So we are allowed to get on a packed tube but cant see family?

[Smithtylater]

Surely if they are testing at the rate they say they are and the family you want to see are not vulnerable/isolating it should be allowed?

[ChipsAreLife]

This article explains the low risk children pose

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/news.sky.com/story/amp/coronavirus-no-child-known-to-have-passed-covid-19-to-adults-global-study-finds-11981111

[Quarantined]

@ImperialLeather00 I'm really sorry to hear it's taken two grandparents from you.

[Quarantined]

@Downton57 again, it's really not teacher bashing - I'm just saying what the teachers I know have been doing - very little, compared to normal.

Yes, SOME teachers have been absolutely amazing. Not all.

[Madein1995]

I think theres a massive divide in lockdown views, or at least there is wit me and my friend. Shes in wales and of the opinion that we should be shut down until we get a vaccine, fantasy land thinking. Bugher the pubs and hospitality industry . Bugger the fact that more will likely die of austerity as a result of this crap than of covid itself. Shes young and healthy yet petrified. Shes a batten down the hatches type.
It's ok for her shes an agency teacher furloughed on 1.6k a month with no expenses as she still lives at home. She gets paid that to do nothing. I've tried explaining that no government, let alone a Tory one, will stump up for 18 months of furlough.
I think her view is one very common in Wales, that everything needs remain still. I've lots of fb friends at home and it's the same thing. Do they not understand that shutting down for 4 months simply means we have 4 months until the deaths start rising?

[Downton57]

@Quarantined your experience is in direct contrast to mine. So why don't we say that the vast majority of teachers are amazing and are working really hard? It's just as likely to be true as your 'SOME'.

[MsHeffaPiglet]

Why on earth would should anyone be expected to get on a packed tube! Is it a rule that you have to do so?

Has no one ever thought to skip the packed tube and get on the next emptier one instead?

I would also think that most people who have to travel on public transport would try and reduce risks by wearing a face covering.

Are people now incapable of working out how to minimise their own exposure to the virus?

[Givenupno]

Loads of people have been working and getting public transport throughout.

This isn’t going away, it’s about slowing the spread and the economy needs to survive as well.

People can’t all just stay at. Home forever

[LilacTree1]

Re packed Tubes

They won’t be

They’ve got to operate social distancing

There’ll be long queues to even board a Tube

[Oly4]

Rules on seeing your family and friends have not changed. Or see them across a garden fence - stay 2m apart. The virus is rampant in closed spaces like your home and your family’s home.
The idea is that there will be distancing on public transport (though don’t know how that will work exactly)

[NotEverythingIsBlackandWhite]

I would have thought viral loads would be higher on crowded public transport.
Public transport is not going to be crowded though. That is precisely why you are asked to avoid it if you can and use cars, cycle or ride - because social distancing will apply to public transport so there will be limited capacity:

Birus Johnson:
"And we want it to be safe for you to get to work. So you should avoid public transport if at all possible – because we must and will maintain social distancing, and capacity will therefore be limited.

"So work from home if you can, but you should go to work if you can’t work from home."

Those who now must attend work should travel their by car, on foot or via bicycle.

He added that public transport will also be following COVID-secure standards, as well as workplaces."

[Gronky]

If you're asking the question, you have access to the greatest communication network in history. Why not connect something with a camera to the telly and have a nice chat? I found that my phone can connect wirelessly to the screen (easier than the laptop) so I could have a nice long video call with my friends over some tea and sandwiches. As an added bonus, if you have multiple connections at the same time, you can pretend you're a low budget Bond villain.

[NotEverythingIsBlackandWhite]

@VashtaNerada

I’m a Year 1 teacher so it looks like I’ll be getting on a packed tube then!
There will be social distancing on public transport so you will not be getting on a packed tube.
With that level of comprehension, thank God you aren't responsible for educating secondary school pupils.

[VashtaNerada]

Has no one ever thought to skip the packed tube and get on the next emptier one instead?
What a great idea! Unfortunately tubes don’t empty out until after 9:00 but I’m sure my class of five year olds can entertain themselves for an hour until I arrive
The reality of living in London is the vast majority of us commute by tube. Tubes are jam-packed for hours on end. If some people are expected to be back at work today, and teachers expected to return on 1 June there is zero possibility of social distancing.

[Gronky]

VashtaNerada is cycling not an option?

[VashtaNerada]

NotEverything How on earth will that work? Queuing down the streets for hours on end? Even if they get a full service up and running it’s simply not feasible. I can’t be late to school, I have to be there at least an hour before the children arrive and tubes don’t start all that much earlier than I set out anyway.
FWIW I’m desperate to go back to work FT and happy to do it. But to say there will be social distancing on tubes is hilarious!
(Lovely dig at primary teachers btw, love the implication that our job is easier than secondary and that it’s less harmful to the children if we are indeed a bit thick Perhaps you could do a bit more research before insulting someone else’s training and profession.)

[VashtaNerada]

It’s too far Gronky it really is, plus I might have my own DC with me. Plus I don’t own a bike.
I’m happy to do it, I can’t wait to go back! Just amused by people who think social distancing on the tube will be in any way possible.

[Gronky]

It’s too far Gronky it really is, plus I might have my own DC with me

Thank you for replying, sorry for the confusion, I realise London is a wide area. I think social distancing would be enforceable on the Tube but you'd be looking at one heck of a wait to catch a train.

[NotEverythingIsBlackandWhite]

Crikey, the amount of people I'm hearing getting 'confused' because their exact scenario hasn't been spelled out in words of one syllable. . Use your common sense! Listen to what he's saying!
I totally agree. Some people have been asked to be treated like adults yet also want every minutae explained to them. Some complain about nanny states and yet don't appear to want to take responsibility at all and want the Govt to tell them in great detail exactly what to do in any given scenario.

[LastTrainEast]

No one can stop you visiting your family secretly. Just pick the family members you consider expendable and explain to them your reasoning.

"I was gonna visit Ethel, but I LIKE Ethel and wouldn't want her to get it. You not so much"

[NotEverythingIsBlackandWhite]

@VashtaNerada

"I can’t be late to school, I have to be there at least an hour before the children arrive and tubes don’t start all that much earlier than I set out anyway."
Firstly, it will be 1st June "at the earliest' that some pupils will return to school. That may change over the next 3 weeks. IF they do start then, more information and guidance will come out before then. You will have time to see how tubes are functioning. They will not be packed.

Also, you are assuming schooling and the hours will be as before. That may not be the case.

"But to say there will be social distancing on tubes is hilarious!"
Glad to have made you laugh. We'll see.

[Funkycats]

It will be interesting to see how people can get back to work if child minders, nurseries and schools are not yet fully operational. Especially as posters on here are dead set against children being cared for by grandparents because of mixing households.

[BlackberryCane]

You visiting your family isn't vital to the economy, people going back to work is.

There isn't necessarily the bright line between the two that you draw here, considering how many people rely on family childcare to work. Not every employer is willing to use the furlough provisions for those who have dependent children and we don't know if the scheme will last beyond the end of June anyway, so this is a very relevant consideration.