Now I understand why families shouldn't meet up.

I heard on the news earlier the R number in Germany has increased to 1.79 today following the easing of their restrictions in recent weeks. Also today Spain has decided to lift the 14 day quarantine for arrivals from the UK so that we can enjoy our holidays in the Spanish sunshine and boost their tourism.

Anyone thinking too much too soon? I so hope I’m wrong but fear we’re heading for a set back

annep1, I find it far easier to have no visitors except one friend or family member at a time, for a walk, then a sit and chat in the front garden.

I really don't want all the worry of wondering whether I've caught it. Having isolated since mid March, there's no point in ruining it all now. I'm hanging on until September, when possibly a vaccine will be available.

I know families who just aren't bothering with all the rules. I don't know how they cope with that.
I think if they've decided to ignore the whole thing it will be easier for them to have no worries.
Until they are caught out, of course.

I'm more in the nervous wreck category.

We are seeing friends and family ( not all at the same time!) in our garden.Seating is arranged with tables and all over two metres apart.I bring out mugs of tea/coffee and plates with cake or biscuits on and put it on the larger table and stand back whilst they take theirs and we all sit down to chat.They leave their mugs and plates where they are when they go, and I load them onto the tray and take them indoors, put into the dishwasher and wash my hands, then wash the tray then wash my hands again, and later on, wipe down the chairs and table they have used in the garden.
A faff, yes, but worth it to see them.

It's a bit like running a pub, lemongrove

Took my own flask with coffee. No sharing of food so own little picnic. Also own garden chair so no need for friend to wipe her's down. The little phone viewing was done by placing phone on middle of table and host looking at when I had moved away. On way out round side of house, used a wipe to open/close latch on gate so that host didn't need to be near to let us out. At times though do wonder if I am alone in my approach with all the total disregard going on.

merlotgran

It's a bit like running a pub, lemongrove

Yes, but with cleaner hands?

.....and no tips!

I suppose I can see why those people who are out and about, mixing with others on public transport or at work, will feel one more risk by seeing friends and family isn’t going to make any difference. In the other hand those of us who are shielding, or protecting s vulnerable loved on by not meeting anyone are bound to feel differently. I know I am not going to meet up with my son as his daughter is working in a supermarket and they are mixing with friends, so present too great a risk for me. I do meet with my daughter, at a suitable distance and we have been for a couple of walks, but she is not working or going to shops.

Soon all the restaurants and pubs will be open and presumably at some point cinemas, libraries, galleries, etc. With some care, we need to get back to normal.

A number of younger, we know it all families in my village have totally ignored lockdown. They have intermixed, children have had sleepovers and last w/e there was a 50th birthday birthday party. So much for only 6 in a gathering. It’s a case of ‘we’re all fine so no one will get it’. These are so called intelligent professionals. I despair especially when the majority of the residents have adhered to the rules. I won’t say I told you so when the inevitable happens , but I won’t be surprised. So very selfish.

I live alone now and have to admit to seeing my grandchildren most weeks. I am lucky because they live within walking distance and I have a big enough garden for a good 2m distance which we have always kept. No drinks, food or phones have been passed and any toys, balls, skipping ropes etc are disinfected and left out in the sun before I put them away and even then I give my hands a good scrub! Fortunately the good weather has helped.

I know I am clear as I have not been to a shop, or near anybody since the beginning of March so I can pass on to them favourite meals. cakes, biscuits, treats etc. I put them down while they distance and then they take them home. I feel that this has kept us all safe and sane during lockdown and I don't plan to change these arrangements anytime soon!!!

We are supposed to be having a picnic in the garden tomorrow with my sister in law and her husband who has been shielding since the start - he is on kidney dialysis so in hospital 3 times a week and also asthmatic. She has ordered tea for 4 from their local farm shop to be boxed up separately for us and will bring their own picnic hamper with plates etc and chairs. We have a downstairs loo with access from the garden so I will clean it all before they arrive and we will use the upstairs ones. I'm sure we will be ok and will be able to sit 2 metres apart but at the moment it's hammering down with rain so it might all be down the swanny by morning

I hope you have a nice time Willow. Please don't forget distancing. Its so easy to do.

Hetty58 I think that would be more manageable for me too.

Hetty - I hate to throw cold water on your idea of a vaccine by September. This is more than unlikely. No vaccine has been found against any Covid disease, ever. Other illnesses like AIDS have had thirty years of world wide work to get a vaccine - to no avail.

Do not depend on any vaccine - and if all the odds are beaten and one is discovered, then there will be months and months of testing before it is in use

Indeed, September - as we go towards Autumn and winter is likely to be far more dangerous than the present time. Less people will be able to meet outside (where the virus is far less likely to cross infect), the normal winter 'flu infections will start, and winter is always a bad time for those with underlying health problems.

Totally isolating at present could (nobody is quite sure about this) , lead to a lowered ant-body rate in peoplel We normally build up our anti-bodies by mixing with each other.

Early diagnosis via testing, and much improved and increasingly improving treatment of this virus, particularly for those who are very sick with it - is the way it is going. And, despite how infectious it is, we really do have to remember that it's fatality rate is not that high.

So, yes, each to make their own risk assessment. But , also take account of our lives and our mental health.

I have not seen any family for 17 weeks.
It hurts to hear of people mixing freely knowing that a second wave will probably arrive in the autumn.
My DD was able to travel in Europe and spent four days with her aunt whereas we have to make do with the occasional skype call.
At the end of the day my GC staying safe is far more important than their physical presence in my garden.

lemongrove, we've done the same as you. Had friends over for a cuppa in our garden, washed our hands constantly as we set out "their" table, chairs and a tray! The latter held their own pot of tea, milk-jug, mugs, etc. & plate of cake. (Plus a bottle of hand sanitiser.) DH & I sat our potting table (covered with a cloth!) set well away, and we had all our own "tea things". After they left, all the crockery went into the dishwasher on a hot wash - teapots washed in hot soapy water. A faff, but lovely to see friends.

Fran my understanding is that information so far is not backing up the idea of an increased proportion of people with anti-bodies as a result of mixing more freely. I think the figures from Sweden demonstrate this. I’ll see if I can find the link

Hetty58, thank you for the information regarding incubation periods. It was very interesting and I shall have to rethink about where I caught the virus, as it shows it couldn't have taken me 5 weeks to catch it.

I have 7 ranging from 17 to 40- (only 2 youngest at home with me) so you can imagine how fraught with nerves i am if even one of them maybe suggests a visit!- as it'll open the floodgates of them all wanting to bring all the families! Dont get me wrong, i love them all dearly, and have missed them all greatly, especially my lovely GC, we are normally close, as i take GC on hols too, but i think it would be fraught with worry, and all that cleaning! I cant cope with it all best of times as ive got osteoarthritis very bad, knees, elbows, wrists. My eldest called last wk just to drop something off id needed from a certain shop& she found it- her hubby& her youngest child asked to use loo, as its downstairs one i said yes, then they all 3 went living room to pick up a bag for them, but ive stuff 'left around' post& parcels etc waiting it out a few days- so they didnt sit down & they went after a minute or two, but i still cleaned all loo with bleach and as my GD had wanted a hug as she went( first in months) i got changed also, as my 17 yr old is very susceptible to any bugs & gets worse every time he catches anything.He has asthma & neuro condition.All 3 of us in our house have 'underlying health conditions' so are very careful.youngest hasnt been out since week before lockdown! But i think if any of family call again ill say bring a takeaway coffee and sit in garden a bit.But most of them live a lot further, so might want to stay longer, id feel mean saying no

I just feel for self-preservation, and the preservation of others, we shouldn’t be having these get-together. Saving lives is far more important than celebrating birthdays - many won’t get that chance again!

No Dottydots, but it could have taken 5 wks for it to lie in your system and just get to the stage where you were that bad maybe? You could have had it awhile but it had gone unnoticed till then? I was very bad with same symptoms as covid at xmas, and had been italy end oct/beginning nov and im sure id picked it up- but i had not known it existed then but im sure it did.but it could have taken a few wks to become so bad as i was, as a 'gentle cough' or a few sniffles etc can be put down to seasonal bugs at first, its not till you get so bad that you realise it could be something serious!?

DD and DSiL are visiting next weekend and staying the night!! That's because we have a large static caravan on our property that is used for visitors. They will bring their own food and bedding and clean it for us before they leave. I won't go in there for at least another week as a precaution.

Still breaks the rule, we cannot stay overnight anywhere at the moment, unless you are single and have formed a bubble, that is not a guide line but against a law. Silly you might say but that is how it is.

I went to see DGS on his 11th birthday & we did not make a big song & dance about it. We sat in front room ( it was raining) & had fun with the children without stressing about it.
It is my birthday next week & I hope they will come here & we can sit in garden. I had my older DGC over a few weeks ago & we had a lovely afternoon in the garden.
I am not worried about it at all. Just have to be a bit careful.
All the plates, glasses etc will just go in dishwasher as usual. Perfectly adequate.
TBH I have not stressed about any of the restrictions. As long as you are aware & sensible. Same as supermarket shopping- I have been out most days- shopping for neighbours too & it has been fine.

Wise words Aepgirl.