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Original poster

Removing support bubbles

84 replies

SleeplessGeordie · 09/10/2020 09:17

Surely they can't do this? I assumed it was an oversight not allowing them from the start. It's inhumane to expect people who live alone to see no one at all. We already did almost three months of hell at the beginning of lockdown! And that was made slightly easier because everything was closed, we were all stuck at home to some extent. The idea that schools are open with kids mixing freely, people are out and about not told to "stay home" whilst some of us aren't allowed human contact, is just so wrong.
Surely they cannot inflict this on people who have done nothing wrong?
Lockdown has taken away everything from me, in all areas of life and hope for the future.
Now they are threatening to put me and others in solitary confinement.
All this "Oh we can't lock down the vulnerable, that's unreasonable" yet it's fine to lock away people who live alone, who are more likely to be dealing with grief over losing, or never having family, partners etc? WTF?

OP posts:
Thanksitsgotpockets · 09/10/2020 10:07

Yes, I think it was barbaric and inhumane. I still can't believe it happened.

JeanClaudeVanDammit · 09/10/2020 10:10

I really, really hope they don’t. The document I’ve seen seems to be the advice coming from Sage, which I’d hope would be amended by government before coming into effect. It would be utterly disproportionate and cruel.

But someone will be along shortly to tell you how selfish you’re being and that you can just use Zoom and WhatsApp to keep in touch with people. Inevitably it will be someone living in an area with very few restrictions having a nice time working from home in a safe job in a big house, of course - but “we’re all in this together” and it will be your fault if the restrictions have to continue.

Original poster
SleeplessGeordie · 09/10/2020 10:20

Inevitably it will be someone living in an area with very few restrictions having a nice time working from home in a safe job in a big house, of course - but “we’re all in this together”

You missed the bit about them having a DP and children so they're not actually alone. Whilst some of us will miss out on a chance for a family because lockdown prevents us meeting anyone.

OP posts:
JeanClaudeVanDammit · 09/10/2020 10:22

@SleeplessGeordie

Inevitably it will be someone living in an area with very few restrictions having a nice time working from home in a safe job in a big house, of course - but “we’re all in this together”

You missed the bit about them having a DP and children so they're not actually alone. Whilst some of us will miss out on a chance for a family because lockdown prevents us meeting anyone.

Absolutely - I have a DD and DH and I’m still struggling, my single friends who live alone have had it worse in so many ways.
bubblebubblebubbletrouble · 09/10/2020 10:25

I can't see them doing this. Even in Wales where they initially announced it they relented & reinstated but did say it had to be local.

dalmationsandcats · 09/10/2020 10:28

When did they say they were thinking about this?

HarrietOh · 09/10/2020 10:28

In all honesty, I'd ignore it. No way in hell am I going back to being completely on my own with no other human contact again, I suffered.

Thanksitsgotpockets · 09/10/2020 10:29

Also barbaric is the way they allowed rumour to circulate, allowing us to 'get used' to the idea of more restrictions/test the water before they're formally announced. Then announcing them with sketchy detail, leaving us waiting for the actual legislation to be released.

It leaves us in a perpetual cycle of unease and anticipation of what is going to be thrust on us next.

3kidsandafewcats · 09/10/2020 10:31

I bubble with my daughter and there is no way I will stop seeing her.

Confuzzlediddled · 09/10/2020 10:34

Have they said this is likely to happen? My poor mum won't survive months on her own again. I would have to move her in with us which we dont have space for, We're all she has...

Thanksitsgotpockets · 09/10/2020 10:39

The exceptions have always been there for people at risk of harm, illness, injury.
Might anyone struggling with poor mental health not fall under those categories?

IncidentsandAccidents · 09/10/2020 10:44

I haven't read anything about this. It would be so unpopular and achieve so little. Could someone post a link?

nex18 · 09/10/2020 10:45

There’s no way I am taking notice of a rule that prevents me from seeing my partner because we live separately. Unless co-habiting couples are forced to separate or there’s a maximum household capacity introduced, this is highly inequitable. And that’s clearly not going to happen!

CakeGirl2020 · 09/10/2020 10:45

Trouble is they are very much being abused, just look at some of the threads on here to see that. I want to see my friend, can we bubble? She only sees her parents 🙄 Others want to change “bubble” every week depending on who the Fuck they want to see.

Give the British public an inch and they’ve proved time and time again in all this, they take the piss.

But no I don’t think they will stop support bubbles as some people would genuinely be alone without the option available.

happymummy12345 · 09/10/2020 11:02

I hope they don't. My dad lives alone, no other family close at all. He used to live 250 miles away from us, he was in the process of selling his house and buying one here, 20 minute or so walk from where we live. (It all started end of last year before all this), and was due to complete early April. Obviously that didn't happen and he was stuck on his own for the whole time until he moved here. He joined our bubble as he lives alone and obviously we are his only family nearby. Neither of us go to any other house or swap bubbles at all. If the rules change and it means we can no longer go to his house and he can't come here I won't be happy at all about him having to be on his own, especially now we live 15-20 minutes apart it would be even harder, especially for my 5 year old who loves going to granddad house.

Frazzled2207 · 09/10/2020 11:06

@Thanksitsgotpockets

Also barbaric is the way they allowed rumour to circulate, allowing us to 'get used' to the idea of more restrictions/test the water before they're formally announced. Then announcing them with sketchy detail, leaving us waiting for the actual legislation to be released.

It leaves us in a perpetual cycle of unease and anticipation of what is going to be thrust on us next.

Agree 100%
3littlewords · 09/10/2020 11:14

When was it announced they'd be removing support bubbles?

I have followed every other rule but I won't be following this one and I doubt many will. Having that outside contact with someone else is a huge life line for many of us. I know it keeps me going knowing I'm not restricted from seeing my parents, I help them they help me. Im more than happy to zoom my friends and other family but I'm not stopping seeing my parents again for nothing, ill pay the fines if I have too.

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 09/10/2020 11:20

Another one who has followed rules but won't be following this if it's brought in. The affect on my very elderly mother having no personal contact for the first few months have been devastating and it can't go back to that. Especially as she is less capable of doing everything herself now. If I can pay a carer to go in, who is in and out of different houses as well as their own, with no idea whether the carer is observing social distancing or household mixing rules, how the hell can that be safer than my going in? (That was NOT intended to be a criticism of carers- just making the point that I can more carefully risk assess myself than carers)

LittleRen · 09/10/2020 11:22

Where is this from? I can't see anything about it?

StatisticalSense · 09/10/2020 11:33

They should be removed for those with children but not for those actually living alone.

swg1 · 09/10/2020 11:43

@StatisticalSense

They should be removed for those with children but not for those actually living alone.
Those with children are some of the people who actually need them for safety.

Imagine a single mum with toddlers. They get covid. The toddlers bounce back in a day, mum has a "mild" case which equates to severe flu. Who watches the toddlers?

Yes, she could break the law a la Cummings but a law designed for someone to break it is not a good law.

And it doesn't even take that kind of emergency. Mum has an urgent medical appointment. Hospital is not allowing non-patient kids in. Child is not in childcare but refuses to inconveniently stop existing. What to do?

baroqueandblue · 09/10/2020 11:44

If they think I'm isolating myself again for any length of time they can think again, and then go fuck themselves into the bargain.

What we have in this wonderful country now, liberated from our EU oppressors, is a completely unaccountable shower of shits in government (and behind the scenes) who make it up as they go along and lie through their rotten teeth every time they're asked a simple question. And aiding them in their twisted campaign to ransack the country's coffers are all those people who call objectors selfish and stupid, instead of challenging the muppets running the show. So they deserve all they get.

I'm blowed if I'm playing this thankless game anymore, beyond taking basic measures to protect myself and others.

Gobacktothe90s · 09/10/2020 11:47

@StatisticalSense

They should be removed for those with children but not for those actually living alone.
No they shouldn't. Try being a single parent dealing with lockdown completely on your own with kids.
IncidentsandAccidents · 09/10/2020 11:47

@StatisticalSense that makes no sense at all! Support bubbles are an absolute lifeline for single parents. Many simply wouldn't be able to manage work and childcare without support (and some of these parents are vital keyworkers). Putting that aside, single parents have the same need for adult company and support as anyone else.

ShinyGreenElephant · 09/10/2020 11:49

@StatisticalSense how ridiculous! So a single mum with 3 SN toddlers is fine to have no adult contact - you can't see any issue with that? Or a single dad who's struggling with his teenage daughter's behaviour, and so on and so on. My support bubble has helped me SO much and I'd be sad to lose it but would ultimately be fine - many other single parents genuinely wouldn't and they shouldn't have to.