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.

@Tooley

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.

I'm in Newcastle and will be using the bus to get into town for shopping/pick up prescriptions etc (I don't drive, neither does DH, we're 4 miles out of the city centre and I have RA so walking it isn't an option).

I can't speak for anyone else but I'll be using the bus to go shopping.

@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.

If you're 2m apart for the whole walk surely it would be ok?

Please let's not turn this lovely supportive thread into a judgy mess, or flame people who are just asking for advice. There were so many threads like that during lockdown proper and it was awful.

Let's also remember that for a lot of people a half hour socially distanced walk now and again may be the difference between positive mental health and despair.

@Ranunculi well I am not breaking riules or looking for loopholes, I was asking for clarity. I didn't judge you so don't jump to conclusions and judge me either.

@littleowl1

Hi everyone. I know many of you have probably already signed up but for those who haven't , please feel free.

A few weeks ago I started a local coronavirus email service.

Each day I compile the latest number of lab-confirmed, positive coronavirus cases across the country into a bitesize email – one for each district council in the UK – and deliver it to your inbox.

I'm an ex data analyst and programmers and I was just completely fed up with not being able to easily access up to date information about what was happening locally.

Over the last few weeks I've watched the situation in so many councils in the north east deteriorate - I hope you are all ok. It's really worrying times.

If it would help you in any way to receive coronavirus case numbers in your local council area every day, you are most welcome to sign up. www.covidmessenger.com.

Wishing everyone a safe few weeks ahead.

Hi @littleowl1 I'm trying to sign up but cant see my area?

Ignore me, I just clicked an extra button

Do we know if they're going to change the informal childcare rules?

@NeurotrashWarrior

Do we know if they're going to change the informal childcare rules?

I need to know this too! My partner works full time and I work 3 days a week long days. My mother picks him up from school those days. It's so unclear and I don't know what arrangements they expect people to put in place so last minute!

@BikeTyson

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.

Isn't it even worse than that as the first day will have dropped off

@NeurotrashWarrior

Do we know if they're going to change the informal childcare rules?

The leader of Gateshead council posted that the original proposal had requested the government relax rules for childcare but the government refused and they are challenging this. He posted this on his Facebook page;

Martin Gannon
The governments decision to ignore the request from the 7 NE LA’s to exempt informal childcare from the restriction being introduced at midnight is completely irrational.
Even worse, if it isn’t changed, could fundamentally undermine the effectiveness of the measures.
We are petitioning government now to get this changed ASAP

You're right. I was being OTT, hard morning. We've been walking 2m apart anyway as that was the rules but was a little confused as to whether that could continue or whether walking & talking would be 'socialising'.

Thank you for opening my eyes to my stupidity whilst handing my arse to me on that plate there @Itsabeautifuldayheyhey but it would appear from other comments this morning that actually, even walking (with the distance of 2m apart) with a friend, whether on the school run or down by a river walking a dog is not okay.

The leader of Gateshead council posted that the original proposal had requested the government relax rules for childcare but the government refused
They’re being ridiculous. Suggesting people should hire paid childcare, as if they have the money for that, and as if childminders are just sitting there with instantly available spaces. People have no choice, they will keep using family childcare whether it’s allowed or not. The government is stupid if they fail to realise that.

@Thiswillbeinteresting

What are rules for blended famikies/step-kids?
Dp has 3 kids with 2 different ex's all of which all come here to stay. I also have 3 kids. Are they allowed to come over?

Thank Bessie, Women are shafted by the government again.

Thanks for sharing that point @BessieSurtees. We have two days a week covered by grandparents as not only can we not afford the fees (my own issue I know), the nursery doesn't have the space for a temporary change in days).

My DP is having an op on Monday and so will be on SSP for the next 6 weeks making it even more unaffordable for us, and DP will be unable to help as he needs to rest and recover from the op.

Really hope they get this overturned ASAP!

I need to know this too! My partner works full time and I work 3 days a week long days. My mother picks him up from school those days. It's so unclear and I don't know what arrangements they expect people to put in place so last minute!
@charpley162 for once this bit isn't unclear, under the new rules you can't have family help with childcare unless they are a paid provider or one or both households contains a single adult and they are part of your support bubble (eg. If your mum is single and is bubbled with you then the households can mix/she can collect your dc).

It's shit, so many families depend on each other for childcare and for a lot of them formal, paid childcare isn't an option so this again will unfairly impact the lower income families (and almost certainly the women within them). that is assuming there are spaces just sitting waiting.

I would like this to be changed but I doubt it will be. I do understand why these measures are needed but am still so angry that this can be sprung with no notice, parents still need to earn a living and children still need adequate care.

The issue with "informal childcare" is that it tends to be Grandparents, and they are at far greater risk of getting seriously ill/dying if they get this. That was one of the big arguments about not shutting schools - parents would use Grandparents for childcare.

The problem is though the Government hasn't put anything in to deal with the consequences, so for example additional funding for childcare. A register of additional childcare etc.

The consequence is those who are in lowest paid jobs, which can't wfh (which will be disproportionately women) are most impacted, and will end up losing their jobs.

Found out this morning that DS dad has symptoms and has been tested this morning. DS dad also had close contact with a positive case on Saturday.

Ds was with his dad on Sunday so I’ve collected him from school and waiting for test results, really hoping they come sooner rather than later.

Since Sunday DS has been to school, football x2 and visited a relative. Really concerned atm!

Just to add to my last post. Ds dad managed to get a test slot within 2 mins online. He was then seen at Dalton Park within 30 mins

How come Lancashire have gotten several days notice when we didn't?

It seems to be assumed that GPs are ancient, when they could be anything upwards of 50.

How are people supposed to pay a nursery or childminder out of their wages???

Anyone know what’s going on in the Manchester area after their local lockdowns?
Has it made any difference to the figures.

I personally don’t think folks will take any notice of the local lockdown and will quietly carry on as they have been doing. Except not being able to stay in the pubs etc after 10pm because they can’t.
I don’t trust the government and the figures and the way they have handled this fiasco from the start. Are they not just delaying things? Lock down, relax, lock down again? How long is this going to go on for?

I don’t know what the answer is.

@PennyDreadfuI I think going for a walk 2m apart would be absolutely fine in terms of balancing transmission risk and mental health benefits. However it is very clearly not allowed under the rules. And a shopping trip to Newcastle from South Shields is unlikely to be an essential use of public transport. If we don’t stick to the rules as they are we’ll end up with a harsher lockdown. And it was people not sticking to the previous rules who got us into this.

@TheSparklyPussycat I totally agree!

@SquirrelScorn how is it going to be harsher? I find this harsher than lockdown!