The majority of the general public are idiots and need specific rules
The issue with this attitude is that it could lead to a very unpleasant division between 'us' and 'the stupid people'. Humans are great at that, and it never ends well.
No. The majority of us are sensible and make judgements according to our best interests, and have put the greater good ahead of personal gain.
We're all liable to make choices at times where we put ourselves first.
It's the monitory who cause problems, and they are a very small minority.
I still can't get laid.
#prayforygh
My colleague at work informed me that shielding is to continue until the 31st of July.
Oh well only another 8 weeks of on call, smashing!
When I was out in the Pentlands on the bike last night I saw the first big group of mountain bikers (about 8 I think) - by far the biggest I've seen since lockdown started. Some of them had driven to Balerno and parked their minibus in one of the side streets with some others riding to meet them by the looks of it.
Going by the full-face downhill style helmet that at least was wearing my guess is they're a group of guys that normally go to the borders trail centres but had arranged to meet up for a Pentlands ride while the trail centres are closed.
I saw the first big group of mountain bikers (about 8 I think) – by far the biggest I’ve seen since lockdown started.
I saw a big group (10ish) of older teens out riding right in the middle of lockdown. I was preparing to get outraged about it when I realised they were from the local children's home. All was not lost though because I was still able to be outraged about the quality, set up and state of repair of their bikes. Oh and the lack of helmets 🙂
I saw a big group (10ish) of older teens out riding right in the middle of lockdown.
This wasn't kids and I wasn't particularly outraged (other than the full-face helmet in the Pentlands)!
Maybe the full face helmet was in lieu of a face mask? All seems pretty responsible to me. 🙂
There are some pretty steep descents in the Pentlands - Carrketton, Allermuir, a few of the ones on the five peaks route could be sore if you came off
There are some pretty steep descents in the Pentlands – Carrketton, Allermuir, a few of the ones on the five peaks route could be sore if you came off
Didn't look like they did anything like that - out on the road from Balerno, then up the Borestone track to the YBR, then through Green Cleugh then back over Maidens.
Helmet is a personal choice, up to the individual to risk assess, if someone feels safer using a FF, then fair play to them, who are we to judge.
That’s a hysterical and completely unjustifiable statement to be making.
not really. its based on seeing the general public, working with the general public and being the general public.
^ What Nobeer said.
Plus, might be their only helmet. Who knows, or cares?
If we move to phase 2 that's going to be the game changer for us. Actually being able to properly visit family and friends.
I don't think it's fair to say that the majority are being idiots either. If they were then the place would look decidedly different, that's just lazy hyperbole based on a very visible minority that are just following their usual M.O.
not really. its based on seeing the general public, working with the general public and being the general public.
What you mean is it's completely anecdotal stereotyping based on your myopic view of society. You should write for the Daily Mail, you're wasted making MTB videos.
When I was out in the Pentlands on the bike last night I saw the first big group of mountain bikers (about 8 I think) – by far the biggest I’ve seen since lockdown started.
If you had said that a week ago, I'd of said its bang out if order. However at the weekend thousands congregated in Holyrood park with little social distancing and the scene was replicated across the country. Lockdown is clearly now over.
The majority of the general public are idiots
The graph above I posted, suggests not really.
I think a big issue is that people are, in the majority, genuinely bored. So many are at home, either on furlough, reduced hours or home working, with a lot of time on their hands. Its pretty decent early summer weather and that is encouraging outdoor activities, of all sorts, regardless of guidelines which we all see being gradually formally relaxed.
Lockdown is clearly now over.
To be pedantic lockdown officially ended on the 28th May (I think!) and we are now in Phase 1.
I don’t think it’s fair to say that the majority are being idiots either. If they were then the place would look decidedly different, that’s just lazy hyperbole based on a very visible minority that are just following their usual M.O.
The majority of folks I'm seeing in the Pentlands are still sticking to family groups, although of late I'm seeing more multi-family groups (and in those I suspect it's effectively impossible to get the kids to social distance).
There was a little bit of a change last night (but still most people were still sticking to the rules). As well as that big group of mountain bikers there were a couple of 3 person groups of mates on mountain bikes (there have been a few of those right through lockdown - of all ages), quite a lot of swimmers at the west end of Thriepmuir (some distancing, some not), a couple of groups of teenagers in Balerno (6+ groups that looked like they were heading to a house party maybe) and one group playing football in Balerno (with the police there talking to them). Still not too bad, but a clear sign that for some folks lockdown and social distancing is a thing of the past. Over the last few of days I've also seen a couple of dumped tents as well as one rather nasty instance of someone taking a dump and leaving that and a load of toilet paper at the side of the trail!
What you mean is it’s completely anecdotal stereotyping based on your myopic view of society.
society is forked
When I was out in the Pentlands on the bike last night I saw the first big group of mountain bikers (about 8 I think)
When we were there weekend before last it was mostly groups (cover your eyes NoBeer!) on gravel bikes, us included.
I'm still trying to be careful but despite being out early and there only being two of us it still felt uncomfortably crowded! Were forced to ride one behind the other more often than I liked given that 2 metres doesn't really feel like much when you're in someone else's draft.
I think Covid is turning me into an agoraphobic germophobe...
Gravel? Snipers, get them taken out.
I don’t think my parents were being selfish...
That's kind of the point of having the same simple rules for everyone. Nobody doing their own thing thinks that they are being selfish, do they, but what do you think happens if everyone interprets the rules to suit themselves?
In contrast to the OP I have really noticed that folk out and about are far more considerate and tolerant than they normally would be.
I think most of us have broken the rules to varying degrees.Doing that consistently is another matter and a small minority of folk will always behave like that. I know there are folk for whom strict obedience to every aspect of government lockdown guidance is a sacred duty, I am pleased to be reading less of their sanctimonious lecturing on here recently.
I have a German nephew aged 30 who has locked himself in his flat in Berlin for three months. He has no underlying health issues whatsoever. I think THAT is just plain daft.
Riding a bike behind someone (when you yourself are in a very low risk category)? I think your chances of picking up the virus are extremely low.
That’s kind of the point of having the same simple rules for everyone. Nobody doing their own thing thinks that they are being selfish, do they, but what do you think happens if everyone interprets the rules to suit themselves?
Except the current phase one recommendations were never simple rules for everyone. The FM quickly backed down from any notion that they were and outlined a number of exceptions. And whether it's selfish* or not isn't the question that needs to be asked. The question that needs to be asked is whether it carries a risk of transmission.
* I know I used that phrase but it was in response to another poster's use of it.
For those on here who think it is people, just being people: perhaps they could explain the UK's extraordinarily high death rate compared to other countries. We are doing things here that other countries don't do. Our lockdown was much more relaxed than other countries and yet still people feel entitled to break it.
Greece?
Germany?
I think most of us have broken the rules to varying degrees
How do you know that? I've no idea what everyone else has been doing.
I can't really see observing the lockdown rules as a sacred duty, more just common sense, and yes, absolutely about reducing the risk of transmission. Lots of the behaviour proscribed by the rules is not a problem at all if only one or two people choose to behave that way, but you can only accommodate those special people if most of the population observe the rules. That's not sanctimonious, just an inevitable fact.
It is selfish to break the rules when the rules have been set for a reason. Yes, people are probably a bit fed up but people die when the rules are broken, which ought to put it into context. Not going to birdwatch is less of an inconvenience that someone dieing because the rules were too weak.
The rules are easy to follow - work from home unless you really can't, go to the shop if you must, exercise within 5 miles of your home, sunbathe a bit if you really must and travel as far as you want to see one family but don't go in their house, eat their food or go to their toilet. That's not really very difficult, unclear or awkward in the grand scheme of a pandemic. Stick it out for a few more weeks, get your parents to do what Nicola has told them to do and they'll get their full freedom back sooner.
I've not broken the rules. Because I didn't want Covid, and I didn't want to give it to anyone.
munrobiker
Member
Yes, people are probably a bit fed up but people die when the rules are broken,
No they don't. Socially distanced behaviour is no more dangerous 20 miles from home than 5 miles from home. Are the laws of science different in England?
Then why have so many people died?
No they don’t. Socially distanced behaviour is no more dangerous 20 miles from home than 5 miles from home.
I'm glad you know more than all the statisticians, health experts, analysts, doctors and politicians that have come up with the rules. They must have just pulled it out their arses for no reason at all. IRC for first minister.
Mind you, given that the death rate per capita in Scotland is around 25% lower than in England, it seems the laws of science in England are the same but it's they that have the rules wrong. Nicola's job is probably safe from you for now.
I've been walking or cycling up and around my local country park almost daily through lockdown. I've been pleasantly surprised by the vast majority of people's behavior and cheery attitude. Yeah I've seen an increase in litter, illegal parking, unattended smouldering barbecues and the odd group who are no chance being from a single household. Strangely I have seen less cars there since they reopened the carparks. It's great seeing so many people out walking and cycling, I genuinely believed at the beginning of all this that lots of people would end up alcoholic as the WhatsApp messages came in but from what I've seen some will come out of this fitter and with a new passion for the outdoors. Would be nice to be able to see my in-laws and maybe ride in a different county though.
I think most of us have broken the rules to varying degrees
I genuinely don’t think I’ve broken, bent or stretched either the spirit of the rules or the letter of the law. Which rules do you think I might have needed to ignore?
As far as I can tell most people I know are in the same camp. My in-laws (who I genuinely didn’t expect to pay any attention to lockdown) have followed the rules rigorously; they thought they were breaking a rule this week by helping a neighbour out by walking her dog and were clearly feeling guilty about it - but given the neighbours husband was dying of cancer and couldn’t be left alone I don’t think it was outside the spirit or letter of the law. Are you convincing yourself that your rule breaking is ok because everyone does it the was drivers do when speeding or parking on double yellows?
people die when the rules are broken
I thought it was calming down a bit but the Covid hysteria is still alive and well I see.
Just thinking there that I broke the rules last night, went exploring the local hills again, a whole 11.6 miles from my house, with 2 mates from separate households. No one has died yet, I'll keep the whatsapp chats going today, to make sure. 🙂
One wee observation, it's actually not that common for me to be within 2 metres of a riding buddy, even howfing bikes over fences or through gates.
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Great pics Nobeer.
I see the hysteria has derailed this thread a bit. Surprised people actually thought the Covid rules would be adhered to 100%. The government doesn’t expect the rules to be followed 100%. Anyone who walked out their front door at some point during their life would know humans don’t follow rules 100%.
So we should be in phase 2 next week 19th June. Phase 3 should be 3 weeks from then which if all goes well by 10th July. So who has booked their staycation holiday in Scotland for July? Best not to go to the islands as it will be a bit Royston Vasey there.
munrobiker
Member
Ah, the experts! The experts who can't agree whether 1m 1.5 or 2m is the best compromise for social distancing. I'm still waiting for an expert to explain why 2m outdoors is safe outside my house but not safe 20 miles away.
I'm not sure Nicola and her experts have got much to shout about. UK excess death rates 891 per million, Scottish death rates 861 per million. Marginally lower but allowing for the higher population density in England not much in it.
Last time I checked in my council area there was 120 Covid deaths. 80 were in care homes. I doubt many of them picked it up from a hillwalker on The Cobbler. I'll let you explain to Scotland;s care home residents what a great job Nicola and her crew have done.
But we will have to just disagree. I'll give you a wave from 3000ft next week when I'm back in the highlands.
I enquired about a place on Arran we've stayed a few times last week AL, as our Dutch holiday is gone, but they only had availability for the first couple of weeks in July, so didn't bother following it up.
Now thinking about a nice chilled canal cycling tour with the family down south.
As if trying to stay within the law and the guidance wasn't enough, some folk will still invent their own interpretation with which to judge you.
Having said that, there has always been some doubt about, for example, just how far one may travel whilst exercising. The Welsh FM actually acknowledged that "strong" cyclists might do 40 miles or more, despite there generally being a 5 mile limit in place to travel in order to take exercise.
There's also some dodgy made-up science involved, like the virus reacts differently during the hours of darkness or something.
irc
I’ll let you explain to Scotland;s care home residents what a great job Nicola and her crew have done.
You have a point of sorts there, but I think it's more to do with the vulnerability of people in privately owned care homes, and it applies all over the UK, not just Scotland.
Or do you see no blame for the directors of the penny pinching corporations who own the care homes (which by the way are not run by the NHS?)
Shame we couldn't have closed our borders like NZ.
So who has booked their staycation holiday in Scotland for July?
Nothing new booked, just anxiously checking in with the hotels we booked before Covid kicked off.
The Rumblie and the Glenelg Inn seem to be optimistic at least.
July 10th will be a celebratory ride with mates in Arrochar, Bathgate Alps have kept me entertained during lockdown so the Arrochar Alps are the next logical step 😀
Have been looking at some of our usual haunts in Aviemore area so I can go and pester scotroutes as usual 🙂 However with schools in the central belt going back 13th August we are limited to late July and early August which I suspect is going to be just a bit too soon for places to be open enough - thinking restaurants etc. Also very conscious that early 'incomers' might not be welcomed with open arms given the understandable nervousness on spreading of bugs.
Coupled with which there is very limited availability for self catering houses as all the earlier bookings which have been cancelled appear to have slid back into the July and August gaps.
