Gransnet forums

News & politics

The new rules for coronavirus - how will it affect your family?

(245 Posts)
LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Wed 09-Sep-20 15:45:39

We've been asked to comment on this for the media and would love to know how you are personally affected? Do they new rules mean you will be seeing less of your family and grandchildren? Are you worried the restrictions will get tighter?
Thank you smile

maddyone Sat 12-Sep-20 10:40:37

Janipat
Absolutely, people who knows they’re terminally ill, how cruel to stop them from spending a little more time with their children and grandchildren. Depriving both themselves and their families of special memories.

suziewoozie Sat 12-Sep-20 12:56:52

The composition of the six people in the 4 countries is also different. In England, 6 people from upto 6 households, NI 6 people from two households, Scotland 6 adults ( and children unde4 12 from two households) Wales 6 people ( and children under 12) from the ‘extended household’ which I believe is upto 4 separate households which have formed this ‘extended’ household so it’s not as simple as whether children under 12 are counted or not. Depending on circumstances, the E system could be seen as more flexible.

suziewoozie Sat 12-Sep-20 12:59:32

maddy I do not believe for one minute that anyone who is terminally ill will be denied visits from dc and dgc ( unless they live in a care home of course which is where the real obscene scandal of the loss of human rights is happening)

Franbern Sat 12-Sep-20 13:00:59

Maddyone, you have the same feelings I do, I think children and young people have been totally ignored through so much of this year. They MUST be priority - and as someone who is close to eíghty, totally agree that any sort of protection for us should be way down the priority list as opposed to that of children. Under NO circumstances should schools, colleges and Uni's be closed again!!!

Grandad1943 Sat 12-Sep-20 17:37:47

The only option if this epidemic is not to change everyone's lives in Britain for many years to come is to ensure that everyone complies with regulations as they are redrawn and announced.

For England, the regulation is now straightforward, with no gathering of more than six persons with the exception of a larger single household. However, without doubt, we will all witness that regulation being flouted by large numbers of people in public houses, cafes, restaurants and in illegal raves and other gatherings.

To restore respect for the Covid-19 regulations the police must react strongly wherever they witness such flouting of those regulations by way of closing down pubs restaurants etc who's owners are not enforcing the legislation and breaking up raves and other legal gatherings with whatever strong action is required.

The problem is at this point that many now believe, quite rightly so, that the police will not enforce the legislation or are incapable of doing so. Here in North Somerset which falls under the Avon and Somerset Constabulary, the force in recent months have stood by inactive while two well-publicised very large illegal raves have taken place and a public statue in Bristol city centre was pulled down, rolled through the streets and dumped in the harbour all in full view of the police and media. No one, as far as I am aware, has been arrested or prosecuted for any of the above acts.

Therefore if the Covid-19 pandemic in Britain is to be once more brought back under control, respect for the emergency legislation and the authorities that enforce it has to be brought about, and in that the police must be supported in whatever it takes to achieve that end.

Then perhaps we will all get to see our families once again.

TerriBull Sat 12-Sep-20 18:23:29

I don't think Sweden has had a lock down. Their death and infection was pretty high at one time, but now it seems they are emerging as one of the safest places in Europe, which is baffling Meanwhile because businesses there were able to operate freely, their economy hasn't tanked like everyone else's sad

varian Sat 12-Sep-20 18:39:05

It is not really possible to compare Sweden with the UK. There is a much smaller population, living in manily rural communities.

TerriBull Sat 12-Sep-20 18:51:59

Yes I always think that when comparisons are made and there is a disparity as far as populations are concerned particularly if it's a large land mass with sparsely populated areas. Nevertheless, they have their cities, Stockholm, Malmo, Gothenburg to name but 3. Sweden now apparently has a lower infection rate than other Scandinavian countries, also small populations, but they did lock down.

Greta Sat 12-Sep-20 18:58:17

It is difficult to compare countries. Sweden does have a smaller population and have more space- both indoors and outdoors. But perhaps more important is that there is a greater social cohesion – people are 'together' in a way that is not always the case in the UK. Swedes were not ordered to stay at home but most of them accepted that it was wise to avoid crowds and be more aware of risks. Schools remained open. It is also true that in Sweden you don't find such huge differences in people's living standard/education.

varian Sat 12-Sep-20 19:03:16

I think that is a very important factor Greta

In this country there is a huge disparity in incomes, living standards and social cohesion.

Our politics is confrontational and polarised, whereas in democratic countries which have elections on the basis of proportional representation, co-alition governments result in a much stronger feeling of we're all in it together".

growstuff Sat 12-Sep-20 19:17:49

Franbern

Maddyone, you have the same feelings I do, I think children and young people have been totally ignored through so much of this year. They MUST be priority - and as someone who is close to eíghty, totally agree that any sort of protection for us should be way down the priority list as opposed to that of children. Under NO circumstances should schools, colleges and Uni's be closed again!!!

Not even if they have infected pupils and staff?

maddyone Sat 12-Sep-20 21:04:39

Schools may need to be closed for very short periods in the event of an outbreak in a particular school, whilst a deep clean is undertaken and children and staff get a Covid19 test, but under NO circumstances must schools be closed again for long periods. We are damaging our children by prolonged school closures and this cannot be allowed to happen again in a civilised society.
Children’s education, socialisation, and mental health must come first. The young are more important than the old. Unpalatable but true.

growstuff Sat 12-Sep-20 21:12:06

maddyone

Schools may need to be closed for very short periods in the event of an outbreak in a particular school, whilst a deep clean is undertaken and children and staff get a Covid19 test, but under NO circumstances must schools be closed again for long periods. We are damaging our children by prolonged school closures and this cannot be allowed to happen again in a civilised society.
Children’s education, socialisation, and mental health must come first. The young are more important than the old. Unpalatable but true.

It's also unpalatable but true that schools can never be "covid safe" according to the criteria expected of the rest of society. There can never be safe social distancing and it's naive to think children won't touch their faces and will wash their hands frequently.

The failing test and trace system means that there already many pupils off school trying to get tests.

I'm not advocating closing schools as they were last term, but a realistic approach to ensure that they remain open for as many hours as possible and there is good quality online learning for the times when pupils aren't un schools.

growstuff Sat 12-Sep-20 21:13:33

A school near me has already accepted that they will have to have a one week on/one week off system for the foreseeable future, because there are so many staff self-isolating.

Harmonygranny Sun 13-Sep-20 20:01:14

Many of the "rules" are being dreamt up by (probably young male) government lackeys. As for informing MSM of Granny's intentions.....??

Sparkling Sun 13-Sep-20 20:03:40

I do feel we have to get back to normal working life and take our chances.

Grandad1943 Sun 13-Sep-20 20:23:47

Sparkling

I do feel we have to get back to normal working life and take our chances.

So Sparkling, we withdraw all the emergency restrictions and when rampant Covid-19 breaks out in Britains food processing, distribution centres and road transport industry we will hear no complaints from you in regard to the severe shortages created as that will be "getting back to normal working life"????

growstuff Sun 13-Sep-20 20:44:57

Grandad1943

Sparkling

I do feel we have to get back to normal working life and take our chances.

So Sparkling, we withdraw all the emergency restrictions and when rampant Covid-19 breaks out in Britains food processing, distribution centres and road transport industry we will hear no complaints from you in regard to the severe shortages created as that will be "getting back to normal working life"????

My goodness! I better hadn't start making this a habit Grandad, but I agree with you.

growstuff Sun 13-Sep-20 20:47:19

You can take your chances if you like Sparkling but would you mind wearing a big badge stating you're a chancer because I'd like to keep my distance.