So, who is going out in the run up to the 25th. ?

Got to M&S this morning at eight to pick up our Turkey etc. It was heaving, though very well stocked .

Yes, out first thing in the morning to the market. As with every Christmas I want to get there before it gets too busy. Ditto with Waitrose on Thursday.

DD arrives tomorrow night, she is in our bubble and DS and family on Thursday. The adults have had three jabs abd the children had COVID 6 weeks ago. DGD was 'pinged' and has had to do daily tests for the last week, but that finished today.

We are booked for midnight mass at our church and have been asked to do lateral flow tests before the service. We will all being wearing masks and we have been singing through our masks all through Advent.

Did my Christmas food shop today. Going with my daughter to take the grandkids to see Santa on Thursday. I'm having Christmas Dinner with my dad this year and then going to my daughters for Christmas tea and a little drink with family who pop in. We are all very careful where we go anyway because of visiting mum in the care home and we are all up to date with jabs and boosters

Cloughdancer. Love it

On a lighter note - I got my hair cut on Saturday ahead of another possible lockdown

Choughdancer
Happy Mid Winter Day. Your festival sounds wonderful.

I think some people can't cope with the fact that other people have different priorities to them.

I'd say that was pretty accurate observation. We all have to make our own decisions, based on our own circumstances. Criticising others because they have different circumstances, and therefore have made a different choice to yours, isn't helping anyone and you definitely won't change anyone's mind that way. Just be content that what you're doing is the best for you in your situation.

You'll probably think I'm mad, but I'm just getting dressed up for our annual midwinter festival! I'll be wearing a facemask underneath my 'guise' mask, long veil and turban, plus a many layered net skirt in many different colours, lit underneath with subtle tiny fairy lights. Underneath I will have 4 layers of tops on including a thermal and nice warm leggings! At sundown (4pm) I'll be leading dancing down a street, with equally bizarrely dressed and masked musicians.

As you do.

I think some people cant cope with the fact that other people have different priorities to them.

Each of us is, I’m sure, capable of weighing up the benefits and risks of leaving the house for whatever reason.
I went to the hairdresser this morning, apart from my lovely hairdresser there was no one else there. We both wore masks etc.
That’s first time I have been anywhere for 3 weeks because DH was having lung surgery (he’s now home). And that’s the only time I will be going out for the next few weeks.
I have become quite hermit-like, and apart from walking the dog, I don’t go out. That’s my choice, not particularly because of Covid, but because I have little reason to.

If you are rational in your assessment and depending on what the action is, doing X and seeing your family is highly likely to be possible.

you ask yourself so make your choice, me too and so does everyone else. Its not a police state in the uk and neither should this be a policing site

In the case in question the poster had been out lunching or dining with friends a few days earlier so not the only outing or a vital lifeline. In the current circumstances I ask myself would I rather do X or see my family? The choice can turn out to be as stark as that.

hair and nails can be a very vital booster lifeline for some, perhaps the only chance to see a face and chat outside of family

I don't know what's particularly shallow about having hair and nails done - it could be someone's only outing of late, they live alone, are isolated, in need of a psychological boost, etc.

Is it any more shallow than Christmas lunch with family - which is only another lifestyle choice?

I imagine most people our age are being sensible and taking the necessary precautions, and don't need to be a hermit to be a good citizen.

I am with you Roslyn Look at the statistics, if you are triple jabbed, your chances of getting COVID are low and your chances of getting it seriously are even lower. Rates among older people are even lower than average.

I have just been looking at the statistics, currently cases of COVID are way up on this time last year. Hospital admissions and deaths are way, way down on last year. What the basis of the forecasts is, I do not know, but they run completely counter to the number of hospital admissions and deaths actually occuring.

If anyone considers living like a hermit, going nowhere, seeing nobody for over 2 years is a rational response to the current situation, I am talking about now, not last year, then I cn only shrug my shoulders and roll my eyes heavenwards.

I went up to London on Saturday. I wore my mask all day from the time I reached the station on my way into London until I returned, indoors and out. Trains were not that full and tube strikes meant I spent a lot of time walking streets that were busier than the train. I kept my mask on all the time, except when eating in a virtually empty restaurant with my family bubble.

It was my first visit to London since COVID started. It made me realise just how much I am missing.

As others say, I risk assess and I am meticulous about wearing my mask, and social distancing, although sometimes that is difficult. However, as far as social gatherings with other people go, that is being limited to family and close friends.

Germanshepherdsmum

We need to prioritise what we do as Chris Whitty said so we ALL keep safe and have the best chance of seeing our loved ones at Christmas. It’s not a question of shutting yourself away and living like a hermit and having no exercise or mental stimulation but doing a risk assessment before deciding to spend time in an enclosed space with (possibly unvaccinated) other people who aren’t family or close friends.

And I’m sure other adults, including Rosalyn, are quite capable of doing that without your input. Hairdressers have been open for months (thank goodness, as they would have gone under otherwise) and the ones I know take every precaution to keep their customers safe.

Chris Whitty said, very sensibly, that we should each prioritise what is important to us. What you see as shallow might be important to someone else.

I went to see Jools Holland last night in Motorpoint Cardiff, everyone had to show negative test results or covid passport and wear masks.
It was amazing so glad I went!!!

We need to prioritise what we do as Chris Whitty said so we ALL keep safe and have the best chance of seeing our loved ones at Christmas. It’s not a question of shutting yourself away and living like a hermit and having no exercise or mental stimulation but doing a risk assessment before deciding to spend time in an enclosed space with (possibly unvaccinated) other people who aren’t family or close friends.

I also agree maggiemaybe personal insults are really not acceptable especially when people are doing nothing wrong.
My hair appointments ect are all done but I would still attend this week if I had any. We have no more Covid in our area than we had 3 weeks ago so what is the difference. Also these businesses still have to make a living.

I went to a few dinners the past couple of weeks, but cancelled everything I was attending this week.

I agree maggiemaybe. Out come the usual descriptions when anyone questions anything that is happening - "stupid" "shallow", etc, etc., and very obviously faux concern for those who aren't following the party line.

It is true, we only have one life, but what sort of a life is it if everyone is permanently anxious and cautious of each other, unable to meet those close to them, locked away, getting little exercise and very little mental stimulation? That is not a life. Of course, everybody wants to live but if we carry on like this there will be massive repercussions in terms of physical and mental health, and social cohesion.

There are some nasty, judgmental comments on here. Some of them veering close to hoping that people get Covid and suffer for their sins.

Live your lives as you want, stay at home forever if you wish, but don’t start calling other people shallow and silly for choosing to leave home for a couple of appointments.

So many people are suffering from depression and anxiety right now. GN is a lifeline for some and they come here for company and support (not that I would recommend that right now). None of us know what others are going through, or what harm we can do by casual insults.

I wasn’t a big fan of “Be kind”, but we could use a bit of it on here right now.

JdotJ

Project Fear

Well, they are not managing with you any suggestions for them?

I’m not sure Chris Whitty was thinking about getting your hair and nails done when he talked about priorities. Hope you don’t end up regretting that choice Rosalyn. A little shallow IMO when people are foregoing seeing friends and family but each to their own.