1/8 Fascinating and v valuable study of public perceptions of lockdown rules by @JoePTomlinson Simon Halliday and Jed Meers ukconstitutionallaw.org/2020/05/08/sim… *but* [thread]
2/8 People were asked about legal restrictions not guidance (although it’s unclear whether everyone understood this.)
3/8 A seemingly critical point the authors don’t make is this: although 99% people say they know the rules a v high % get them wrong eg
4/8 56% think driving to green space to exercise is banned. Wrong!
5/8 76% think going shopping more than once per day is banned. Wrong!
6/8 85% think going to shops solely to buy non essential items is banned. Wrong! (Eg can go and buy non essential food (unless 85% appreciated food is by definition an essential item: unlikely)
7/8 20% said buying non essential items whilst at the shops is not allowed. Wrong! (Are 20% of people limiting their food shops to ‘the essentials’?!)
8/8 94% think coming within two meters of a person outside your household is banned. Wrong! (This is guidance and is not always practicable eg at work or passing on street.)
Footnote: these are exceptionally high levels of errors about the legal rules amongst people who claim to have a high confidence level they know the rules. And these are not just any rules: they govern or influence every aspect of our current lives.
