There was a decent drop in cases in November from what I can see. You’re right though, the first lock down felt very different.
Sadly the rules are laxer than they should be but the government can’t enforce the rules effectively so are putting in enough grey-area that people can sort of decide for themselves.
Sadly people are very short term focussed and unable to make the most of the situation and instead complain and go about their normal lives with just enough changes that they “feel like they’re doing their bit”.
I love the gym but the move to “keep gyms open” was the best example of people not really getting it and being sad that their toys had been taken away.
The moto in our hose at the moment is “just because you can doesn’t mean you should”