Is this good news?

Mr Rossy and I would not have a problem choosing the same five, Gabriella, and those five would be in agreement. Anyone left out would be ok with that because they would understand why we had to have a limit. Why should we have to remain in isolation because some people are going to squabble over who to include in their group.

Surely people working in key jobs (eg nurses) are already in little 'bubbles' of up to 10 people? If each of those nurses goes off and joins a family bubble of 10 people that's 100 people exposed to a potentially fatal illness?
I was never an expert mathematician but that's how I'm seeing it.

We’ve been cycling the same route for the last 5 weeks. Since the last lockdown measures were put in place, the numbers of cars on the road, and people out and about, has steadily increased. It always will no matter what laws are put in place. People can’t be contained forever. No matter what anyone’s view, that is reality.

Ok Bossyrossy
You choose 5 and your OH chooses 5 named people.
Will you agree?
Will any of those 10 want to include you two in their 10?
Will the wider families of your 10 (in-laws, step-children if any) want to be excluded and choose friends to join their bubble?
It's a minefield, one which cannot possibly be policed.
Better to have a free for all.
Wouldn't you be irked if neighbours had all and sundry round and you were stuck seeing the same 10? Don't tell me you wouldn't care.

Of course there would be some people who would try to take advantage and bend the rules but they are probably doing that already. I see no reason why those of us who would obey the rules and limit the number of family that we see should suffer continuing isolation for the sake of a few idiots.

GagaJo. When I closed my door on 20th March our lockdown was for 12 weeks. No health problems. But aged 70+. I’ve seen no change to that for us.

Yes, my cousin in New Zealand lives alone and is now allowed to go out with a sibling or a vulnerable person. They are reducing from level 4 to level 3 next week, but that is a completely different country from the UK.
Yes, it is good news that family contact is being taken seriously but I fear people will make up the rules as they go along.
Even better news in my part of the country is that the 200 bed Nightingale hospital on an exhibition site is now not going ahead because it was deemed there just wouldn't be enough enough cases. They are now converting a smaller DIY store instead. A glimmer of hope.

For people who have mentioned New Zealand. I started a thread about this and I have since said that I was mistaken in some of the information. They have been doing the bubble thing already but it is only between two households within 50metres of each other. For those who don’t have close family someone is nominated to help out elderly etc.

I worked it out with my small family: me, two adult children, two partners with two parents and one sibling each, two step-children plus their mother and partner and their parents and I think I reached about eighteen, before I gave up, all living locally. I know there are great-grandparents as well, not to mention close friends.
Can't see how it can work.
There is a definite loosening of restrictions; B&Q open, garden refuse being collected next week; my hairdresser making tentative bookings for the future. Hope it isn't all too soon, but I appreciate people being desperate to get back to earning money. Pensioners, over seventies, do have a guaranteed income so it is fairer if we are the ones to continue isolating.

I did not say that NS proposes such an exercise. I did say that she is 'making the same noises', which, if our government mouthpieces are anything to go by, means that interference (such as that snowing effect on old TVs) will make a nonsense of any meaningful dialogue.

So, which of my Daughters and her family shall I leave out ? Will they choose to see us or their In-laws ? Do we include DH’s mother or choose a very dear friend ? If I choose someone who lives 500 miles away , shall I drive to se him/her.
Totally unworkable.

This will never work. People will take the p***,the same as some are doing with the 'exercise' and supposed lockdown which judging by the amount of cars on the road seems to be getting less strict by the day. I hope we don't end up with another peak the way things are going. The situation is not being taken seriously and many seem to be treating it like a holiday.

I fear that by the time the family could choose to include me in their bubble I will have become such a miserable old bat that they won’t want me!

If we can get the infection rate down and if we can get a tracking app for most of the population then expanding your cluster of contacts should be viable.

But first we haveto get the infection rate down and that means continuing to isolate.

Another thought is what if we don't make the cut of one of our chosen fews cluster?

Younger adults may be desperate to see their friends

I think it could cause upset

I believe everyone should just be patient and wait to see what will actually be announced

Very true Grandad -but have you ever heard of that happening on GN?

Fair do’s GabriellaG - I await the responses with bated breath!

Aw just to see my sons and grandkids bliss!

You know me Annie ??!!

I don’t know 10 people

The 12 weeks Stay at Home is for those who were advised by letter that they are in the shielded category.
It goes up to 16th June but what happens after that is not yet known, we have to wait to see what evolves.

It's just bonkers. Aren't they saying two households of up to 10 people? I can't see that changes anything for us as there are too many separate households involved in our families (including in-laws). And it can only increase the risk for oldies if they mix with the rest of the family.

When it has peaked and, if restrictions are lifted, it does not mean it will have gone away, just that, as Grandad says, the NHS will be in a better position to cope with the numbers.

It may be that lockdown would be eased as long as people observe strict social distancing rules.

That would suit us, and we KNOW we would stick to it. There’s always going to be an element of people who break the law whatever, but I think the governments plan for this.

I think two things.

1) Lockdown should probably continue for 3 months in total. I can't remember where I read the 12 week figure at the beginning of lockdown, but it seemed sensible and is now fixed in my head (possibly irrationally).

2) AFTER the 12 weeks, yes, maybe Bubble Theory. It relies on trust of the population, but then to be honest, the idiots are still being idiots now. The sensible ones will do it properly.