How can they not have thought of meeting other households

[PleaseChooseAnother]

I'm so annoyed with the complete lack of thought about when households are able to see each other again.

The government have had weeks to consider their exit plan and the thought that people might want to see their extended family has just been added as an afterthought. It's like someone did a final proof read and realised that they had forgotten to consider it.

I could manage if I wasn't able to see anyone for ages so long as I knew what the plan was at each stage. But the best they can say is that at the final stage with might (if SAGE agree) be able to see one other household. So, my parents can choose between my grandparents, my siblings and me, my in laws will have to choose between their children...

I know the economy is important, but surely social interaction is as well?

[onemorepringle]

The government guidance says they are considering the bubble idea.

For now you can meet one other person outside at 2m distance. It’s not much but not nothing.

[onemorepringle]

What I mean is, they have considered it but it’s not thought to be safe yet.

[KuckFnows]

Did you not see the briefing last night?

🙄🙄🙄

[Disneylover4321]

Some parents don't have any choice currently but to send their children to other family members or friends for childcare.

[AwkwardAsAllGetout]

The advice to see one person is so odd. So my dad can come and sit in my garden but not my mum? They must be expecting people to break this left right and centre. It’s nonsensical

[PotteringAlong]

I agree, it’s ridiculous that it hasn’t been considered. And, as a teacher, if I’m safe enough to go back to work on June 1st then I’m safe enough to have my mum sit on my sofa.

[Discobar]

@AwkwardAsAllGetout - the garden is definitely not allowed! Its outside public places only - The park basically

[imsooverthisdrama]

I know what you mean but hopefully that's looked into for early June.
It was to get the country back to work as the economy is dire .
Encourage businesses to open if safe to do so .
Primary schools back so childcare sorted .
Then things get moving .
The thing is if the cases go up this won't happen.
In my opinion we all need to do our bit to make this work .
God yes I'm disappointed that I can't see family yet but seeing my mum won't pay the bills .

[Ilets]

The government doesn't care about you. They need a functioning economy and a functioning health service.

[Disneylover4321]

Some households are already mixing as some parents don't have any choice.

[user764329056]

True, llets

[Disneylover4321]

@use764329056

What is true?

[AwkwardAsAllGetout]

@Discobar but how is being in my garden more dangerous than being in the park? It’s just a mess isn’t it

[Goatymcgoaty]

There’s a section on this within the 50 page document. It’s not yet thought to be safe, but SAGE are modelling the impact of all changes as we go along. What more did you want?

[DrMadelineMaxwell]

Yep... I'm not allowed to see my mum in her house for 15 minutes at a time being careful with hygiene and distancing.

But im ok to spend 6.5 hours of my day with 15 11 year olds where it just won't really matter!

[Disneylover4321]

@goatymcgoaty

Exactly.

However even though it is still not safe, some people have no choice but to mix household.

[bookgirl1982]

It's in the stage 2 (June) section of the document, so I'm hoping it won't be long until a decision is made.

[Brokenchair1]

Also don't get garden v. Park. Surely safer to sit several meters apart in someone's garden then travel to a park and potentially interact with lots of other people.

I wish he had said garden was allowed. Grrr.

[Discobar]

@AwkwardAsAllGetout - I agree, don't see a problem with gardens. Talk of people touching same door handles, coffee cups etc but common sense has to be given a chance

[Bluesheep8]

The advice to see one person is so odd. So my dad can come and sit in my garden but not my mum? They must be expecting people to break this left right and centre. It’s nonsensical

This. They ARE expecting that rules will be broken left right and centre. So that we can be blamed for the next peak. Rather than blame themselves for things like slow reaction/lack of PPE/abandonment of care homes etc etc.

[imsooverthisdrama]

but how is being in my garden more dangerous than being in the park? It’s just a mess isn’t it
It's not necessarily more dangerous just less risk . The way Hancock explained is you have to walk usually through people's house to get to the garden so possibly touching things . Also you may eat/ drink etc so contact that way with cups etc .
I suppose you do a risk assessment based on how safe you think it is .
I'd be happy for my mum to sit in the garden at a distance and encourage her to wash hands before and after.
If you worry about a risk then don't do it , a bit of common sense needs to be applied .

[CakeAndCrisps]

'For now you can meet one other person outside at 2m distance. It’s not much but not nothing'

Yes, they have to start small, review then increase. I don't know why people struggle with this. It has to be incremental so they know where greatest risks are.

Honestly, we have so much tech nowadays non stop contact is possible. Hugs can wait a few more weeks surely.

[Sometimenever100]

It’s to get the economy going and so people don’t lose their jobs and houses which is a necessity. Seeing your mum and dad is a strong want but it’s not as important as being able to eat and have a roof. They want the economy to start moving, not for socialisation.
The meet in a park but not in the garden is because in a garden things will relax. You need to pop to the loo, grab a drink, say hello or goodbye to someone and before you know it you are in the house. ‘Only pop in quickly’ but that quickly turns into a chat in the kitchen, passing each other in the doorway or hall. Once you are in someone’s garden it’s too easy to remember to remain apart. The park will have others in, you will be seen, it’s not someone’s private garden with a house ajoined.

[PleaseChooseAnother]

I understand that step 2 includes that we might be able to combine with one other household. But surely, in order to work out the combined risk of everything in that step, they need to have considered the risks associated with combining households? Otherwise it's not really part of that step. And it just feels so vague that it isn't actually going to happen

[toolatetooearly]

Presumably its because two people in a garden becomes four people in a garden which becomes four people in a house, and so on. They're trying to keep all contact outside which is more manageable in a park or public space. Not saying the policy is right or wrong, but that's my take on why it's in place.