"Don't worry, we can just do it at mine instead"

[rainbowrain107]

Lunch booking for group of 6 friends in London booked for Saturday. Obviously, can't go ahead now as the restaurant likely to be funny about 6 adults traipsing in. However the organiser has already announced to everyone that she'll just host at hers instead.

This attempt at lockdown just isn't going to work is it?

@Dozycuntlaters

If the 95 year old lives alone and only sees you then you are his support bubble and you can still see him* I hope so but during the last lock down no one but carers were allowed in the sheltered accommodation where he lives, plus the charity I do it through said not to go. To be honest, I don't think they like that I go there now but all his clubs are shut and I go there and cook him a nice meal every week which he massively looks forward to.

You sound really kind x

People are rightly thinking that they cannot bear near total social isolation for months on end with no end in sight. It was just about doable in good weather but without realistically being able to meet outside due to the cold and dark of winter this is becoming intolerable. We need a different approach which protects the vulnerable but doesn’t sacrifice the young and the whole economy in doing so.

For those who say "suffering now will bring normality later": the original lockdown was sold to us on this basis, when we heard "we can turn this virus around in twelve weeks". It hasn't brought normality; the light at the end of the tunnel is moving further and further away.

Why should we believe that this "two week circuit breaker" will restore any kind of normality? It will drag on: another week, another week, another month, another month....

We are totally being mis-sold the restrictions, and the public knows it. Even the three bellends know that we know, they're just pretending we don't, so that they can blame the public.

@DappledOliveGroves

I'd reply with, 'thank you, what can I bring?'

If my city goes into a different tier I'm not complying. There is no plan, the government couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery and the first lock down was bad enough for my mental health.

If I get Covid and die then so fucking be it. I'm sick of everyone wanting immortality. At a personal level I'm sure my family will be upset but at a macro level the world is overpopulated and I'm wholly insignificant.

@DappledOliveGroves

This, with bells on.

People are done with compliancy, they've seen what a shitshow this government have made of the pandemic. Why should we trust anyone?!

In March the scaremongering was in full force and I remember reading figures that everyone will know 5 people who'll die from COVID and basically if you get it you're fucked. That hasn't been the case - it kills so few. Why don't we lock down every winger with our flu pandemics?

@Hadjab
Technically, she's correct - whilst travelling between tiers is not recommended, it's also not prohibited
The travel isn't the issue (though should be prohibited imo).
It's not following guidelines for the tier the other person is in. Those go with the person.
So londoner can travel to Sussex but still has to follow the rules for London in Sussex.
This has been made clear via the news and various updates.
If 2 people meet the requirements of the higher tier should be maintained.

All those kicking off about not wanting lockdowns, by being so arrogant and self absorbed are practically pushing us into a full lockdown.

@GlummyMcGlummerson
I disagree with you.
But eh let's see you the other side shall we and hope you have your loved ones, children, family and friends still.....

But eh let's see you the other side shall we and hope you have your loved ones, children, family and friends still.

Yawn at this hysteria and emotive language that's gone on since March. You can do the bleeding heart thing all you want but it doesn't collocate with logic or facts.

I've had COVID. It was awful, I was so ill, I'm out the other side along with the other 99% - I'm not going to start fretting over a virus that kills so few

As for those spouting the ignorant crap about death rates, get informed.

*Coronavirus vs. Flu Deaths
COVID-19
There have been approximately 1,099,380 deaths reported worldwide. So that's in 10 months.

Flu: The World Health Organization estimates that in 12 months 290,000 to 650,000 people die of flu-related causes every year worldwide.

Covid IS killing more people and we still have flu to contend with. Get informed.

Yet there is a flu vaccine and still hundreds of thousands of people die from it and we don't go into lockdown every winter

@GlummyMcGlummerson

But eh let's see you the other side shall we and hope you have your loved ones, children, family and friends still.

Yawn at this hysteria and emotive language that's gone on since March. You can do the bleeding heart thing all you want but it doesn't collocate with logic or facts.

I've had COVID. It was awful, I was so ill, I'm out the other side along with the other 99% - I'm not going to start fretting over a virus that kills so few

Lucky you. Let's hope that second time around doesn’t kill as it's been suggested it worsens. Especially as you were "so ill", yet seem ambivalent about protecting others from the same and worse.

Especially as you were "so ill", yet seem ambivalent about protecting others from the same and worse

Oh here we go I just love it when drama llama posters put words in my mouth. So BORING.

What makes you think I'm ambivalent?

I wouldn't wish it on anyone, nor would I wish the flu. My whole point is this - I don't think the lockdown measures we're still being forced to endure are in the interest of the people of this country, of their health, wellbeing and I don't think the knock on effects are realised by the government (or they probably do realise but don't care) or are worth it for the amount of good restrictions will supposedly do. I find it utterly alarming how people are not only happy to comply to a totalitarian system, but they're willing to grass their nearest and dearest for not complying.

I actually thought that was fairly obvious but clearly some people need it spelling out.

"What's the point of the circuit breaker? Cases will just fall and then go back up again!"

Yes but the point is they never reach the level they would have without the break, because exponential numbers.

With circuit breaker:
2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64

2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64

2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64
And so on

Without circuit breaker:
2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024, 2048, 4096, 8192, 16384, 32768

*not actual case numbers

I cannot cope with another lockdown until March I just can’t

Having seen my sister and her husband both go through this recently, and the ongoing effects on their lungs, I will be complying with any of the rules. But that's just me, it is entirely up to you what you do x

@TheHeathenOfSuburbia

"What's the point of the circuit breaker? Cases will just fall and then go back up again!"

Yes but the point is they never reach the level they would have without the break, because exponential numbers.

With circuit breaker:
2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64

2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64

2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64
And so on

Without circuit breaker:
2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024, 2048, 4096, 8192, 16384, 32768

*not actual case numbers

Exactly this

Oh and by the way, flu it cetainly aint. To be vivid, my healthy 46 year old sister (a daily runner) could hardly breath, could not eat or drink, had horrific diarrhoea, had hallucinations, was convinced she would die. This is before being hospitalised and given oxygen, horrific in itself. Now, three months later, she has barely any energy, is on copd medication, has scarring in her lungs, and has a higher risk of developing lung cancer. Her children also had it but no symptoms.

I'd support a circuit breaker. But this death by a thousand cuts is awful. In GM we have been in tier 2 since July. It's not liveable. I'm a single parent. I don't have the luxury of sharing my life with a live in partner.

I'd host at mine too or go to my friends.

rainbowrain107

Please do not lump everyone who lives in London in one, not only do I have no plans to leave London but I, and many many others can't afford any restaurant let alone one that is miles away! So you need to qualify any statements like this as people are not all the same just because they live in one geographical area!!!

exactly @Rachie1973 its a joke here i live 2 miles from the thurrock border and theyre in tier one because theyre a devolved council

enjoy the wedding

DH is mid 70's and vulnerable so we have been v v careful. None of the restrictions impact us because we have been more cautious. However

It’s the small number ( probably not so small now) who’ve been disregarding the rules on an ongoing basis who are foolishly adding to deaths, prolonging the crisis.

I really don't buy this.

Surely schools and universities are driving the significant increase in numbers. Any teachers who tried to point out the risks were not listened to, told they must just get on with it so children could be educated and parents to go to work.

Students were encouraged to sign up for expensive education to encourage international students and the foreign exchange they contribute to our economy.

The government have lost our trust and I'm not sure they ever really had a good plan.

Lockdown was intended to give space for test, track and trace.

It's really not going well, it it?

If you were going to go to the booked meal on Sat why would you not go to the meal at her house?

Yes the rules have changed but if you were happy going to a restaurant, with the (perceived) risk involved then having a meal at her house is safer.

The rules are ridiculous, lockdowns only work temporarily and although the infection rate is quite high the death rate is very low. None of the stats are accurate and the death rate figures are manipulated.

Imo everything should go back to normal (but obviously still observing social distancing and hand washing/sanitising) and it should be personal choice what measures people take. Financial support should be put in place for the highly vulnerable who are unable to work.

@TheFuckingDogs

Well said Dozy! It’s not as simple as let’s all lock down now so we get to have our nice middle class John Lewis Christmas for many people

totally agree , its more easy to finger point and make out nobody following the rules then to openly admit we don't have control over this virus , its not like the full lockdown worked the first time , I doubt playing a political game whack a mole is going to help much . this virus relies on us being social in society , we humans relay on being social to survive as much as this virus does thats not being selfish. I can see this pandemic ending socially by the end this year or of beginning next year with or without vaccine .

The rule of 6 is still applicable here so there would be nothing wrong (rules wise) with going out for a meal like this or going to someone's house. It's another thing that is area dependent. Not the best thing to unite people behind a common cause really.

[quote DappledOliveGroves]@AcornAutumn very pleased to meet you

I am so sick of all of this and I fail to understand the logic or impetus driving the response to Covid.

It's the same as climate change (hear me out -
It is relevant). There are groups like Extinction Rebellion etc jumping up and down about climate change and how we MUST stop it. But no one explains why. If the human race wipes itself out, who cares? The earth will keep turning (far more happily I imagine), the universe will presumably still exist. Why do humans think we're so special and significant when in reality we are wholly irrelevant?

Similarly with Covid and any other disease or natural catastrophe that's ever occurred. We are not in control - why do we pretend we are? The Boxing Day tsunami killed a quarter of a million people in a split second. TB kills millions every year. Famine and war kill even more. And now we're restricting people's lives and liberties with absolutely no clear goal or focus and we're supposed to nod along and comply? No, no, no.[/quote]
@DappledOliveGroves Excellent post,

The arrogance of man in thinking they could control COVID has been the failing all along

Honestly if people are sensible, keep their distance, wash their hands, don't touch their face etc we would be a lot better off. I think if you use that approach, together with common sense, it doesn't really matter whether you break the rules.

People should also take reponsibilitt for their own health. I cannot believe there's a contagious disease going around killing the overweight and obese and yet so many have done nothing about their weight. Those people are just as responsible for us all having to endure these restrictions.