Are people oblivious to what’s happening in the North?

[Racoonworld]

I keep seeing posts where people are wondering why some people can’t see others, telling them that we’ve been able to meet family and friends for ages now. Do some people not realise that in large areas of the U.K. this isn’t allowed? And that next week it’s going to get worse? I don’t live in these areas but am horrified about what’s happening there and very aware that people are struggling with the isolation.

It's just how it is, it's not relevant to their lives. People in the north of the UK probably have no idea what it's like for me and my family either.

It’s horrendous here. I haven’t seen family for weeks they can all meet without me. I’ve never been so depressed or felt so alone in my life. If things aren’t better by Christmas which I doubt they will be this is the end for me I have nothing to live for.

@Napqueen1234

It’s horrendous here. I haven’t seen family for weeks they can all meet without me. I’ve never been so depressed or felt so alone in my life. If things aren’t better by Christmas which I doubt they will be this is the end for me I have nothing to live for.

Feeling genuinely suicidal and in need of support is a valid exemption under the rules to visit someone - including indoors in local lockdown areas. This might be controversial to say but the law does allow for it.

Also meeting in public outdoors is still legal (for now) in almost all local lockdown areas. Private gardens and indoors anywhere is not ok but rule of 6 still applies to parks (along guidelines are not to do this the law says you can). If you social distance and perhaps wear a mask if need be, do it with a friend or family member if you can, if you are feeling this desperate.

@RedToothBrush thank you I know we can meet outside but it’s difficult with a baby as we can’t really go to pub as she won’t be happy for long and we can’t go outside for hours especially when it’s wet. I’m just so done. Family in the south can have the kids when I’m gone to they can have a semblance of normal life. This isn’t life it’s existing with no end in sight. Every time I try to accept the rules and adapt the goalposts change it gets work. From Monday it’s likely we cannot meet anyone outside the household at all. There’s no point.

[quote Napqueen1234]@RedToothBrush thank you I know we can meet outside but it’s difficult with a baby as we can’t really go to pub as she won’t be happy for long and we can’t go outside for hours especially when it’s wet. I’m just so done. Family in the south can have the kids when I’m gone to they can have a semblance of normal life. This isn’t life it’s existing with no end in sight. Every time I try to accept the rules and adapt the goalposts change it gets work. From Monday it’s likely we cannot meet anyone outside the household at all. There’s no point.[/quote]
If you NEED someone to talk to cos you feel so bad you cant cope. Just do it. Its legal. Dont take the piss but a one off meet off in the street for ten mins 'by chance' just do it. Keep a mask on if it makes you feel better. You will feel better. Just five or ten minutes.

If you havent got even that just keep talking here. Even if its to pester me in private.

Im going slightly bonkers atm anyway with not much to do.

Absolutely napqueen1234. Meet your family. It's allowed in your situation, and even if it weren't, you've no moral obligation to adhere to rules imposed by a government who have repeatedly treated us in the northern lockdown areas like shit at the expense of your mental health.

Thank you @CrappleUmble. I think I read too many threads on here of people being berated for even considering not following the rules to the letter that I worry if I did meet them there would be huge repercussions for them or my children. Perhaps I will go and visit. Thank you

@Napqueen1234

Thank you *@CrappleUmble*. I think I read too many threads on here of people being berated for even considering not following the rules to the letter that I worry if I did meet them there would be huge repercussions for them or my children. Perhaps I will go and visit. Thank you

Theres taking the piss and theres doing something because you are genuinely struggling with your mental health.

People berating others for what in essence is a 'welfare visit' rather than a 'social call' are missing the point and dont know the exception list.

@Napqueen1234

Thank you *@CrappleUmble*. I think I read too many threads on here of people being berated for even considering not following the rules to the letter that I worry if I did meet them there would be huge repercussions for them or my children. Perhaps I will go and visit. Thank you

Look after yourself, and remember that a lot of people are dickheads. You sound like you would really benefit from some contact with loved ones.

@loulouljh

Who says students are not safe? They will get the virus..they will be fine!!!!! The face far greater risks than this virus!!!!

What like the potential permanent disability of Long Covid?

@The80sweregreat

I do keep reading how hospitals are not full up and the staff are bored. Where is this coming from? I saw a bbc report late last night and the hospital in Bournemouth was busy enough and more beds were being made available for covid. They were not sitting about. Its reports like this that fuel the conspiracy theories and make people wonder what is going on?..

I saw that report. Yet cases in the south are low... No tests = no official cases...

The real truth is that cases are rising across the country. The north might be ahead right now but other areas are catching up. Forget number of cases. With loads of people unable to access a test, and half the tests lost on a defective spreadsheet, we have to look to the hospitals for a better idea of what's going on. Unfortunately I suspect admissions will be going up everywhere over the next few weeks.

What we really need is less division and resentment, and instead a coherent national approach.

Viruses don't respect borders - particularly not land ones.

@ConfusedcomMum

I'm in the worst affected area in London and I am silently freaking out. There are cases in nearly every school here. My parents are very vulnerable (one with failing lungs) so we haven't seen them in person since Aug. The mayor Sadik Khan has been asking for a London Lockdown for weeks. I personally knew 6 people who died of Covid in March/April round here and a 30 yr old who had a stroke and long term damage because of it. We are BAME. My kids have only been to the park in the last 2 weeks outside of school. I've stocked up and am basically waiting for the 💩 to hit the fan here. I'm definitely keeping an eye on what's happening up North.

Sssh. We're not supposed to talk about London's situation. Cases are officially low there... Poor old Sadiq. He's fought hard for his city. Shame he's been ignored and undermined by the government.

I hope your family stays safe. You're aware of the situation, which is a big plus. Acknowledging the risks means you're aware and able to take precautions. Scary but better than blissful dangerous complacency.

Yep. Leicester has never been out of lockdown since the beginning. No seeing friends in homes or gardens or socialising with them indoors since March! I'm a pretty cheery person but am really struggling with it, as are many I know.

@Happymum12345

I saw a dr yesterday an despite being in a small room with the door shut for 25 minutes, he did not wear a mask. I’m quite concerned about it & I know I should have asked him to wear a mask but I wasn’t feeling strong enough mentally to ask.

This happened to me today. I took MIL for her cancer scan results and the Consultant sat with us in a room the size of a cupboard and his mask was hanging around his neck. We wore masks, as did the young nurse, but he was oblivious. He was also BAME and so presumably at a higher risk due to that, if the press is to be believed.

Halfway through the consultation, the phone rang in the adjoining room and he apologised and stood to go and answer it saying 'that will be the Covid Pneumonia ward where I am on call' MIL and I were horrified. I moved my chair as far away as was possible in the space.

I mentioned this to a friend who has terminal cancer and she said her consultant never wears a mask.

We are in the North.

What we really need is less division and resentment, and instead a coherent national approach.

Absolutely. According to the news this may be coming on Monday, a three tier lockdown possible?
I dont think having separate rules for Scotland and Wales helps much either. I've heard so many people saying children don't count in rule of 6 yet that's just a Scottish thing I believe? The different rules are just too confusing and too open to interpretation.

A good way to reduce division and resentment would be for the politicians that lockdown areas actually chose ourselves to be included in policy making, instead of finding out about it via leaks in The Times.

@CrappleUmble

A good way to reduce division and resentment would be for the politicians that lockdown areas actually chose ourselves to be included in policy making, instead of finding out about it via leaks in The Times.

Yes. The government doesn't seem to like including local politicians. London's Mayor has been ignored for months. He was even excluded from meetings that were focused on London! Then there's Middlesbrough and Hartlepool. They were given just five minutes notice of restrictions!

But really we do need a national approach (with local input). There's too much confusion when it's split into various different rules. People live and work across boundaries. It's also a distraction tactic (intentional or not). Covid is spreading across various areas but we seem incapable of looking at more than one at a time - and on each occasion only turning our attention to a region after the horse has bolted.