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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think we are heading for a full 2 week national half term lockdown

594 replies

Midlifelights · 04/10/2020 13:15

DS’s school ramping up the preparation to teach on MS teams & making sure they can all use it & have the tech in place.

Teachers indicating that it’s going to be half term plus another couple of weeks after.

Given the rising numbers, it’s seems more likely that’s what’s coming - and maybe even a full lockdown this time & not the half arsed one we had before.

Aibu? I am worried as my kids really hated it last time but with so many new cases, it just seems the likely path

OP posts:
NRatched · 05/10/2020 17:06

It will be a case of "Oh look it's working, we must continue" or "Oh it's not working yet, we must continue and have an even harsher one."

Yes, a huge part of the issue.

ListeningQuietly · 05/10/2020 17:12

Lockdown only works if
people can afford to stay at home
but between now and the end of October
tens of thousands of people will lose their jobs
and the block on evictions will end soon
so thousands will be homeless by the end of the year

and the virus will still be with us

What EXACTLY is a Lockdown FOR ?

NandosPeriometer · 05/10/2020 17:17

Also, those calling for stricter lockdowns don't seem to think about other countries like Spain who were VERY strict, and where they are now.

Spain reopened nightclubs and I read on here that you could have 200 people at weddings which is probably what drove infections up again.

NRatched · 05/10/2020 17:19

Well quite, hence 'personally ok'.

I don't think lockdown should even be slightly considered without making sure that vulnerable people (and I dont mean specifically age/health, but those being fucked over with work and such) are well looked after, but generally those shouting for lockdowns do not consider that at all.

We also need to put money into industries affected by it. Instead of just leaving them to flounder.

After this, something needs to be thought up for a way to support people who have to isolate for 2 weeks. As otherwise, many simply cannot afford to do so, and no matter how much people shout at them that they are selfish and horrible, they still cannot afford to take indefinite 2 weeks off work. Yeah, some people can and find it selfish if others can't, but if you had a choice between staying home for 2 weeks on the offchance you had covid and thus losing your home and job, or taking the chance that you are fine and keeping your income and roof..most would take option 2. Many will say they would disagree and would chose to lose their lifelike in favour of 'the greater good', but in the actual situation, they wouldn't.

Callardandbowser · 05/10/2020 17:20

Schools were told in August that we HAVE TO provide an interactive at home learning platform. This is government guidance and will be in place ready for if a school has to close. Teachers don't have inside info. Boris just makes it up as he goes along!

User4647 · 05/10/2020 17:21

I didn’t think so but after seeing the latest information in the guardian I’m starting to think it may happen again.

Flaxmeadow · 05/10/2020 17:23

The way things are going ATM, especially in the north of England, we might be in full lockdown before half term

ListeningQuietly · 05/10/2020 17:27

The way things are going ATM, especially in the north of England, we might be in full lockdown before half term
How will people afford to eat ?

CrappleUmble · 05/10/2020 17:27

After this, something needs to be thought up for a way to support people who have to isolate for 2 weeks. As otherwise, many simply cannot afford to do so, and no matter how much people shout at them that they are selfish and horrible, they still cannot afford to take indefinite 2 weeks off work. Yeah, some people can and find it selfish if others can't, but if you had a choice between staying home for 2 weeks on the offchance you had covid and thus losing your home and job, or taking the chance that you are fine and keeping your income and roof..most would take option 2. Many will say they would disagree and would chose to lose their lifelike in favour of 'the greater good', but in the actual situation, they wouldn't.

Yep. People don't stay at home in large numbers unless their bills are paid while they do it, one way or another. Whining and moralising about this doesn't make it any less true.

BunsyGirl · 05/10/2020 17:28

I hope you’re not right as my DS1 is due to take his 11 plus on 7 or 9 November. It has already been delayed by almost two months. God only knows what will happen if there is another lockdown. This situation is so shit for Year 6 children. We are having to apply for schools that we haven’t even seen in person due to open days being cancelled. I am so worried about my DS having to turn up at a school next September that he’s never visited.

starlight13 · 05/10/2020 17:28

No, local lockdowns perhaps but not national as before. Down in the South East here and not looking likely at all.

BellsaRinging · 05/10/2020 17:29

I think there will be a two week lockdown in England and Wales over half term (we've rather missed the boat there for scotland). I would like to hope that will be it...for now, but wouldn't be surprised if we had 2-weekly lockdowns every 2-3 months until we find a vaccine.

ListeningQuietly · 05/10/2020 17:32

If there is a full Lockdown
HOW WILL PEOPLE AFFORD FOOD
FFS
get out of your well cushioned bubbles and realise that
millions of people are losing / have lost their income
stopping them working will stop them
and their children
eating

Thousands of businesses will close FOR GOOD if there is a full lockdown

user1472151176 · 05/10/2020 17:33

I kind of hope they do a short circuit break lock down. Numbers are crazy again

Nik2015 · 05/10/2020 17:33

I am a teacher, we know nothing more than you do. We have been told to get our online learning sorted and the government made it illegal for schools not to have online learning available.

cologne4711 · 05/10/2020 17:33

@Deedee9

Although I can’t go into details as it could mean serious repercussions for someone I know, I have it on pretty good authority that there will definitely be a two week “circuit breaker” for the last two weeks of October. According to this person the government have been planning it for some time, but don’t intend on announcing it yet for fear of a panic. I’ll hold my hands up and apologise if this person has been given false information but I can usually trust what they say.
I work from home, exercise outside and wear masks in supermarkets. My risk is very low and I live in a low-risk area too. Therefore, if I want to visit my mother at half term, I will (though I can probably rely on the care exception anyway).

Your friend may be right though, given it looks like Ireland is going back into lockdown. How can they afford it?

cologne4711 · 05/10/2020 17:34

@BunsyGirl

I hope you’re not right as my DS1 is due to take his 11 plus on 7 or 9 November. It has already been delayed by almost two months. God only knows what will happen if there is another lockdown. This situation is so shit for Year 6 children. We are having to apply for schools that we haven’t even seen in person due to open days being cancelled. I am so worried about my DS having to turn up at a school next September that he’s never visited.
Maybe they'll do the 11+ based on teacher assessment too ;)
Ihatemyseleffordoingthis · 05/10/2020 17:34

I think it's inevitable and imminent for most of the North of England, and possibly Wales.

Scaraffito · 05/10/2020 17:35

It's impossible to have a complete lockdown, unless people mean literally everything shutting, including those who man the national grid etc. If you mean a partial lockdown in which pubs etc close again, what good will that really do? It might reduce numbers temporarily, but unless it's eradicated in the community (which it won't be), numbers will creep up again anyway. If everyone actually adhered to them, the current guidelines would be more effective, and not lead to even more redundancies on top of the many on the horizon, and a whole host of other issues besides covid.

toobloominghot · 05/10/2020 17:36

@Midlifelights same happening at our school too. Maybe it's the same school?

SoUtterlyGroundDown · 05/10/2020 17:36

If it’s the last 2 weeks in October it’ll be shit for us, whose half term is next week.

sussexman · 05/10/2020 17:37

@ListeningQuietly That's the choice that will eventually have to be made though. Hundred of thousands of livelihoods vs tens of thousands of lives.

riceuten · 05/10/2020 17:38

I suspect that the focus groups are being sounded out for it.

I really don't see the point in them if nothing effective is done during or after. Sure, numbers will dip, but you will be back to square one within weeks.

ListeningQuietly · 05/10/2020 17:39

In April

  • Pubs were shut
  • Restaurants were shut
  • Retailers were shut
  • Theme parks and leisure centres were shut
  • Gyms and parks and playgrounds were shut
  • Theatres and Cinemas were shut
  • gardens and garden centres were shut

if they are closed again, many will not re open
costing millions of jobs

ListeningQuietly · 05/10/2020 17:41

That's the choice that will eventually have to be made though. Hundred of thousands of livelihoods vs tens of thousands of lives.
AND not OR
because without employment
and proper care for cancer and chronic disease patients
more full lockdown will kill more than it might save