Grandparents don't have to socially distance now? Confused

It is likely that the figures for infection/deaths are indeed inaccurate, but we simply do not know in which direction. This is because of the absence of sufficient testing, both now and at the beginning of the outbreak.

There may indeed be many who died with the coronavirus but not of it; but, on the other hand, there were thousands of deaths in care homes that went unrecorded as such, which possibly includes my OH.

The whole bubble thing is a conundrum. I live alone, so could bubble with one of my DD's families - but they are in contact with so many people (as they run their business from home with employees coming in, children have been at school and go to play with their friends etc.) so I would be effectively bubbling with all those people, and all the people they are in contact with. I am hoping to move house soon and do not want to finish up self-isolating (or worse ill) in the middle of all that.

I think that the guidance is pure guesswork.

There seems to be an assumption that "grandchildren" are under 10. I have 6 grandchildren ranging in age from 27 to 17 and now living in 5 different households in different parts of the UK. As for hugging my knees - it would be easier for me to hug theirs! Do any of these rules apply to us?

Boris Johnson baffles himself never mind us!

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

I thought all schools had to provide for keyworkers children to be in school all along??Yes Boris didn't sound as though he knew what rules& regs ACTUALLY were, like he was guessing- along with his usual thumping to articulate to make it more convincing!- yes i thought you can only 'bubble' with one household? I've not done as I've more than one AC (though only oldest with a family lives near me) as the others would be slighted- and didn't it get mentioned yesterday that they would hope to get to do away with social distancing altogether??that's just insane?I won't give it up i can assure you!

I listened to Johnsons' speech and concluded he presented it well, with confidence. Then I listened with increasing incredulity as he answered questions. My conclusion, he's ok reading a prepared script but his famous lack of ability to do detail was exposed, again.
His answer to the question from a mother about whether grandparents could resume care of her children was poor. He said yes, because they could form a bubble so would be safe.
This assumes that only one set of grandparents could be in any family bubble. It's like the Judgement of Solomon, who decides which grandparents are to be excluded?

Many grandparents are over 70 yet have been part of the unpaid army (willingly ) of child care. The statistics for age groups who are more likely to become very sick if they do contract the virus are clear. Over 60 its serious, over 70 the likelihood of significant illness, hospitalisation and death increases with age.
We're still learning about this virus. It seems children can carry the virus yet be symptom free. I know hardly any young families who are maintaining a bubble of 8. The children of key workers are back in schools and nurseries, their parents may be working from home, or back in offices/hospitals/clinics so mixing with others. The parents will be shopping in supermarkets, meeting other relatives and friends. This just doesn't sound like a bubble as Mr Johnson described it.
I agree with Luckygirl, the guidance is pure guesswork. We are all now in the situation where we do what seems safest and best for us. We need information on a post code basis about where any outbreaks are.

My DD and SIL are key workers and both children went to school.

Really can't be bothered to try and fathom the varying rules in the different parts of the UK. We gave resumed childcare duties having done our own risk assessment. We have been able to drop off and pick up our Year 1 DGD from school, where, frankly, social distancing went out the window very quickly!

@Jillybird, you asked for comments and for what its worth, I think that if you’ll worry about seeing him, then you shouldn’t, for the next few months any way. I know that presents problems but maybe some of your family could see you? It sounds harsh but I think if you want to go by the guidelines, it’s the only answer. How is that explained to him? Well, I’ve concluded that it’s up to the parents to do that in a way that seems appropriate...if indeed, an explanation is needed at all. Children can be amazingly accepting of situations if they have to, even those with autism etc. So, I would say, do what feels right for you...and let the rest sort itself out...

My daughter, son in law, and grandson are the only people I can have in my house as my son in law is still shielding. We share our ‘bubble’. Whatever the rules, I believe the important thing is to protect ourselves, and protect each other.

Sadly our SIL has OCD and had been really affected by Covid- they have all been under lock down since March- and it so saddens me for the kids. They have a large house, computers, games and a large garden - but this is so sad for the grandkids who are young teenagers.

We live several hours away and are desperate to visit- but he won't allow us to stay over. We could visit if we stayed out in garden - but it is far too far to do in one day. We offered to stay in Hôtel, but he says that could be worse as previous occupants may have been sick. We actually get on very well- but this is breaking our heart. Not seen them and grandkids since February.

ElaineI Not so sure about that. My friend in Scotland said she has lost track of what she can do and when. One announcement gave info on the changes and included changes on eg on the next day; the following day; four days later and what hopefully could be changed a week later. Gave up with them all as couldn't keep track!

Keyworkers had the option to send their children to school during the lockdown. DS's partner is a key worker but the two boys, 12 and 14, stayed at home as my DS has worked from home throughout the lockdown. I know the older GS did all the work provided by his teachers; the younger one appears to have been tied to his playstation, not that he would be the only child in that position. My oldest teenage GC is in Y12 and had to do A-level assignments at home and take 'mock' exams when she went back for two weeks. My GS (just turned 16) missed out on GCSEs, but will go on to 6th form in September. None of them has seen a GP for many months as we all live too far to even think about visiting.

Glad not the only one to hear what Boris said bout grandparents and bubbles and think sure he just made that up and then searched for anything bout it and couldn't find!

Been seeing my 3 yr old grandson now things are loosening. We and they as a family are being careful, essential shopping only, just grandparents visiting. They own their own business which is re opening soon so we will be babysitting as before. Boris just confuses everyone!! This is a very testing time for everyone, keep as safe as possible and no kissing the GC

My cuddles are booked for 31st August from GC one will be going back to year 9 other year 13. They only live 500yards away, and as a family we have decided that when they are back in school no matter what guide lines no contact for 4weeks minimum.

My daughter has changed her working hours (she's a nurse) so she can pick up her children (age 4 and 6) from school Mon and Fri every week, we will do Tues and Thurs days and the other gran Weds. We have all agreed this from September but I'm now wondering if different people will be allowed to pick up the children. Very confused.

I find rules in Scotland clear and easy to follow. Up until recently we were getting daily updates (now 3x per week) and it is all on the Scottish Government website. I think some problems can arise as often TV shows are discussing what the plan is for England. I can and have hugged my GC! I watched Boris too with his update and was left with the feeling that he doesn't understand the lives that the rest of us live and he doesn't know the rules. His speech was obviously written by someone else and floundered when asked questions. He seems to be passing the buck onto businesses and people to make their own decisions so when it all goes
pear shaped he isn't to blame.

Cannot understand most of what we are supposed to do, or not do as case may be. I have a friend who insists that it is safe for him to visit if we keep distance apart. Has been here for coffee once & says will be back every week. He sees his ex wife & son weekly now & one son, who works, lives with him. Another friend refuses to have anyone visit unless they sit in the garden at separate tables for coffee & only stay an hour. I have lost the will to live over all this. I now see my DS! DIL, GC once a week. Either in their home sometimes getting a cab to theirs. They work but wear PPE & GC are at school & nursery as DiL is a Key worker. We sit in same room but apart, GD sits on my lap & GS very carefully cuddles as does DS. Trying not to breath on each other. Wash hands often. So who is right who is wrong? Sure most will say we are wrong but lived without seeing them & cuddling through Lockdown. At 75 something is going to cut me down fairly soon so cannot live worrying 24/7 so trying for half that. Probably wrong & covid will get me soon as it seems to be getting everyone now as figures increase again.

paddyanne my niece and nephew (under 12) in Scotland have been in school since lockdown as their parents are both key workers - medical staff.
Their grandparents are worried about meeting up, even though technically it’s allowed.
They asked me what we were doing and what I thought. I didn’t know what to say. If they let them visit and it all goes wrong I bet it would be my fault, not Nicola Sturgeon’s.

We have a family run business thre

He is a disgrace and it’s beyond me how he’s ended up as PM.
As for Trump...
Words fail me

Pass the buck Boris.It was quite obvious that he continues to be completely out of his depth and that he hasn't done his homework when he flounders answering questions.
There is an interesting piece in the Times where Matthew Parris writes that Johnson's authority is slipping away.' describing Johnson as shameless for his support of Cummings,Priti Patel,Jenrick and the scrap with the ISC.,all of which he believes are not normal. Parris continues " But his colleagues always knew his shamelessness from his personal history.That he isn't even clever, , however , they are only now discovering. If competence shone through then I think the shamelessness would remain an embarrassment that his colleagues would be prepared to suppress. But he's losing, and the combination of incapacity and shamelessness is beginning to curdle. " Food for thought.

GrannyGravy13

We have a family run business thre

No idea where rest of post has gone?

No time to go over it again

I never listen to the briefings, just go by the regularly updated advice given on the GOV.UK website, which I don't find difficult to understand.

Most of it is guidance, not enshrined in law, and as others have said, we have to make decisions based on our personal circumstances. In our case that means we're going to pick up some childcare for one AC during the "school holidays", as the parents work from home and the boys haven't been to school, whereas we've agreed with another that we won't just yet - her youngest is going back to part-time Nursery and obviously of an age not so able to understand a social distance. We'll stick to garden meetups for now.