"Contact clusters" - how is this actually going to work?

[Freethefrogs]

I keep seeing this idea mentioned as a possible way of easing the lockdown when it's safe to do so, as in choosing 10 or so people you can see rather than just your household. I can see how this might work if you're a very small nuclear family and have no desire to see any extended family, but for many others it will be almost impossible to execute. Take, for example, my own family situation. I live with my DH and our five year old. Both our parents are divorced and remarried. Both step parents on both sides have children of their own. We all get along brilliantly and see grandparents (all in their 50s, none vulnerable) 2-3 times a week. I have two siblings still living at home with my mum and stepdad. One of them has a girlfriend he doesn't live with. Her parents are also divorced.

I just can't get my head round how it would work. Like, even if I chose to see my mum only, and not my dad, well she lives with my stepdad, who will want to see his own children, who will want to see their own mother, who lives with her husband, who will also want to see his own children.

I'm one of five siblings so even at a small family gathering of immediate family only, 10 would be far exceeded!

Anyone else been thinking about this?

Exactly, I mean if people struggle with who to have on Christmas day how are they meant to work this out?

It’s not something Iv thought about for there is 5 in my house, then the mil and eldest son. Due to myself being the main carers of the mil and Ds Iv had to do shopping runs and daily checks on both. They both live within a few mins walking distance. But due to there disabilities i have to go to them. Neither of them has been out in over 5 weeks.
We don’t have any other living family left between us. We also don’t have any friends or social contact with anyone else.

@Teacher12345 do you think your friends would be happy only seeing your parents, you, and your DHs friends?!

For extended families then you obviously just have to decide on which households will mix and wait a bit longer before you can see the others. I don't understand why this would be a problem, no-one is seeing anyone right now anyway so anything would be an improvement.

Remember this has been explained by some as 10 people from no more than 2 households (scotland for example). So that's my parents and me. Or my parents and my gran. Or me and my boyfriend. (Actually it's not because I'm shielding so if I stay with my parents as I am at the moment they won't be seeing anyone).

It will be impossible to enforce anyway. They will have to just suggest something like "see close family only, observe social distancing, no gatherings of more than X people" and trust that the majority of people will observe the restrictions.

I want to see my DS, my mum and my dad. I can cope without seeing my siblings face to face. We will see my MIL, she lives alone. That's it. I am happy to see them without touching them.

No offense... but everyone who responded to this post are actually taking these numbers seriously??

It's amazing how easily people are giving-up their freedom and civil liberties! The government says "jump", people are asking "how high?!"

The government does NOT know better than you on how to keep you and your family safe. You know yourselves and family better than anyone else.

When this is over, I'm seeing as many people as I like. We already have plans to get together with another family this weekend.

I couldn't do it at all.

I'd have to include DCs dad whom they're not currently seeing so that's 3.

Then DCs dad lives with his parents and his siblings and their partners so that's 9 without including my parents, siblings etc. who'd almost certainly be majorly offended if Ex-PILs could see DC and not them.

Mumlove5 what steps are you taking to ensure none of you get coronavirus? And how are you taking the bigger picture in to account?

Isn't it better than seeing literally nobody though? Also if we follow New Zealand approach, it'll be those living in the same town as you, which may change it slightly (and gives you a good excuse to say - sorry!) Everyone will be in the same boat.

@Mumlove5 so you're obeying lockdown but won't obey the next step? This won't be over for a long time! This will just be a way to ease out of lockdown. No one's going back to normal.

I just want to add my parents, but they are 80 miles away so I probably still won't be allowed.

Also the reason people are listening is because 1. it's the law and 2. The reason why it's being requested in the first place. Very few people who work in government or the NHS (I know both) are enjoying this. Those who flout it all are just creating rods for their own backs.

My parents are 200 miles but would still want to be included even if it was less frequent visits. Not sure how that would potentially git with unnecessary journeys.

Isn't it better than seeing literally nobody though?

I'll still be seeing no one because it won't be possible to only keep it to ten for the reasons I've already explained.

The ultimate decision as to how we live our lives still remains with us.

I choose to live and not just exist.

Good luck and be well!

In theory yes, in practise I think it could do more harm than good. I feel like all (with precautions) or nothing is the best approach. The only exceptions being people living alone or with incredibly small and interlocking family/social circles.

I don't get why people are being so funny about this. At the moment you can't see anyone. You can continue doing so if seeing 8 others is too difficult. I think people just like complaining tbh.

I agree it would be easier to just pick one other household. Then you both just see each other.

This is great if it happens. I'll be happily seeing my mum and dad. Means DD1 and newborn DD2 get to see their grandparents, they're delighted and I get a bit of support. Not too fussed about seeing anyone else- I'm happy to keep it to less than 10 and continue to minimise risk.

I'll definitely be seeing my mum still.

I didn’t think it was really aimed at those living in family groups but more at those alone. So if you have one parent who lives alone and you live with a spouse and two kids then that one parent can join you.
Or two single parent families can join together.
Or a single sibling can join a family or two siblings or even friends join together.
I know a good few women in their 30s who are literally alone in their flat going mad and would love to bubble with a friend or two.

I have been wondering about this kind of idea for a few weeks now. We could have my DSCs round as it’s so hard not seeing them - one of them lived with us for several months and secured a flat just before lockdown and it’s been horrible going from having her here all the time to not being allowed to see her! I would absolutely love to be able to see a couple of friends and for the DCs to see a couple too.

But then they’d have other people to see as well and yes maybe it would be less socialising than before if people were being choosy and only seeing ten different people or whatever but nobody is going to have exactly the same people so I don’t really get how it works.

I looked into this. In Australia/NZ it’s a maximum of 10 people from 2 households. So if you’ve a massive extended family those households would just need to pair up. It’s to help those that are single and need contact, those that’s need childcare help, etc etc.
Much as I’d like to see my friends we would just add seeing my parents to our family. It won’t be forever.

Oh we actually could join households. We couldn't move in together due to lack of space but none of us go to the supermarket and only exercise in our gardens.