Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Covid

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

So a family of 6 can't have any visitors to their home?

195 replies

covidconfusion · 10/09/2020 11:42

"From Monday 14 September, when meeting friends and family you do not live with you must not meet in a group of more than 6, indoors or outdoors"

Does this mean a family of 6 cannot have any visitors to their home?

Source: www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-meeting-with-others-safely-social-distancing/coronavirus-covid-19-meeting-with-others-safely-social-distancing

On a related note, I really think the government need to improve the clarity of their communication. I don't usually struggle with reading comprehension but I find the guidelines so hard to follow and I know I'm not the only one. Usually I would use my common sense but the guidelines do not follow common sense. If the guidelines are saying what I think they are saying, it means a family of 6 cannot have any visitors but a single person household can have 5 visitors from 5 different households? Really? You have to laugh.

OP posts:
022828MAN · 10/09/2020 17:13

[quote RedRumTheHorse]@022828MAN

It is not time to get things back to normal.

Covid is more infectious than flu and has long term side effects which no-one knows yet who is susceptible to them.

If you have mental health issues then get help for them.[/quote]
Where on earth have I said I have mental health issues? That's a weird reach.

bellinisurge · 10/09/2020 17:26

You are right @RedToothBrush . In-laws live in Leeds and couldn't visit their parents (also my in-laws). And vice versa.

Stinkyguineapig · 10/09/2020 17:46

I understand the rule of 6
I cant understand how the rule of 6 is going to make a notable difference when ;

  • schools and universities are open
-workplaces are open (and people are encouraged to go to them rather than wfh) -people are no longer being discouraged from using public transport -pubs and restaurants are open -some sporting events are having spectators
  • any sport and organised groups are exempt from the groups of 6
-weddings and funerals are allowed up to 30 .....Confused
RedToothBrush · 10/09/2020 17:48

Track and trace. Its about track and trace success rates.

lyralalala · 10/09/2020 17:55

@Stinkyguineapig

I understand the rule of 6 I cant understand how the rule of 6 is going to make a notable difference when ;
  • schools and universities are open
-workplaces are open (and people are encouraged to go to them rather than wfh) -people are no longer being discouraged from using public transport -pubs and restaurants are open -some sporting events are having spectators
  • any sport and organised groups are exempt from the groups of 6
-weddings and funerals are allowed up to 30 .....Confused
Schools and unis are classed as an essential risk. If the only thing to worry about in life was health, they'd be closed, but children need an education so they need to be open

Workplaces are, again, essential, but should be socially distanced and covid secure.

Pubs, restaurants and sporting events and the likes should all involve people being socially distant from everyone who isn't part of their household.

Weddings and funerals also involve social distancing from people who aren't in your household.

The problem with house visits atm is that people aren't bothering to socially distance from family and friends. The two big spreaders atm are teenagers/young people having gatherings and house meet ups.

Pubs, restaurants and the likes will be the next to close if numbers keep on rising.

walksen · 10/09/2020 17:56

"I understand the rule of 6
I cant understand how the rule of 6 is going to make a difference"

It might be that with it cases double every say 4 weeks instead of every 2.

Plus of course the more cases rise the more disrupted schools will be so if people are passionate about having kids back they should probably follow these rules...

Stinkyguineapig · 10/09/2020 18:03

To add, I have no intention of breaking the meeting 6 people limit....it just feels like it wont make a significant difference.....but then I guess we cant afford the much stricter measures again.
Like you say limiting non essential meeting might slightly slow the inevitable...

Ethelfleda · 10/09/2020 18:11

@picklemewalnuts

The rules don't work when individuals are considered. They only work population wide. That means that for any individual they don't look rational, sensible or fair. Across the board however, if followed, they will have a big positive impact.

But we are individuals and struggle to process population wide measures.

Great post
kungfupannda · 10/09/2020 18:20

I saw a suggestion that this will go on for at least 3 months. If that is the case, then I think Boris, Cummings and various other government members/advisers should be required to live-stream their entire Christmas Day celebrations, so we can all see that they are sticking to the same rules as the rest of us. Bets on a big Johnson family Christmas? Or another trip to Barnard Castle to look at the Christmas lights?

Stinkyguineapig · 10/09/2020 18:35

BJ wont be able to see all 10 of his children at the same time.....

RedRumTheHorse · 10/09/2020 19:10

@Stinkyguineapig

BJ wont be able to see all 10 of his children at the same time.....
Does he see half of them anyway?
Paperthin · 10/09/2020 19:13

@feellikeanalien so sorry for your loss.

Paperthin · 10/09/2020 19:35

@walksen

"I understand the rule of 6 I cant understand how the rule of 6 is going to make a difference"

It might be that with it cases double every say 4 weeks instead of every 2.

Plus of course the more cases rise the more disrupted schools will be so if people are passionate about having kids back they should probably follow these rules...

I agree with this @walksen

We want Covid to go, so we need to just follow these things through. Everyone, literally everyone in the country has a ‘ personal ‘ reason why the rule of six might not apply to them, but ( and I know they have been really shit through all this ) what do you expect the Govt to do? It is not possible to have an answer for every single eventuality ? It’s just not possible, we just have to do the best we can.

Examples of things people have said to me or I have read on here over the last 24hrs:

  • On here - I have invited xx friends over for a DC party and now with rule of 6 it can’t go ahead - it shouldn’t have been anyway - you weren’t following the old guidance either.
  • Neighbour - my son has tested positive but my DH is ok and has gone to work - Not following the guidance
  • Work colleague - We are going to see my in laws and my cousins and their families will be there ..... not following the guidance
  • my DS went to barbers - barber says you don’t need a mask mate - not following the guidance...

You get my drift.... we all want Covid to go, but we all have a reason we think makes it necessary for us not to follow the rules, MOST of us suck it up BUT sadly the world is full of selfish people who are too entitled to care. They are also the ones who will be complaining when the schools are closed again.

walksen · 10/09/2020 19:50

@Paperthin

As someone who is in a lockdown area I agree it is frustrating when you try and follow the guidance and it feels like it is a wasted effort when the numbers go up regardless. Some of these increases are probably inevitable with it being winter schools open and people needing to work.

I know lots of people think precautions are not needed with deaths so low (which has been discussed on many threads) but the result will still be tighter and tighter restrictions.

022828MAN · 10/09/2020 19:58

[quote walksen]@Paperthin

As someone who is in a lockdown area I agree it is frustrating when you try and follow the guidance and it feels like it is a wasted effort when the numbers go up regardless. Some of these increases are probably inevitable with it being winter schools open and people needing to work.

I know lots of people think precautions are not needed with deaths so low (which has been discussed on many threads) but the result will still be tighter and tighter restrictions.[/quote]
Sorry to be pedantic but it's not winter.

hesaidshesaidwhat · 10/09/2020 20:13

Can someone explain the 'it's about track and trace' please. If I have 10 people to my house and then find I or one of them has been explosed to covid it is very easy for me to contact the others and let them know. If I go to the pub or restaurant (which could be anywhere) where some people can refuse to give details or give false detais if they want, it is much much more difficult to contact everyone. I know many people don't answer the phone if it isn't a number they recognise. I just don't understand that argument at all.

RedToothBrush · 10/09/2020 21:10

@hesaidshesaidwhat

Can someone explain the 'it's about track and trace' please. If I have 10 people to my house and then find I or one of them has been explosed to covid it is very easy for me to contact the others and let them know. If I go to the pub or restaurant (which could be anywhere) where some people can refuse to give details or give false detais if they want, it is much much more difficult to contact everyone. I know many people don't answer the phone if it isn't a number they recognise. I just don't understand that argument at all.
What makes you think people who have been breaking the rules already or are unsure of the rules or just dislike authority are more likely to tell the truth in a private setting?

If you are in a covid safe setting then you are less likely to contact the virus in the first place. It doesn't eliminate the risk but it makes it less likely.
If you are in a private setting the 'fuck it' principle applies. Friends and family go 'fuck it' and give you a hug or kiss or forget the rules after a drink because you aren't in a formal setting where theres 2m rules / social pressure to follow the covid rules. The idea that you 'trust' your relatives and they 'couldn't possibly' have been exposed is much more likely. We KNOW most transmission is occuring in this way.

This type of interaction is also not a priority. If the track and trace service is overloaded we need to prioritise the situations people come into contact with others.

We want to minimise outside transmisson from non-formal settings (such as large family parties) to protect and stabilise the number of children being pulled out of school (which will include large numbers who have been following rules and perhaps are more vulnerable). There is a certain tension where parents know other parents are being knobheads and this puts them at risk.

In a formal setting yes you could give false details but most people can't be arsed to. They are simply too lazy.
In a private settings with a lot of people present you might not remember who you've bumped into or who you've had around your house if you've had numerous social gathering of a larger size in close proximately but you are more likely to remember going out for an occasion / friday night etc. There is no record keeping at all.

If you are going out for a meal or a pub you tend to stay local to where you live much more. If you visit friends and family there is a higher chance of moving across the country to do so - what the government don't want is too many new clusters popping up in places far away from the current hot spots. They would prefer to concerntrate resources into areas with high prevalence rather than firefighting across the country all at the same time.

There are lots more reasons too.

Its all about trying to prioritise, formalise and minimise work for track and trace.

Its not a straighforward answer but I hope that does make some sense.

hesaidshesaidwhat · 10/09/2020 22:36

Thanks Red but I dont agree witb all of thar at all. All restaurabts/pubs/places of worship are not be covid safe, the the same way individuals aren't always beng safe. The people I know are weighing up rusk and not socialising with people who are being lax with the rules - they are controlling their contacts. If you go out you are out if control, you dont know where anyone has been or what theyve done, many people and places are lax. I tnought tbe big clusters had come from factories, weddings etc. Yes multi generational living is a problem but this doesnt stop that problem.

I do agree they need to focus resources.

Speakeasy22 · 11/09/2020 14:44

@RedToothBrush
No contempt at all. You assume I'm English. I'm not. Take the best ideas from the 4 nations and put out one message. Maybe you are not aware of the confusion there is amongst a lot of people but I have seen plenty of it - not because people are lazy, just because most people hear/read headlines only.

jessstan2 · 11/09/2020 15:06

022828MAN Thu 10-Sep-20 19:58:59
walksen

@Paperthin

As someone who is in a lockdown area I agree it is frustrating when you try and follow the guidance and it feels like it is a wasted effort when the numbers go up regardless. Some of these increases are probably inevitable with it being winter schools open and people needing to work.

I know lots of people think precautions are not needed with deaths so low (which has been discussed on many threads) but the result will still be tighter and tighter restrictions.

Sorry to be pedantic but it's not winter.
......
You're not pedantic, I thought it was odd too. It's only 'just off summer and on autumn' :-), plus still feels like summer.

I couldn't give a fig about restrictions, life isn't too bad for many of us and it will all come to an end eventually.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page