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.

[Dowser]

Heather
Exactly 👍

[powershowerforanhour]

Can we have Nick Hancock do the briefings please?

[TheUnquestionedAnswer]

It is so difficult. I live alone (no hugs here either), mum is 250 miles away and at 88 and not in the best of health, I am quite worried that I will never see her again. I would have to travel by public transport to get to her, so that would put me and her at risk. Unless the govt supply some sort of hazmat suit for such journeys, which I can't see happening.

[Blondiney]

Nah @toomanysighs not just you. Think I'd probably turn to a pile of dust if someone tried to hug me now.

[Andi2020]

I can't see teenagers not hugging or xx
My 16 year old says as soon as she allow out she will be xx her bf she said she couldn't meet him and not xx and hug totally impossible.

[PersephoneandHades]

@MereDintofPandiculation

I see your point, I would prefer that the UK government followed the measures that the countries that have been most successful at tackling Covid have taken though (and those country’s responses were/are not based around prolonged lockdown).

I believe lockdown is a plaster for a lack of effective government action, and prolonged lockdown will do more harm to people and the economy than good.

It’s good to discuss this though, and so respectfully despite it being over the internet, lol.

[Dowser]

Well you need to go unquestionable answer
You can buy plastic type overalls from b and q , well you could
A mask on if it makes you feel better
Just go

[Leflic]

It’s about going sensible. Live 2 minutes away from partner, both of you working from home, don’t see anyone else, both shop at the same stores in town - there’s no reason not to see them. You are essentially in the same bubble as any other household in town.

If you live further apart, different supermarkets to each other, going into work and mixing with people with different social circles, then no. Either one could spread it to another area.

[Chinchinatti]

Well I saw photos on FB yesterday of a very happy family bbq involving kids and at least 4 different families. My friend would be the Grandmother so she had her sons and their wives and her daughters and their husbands and all the grandkids. And I thought to myself - you know what - fuck it - that's what life is about.
Alas, I live in a different country to my extended family, but sometimes even getting them to answer the phone can be a pain in the hole.
I am sick to the back teeth of this and my mental health is being seriously affected too. I am so tired of being permanently scared of people.

[Chillipeanuts]

Time2change2

This won’t be the case. Even if they say it’s the case, people will see family. It’s happening already”

Really? Even if there’s a chance it could harm them?

[Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow]

I just don’t see people sticking to this. Why should they? Why should my 75 year mother be good she can’t see her grandchildren?

Most people I know are meeting albeit sensibly such as at a distance in their back gardens.

[amijustparanoidorjuststoned]

@Rainbow12e I hope so too.

[Dowser]

Chilli
I’ve never stopped seeing my family
I never stopped going out and I’ve never stopped driving
We’ve all been sensible

[Justaboy]

Some very good news today! a drug firm in Whilttlesford near Cambridge has got a reagent able to block the interaction between the virus’ spike protein and ACE2, a receptor on human cells that is key to the virus infection pathway.receptor

Just need to get it into production As soon as:)

ukinvestormagazine.co.uk/avacta-shares-surge-on-covid-19-treatment-progress/

and ..

www.cambridgenetwork.co.uk/news/avacta-group-plc-forms-covid-19-antigen-diagnostic-collaboration-adeptrix

Worth a few bob on their shares;?..

[HesterShaw1]

Even if they never find a vaccine, there is no way people will submit to instructions to never hig their parents or friends or siblings or partners they may live apart from.

No way. Fuck that.

[HesterShaw1]

hug!

[HeatherIV]

Really? Even if there’s a chance it could harm them?

Most people have had some contact with people from other households.

I don't know of a teen that's not seen their bf/gf. Most people I know have been to see their Mum and taken the grandkids. Lots of people have had a drink at the neighbours. Lots of kids been meeting to play in the park. I'm sure lots of young single people are still meeting to hook up.

The longer this goes on the more people will break the rules - because this lockdown is not sustainable.

People will also not stand for being told they can't see their loved ones when they have been told to go to work.

[SpaceCadet4000]

I'm in the US so different rules, but we saw DH's parents and our nephews last weekend. We talked about whether we should hug, whether DH and I could pick up the kids etc and unanimously we decided we would accept the risk.

The thing is, we've all been isolating for weeks with no external contact and only essential trips out. Our bubbles are tiny. That one encounter meant so much to all of us and gave us reason to continue to keep other contacts minimal.

Ideas like this terrify me as my family are all in the UK. If this is the reality, I probably won't get to see or hug my elderly grandparents again. We're hoping to start a family and my parents wouldn't meet their grandchild until they were years old. I just don't think people will accept these sorts of restrictions.

[Chinchinatti]

I also have an aunt (retired midwife) married to a retired guard and their son has just had his first baby. I know that my aunt has visited the baby well sterilised and suited and booted, but they're not announcing it to all and sundry.
I think it's fucking ridiculous.
Ireland are allowing 4 people to meet outdoors, keeping 2metres between them from Monday. The next phase in Ireland's plan I think is to open up some extra facilities and to maybe allow people to meet indoors. Teenagers haven't seen their friends in months and are coping well in the main thank God, but it's taking its toll on my niece. She is permanently on Facetime with her little buddies and she's looking forward to maybe being able to meet some of her friends from Monday. The students in state exam years are all at sea. They're trying to work, but are missing out on loads of schooling, though the teachers set them work to do. They're going to be graded by teachers on that, and that will form their exam results. It's pure and utter shite, the whole lot of it.

[BillywilliamV]

You know what, if I knew someone who had Covid right now I would go and kiss them, then I would come home and I would kiss my children and my husband.. because we are low risk, havent mixed properly with anyone for weeks and I am So sick of this shit!!!

[Rubyroost]

They can't stop you seeing people you know? 😂

[HesterShaw1]

I live alone. I have no intention...none whatsoever...of not having a hug from anyone until it is state sanctioned. This has been the hardest few weeks of my life, with no work, no social activity, no family visits, no wage (self emplyed) and no one in my house apart from me.

[Chinchinatti]

Just to say, that you're not alone and people are actually taking measured risks. If its death by suicide or otherwise, I'd take my chances with COVID quite honestly.

[Leicester5]

@Dinosauratemydaffodils and @toomanysighs definitely think Dinosaur should see someone if a hug is needed.

sighs there may be a Facebook support group in your area. I'm not a tactile person so don't need hugging but wanted to have a snuffle and have a cup of tea made for me by someone I know at some bad news this week, just for half hour.

I've been surprised how many people breach distancing but it was going to happen, it's an unusual situation.