MSE Poll: With lockdown easing, what sorts of places are you comfortable going to?

MSE_Petar

Poll started 21 July 2020

As the UK's lockdown eases, places such as pubs, museums and hairdressers are reopening. And with more restrictions to be lifted over the next few weeks, we want to know which places you feel comfortable returning to – and which ones you'd still rather avoid.

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Did you vote? Are you surprised at the results so far? Have your say below.
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staggered

I'm not sure this poll is very meaningful. 

Would I go to a gym or to a gallery or to the cinema?  No way.  I wouldn't go during normal times, so why take the risk during Covid?

Would I go to a hairdressers?  Yes, I already have done, because I desperately needed my hair cutting.  Was going to the hairdresser safer than going to a socially-distance gym or gallery or cinema?  Probably not.

I think that what this poll will show is what activities are most important to us, not those activities we think are safest.

foggally

I’m a little saddened by the results of the poll so far. The economy has already taken a massive hit, and if consumers are still saying they will ‘no way’ go back to doing the things they used to, businesses will inevitably be affected in a negative way. This is going to affect every single one of us in the long term. Businesses have been made to take steps to protect us all as we return to using their services. So, i feel the average healthy person with no additional health risk factors should try to have confidence in them and offer support by using them again.

ginger_chocolate

I was initially a bit shocked at how risk averse people seem to be from this poll (nearly half of respondents seem to be unwilling to leave the house, which I kind of doubt), but then realised, as commented above, it's not actually very meaningful. e.g. tattoo parlours - my answer is "no way" but then it would be even in non-covid times - I've never been interested in getting a tattoo. "Only if absolutely essential" is kind of meaningless in this context too - when is a tattoo ever "essential"?

lisyloo

foggally said:

I’m a little saddened by the results of the poll so far. The economy has already taken a massive hit, and if consumers are still saying they will ‘no way’ go back to doing the things they used to, businesses will inevitably be affected in a negative way. This is going to affect every single one of us in the long term. Businesses have been made to take steps to protect us all as we return to using their services. So, i feel the average healthy person with no additional health risk factors should try to have confidence in them and offer support by using them again.

There are many people like me, heathly themselves but with elderly or vulnerable family members.

Almost everyone has parents or grandparents don't they ?? so I'm not sure being healthy is a "get out of jail free" card as you can still spread it to a family member.

I can't see a the moment how some places can be made safe e.g. theatres, and the industry in general agree that it's not financially viable at the moment to open.

I do have sympathy for businesses and employees but why would I risk someone's life and death to go to the theatre or a restaurant ahead of a vaccine. Those activities are not important right now.

I have lost someone, they were elderly and would have died anyway sooner or later but it's a direct COVID loss and one is too many if it's your family.

I did go to a pub on Monday (we were outside) and I realise we may be living with this for some time, but why would I take the risk of killing a family member just to go to the cinema/theatre etc.

I'd like to think that helps in understanding why not all healthy people are care free, simply because we consider it a matter of life and death (in many cases for others and not ourselves).

ginger_chocolate

Obviously everyone needs to make their own decisions  BUT my take on it is this:
Lockdown was never meant to get rid of or avoid COVID. It was meant to avoid the NHS being overwhelmed by cases when it was unprepared to deal with them, so an emergency lockdown was the right thing to do, and a gradual, rather than sudden lifting, makes sense. However, the idea some have that we should all continue to be more-or-less confined to our homes until a vaccine is readily available I find troubling. A vaccine could take years - generous estimates are saying a year to 18 months, but in reality we could be looking at more like 4-5 years to get enough of the population vaccinated to be meaningful. During that time many people will die of things other than COVID no matter what precautions they take. Everyone gets older and we watch years of our precious lives slip away. And in the meantime how many of the experiences that make life worth living do we miss out on? We've really got to be balanced about this - take precautions, but don't let fear control your life.

lisyloo

I hope you didn’t get the “confined” idea from me as that isn’t what I’m doing and certainly not what I intended to come across.
we've been to see family, had visitors and been to the pub (all outside so far).
i agree with your general point that we have to live with this, but do be kind to those of us who’ve lost someone please. Yes they would have died anyway but that’s quite a harsh thing to say to the grieving.
we are perfectly willing to be outdoors just not ready YET to be indoors with the increased risk when it isn’t necessary. That doesn’t me we won’t go indoors over the next 4-5 years it just means some people need more time. Most of my friends and family of the same age group are of the same opinion that indoors is unnecessary right now.
can I ask how old you are? (Decade will do)
i find attitudes are split on age which is unsurprising. We are in our 50s and twenty times more likely to die than youngsters so it’s quite rational.
youre entitled to be disappointed but I’m not risking my elderly fathers life because of your opinion.  Seeing him safely in August is higher on my priority list than going to theatres where I know people won’t follow the rules and it won’t be enforced (I’ve been shopping, trains and buses and every time people are not complying).
Please fire your dissapointment at those who are making it impossible for others to feel safe by not following the rules (and I won’t tar any age group with this as I’ve seem old, obese and BAME people not following the rules).
I don’t agree that nothing will change over 4-5 years, already we’ve seen improved techniques (people on their fronts), better treatment, earlier detection and from Friday we’ll have masks in shops, so things are changing all the time.

ask yourself this question, if you knew in advance it was your son/daughter/wife/husband/mum/dad that would die as a result of going the theatre then would you do it?

its all very well to accept collateral damage until it’s your family and then take it from us, it’s one too many 😥😥

ginger_chocolate

lisyloo said:

I hope you didn’t get the “confined” idea from me as that isn’t what I’m doing and certainly not what I intended to come across.
we've been to see family, had visitors and been to the pub (all outside so far).
i agree with your general point that we have to live with this, but do be kind to those of us who’ve lost someone please. Yes they would have died anyway but that’s quite a harsh thing to say to the grieving.
we are perfectly willing to be outdoors just not ready YET to be indoors with the increased risk when it isn’t necessary. That doesn’t me we won’t go indoors over the next 4-5 years it just means some people need more time. Most of my friends and family of the same age group are of the same opinion that indoors is unnecessary right now.
can I ask how old you are? (Decade will do)
i find attitudes are split on age which is unsurprising. We are in our 50s and twenty times more likely to die than youngsters so it’s quite rational.
youre entitled to be disappointed but I’m not risking my elderly fathers life because of your opinion.  Seeing him safely in August is higher on my priority list than going to theatres where I know people won’t follow the rules and it won’t be enforced (I’ve been shopping, trains and buses and every time people are not complying).
Please fire your dissapointment at those who are making it impossible for others to feel safe by not following the rules (and I won’t tar any age group with this as I’ve seem old, obese and BAME people not following the rules).
I don’t agree that nothing will change over 4-5 years, already we’ve seen improved techniques (people on their fronts), better treatment, earlier detection and from Friday we’ll have masks in shops, so things are changing all the time.

ask yourself this question, if you knew in advance it was your son/daughter/wife/husband/mum/dad that would die as a result of going the theatre then would you do it?

its all very well to accept collateral damage until it’s your family and then take it from us, it’s one too many 😥😥It 

My comment wasn't aimed at anyone in particular, so I apologise if that caused upset - my opinion is only my opinion - it wasn't intended to suggest anyone should do something they are uncomfortable with. I completely understand that people will have different approaches to the situation depending on their circumstances. I wouldn't expect an asthmatic 70 something to behave the same way as me - a relatively healthy 39 year old (although, to be fair, I would say the same even outside of COVID).
I'm not suggesting that anyone should be forced to do anything they feel uncomfortable about, or criticised for their decision if it's right for them. I suppose I'm merely trying to explain my own attitude to this - a lot of people think when they hear me talking about booking holidays, or going to restaurants, or asking when my gym is going to re-open that I have somehow not understood the risks, or am being reckless or selfish.  That's not the case - I have simply made a judgment call  based on my own values. Obviously if I knew for certain someone would die as a result of one specific action I took (even if it was a complete stranger) then I wouldn't do it - but as I can't possibly know that, I make a decision on whether the benefit justifies the risk - if I didn't do this I'd never get behind the wheel of a car. I'm not annoyed with people who make different decisions from me. I am a bit annoyed at people who think that just because they personally aren't comfortable doing a particular activity then nobody should be allowed to do it.
Of course I am sympathetic to anyone who has lost someone to COVID - it's a horrific way to go and losing someone under lockdown conditions (however necessary the lockdown is) can't be easy. We should all absolutely still be taking precautions - I am still very much in favour of masks in public places, quarantine for those with symptoms, increased hygiene and social distancing wherever practical and consider these as important as  wearing a seatbelt when I drive a car.

lisyloo

I totally agree with you 100%.
i accept different opinions and attitudes on this.
its sad that businesses and jobs will be affected but perhaps that has to happen.
if there is less appetite for going to the theatre then the jobs, properties, businesses have to change however hard that is.

JaneDoeJohnDoe

Masks* in public indoor spaces will only work if EVERYONE learnt how to put on & take off properly  with clean hands. Plus mask has to be put in sterile bag & not just  bunged in pocket or handbag as seen many times.  Must not be touched when worn with "contaminated" fingers. People also  touch mask then goods on shelf.
Must be swapped when damp.
Must if re-useable be washed at high temp to kill bacteria/virus.
Must if disposable be thrown away responsibly.
Must never be placed on any surface it could contaminate & should  fit snuggly.
Otherwise baring in mind the minimal positive medical evidence they are a waste of time.
Only protects others from possible droplets of spittle in breath actually containing Covid19. Does not protect user from Covid19. Not a surgical or respiratory mask.
(*mask or face covering)
Plus  many people are exempt & if attempted to wear mask could actually increase their death chance.
So in answer to main question...would only go out if absolutely needed to unless solo walk or similar.