Hello All - Our neighbourhood is on the 'naughty step' for not wearing masks and having friends round for a beer. Just a thought. As people from different households aren't allowed to meet up in your garden (in the fresh air), in pubs or in restaurants, then why not just arrange to meet in another town that isn't restricted and have your meal or drink there? Nobody will know who you are. Another little bit of resistance to the 'regime'. What do others think?
That would be good idea but the pubs are taking your details when you book at table - which you have to do, even if you are not dining. At least that is what is happening near me and they take a telephone number to call you back and they ask you to text your name back to them - part of tracing I assume. Very intrusive when all you might want is a quiet drink with friends. If you look at the new "lockdowns", they are in areas with a large ethnic population and it is coinciding with Eid. Very naughty and very racist - why don't these people come out and protest? They should go ahead and celebrate - after all not only are there not enough police, but they would not want to be labelled racist after all the bad publicity they have received. I feel sure, in view of the mounting discontent eminating from local councillors, they would get the support they need.
Many pubs are abiding by the letter of the guidelines (booking a table, policing the contact details, one-way systems, table service, etc.) and some are doing very little. With all variations in between. Generally, if you have to use contactless, order with an app or show any ID, then I'll politely leave, explaining why they are losing my business. But if I can just write a name and number on the sheet without any checking and pay with cash, then I'm happy enough. It's mostly the big chain pubs that have gone overboard with the guidelines but many smaller pubs especially freehouses (and individual tenants of larger chains) are doing their own version. It seems to depend on the landlord's individual attitude to the risk of having the renewal of their licence objected to by the powers that be.
I've always been successful when looking for somewhere that meet my criteria since the first weekend (I went out looking for places), but not always at the first attempt. Certainly looking forward to revisiting one in Catford on the way home from the Hyde Park demo with Piers Corbyn later today (Saturday 1st Aug) that I discovered a fortnight ago on the way home from the first #KBF rally. My plan for a little personal win today on top of the big win of attending a demonstration in central London.
Anne Mutch - A good point there, although it seems the place where you went to eat sounded very strict. I did see somewhere that if there is a group of you in a restaurant, only one lead person in the party needs to give their name and phone number, but I could be wrong. Nobody in the coffee shops we go to ever ask for our details. I suppose if all else fails, one could always meet in a park on a nice day with a take away or picnic! It is all getting very silly.The only time I've been asked was when I went to a fish and chip restaurant in Blackpool recently. She did ask for my contact details and said they would only keep them for 21 days. I said that I trusted her, but not the Government. I stood my ground, and she said "oh well, we can't force you." I sat and had my meal.
I think the way the ethnic population has been treated over Eid is absolutely despicable. To tell them only a couple of hours before their celebrations are about to start that they can't meet up with friends or relatives. How low can the Government get? I am surprised there hasn't been more of an outcry. Slowly but surely the Government is turning people against them. Unfortunately not enough yet.
Good for you @Grumpy Cat - standing your ground is important. I'd rather have the robust discussion than give in to this madness. But my personal boundary is quite well defined, as yours seems to be. For those who feel uncomfortable with confrontation, just remember that every time you make an act of courage in life, you get paid back with an equal measure of self esteem. And the next time is just a little bit easier. And the time after that, etc. etc.
I work for the nhs , I try and do my bit by reducing the fear and give people some facts just slip then in to the conversations and make them ponder 🤔 . I’ve been shocked at the media how they have managed to program the masses. The amount of times I hear ‘all these young People Going to the beach and thinking their immune to it’ they are spiking it for the rest of us’ 😂 And the new one ‘it’s all these asians living in the same house and going to mosque thats spreading It’.
The majority of my patients are literally begging for the vaccine they cannot wait !!! It’s a shame and I feel they are in to deep and totally in the bbc hands. But I try to talk that those who want to listen, colleagues included. I can only do my bit and speak my truth.
Mj1985 - Thank you so much for this post. My feeling is that a lot of people who work for the NHS would like to tell the public what is really going on, but are concerned they will be reprimanded or lose their jobs. All I have ever wanted was to be told the truth, but those in the know, are either unwilling or afraid to tell it.
I don’t work on the front line as such but I work in the community treating a lot of people at home nursing homes etc. My worry is they will Come at us with the vaccine, Like they do every year with the flu vaccine, which I politely decline but get reminded and constantly pestered about. If they think they are coming any near me with an unsafe untested vaccine (which lets face it is all vaccines!) they have got another thing coming. nice to have a platform to speak with like minded others who have facts to share as it feels a very lonely world right now. i hope this movement explodes and we can reach out to many who are starting to question this bs. !!