Grandparents exempt from local lockdown rules

[Deyes999]

I just read a story on Sky news that Grandparents or childcare providers both formal and informal can continue to do so in areas that are in lockdown. Surely that is putting some of the most vulnerable people at risk in already high risk areas? I know it's many people's lifelines for going to work etc and I totally understand that part but I just think after all the stories in the last few months saying about how we should be protecting vulnerable or older relatives it's odd to now put grandparents in this position.

Yes you think iabu
No you agree

@Krankie

Has it been mentioned what should happen if you/GPs don’t want to take the risk? If your normal childcare plan is for GPs to help.. but due to Corona nobody feels safe mixing the households any more. If your workplace won’t allow you to watch children when working from home and there are no nursery places locally (or you don’t want to risk nursery either)? Everyone saying families can make risk assessments but if you don’t have a contingency plan, you’re almost forced to put kids and/or GPs at risk. Or am I missing something?

The only options I can see are taking unpaid leave or unpaid parental leave. However, employers are under no obligation to accept that long-term.

Although I have to say, if you feel it's too risky to put your child in childcare, you need to own that decision and accept that it puts your job at risk. Employers are under no obligation to keep you on if you can't do the work because you refuse to use childcare.

I kind of agree with you, because what’s the point of having a lockdown if you’re basically saying that it’s up to individuals if they follow it or not, even with people who are vulnerable?

Either the virus is harmful enough that a full lockdown is needed, or it’s harmless enough that people should be given the information and be trusted to make their own decisions.

The government can’t have some wishy washy in between type thing and expect people to take them seriously or have any respect or trust for what they’re saying.

There are people in their 50s and 60s working as teachers and childminders so I think they should be allowed to look after their own family.

I am on the fence about older grandparents... for those in their 70s with no underlying conditions, the risk is low for an individual and some might be happy to take the risk, but multiplied across the whole population it will mean more deaths (and more pressure on nhs).

I think it's a good thing. GPs can judge for themselves whether or not they want to take the chance. A lot of us (sorry, I'm not a GP but I mean this generally) realised during lockdown that there are certain things that keep us going and human contact is one of those things. GPs especially are vulnerable to isolation if they are retired. The virus will probably be here another year.

I know people are thinking of grown children bullying GPs into childcare (and I know that happens!) but equally there are GP who are desperate to do it, my neighbours, for example.

@Leafbeans I’m genuinely asking if this has been discussed, not asking for anything specifically.

For example if employers will be told to be more flexible or accommodating for parents in this position. Maybe allow them to work different hours to avoid having to put the GPs at risk. Just luck at the moment if you have a flexible job.

Feel like it’s a mixed message to say don’t mix households... except if you’re forced to put your vulnerable parents at risk for childcare.

My mum helps us out with childcare. She’s 59 and still works part time for the NHS.
There are no alternatives available in my village (nurseries full, childminders full and wrap around care at school hasn’t restarted).
If she was in any way uncomfortable with it, we wouldn’t do it.

They've done it because there aren't enough childcare places available, and so if people are expected to go into work, some of them are going to have to rely on informal networks. As a poster said upthread, the economy cannot run without informal childcare.

They'll also be aware of the level of resentment the rule forbidding it has caused in local lockdown areas, and probably with the low compliance rates. I live in GM and people were fucking furious initially, then just ignored it. Leading to a loss of face and general delegitimisation of the rules, especially in an area where a lot of grandparents are still quite young anyway.

This is the sort of thing that people should be able to make their own informed choice about.

It's all the people like the ones I saw in the supermarket in the town near me today that we need to worry about. Around a quarter of customers were not wearing a mask, and the cashier said that it was like that all weekend, and really busy too. Apparently the local FB pages are full of people refusing, saying they will boycott the supermarket if they are told to wear masks. And this is a town that was perilously close to a local lockdown not that long ago. Idiots.

To be honest, I hope they don't leave it too long before there is a stricter lockdown again. It is needed.

I think it means that life needs to go on as much as it can, but placing restrictions where needed. We can't return to the strict lockdown of the spring and expect our economy and jobs to still be here when we do finally resurface. We're going to be paying for this for decades anyway.

To be honest, I hope they don't leave it too long before there is a stricter lockdown again. It is needed

It is not. We need stricter enforcement of the rules we have, not stricter ones.

I'm a grandparent, in my fifties, look after my grandson and have had COVID already. Will continue to look after my grandson

I was continuing to use them anyway, at least I’m not breaking the law now. Grandparents are 51 & 60. Me and OH WFH and have a 2 year old. We’ve used 2/3 of AL, shift swaps, compressed hours and taken unpaid leave for the first 5 months but literally couldn’t do it anymore. Grandparents are welcome to say no.

I think if grandparents want to help out, it should be their choice.

BBC story here

Not all grandparents are in that vulnerable category. When they were providing childcare for my nephew, my parents were in their late 50s.

There are parents with young children in the vulnerable category, what do you want them to do?

It is up to individuals to decide that risk for themselves.

Hell will freeze over before I stop looking after my grandkids.
I looked after them during the last lockdown and I will continue to look after them whatever Bozo and his mates decide.
To hell with them and their idiot policies.

@cologne4711

To be honest, I hope they don't leave it too long before there is a stricter lockdown again. It is needed

It is not. We need stricter enforcement of the rules we have, not stricter ones.

I agree, it’s lack of compliance, not lack of rules.

I’m delighted by this ruling.

I’m 54 and my toddler DGS’s other grandmother is not yet 50. She looks after him 3 days a week so my DS and NHS DIL can work/wfh. I would much rather he spends his days with his Nana than go to childcare where he would be mixing with several other families and potentially putting my DS and DIL at more risk. His Nana definitely feels the same.

What about grandparents who should be shielding? There's not going to be any help or anyone to pick up the pieces. It's going to put huge pressure on low income families with no alternatives.

This highlights how much families rely on grandparents for childcare

@Juststopswimming

Good! This is a good thing! It means that people can actually carry on going to work. I know there are a lot of people on this site who think covid is the only thing that matters, but thank god there are some measures in place like this to protect the economy as well.

This.

@Feellikedancingyeah

This highlights how much families rely on grandparents for childcare

Yes it does. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. If grandparents are happy to do it then it has the double advantage of facilitating a good relationship between grandparents and grandchildren, and saving money on childcare. For a lot of families it’s a win win situation. I’ve always been more than happy to put mine in paid childcare but my parents love to have them and my children adore going there.

Will this come into place in Bolton does anybody know?

@WestTen

Will this come into place in Bolton does anybody know?

Pretty sure Hancock said all local lockdown areas.