Removing support bubbles

[SleeplessGeordie]

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?

The person above who said the the support bubbles operate as one household in terms of isolation etc is correct. One extra person in a support bubble of a household of 3 or 4 is still below the size of many individual households. It makes no sense and would be cruel to remove the support bubble structure.
If people are abusing it then it needs policing (not necessary literally the police) - in other countries this would simply be an online form to register the bubble etc.

It's not just the mental health, lack of social contact issue. Human contact is important in maintaining physical health, someone to notice that you are not as well as you were, someone who can get you to medical advice when you're not thinking straight. Someone who has suddenly become ill with a fever won't be initiating zoom meetings, they may not even respond to phone calls or whatsapp messages. They need someone who can notice they haven't been heard from for a day or so, and who can decide the appropriate action, which may be to go round to their house and do a physical check.

Ive been offline most of the day, is this what they are saying is going to happen?

Weve been very strict and stuck to the rules but there is no way im going back to not seeing my mum.

@smilingthroughgrittedteeth

Ive been offline most of the day, is this what they are saying is going to happen?

Weve been very strict and stuck to the rules but there is no way im going back to not seeing my mum.

It's not been announced but strongly rumoured that there has been a leak which suggests it's coming. But let's try not to worry too much until we know. Which is easier said than done when you live in one of the hardest hit areas which is likely to result in maximum restrictions if they bring in the tiered system. I can't not go and help my Mum

I wish they would stop leaking things over the weekends and just tell us straight out

It doesn't really matter whether they announce it or not, I won't be adhering to it. I have 2, single, family members relying on me for support and they'll still be getting it.

If you have bubbled with another single person household, then you are considered to be one household. So, if tier 3 refers to no contact outside your household it means outside your household including your bubble.

Try not to get carried away reading into things that are not there. It doesn't say that bubbles won't be allowed and I'm pretty sure they would need to spell it out if it were to be the case.

While everyone's getting outraged about bubbles and whether they'll still be allowed or not, nobody's focusing on the availability of tests, return time for tests, contact tracing performance or support to isolate.

I hate this government.

@3littlewords

Just read the article, looks like restrictions where I am are at level 2 equivalent currently. Its likely that my area will go to level 3 when this is introduced, however as I said before there is absolutely no way i will stop that support with my parents. I dont really care if that makes me selfish or not, tough, cutting that contact again is just not something I'm willing to do for anybody.

That's all fine and good, unt3, God forbid, you inadvertently infect your parents and one or more is seriously affected or dies. Have you forgotten those families at Easter that did this and in one 4 died as a result. Yes, it's hard, but is that really worth the risk?

@SoloMummy so who do you suggests looks after elderly parents who live in their own homes but require some support?

That article is based on a leaked memo dated 30 September so it is not likely to be the final version otherwise why have they spent the last 10 days debating it?
I really hope that it isn’t necessarily the final version, we need our childcare bubble to continue or can’t carry on working.

@StatisticalSense

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

You haven't got a fucking clue have you? Nice little wfh set-up with dh bringing you cups of tea on the hour, whilst you both gaze out of the window watching the gardener tend the roses?

Try 7 weeks wfh with 2 kids, with zero practical, physical or emotional support, no compassionate touch, no adult conversation. Kids are my world but ye gods I cannot do that again.

Yes I will keep my bubble. I drove through our city last night to see many revellers enjoying their potentially last big fling - we're already in local lockdown but you'd never tell from the hundreds and hundreds of people I saw last night pouring into and out of pubs.

Closing pubs - meh. I can buy booze at tesco. However, if the check-out lady is the only adult I've spoken to in person for 10 days, damn right I'm going to be asking my bubble (dp, we don't live together) to share a bottle of wine.

I don't think they woukd remove support bubbles, but if they do then that will be the point at which I stop being such a rule follower. I would be breaking the rule by continuing to see my DP without SD.

The first lockdown and not being able to see anyone I care about almost broke me. I can't do it again.

Fuck that. I'm a single parent and the lockdown nearly broke me. If they remove support bubbles then I will not be following the rules.

I hope they don't remove support bubbles.

It wouldn't affect me at all because I don't have anyone to bubble with. Single parent with one child. No family (small family but all dead now). All my friends already have their bubbles (parents, partner, etc) so I didn't get a look in which is fair enough.

I should probably say I live in the NW where it feels like we have been in a local lockdown since the dawn of time.

It's Mental Health Day today apparently but I've never felt more alone. I WFH full time so I don't even have the face to face chats with my colleagues. I talk to friends and colleagues online and over the phone but it's not the same.

It's awful seeing people in cafes and restaurants having a good time with other adults in their household or support bubble - it's like I'm on the outside looking in. I'm so lonely and isolated.

But having said that, I wouldn't want them to take away support bubbles. It's so important for people to have that interaction with others. I don't want other people to be in my situation.

It's a really odd way of living. Normally, when I feel lonely, I arrange to meet a friend or join a class or something. Not allowed friends and classes always seem to be fully booked because they can only have x places per class due to social distancing. If I'm feeling fed up of being single, I put myself out there and go on dates but that's been taken away now.

I'm quite pro-active and not one to sot and wallow for long but everything has been taken away and there isn't anything I can do about it.

If they take away support bubbles, it will be one step too far for people.

@SoloMummy my parents go to more places than me its more likely they will infect me not the other way around

Well. My bubble friend slept over last night and we shared a bottle of wine. Today I'm driving over to hers for one last playdate.

I'm fighting the feeling that it feels terribly like a goodbye party :(

[quote RockingMyFiftiesNot]@SoloMummy so who do you suggests looks after elderly parents who live in their own homes but require some support?
[/quote]
Then you are their carer(s) as they are vulnerable adults.

Vulnerability is not defined.

@bubblebubblebubbletrouble

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.

Not local. Within county. Which means I can’t have a support bubble as I live on the order of my county and my daughter, who was my bubble, lives in the adjoining one, both in lockdown. We are 15 mins apart but I’m not allowed to see her, or any other family members. It stinks, and it’s very, very stupid. I’m a teacher so allowed to see 150 people every day at close quarters but not see my own adult daughter at all or meet a friend indoors for coffee. Not even in a cafe. No household mixing. Dint think I can do it anymore.

On the border, not order.

@SoloMummy I guess that would be true for me now, it wasn't at the start of lockdown but this year has taken it's toll so more care needed. So I guess it's a wait and see what exactly is announced, if it is at all. Not sure how they police it based on vulnerability tho.

I live on the order of my county and my daughter, who was my bubble, lives in the adjoining one, both in lockdown. We are 15 mins apart but I’m not allowed to see her, or any other family members. It stinks, and it’s very, very stupid

I agree - the county border definition is daft. It would make more sense to set a mile distance. All around the edge of every single county people are living on a border and the virus doesn't take any notice of county borders. A mileage distance would be far more intelligent.

@ExpectBetter

I live on the order of my county and my daughter, who was my bubble, lives in the adjoining one, both in lockdown. We are 15 mins apart but I’m not allowed to see her, or any other family members. It stinks, and it’s very, very stupid

I agree - the county border definition is daft. It would make more sense to set a mile distance. All around the edge of every single county people are living on a border and the virus doesn't take any notice of county borders. A mileage distance would be far more intelligent.

A mile is also stupid! Even the 5 miles was ridiculous. We need accurate information about cases per 100k in areas within counties - allow interaction in areas of similar infection levels. I’m absolutely sure the two places my daughter and I live in will be similar due to population density, demographics etc - on paper hers is much higher because of some areas of her county, while mine is lower because of some areas of mine.

I didn't mean literally one mile, but a distance based on miles!!!

E.g. 30 miles - what is a reasonable distance for a support bubble?

I agree with you