What can we expect from tomorrow's announcement?

Well regardless of what is announced later today, I am now restricting myself further than I have been. In the last 7 months I have not been inside any homes except twice to use the loo. I have met up with family outside only. I only go shopping for necessities, and pick times when it is very quiet. We have deliveries for most things.

My church choir has restarted but even though they are very strict with the rules and distances etc, it is still indoors, so sadly I am not going to go again for the foreseeable future. I still go for short walks but rarely encounter anyone.

Now my grandson has to self isolate as a boy in his form in Year 8 has tested positive, so I am avoiding him and his family as well.
We are lucky. We have a warm comfortable home, are not short of money, have plenty to occupy us at home. But we are both over 70 and DH has health conditions which put him at greater risk.

It can’t just be students as my old home town of Brighton has about 40,000 students and seems OK and Knowsley has no students and has a high incidence rate.

I'm expecting the same statements that will then get changed or some government officials will ignore. I live in an area that is relatively low but our case numbers are increasing like elsewhere. We do have a university on the edge of town and they are trying to contain a recent outbreak. I did venture into town last week and was shocked at how many young people were not wearing face coverings (there is a college near the town centre) and were not keeping their distance. Do they think they are invincible?. We know full well if they get ill and need to go to Hospital they would be horrified if they were turned away for being too relaxed about the rules. The rules are there to protect not only the vulnerable (I'm one of them) but ordinary people too. The more this virus spreads the worse the impact on the economy. I just wish people would be more sensible and less selfish

Try reading my comments. I'm in the North. I've seen people who don't abide by the rules. I'm not blaming the students. I'm not blaming anyone. It's just a fact. There are a lot of students in the North. A lot of them party. I was told the other day that one reason for Freshers week was to get them all socialising so that they mix and share the germs they bring with them and get over any infections in the first few weeks. It couldn't happen this year but you can see what is going on in student areas. And all those who are protesting I'm following the rules so are my friends/relatives, try looking at the wider picture.

Nannan2. its bloody madness!-. Yup! You said it!

Very sorry about your poor youngest. Much worse for younger generation, missing out, worrying, Horrible, all of it.

weird ? crept in at beginning, sorry! eyes not great for keyboard or screen at times.

M0nica. ?you are my breath of fresh air! To all you have said may I say "Me too"?
Thanks.

My youngest is in college and has been ill already despite all the 'regulations' hes followed- yet they bloody well wont close it down and hes supposed to return.its bloody madness!- the kids dont want to go back and 'mix' but theyre making them do so!

My sons a uni student and still lives at home- no running round partying for him- nor for any of his 'study group' some of whom live in halls or near campus(theres only 5 of them) one left this year 2 have now referred for a year with other 2 trying to do so as well.most of young folk on his course are in same boat and are going home.

I have to agree I think the university cities are the main problem I'm in the north west we have a number of large universities in the regions liverpool and Manchester are very big party cities it doesn't take a scientist to figure out why our infection rates have gone up since September

Thats offensive Trisher to those of us in the north who ARE following the bloody rules! Where are you?down south where the rules are being made to keep the Politicians, the Royals, and the rich happy?

Some of the comments here about 'students' have been just as uncalled for as those about 'the north'.
Young people socialise standing in groups (distancing difficult) chatting for hours on end. Of course the virus can be spread this way and they should not do it. But large amounts of alcohol are not necessarily involved; it is not necessarily 'partying', and those running around the streets shouting late at night are not necessarily 'students'. As a 'cohort' they have had a rotten spring and summer and their future looks pretty bleak. No need to demonise them. Give them a break.

Trisher. I take exception to your comment that Northerners won’t follow the rules. My friends & I have abided by the rules. I retired at the end of March after over 40 years in the NHS. Not the way I intended to enjoy my retirement. I assume you are one of those people who don’t think there is life beyond Watford Gap.!!!!! ???

I agree with Sparkefizz on people not keeping to rules, particularly bubbles including some on GN, it does not mean having one group of friends/family round one day and another later. A bubble (singular) is for single people or single parents to have contact with one other group, exclusively. Unfortunately I know of some in my own family in their 20’s and 30’s who are socialising, not partying necessarily with their peers and children like normal. Ditto elderly people, some of whom wear the same, tatty, disposable mask week in and week out. The only time the majority did as they were asked was in lockdown, unfortunately I don’t have any answers. As with most of us I’m good at using hindsight and pointing out my perceived deficiencies.

The suggestion by some that the rises in covid have nothing to do with students returning to uni is absurd.

Sorry trisher but you really did make my blood boil decrying northerners as if it’s our own faults! We live in north Lancashire and I don’t think we have a lot of cases here but we are grouped in with the “north west”. I personally don’t know anyone whose got the virus thank goodness.

As others have said, it’s probably the predominance of universities in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Liverpool along with a lot of terraced housing in cities where they are crowded in which is affecting the figures. I doubt if it’s just that “people in the north won’t follow rules”! How rude and condescending I find that remark! What about Oxford and Cambridge and London Universities? I cannot believe that London has fewer cases, it’s not possible, surely?

We could certainly do without such remarks which do nothing but show what a great divide there is North vs South.

As a ‘southerner’ but born in London but as an ‘honorary Northerner’ I share many of the comments expressed by Iam64. Particularly the fact that Northern MPs, City Mayors and local Commerce are now speaking out on behalf of the population. The H of C is not sitting with all MPs present, thus depriving many of the many excellent elected members for the North to speak out, I feel that it has been very easy for the Government since so few have been able to argue against ‘blanket proposals’. Ignoring any political divide, it must be accepted that there are many Regional differences in life style, work, and population needs etc. That said, the Virus does not discriminate between Regions. Everyone, of whatever age is vulnerable, has a duty to protect themselves and each other, and should take responsibility for trying to preserve their lives and prevent the spread. But the Government should address the population as intelligent human beings, cut out the 3 word slogans and start listening to all the Regional representatives. Then we just might all come together. IMHO Whitehall and their attitude is too remote from our Northern cousins. Speak in plain English, in non-patronising tones and stop trying to emulate Winston Churchill. Spouting from the Classics isn’t the behaviour of a cultured person - just done to make them sound clever.
Lastly my special thoughts are with all who are suffering from Covid - it can be a hellish experience unlike normal flu. Trust me! Just wish I was still able to visit my dear Friends in the North.

I agree MOnica and do exactly what you do, it's the only way.

And then there is this absolutely shocking report from the BBC.
www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-54486121

Knittyknatter an outstanding sweeping statement! I’m from Manchester.

Just watched the science briefing.

It seems that we are the same level as March this year. And in fact there are more people in hospital now than on 23 March.

So, as a result of that information, DH and I will keep locked down as we did then.

All should take this very seriously not just because you might die, but because the long term consequences can be extremely serious at any age.

They have changed things so often over the past week, I have no idea what we should be doing. I am going to become a hermit until they make their minds up.

We have been isolated since March.

First time I have ventured near our town centre today.,went to the bank (well policed about masks ,distancing etc) and one shop. Three people not wearing masks.Sorry to say from ethnic groups considered to be at an increased risk.
Shop assistants can do nothing about it.
DD works in a shop and frequently gets abuse if people asked to wear masks,wash or sanitise hands etc..

Mask wearing in shops should be made law, and those who don't comply, refused entry to the shop etc if possible and fined.

I feel for those who rely on their businesses for their income and would hate the financial worry that lack of business would bring, but-----in hospitality, has it been SO necessary for anyone to go out and eat in these establishments ?

To be inside areas where dozens of people are/have been when this virus sits happily for a month or so on hard/metal surfaces, is there on steel cutlery and unless autoclaved, crockery too.
Why has everyone insisted that they MUST go out and socialise, be it a couple of metres apart ( not enough ) ?

This is a pandemic where millions, not thousands , die and that quota will come unless everyone adopts the patience and resilience to resist their outgoings.

Is it to give people the chance to enjoy a rollicking good night out before it is banned again? Seems like it to me. Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow...