Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 ··· 11 12

Original poster

Is anyone applying actual LOGIC to Christmas or just blindly following covid rules??

289 replies

Christmasisallaroundus · 19/12/2020 22:17

I’m not changing my Christmas plans. I’m due to go to my parents 50 mins drive away. Myself & DH WFH full time. No DC. We’ve been isolating for 2 weeks in advance of Christmas. We are getting private covid tests on 21st - waiting for presumably negative results on 23rd then will travel home. Parents also not working and have been isolating pretty much since March. Will be home 24th-27th. No plans to leave the house. Then straight back to our house to isolate again for the foreseeable as no plans to see anyone.

Why would we change our plans and not go just because ‘it’s against the rules’. I don’t understand those saying they can’t go how due to rules changing.

If you are working out and about you shouldn’t have been mixing in the 1st place as you’re higher risk! Why are the rules influencing what you do - surely you should be using common sense!

OP posts:

Nowaynothappening · 19/12/2020 22:39

Not everyone is in your situation. Many people will not have had the opportunity to isolate due to work or education commitments and they’re probably still going to meet with three other households on Christmas Day. There’s no limit on people either, each household could contain 10 people! It was a bonkers idea to relax the rules in the first place for one Christmas, it’s hardly like a once in a lifetime thing.

Watermelon888 · 19/12/2020 22:40

@wanderings

We'll see if the politicians obey Ebenezer Johnson's roolz. Will they all behave impeccably, and stay at home? Will the prime minister sack those who visit their relatives on Christmas Day?

That was one of my first thoughts.

The press are going to be watching them like hawks.

Hollyhead · 19/12/2020 22:40

Me, our gathering with just one other household which contains two lowish risk people is on Boxing Day as one of them is working Christmas Day. We will be carrying on.

LittleMimi · 19/12/2020 22:42

While you’re making a point about those isolating being safe to travel you come across as unsympathetic. It’s those in the frontline who’ve been most vital this year.

Original poster

Christmasisallaroundus · 19/12/2020 22:42

@Watermelon888 believe it or not I didn’t choose the career Ive had for the last 10 years with covid in mind. It’s not my fault my job is done at home easily and that my parents are retired!

People have their jobs and for some this makes them risky to covid and others not.

Obviously if I’d been a nurse and my parents were still working I wouldn’t be going home.

OP posts:

AngelicaElizaAndPeggy · 19/12/2020 22:43

I think that, if you think this is logical then by all means, crack right on.

However, before you go, think about how you would feel if, due to freak circumstances, your parents did get covid afterwards. Would you be 100% certain they hadn't got it from you? Because if there is any shred of doubt and they end up poorly, you will feel devastated with guilt and Christmas just isn't worth that.

If it were me I would stay at home, have a shite time and make amazing plans for next summer instead. Just to be on the safe side.

Good luck with your decision - it's so bloody hard and miserable.

Notanotheruser111 · 19/12/2020 22:43

I don’t think I beleive so much in peoples capability of logic and common sense anymore

Fizbosshoes · 19/12/2020 22:44

I invited my elderly relative because I couldnt bear the thought of them being alone at xmas after spending most of the year alone....but they chose not to come as they thought too risky.Both me and DH mainly work outside of home, and we have 2 DC at school. We planned to see Dsis and BIL (Dsis works outside the home BIL wfh) and just meet for a walk to exchange presents.
Now we will obviously stay at home.

AlrightTreacle · 19/12/2020 22:46

If you are working out and about you shouldn’t have been mixing in the 1st place as you’re higher risk! Why are the rules influencing what you do - surely you should be using common sense!

I work "out and about" in a hospital, I wear full PPE, test myself with a lateral flow test every 3 - 4 days, and have a PCR test and blood test for antibodies done every 2 weeks. 9 months in and I've still not caught covid yet. So I don't consider myself a complete leper, but I am still cautious. My Christmas day plans with family (who are older and vulnerable) are outside only anyway, so today's announcement doesn't change anything.

AcornAutumn · 19/12/2020 22:48

OP “A simple check - can I guarantee I’m not going to pass it on - if answer is no they shouldn’t have been planning to mix in the 1st place“

You can never guarantee that.

People are asking because they don’t want to break the law, which doesn’t necessarily align with common sense.

AcornAutumn · 19/12/2020 22:51

Also OP my father specialised in infectious diseases.

I’d have spent half my childhood in isolation if this attitude was around then!

Beetlebum1981 · 19/12/2020 22:52

'Why would we change our plans and not go just because ‘it’s against the rules’. I don’t understand those saying they can’t go how due to rules changing.'

You're clearly not interested in following the rules - some of us are.

TheCrowsHaveEyes · 19/12/2020 22:53

Lots of people are applying logic. They just don't tend to post on the internet as much as people who want to complain and chafe against rules.

nanbread · 19/12/2020 22:56

You're not coming across well here.

50% of people were expecting to be part of a Christmas bubble. That's a lot of people and a lot of variables to consider.

Not everyone has as clear cut a situation as you or the privileges you enjoy.

Lots of people don't want to break the law (or the rules as you like to call it) and might worry about getting fines they can't afford.

The other 50% had already made a call not to visit family regardless, which suggests they've used logic...

Have a little more empathy.

SheilaWilcox · 19/12/2020 22:56

2/10

I hope you get fined.

I hope others see you get fined and heed the lesson.

I would guess that most of the country are dwelling on their Xmas plans tonight. You're not special.

giantangryrooster · 19/12/2020 22:56

Logic = rule bending

plumpootle · 19/12/2020 22:57

I agree with you OP. You have to apply common sense and then do what is best for you and your family. Of course you should be careful not to increase risk of spreading the virus but you are being careful.

Horizons83 · 19/12/2020 22:57

I agree with you, but I will be following the rules regardless and have just cancelled Christmas day with my dad (5 miles away in Tier 4).

If I get caught and fined then I could lose my career (solicitor). Incredibly unlikely to be caught and unlikely to be penalised that harshly by my professional body... but given that I am the breadwinner for my family it's just not worth the risk.

Damn frustrating though. First Christmas without my dad in my 41 years of life.

Canwecancel2020 · 19/12/2020 22:57

YABU with your condescending thread title (with LOGIC in shouty capitals)

“AIBU to gloat that I have the luxury of following logic instead of the rules because I’m fortunate enough to work from home and afford a private test” would be more appropriate.

Then go on to say that actually, according to you, only childless home workers were ever entitled to Christmas anyway.

I think most people have been watching the numbers and weighing up the risks as the days have gone on, I’m almost glad the decision has been taken out of my hands as now I don’t have to balance the safety of my parents against the disappointment of my children.

So why didn’t you just get on and do what you were planning to do anyway rather than coming here to make a point about how logical you are?

windturbines · 19/12/2020 23:03

While I don't doubt that 'logically' you aren't going to spread Covid with the measures you've taken, you sound like a complete arsehole.

It's all well and good for you being able to afford private tests, working from home in your nice little middle class house, presumably with all your groceries being delivered to your door, etc. Maybe, perhaps, spare a thought for those who have worked on the front line throughout the whole bloody thing? Who are exhausted and drained from the stress of it all. Or for those who are vulnerable and haven't gone out since March? For those in care homes who haven't seen any family for nearly a year? Those who are forced to spend Christmas alone? Those with sick relatives who, probably, won't make it until next Christmas? Those with children with SN who were absolutely counting on a bit of respite and normality for a few days to get through it? The list is endless, really.

You know rightly that 'logically' you're fine. Why you needed to post here is absolutely beyond me. My Christmas isn't being affected either but at least I have enough compassion to know that me posting, and essentially bragging, about how good it is isn't what people need to hear or read right now. Saying you know you're in a 'priviledged' position doesn't erase how goady and immature your entire post was to begin with.