Covid-19: Irresponsibility and Social Distancing

~ beetleypete

We are supposed to be approaching the peak of virus infections, yet deaths continue to rise here.

Is it any wonder? The Police are having to break up house parties, social gatherings in the streets, and even quite large organised ‘gigs’. Youngsters are still seen in groups even here in Beetley, sitting around, playing football, or walking just inches apart.

Underground trains are still overcrowded in most cities, and many shops have yet to introduce measures to enforce any kind of safe social distancing.

And if any of us think it is still dangerous here, look what is going on abroad.

Churches are flouting the rules in America, with ridiculously criminal evangelical preachers claiming that they can ‘blow away’ the virus. They are encouraging their congregations to shake hands and hug, telling them that God will protect them. Then they take the collections, and fill their coffers with money from the dazed and confused. Some states in the USA are on the verge of catastrophe, yet the residents are complaining that not being able to go and have their hair cut, or a pedicure, is an infringement of their ‘human rights’. Even the president of America acts as if it will all be fine and dandy in ten days or so. He should be leading that nation using commonsense, instead of leading it over a precipice.

What is it with them? Group hysteria? Collective insanity? Or just good old plain ignorance and stupidity.

In India, parts of South-East Asia, and in most African countries, street markets continue to be packed with shoppers, and public transport is full to overflowing. As cases begin to increase in number even in the remotest parts of the planet, those in the most populous appear to have the same mentality as lemmings running off a cliff.

I don’t think this is anywhere near over. It feels to me as if the rest of the world is just catching up with China and Europe. Sadly, it is going to be with us for a very long time yet. Despite that, I am listening to a government spokesman on the news claiming that “the worst should be over in two weeks”. I feel as if I am the only sane person in an asylum.

It can’t happen to you, you think? Well I am here to tell you that you are very wrong.

108 thoughts on “Covid-19: Irresponsibility and Social Distancing”

  1. I am in total agreement! I am shocked at the reckless behavior. Meanwhile, my family is “sane” enough to do better. Sadly, my dad passed last week and on top of our grief, some folks were terribly offended that we did not allow “visitors in the house”. We had one issue after another, with folks who were determined to defy the stipulations regarding funerals. At least the “family” has good sense. And I agree . . .this thing is far from over. Best wishes. Pete

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    1. My condolences on the loss of your father, Michele. But well done for adhering to the guidelines on safety. Over here, many funerals have had to be ‘unattended’, which is sad for the families, but very sensible too.
      Best wishes, Pete. x

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  2. Since over 10 years, scientists warned about a future pandemic case. Nobody has done anything. We outsourced our essential health product lines to China. Only for profit. One can understand, people have problems trusting into theirs governments. The after-pandemic life could be much more harmful. We have to live some years with Covid-19, and his/ her future relatives. ;-( Best wishes, Michael

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  4. I am in total agreement with you, Pete
    I always had a great fear when trump was elected but now my fear is mingled with great anger as he blunders his way through this crisis.
    How I despise that man!

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  5. Africa can’t really lock down, Pete. The society here is different. People live hand-to-mouth and shop daily with the little bit of money they have earned during that day. I agree the people in first world countries should be more responsible, but it is unnatural for people to isolate socially and the young are driven by hormones. This has also been sold by governments as an old peoples disease so the young this they will be fine. The messaging at the beginning was wrong and that is difficult to correct down the line.

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    1. So true, Robbie. The young were told they would survive, but it wasn’t mentioned that they would then potentially carry the virus to others who would not. I appreciate that society is very different in much of Africa and India, which is why the risk of infecion there is so worrying.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  6. THe South is a hot bed of stupid….people going into crowds unprotected….even a group going door to door asking if they can do some yard work…none of them protected…..glad MoMo hates peoploe at the door and in her yard. chuq

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  7. When it first started I told my sister that her planned trip to see us this year would not happen this side is Christmas, now I’m thinking that world travel is going to be a freight only experience for quite some time to come. Borders will remain nervous whilst the virus exists anywhere in the world and as you say, what is happening in Europe and the States is just the start of it, just wait until it takes hold in Africa, India and the rest of the world.
    Natures revenge will show no mercy.

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    1. Even once we are ‘told’ it is all over, I would avoid any foreign travel for a long time. The huge number of infections in India and Africa is yet to make an impact elsewhere, but that is going to happen. Then the economic slump wil hit hard, and probably be like nothing we have seen since the great Depression during the 1930s. I’m glad you are heavily self-sufficient, which will of course help a great deal.
      Take care, the four of you.
      Best wishes, Pete.
      (Julie made jam tarts with some of that strawberry jam. Delicious. )

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      1. I have doubled up on veg planted and crops sowed:)
        I heard a tale that the Russians have spread a rumour that they have released all the tigers from the zoo, to keep the population indoors 🙂 If it takes China three months of serious lockdown to contain this then the rest of the world has a lot further to go and sadly there are too many idiots out there who think they are invincible; its just a shame the virus doesn’t target them.

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        1. I heard that tiger story was a spoof report.. Tigers and cats can catch the virus too though.
          If they relax the lockdown here and in the US, it will all just start up again. More than 8,000 people dead here, as of last night’s figures.

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  8. Hey you said it Pete! Unfortunately this world is not without these kinds of people. Greedy, selfish, opportunists, self-centered and uncaring about anybody but themselves. And some of them (or most?) are just plain idiots!

    I can’t say I’m surprised. In every society even a small percentage of idiots exists. Expand this nation wide or then globally? And the amount of ignorance and selfishness expands a hundred fold. I’ve seen them myself in my city! I suppose there has always been idiots among us, it’s just in times like these do they become more noticeable. And as is relative to our situation today — more dangerous!

    Take care Pete. Stay safe! And make a wide path around any idiots you may find!

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  9. I must admit that I don’t have much to go on because I only go out once a day for a walk, but people in our neck of the woods appear to be taking this seriously. I hardly see anyone on the streets, and I haven’t seen any large groups congregating.

    On the other hand, as others have stated, I think the real danger may be if we develop a false sense of complacency. We haven’t turned the corner yet, and I sure don’t want to go through round two of this because a bunch of yahoos thinks it’s over.

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    1. Good to hear that people are being careful where you live, Pete. But how long can any of us in rural locations avoid contact with others from urban areas? And we all have to go to buy food eventually, which necessitates more contact. If the ‘leaders’ even hint that it might be over, there is going to be an unprecedented explosion of carefree social activity. That will be the most dangerous time, perhaps.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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    1. I have to conclude that our leaders welcome a large death toll. It will serve to ‘cull’ many of those dependent on pensions and social care needs. That saves money in the long term.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  11. Here in Idaho, a Red state, the Governor imposed a lock-down about three weeks ago. But many people are ignoring social distancing and treating this frightening time as a holiday. We even had a pastor, sheriff, and a legislator in the north of Idaho said that the lock-down was unconstitutional so should be lifted. The crazies rule. I’m housebound, but dependent on my wife’s family for help. Except we’ve had four members with symptoms, although only one is still sick – the grand-daughter who used to live with us. Trying to keep people at a distance, but so many ignore the reality.

    Do I admit that I’m scared? Albert Camus, author of La Peste (The Plague) said, “The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself.”. Did anyone listen? For now, my writing keeps me alive.

    Stay safe, sensible, and inspired.

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  12. Good rant Pete. I totally agree with you. We cannot get back to any kind if normality until there is a vaccine. This is going to be with us for a long time yet and herd immunity is not going to save us all. Even those people who have survived a bad attack have been severely affected. We should have closed our borders immediately as Australia and NZ did. Their cases are minimal. Meanwhile we let anyone in or through our airports without any testing or any form of supervised quarantine.

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    1. They delayed it to continue profits for airlines and big business. The they thought only old people woudl die, so save them money on pensons. Now they realise too late that was all a big mistake, and we will probably have this around for more than a year, possibly two. Even if we come through it, the economy will be at the point of collapse. It is a disaster for mankind, pure and simple, and not over yet, by a long chalk.
      Best wishes, Pete. x

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      1. Very true. If we don’t catch it now, chances are we will when restrictions are lifted. And if it is like flu, who knows what will happen in winter unless there is a vaccine by then (unlikely).

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  13. 4th day in row where confirmed cases have gone down here, now is the danger time, people will start thinking it’s all over lets carry on.
    just started compulsory quarantine at the border probably 3-4 weeks too late but hind site is a wonderful thing, just do what ever you need to keep safe Pete. Pleased to see new computer seems to be working well.
    Cheers

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  14. One major problem was stressing that the groups MOST AT RISK were elderly, ill and lung compromised. Somehow that translated to many younger people that they had no risk at all. They could care less about others, but that has been true of many young adults here already. It just took this pandemic to make it abundantly clear.

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  16. Comments on religious activities that I know of in the US:

    Yup, there have been a lot of religious communities, including some Jewish communities in the NY area, upstate and city, who have been unwise in continuing to hold weddings with 1,000 people–when they got shut down in public places, they started to have them in people’s yards and properties, and sadly, many have caught the illness who might not have otherwise. My husband (psychologist) has a number of clients in those communities and they tell him what is going on. Then again, other Jewish communities, like in Woodstock NY, have all their services online and people stay safe and still celebrate the big holidays (including today). The difference often seems to be that the more conservative still do risky things, and the more reform or modern do not tend to do that as much. My Tibetan Buddhist and Zen Buddhist bunches have been doing physical distancing and distance teaching for a while now to preserve health and reach more people safely–and if some preachers claim to ‘blow away’ the virus, why wouldn’t they do that for free for everyone?

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  17. Absolutely, Pete…the behaviour of a considerable number of people is appalling, either it’s ignorance or pig headedness….I’m staying indoors and becoming a hermit

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  20. Stupidity has no borders Pete. As you noted, here in the U.S. we have a President who persists in putting out incorrect information, aided by his propaganda machine Fox News. It’s a truly sad day when the leading doctor in charge, Anthony Fauci, who has saved countless lives, now has to receive protection because of Trump supporters’ death threats. Everyone keeps asking when things will go back to normal. My answer: never. What we perceived as “normal” is in the past. We need to look to the future and be willing to implement some much needed changes. But when we can’t even follow simple guidelines in the here and now, well that’s frightening.

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    1. The whole situation is inded frightening.
      I am sending my very best thoughts for you and Tom to get through all this current madness. At least us bloggers have each other, so we always have friends. 🙂
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  21. Ahem…Not every Christian from a red state is prone to attending mass gatherings, group hugs and sneezing all over each other. Yes, there are hucksters in red states, there are idiots too. There are naive people who listen to the comforting echo chamber of their values at others expense and those who try to force their values on those with opposing views. Admittedly, I’ve never lived outside of a red state, but I suspect there these groups of people living just about everywhere. I’m not going to apologize for the state in which I live, Tennessee, or my home state of Texas. I will speak out–as I have when Tennessee’s governor was abhorrently late in issuing a mandatory stay at home order. And I will praise my state’s being at the forefront of epidemiological testing for a vaccine.

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    1. Thanks for your own thoughts and local experiences, Pam. Any counterpoint to the ‘madness’ is always most welcome. I hold no political brief for any Red or Blue state in your country, but I have seen a lot of worrying religious mania online. It is also criminally irresponsible, what some preachers are saying and doing.
      Best wishes as always, Pete.

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  22. Every day so far the police have been driving through our village looking for any groups. They need to focus on London’s parks and also on seaside towns, I think, and not the arse end of nowhere where you never see a soul.

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    1. That might prove to be too soon, but we also have to concern ourselves with the irresponsible behaviour in the rest of the world. With no vaccination, any country could be reinfected easily.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  25. Unfortunately, Pete, I cannot but totally agree with you.
    Stay healthy, my friend,
    Pit
    P.S.: I won’t comment on your remarks about our “Genius” President here nor about (some of) the churches, because that would lead me into a rant of several pages.

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  26. Pete, I couldn’t agree with you more! Here in L.A., right in the apartment where I live, I hear people coming and going (seemingly as usual), out in the back having a good laugh, and I see people out front, walking down the street shoulder-to-shoulder. If you tell me (which Gov. Newsome and Mayor Garcetti basically have) that if I continue to stay inside and where a face mask when I must go out, I will likely not contract this virus, but if I go out and flaunt myself around I will likely contract it, I am TOTALLY staying home. I REALLY don’t understand those people who do not. I was beginning to think I was crazy — but apparently (thankfully!) you are too.

    Be safe and well, my friend!
    Mona

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  30. Yes Pete, while most of us in the US are practicing “sheltering at home” – meaning we leave ONLY as necessary for groceries – there are many here, mostly in “RED” states, who still agree with what our President called a “Democrat Hoax” just a few weeks ago. One woman interviewed on the news from the deep south said she was covered in the blood of Christ, and that will protect her. Sadly, these people help spread the disease to those who follow all the rules. It is sad….it is America today.

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    1. Exactly, John. Trouble is, it won’t be contained to the religious crazies in those Republcan states, It will continue to spread to those of you taking sensible precautions.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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      1. Yes, every day more lies are spread through press conferences about the pandemic – the new one is that all elections are rigged…setting the stage for a VERY ugly election in November

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  32. The thing to remember about ‘peaks’ is that as many people die a week after the peak, as do the week before it.

    I fear that when ever we reach this peak, people will assume it’s all over and demand to be allowed to go back to normal.

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  34. Sometimes I wish we didn’t know what was happening in other countries. I thought the doctor in Russia was stupid when she said she couldn’t catch the virus in a church but to think preachers in the USA are actually encouraging folk to hug and shake hands is just incredible.
    I can understand youngsters here thinking it won’t happen to them – we all need a bit of that or we would never have an army and the Government does harp on about it being fatal for old people. Maybe it will only be when it is all over that they will realise the dangers, when some have experienced loss.Meanwhile, I don’t think they see TV or read papers so living in a virtual world is quite normal for them.
    Keep safe, friend.

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    1. Thanks, Julie. The youngsters may not die from it in the same numbers, but they are taking it home to parents, grandparents, and so on. I find it incredulous that their parents seem to have no control over them whatsoever.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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        2. That is so sick, as are those who spit at policemen. Or care workers. Sometimes I despair of a human race which raises these kind of people who are either total idiots or total f***wits. They just laugh in our faces.

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  36. You are absolutely right our President is a disgrace and now full steam ahead to get someone sane in there. Yes there are sane Republicans – but he isn’t. I’d like to see a unity government….however a female VP from the mid-west who is a Democrat. Perhaps Romney for Secretary of State.

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    1. The trouble is that by November you could potentially have hundreds of thousands of deaths in the US. It will get so it hardly matters who takes over. Action is needed now.
      Best wishes, Pete. x

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