Seems we are not unlocking.

I agree Lucca it makes a lot of difference my family all live in the same town and apart from the first few weeks of initial lockdown I have seen them regularly since

Well said Lucca...for people with children and grandchildren abroad...we aren't talking four weeks or weeks at all...Australia probably won't be possible until next year...

The reason for the delay does not make sense. They had 2 large scale music events in Liverpool to assess whether cases would go up as a consequence. The media reported that they did not, and Liverpool does not feature as an area of high cases. So why the delay?

Doodledog I agree with your post .

However I would just take us sue with this sentence “ I do know how horrible it has been to be separated from others, and whether it's by a few miles or several hundred doesn't really matter.”. Yes it does matter. When restrictions are lifted here family can be be visited pretty easily. If they’re in NZ or Oz…..you’re talking very expensive long travel. And only one visit per year at the most. So no, dustance DOES and always will make a difference.

I think someone taking the last roast potato is the worst thing I have ever heard! How very dare they

PippaZ

Many of you are catastrophizing inconveniences that in no healthy way require such strong emotions. We are not being bombed out of our homes, nor are we having to trek from country to country to find somewhere safe to live. We, generally have enough (if not too much) to eat. Honestly, people, waiting another four weeks, in the circumstances provided by living in a very rich county, to get a better view of what is happening will not kill us. Why can't some of you get these things in proportion?

Well said.

I'm still supporting my local cinema financially. I'm just not actually going to see films there though. There's nothing to stop any of us keeping up our membership of things or donating to things to help out. The only thing that matters to me is that my children and grandchildren are safe. Doesn't bother me if I can't see them [and they don't live far away]. If I haven't spent money in some ways I've spent it in others eg using local shops and buying produce from my milkman which is far more expensive than getting it from my occasional Tescos delivery.

Yes, that’s very true Pippa. But my daughter told me that they were only going because of the situation re medics during this Covid crisis.

Oh, and children and other family members have always gone abroad and parents in the past did not have all the technology to keep in touch. Life is life and no one was ever given a promise about how it would turn out.

I do agree with you Pippa on this. Another four weeks, or longer, isn’t the end of the world. I can do most of the things I want to do quite legally and within the guidelines. I don’t consider it to be selfish to choose to do perfectly legal activities. If we are fully vaccinated and therefore pretty safe I actually think we should go for a meal, to the cinema or whatever, because there is too much risk of businesses failing without trade and then we might not be able to choose to do these things.

Many of you are catastrophizing inconveniences that in no healthy way require such strong emotions. We are not being bombed out of our homes, nor are we having to trek from country to country to find somewhere safe to live. We, generally have enough (if not too much) to eat. Honestly, people, waiting another four weeks, in the circumstances provided by living in a very rich county, to get a better view of what is happening will not kill us. Why can't some of you get these things in proportion?

for all of those Gransnetters with children living abroad.

Valerie I’m not suggesting it’s anyone’s fault that my beloved daughter and family have left to work in New Zealand, it’s the situation’s fault, and we can’t blame the situation. It would have helped of course if as GPs they hadn’t had to take abuse and aggression because of the difficulties faced by both patients and doctors, but I’m not suggesting anyone on this thread has been aggressive towards their GP, anyway I would certainly hope not. It might also have helped if they hadn’t had to work such long hours, many additional to their normal duties and worked in the Covid Hub. It would have helped if they hadn’t picked up Covid from the Hub and had to isolate and try to work from home with three little children under their feet. It would have helped if they hadn’t had to isolate on three separate occasions because their children ran temperatures (prior to much available testing) and again had to work from home with little children under their feet. In fairness I have seen posts on Gransnet, but not this thread, saying GPs are lazy, hiding behind closed doors etc. I’ve seen other posts on other forums saying GPs were on the golf course. So no, I’m not suggesting that anyone on this thread is to blame,I’m saying the situation is to blame.

So I’m going to do whatever I want to do under the law. I’ve lost more than enough from Covid. My consolation is that they are happy, safe, and alive. And I’m enormously grateful to the NHS that treated me when I was hospitalised myself from Covid. I will never complain about it.

Just because something is permissible by law doesn't make it unselfish. It is not illegal to take the last roast potato, or to hog the TV remote, but both are selfish.

As others have said, there is not a lot we cannot do now. Travelling abroad and attending events with large audiences is all I can think of. I do understand how it feels not to see one's children, and how it is disappointing to have plans altered. I only started going out (at all - including to shops and 'exercise walks') after my second jab at the end of May, as I suffer from asthma, and could not risk catching Covid on top of the breathing difficulties I already have. I do know how horrible it has been to be separated from others, and whether it's by a few miles or several hundred doesn't really matter.

My children have both put off weddings, and I have had two consecutive birthday concerts cancelled (presents from my son, who traditionally comes with me), which was very disappointing. I have two baby nieces I haven't seen, and so on - I could go on, but don't expect anyone to be interested.

Most of us, if not all of us have been horribly inconvenienced by Covid, but are lucky if we haven't lost a loved one, or seen them succumb to Long Covid, which is horrible. A friend's daughter has it, and hasn't worked for months, with no sign that she will be able to do so any time soon. She is 34.

I know that we all have different attitudes to risk, and that my decision to shield for so long would not have been appropriate for everyone, but I also think that allowing a free for all when it comes to borders and large gatherings would be foolish, and would put lives at risk.

I feel particularly strongly when people use the fact that they and their loved ones are now safe in order to justify loosening restrictions. I do feel that that is a selfish attitude, I'm afraid.

The end of the restrictions is in sight and that’s something we have to cling to even if tomorrow’s announcement means it’s delayed a bit.

It’s perfectly clear now that vaccinations do protect us, and we are gradually going down through the ages.
I believe the original plan was that every adult should be offered a vaccine by the end of July and there’s a good chance that target will be met.

It must seem an absolute eternity though for those with family abroad, and my heart goes out to those who have had their hopes of being reunited with loved ones first raised then dashed.

It is what it is? Nobody we can blame. We have to sit it out and do what we can, individually, to get us out of this situation. If we all take responsibility we will get there. No point in moaning, just ensure you are safe and do what you can to ensure other people are safe.

Maddyone. Are you suggesting it is anyone else’s fault you only have 2/3rds of your family to hug? Absolutely not!

If anyone is complaining about how things are then they obviously haven’t experienced the loss of previously healthy, young family member who has succumbed to Covid. When you have, you will feel different about lifting restrictions, can guarantee it !

Fairview I can understand my family are very close less than a couple of miles but to not be able to see them would be heartbreaking

I dont think that people who haven't got children and grandchildren overseas can possibly understand the heartbreak...as I mentioned in an an earlier thread, I have daughter and family in Dubai...but also have a son and granddaughters in Australia...hes just near completing a guest house in the garden for us....will I ever see it,see my family there???? ....I've had down days during my life..as most of us probably have....but now...am scared re the depressing feelings that start my day..every day!!!

Maybee70 we can only do what is allowed apart from more than 6 people in our homes the rest is regulated so how can people do what they like
Yes I have been on holiday I am going again hopefully in a couple of weeks Will go out for lunch may go shopping but none of these are against any 'rules "

Excellent post Callistemon at 20.13.
Whatever normal is, it is obvious that it is different for different people. My normal is absolutely and totally being able to see and hug my family. My new normal is that only two thirds of my family are available to be hugged since one third left for New Zealand because as medics they had had enough of the severe stress caused by Covid. They also wanted a normal life for their young children. Normal for children doesn’t mean not hugging granny or not going to clubs and activities after school. Children have given up more than enough for us and I sincerely appreciate it. I doing many of the things I’ve always done, I just do them with more care. I wear a mask, sanitise, and keep away from strangers and crowds. But I hug my family. I’ve lost more than enough because my daughter wanted normal for her children. I’m not going to hide in my house or not go out for a meal. I’ll do what’s safe and permissible under the law. I’m not selfish, I’m doing things that are allowed under the law.

Normal for some (ie the new normal) has become doing everything possible to protect everyone and everything except the virus itself. Whereas, imo, normal to some means doing whatever suits them and to hell with everyone else. imo [sad.]

But why not get on with today and treat it as normal. Mine was no different to many Sundays and very enjoyable I found it. I bet a large percentage of other people did exactly what they would "normally" do too. Time would pass so much quicker if people just got on with what is available.

Thank you for the thought re: Australia Callistemon but it will happen when it happens. With such a far-flung family I would be in shreds if I kept worrying about when I might see them all next - but that is no different to normal.

Today was a good day and, if we make our minds up to it, tomorrow will be too.

My normal = freedom to do/see what/whom I want when I want wherever that happens to be.

PippaZ my normal would have been going to Australia last year and perhaps, as we may not be able to go for much longer due to age, again this year.
Normal to me means hugging my family.

I hope you can see yours again soon.

X post Rosie1959