Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Christmas

39 replies

Maisieme · 19/07/2020 12:26

How do you rate the chances of families being able to get together indoors this Christmas with grandparents?

OP posts:
icedaisy · 19/07/2020 12:29

I think that given the attitude to social distancing now, people will be doing it regardless

SqidgeBum · 19/07/2020 12:34

I am already having dinner with my PIL every week (they are 58, healthy, wfh the same as us so we are basically each others bubbles). If the infection rates go up a lot, that will stop, but if its stays relatively the same and shops and workplaces are still open as they are now, then we will have a Christmas dinner together, same as normal.

I am sure there will be those who wont see grandparents if the rules say not to, but at this point I think the government have made it 100% clear that rules are not actually rules at all. Common sense is apparently what we should all be using to make decisions according to BJ

Lockdownseperation · 19/07/2020 12:38

^ There are lots of people like the person above not following the guidelines. It depends on your attitude towards social responsibility and if your willing to break the guidelines.

SqidgeBum · 19/07/2020 12:47

@Lockdownseperation yes you are right. It's about interpretation. I am being told by the guidance that its 100% scientifically ok for me to be in front of 300 students and over 100 colleagues in 6 weeks time, with no PPE and no SD, even though I am clinically vulnerable, so I interpreted that to mean its 100% ok for me sit at the same table as my inlaws.

IMO if I am socially responsible enough to go back to work in those conditions I am ok to sit in my MILs kitchen.

BlueJava · 19/07/2020 12:53

We (me, DP and 2 adults sons) have already been to visit my parents at their house and took food as my dad and mum can't cook for everyone, we used their house as normal. My mum and dad were happy to have us and know we aren't going out to high risk areas normally (not commuting, shopping delivered, no restaurant visits etc). So I see no reason why Xmas won't be the same.

I am not sure of the rules anymore but tbh but with BML marches, people packing on beaches on sunny days and parties starting up I'll be as compliant as I see fit.

Llamazoom · 19/07/2020 13:08

I think by then it will be a case of take responsibility for yourself and your loved ones. I am dreading this winter.

PepperMooMoo · 19/07/2020 13:08

I couldn't agree more with @SqidgeBum... I'm sick to death of people being so judgemental about what people are and aren't allowed to do when those of us in education are just being told, back to it. We're still people too, you know. What logical brain can say that there is somehow a magical protection in place in schools but not in offices? There will NEVER be an announcement that says "Alright, guys, everything back to normal..." it will just happen over time. Open your eyes, no more queuing to get in my supermarket, no arrows telling me which way to walk.... parks open, cinemas opening... its all just being phased back right in front of you.

I will 100% be with my family at Christmas, unless of course it's a whole national lockdown again.

Original poster
Maisieme · 19/07/2020 13:17

I’m dreading this winter too, both myself and my husband are vulnerable. I know if I get Covid I would find myself in a dangerous situation.

OP posts:
OfUselessBooks · 19/07/2020 13:20

I think that the government is going to have to realise thay this is going to happen regardless and make their decisions taking it into account.

All of the reopening doesn't have to be consistent - each small thing adds to the risk of the virus spreading and they have to keep it low enough to stop it spreading too much. They've prioritised opening up the economy over a lot of other things that we would maybe prefer. Allowing people to see their families in small groups over Christmas will be a small amount added to the risk. They have to use this amount to determine what else can happen. Seeing wider families is important too.

SqidgeBum · 19/07/2020 13:22

I would just go off your own feeling OP. If you dont feel safe meeting family at christmas, then dont. If you do, then do. There are many factors like their exposure to other, the infection rates where you live, your own health and age, their health and age. At this point we dont know what it will be like in a months time so just see how it goes.

Ponoka7 · 19/07/2020 13:23

@Maisieme, how do you know that you will be in a dangerous situation if you catch it? We have people in their 80's, cancer patients etc doing ok. I'm shielding and have had it. It was like a mild chest infection. My Sister has had it, she's 65 and shielding, it was nothing to her. My vulnerable BAME friend didn't know she had it. I live by two care homes, one has been all over the News. Half of the vulnerable residents didn't even need hospital treatment. Half died, but they were going to die of something this year.

It still only kills, or makes you seriously ill, in small percentages, even if you are extremely vulnerable.

Yetiyoga · 19/07/2020 13:26

I've a niece/ nephew due this winter. They will not let us meet the baby until it is said that we are allowed. So yes they will need to do an announcement to say when it is OK to meet families. I am all for people making their own decisions and risks but don't get annoyed when others on threads point out the rules. It isn't being judgemental, it is being law abiding. To protect the elderly and vulnerable.

annabel85 · 19/07/2020 13:29

@icedaisy

I think that given the attitude to social distancing now, people will be doing it regardless
I'm hoping to see my Nan on Christmas Day but only if I can self isolate in the week or two before. So if i'm forced back into the office rather than doing the same job from home then I don't think i'll be taking that risk and my Mum can go.
Original poster
Maisieme · 19/07/2020 13:55

Ponoka7 I definitely would be at risk of severe illness due to underlying health conditions , being overweight and my age.

OP posts:
Original poster
Maisieme · 19/07/2020 14:00

Ponoka7 but hearing what you have to say is reassuring! Thanks

OP posts:
TimeWastingButFun · 19/07/2020 14:10

Who knows what will happen by then, the PM is now saying he doesn't think there will be another lockdown even if we do go into a second spike. I've started Christmas shopping just in case. If it looks like going that way I think we'll try to persuade my mum to move in with us before lockdown,, I'd hate for her to be on her own at Christmas :-(

ilovesooty · 19/07/2020 14:19

People will do whatever they like.

Johnson's attitude is basically that he's bored by all this now and people can take responsibility for themselves.

Ibake · 19/07/2020 14:21

@Maisieme

I’m dreading this winter too, both myself and my husband are vulnerable. I know if I get Covid I would find myself in a dangerous situation.
Hi @maisie can I suggest you change one word in your post? Substitute would for could. Keep doing all you're doing re staying safe etc but there's too much evidence now that even the most vulnerable are more likely to not be hospitalised.

Don't assume it will be bad for you, just that it might and hopefully that will help how you are feeling?

Jrobhatch29 · 19/07/2020 14:33

@Maisieme my friends dad caught it a few weeks ago. Her mam is extremely vulnerable, pretty much immobile and serious health issues. She didnt even catch it, and he didnt have any symptoms. He caught it after helping a friend. It isnt a given you will be very ill.

Tana433 · 19/07/2020 15:16

Unless things have totally gone to shit by then, i will definitely be meeting up with family. My daughter is in an assisted living facility and although in her late 20s, she goes to her dad's house over Christmas and mine with her stepfather and brother for New Year. If we cant meet up she would be alone over Christmas and that is not an option for us so we will do what we have to do.

Dotinthecity · 19/07/2020 15:24

We've met up with the grandparents already as have most people I know. I think you just need to think for yourself and not worry about what others may think. So many people seem to be terrified of living.

StrangeAddiction · 19/07/2020 15:41

We normally have dinner with my side of the family (inter generation - dm, dgm& db - and disabled) and I'm the one who cooks. I think what we'll do this year is all stay in our own homes and I'll just take their dinner round.

I've recently been seeing my side of the family as we'd been shielding since before the lockdown and so had they so we knew we were all ok.

However my dc will be back to school in September so I'll be keeping my distance again and only see them if absolutely necessary.

annabel85 · 19/07/2020 16:32

@ilovesooty

People will do whatever they like.

Johnson's attitude is basically that he's bored by all this now and people can take responsibility for themselves.

He's lucky he's still alive to be bored after his ICU adventure. 50,000 others aren't as lucky.
Purpleartichoke · 19/07/2020 16:36

Our problem with family gatherings is one sibling. He and his family are not being cautious at all. I’ve been thinking about Christmas and thinking about asking them
To be safe for just 2 weeks leading up to the holiday, but I know they will balk at not going to every Christmas party they can.

The grandparents are nervous about seeing them, but won’t say no. That leaves us being the bad guys and refusing to see the grandparents because our household contains several vulnerable people. This is already happening. We have to be the ones to decline, even though we are the people taking precautions every day.

YonBonnieBanks · 19/07/2020 16:38

I think its more likely that in the event of another lockdown, they will close shops / bars / restaurants but not stop you from seeing your family. Plus its more likely to be localised lockdowns now so not affecting the whole country.

I am dreading my work trying to organise a christmas night out and putting pressure on me to go when I definitely wouldn't want to.

Swipe left for the next trending thread