Anyone in the North East?

[PennyDreadfuI]

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.

@NeurotrashWarrior I agree. Like how we used to get all the new McDonalds menus early but less fun!

I will keep to the rules but if our childcare hadn't happened to comply I'd be in a very difficult situation. A few people off work in my office today as they didn't have time to sort an alternative.

@Plussizejumpsuit how is the faceache today? I had sinusitis over Christmas a couple of years ago and it was pure unadulterated agony. Sinuses are dickheads.

Is there a chance you'll get your test results today or is that just wishful thinking?!

Remember yesterday when I said the number of cases locally were going down, and how yesterday there had been 90 in the last seven days? Well today there have been 204 in the last seven days. Which suggests that there were 114 new cases yesterday alone. And that's only the people who were able to get tested.

Yikes.

Plussizejumpsuit I assumed it was a speculative example

Well I won’t be staying away from my parents. I find it ridiculous that I’m allowed to go to school, work, pubs, restaurants, cinema, but not visit my parents. I don’t have school age DC, I don’t work because Covid put a stop to that, I haven’t been to pubs etc all year - I need to see my parents. They’re both elderly and alone, unfortunately I can only bubble with one of them so where does that leave the other one?

It’s disgraceful that national changes and increased measures give people 48 hours notice to go out on the piss but local ones it’s eleventh hour

If family can’t help out with childcare - and they are willing to- it will be very damaging long term since the quality of pay , working hours etc as as well as individuals circumstances renders these measures so damaging. Much more damaging than a virus.

I fundamentally disagreed with the eat out to help out and reopening pubs whilst schools and hospitals etc are overwhelmed and foundering. Apparently this was done to save the economy.
Will the government now step in and offer an babysit to help out cash / voucher reduction to use via local childminding services or nurseries then? To absorb all the grandparents and non bubble people who can’t be proved this vital service to the economy ?

Remember yesterday when I said the number of cases locally were going down, and how yesterday there had been 90 in the last seven days? Well today there have been 204 in the last seven days. Which suggests that there were 114 new cases yesterday alone. And that's only the people who were able to get tested.

Do they update that data daily or is it every few days? 114 in a day seems a lot, especially when it’s so difficult to get a test! I’m sure cases are increasing but that’s a hell of a jump.

@BikeTyson daily - it was showing as 90 yesterday and a different figure the day before. I agree, that does seem like a lot though. Especially considering that so many people who need a test here can't get one - how many more are not being counted?

@Ranunculi it's completely ridiculous that you can't bubble with two elderly parents, just one of them. Yet another brilliantly thought out plan from the shower of shit in charge.

@shesgonebatshitagain agree with everything you say. Judging by the number of people who have already phoned DH's work to say they can't come in today because they don't have childcare, there are going to be many more working hours lost to this ridiculous rule than to Covid. If people can't work the economy will be on its knees anyway. And what a surprise, it's women who this will affect mainly. Again.

The figure for 6-12 sept was 204 new cases so it must be fluctuating quite a bit. I wonder if it’s a bit “clunky” rather than linear, e.g. updates or test results only being every 48 or 72 hours or something? Either way numbers are definitely increasing a lot. Still not as bad as some parts of the country which are not under lockdown but hey ho, we’ll be the guinea pigs.

@BikeTyson I think clunky is possibly right! I've just had my first emails from @littleowl1's service and this is what it says for Newcastle.

Ah yes that’s the same email I get, I just typed the wrong number .

@PennyDreadfuI

Lovely to see that support helped you escape & that you are out of that situation

I'll have my 3YO with me but as it's cutting it fine to make it back for the eldests transport getting him home, he tends to be in the pushchair so no licking of faces This morning has just made me realise how much of a lonely time we're in for. I'm glad the DC still get to go to school & I want to do all I can to ensure the teaching staff etc stay as safe as possible, so I'll do my bit. Just not too sure I can do THAT bit but then is there 1 bit everyone else can't do which means numbers won't come down

I read this as that I can go for a walk with someone not in my household because it is not in either of our homes or garden? Anyone clarify or point me to the bit Im missing?

If you live in one of the affected areas, you must not:

host people you do not live with in your home or garden, unless they’re in your support bubble
meet people you do not live with in their home or garden, whether inside or outside of the affected areas, unless they’re in your support bubble.
Your household is only the people you live with and any support bubble.

@BikeTyson , @Plussizejumpsuit sorry for the confusion. AFAIK, there is nowhere decent on Teesside for Din Sum - hence we go to Newcastle. As it is, DH can make some of the stuff, so we are on homemade dumplings for a bit!

I read this as that I can go for a walk with someone not in my household because it is not in either of our homes or garden?
Covid doesn’t know whether you’re in your garden or in the park. It’s not logical to think it’s safe to see people in the park but not in the garden. Obviously you’re not supposed to socialise anywhere. This is just looking for loopholes and is why we’re in this mess to begin with.

@Plussizejumpsuit

Any idea what the deal is with weddings? Were they a no even before this because of rule of 6?
No idea what the situation is now but they were allowed when the rule of 6 came in. The were allowed as an exemption of up to 30 people as long as in an organised venue so Covid-secure.

@Ranunculi

I read this as that I can go for a walk with someone not in my household because it is not in either of our homes or garden? Covid doesn’t know whether you’re in your garden or in the park. It’s not logical to think it’s safe to see people in the park but not in the garden. Obviously you’re not supposed to socialise anywhere. This is just looking for loopholes and is why we’re in this mess to begin with.

I'm not looking for loopholes I have followed all of the rules, haven't been in a pub or to parties or gatherings. I'm working from home, shop online, wash my hands, wear a mask if I am out, dont visit my friends and family. However I have been for walks along the river with a friend, with our dogs.

Covid doesn't know if I'm sat in the pub with my family on the next table to my brother and his family or sat in his garden. That does not mean I will do either, give me some credit.

I was quoting from the government guidance. I am not talking about meeting in parks where I might sit with a friend. I said "I read this as I can go for a walk", which means if someone walks their children to school they can talk with another parent. And if my friend is walking down the river I can talk to her to.

Did you say you will not stay away from your parents? Is that not breaking the rules?

@Plussizejumpsuit this is further down the guidance, after local lockdown.
Weddings and funerals
From Monday 14 September, in line with the new rules across the whole of England, you must not meet in a group of more than 6 people in any location. Weddings, civil partnership ceremonies and receptions, funerals (including ceremonies at crematoria) and other religious life-cycle ceremonies are exempt. Up to 30 people are allowed to attend these events, including in the affected areas.

These events should comply with the COVID-19 secure guidance and venue capacity. See detailed guidance for small marriages and civil partnerships.

People living outside of the affected areas can travel to those areas in order to attend a wedding, civil partnership ceremony or funeral, but must not meet with another household in a private home or garden.

www.gov.uk/guidance/north-east-of-england-local-restrictions?fbclid=IwAR27HF2WuGqt1n3b8eKgCpIJ6EPSKy0fxSR65RrOHcBKNdgnN4IV4Q3hjOc

The not going for a walk with people outside your household is completely clear where it says in a separate section that you must not socialise with people outside your household. You are attempting to bend the rules.

@Shitfuckoh

My friends child is in the same class. We'd usually walk together to collect DC - it's the same route, we're heading that way at the same time & its outside.

Am I okay to continue to do this or am I expected to ignore my friends even though we're walking that way at the same time, going to the same destination?
You shouldn't mix households but you are being totally OTT and ridiculous in thinking that, as you can't do that, you have to ignore your friend.
You can walk along, 2 metres apart, and still converse.

@Ranunculi

I need to see my parents. They’re both elderly and alone, unfortunately I can only bubble with one of them so where does that leave the other one?
Is there any chance one of them could move in with you until this is all over? At least that way, you could form a support bubble with the other one so get to see them both.

Would I be allowed to travel from South Shields to Newcastle on public transport to go shopping ? I had planned on going on Saturday before the news of this lockdown broke.

@SquirrelScorn

The not going for a walk with people outside your household is completely clear where it says in a separate section that you must not socialise with people outside your household. You are attempting to bend the rules.

Seriously my original post asked can someone point me to what I am missing, futher down refers to socialising in public venues. I'm not attempting to bend anything. I thought this was supposed to be a North East support thread but when I ask for clarity all I get is accused of bending the rules and creating loopholes.

Did you say you will not stay away from your parents? Is that not breaking the rules?
Yep. They’re in their 80s and I need to look after them. But I’m not trying to bend the rules and look for loopholes and excuses that permit me to see them when it’s not really necessary. I openly admit that it’s against the law for me to look after them, but I need to, so I will pay any fines that are dished out.