So no hugging, mixing households until a vaccine?

[NutellaOnButteryToast]

Hi,

I have been wondering this for a long time and then last week, Nick Hancock admitted that this would likely be the case.....which is horrendous.

If we do manage to keep R under 1 and eventually well below, which I do understand is looking unlikely without more waves, then why won't it ever be safe to mix with our loved ones until there's a vaccine?

I'm starting to feel suffocated by the idea, as I know so many are.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks.

Matt Hancock.
Nick Hancock is different.

Are you in area of the country where it’s ok to meet up with one family member? It’s not ideal but it’s definitely better than nothing.

It’s pretty rubbish though. I am missing my family too.

No guarentee of a vaccine ever, let alone in the time frame my mum and inlaws likely have left. I'm probably biased because I've been giving a lot of headspace to suicidal thoughts recently (lockdown is my idea of hell for a couple of reasons) but I cant see either my mum or my mil sticking to that.

This won’t be the case. Even if they say it’s the case, people will see family. It’s happening already. A vaccine is a long way off if it ever comes. Meeting one person if no good if you both have children and no one else to have the kids whilst you meet.
When schools go back (whenever that is) families will be meeting up although probably less so with older or vulnerable people.

Bah! 🤦‍♀️ I keep calling him that! Who even is Nick Hancock?!

Yes, I am, but everyone I know seems too nervous to even do that.

There's no guarantee we'll ever have a vaccine, so I can't see it being the case.

I suspect if lock down / social distancing from our families goes on much longer, people will look at their own situation and make decisions for themselves.

I seriously hope if they can get transmission rates under control then SOME mixing will be allowed. Other countries who have rates under control have allowed it, so I can't see us being the only country to ban physical contact till there's a vaccine.

Though with our government who knows.

Oh, I do know who is!

*who he is

Not a chance people will do this. It’s completely unrealistic.

:( I want to hug my nieces and nephews so much. Most of my family I can take or leave, but I miss my small ones. I even miss trying to avoid having my tongue licked by them

Also OP, our government has blundered and changed their mind so much that I'm hoping MH's comments were probably said because he was put on the spot. Italian kids are allowed to hug grandparents again and Germany, NZ and Belgium have 'bubbles.' They're in a different situation to us, but hopefully we'll be in a position to do that eventually.

Nick Hancock used to present Room 101 back in the 90s.

Brilliant program. Wonder if it's on YouTube?

If that was the case noone would ever be allowed to date ever again.. So the youngsters of today will never have a relationship.. They will stay single for ever??

I'd rather be dead. Yes, I do mean that. Unrealistic and ridiculous.

@toomanysighs
Oh no!
Have a hug from me xxxxx

@Dinosauratemydaffodils, I'm really sorry to hear that I hope you have support.

@toomanysighs, I hope that's not true

@Bramblebear92, yes, my nan (in law) is in Italy and they are mixing households. Only 2 I think, but still, her region was hit really hard. She lost a lot of friends and many doctors and nurses lost their lives in her village alone.

I think that view underestimates the importance of hugs for mental and physical wellbeing.

I think that once we have a good test and tracing system we will be able to meet up and be physically close to family members. Look at how low numbers are in London, risks with a contact tracing system in place will become very low. In NZ people are able to have family get togethers as long as they are below 10 people.

I think things like concerts and big sports events are much higher risk and we can't possibly not have them for years?!?

If that was the case noone would ever be allowed to date ever again.. So the youngsters of today will never have a relationship.. They will stay single for ever??

Oooh - let's bring back arranged marriages ! Kidding!
I have a very handsome 15 year old DS and a DD who is just starting to "blossom" as it were, and this could ease sooo much anxiety!

Any aspiring Yentes out there?

I think it will be another 18 months. Two more waves of major outbreaks, both larger than the first wave.

We just have to stay at home (remember that?) and wait it out.

I’m not that fussed about hugs but I’m desperate to have my friends round for dinner and have Christmas with my mum and dad

I was thinking today about dating and how it will work or I guess it will be off limits for a while.

@Dinosauratemydaffodils if you are feeling suicidal you should meet up with a loved one, it is not ok for people to expect others to isolate themselves in your circumstances

But we will be mixing households. As soon as they go back to school.....

But we will be mixing households. As soon as they go back to school.....

There are no plans to return children to school without social distancing - not in England.

If SD is still required, then there won't be enough school classrooms or teachers available for more than about a third of children to return.