Is it naive to think people will do the right thing?

I can't believe some of these comments - 'It's not the public's fault'. What?? So people have to be locked up as they seemingly cannot see the sense of what they are being told? How many times do people need to have the dangers explained to them? Are most people really that dim, or perhaps we have got too much into lacking respect for authority and the habit of questioning everything.

So how come we all seem to think the same but the powers that be are still hesitant to do lockdown?

Mollygo thank you for the Pepys quote

I agree Essex59 people should take responsibility for themselves and not blame the Government. Seems we do need a nanny state after all.

My husband was stopped by the Gendarmes this morning after shopping and had to produce his signed and dated paper to say what he was doing. The Gendarmes are no longer taking the papers they just have to be held up at the car window.

I have to agree Mealybug. Just finished work and I would so rather be self isolating. But at the local shops I saw a barber's open and the cafe next door. Why? I know people want money but surely rules are rules.
No one is invincible.

We live in a small town. Theres a FB page for the area which is useful and invariably informative. Lots of posts lately though about bad behaviour towards shop staff, empty shelves etc. Yesterday a lady posted that whilst walking her dog & keeping distance from several fairly large groups of teens she was heckled and jeered at. They were joking about passing the virus to her!! They were old enough to know better. I'm afraid drastic steps will need to be taken because of this ignorance.

The are the same people who will complain when lock down happens.

I'm sorry but, it isn't the governments fault that people aren't following advice. Obviously because some people are being selfish and stupid, then the government will be forced to act on their behalf and force people to do the right thing.
I'm just grateful that we have Boris and not Corbyn.

A lot of people have no thought whatsoever for others, it's this "I'm alright Jack" attitude. My local Tesco have a shopping hour for the elderly between 9am-10am three days a week, but the scavengers are there when the store opens at 6am and the shelves are then empty for the poor elderly who only want a small basket of food to keep them going. I asked one lady who went on the allotted day if it was just the elderly they allowed in and she said no it was a free for all but they gave them their own till! What use is that if there's no food to pay for.

A group of us, many over 70, spent last week setting up a Covid-19 Mutual Aid Group for our local town and districts, with a Facebook page and a Helpline for people who don't do online, to provide information and put people willing to volunteer in touch with those isolated who need help. We are applying for grants to help with costs and as emergency funds. Villages have set up their own Mutual Aid Groups, run by WhatsApp. It's a nice day, and shortly we will don our blue gloves and set off to deliver leaflets with Helpline number to the half of the village we didn't reach yesterday, and to the outliers - lots of people round here don't do online.

So: a lot of us are actively trying to do the Right Thing. And being over 70 doesn't mean you can't help. Try googling Covid-19 Mutual Aid - there may be a group near you.

Stay well, say safe.

People don't realise how dangerous this virus is. Despite government advice that I can still visit supermarkets I've been told by ITU consultant that I should not be going there at all.
Government advice is ridiculous - its not only over 70s who can fall seriously ill. As for putting all 'key worker' children together in schools - these are the families who are at higher risk, especially those with medics for parents. Why should these people have to care for those with virus without suitable protection, then go home to their families?

The government have been trying to treat us like adults, assuming that we are rational civilised people who would act sensibly and follow the advice.
It seems we are not.
Why on earth would any sane person mingle with crowds, do they really believe that they are immune.
I have a friend who is still looking after grandchildren, saying that she doesn't want to let her girls down.
How selfish and inconsiderate can you be.
Unfortunately it's time to give us all a good slap and lockdown.

No they don't do the right thing, apropos of a load of dickheads working out together and generally huddled in groups, both Richmond and Bushy Parks are now closed. Of late, every time we have walked there, we'd be far more than the prescribed 2 metres apart from others, probably 5 metres, not a luxury that anyone gets when we have to pick up essentials from pharmacy or food shops. When we have been out walking it was pretty obvious all of the older demographic observed the "keeping apart" directive, but SOME younger people, presumably because gyms are now closed thought it was okay to work out outside, in close proximity, as if nothing has happened, many examples from the week-end of that and on the beach, truly shocking

Itsnotme because you cannot be certain that you are well! Some people carry the virus without showing any symptoms BUT can unknowingly pass it on to others. Does that help? Stay safe.

Unfortunately, the idea that the young would sail through this have given them too much confidence. They are banking on evading the virus or coming out of it quickly; hence the confidence to swan out and about. I think that the message that all are at risk should be emphasised by Governments,
My own DD blithely told me the family was having their hair cut to-day (fat chance) as surely hairdressers were essential workers!!! God give me strength.

A friend told me yesterday that at one point, Whitley Bay (I'm in the North East) had nearly a 5/6 mile tailback to get into the area....the arrogance of those having "a day out" staggers me.

Isn’t it sad? My DM used to say she wished more people thought of their (social) duties before their rights.

I think within the next couple of days the government will bring in far more stringent measures, then people will have no choice.

It’s a sad thing but is necessary under the circumstances.

In Spain the police are using drones to monitor people movements and dealing harshly with anyone who flouts the regulation. This morning BBC News said the French were now having to complete on line self certificates before they could go out. Only one person allowed to walk the dog.

Just because many people have little self-control!

I fear we have created this “doesn’t apply to me” attitude by the “my human rights” brigade.

My children are doctors and warned us weeks ago that the situation would become apocalyptic. We are self isolating with knobs on. I am lucky that we live in a small village and we have all lived through a trauma together.
Boy are we organised. We have all identified the vulnerable. The villagers are planting veg. The teachers are preparing lessons using WhatsApp for the children.
I feel really glad to live here.
Unfortunately a young family man took his life yesterday. Everyone knows him and his dear family. Whether the miserable Covid-19 situation took its toll on his MH, we shall never know.
There are some stupid reckless people who are putting our lives in jeopardy. We need to instigate Marshall law.

Yes it is naïve to think people will do the right thing when so many patently aren't. I think about 25% are doing the right thing which seems to include most if not all of us on GN. The rest are ignorant and stupid blithely carrying on thinking they won't get it, if they do it won't be serious, without a thought that they could pass it on and put an extra burden on our heroic NHS. They stockpile food - I bet half of it such as perishable fruit and veg end up getting chucked away. Some are still going on holiday, buying extra freezers to put even more food in, visiting relatives etc. It won't be until somebody they know dies that they will take it seriously.
If we don't all do as we are told voluntarily then the government as it has made clear it will have no choice but to make it compulsory. I for one will be glad if that does happen.

Boris asking nicely isn't working. Appealing to the 'better nature' of people is proving a non-starter.

WW2 style rationing is now the only way.

Naive doesn't come anywhere near it. Just look at eg driving, the rules apply to everyone else not the idiots who tailgate, cut in in front causing you to slowdown/break; push in at takeaway queues; allow children to run wild in supermarket's whilst chatting on their phone; it's the modern society me, me, me. The mass shopping will not stop without legal steps being taken.

I think that people doing the right thing, is dead in the water. All the morons who just carry on as if nothing has happened, have endangered the rest of us, as previously mentioned.
The only thing that maybe, just maybe, might make them think twice, would be if some healthy 20 year olds, with no underlying health problems, catch the virus and die.
Imagine how terrifying that would be, even to the morons.
As it is at the moment, it does rather seenm too little too late.
Hoping I'm wrong!
Stay safe as you all can.

It's the crowds and crowded places that are heaving with germs. Keep away from them.

I've not long had " words " with the chap in the corner shop. Greedy article has been putting his prices up ! There were a few " strange faces " in the shop grabbing what toilet rolls that they could and being charged heftily for them so I said if he ups my prices on what I've got he can have them back. I often pop in there for bits and pieces, though it's £20 odd pound a time.

Surrounding shops are telling everyone to boycott them. At least I stopped a woman from buying eggs there because the hens are caged ( cruel ) and told her to go to the butcher where they're free-range from a local farm.
I feel as though I've done my bit against greedy people who are using illness to their advantage. Evil people.

@Itsnotime The reason well people have to stay at home is because there is evidence that some people who contract Covid-19 show No symptoms! So even if they feel well they could pass on the virus to many and potentially kill someone.
Please stay at home.