Christmas break?

I think the government realises that families ( many of them)
Are going to get together anyway.

I think it's a stupid idea and irresponsible; yes, families would love to be able to get together this year but I think it's a luxury that will backfire. You will have people coming from all different parts of the country which have different infection rates and all getting together and then going back to where they came from - maybe bringing infection with them or taking it back. It;s just not worth the risk and it makes a mockery of everything that people are doing to try and keep the infection levels down. It's one year that Christmas will be different that's all - its not the end of the world.
When Eid was cancelled due to a very last minute lockdown decision nobody thought the celebrations should be allowed to go ahead and households mixing so why should Christmas be any different?

Maybe, but a lot of people will be guided by official advice. What about the healthcare system in January?

lemongrove

I think the government realises that families ( many of them)
Are going to get together anyway.

To me that just says that we know you're going to break the restrictions so we'll condone it by making it easy! No sense in this at all.

We will stick to our plans of Christmas on our own..

The virus doesn’t infect by dates.

Usual mixed muddle and messages.

Indeed.
It looks like we in England may be released from lockdown on December 2 (so Boris will appear to have kept his promise) into a stricter tier system with the vast majority of the country in Tier 4 or 3 Lockdown thus continues under a different name. For those few areas under less tight control, the Rule of Six continues to include children. There is little time to play with as any figures will reflect the effect of action taken at least 2 if not 3 or 4 weeks previously.

I have braced myself for a Zoom Christmas. I live alone and it won't be fun..... but my daughter's a teacher with Covid spreading round her school, and also round my grandchildren's schools. I have been shielding since 11th March. It would be madness to throw all of that to the winds.

If it's dry on Christmas Day, I may be able to meet up for a socially distanced walk with my son plus my daughter and the grandchildren so that at least we see each other. .... or maybe not. I'm keeping my emotions in check.

This won't go on for ever. There's no point in being wise after the event, and they would never forgive themselves if they passed Covid on to me.

Most of us want to meet with our families are Christmas, including me. I think it would be totally irresponsible to do so. We haven't been on our own for 20 years but will be this year what ever the government says. It's only one year (hopefully).

Kate1949 i totally agree it is only for this year hopefully.

People need to grow some b** and realise what could be at stake here.

Its all very well getting emotional about things but emotions will run much higher if loved family members perish because of a few days in December.

I don't mean to sound harsh but it is true, sadly.

I agree fully with froglady. A "break" would be foolhardy. For this year, Christmas needs to be managed differently. End of.

Sensible post Sparklefizz, I feel for you being on your own but you are right, the virus is still there and there’s no point in throwing caution to the wind just because it’s Christmas. It’s one year, it is what it is, vaccine on the way, persevere, chin up, nearly there.

Other important celebrations have been carried out under lockdown - Eid, Diwali to mention but too. Why should we complain if Christmas ends up being a bit of digital fest?

If the restrictions are lifted I shall continue to voluntary self isolate just like I've done since March. Where there are people, that's where the virus is. Simple as that! I don't want to get it and I don't want my family and friends to get it, so the 'buck stops here' - with me! On-line shopping has been great - for absolutely everything. . My hair is three inches longer and looks (surprisingly) great!

No use easing up over Christmas if that means a horrendous start to the New Year.

Unless things change drastically, which I can’t see happening, DH and I will be on our own.

We always meet up with DS and family for Christmas, they live locally but have seen very little of them since March.
Haven’t seen DD and family for 18 years at Christmas, they live in Oz.

It will be just another day really.

My thoughts are that if the infection rate is still considered too high by Christmas then this year, the restrictions should continue. Hard, yes, but otherwise if we don't then what on earth have all these lockdowns and tier systems been for that we have already done? They'll have been for nothing! I know, we could ask Covid, ever so nicely, to refrain from infecting anyone over the Christmas period - that should work ???
We really do need to brace ourselves for the strong likelihood of not gathering in groups this Christmas and New Year, hard though it will be.

Don’t want any undue risks! We can wait until the vaccine is available!

Oh bah humbug, I do not believe the figures for deaths. I saw a graph somewhere that showed that the majority of deaths were aged over 80. Also if someone for example had terminal lung cancer and had tested positive just before they died, they would count as having died of Covid. This lockdown is unreasonable and unworkable. We have people still going to work and children still going to school. My bus was full of teenagers and hardly any of them wore masks. I also saw figures that more people are dying of other untreated conditions such as heart attacks and cancer. The economy is shot. I feel so sorry for small businesses. I think that people calling for more lockdowns especially over Christmas are totally selfish. If you are that worried then stay in and let the rest of us get on with a normal life. Oh and let’s not forget get the young who are suffering with mental health issues who are isolated from their friends etc.

I don’t see the point. If infection rates are high, why would you risk being ill for a few days of celebration?
Those who would meet will do it anyway and allowing an easing means that some folk will multiply the allowed numbers and we’ll see huge gatherings again.

We won't be celebrating Christmas with family this year. My youngest might be home from Uni and that will be enough for us this year. I don't want this lockdown to go on forever but I do think we need to be sensible. We missed Christmas one year because we were ill. It wasn't great but we survived and the following year seemed even sweeter.

It's a disaster in the making, because we aren't on top of things yet.
Still, it will go ahead.

Me and my hubby have been self isolating for month's because of our ages and health problems. We will be on our own Xmas day which we usually are anyway. I do think a lot of families will ignore the rules and have Xmas together.

No decisions yet. papers stirring the pot

Surely the point here is - should COVID give us all a '5-day Break for Christmas'?

We know darn well that Covid won't do any such thing - so no point in Boris - or anybody else - announcing a 5-Day Break!

YES I would love a 5-day break to be able to see my grandchildren, but I will remain 'distanced' - enjoy a Screen Call with my children and grandkids - and get on with Christmas as best I can.

Lives are still at stake - including my family's - not just Christmas Day jollies!

@Froglady I totally agree with you. I live alone and would love to see my GC (not seen since July) but I know we have to sacrifice this year for everyone's safety. I have formed a bubble with a friend & her husband and we will spend the day together and the rest of the time I will be safely at home. What is the matter with people that they can't adhere to the rules for theirs and everyone else's sakes.