A question about bubbles

[BikeRunSki]

DM is widowed and lives alone 250 miles away. We’d all like to form a social bubble with her and she’d come for a long weekend.

Because of the distance, work (DH and I both working ft), school etc (DS is Y6) after the initial visit, we wouldn’t see DM again for several weeks (We usually see her every 2-3 months). If none of us has any symptoms for 2 weeks after the initial visit, could we then form a new social bubble with someone else?

No, the guidance says you can't swap bubbles.

Yes, of course you can. Common sense people!

See, I agree with both of you!!

It’s not so much for us, more for DM. If we don’t see her for say 10 weeks after her visit, it seems like a waste of a bubble, when she could form a bubble with her widowed friend locally, and see them everyday. It feels like the guidance is written very much for single people who live locally to their “big” bubble. Surely, if we/DM don’t see anyone for 2 weeks and are symptom free, our bubble will expire?

The bubbles are for support for people living alone. If you’re only going to see your DM once then how much support are you actually giving her? Maybe it would be best if she just bubbled with her close friend for now instead and you see her when lockdown is relaxed more?

Also what does your DM want, does she want to bubble with her friend or with you? It’s her choice surely

Agree with 99victoria.
If you and she don’t see anyone else not socially distanced for 14 (even 21- be cautious) days then surely it would be ok to see someone else.
And surely a long weekend with child and grandchild, even a few times a year is better for mental health than not seeing them at all?

The guidance specifically says you should not change who is in your bubble. I haven't checked the legislation on this. I have noticed the legislation and guidance do not always match up. If your question is, "Should we use our own judgment and ignore what the guidance says?" , that's a different question.

@Racoonworld this is what she is trying to decide. As @Chrisinthemorning has said, she’d far rather see her daughter (I am the only one if my siblings who lived in England anyway) and grandchildren than her friend. BUT having seen virtually no one for 3 months, she needs to decide whether seeing us every couple of months is worth the isolation of not seeing anyone else for interverning periods. Outdoor distanced socialising will be ok for the summer, but she could do with a hug, and us looking to the autumn and winter too.

Just do it.

Just do it. So long as you are still taking sensible precautions you should be OK.

I'd love to be in a bubble. I'm a widow, aged 60, living alone. I was doing OK until 8 days ago. I'm a key worker and was still going to work. So apart from not being able to see my family, I was doing OK. Then 8 days ago I had a stroke. I was in hospital for 5 nights and came home 4 days ago. I'm just about managing to look after myself and my cat. I hear about the bubbles being allowed, but I am still alone. I'm just about coping but would love some company. I have a few relatives and they aren't interested. Sorry to moan. I just wanted that off my chest.

I think it would be fine so long as your mother isolates herself after the visit. By the time you have had her to stay, the guidance may have changed to allow more flexibility.

The OP is presumably asking for the correct guidance on this. This isn't a WWYD. They don't need people telling them to break the rules.They are an adult and can decide whether or not to follow that guidance all by themselves.

The guidance is, OP, that you are not to swap bubbles.