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Original poster

Grandparents exempt from local lockdown rules

154 replies

Deyes999 · 21/09/2020 16:31

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

OP posts:
kittensarecute · 21/09/2020 19:09

I think it's a good decision as it means my brother and his wife can continue to work.

WestTen · 21/09/2020 19:11

@SoUtterlyGroundDown I would say Bolton not included going off this on the BBC article? Sad

Grandparents exempt from local lockdown rules
pastandpresent · 21/09/2020 19:12

I think it's a good thing. Surely people would consider the risk to the gp before relying on them. Perfectly healthy GP should be able to help if they wanted to, instead of blanket ban.

Inthemuckheap · 21/09/2020 19:12

As a recent grandparent - I'm in my 50's work full-time running a multi-million £ business.

Please don't generalise!

Wobbitcatcher · 21/09/2020 19:16

My sons grandparents are in their 50s with no health concerns. My son is 2 and so isn’t in school/nursery or mixing with anyone.
The only contact in our group is my husband leaving the house for work. I’m 38 weeks and have started mat leave and both grandparents work from home. I’m incredibly grateful that they have been willing and able to have my son on their days off to give me a break and to help rebuild their relationship before they have him overnight while I’m in hospital giving birth.
I wouldn’t be leaving him with his great grandparents who are 70s as he too much of a handful and I wouldn’t add to their risk. If anything though they are more risk to us as they have been in all the pubs/restaurants locally and accident broke the local lock down to go to a particular shop Hmm

pastandpresent · 21/09/2020 19:18

Inthemuckheap, is anyone generalisng? Certainly it's a choice, but good to have a choice, don't you think?

Batshitbeautycosmeticsltd · 21/09/2020 19:20

Don't be ridiculous. Plenty of grandparents are in their 40s and 50s.

I know it's many people's lifelines for going to work etc and I totally understand that part

No, no you really don't. Hmm

CheeseCakeSunflowers · 21/09/2020 19:25

If the grandparents are fit enough to look after children then I wouldn't think it is particulary likely that they fall into the vulnerable catagory. Obviously it varies a lot as to the age someone becomes a grandparent but I would expect that most children who are at the age where they need caring for have grandparents in their 50's or 60's. Older grandparents who are in the vulnerable catagory are more likely to have grandchildren who are teenagers or adults.

TheBeatGoesOn · 21/09/2020 19:28

I agree with Nailsneeddoing.
I can see this being massively abused by families meeting under the guise of 'childcare.' Too wishy, washy and if you give people an inch they will take a mile.
The guidelines should have said avoid where possible but only if you have no other childcare option. The problem with this is it opens the door to breach the rules or manipulate them and many will. Meaning we will never get a handle on this.
And yes, some grandparents are young and healthy but many are not anf are definitely at greater risk. Makes a mockery of the whole 'Don't kill granny' slogan they keep pushing out. Confused

Redraptor · 21/09/2020 19:30

My mum called me when the north went into lockdown and told me no way was she going through a lockdown without seeing my kids again "you need to work and I need to see my grandchildren". Shes 62 and perfectly able to look after my toddler and pick my elder child up a couple of times a week. It was ludicrous that they ever banned parents from seeing children, common sense was needed on behalf of the government and parents

Sertchgi123 · 21/09/2020 19:44

@Devlesko

I don't understand your voting, but I'm not surprised. The gov seem intent on killing the vulnerable off. They need to keep the economy going and will have no argument from parents who want to work. We already know that under 5's have between 10% and 100% more viral load than 5- 17 year olds, yet nurseries remain open for the proles who are happy because they have to work, work, work. lol
^ this
TableFlowerss · 21/09/2020 19:47

Good! If they’re aren’t in the vulnerable category and they are happy to help out then the be allowed to. Would be crazy to say they aren’t allowed.

OpenlyGayExOlympicFencer · 21/09/2020 19:48

People who think this wasn't going on extensively in local lockdown areas already are hugely naive.

Sertchgi123 · 21/09/2020 19:50

@TableFlowerss

Good! If they’re aren’t in the vulnerable category and they are happy to help out then the be allowed to. Would be crazy to say they aren’t allowed.
Most grandparents are in the vulnerable category.
TheEC · 21/09/2020 19:54

@Sertchgi123

They really are not. At my local school it’s hard to tell the difference between the grandparents and the parents. Grandparent doesn’t = elderly or ill?

Littleposh · 21/09/2020 19:58

I'm sure people won't be putting elderly grandparents at risk. My dad was early 50 when he was looking after my daughter, same age as my boyfriend is now who has a child aged 10

Sertchgi123 · 21/09/2020 19:58

The virus that causes COVID-19 infects people of all ages. However, evidence to date suggests that two groups of people are at a higher risk of getting severe COVID-19 disease. These are older people (that is people over 60 years old); and those with underlying medical conditions (such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer)

Surely those grandparents younger than 60 are still working and not providing childcare?

honigbutter · 21/09/2020 20:01

Many grandparents, even those with young grandchildren, are in their late sixties/early seventies. I'm sure they'll continue to look after them, if my friends are typical.

Younger grandparents are usually working themselves.

BatShite · 21/09/2020 20:02

Honestly, even if in the vulnerable category, they should still have the choice. My dad was in the shielding group yet it was only advice, he wanted to go to work (mind work wouldnt let him!) and absolutely was not locking himself up indefinitely. If he babysat for us to work, he would have wanted to continue no doubt about it, and would have been offended to be told he couldn't make the choice tbh! As much as he was anoyed work wouldn't let him go (though eventually he calmed down about that..)

Thinking about it, near all I know in the shielding group have been going out a lot more than others who are not high risk, or it seems that way.

Sertchgi123 · 21/09/2020 20:03

I honestly don't think we should be throwing grandparents under a bus by continuing to ask them to look after the grandchildren.

There are other types of childcare available.

Plussizejumpsuit · 21/09/2020 20:04

It's not just grandparents who provide informal child care. Grandparents aren't always old and vulbyiu can be a grandparent in your 40s. So I think you you have a very narrow minded view of who is providing informal childcare.

SoUtterlyGroundDown · 21/09/2020 20:08

@Sertchgi123

I honestly don't think we should be throwing grandparents under a bus by continuing to ask them to look after the grandchildren.

There are other types of childcare available.

Have you read the thread? My mum is 59, still works part time in the NHS. She’s far more at risk there (in fact she caught Covid at work) than she is from her young grandchildren. My MIL lives abroad so doesn’t do any childcare, but she’s a primary school teacher! How on earth would her looking after her 2 year old grandson be throwing her under a bus?
OpenlyGayExOlympicFencer · 21/09/2020 20:10

@Sertchgi123

The virus that causes COVID-19 infects people of all ages. However, evidence to date suggests that two groups of people are at a higher risk of getting severe COVID-19 disease. These are older people (that is people over 60 years old); and those with underlying medical conditions (such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer)

Surely those grandparents younger than 60 are still working and not providing childcare?

It isn't either/or. Plenty near me do both.
SoUtterlyGroundDown · 21/09/2020 20:13

Surely those grandparents younger than 60 are still working and not providing childcare?

My mum works part time, dad retired. Both 59. Both provide childcare.

islockdownoveryet · 21/09/2020 20:26

*I honestly don't think we should be throwing grandparents under a bus by continuing to ask them to look after the grandchildren.

There are other types of childcare available*
Yes of course but for many it's relatives for a variety of reasons . For me it's because my son has sen and it's just a couple of days a week after school .
I've used my relatives for childcare since I went back to work in July. I'm in Greater Manchester so in a local lockdown since August. I can't wait around for this government to tell me what I'm already doing nor do so many others .
If it works for some then it works what's it got to do with anyone else I don't know . I'm a grown adult I make risk assessment based on the fact if I don't work I can't pay the bills . Finding another childcare provider is no less riskier than a relative .
Age has nothing to do with it if your vulnerable or shielded at any age so just because your a grandparent it's assumption that they are more high risk .