Boris announcing in House of Commons now

I would like a new clear ruling about what actually constitutes a bubble.
We are being asked by Social Services to form a bubble of 2 couples and one small child for the next three weeks. The couples living in different counties but meeting in each others homes every day
I have requested , no demanded, a letter from our LA accepting responsibility for the flouting of the bubble rule as I understand it

Totally agree some people wear mask under chin or hanging from ear completely stupid

Well I'm doing my own lockdown as don't like how cases are rising like last time only going out for essentials food doctors appointments

I believe that, with something as unknown to everyone, including scientists, politicians of any hue would find it difficult to get everything right at every step.

I constantly hear moans about "confusion," "it's no worse than 'flu," it's this it's that. Nobody ever thinks to suggest a better path (or perhaps they have no idea either). If you can't come up with a more sensible remark than complaining that Boris is difficult to understand, then what's the point of posting.

To answer the post question ... no, the new rules are not enough. We should have had another sharp lockdown as recommended by the scientists in September.

As for the idea that Liverpool has been ignored for years ... in what way has it been ignored? Surely not more than anywhere else?

Why don't we all just stop whinging and get on with it. Life has had to change, we have to adapt, we can't keep whining on about Christmas and all the things we want to do as if we are the only one who wants to see our families and friends.

We all want to get back to our normal lives but it's not going to happen any time soon, and all the complaining does nothing for mental and emotional wellbeing.

“Government put its hand in its pocket” is US putting our hands in our pockets - we will be paying for all this in taxes for years to come.
It’s all totally new for everyone - not just the Government, not just us in the UK but the whole world, we need to just get on with it and all do as much as we can to damp down the spread

Tob, how heartily I agree with you on this awful and lazy practice of copying and pasting that goes on here. I cannot understand the arrogance of people who openly declare that they have not read the previous contributions but then proceed to comment. Is that a basic lack of general interest or what?

Buttonjugs until they close schools, colleges and universities.

I agree, but once schools are closed, the parents can't go to work, so what to do? My daughter is a secondary school teacher and she says it's incredibly stressful and an absolute nightmare, but they are limping on.

Universities could have studied online at home, but then students were selfishly saying "What about our university experience?"

my twopennorth

life has changed, and we all have to accept that life will not go back to how it was,,, until we accept that lots of changes have to be made.. well....

the most obvious one to me, is universities should teach by technology,, even perhaps the older school children.....

but then.... change of this amount will take a few years to come about, just look at history.....

The Mayor of Liverpool was whining about needing Government support for the imposition of stringent measures but there was no evidence he was doing anything to stop the carousing of students plainly and deliberately ignoring social distancing in the towns centre. Ditto other northern locations

The message that has been clear right from the start, from the WHO downwards, is that the key to containing the spread of the virus is test, trace and isolate. This is the one strategy that the government has failed to pursue with any rigour.

A secondary message has been, for quite some time, the use of masks. Also not pursued with any rigour, despite the fact that it is simple, effective, and no threat to the economy.

As for the opposition, week after week in PMQs Starmer has highlighted the shortcomings of the testing and tracking operation and asked for action on it. To no avail. There would be absolutely no point in the opposition coming up with an alternative 'plan'; they would just be ignored in the same way that the government is ignoring everyone with concerns about not only their handling of the covid pandemic but also anything to do with Brexit.

If posters think that there is bias against the government on here, they should have a look at the rightwing media. There isn't exactly universal support for Johnson from them, either...

Lemongrove I totally agree with you. Certain members of the public wilfully miss understand or say they are confused simply to follow their own agenda. Clearly spelt out yesterday what each tier meant.
All countries are ' bumbling' along and none have got it right as yet. All are simply trying desperately to do the best they can. Some desicions are right, some wrong.

The truth is no one knows what they are really dealing with covid . He is trying to appease so many people . Instead of trying to appease people he needs to get bit tougher and tell it how it is . Would they rather be lock down for a few weeks or be dead . People need to grow a back bone rather than whinging they can't to the pub or can't have a Christmas party . We are all in the same boat and need to pull together and if we don't , we will probably in the same situation next year .

lemongrove I don't understand either why people say the rules are confusing. Even if it is difficult to keep up with Boris’s explanations, the rules are very clearly laid out, either on the app or the government website.

“Imagine if Corbyn were in” Well he might be giving free broadband out or cancelling HS2 . Terrible. (I didn’t vote for him btw, but just saying someone else would be worse, even though there’s no evidence, does not make Johnson good).
Every country is not in the same boat btw.
Those who think the rules are simple- tell that to the ignorant who don’t know how to wear masks properly.

@CraftyCat yes, imagine how awful things would be with a universal basic income and investment in manufacturing and public services. Terrible, doesn’t bear thinking about.

Apegirl
I agree, it’s not difficult to understand.
I was surprised that only the Liverpool area is set at VeryHigh Risk. I think there are other areas that should have been included. But they didn’t ask me for my opinion!

No. Nothing will be until they close schools, colleges and universities. And they’re not even considering it.

I understood it perfectly well. You have to listen without prejudice and with an open mind. If you are sure you’re not going to agree, you listen differently.

It's a nice change to have people on this site with common sense. Damned if you do damned if you don't. Of, course we know when it's, hopefully, over. The left will be crying about how much has to be paid back.

Boris has always just 'bumbled along', but didn't expect to have the pressure of a pandemic when he became Prime Minister!
He, like many politicians, answers a question, by treating it as the question he would have liked to have been asked!
We needed a Winston, but have a Boris!

Absolutely agree with lemongrove , don’t people listen!

Lemongrove you said what I was going to say. Thanks!
GrannyGravy13 you make such a good point. So many people flout the rules or decide that their version is better.
I wonder at the number of posters on social media who claim they don’t understand the rules. If the more complex ones are too difficult, then just stick to the Hands (wash them Or sanitise them frequently), Face (Wear a face covering) and Space (at least 2 metres). If there are places you can’t go to follow those rules, then don’t go.
Am I scared? Yes I am. Where I work I can follow those 3 rules, but not everyone else does without being reminded and some folk STILL argue that the rules are stupid, not caring that their argument is spreading potentially infected droplets all around so I’m only 50% safer than if I stay at home.
My choice, as for many, is work and live or don’t work, lose my home and watch the economy die.

What Lemongrove said.
I agree with all of Lemon’s posts. Good common sense.
Also JenniferEccles and Theodbird.
The government have to balance health and economy. The messages are clear. Anyone who doesn’t understand can look it up or use common sense.
Whatever your area keep your distance, wash your hands, wear a mask. Simples.

‘Too much political bias is being shown on this thread.’

?????

It’s a well known fact on GN that political bias is only ever shown by the left.