To think that we shouldn’t be coming out of lockdown for Christmas?

[LockdownForChristmas]

Yesterday we had the highest total of cases yet since the beginning of the pandemic. And the death rate is going up day on day. They’re attributing it not to mass testing but to the fact that when lockdown was announced people rushed to see each other and hence the virus spread more.

If we open up on the 2nd of December people will just rush out to the pubs and the shops and each other’s houses and we’ll be back here in the new year.

It would be far better to stay in lockdown until the new year and then hopefully start the year on a reducing case rate.

And yes, I know it’s Christmas, but tonight is Diwali, and nobody is suggesting we should come out of lockdown so people can celebrate that, so why should we just because it’s Christmas?

@Silverstripe

why should we just because it’s Christmas?

I feel genuinely very sorry for people not having the Diwali celebrations they usually would but it is worth bearing in mind that Hindus account for less than 1.5% of the population in the U.K., whereas practicing Christians account for 59% - and of course, Christmas is celebrated by many non-practicing Christians, atheists, and members of other faiths as well. I doubt there would be the same expectation of Christmas going ahead as usual if it was a festival that only 1.5% of people participated in, even though it is important to recognise and empathise with people who’s religious and cultural celebrations have been tanked this year.

Totally agree Silverstripe. Comparing Diwali to Christmas is denying the reality of where we are.

Anyways, I expect lockdown to be extended to end of school term but wouldn’t be surprised if they break up early. Then another lockdown in Feb, or perhaps Jan.

On the bright side kudos to the scientists working so hard on vaccines! Amazing work going on around the world.

12:08SimonJT

Releasing the UK for xmas would be stupid, especially as children and you g adults would be then spreading their xmas gift of covid around school and university.

Its Diwali today, we’ll be celebrating later, a huge plus of celebrating in lockdown is how much money I have saved! I don’t know why posters keep saying its a Hindu festival, it is also a Sikh and Jain festival, Muslims also celebrate Diwali.
muslims do NOT celebrate Diwali. Its is a Brahmic faith celebration

@heyjude12

12:08SimonJT

Releasing the UK for xmas would be stupid, especially as children and you g adults would be then spreading their xmas gift of covid around school and university.

Its Diwali today, we’ll be celebrating later, a huge plus of celebrating in lockdown is how much money I have saved! I don’t know why posters keep saying its a Hindu festival, it is also a Sikh and Jain festival, Muslims also celebrate Diwali.
muslims do NOT celebrate Diwali. Its is a Brahmic faith celebration

Yes they do.

@MrsFezziwig

whereas practicing Christians account for 59%

59% of the English population are practising Christians?

Mainly to get their kids into schools I imagine

@nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut

Because the economy needs the Christmas rush. Once again it all comes down to money.

Of course everything always comes down to money. It's how we eat.

*Muslims also celebrate Diwali.
muslims do NOT celebrate Diwali. Its is a Brahmic faith celebration

Yes they do.*

They shouldn't be celebrating it, as it is haraam. The muslims who are celebrating it will be a cultural thing not religious and they will more than likely of Indian/Pakistani extraction due to its celebration in that area.

@Againstmachine

*Muslims also celebrate Diwali. muslims do NOT celebrate Diwali. Its is a Brahmic faith celebration

Yes they do.*

They shouldn't be celebrating it, as it is haraam. The muslims who are celebrating it will be a cultural thing not religious and they will more than likely of Indian/Pakistani extraction due to its celebration in that area.

I am surprised at the posters insistence. Yes in India you will often see families with guests from other faiths participating in one another's festivals. Outside of India, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka this would not be the case for the majority of Muslims. 62% of the world's Muslims live in Asia, but these primarily come from Indonesia, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.

For me it feels wrong that I'll be back in the office in December with my colleagues but I can't spend time with my mum unless I go for a walk on our own .

Do you still not understand the reasons for this? After eight months?

No I need you to tell me!

@islockdownoveryet

This is putting it really simply, as it’s the only way I understand it
Likelihood of transmission of virus increases with number and type of interactions between people. If there were no interactions then no transmission - but we would all starve and the economy would be destroyed. So that can’t happen. So we have to allow the number of interactions that will keep the economy and essential services (including schools) going, but limit others.

Or to put it another way, you going to work earns money for yourself and also keeps your workplace (and hence the economy) going. You sitting on your mum’s sofa having a nice cup of tea - zero benefit to the economy. So given that the number of interactions must be limited, it’s pretty obvious which one the government will permit.

How can they justify lifting it when things are worse now than they were at the start? This is hardly surprising when almost everyone I know is carrying on as normal, shops are finding loopholes, schools are still open etc...

Personally I don’t want it to be extended but how can it not be?

@MrsFezziwig

For me it feels wrong that I'll be back in the office in December with my colleagues but I can't spend time with my mum unless I go for a walk on our own .

Do you still not understand the reasons for this? After eight months?

No I need you to tell me!

@islockdownoveryet

This is putting it really simply, as it’s the only way I understand it
Likelihood of transmission of virus increases with number and type of interactions between people. If there were no interactions then no transmission - but we would all starve and the economy would be destroyed. So that can’t happen. So we have to allow the number of interactions that will keep the economy and essential services (including schools) going, but limit others.

Or to put it another way, you going to work earns money for yourself and also keeps your workplace (and hence the economy) going. You sitting on your mum’s sofa having a nice cup of tea - zero benefit to the economy. So given that the number of interactions must be limited, it’s pretty obvious which one the government will permit.

Thank you for taking the time to post but believe it or not I don't go on mumsnet to ask why we are in lockdown . Even though I'm sure there are a few coronavirus experts on here . I was expressing a opinion which I thought everyone was . But again thank you for your time .

Do you still not understand the reasons for this? After eight months?

No I need you to tell me!

@islockdownoveryet sorry, I took your words (as above) to mean that you needed me to tell you (you can see how I might have made that mistake) . I was a bit surprised that you didn’t know, but then numerous posters on here seem to have a problem grasping the same concept so I merely took you at your word.