5 day break...

I’m sad to say that many people either totally misunderstand the government guidelines for Christmas - I know they are a bit confusing, but they are available online - and common sense went out of the window months ago. People are determined to do as they please in spite of the rising virus rates and the threat to the NHS. We’ve now moved to tier 3 and have made the decision to spend Christmas at home with just the two of us - plus cats!!! We’d rather do that and hopefully still be here next Christmas. I do understand how hard it must be for those who live alone. I think a lockdown for everyone in the new year - possibly even more strict - is inevitable.

My husband has been on the clinically extremely vulnerable shielding
list from the beginning. We stuck to the suggestions and kept away from all people including not going in shops , other houses etc.
When it was relaxed in July , we stayed the same, and continue to do so.
The virus doesn't have a few days off, so why should we ?

Most people I know have scaled back their plans. People who are carrying on regardless put everyone else at risk by aiding the spread. That applies to people they may infect, medical staff, business impacted by extending lockdowns and so it goes on. We have a collective responsibility, like it or not.

It's ridiculous. What's so special about Christmas anyway? We've probably all had lockdown birthdays. People are crazy. I feel so sorry for the poor NHS. My sister & her husband are having two daughters, a son-in-law and two grandchildren for xmas, staying over. She lives with my 86yr old Dad, who is fit & healthy but still 86. She sees her family every week anyway, it's not like she hasn't seen them since March! You just can't educate some people. I get so angry

I guess the question to ask ourselves is: does the virus take a holiday break? When I think of NZ where they all knuckled down and just put up with the inconvenience in true Kiwi style they have over come the virus.!!! Think how we would be if we could only do this with integrity? Our government is indecisive and too soft which in some ways creates more stress as many people are so confused and are talking about the government as if they are "bad parents" when it's us as a nation that has to take responsibility. I know this may sound like a rant and I do apologise if it does, but it's "the elephant in the room". I have spent so much time isolated this year it is hard to watch others in denial and in the end making it worse for the economy and for about grandchildren who will have to pay. I wonder if there was no financial assistance from government how quickly we would act as a community.

I agree Glamma. No matter how careful anyone professes to be, in an enclosure ( living/dining room ) where family are, the virus will be lurking somewhere especially if the hosts work, there are children who attend school etc, while you yourself haven't been used to gatherings at such short distance.

Will everyone be 2mtrs away from each other at the table ? Of course not. There are so many obstacles to overcome.
Personally I wouldn't feel comfortable ----and chasing lids away if they come near you ?
Just what is the point for the sake of a couple of days ?

Now with this new strain doing its rounds will it put many off ? The vaccine for this virus won't recognise a new cluster so we don't know about full protection now.
I'd rather be safe I'm afraid and I have family I haven't seen for a year.

What about those admitted with other problems ? There'll be so many Covid cases that others will be left behind. It's totally selfish.

The family are coming here, and we will reduce the risk in many ways including
All except one who has to work, but works in a socially distanced environment, are now self-isolating.
Ventilation while people are in a room, patio doors open before breakfast and last thing at night
Separate bathrooms for us and visitors (yes, we are lucky)
Long walks each day
Coffee in the garden
Presents to be left untouched under the tree for 36hrs
We will hand out all the presents after hand-washing by everyone
Husband on duty with antibacterial wipes for regular door handle etc wiping
Luckily we can socially distance in the lounge
No hugging of course
Meals plated in the kitchen by one person after hand washing and carried to table by recipient
Etc etc

We’re not stupid and we are doing everything we can to minimise the risk

* kids * lids ? ----Cockney bin-lids.

I am optimistic that the majority of people are well aware of the situation and will be sensible over Christmas.

Every opinion poll recently has shown that most people have either scaled back their plans or are staying at home and not seeing family.

It would be awful if the outcome is a total lockdown in January, but the PM has stated that he hopes that won’t be necessary.

I've not read all comments but totally agree with the last few.

Even though some will be careful, none of those are 100% sure they do not already have the virus when they meet up for Christmas. Then off they will travel back to their homes and work.

Figures were horrendous last night. January will be the third peak and the NHS will be totally exhausted. Some already are.

I think folk will do what they want within the limits of what’s available ie no pubs or restaurants. Many will continue to take care but many won’t.
Not understanding the guidance is a great excuse, thinking it’ll be the government’s fault is another.
If you’re dead, it won’t matter to you whose fault it is, but the burden of guilt on your family will be crippling.
Sad though it is, I think we should have stayed in lockdown and if meeting together means you can’t achieve all of the Hands Face Space criteria, then don’t do it.
How many of us have dining-rooms that are big enough and a table at least 2m x 2m to accommodate 4 people- never mind more than that?

Isn't it down to personal responsibility? If the government had imposed a lockdown there would have been many who would have ignored it (just as they are ignoring current restrictions), yet when (not if) there is a spike in infections in January everyone will be blaming the government - not those who didn't take precautions.

As someone said, just because you can doesn't mean you have to. Yes, see family at Christmas but ensure you take the necessary precautions. As for me, I will be spending Christmas alone - I live in a Tier 2 area and family live in a Tier 3 area.

First time ever, just me and my cat. I'm looking forward to it too.
Incidentally, it must be a relief for the police, with no party policing to do.

We are not throwing caution to the winds over Christmas but I am becoming concerned about how being tough about all this is really helping. Wales and Scotland have generally been far more cautious than England but they still seem to have the same high rate of infection.
Without the will of the people or having a communist regime, it is pointless without proper policing to enforce tough measures. The Government know that which is why they aren't saying people shouldn't mix. Instead of blaming the government we should be blaming the "I have my rights and they trump the rights of anybody else" brigade.

Bankhurst

The family are coming here, and we will reduce the risk in many ways including
All except one who has to work, but works in a socially distanced environment, are now self-isolating.
Ventilation while people are in a room, patio doors open before breakfast and last thing at night
Separate bathrooms for us and visitors (yes, we are lucky)
Long walks each day
Coffee in the garden
Presents to be left untouched under the tree for 36hrs
We will hand out all the presents after hand-washing by everyone
Husband on duty with antibacterial wipes for regular door handle etc wiping
Luckily we can socially distance in the lounge
No hugging of course
Meals plated in the kitchen by one person after hand washing and carried to table by recipient
Etc etc

We’re not stupid and we are doing everything we can to minimise the risk

This sounds like you are taking the steps you can. You will be all sat around a table talking and laughing together. Inside gatherings for more than 15 mins in this way is considered a dangerous environment, enabling the virus to spread.

Even that one person who has been at work. Working in social distanced environment still has its risks.

As, I said, you have it all planned carefully so I wish you a happy safe gathering. Enjoy.

Bern shielding since March few extra days doing so over Christmas if it makes us safe then so be it. My DS lives in Tokyo over 120 million in Japan n a 1000 deaths. Over 64,000 deaths here in the UK. No prizes for guessing why. I am saddened I can’t get to see my family as so many others will feel the same. Let’s hope that with the vaccine that 2021 will be a much better year than this one has been. Take care everyone

As someone who was shocked to receive a message from the app this morning that I had been in contqct with someone positive, now need to isolate 7 days till midnight on Christmas day!! How awful & scary. No idea where it cqme from, very careful shopping etc. Luckily only 2 of us for Christmas, cancelled all the fqmily weeks ago. Just have to wait and see if I get it now, very scared.

The virus is (mainly) airborne, folks. Washing stuff won’t protect you against aerosolised particles which are the main conduit of transmission.. If you have to shop, use outdoor markets or use places with impeccable ventilation. Dash, don’t linger, avoid places where masks are not mandatory and wear the best mask you can afford.
If you are going to be inside with others -not advisable - really, best not, but if you must, change the air in the room at least every hour by opening windows and doors, get an air purifier with HEPA filter and get a CO2 monitor to keep an eye on the air quality.

‘I continue to do my household shopping at 07:00, which makes it a delightfully solitary experience, and my hands and purchases are sanitized as soon as I get them home’. This will not protect you. Sorry.

I think it’s a disaster waiting to happen. Throw alcohol in the mix, the fact people are on holiday from work and seeing family for first time in however long.My money is on any rules re covid will be out the window.

I think it is irresponsible to have Families getting together. As much as I would love to see mine, we are not meeting. The GC school is rife with Covid NHS is stretched to breaking point. Why be so selfish, one may think it won’t happen to them & they are careful but it can easily be us next. The outcomes are so varied and random that I am not taking the risk.

Well I make no apology - I am spending the 5 days with my DD and SiL who I haven't seen for months as they live 200 miles away so no long distance wave when swapping presents at the gate. They both work from home, have been self isolating for 10 days and have had Covid tests. I am not if we could have been more careful. We do not have to share bathrooms and yes we can sit round the table 2 metres apart.

I am foregoing seeing my DGC and DS and DiL despite not having seen them for over a year as they also live 200 miles away.

Okay maybe your Christmas isn't particularly special and you can have it anytime but for us it is!

Personal responsibility is all well and good, but unless you live alone and have 100% control of decisions affecting your household, it's not that easy.

Not all couples are in agreement over what they want or plan to do, and not all couples will be able to overcome their difference of opinion or arrive at a mutually agreed 'safe' compromise through any amount discussion.

When it comes down to it, the cautious partner can't control what the other one, who even has 'the rules' on their side, ultimately does.

It's been clear from a lot of recent posts that many people are in this sort of situation, and would be in a much stronger position to say 'no' to Christmas get-togethers if the rules allowing it were changed or withdrawn.

I know exactly how you feel. It's just another day and you can be with your mother at a later date when hopefully she has had the vaccine. Does she not understand that you are trying to protect her as well as yourselves.? Does she live a distance away? Could you plate up a nice Xmas meal for her and hand it over and explain that you feel "under the weather" and don't want to risk giving her Covid? It's a bit of a white lie but sometimes it's justified when other people just don't see sense and you are forced to walk on eggshells so they don't get upset. Be strong and do what you know is right in this pandemic.

No of course it shouldnt! Its five days of madness!(could be sung that could to tune of patridge in a pear tree!") Then 'four weeks of sickness'-'3 ventilators'- "2paramedics'- 'and a dose of covid you see'- try it to the tune) ? BUT Boris wont change it as his own close friends/family/possibly some Royals have leaned on him to request this long.So christmas is better, more pliable-, for them! So hes NOT going to reduce it.Nor ban it is he? Its nothing to do with it 'being cruel' as he said, to the general public.plus more folk round means more sales of food, drink& gifts!so more economy! Christmas is actually one day! He could have allowed just that- 2 at most- xmas&boxing day perhaps! But no hes got to go OTT! I wont be visiting other houses- not on any days! Not even boxing day when its GD's birthday! (I sent the gifts) theres always next year, God willing.?

I personally don't know of anyone who is planning to meet up with 2 other families over the Christmas period. Couples are staying at home together and singles like me will spend part of Christmas day and Boxing day with the one family that I am already in a bubble with.