Now I understand why families shouldn't meet up.

I'm expecting to see my DS and DiL plus her mother this week as they are moving house to go and live with her mum and dad. I live half way between where they are now and where they are moving to so will be their 'loo stop'. When I first heard their plans I got so excited, then when I realised I wouldn't be able to hug them I had a bit of a cry. I haven't seen them since Christmas except on zoom. It's so hard. I'll have to try to keep it together when they are here and hope eventually there is an end to this but I think it will be a long time coming. They have a baby on the way so can't take any risks! Time to start deep cleaning the downstairs loo!

Thankyou Anne. I really people need to be aware of risks and act accordingly. I'm lucky in really in that my family and friends are all like minded. I did feel sorry for my eldest daughter. She lives a couple of hours drive from me so only used to see her every month or so before lock down. She works in mental health and some of her residents struggle with keeping the guidelines. She is very aware that she could unwittingly pass the infection on before she has symptoms she sticks to the guidelines. She sometimes feels like it's an uphill battle. Grandchilderen are 4.5 and 18 months. She was invited to one mums back garden and lots of kids with no social distancing! Friends who work in any form of care much more cautious,including a respiratory physio!

Dorsetcupcake I totally agree. We all need to be vigilant. It's just being realistic. No point in sticking your head in the sand.

If the situation was "Act sensibly and you should be fine", we could all feel a bit happier.
But it isn't.
Risk-takers will not necessarily be the ones to suffer for it.

Jane I think you are being honest and realistic as that's what the reality of this virus is my GP said the same about it not going away.
Reading across the threads on Gransnet and reputable news sources it's a hot mess. Those of you over 70 it's a medical fact that even if you run marathons and swim the channel every weekend your immune system gets weaker by the year.
Shoot me down but some of the biggest rule breakers are the low risk groups but also the over 70s who think it's all over hyped.
I know there are many people in the UK who have followed the rules for the sake of themselves and others. As for the rest? The saddest thing I've heard today was from a frontline shop worker describing how social distancing is now barely paid lip service to. One mother had bought her daughter.Whilst paying the shop worker has longer and closer contact with that girl than she had with her own grandchilderen.
Rumour has it that alongside reducing social distancing the government is considering increasing social bubbles. Lip service is already being paid to strict rules such as masks etc. Gransnet is full of people breaking the rules. Here comes a a legitimate free for all.
Yes,the majority of the population suffer mild or recoverable symptoms. The economy must recover. Children are suffering almost beyond comprehension. There will be collateral damage, and that will be the groups this Government has historically shown total disregard for the disabled,long term sick,elderly,and those frontline workers everyone clapped for every Thursday. Happy Monday to you all.

What a cheerful earful, or should that be eyeful, to start the week, jane.

Nothing like a positive mental attitude to buck us all up.

Well Jane...

Well &Jane..* .. that is a dismal outlook. I pray we find a vaccine.

My children are Doctors. They say the virus is never going to go away. Our best bet for survival is a vaccine, not going into enclosed spaces, and washing our hands.
They are not looking forward to this Winter as seasonal flu+ C 19 is going to be overwhelming. Add to all that, the people who cannot get treatment for other life threatening illnesses. It’s a mess.

Last Monday I went over to DD's to see my DGSs, we are a "bubble". DD didn't tell DGSs I was going over, youngest DGS is only 3 & threw himself at me, we are allowed to hug as we're a "bubble", older DGS gave me lots of hugs.

Only DD has been shopping although she has taken DGSs out for walks in quiet places.

DD & I have met a couple of times, I have been going out shopping two or three tines a week, doing my neighbour's shopping at the same time. I've also had several Podiatry Appointments at our local Hospital.

We are taking precautions, masks/scarves, sanitizing gel always in my pocket, hand washing & observing 2m social distancing.

I believe we should all do what we think is right, taking all the precautions we can to feel safe. There is a lot of concern about mental health, I worry most about youngest DGS as he can't articulate his feelings but DD had noticed a sadness in his manner & he's normally such a happy child. Hopefully now I'm part of their "bubble" this will bring some normality to his little world

Our neighbours had adult children and small grandchildren sitting in their front garden at a safe distance today. They kept apart but when they left they all hugged.

It's not easy to get it right all the time, but we must keep trying.

Stay safe everyone.

Yes we have to assess our own risks . My son , who lives alone and now is working from home came to us for the first time last week . Was in house ... ate with us... used loo! He is 40 , fit and healthy. My daughter I haven’t seen for 12 weeks. She has chronic bad asthma... hasn’t been out let alone met up with anyone. But she’s text to say she’s popping over tomorrow.... won’t be coming in house but will stay in garden. I will be so pleased to see her as I e been extremely worried for her ! Can’t wait.

Yesterday we had a street party. At the start, all beautifully spaced and controlled. Good fun and thoroughly enjoyable. Suddenly some people decided to circulate - still with space - but that seemed to be a catalyst for the next stage where people started sharing food. Have no idea what the others thought but I was decidedly uncomfortable. Managed to decline the offers without my discomfort showing (I hope!) but soon took my leave after that. Midst the happy chaos I don't think my slipping away was particularly noticed. Sure hope so.

Our daughter and granddaughter have just visited. They came into the garden. DD brought some lovely food for her dad for Father's Day. We sat apart in the garden and it was all going well until it rained and we had to come inside. I think we were OK. We have a large room and sat apart. We did the best we could..

True.

Oops looks like I’ve put a message on the wrong thread sorry

Felt happy with things yesterday, that is until a couple of neighbours on a walk stopped to ask how I was. Fine, I said, have you seen ....on your lane? and off she went telling me how bad they were and she hasn’t spoken to them for years, awful things! Then she said how anxious it all made her and I know about how that feels!! I should have said what do you mean as I haven’t spoken to her about anything, but I was so surprised and said most people have suffered some sort of anxiety in their lives. I’ll try not to get into conversation again! What do you think?

Congratulations on your new baby granddaughter Nannan2 You must be relieved that she has arrived safely.

I guessed you must be in Sweden Joesoap when you mentioned the lack of lockdown and 4000 deaths. I am so glad that the government in Portugal was so active in getting the country into lockdown as with a population of 10.5 million we have had just 1530 deaths and are now down to just a few a day. That's why everyone is so upset by the stupidity of the people I mentioned in my earlier post. In Lisbon there has been an increase in cases mostly amongst young workers who have not been socially distancing and live together in close proximity. The authorities have clamped down and have even closed cafes and takeaways so they cannot meet up there.

That was so frustrating freyja after taking such care for so long.
I think * luluaugust* may have a point. The younger family members laugh at us being careful about certain things.

Ive got my sons and one wife coming over this pm. I am slightly worried but so looking forward to seeing them. I will leave all the plates utensils glasses etc and wash separately in hot soapy water and then in the dishwasher. 'Guests' will use a separate loo and that towel will be changed. Both sons work at home but the wife works with the general public although outside. We will stick to social distancing. Its awful how things have changed but we must remember the virus is still out there. Keep safe everyone and enjoy things whatever way we can

My son kindly brought round a rogerblack treadmill for us to use. He had to bring it into the house as it was too heavy for us. Then we all wandered out into the garden with our 12yo grandson. We were at times less than 2m apart....it's so easy to forget & keep distance when one person moves about a bit in our small garden.

Next time the whole family came we stood at the front door and continued our conversation with them on the drive as before.

GoldenAge. Food deliveries from farms and fairies! How wonderful! ?? Fairy cakes and mushrooms? Do they have a website?

We visited son's garden to wish daughter-in-law a happy birthday, they had a timetable so that her mother and sisters could also call but we didn't overlap. All social distancing respected and no food and drink involved.
Now in Anglesey we have a huge spike in cases as a local food processing plant have been slow in closing following two staff testing positive a few weeks ago, as of today that number is 76 of their 600 staff, goodness knows how much further this will now go with all those employees going home to family, shopping, etc., before anyone was fully aware.
Already hearing of further outbreaks in Anglesey's other towns and villages.
This has taken us back to 'operation fear', we won't be celebrating any more birthdays in any garden. Back to isolation for us, special occasions by zoom.

Only do what you’re comfortable with. It’s lovely seeing mine but we are all being sensible about it. I wouldn’t risk under fives at the moment, I think it’s too confusing and upsetting for them not able to hug etc. That’s probably a few weeks off until the risk is right down.