Coronavirus

[Count Boso]

which we are 'entitled' to ignore

One of the reasons given why the authoritarian regimes seem to be getting a grip on the situation? In the democracies of the West people rebel against being told what to do.

The best argument is: "It's not for the benefit of you and your family, it's for the benefit of others, especially essential workers and their families, who will have to interact with you in some way." It seems that in the USA there are people who are holding 'denier' parties, and there are the Bondi beach crowds in Australia.

[LHC]

One of the reasons given why the authoritarian regimes seem to be getting a grip on the situation? In the democracies of the West people rebel against being told what to do.

The best argument is: "It's not for the benefit of you and your family, it's for the benefit of others, especially essential workers and their families, who will have to interact with you in some way." It seems that in the USA there are people who are holding 'denier' parties, and there are the Bondi beach crowds in Australia.

In the USA lots of younger people are still going to Miami for their ‘Spring Break’ so they can party, get drunk and fornicate. The reported attitude seems to be, well if I get it, so what; I still want to party and get drunk, and many of them are complaining that the bars are now closing.

[cloughie]

OG
I presume this question is rhetorical!

Very probably!

[LMcD]

I have just been told by a contact who lives in one of the Lancashire resorts that it was buzzing with people yesterday and its cafes were packed Are they then exempt from the ban on pub and restaurant opening?

Or is there a collective death-wish? Or young people thinking that they are invincible? Sadly this will inevitably lead to a crackdown of the kind that a democratic country should never see. A couple of reputable sources say that we are two weeks behind the situation in northern Italy and there it has been exacerbated by people refusing to obey the rules being imposed.

Anyway, I listened to Elgar's In the South and Brahms 4 last evening: And, once my ageing back says enough of digging out weeds I think that only Bruckner will do.Then Beethoven 5 tomorrow as a gesture of defiance. What are others consoling themselves with?

There have been similar reports from Whitstable, the Brecon Beacons, Snowdonia, the Scottish Highlands, Cornwall and here in Suffolk. We met quite a few people out walking this morning, some of them in close-formation family groups. Nobody out sailing - a bit too rough perhaps - but plenty of golfers out on the links. I've just checked the South Beach webcam; there are quite a few people, mostly couples, walking along the prom. Perhaps people think they deserve a final 'fling' before reluctantly getting round to observing the quidelines.

[Dave2002]

I have just been told by a contact who lives in one of the Lancashire resorts that it was buzzing with people yesterday and its cafes were packed Are they then exempt from the ban on pub and restaurant opening?

Or is there a collective death-wish? Or young people thinking that they are invincible? Sadly this will inevitably lead to a crackdown of the kind that a democratic country should never see. A couple of reputable sources say that we are two weeks behind the situation in northern Italy and there it has been exacerbated by people refusing to obey the rules being imposed.

Those people are just idiots. Selfish idiots too, as they may well - probably will - spread it to other people. OK - I'm not a fan of our leader - but he has at last got some of the details right, and seems to have finally got a grip on the scale of the problem. If he can persuade or force people to follow the guidelines/rules "suggested" he will do well. I wouldn't want BJ's job - but he's doing OK now, though really does need to tell people that things are not going to be good, and it really is important to not mix with people. Just as Captain Smith couldn't see the iceberg, and in the end perhaps chose to ignore it - people who behave against the current advice are going to find out the hard way that this really is a problem. I have been called a prophet of doom before - but this time it seems to me to be for real.

Common sense is something which seems to be lacking - and the "it won't happen here" or "it won't happen to me" attitude seems, under the circumstances to be totally unjustified.

[Dave2002]

In the meantime - following on - is this a hoax or a scam, or is there actually anything in it https://trendingscanner.com/content/...syzrgiydaztemm

Scanning sanitiser using UV. I doubt it personally. Sounds like a very expensive rip off electronic "Plib".

If it is a scam, electronic snake oil - it should be closed down immediately, in the UK at least.

[Count Boso]

Or is there a collective death-wish? Or young people thinking that they are invincible?

They may not be invincible but they are certainly less likely to get seriously ill or die. And more likely to cause serious illness and death to other people. So, to other people: "Don't touch it."

[LMcD]

The official line (unless it changes while I'm typing this) is that if you are not one of the 1.5 million most vulnerable and have no symptoms, you can go for a walk as long as you stay 2 metres away from anybody you meet, which is what I have been doing and shall continue to do until walking alone or far apart from others becomes a criminal offence, at which point I may reconsider. I've stopped using the bus and walk into and from town for shopping (I'm afraid I must insist on being allowed to eat and drink), choosing times when there are fewer customers on the premises.

[Joseph K]

The official line (unless it changes while I'm typing this) is that if you are not one of the 1.5 million most vulnerable and have no symptoms, you can go for a walk as long as you stay 2 metres away from anybody you meet, which is what I have been doing and shall continue to do until walking alone or far apart from others becomes a criminal offence, at which point I may reconsider. I've stopped using the bus and walk into and from town for shopping (I'm afraid I must insist on being allowed to eat and drink), choosing times when there are fewer customers on the premises.

I walk quickly and it is impractical to always remain two metres away from people while passing them. The path is not wide enough for one thing. So, since I do take this thing seriously, I'm going to have to walk a different route... and take fewer walks.

[Pulcinella]

I walk quickly and it is impractical to always remain two metres away from people while passing them. The path is not wide enough for one thing. So, since I do take this thing seriously, I'm going to have to walk a different route... and take fewer walks.

Do you have any friends with dogs that might not be getting enough exercise at present?
They (the friends and the dog!) might be grateful if you offered, and having a dog around you might help you keep your distance.
I hear that in Italy dogs have never been so well exercised, as taking one for a walk is one of increasingly few things you're able to do there (if it hasn't already been stopped in some places).

[Joseph K]

Do you have any friends with dogs that might not be getting enough exercise at present?

Nope... pretty much no friends to speak of in fact. So, the only real thing that this has changed so far for me is that supermarket visits are now more stressful.

[gurnemanz]

Just done a couple of hours of garden work. Very pleasant in the sun and necessary exercise since we have no dog. I will ride my bike around in preference to walking - easy to avoid other people. Barring emergencies, I shouldn't need to actually go anywhere. Everything is cancelled now anyway, even tennis. My wife does the shopping as she always does anyway and she's under 70 and supposedly less under threat. Our car mechanic has kiindly emailed to say they'll come and pick up our car for any repair or service that might be required.

Delighted to have taken delivery of two bunches of Mother's Day flowers from our children and just enjoying the Spotify new classical releases playlist. Stewart Goodyear with BBCNOW right now doing a fine job in Beethoven's First Concerto.

[Once Was 4]

Those people are just idiots. Selfish idiots too, as they may well - probably will - spread it to other people. OK - I'm not a fan of our leader - but he has at last got some of the details right, and seems to have finally got a grip on the scale of the problem. If he can persuade or force people to follow the guidelines/rules "suggested" he will do well. I wouldn't want BJ's job - but he's doing OK now, though really does need to tell people that things are not going to be good, and it really is important to not mix with people. Just as Captain Smith couldn't see the iceberg, and in the end perhaps chose to ignore it - people who behave against the current advice are going to find out the hard way that this really is a problem. I have been called a prophet of doom before - but this time it seems to me to be for real.

Common sense is something which seems to be lacking - and the "it won't happen here" or "it won't happen to me" attitude seems, under the circumstances to be totally unjustified.

Likewise I am no fan of Bojo; but to see some of the stuff on Facebook he is responsible for the entire situation; if a certain sainted and bearded gentleman was in charge it would never have occurred apparently.

[Pulcinella]

Just done a couple of hours of garden work. Very pleasant in the sun and necessary exercise since we have no dog. I will ride my bike around in preference to walking - easy to avoid other people. Barring emergencies, I shouldn't need to actually go anywhere. Everything is cancelled now anyway, even tennis. My wife does the shopping as she always does anyway and she's under 70 and suposedly less under threat. Our car mechanic has kiindly emailed to say they'll come and pick up our car for any repair or service that might be required.

Delighted to have taken delivery of two bunches of Mother's Day flowers from our children and just enjoying the Spotify new classical releases playlist. Stewart Goodyear with BBCNOW right now doing a fine job in Beethoven's First Concerto.

Just back from a few cycle rides round the block (no dog here, either, though we have a water bowl for them out front); no kids in the play area and very few people out at all, some just feeding the birds on the lake. A couple of neighbours were clearing out their garages; one is quite worried for his wife, a pharmacist, who says that nothing has been done to limit the number of customers in the shop at a time. He has advised her to go in tomorrow with masking tape to lay out a grid behind the counter, and ask people to keep their distance and others to wait outside. It surprised me that this was not advice from head office anyway.

[Nick Armstrong]

I will ride my bike around in preference to walking - easy to avoid other people.

Definitely - my preferred exercise in any event. Let’s hope there is no attempt to outlaw it....

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2020/mar/20/why-not-encourage-cycling-during-the-coronavirus-lockdown

The apparent ban in France seems to be ambiguous - the long-distance groups of Lycra-clad riders seem to be proscribed, but individual exercise cycling around home, or to go to an essential job, seems still ok (that’s the message I get from this: https://www.nouvelobs.com/societe/20...e-dit-oui.html which francophone pedallers might like to read)