?), but they are only a minority. However, the more petty the rules appear to be - and especially if they are not well explained - the more people will be pushed into their arms.
* I mean specifically why, not just "for the good of your health" or "because we told you to". Input from Whitty and Van Tam is very useful for this. Tho perhaps fewer graphs. |
I think a lot of us feel that our family can be trusted, if a member comes into contact with someone displaying Covid symptoms or diagnosed with the virus they will self isolate and let everyone know. Likewise with close friends, so we feel secure in these groups and do not see why we should be kept apart. Especially when we walk down the aisles of supermarkets and strangers flout the social distancing message.
But social distancing is proving impossible to police so the rules have to go further than what is sensible into a 'safety times six' scenario (similar to stress tests on concrete or steel beams in buildings). However, when that also proves impossible to police, either because of visibility or practicality, then another impasse is reached. Hopefully mass vaccination will reduce Covid outbreaks and allow them to be micro-managed - and at that point we may see the true implementation and effect of rigid lock down. |  |
| |
| The lockdown lifting announcement on 12:18 - Feb 22 with 1171 views | jeera |
| The lockdown lifting announcement on 09:48 - Feb 22 by giant_stow |
Confession time: I met up with my Mum and brother in the park yesterday and took my boy. We had coffee, cake and played football. Everyone left happier. |
What sort of cake? |  |
| |
| |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
