Christmas easing of restrictions

We are heading into lockdown end of this week again in N.Ireland for 2 weeks but I wish it was 4! Schools are still in although pupils are being sent home at present in our town to isolate. Nonsense, they won't isolate, they will run the streets. Over the weekend our news has shown queues of people in a busy Belfast now rushing for presents from non essential shops before they close and hardly any had masks on. They know what date Xmas Day is on so some could of been out before now shopping knowing this could of been on the cards. Sheer madness. It's hopefully for one Xmas, one year out of your life to maybe help save others. I'd say in 2/3 weeks the hospitals here will be over capacity because people queued for miles outside Primark.

I think many people will continue to be very careful. However with hundreds of thousands of students criss crossing the country to return home in early December, I wonder if there will be a huge rise in infection at Christmas, being three weeks later? You only have to look at what happened in university towns when they all went back to uni. Even if there isn't, because all the students, their parents and friends restrict contact, I do think there will be a huge rise in infection, hospital admissions and deaths during the third and fourth weeks in January, if everyone gets together at Christmas. Gosh, sorry it's such a miserable post. I just think an awful lot of people can't be trusted to do what's necessary. Is one day with a big feast and lots of alcohol worth it? My daughter works and lives abroad and I've done Christmas with tree, decorations, presents, food and alcohol at Easter, and in July, September and October over the years, with the rest of the family and friends, much merriment, happiness and laughter.

Said it all in the verse I put in Christmas cards:

Christmas has always been a wonderful time of year,
A time to spend with family and those you hold most dear.
This Christmas may be different, but my feelings are not changed,
The timings may be altered, and the dates get rearranged.
I so look forward to seeing you, to gathering round the table,
If not on December 25th, then whenever we are able.
If we are not together, then we will somehow cope,
The message of Christmas, as always, is love and hope.

Sending my love to you, in hope of seeing you soon.

The important thing is keeping everyone safe - not the date!

Diane318 - in absolute agreement with your sentiments. Can we not accept that we are living through an exceptional time and that delaying the usual Christmas festivities is a small price to pay in order to protect each other, known and unknown. As has been said so many times the virus does not discriminate - we are all vulnerable as FannyCornforth so rightly pointed out. I wouldn’t wish Covid on my worst enemy and even surviving can leave us with continuing health problems. Sadly, I too, know this.

I'm really not sure what to think. At Christmas we usually have big and rare family get-togethers so I will miss it if it doesn't happen. If it's restricted to four households then I still won't be able to go as I'll be the 5th and an aunt and uncle will be 6th so I may have to stay at home.

It's not the end of the world. Instead I can spend a quiet day at home and do exactly as I please without the bother of travelling so that's the small compensation.

I'm fortunate enough to be in a bubble and, if invited, I will celebrate Christmas the same way as usual. I will still take same precautions as now for next few months.

Says it all!

Excellent Maw
I really don't understand folk.

BlueRuby oh God - I'd forgotten about the students
This is going to be a nightmare.

Why don't you all check out Public Health England it tells you every thing you need to know.

Honestly, I'd much rather accept that we have to forget about family Christmas this year and not put all the sacrifices made in jeopardy again.

Oh Ketek - can't wait till we're all running round shouting I'm free!

I think it’s incredibly stupid & shortsighted but then that’s Boris all over !

It is only ONE day, for Heavens' sake. I have family in America, so won't see them, except on Facetime, and other side of the family will be at home in England!

I am not worried, hate mass gatherings anyway! Can do those anytime, Covid permitting. No longer bother with tree, lights etc as small people have grown up!!!

What is all the fuss about???

I hope there’s not going to be pressure put on people who are not happy to attend family get togethers. I’ve shielded for 8 months and am not prepared to waste that much as I would love to have a normal Christmas. I understand the point about Government only formalising what people would do anyway but I think the government seeming to endorse 5 days of 4 households mixing will encourage many who would otherwise keep to pre lockdown restrictions

We have friends we thought were intelligent, sensible, had common sense. Chatting on the phone last week we were told that if the government restricted numbers indoors they’d have to have son and family on day one, daughter and family on day two and elderly parents on day three. Words failed me. I finished the call abruptly before I ruined a long term friendship.
I implore the government to tell us all to stay at home just for one Christmas in a whole lifetime. The only exception would be those living alone with potential mental health issues could join their bubble if they choose to.
pen50 death might be worth it for you to have a merry Christmas but think of all those who don’t think like you who will pay with their lives for your Merry Christmas.

As my sons say (hopefully in jest!), ‘Let’s have our normal Christmas get together and kill grandma!’
Watch the spike in elderly deaths from mid January onwards.

I don’t see the logic in this decision. If it’s not been safe to have family gatherings all year what’s different about Christmas? Just because some folk might have been preparing to flout the guidelines they shouldn’t have been given the green light by the government.

Also, I feel it’s a slap in the face for those who were denied the chance to be with their dying relatives other than a brief goodbye. Some were even denied that scenario. They just had to accept it and get on with it for the greater good.

Extended family and friends have been denied the opportunity to attend funerals due to severe restrictions on numbers. Just 2 weeks ago we saw on the news a video clip from a crematorium when 2 sons were told they had to move their chairs and sit apart from their heartbroken mother and were unable to comfort her at their father’s funeral service.

Now we are going to be given the go ahead to have a jolly get together for the Christmas holidays. I’m not sure it’s going to be worth pay back time Jan/Feb.

On behalf of all those people whose businesses have been devastated by the pandemic, I would prefer us not to get together over Christmas. Apart from people living alone or in a support bubble.

For people who own gyms, hairdressers, beauticians and other equally affected small independents, this pandemic has been DEVASTATING. My relation is closed down yet again and Government support simply does not scratch the surface. Lost jobs, lost homes, suicidal thoughts - some people’s situations have been unbearable.

So no, I don’t want a 5 day Christmas loosening of restrictions, resulting in my relations having to close down again during a 25 day lockdown (as discussed as a possibility on the News) It is absolutely selfish and deplorable that people (apart from people living alone) should be bleating on about needing a family Christmas when other people have been so severely impacted and are potentially losing everything.

It is madness to have a Christmas break from restrictions. This will send cases up in the new year. Then of course everyone will blame the government. If they don't allow the break from restrictions people will complain They are damned if they do and damned if they don't. I for one will spend a solitary Christmas...it is safer. x

What continues to amaze me is how Boris or his advisors can tell when the virus is going to be active .....it is ridiculous to put a date or a time when it is ok to go about your normal business ...who does he think he is, King Canute ? I have kept up as normal a life as possible and I think everyone should be allowed to decide for themselves and not be dictated to by what is turning into a Dictatorship and is no longer any form of democracy. The right to free will and civil rights having been removed is nothing short of illegal ...but no one will stand up to him or his puppet masters

Good post Frizzywizzy. I agree with you.
ALANaV, in the words of our wonderful FannyCarnforth shoo

I won't be changing my plans. My DD offered to come and pick me up and take me back for Christmas, they live about 300 miles away, normally I could drive myself but am awaiting a cataract op. I have decided to stay put, using my elderly dog as an excuse as he can't travel and wouldn't adapt to a different environment, of course I will miss my family but with cases of covid increasing in my area, I intend to try and stay alive and see them next year

How stupid ! Is the virus taking time of for Christmas , I don't think so . What is Boris thinking , it total madness . There will be so many idiots who will be mixing because the government said they could . Boris has to realise this not a popularity contest and he is signing people death certificate by allowing this happening . I will not be taking part in mixing with different house holds .

MiniMoon I agree. I saw young family out walking in beautiful clothes and thought - not a word about 'having our Diwali' or being robbed of it