Christmas easing of restrictions

We all have different circs. I'm very glad that the rules will permit those living alone to travel to stay with families without being made to feel selfish or guilty. They'll still have a good 2 months of gloom to get through.

It simply is not worth the risk to go ahead with Christmas. A spokesperson for SAGE indicated that for every day of relaxation, 5 days of tighter restrictions would potentially be needed, i.e. another lockdown in January? Is it worth it for the sake of a Christmas dinner? I want to spend time with my family but we have already made the decision not to meet at Xmas.

In future years, will we be comfortable with remembering them every Christmas and knowing that we denied them that last contact despite their pleas?

On the other hand, how would we ever forgive ourselves if we were asymptomatic and infected them?

Crazy idea, let's see how many families end up in hospital

Its probably not going to make much difference to how we spend Christmas day - its usually just dh, ds (who lives with us) and I anyway.
Tbh my worry is that the inlaws wont be going to their other son's (staying in a hotel) as usual and we are pressured to fill the gap. Its not that I have problems with them but they have not been good at following the rules - fil is still meeting with his ex military cronies (you'd think theybwould be good at following orders!!) and our ds is in the extremely vulnerable category.

Grannybags

I'm in two minds about this.

Although I'd love to spend time with family I was sort of hoping that the rules would still be strict over Christmas so I wouldn't have to make any decisions about if or who I should mix with.

Yes, I know what you mean. I had more or less decided we would be on our own, but after talk of an ease up of restrictions, DH said “Well, we can have DS, DIL and two GC, to us, we’ll eat at separate tables in the (large) conservatory, they can go home after lunch”.

Hmm, yes, but can imagine after a glass or two of wine, they will want to stay on a while, and TBH, for once, I am quite reconciled to a quiet Christmas on our own.

If the government categorically said, no mixing, and we are in a high area this time, that would settle it, but can imagine I will be viewed as a killjoy.

I do think easing the restrictions is not a great idea. People will not all be wise. I see a steep rise in cases in the new year.

Agree with Willow vaccinate younger ones first...

We will have our son and DIL for lunch as always (they live next door) but other than that it will be quiet. No plans to travel or party. I’m not even venturing out to the shops in town. It’s not worth it.

Will have DS with us as his partner is going to parents (USA) He ‘bubbled’ with us in first lockdown and struggles being on his own for too long; I feel his mental health is the bigger risk than Covid for us

We are making progress, vaccine for the over 70s starts before the end of the year, and self isolation for contacts to be replaced by daily 7 day tests (oh joy!) which will help businesses. The mass testing should finally allow care home residents to receive visits from their loved ones

The 7 day average of cases has come down by almost 20% in the last week.

So I can well understand those who are too scared to meet up with their loved ones saying they would prefer to hang on.

But don't forget that for thousands, this will be their last Christmas, whether they know it or not. In future years, will we be comfortable with remembering them every Christmas and knowing that we denied them that last contact despite their pleas? In that situation I couldn't do it. If my parents were still alive I would take the risk. If you have only a few months to live, a less than 1% chance of being hospitalised through Covid, no matter what your age, would seem a risk worth taking.

We have a support bubble and a child care bubble, and will see those over Christmas. And if other members of the family wish to pop over, I would be more than happy to see them, my risk assessment.

Grannybags

I'm in two minds about this.

Although I'd love to spend time with family I was sort of hoping that the rules would still be strict over Christmas so I wouldn't have to make any decisions about if or who I should mix with.

How odd - or perhaps not, I feel this too.

I agree

If we spend Christmas Day with our family, this will include grandchildren who are university and school students, and adults who are key workers who have worked straight through all lockdowns, and some whose work has taken them all over the country. In March I received my letter telling me to shelter as I was high risk and my husband chose to do the same. Since then I have received further letters telling me to take extra care because of my health conditions.

We have taken the decision not to meet up because it is too great a risk. The way people are talking one would assume meeting up is compulsory, we have free will, exercise it,

It's just not worth the risk is it? We can see the light at the end of the tunnel. We've sacrificed our freedom, contact with our nearest and dearest, we've limited our activities and isolated ourselves for the common good - why ruin it now?

Just one 'non-Christmas' to add to the loss of Mothers' day and those birthdays this year, the lost visits to the seaside, picnics, BBQs, get-togethers etc. Oh, how I've missed having the grandchildren to stay - and how I long to hug and cuddle them. I'm dying to meet the new baby too.

Still, I'll give it a miss and next year we'll have OTT parties and celebrations. When it's all over, there will be such a lot of partying going on!

Everyone has to just use their common sense, depending on their health and circumstances, no matter what restrictions are eased.....that goes without saying ( although am still saying it) as common sense is not so common.?

Both of us are immunocompromised so we will take it easy. The only solid plan is to have our daughter, SIL and GS to Christmas Day lunch..

I think its wrong to ease restrictions for Christmas. Other faiths had to abide by lockdown rules and couldn't celebrate Ramadan and Diwali the way they usually do. Why should it be any different for Christians?

We won't be seeing anyone. My DD has an autoimmune condition and has to be careful, so we will not see the DGC .

Katek - I am with you on this. I think the government is simply bowing to the inevitable rather than trying to enforce something that will be unenforceable. Just because they are doing this it does not mean that it is safe for individuals.

It is the same as bubbles. I could bubble with a DD, but they have children at school and are out at work, as are their spouses. So they are all in contact with lots of people who could be spreading the infection. So my contact with my bubble is only occasional and undertaken with safeguards.

As someone above said: just because you can do it does not mean you should.

Easing or not, I'm spending Christmas alone as there will be no family gathering this year. It was our thought-through decision and while it doesn't make anyone of us happier, I think it's reasonable.

I'm in two minds about this.

Although I'd love to spend time with family I was sort of hoping that the rules would still be strict over Christmas so I wouldn't have to make any decisions about if or who I should mix with.

Good idea Willow.

We won’t be risking anything but our children live 400miles away so would be out of question. I know folk will just go daft and socialise regardless. I’m so hopeful regarding vaccine.

Vaccinate the younger generations first. They are the ones socialising, going out to work and have children at schools more than us and have been spreading it to us. Make them safer and we will feel safer too and then give us the vaccine.
Christmas will be a quiet one just for this year.

We're not changing our plans. It's too risky. As the saying goes "just because you can, doesn't mean you should'.