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.

I was in Gateshead tesco a few days ago and there were lots of students (who looked so young) as there's students accommodation above. Just think a big influx of students as we have the 2 unis is also a worry. I don't want to blame this age group for the spread and think there's been some really bad press about them. But I'm also concerned that it's not going to help an already bad situation. Also if we do have a lockdown they will be quite isolated.

And yet, just down the road in another area of concern, we are having 1000 spectators at the Riverside Stadium for a Boro match. Bonkers!

Almost every night for a month and a half 2000 people have been going to socially distanced shows at Newcastle Racecourse near me - there are some due to go ahead after Friday I think. They allow up to five on each viewing platform so I'm guessing that will be a no-no.

Tbh I don't really understand why it's ok to spend all day with 30 classmates, but you can't see them in the park after school. Not do I see how it's not ok to go on holiday with other families, but ok to sit on a plane with loads of strangers! Of course I'll be following the guidelines but my gosh, some of them are just nonsensical.

Also, I'm exempt from wearing a mask - it's been awful enough up until now with all the comments and filthy looks. I dread to think what it's going to be like during a local lockdown

@Jrobhatch29

Ugh, just been reading that chronicle article. I feel like crying. I can cope with anything else but I can't cope not seeing my mam again

Just meet with her anyway. I'll probably still be seeing my parents next week.

I have stuck to the rules all the way through but they are getting illogical now. Everyone is getting pissed off.

@PennyDreadful
I've had friends go to this and they said social distancing was very good. Just by by the by.

Does anyone know if the proposed rules allow you to see people in your support bubble? Ie single elderly person living in one house, daughter and grandchildren in another?

@Plussizejumpsuit

This is awful but it's nice to talk to local people I feel like I never har from North East people on here. So hi 👋

Hi

Does anyone know if the proposed rules allow you to see people in your support bubble? Ie single elderly person living in one house, daughter and grandchildren in another?

This I what I want to know too. I wouldn’t be able to work if I couldn’t send the children to my mum before and after school

I had a feeling this was coming but still incredibly upsetting.

how are pubs/restaurants expected to police whether groups are all part of the same household?

How long do people think this “local lockdown” may last? As a single parent I’ve discussed moving back in with my Mum in the event of this happening, the isolation and toll on my mental heath was frightening first time around.

[quote Plussizejumpsuit]@PennyDreadful
I've had friends go to this and they said social distancing was very good. Just by by the by.[/quote]
I've heard the same. I can actually hear it from my house - I got quite emotional on the first night, I can't even remember who it was or if I'd heard of them but oh my god LIVE MUSIC!

After Friday though the remaining shows will have to be cancelled though surely? Unless all the people on all the viewing platforms can prove they're from the same household...

Been following this thread since it started on Thurs, but only just caught up on it.

The 7 north east councils are working in partnership and have been liaising with govt to raise the rating in the north east that allows them to lock down.

I'm in North Tyneside and have heard of 8 schools in the region that have had to close a year group due to a positive Covid result.

My dd has had the cold everyone else across the country seems to have had. As per usual with any cold she gets it triggered her asthmatic cough.

3 hours continuously refreshing the test booking page and the first testing centre that came up was Carlisle. I booked it because I didn't want to risk not getting a test at all. An evening road trip to Carlisle to get her swabbed, I've got to say the staff were lovely and cracking on with her through our closed car windows.

Results came back yesterday as negative, which I was 99% sure they would. It's going to be a long Autumn / Winter!

In terms of how long it's likely to last - didn't greater Manchester go into lockdown mid-July? And they still are? If that's anything to go by it could be until November at least. But Leicester was only in lockdown for a month or so, so who knows. I suppose it depends on how quickly cases come down. Thing is in Leicester the schools were still off.

It's all a bit 'how long is a piece of string', really.

I suppose it could even be way past November as flu season kicks into full force, with more and more people trying to get tested/staying off work...

I can’t see the point in a local lockdown personally if they’re keeping everything open but asking people not to socialise! The knackers discussed above still going out and about while waiting for results will continue to do so.

Will grandparents be able to do school drop off / pick up?
I probably know the answer already but don't want it to be no.

I'm assuming not but this is one wherr you do need to use common sense imo. I can manage without. If you work in a role where you can't manage without childcare then you need childcare. Would be my view anyway.

It seems silly that a childminder could pick a mix of children up from lots of different bubbles but a grandparent couldn't and take them back to an empty house. Oh well back to June we go.

@Burplecutter I'm guessing no. It's a pile of shite isn't it

Now I've had time to digest it a bit it really does seem quite draconian doesn't it, and like going back to lockdown proper in many ways. Not being able to meet up with anyone, even in a socially distanced way.

The park near me in Gosforth has been packed all summer and it's been lovely. It's felt all community-ish. Lots of groups all behaving very responsibly, social distancing etc, and all age groups. Lots of young parents and DC meeting up and you can tell how valuable it is to them. They won't be able to do that anymore and the park is going to be dead again.

Also, I'm a total Christmasaholic, but this year is going to be a bit pants, isn't it? Even if we're out of LD by then the run-up won't be the same. I honestly can't imagine many people following the rules if they say nobody is allowed in your home over Christmas. The rule of six was bad enough but that's a step too far for most, I would think.

Northumberland here. Lots of schools round here with cases. We are also released from isolation after my dds negative result today. Had to travel 75 miles to get the test though.

@PennyDreadful I can't imagine the outdoor arena will continue in local lockdown but having said that the economy and things which make money seem to be a priority so who knows. Glad you got to hear some live music though. I think I will be emotional when I get to go to a museum or gallery for the first time!

I also love Christmas and although we will have to make the best of it I feel it is looking like it won't be great. My mental health as Bern very up and down this year and I'm just not seeing any let up.

I wonder if it will be the case that they have the powers but don't apply them all at once so stop household mixing first ,then pubs etc. The thing that annoys me most though is that people being stupid (like the stag do of 14 I saw last week) are spoiling it for everyone else. I also think that although I would follow the rules as much as possible I think that with household mixing people will just do it anyway x

I'm Teesside, in a badly hit town but which isn't yet on the local lockdown list. DD is away at the moment, due back next week via train.In my brain addled state I am really panicking that I am not going to be able to collect her from train station if local lockdown hits, and that I should drive the 600 mile round trip to collect her . Actually, I dont even know whether I would be allowed to do that

☹️

So does this mean we won't be able to leave the north east ?

@Plussizejumpsuit I've just now had this email come through! Looks like we're all set for November 2021. Steps in a field in November in the far north of England - where do I sign up 😂