Vocal Voices

I was just wondering what your current experiences are ......

Social distancing:
When it first came in, down here, everyone was very rigorous about observing the 2 metre rule in the street (or "Keep 1 Cow Apart" as it is marketed in Dorset; if you don't believe me, Google Images will soon show you otherwise ). People were going to great efforts to leave a gap, and folk were acknowledging and thanking each other for doing so. Couples were going single file on pathways, or crossing the road where that wasn't feasible. Not so good in the supermarkets of course, but then I think there was a legacy of panic-buying going on for the first month of lockdown.
Now the Government is worrying about the increase in daily cases, and the 2 metre rule combined with hand-sanitising message is starting to re-appear again, but since the restrictions were eased and reliance put on wearing facemasks, my experience is that social distancing has all but disappeared in the street. People push closely past you and rarely acknowledge you if you make way for them. I'm not a mask activist, but I am a social distancing activist, and I'm starting to find it a bit distressing when I'm out that the majority of folk don't seem to give a tut about it any more - to the extent that today, I masked-up in the street which I've never done before. I do suspect that face masks are about as much use as a chocolate teapot, but I felt psychologically more "at ease" wearing one when I was walking outside than not.

Track and Trace recording:
My experience is that it is still very hit and miss. As you know, I attend soccer matches, and it is mandated by the FA that supporters should sign in. By and large, that's happening, but not in every case. And again, our experiences of eating out at cafes and restaurants are much the same. We visited a café today where there was simply an open book on a table by the door, with absolutely no signage or indication of what it was, and no prompt from staff to complete it. I know a lot of people are worried about the security implications of leaving your contact details all over the place (and I know some who are openly resorting to pseudonyms), and further, I cannot see how many establishments are going to implement the "your details will be destroyed after 21 days" promise if they are recording your details in a diary (hairdressers, for example) or a bound book (like that café). If I get "caught" by track and trace, it won't bother me as an retiree, but I know of folk who will avoid registering at all costs because a call would mean 14 days loss of self-employed work. You may not agree with them, but you can see where they are coming from.

So how is it for you - and do you think social distancing and track and trace should be made more "compulsory"? Or these days, now that people are so fed up with all the restrictions, are we just "whistling in the wind" and should we therefore abandon them altogether - i.e. go for "herd immunity" and the devil take the hindmost?

There isent much social distancing here ossie
Town is packed only a few people are wearing masks
I admit a lot are holiday makers
And I'm sure you could put any names you like in a book to,track and trace
At the start of lockdown some friends came back from Spain,both had the virus they had to isolate for 14days but j body checked on them a bit of a farce really

I was queuing in a shop in Stafford on Sunday which had very clear and large 2m markings on the floor but I suddenly became aware that the person who’d joined the queue behind me was actually right behind me, as were her two teenage sons and husband, and one of the boys and the man weren’t wearing masks, I won’t judge as they may be exempt but perhaps in that case they shouldn’t stand so close to people in a queue? They did shuffle back when I asked them to but still, is it that difficult to follow the very obvious guidelines that the store had marked on the floor?

There’s certainly been a shift around here of people not bothering in recent weeks. Not sure whether it’s because they think that wearing a mask makes it unnecessary or whether they just can’t be bothered.

Nadine and I were just talking about this Ossie, relating to schools

Pre-Covid, children could be dropped off 8.30am onwards so parents had a chance to get to work on time... but now the year groups have staggered start times so parents are asked to drop off within 10 min intervals and children then enter the school premises at their allocated time. BUT!!!! parents still need to get to work so are dropping off as was before, with the result that kids are hanging about outside the school gates, not a mask in sight and so close to each other it's more a case of 2cm distance vs 2m. It's just madness. And then some parents that are dropping off at the allocated times aren't helping matters either because they end up nattering to each other - again no mask in sight and all rather close (well you can't gossip if you have to shout! )

I haven't been out all that much yet and when I am, same as you I try to keep my distance but it can be mission impossible at times

Re the track and trace, I've only been out for a meal three times now and each time I gave my name and number when I made the booking; so that was all in place. One place where I didn't book has an app they ask you to download that you use to order your meal and drinks and you give your details then.


I think we're in for a bit of a bumpy ride and I do think something is going to go a tad pear shaped again before it gets better

I said weeks ago that we had lost the plot and I am convinced more than ever that it has not been found.

I have given up worrying what other people do. I do my own thing and that is to wear a mask, social distance, carry my own sanitiser, stay at home when I can, and wash my hands as much a possible. I do my shopping late in the evening when there are fewer people about as they are watching telly or at the pub. I stay well away from crowds, and if I am in a busier shop I simply turn my back and give way to people passing - mask or no mask.

However, I simply refuse to put the blame on chavs, the young, the poor or any other group. From my experience members from all levels and age groups in society are ignoring the rules and I do not think that there is a hope in hell of getting them to change any time soon.

Social distancing: It's not too bad in Gloucester, people are at least trying to distance, but here in Salcombe.... It's very quiet here in South Sands but in the main town itself, a mile away, people are not distancing! To be fair the roads and pavements are very narrow, but even so!

Track & Trace: The Ferry Inn and King's Arms in Salcombe both asked us to use the T&T app, but today the South Sands Hotel didn't

Workingman wrote:I have given up worrying what other people do. I do my own thing and that is to wear a mask, social distance, carry my own sanitiser, stay at home when I can, and wash my hands as much a possible.

This is about it. You can't change what other people do; if they want to be boneheads they will be.

I'm the same I worried enough and it's made me I'll at times
I take precautions as much as I can
That's all we can do

It has been a nice day so about seven or eight of us were sat out on the green having a chat - Ally in her twenties with her baby all the way up to Cheryl in her mid 70. We all sat well apart and the various children running about were told to keep well away by their mums and dads.

How to comply - no effort required. It can be done. It was just like normal.

Exactly Frank, it's actually very easily done. I think that's why we on this forum are all struggling to understand why some people find it so difficult to do.