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.

Gosh South Tyneside are awful

That should be South Tyneside figures are awful.

South Tyneside was on zero cases for weeks in July/August, wasn't it. Absolutely awful.

Hebburn looks to be particularly badly hit, along with South Shields west

A load of local tests are available now if anyone needs to book one, be quick

Sunderland Murton area

Oooo @PennyDreadfuI @Ghouliet I've heard good things about the fenwicks window display so will have to see that! Hopefully not everything's cancelled this year. Christmas is my absolute fave time of the year

Just watching the briefing on BBC news now. Feels pretty grim

I don’t think I can watch the briefing, it’s all feeling too difficult today.

Thankfully I’ve only got one day a week of informal childcare to manage without. Was on my computer at 5am to do 2 hours of work before DD got up, and now trying to grab ten minutes here and there to reply to emails until she goes to bed at 7 when it will be work time again. Will have to keep hoping that an extra day opens up at nursery because it doesn’t feel very sustainable . I did it for months over the last lockdown when nursery was shut, but somehow it was easier when it was light early and late and there seemed to be an end in sight.

@BikeTyson that sounds hard. Sending good vibes!

plussizejumpsuit thank you - just having a bit of a self pity party today!

I doubt it will run this year but the screening of The Snowman at the Sage is always one of our Christmas treats. They have the orchestra playing the soundtrack (with child brought on stage to sing Walking in the Air) while the film is played on the big screen. That is the second half of the show- the first is usually Going on a Bear Hunt. Ds1 will be coming up to 14 this Christmas and still wants to come along

@Plussizejumpsuit

Just watching the briefing on BBC news now. Feels pretty grim

Not watching but was keeping up to date via the BBC news app. I don't know whether I'm missing any nuances from not watching it live but what I've got so far is that the shit's hitting the fan but they don't know what the fuck to do about it. So that's reassuring.

@PennyDreadfuI I thought they just explained what public health means in basic terms. "Don't be a moron.", but with nice graphics.
I am more worried about the Johnson speech this week. That is when the decisions come. He is not good news for business.

This is our first Christmas at home since getting married (donkeys years ago), because we normally travel to elderly parents. DS (12) is quite excited about his first Christmas at home, too. I am obviously very worried about parents. We will still buy tickets, just in case.

Leader of Gateshead council said this morning that 6 covid positive cases have been admitted to the QE. As of yesterday 70 members of hospital staff were off due to covid symptoms.

Wow

UpToonGirl. This link (at the bottom) takes you to the .Gov page for booking a test. You fill in the details - and it then tells you how/where to get a test.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/get-a-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/

North East is in local lockdown since Friday - we're County Durham. Apparently Darlington is exempt as they're a separate local authority and decided against the local lockdown. But the rest of County Durham is included in the Northeast lockdown.

North East one is a kind of semi lockdown. No mixing with other households socially. But can still go on holiday and to pubs and restaurants and shopping etc. Table service only in pubs and restaurants (not sure that will help in pubs with overcrowded tables!) and they have to be closed between 10pm and 5am. Why 5am? Is that to keep the economy going so people can have a few pints before work?!

@BikeTysonyou can join my pit party from yesterday

Looks like there will be a panto in the Toon this year!

Joining from sunny Whitley Bay (although I'm currently in Howden) just keeping up with local Covid craic 😭

@gingercat02 hellooo!

just keeping up with local Covid craic

Yet another sentence you couldn't have imagined typing (or reading) a year ago. There are so, so many more!

@HazelE123

North East one is a kind of semi lockdown. No mixing with other households socially. But can still go on holiday and to pubs and restaurants and shopping etc. Table service only in pubs and restaurants (not sure that will help in pubs with overcrowded tables!) and they have to be closed between 10pm and 5am. Why 5am? Is that to keep the economy going so people can have a few pints before work?!

Maybe not in a qualitee neighbourhood but round here every o'clock is a can of lager sat on your doorstep o'clock not me, I at least wait til after I've done the school run

Hancock has just announced an exemption from childcare (from BBC news live feed)

Health Secretary Matt Hancock tells MPs about some of the new measures which have come into force as part of local lockdowns in areas of England, including the North East.

The local lockdown rules ban people from socialising with others outside of their own household or support bubble.

Mr Hancock says he has heard concerns about the impact that has been having on childcare arrangements.

"Today I'm able to announce a new exemption," he says.

People looking after children under the age of 14 or vulnerable adults are exempt from that ban, when it's necessary for caring purposes.

He says it covers formal and informal arrangements for childcare - but not playdates or parties.

"A consistent childcare relationship is allowed," he said.

@RedCatBlueCat

Hancock has just announced an exemption from childcare (from BBC news live feed)

Health Secretary Matt Hancock tells MPs about some of the new measures which have come into force as part of local lockdowns in areas of England, including the North East.

The local lockdown rules ban people from socialising with others outside of their own household or support bubble.

Mr Hancock says he has heard concerns about the impact that has been having on childcare arrangements.

"Today I'm able to announce a new exemption," he says.

People looking after children under the age of 14 or vulnerable adults are exempt from that ban, when it's necessary for caring purposes.

He says it covers formal and informal arrangements for childcare - but not playdates or parties.

"A consistent childcare relationship is allowed," he said.

This is brilliant BUT why couldn't he have just said so from the get go and saved so many people so much worry?!