Will the new law on social gatherings make you reconsider your activities?

[Redolent]

Yes or no?

I’ve RTFT and I do understand how this will be quite isolating for single parents or larger families, however I am pleased that it’s finally much clearer.

I’ve followed the guidance because I think that to limit the spread we do have to make some short term sacrifices. For my children to be able to go to school, I’ll happily restrict what we do and how many people we mix with.

Given the number of people on this thread who have said they haven’t been following the guidance for months and the ones who think lockdown finished a while ago (!) it was needed.

@nameychange

Yep, we just this weekend put plans into place for DDs 18th after waiting and waiting and now these are not possible. We’d only planned a meal out but we’d be 7 people which isn’t allowed now. Seems unfair that 6 different households is fine but 7 people made up of 2 households isn’t.

@nameychange new rules don't apply if a household bubble is bigger than 6 people, so 7 people from 2 households is ok. I think!

the ones who think lockdown finished a while ago

It did.

There are a lot of people announcing on the Internet their intention to break the law. Far be it from me to give criminal advice of course :)

@turnthebiglightoff

The patronising "what is so difficult to understand" brigade are out in force. You're all just utterly insufferable. I'm sure you're dicks in real life. Just some feedback, there.

That's how i feel about the selfish who announce that they think the rules don't apply to them. They can fuck right off. Then fuck off some more.

turnthebiglightoff - not saying that you are one of the selfish, obv. i dunno if you are or not.

Ive been sticking to the 6 people rule, with one exception

My dad visits usually for a few hours over the weekend and about once a month my son and partner come home

If the weather is nice we are outside and there are never 7 of us, but if we are indoors there are technically 7 of us in the house. Never all in the same room...but i know thats not the point

Our household bubble is 6 people, so we can’t see anyone else?

I'm having a small party in a couple of weeks. Absolutely won't be changing plans for it in light of the most recent random bollocks guidance

So if you don't think you should change your plans, presumably you think everyone else should ignore the new laws. So what if anything do you think should be done to stop the rise in infections and deaths?

It strikes me as a rule that has been rushed in to try to solve a problem without looking at the bigger consequences. Trying to stop house parties and big gatherings of people which are being identified as the cause for the rise in cases in many areas. Yet haven’t taken into account that it will prevent many families from meeting. My step sister who is back in her uni house can continue to go out with 5 friends from 5 different households but my household of 4 can no longer go for our socially distanced weekly walk and lunch with my Dad’s household of 3.
Also hugely worried that baby/toddler groups won’t be on the exceptions list as they will be seen as a social thing. Doesn’t matter that they are important for mental health or can help in the development of a child.

Out of interest, why do people think that the virus trumps a single parent's mental health?

No it wont. I will do as Ive always done which is avoid pubs (I do that anyway) wear my mask (very reluctantly unless I forget it then I just dont bother) but as for no more than 6 people meeting up inside or out FORGET IT

@Pobblebonk

I'm having a small party in a couple of weeks. Absolutely won't be changing plans for it in light of the most recent random bollocks guidance

So if you don't think you should change your plans, presumably you think everyone else should ignore the new laws. So what if anything do you think should be done to stop the rise in infections and deaths?

Honestly don't know, but none of the small group of adults have children and we're expected to go to work / on the tube. It's hard to see any logic behind why we could meet at the pub or at a wedding but can't have say 8-10 for dinner and drinks at home. The OP asked if plans will now he changed and honestly I doubt it. May reduce numbers from 12ish to 8. I can't see my friends changing plans like these either. Strangers labelling us selfish on the internet won't make much difference. We're adults, we're weighing up our risks, this has been going on so long now... I just don't know

I see in one sense that they need to show that they are doing something to stop cases rising, but I am getting really peeved off that it's always 'dont see your family' and it's all young peoples fault ..... young people who are working 5 days a week mainly since they are the ones whose lives are now back to 'normal'.

So work to the bone, go to the office, go spend money on the high street, send your kids to school, but dont see your parents if you have 3 kids because that's over 6 people and AGAINST THE LAW and if you break the law you dont care if people die.

This is going to be it for the foreseeable isnt it. Panic over cases rising, focus on the economy, and we will all just eventually work and do nothing else because we are all guilt tripped into 'saving granny'. What's the point? Why save granny when granny and us cant actually do any living.

Sorry, feeling pretty shit this morning.

@littleowl1 thank you for your email service. It's been interesting reading. My area has doubled in the last week to 59. We are off with symptoms anyway (that we could only have got at school) and I'm keeping a close eye on the figures to see if I'll send everyone back once well and the SI period is over. Ds's school is a joke at drop off and pick up with parents hugging other people's kids, not social distancing at all, coming right up to me, year groups mixing at drop off and pick up. Dds' school is a crush of students in corridors and only half wearing masks despite it being mandatory. I have no faith that schools are safe at all. Add to that there's no tests available and people will just send their kids in if symptomatic but not unwell enough to be off under normal circumstances eg a bit of a cold and cough as they have to work. It's shit and I feel quite angry this morning about the total shitshow that this is.

@Helenj1977

We're already a family of 5. It won't stop us going to my parents house and making it 7.

Dd3 is only 20mo so it's crazy she's included.

Not really crazy because anybody any age can spread covid 🙄

No because I was complying with the guidance anyway. I go out for a run in a group of up to 6 people and don't hug them for selfies.

However, my running club had just moved up to groups of 12 (in accordance with guidance from England Athletics) and unless the guidance includes an exemption for sport (not just team sports or sporting events) they'll be back to six again.

It's not a big deal for me. I was supposed to be having friends over from Germany in October but they'd already decided to postpone until Easter - it's a good job they did as there would have been 7 of us in the house and neighbours would have definitely noticed!

@SqidgeBum

I see in one sense that they need to show that they are doing something to stop cases rising, but I am getting really peeved off that it's always 'dont see your family' and it's all young peoples fault ..... young people who are working 5 days a week mainly since they are the ones whose lives are now back to 'normal'.

So work to the bone, go to the office, go spend money on the high street, send your kids to school, but dont see your parents if you have 3 kids because that's over 6 people and AGAINST THE LAW and if you break the law you dont care if people die.

This is going to be it for the foreseeable isnt it. Panic over cases rising, focus on the economy, and we will all just eventually work and do nothing else because we are all guilt tripped into 'saving granny'. What's the point? Why save granny when granny and us cant actually do any living.

Sorry, feeling pretty shit this morning.

I think we need to remember that it's (hopefully) not forever.

Not seeing extended family or friends in the flesh is not 'not living'.

@primabloodydonna

Out of interest, why do people think that the virus trumps a single parent's mental health?

Not sure anyone thinks that?

Single parents can bubble with others

The only people we’re really seeing at the moment are DP, DSis and BIL plus my DD and DN. 6 adults plus 2 little DC. We’ll probably keep seeing each other to be honest, I don’t really see a huge difference between 6 adults (3 households) meeting or 6 adults plus 2 toddlers.

Yeah yeah slippery slope and all that but my scenario is not what’s driving the spread so whatever.

@bigknickersbigknockers

No it wont. I will do as Ive always done which is avoid pubs (I do that anyway) wear my mask (very reluctantly unless I forget it then I just dont bother) but as for no more than 6 people meeting up inside or out FORGET IT

Do you think all the people you meet will be happy to do it?

I couldn't ask my friends to do that even if I were happy to, because they'd want to follow the regs, so I do feel many people will end up following.

I couldn't send out party invitations now because it's be an advert that I'm a law-breaking covid denier, and I would be uncomfortable with people thinking that.

'We're already a family of 5. It won't stop us going to my parents house and making it 7'

No and most wouldnt disagree with you.

This is surely aimed at the large groups of people who are having parties. The virus is spreading fast where people who are having large social gatherings. Yes hospital admissions aren't increasing yet, but they will if action isn't taken. We have always been a couple of weeks behind Spain and France and their admissions are now climbing.

Single parents can bubble with others

Many won't have that option. Their socialising will come from playdates or meeting other parents at the park etc.

Not seeing extended family or friends in the flesh is not 'not living'.

Yes it is.

My Mil is having a birthday meal in her favourite restaurant and she has invited 9 people, I said to my dh she will have to cancel it I suppose but he said she will probably split the people to 2 tables so they don’t exceed 6 people each table.