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Covid

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Original poster

surely the best thing is to restrict people going into other peoples houses......and it vindicates the opening up policy before hugging grannies

31 replies

ACautionaryTale · 02/08/2020 09:57

more and more evidence is showing that the majority of community spread is happening when people visit relatives/friends.

When the government started opening up the economy there were cries of "why can I go to the shops but I can't see my mother at home"

I think it beginning to show that was vindicated

People in public tend to socially distance more and/or there are others around to help police it

I will almost guarantee that if people visit friends and family, they won't socially distance and will spend a lot more time together

Hence the nature of the lock down in the north.

Personally I'd rather see them get the kids back to school, keep the economy open and accept I can't visit my mother, friends or the in laws until this is over.

OP posts:

ScorpioSphinxInACalicoDress · 02/08/2020 10:15

This reply has been deleted

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Cupcakegirl13 · 02/08/2020 10:19

Please can you link the evidence you refer to ? I’d be really interested to read it thank you .

Mintjulia · 02/08/2020 10:25

I’m happy to give up seeing friends and relatives, and going to the pub/church if it means ds can go back to school.

Oly4 · 02/08/2020 10:27

Yes you’re right, most spread is within families and friend groups, and indoors is much more risky than outdoors. The evidence is published if anyone wants to look

Reallybadidea · 02/08/2020 10:27

I think you're right. It is inevitably harder, both physically and psychologically to socially distance in someone's house than in a larger public space.

I also think there should be more emphasis on trying to restrict your social contacts to minimise spread ie try and socialise only with the same small group of friends rather than multiple different groups. It might be within the rules to go to friend A's house on Friday, friend B's on Saturday morning, friend C's on Saturday evening and have 2 couples round for a barbecue on Sunday, but it's not a great idea if you want to stop the virus spreading!

okiedokieme · 02/08/2020 10:28

I think you are right, but it's not a one size fits all situation, my family can control themselves!

islockdownoveryet · 02/08/2020 10:31

In my opinion it should of been no more than 1 or 2 households should mix , did they do that in Scotland?. Instead it was 6 people any 6 people every day if you wanted to .

Redolent · 02/08/2020 10:33

@Reallybadidea

I think you're right. It is inevitably harder, both physically and psychologically to socially distance in someone's house than in a larger public space.

Absolutely. The advice to ‘minimize social contacts’ is meaningless to many people. Plus of course once you’re inside someone’s home (being hosted / served food and drink /staying the night etc) social distancing effectively becomes meaningless. You’ve got a good chance of picking up what they have.

Lissy23 · 02/08/2020 10:36

My mental health will be in pieces if this happens and I’m afraid I’m already almost suicidal.
I’m in the north restrictions area and we are not allowed to visit family or friends indoors. I am trying to find a way around it by contacting my GP or someone in a professional capacity as I need physical support from my in laws...they live nearby and would be my only indoor social contact.
I refuse to put my mental health below physical health. As selfish as that sounds, I cannot cope on my own when my partner is at work. I relied heavily on playgroups before, but they’ve all disappeared now. I haven’t even set foot in a pub or restaurant. I just want to mix with one household. If they do this, then they should allow bubbles to be formed with one other house, regardless of whether you’re a single person or not...which is what NZ and Australia did, I believe.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 02/08/2020 10:37

I agree op.

There’s still a discussion to be had about the right thing to do given the vast importance of family, but the commentary that suggests it’s illogical to let people go shopping but not to granny’s house is frustrating.

ssd · 02/08/2020 10:41

I think mostly all shops, pubs, restaurants are following government guidelines on social distancing, so they are safer than family or friends all meetings up in the front room if someones house.

ssd · 02/08/2020 10:45

@Lissy23, I don't think anyone at all would blame you for seeing your in-laws in your circumstances. Mental health is crucial here. Please look after yourself

MereDintofPandiculation · 02/08/2020 10:50

Personally I'd rather see them get the kids back to school, keep the economy open and accept I can't visit my mother, friends or the in laws until this is over. One of the risk factors for dementia is not keeping socially active, so while you may be happy not to see your mother, it's probably important that she should continue to see you.

Redolent · 02/08/2020 10:56

@Lissy23

My mental health will be in pieces if this happens and I’m afraid I’m already almost suicidal. I’m in the north restrictions area and we are not allowed to visit family or friends indoors. I am trying to find a way around it by contacting my GP or someone in a professional capacity as I need physical support from my in laws...they live nearby and would be my only indoor social contact. I refuse to put my mental health below physical health. As selfish as that sounds, I cannot cope on my own when my partner is at work. I relied heavily on playgroups before, but they’ve all disappeared now. I haven’t even set foot in a pub or restaurant. I just want to mix with one household. If they do this, then they should allow bubbles to be formed with one other house, regardless of whether you’re a single person or not...which is what NZ and Australia did, I believe.

One bubble with no social distancing seems sensible and has worked successfully in other countries. It might force people to make difficult decisions, but surely it’s better than what you have now with people having multiple visitors staying the night throughout the week.

homemadecommunistrussia · 02/08/2020 10:58

@TheCountessofFitzdotterel

I agree op.

It is it winds me up that so many people can't seem to understand risk and the way the rules are trying to balance the reduction in transmission with people's welfare and that includes the economy.

frozendaisy · 02/08/2020 11:05

People need social contact. If the message was firm and clear for the time being as cases are rising, whilst we still have warm dry weather if you can (i.e. have a garden), think a small push is needed again by all so we can have a bit of a Christmas with small number of family members

islockdownoveryet · 02/08/2020 11:30

It makes me laugh that I can't have my in-laws looking after my dc so I can work but I can hire a nanny .
But before Thursday I could of seen 5 other people at my house every day not that I did .
Yes I'll make own risk assessment thank you .

Flowersinthewindowstill · 02/08/2020 12:20

I know some of you with kids would happily give up social contact for your kids to go back to school. But please spare a thought for people who live alone and have been isolated for months on end anyway. Limiting social contact to smaller bubbles would be sensible. Forcing people who live alone to not see another soul for 18 months+ would result in a lot of suicides.

Jussayingisall · 02/08/2020 12:27

I've always said, I'm sure it's nice to give Fred and Betty a hug but for the time being I think that should be last on the list. That is how it is spreading and we all know this

QueenofmyPrinces · 02/08/2020 12:27

Personally I'd rather see them get the kids back to school, keep the economy open and accept I can't visit my mother, friends or the in laws until this is over.

And what happens to all those parents who reply on family for childcare whilst they work?

I rely on a family member to get to and from work so if I’m not allowed to see them I would not be able to go to work and that wouldn’t go down will with management.

This is why blanket bans are so difficult.

cologne4711 · 02/08/2020 12:29

I think we should bubble with family (or one close friend if no family nearby) to visit inside (and to stay overnight) and see everyone else outside. Yes there would be problems with it but it would work for the majority, and there would be nothing to stop you meeting people outside in a park or a pub garden or house garden (or out for a run/cycle ride/walk etc).

Lissy23 · 02/08/2020 13:43

@cologne4711 I agree, I don’t know why this wasn’t proposed in the first place.

Lissy23 · 02/08/2020 13:48

It will mean difficult decisions need to be made and some people will be upset, but it’s better than the alternative, not seeing anyone outside your household.
It would mean you could choose to bubble with a friend, your DC’s friend, your partner (if you don’t live together), parents or grandparents.

Camomila · 02/08/2020 14:35

"hugging grannies" is pretty essential to quite a lot of women working.
I think letting everyone have a bubble would be better than letting everyone visit as many people's houses as they want.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 02/08/2020 14:38

Personally I'd rather see them get the kids back to school, keep the economy open and accept I can't visit my mother, friends or the in laws until this is over.

Most of my family are elderly and I can't bear the thought of not seeing them. If I have to wait 'until this is over' I may not see them again so no, I can't accept it.

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