Page 21 | Anyone in the North East?

PennyDreadfuI · 2020-09-10T18:12:48+00:00

[[https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/new-measures-being-taken-gateshead-18914018 Gateshead has just been added to the govt watchlist]] and Newcastle is on amber alert. Sunderland have had over 200 cases in the past seven days. Are we next for a local lockdown? What do you think it will entail? Given Newcastle's reputation as a party city I'm guessing restricted hours for bars maybe - they were packed to the rafters over the August bank holiday weekend, which may account for lots of the new cases.

Aragog · 17/09/2020 18:36

The childcare thing is a nightmare and many people will have to break the rules.

My parents live in Northumberland and my sister in Newcastle. My parents (who are under 70 and in good health so not shielded etc) do after school care for my nephew 2-3 days a week. There are no places in the schools ASC and there are no places in local ASCs or childminders. My sister and bil cannot work from home. Well my sister could technically but her work place won't allow it and staff were already told previously they have no choice but to go in (yes they are a nightmare company to work for, not just this reason.)

So they either break the rules so my parents can continue to care for my nephew or my sister/bil can't work and risk losing their job.

And all this with a day's notice.

I've no idea what the government think people can do in such situations! It's so ill thought out.

yoikes · 17/09/2020 18:45

Thank you ella!!

TheSparklyPussycat · 17/09/2020 18:46

Would there be enough childminders? And childminders have children too.

Why the hell they don't roleplay to evaluate proposed rules - eg working household with kids and GP usually does some childcare. I think councils role play as part of practising for rare but serious situations.

TheSparklyPussycat · 17/09/2020 18:47

Xpost!

Plussizejumpsuit · 17/09/2020 19:10

All good points about childcare. Feel like family childcare a day or so a week and school pick ups etc is what enables a lot of the population to go to work! If everyone had to pay for all the childcare they needed there would be a lot less people able to work or work full time.

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 17/09/2020 19:34

Yep no consideration for childcare. I know families who'll need to break this rule, it's unrealistic to expect distancing but still want workers contributing to the public coffers, a great deal of families are already pushed to the limit in that regards.

alseb · 17/09/2020 19:34

I’m in Newcastle. Apparently the situation will be reviewed every two weeks. Six weeks today is in the middle of half term. I’m thinking it will be November before any potential lifting of restrictions.

Geesus68 · 17/09/2020 19:36

So my Mam could join my bubble(I’m a single parent, she’s on her own). This would allow me to attend my weekly 2 hour uni session but my brother and his partner both work, and need her more. He is a key worker and she is in retail- won’t get paid if they don’t work. I’ve suggested she joins their bubble and I use online platform for my uni session.

What is everyone doing about their kids playing out? DS cried tonight when I said it probably wouldn’t be allowed. He has 2 friends in street who he walks to school with and who are in his bubble at school- but they aren’t allowed to play in our street?

Plussizejumpsuit · 17/09/2020 19:36

Any idea what the deal is with weddings? Were they a no even before this because of rule of 6?

GalaxyCookieCrumble · 17/09/2020 19:37

@Burplecutter

My mum is going to pick my daughter up from school as she will be providing care or assistance to a vulnerable person (I'd say primary age kids are vulnerable people). She will help with doing homework so education is covered. She will also be enabling one or more persons in the group to avoid injury or coming into harm but not letting her get kidnapped and enabling her to be safe in her grandmother's house.

There you go. I think that's Cummings enough to justify it.

Exactly! If you have no childcare, you can't go to work, so this in spades!

NeurotrashWarrior · 17/09/2020 19:43

@alseb

I’m in Newcastle. Apparently the situation will be reviewed every two weeks. Six weeks today is in the middle of half term. I’m thinking it will be November before any potential lifting of restrictions.

Yes I was thinking that.

NeurotrashWarrior · 17/09/2020 19:44

Enough time to sort this out ?

www.newcastle-hospitals.org.uk/news/news-item-17092020-1.html

Dementedswan · 17/09/2020 19:44

I'm in Northumberland, this is causing major headache for a lot of people with regards to childcare. My oldest dc currently walks to primary school with his friend in the same class. I will probably still let him do that as they are sat together all day anyway, but they wont be able to play after school etc as my other dc are not in their school bubble.

I know technically they shouldn't walk to school together but they both go that way anyway and they keep themselves to themselves.

NeurotrashWarrior · 17/09/2020 19:47

So once again it's mostly single working mums and all working mums and parents to younger children unable to afford childcare who are badly affected by this.

Aragog · 17/09/2020 19:47

Any idea what the deal is with weddings?

I am sure i read the weddings and funerals are exempt and can go ahead as before - so up to 30 in a registered venue.

lanbro · 17/09/2020 19:48

I'm in Newcastle, going away tomorrow with xh, dsis and kids. We are a support bubble and lived together in lockdown but are now 3 households...it's all madness but I plan on doing pretty much what I've been doing, being sensible, not really going many places and keeping my distance.

Thiswillbeinteresting · 17/09/2020 19:51

I was watching ch4 news at 7 wheee they had the leader of Newcastle council on. He was saying that they only received the guidance an hour earlier, so other than MH speech this morning, they didn’t know what was actually coming other than what they had requested.

FrolickingLemon · 17/09/2020 19:56

Christ this is a nightmare. I saw it coming and knew I would be in an impossible place. I'm a single parent, in a bubble with my Mum who has cancer. I obviously knew i couldn't rely on her for childcare any more (diagnosed just before lockdown) I had to give up my job. So I'm not dependent on her anymore for childcare, but feel my hand was totally forced and I'm in an ongoing shite situation for however long this goes on for.

Bearfrills · 17/09/2020 19:57

I plan on doing pretty much what I've been doing, being sensible, not really going many places and keeping my distance

I'm going to do the same. I'm avoiding pubs and restaurants, not using public transport, and no mixing with loads of other households but I'm going to carry on seeing my mam and I'm going to let the DC carry on seeing their friend around the corner.

The guidelines have an exemption for providing support to someone who is vulnerable which DS1 is classed as because his ASD means he has associated vulnerabilities so I think I could still have my mam visit me under this rule, she helps me out with the DC where she can.

I'd have thought so long as people were being careful and not taking the piss then the police wouldn't be particularly interested in chasing it up.

Thiswillbeinteresting · 17/09/2020 20:13

@Bearfrills that’s pretty much my take on it as well. DD also has ASD and can’t manage changing trains on her own, so I’ll have to collect her. That’s if she actually agrees to get on the train - but that’s another story

Plussizejumpsuit · 17/09/2020 20:24

@Thiswillbeinteresting

I was watching ch4 news at 7 wheee they had the leader of Newcastle council on. He was saying that they only received the guidance an hour earlier, so other than MH speech this morning, they didn’t know what was actually coming other than what they had requested.

Wow! That's crappy

beansonbread · 17/09/2020 20:54

Anyone know if I can travel from Newcastle to Durham to visit a park, just me and DS in our own car? Or are we back to essential travel only? I’m so confused of what is and isn’t allowed!

alseb · 17/09/2020 21:17

beansonbread
My understanding is that you should only use public transport in essential circumstances ie going to work/school etc. I think you’re fine to go to Durham with DS in your own vehicle.

AnxiousAlpaca · 17/09/2020 21:26

On the public transport issue:

People in North East England are advised to use public transport for essential journeys only, as the Government announced fresh coronavirus restrictions for the region.
Residents are advised they can use public transport for work and education, or when the journey is essential for other purposes.

It’s advisory and there’s no clear cut guidance on what is and what isn’t essential.

For example I don’t drive so if I want to go into Newcastle I need to use public transport. My mental health is poor at the best of times (bipolar) but I was getting better. During lockdown I genuinely contemplated ending my own life. Now that I can go to the gym again or just get out of my house I’m managing more. So is my need to use the gym essential or not? The thought of only being allowed to use it for work is really scaring me. I feel guilty but at the same time I don’t think I can face being trapped at home because I can’t drive.

beansonbread · 17/09/2020 21:29

@alseb

beansonbread My understanding is that you should only use public transport in essential circumstances ie going to work/school etc. I think you’re fine to go to Durham with DS in your own vehicle.

Brilliant - that was my understanding too but just wanted to double check with someone else. If they’re not closing parks, I can’t see how travelling to one would not be allowed. My DS will be very pleased, I’d said we could go this week before the lockdown rumours started circulating. He may not be able to see his GPs but at least he can go on a swing and a slide!