How much longer will social distancing go on for in the UK?

[talldave]

It is funny that I have never seen it mentioned in the media any spike in COVID cases as a result of any of those examples. It is as if the media are only interested in broadcasting bad news.

Well good news doesn't attract readers does it?

 

[Bantamzen]

It is funny that I have never seen it mentioned in the media any spike in COVID cases as a result of any of those examples. It is as if the media are only interested in broadcasting bad news.

That's because the click-bait Karens of Facebook are far more interested in anything that backs up their social media ranting & shaming.

 

[Jonny]

It is funny that I have never seen it mentioned in the media any spike in COVID cases as a result of any of those examples. It is as if the media are only interested in broadcasting bad news.

You would think that the media had an agenda, like stirring up fear and panic, wouldn't you

 

[Howardh]

Additionally, another clue to the government intending to retain social distancing for many months yet. The government have said theatres will not be allowed to re-open with full capacity until next year.

It's a bit contradictory, we can go to the cinema but not the theatre.I take it there's an issue with the performers shouting/snogging/fighting on stage, or very heavy breathing into instruments.

 

[adc82140]

I think it's more to do with the fact that theatres need full houses to be financially viable, whereas cinemas can halve the occupancy and put the film on twice.

 

[MikeWM]

Yesterday at Norwich station I saw a mother telling her masked-up child - probably all of about 4 years old - to remember to stay 2 metres away from people. Very sad

 

[MikeWM]

I think it's more to do with the fact that theatres need full houses to be financially viable, whereas cinemas can halve the occupancy and put the film on twice.

Once it is required to wear masks in cinemas - which is no doubt on the way - they may as well close again too. The business model of cinemas is entirely based on people stuffing their face with overpriced food and drink while watching the film; without that, they'll go under in months.

 

[Howardh]

Yesterday at Norwich station I saw a mother telling her masked-up child - probably all of about 4 years old - to remember to stay 2 metres away from people. Very sad

Having endured a number of infants running round Lidl this morning, 2 metres just isn't enough. Any advance on 200??

 

[MikeWM]

Having endured a number of infants running round Lidl this morning, 2 metres just isn't enough. Any advance on 200??

One of the weird things about the last few months is that stuff that irritated me immensely beforehand I now find most welcome. Even annoyingly loud people on trains, as long as they're not wearing masks I'll know we're back at 'old normal' once these things irritate me again...

 

[Howardh]

One of the weird things about the last few months is that stuff that irritated me immensely beforehand I now find most welcome. Even annoyingly loud people on trains, as long as they're not wearing masks I'll know we're back at 'old normal' once these things irritate me again...

One of my loca pub's landlords apologised profusely when I walked in on Saturday. "Sorry Haitch, we've had to turn the music down and turn the juke box off".

Only wahey...peace and quiet!!! Covid, you're a winner....

 

[Scrotnig]

One of my loca pub's landlords apologised profusely when I walked in on Saturday. "Sorry Haitch, we've had to turn the music down and turn the juke box off".

Only wahey...peace and quiet!!! Covid, you're a winner....

One of the reasons I *used* to like Wetherspoon pubs was the complete lack of music and other such nonsense.

However I'll not be going in a Spoons any time in the future because of the behaviour of Tim Martin.

Realistically - given my mental health and suchlike, I won;t be able to go in ANY pub again. Decades of getting to the point where I could, only to be knocked back to the beginning by all this. However, I'll survive without it....
What's more upsetting is not being able to go on heritage railways for the forseeable future...which is sad.

 

[Ianno87]

Yesterday at Norwich station I saw a mother telling her masked-up child - probably all of about 4 years old - to remember to stay 2 metres away from people. Very sad

Took my 3 year old to Bekonscot model village. I certainly "encouraged" him to distance from others by giving him a gentle nudge in the opposite direction (e.g. getting close to other kids when looking at a train), but being too harsh would be ridiculously counter productive. The other parents there were certainly reasonably relaxed about it too. I did get him to follow the arrows around the one way system reasonably well.

The last thing I'd want is another parent having a go at me for "my" kid not social distancing (even though theirs' is 50% of the problem too)

 

[Journeyman]

Took my 3 year old to Bekonscot model village. I certainly "encouraged" him to distance from others by giving him a gentle nudge in the opposite direction (e.g. getting close to other kids when looking at a train), but being too harsh would be ridiculously counter productive. The other parents there were certainly reasonably relaxed about it too. I did get him to follow the arrows around the one way system reasonably well.

The last thing I'd want is another parent having a go at me for "my" kid not social distancing (even though theirs' is 50% of the problem too)

In Scotland we've been told under-12s no longer need to social distance. It's getting so complicated it's ridiculous.

 

[bramling]

Perhaps it varies from place to place but round here social distancing is definitely still widely practised.

Same here, although more on a “where possible” basis, which seems reasonable to me. There are still some quivering wrecks though, the sort that will press themselves right up against a wall should they need to pass anyone on a footpath.

 

[Andyh82]

Same around here. I was walking by the canal yesterday, some groups come barrelling past you talking (and hence breathing) right across you as they do, as if nothing has happened.

Others practically jumped in the canal to ensure a full 2m distance, tended to be parents with little kids in the main

 

[Class 33]

I've just had a look at the COVID Alert Level chart again. We're currently on Level 3. Here is a rundown of Levels 3, 2 and 1.

ALERT LEVEL 3 - Description - A COVID-19 epidemic is in general circulation - Action - Gradual relaxation of restrictions and social distancing measures

ALERT LEVEL 2 - Description - COVID-19 is present in the UK, but the number of cases and transmission is low - Action - No or minimal social distancing measures, enhanced testing, tracing, monitoring and screening

ALERT LEVEL 1 - Description - COVID-19 is not known to be present in the UK - Action - Routine international monitoring


Now this is interesting. Because I'm pretty sure the actions for Alert Level's 2 and 1 have changed a little since I last looked at them a few weeks ago. Before, I'm fairly sure that the action for Level 2 stated "Minimal social distancing measures", whereas now it states "No or minimal social distancing measures". And also the action for Level 1 stated "No social distancing". And I did think at the time, well it's going to be many many months yet - if atall even, that COVID-19 is completely eradicated from the UK and that we can't keep up all these social distancing measures long term or indefinitely! But now I see that that has changed, and when we are able to move to Alert Level 2 there is hope that social distancing can FINALLY(!!!) be scrapped completely. But this could still be quite some months away yet as one of the criteria is that the number of cases is low, and the current number of cases is still unfortunately not really all that low. I wonder what sort of volume of cases the government would consider low enough for us to move to Level 2? Hopefully we will move to Level 2 and social distancing can be scrapped fairly soon!

That said, I still think it won't be till at least January 2021 until social distancing will be completely scrapped, even though the damage it is continuing to do to the economy. But I'll be VERY happy to be proved wrong if social distancing is completely scrapped before the end of the year!

 

[Bikeman78]

Yesterday at Norwich station I saw a mother telling her masked-up child - probably all of about 4 years old - to remember to stay 2 metres away from people. Very sad

There is no way my kids are wearing masks. Went out for a walk yesterday. I reminded them to give people a bit of space and almost every oncoming person smiled at me even though many of them were within 50 cm of one of us as they passed.

 

[PHILIPE]

I've just had a look at the COVID Alert Level chart again. We're currently on Level 3. Here is a rundown of Levels 3, 2 and 1.

ALERT LEVEL 3 - Description - A COVID-19 epidemic is in general circulation - Action - Gradual relaxation of restrictions and social distancing measures

ALERT LEVEL 2 - Description - COVID-19 is present in the UK, but the number of cases and transmission is low - Action - No or minimal social distancing measures, enhanced testing, tracing, monitoring and screening

ALERT LEVEL 1 - Description - COVID-19 is not known to be present in the UK - Action - Routine international monitoring


Now this is interesting. Because I'm pretty sure the actions for Alert Level's 2 and 1 have changed a little since I last looked at them a few weeks ago. Before, I'm fairly sure that the action for Level 2 stated "Minimal social distancing measures", whereas now it states "No or minimal social distancing measures". And also the action for Level 1 stated "No social distancing". And I did think at the time, well it's going to be many many months yet - if atall even, that COVID-19 is completely eradicated from the UK and that we can't keep up all these social distancing measures long term or indefinitely! But now I see that that has changed, and when we are able to move to Alert Level 2 there is hope that social distancing can FINALLY(!!!) be scrapped completely. But this could still be quite some months away yet as one of the criteria is that the number of cases is low, and the current number of cases is still unfortunately not really all that low. I wonder what sort of volume of cases the government would consider low enough for us to move to Level 2? Hopefully we will move to Level 2 and social distancing can be scrapped fairly soon!

That said, I still think it won't be till at least January 2021 until social distancing will be completely scrapped, even though the damage it is continuing to do to the economy. But I'll be VERY happy to be proved wrong if social distancing is completely scrapped before the end of the year!

I notice that Level 3 is classed as Epidemic rather than Pandemic

 

[Huntergreed]

I notice that Level is classed as Epidemic rather than Pandemic

Yet Boris, Hancock and Whitty (and the rest of the gang) all refer to it as a 'pandemic' in the briefings still. It's good to see things may be (hopefully) calming down a little!

 

[CaptainHaddock]

The way I see it, if facemasks are made mandatory in all indoor public places then social distancing should be scrapped altogether. Personally I don't think either measure is necessary any longer but surely it should be one or the other, not both?

 

[Puffing Devil]

Here we go again - or here you go again. How exactly do you know this?

Florida.

 

[yorkie]

Well, if a vaccine isn't available soon, we are going to have go to back to normal somehow. We can't stop living as human beings indefinitely!

The way I see it, if facemasks are made mandatory in all indoor public places then social distancing should be scrapped altogether. Personally I don't think either measure is necessary any longer but surely it should be one or the other, not both?

Certainly shouldn't be both!

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

The way I see it, if facemasks are made mandatory in all indoor public places then social distancing should be scrapped altogether. Personally I don't think either measure is necessary any longer but surely it should be one or the other, not both?

It may be an unpopular opinion, but I'd much rather stand outside the local supermarket for 5 minutes whilst they limit capacity, than wear a mask for 30+ minutes inside to do a weekly shop.

 

[Socanxdis]

This year is a complete write off. Can't imagine what Christmas is going to feel like.

 

[Richard Scott]

It may be an unpopular opinion, but I'd much rather stand outside the local supermarket for 5 minutes whilst they limit capacity, than wear a mask for 30+ minutes inside to do a weekly shop.

Agree

 

[Enthusiast]

Well this pub landlord isn't taking any chances:

Coronavirus: Pub landlord installs electric fence around bar

Jonny McFadden says the fence is to remind people about social distancing when they are drinking.

www.bbc.co.uk

On second thoughts this might fit better in the "Has the world gone mad?" thread.

 

[Cowley]

Well this pub landlord isn't taking any chances:

Coronavirus: Pub landlord installs electric fence around bar

Jonny McFadden says the fence is to remind people about social distancing when they are drinking.

www.bbc.co.uk

View attachment 80699

On second thoughts this might fit better in the "Has the world gone mad?" thread.

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry..?

 

[geoffk]

One of the reasons I *used* to like Wetherspoon pubs was the complete lack of music and other such nonsense.

However I'll not be going in a Spoons any time in the future because of the behaviour of Tim Martin.

Realistically - given my mental health and suchlike, I won;t be able to go in ANY pub again. Decades of getting to the point where I could, only to be knocked back to the beginning by all this. However, I'll survive without it....
What's more upsetting is not being able to go on heritage railways for the forseeable future...which is sad.

Some railways are reopening now.

 

[Mojo]

Done our shop this evening, looks like social distancing is over. It was almost back to normal, the only difference was a few wearing face masks and the plastic screens at the semi-attended customer activated terminals and the staffed checkouts.

 

[Mag_seven]

I've just had a look at the COVID Alert Level chart again. We're currently on Level 3. Here is a rundown of Levels 3, 2 and 1.

ALERT LEVEL 3 - Description - A COVID-19 epidemic is in general circulation - Action - Gradual relaxation of restrictions and social distancing measures

ALERT LEVEL 2 - Description - COVID-19 is present in the UK, but the number of cases and transmission is low - Action - No or minimal social distancing measures, enhanced testing, tracing, monitoring and screening

ALERT LEVEL 1 - Description - COVID-19 is not known to be present in the UK - Action - Routine international monitoring


Now this is interesting. Because I'm pretty sure the actions for Alert Level's 2 and 1 have changed a little since I last looked at them a few weeks ago. Before, I'm fairly sure that the action for Level 2 stated "Minimal social distancing measures", whereas now it states "No or minimal social distancing measures". And also the action for Level 1 stated "No social distancing". And I did think at the time, well it's going to be many many months yet - if atall even, that COVID-19 is completely eradicated from the UK and that we can't keep up all these social distancing measures long term or indefinitely! But now I see that that has changed, and when we are able to move to Alert Level 2 there is hope that social distancing can FINALLY(!!!) be scrapped completely. But this could still be quite some months away yet as one of the criteria is that the number of cases is low, and the current number of cases is still unfortunately not really all that low. I wonder what sort of volume of cases the government would consider low enough for us to move to Level 2? Hopefully we will move to Level 2 and social distancing can be scrapped fairly soon!

That said, I still think it won't be till at least January 2021 until social distancing will be completely scrapped, even though the damage it is continuing to do to the economy. But I'll be VERY happy to be proved wrong if social distancing is completely scrapped before the end of the year!

I took this screenshot off the BBC website today of what the original COVID alert level chart stated: