No hugs, indefinitely

[AvenueQ]

Just saw this tweet (see photo) and I jiust can't get my head round it. It seems insane. So no single person to start a new relationship for... potentially never???

[Redolent]

I’m off for a carefully calibrated lifting of lockdown restrictions, but this really is ludicrous. I think saying stuff like this is actually counter-productive to the course.

[NuffSaidSam]

It's just a silly tweet, not a research paper. Don't worry about it.

[Bramblebear92]

Some people will take it to extremes. My Dad is in his early 50s and not especially high risk. He's basically said he'll never go out again for non-work reasons unless there's a vaccine.

[AvenueQ]

I mean, is that scientists just losing touch with reality? How can this be expected of people?

[Unshriven]

It isn't expected of people .

Don't be an idiot, assess risk for yourself.

Most people are fine hugging whover the hell they like, unless they are picking up the sickest person on a covid ward.

[Oysterbabe]

At some point they will allow the bubbles idea and mixing of households. You probably won't be allowed to hug random people for a long time.

[ChasingRainbows19]

@oysterbabe you do know that as of Monday we can see groups of up to 6 people outside? Was announced yesterday: no bubbles announced.

[lljkk]

You could campaign for Dutch rules, OP.

[whatswithtodaytoday]

You can hug whoever you like, but if you do your risking both of you catching Covid from the other. If you want to take that risk, fine, go ahead.

The government service is to limit social contract in order to reduce the spread of the virus. It's not a punishment, it's just common sense. And yes, that will remain the case until we have a vaccine or the virus dies out.

[majesticallyawkward]

It's not going to happen, people. Realistically you can't expect zero physical contact for extended periods of time. Life has to resume.

I've often thought about single people in this, not just because they may live alone right now but their prospects of meeting anyone and being able to form a connection (if that's what they want) must be harmed by the lasting effects. It's one of the groups that have been almost entirely overlooked.

And then you have everyone else, for example my 5yo dd and her friends hug a lot, it's so natural to them and they are too young to really understand so are we expected to stop them because of a tiny risk? I've already accepted we can't have a socially distanced meet up with anyone because dd just doesn't get it.

[whatswithtodaytoday]

*you're 🤦

[ChateauMargaux]

Sexwork is permitted in the next stage of lockdown release in Switzerland from 6th June so I think hugging will be allowed there!! It even merits it's own infographic on the official visual summary. (The land feminism forgot)
www.admin.ch/gov/en/start/documentation/media-releases/media-releases-federal-council.msg-id-79268.html

[Snagscardies]

Some people might follow this but I know dating sites werw very busy during full lockdown and I know of several hook ups that have happened.

More people are going to start making their own risk assessment

[JudyCoolibar]

On a slightly different note, I'm quite pleased that social hugs and air kissing will be out of the picture for the foreseeable future. That has always felt very artificial and uncomfortable to me.

[BrexpatInSwitzerland]

Sexwork is permitted in the next stage of lockdown release in Switzerland from 6th June so I think hugging will be allowed there!!

... which, to be blunt, has been due to intense lobbying rather than anyone actually thinking it's a genuinely good idea.

They're also being rather ridiculous about the whole affair with a supposed "protection plan" having been put in place. It basically suggests that individuals should be keeping a forearm's length of distance between their faces and that "close face" activities are strongly discouraged. Oh, and, masks!

Translation: blowie not okay, anal okay amd if you're a john with a medical fetish, you're about to get out of paying extra for your kink.

I find prostitution dehumanising at the "best" of times - but TBH this is just revolting. It basically boils down to "prostituted women, position your holes in such a way as to separate them entirely from your humanity if you want to make a living!".

It's really vile, IMO!

[BrexpatInSwitzerland]

... oh, and, no! The rest of us around here aren't being encouraged to come into the physical proximity of other people. This is for the sex trade only.

[spotlighton]

That is so sad and so gross

[WitsEnding]

That's gross.

To return to the OP's point, though, I'm doing my best to stick with the rules but getting very fed up with not being able to even flirt properly.

[AlexisCarringtonColbyDexter]

I'm sorry but people need to gain some perspective here. Thats her opinion. Opinions arent facts. Its not like you hug someone and are instantly struck down dead by 'rona lightning.

People need to use their common sense. Noone can say dont hug until vaccine because there might NEVER BE a vaccine- then what? Just stick to sensible precautions, wash your hands often, get a mask, social distance and if you feel your mental heath is suffering then hug away! People will kill themsleves if they listen to this crap any longer.

[Dollywilde]

One of my friends, who is in her early 30s, is really concerned that if this goes on for a year or two it might really impact on her ability to meet and have children with someone. She was concerned enough as a 33 year old prelockdown but with the limits on pubs, restaurants, physical contact, going to the homes of others - not to mention the MH after-effects - she thinks there’s a real risk of a generation’s ‘last chance’ at having kids might be lost. It’s an interesting point.

[Aridane]

On a slightly different note, I'm quite pleased that social hugs and air kissing will be out of the picture for the foreseeable future.

Me too

[Lumene]

Getting case rate down will be critical in managing risk and increasing freedom.

So getting track and trace genuinely up to world beating levels is so important.

Brexpat, completely agree with your analysis there.

[AlexisCarringtonColbyDexter]

@dollywilde I feel so much empathy for people like your friend- it must absolutely suck to be single yet wanting to meet someone right now.

(Oh, and before someone screams at me that "people are dying" yes- I am aware thanks, but we are allowed to feel empathy for more than one group of people at a time)

[Catsmother1]

They were allowed to hug people in Italy, from May 4th - there were lots of photos of grandparents cuddling grandchildren. If there is never a vaccine then that would mean no hugs forever, and shielded people would also never be able to leave their home. Hancock said a couple of days ago that holidays might be able to resume from July, so I’m hoping that people will be able to hug then. It’s been far too long with no physical contact. I don’t think we should be able to hug all our friends, but just a partner! And grandchildren/children.

[Ilovemyhairbeingstroked]

I agree with other posters - just because she maybe a doctor , it is just her opinion. Everyone loves to scare people these days . Not all of them are as smart as their qualification alludes to , especially when they have a lack of common sense .