Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti made a controversial statement earlier in this pandemic saying that “snitches get rewards” for ratting people out. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has made similar comments, opening up a “snitch text line” which has apparently been flooded by snarky messages. So yeah, it’s backfired. 

I’m one who takes this virus/pandemic seriously, but I’m also uncomfortable with the concept of people turning others in and becoming the police. I think such behavior can create a toxic environment in our society that will last far longer than this pandemic will. Any thoughts on this? Is there a line that we shouldn’t be crossing when it comes to enforcing social distancing? I wanted to see how the Cake community is feeling about this. 

I mostly agree, and think that this is part of a much bigger issue than just our current situation. There seems to be a trend of doing things "by proxy" instead of owning it yourself. If you think about social media "shitstorms", for example, they are an (often too) easy way of achieving a punishment of someone via the anonymous masses (with even press and public figures sometimes jumping on board), where more regular ways fail or aren't even attempted.

On the other hand, this sometimes feels deserved because so many people and organizations display reckless behaviour with no accountability whatsoever. If you can't get the other to behave responsibly via reasoning, I understand the urge to use other means.

In this specific instance, I'm unsure if a "snitch line" really increases toxicity or if it just makes already existing toxicity more publicly visible. It's also important to note that, in this case, there's literally lives at stake. This is not a situation where someone loudly mows his lawn during siesta once a month, or has a BBQ twelve times a year when he's only allowed ten times.

Interesting topic.

I tend to be a live and let live-er and not a tattler, so my experience earlier this week was a bit of an eye-opener.

I help facilitate a MeetUp group for “Mature Campers.” One of the newest members contacted me and in the course of our messaging back and forth, she told me that she had just lost her sister a couple of weeks ago and her grandson had recently been mauled by a dog...she was feeling very lonely and distraught, and had decided to join the group because she was just getting more and more depressed sitting in her house all alone. She has a travel trailer and knew she needed to find some way to take a break from sitting all alone in her house obsessing about these tragedies. So, we agreed it would be a good idea to set up a last-minute overnighter in a nearby state park campground and posted it in the group site in case anyone else was feeling the same sort of cabin fever. We emphasized that each person would have to bring their own trailer/tent, sleeping bag, food, and camp chair and that we would observe all the social distancing protocols. We even reminded people to bring and wear masks.

OMG. Within minutes, a member posted several different scathing accusations that we must be insane. Then she posted pictures of signs that accused us of being totally irresponsible.

I was flabbergasted. It was quite upsetting to this new member, too.

Never thought I’d be the target of a virus snitch...

Yeah, I think a lot of this comes down to common sense. Where I'm at is I'm uncomfortable with the average joe feeling embolded like he or she is the police. My view is let the police handle such matters and tell people if they need to go away or not. Your average joe should just be doing his or her part by staying at home if they can, washing their hands, and trying their best to not pass the virus on to others.

That's horrible! I'm really sorry you and especially your friend had to go through that! People need to be kind to one another through this and such snitching/vindictive behavior is not helpful at all!

Just today was talking with my brother who being an auto mechanic has no way of social distancing at his job. His bosses and co workers actually even belittle him for social distancing while they stand around in a close circle, much less than recommended 6 feet, socializing. So there is the reverse of the coin. And yeah, many people are stupid, irrational and insensitive. Others are overly paranoid. What do we make of it?

You may have seen the video of this woman in Idaho refusing to leave a public park that was closed by order of the mayor (?). Apparently the police kept getting calls from “snitchy” neighbors about it.
What a mess.

Some people just need to get a life. Smh 🤦‍♂️

Perhaps the Singapore model can promote social distancing without the need for citizens to “rat out” violators.

The Spot robot will broadcast a recorded message reminding park visitors to observe safe distancing measures.

It is fitted with cameras, enabled by GovTech-developed video analytics, to help it estimate the number of visitors in the parks.

The cameras, however, will not be able to track or recognise specific individuals, neither will it collect any personal data.

Source: Robot reminds visitors of safe distancing measures in Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park

I view this as the equivalent of those electric road signs telling you if you’ve exceeded the speed limit. They reinforce the desired social norms.

Aside from the creepiness aspect, I would welcome this at parks, beaches and the state capitals of Michigan and Wisconsin.

😉