Page 8 | Does anyone think we will get a break for Christmas?

november90 · 2020-10-19T12:22:51+00:00

It's been hinted that restrictions may ease for the holidays but does anyone actually believe it or do you think it's just a way to try and get people to stick down to the rules? I live in Lancashire, in tier 3 and it seems absolutely nobody is paying attention to the rules! (Like to point out that me and my family are 🙈).

Utterlybutterly8 · 20/10/2020 08:40

The government can't offer a break at Christmas sadly as it would send out completely the wrong message - that the virus isn't particularly harmful or serious after all.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 20/10/2020 08:43

Ecosse turns up on a lot of thread to spread misinformation - tried it on the data thread but not working there.

She's also just accused me of being cruel because I said I would follow the rules! So people who follow the law are abused for doing so. It really beggars belief.

ravensoaponarope · 20/10/2020 08:57

What sort of a break are people thinking of?
I am hoping that people who live alone will continue to be allowed to bubble up with others. It's a difficult time of year for many with mental health problems.
But re the PP who said suicide rates go up at Christmas, I was googling this earlier and was surprised to read they are higher in the Spring.

bendmeoverbackwards · 20/10/2020 09:11

I really hope people stick to the rules whatever they may be at the time.

It's ONE Christmas FFS. Unless you are elderly or have a terminal illness, just need to accept that things will be different this year. It's really not so terrible.

Juststopswimming · 20/10/2020 09:17

@Devlesko

I think most people will have the xmas they want irrespective of what gov might say. Nobody trusts them anymore, if they did to begin with. We'll be doing the same as we usually do and visiting ds1 and family, with ds2 and partner. None of us are woh, or going to pubs, etc so are pretty risk free anyway. Not completely though, but you do your own assessment.

Exactly this.

People will do their own risk assessments and act accordingly.

QueenBlueberries · 20/10/2020 09:17

I am just planning in my head how to work with what we've got. Christmas eve, we will invite a couple of friends, sit in the garden with blankets, have hot chocolate / mulled wine, and have a fire in the firepit. Christmas lunch will be just us with mother in law. Christmas day tea time we will have two other members of the family coming over. We'll go for a walk with friends on Boxing day. Basically, I will try to see everyone we normally see on Christmas day but scatter them around so we can stick to the rule of 6.

We just have to try and make it work, within the restrictions, otherwise we will just focus on what we can't do and it will be a bit shit.

A lot of people fall into deeper depression when they find how much they are in debt after Christmas. So maybe a low key and cheaper Christmas would be better anyway.

lynsey91 · 20/10/2020 09:21

@bendmeoverbackwards

I really hope people stick to the rules whatever they may be at the time.

It's ONE Christmas FFS. Unless you are elderly or have a terminal illness, just need to accept that things will be different this year. It's really not so terrible.

Maybe terrible is not the word but it won't be a great Christmas for many people this year.

Me and DH normally spend it with my family which is my elderly parents, my siblings and their partners and their children and partners. So 16 in total from 8 households.

I really cannot see that being allowed. I am in my 60's and have never ever spent a Christmas without my parents. It looks as though this year will be the first time and it makes me very sad.

Yes me and DH can have a nice time on our own. We both cook Christmas dinner for 16 so cooking for the 2 of us will be a doddle. But Christmas is the one time we all get together. All my nieces and nephews and their other halves work so that is the one time I know we will all meet up.

Christmas is a big deal in my family. We never watch tv but sit and chat, laugh, play games. Even present opening is a big deal. We all sit in a circle and 1 person at a time opens 1 present so we can all see what they have. It normally takes a couple of hours!

My parents are in their 90's. Dad not in the best of health so possibly his last Christmas. They live close to 200 miles away so we can't just pop in and see them

whatswithtodaytoday · 20/10/2020 09:23

We won't be seeing our parents this year... at least not inside. A Boxing Day walk would be nice. I did think about taking my son out of nursery for two weeks before to isolate, but we don't have enough holiday left between us and I think it would be confusing for him to be around them for one day and then go back to distancing.

Yes, it will be a bit shit.

Juststopswimming · 20/10/2020 09:36

@bendmeoverbackwards

I really hope people stick to the rules whatever they may be at the time.

It's ONE Christmas FFS. Unless you are elderly or have a terminal illness, just need to accept that things will be different this year. It's really not so terrible.

I think you're very naive if you think that people will stick to the rules whatever they are.

Also what do you classify as elderly? 70? 80? 100? And what about terminal illness? Cancer? Heart issues? or do dementia and suicidal depression count as well?

Fizbosshoes · 20/10/2020 09:43

My elderly relative is in tier 2 and lives alone an hour away from me. They are in their 90s. Whilst I have kept to the rules so far I would consider breaking them (if relative also agreed) than see a 90- something year old spend what might be their last Christmas on their own.

CrappleUmble · 20/10/2020 09:45

I think there's a realistic chance there will be some kind of break or loosening if at all possible, because regardless of whether it's a good idea, the government will be more concerned about the political consequences of being unable to enforce regulations over the festive period. The reality is that the population will not just stick to the rules and accept that things will be different, after all.

RedToothBrush · 20/10/2020 09:56

@QueenBlueberries

I am just planning in my head how to work with what we've got. Christmas eve, we will invite a couple of friends, sit in the garden with blankets, have hot chocolate / mulled wine, and have a fire in the firepit. Christmas lunch will be just us with mother in law. Christmas day tea time we will have two other members of the family coming over. We'll go for a walk with friends on Boxing day. Basically, I will try to see everyone we normally see on Christmas day but scatter them around so we can stick to the rule of 6.

We just have to try and make it work, within the restrictions, otherwise we will just focus on what we can't do and it will be a bit shit.

A lot of people fall into deeper depression when they find how much they are in debt after Christmas. So maybe a low key and cheaper Christmas would be better anyway.

Thats fine if you are tier 1 or tier 2.

Doesn't work so well in Tier 3 areas.

RedToothBrush · 20/10/2020 10:00

@CrappleUmble

I think there's a realistic chance there will be some kind of break or loosening if at all possible, because regardless of whether it's a good idea, the government will be more concerned about the political consequences of being unable to enforce regulations over the festive period. The reality is that the population will not just stick to the rules and accept that things will be different, after all.

I have to say i think thats probably an assessment thats accurate.

Johnson doesn't want to be the Grinch who stole Christmas.

Its a thoroughly terrible idea for numerous reasons but highly likely i suspect.

Tyranttoddler · 20/10/2020 10:00

@QueenBlueberries

I am just planning in my head how to work with what we've got. Christmas eve, we will invite a couple of friends, sit in the garden with blankets, have hot chocolate / mulled wine, and have a fire in the firepit. Christmas lunch will be just us with mother in law. Christmas day tea time we will have two other members of the family coming over. We'll go for a walk with friends on Boxing day. Basically, I will try to see everyone we normally see on Christmas day but scatter them around so we can stick to the rule of 6.

We just have to try and make it work, within the restrictions, otherwise we will just focus on what we can't do and it will be a bit shit.

A lot of people fall into deeper depression when they find how much they are in debt after Christmas. So maybe a low key and cheaper Christmas would be better anyway.

That sounds perfection at the moment! I just want to see my parents, I'd even take being allowed to see them in their garden, and I imagine that's what we will go with. We are in tier 3,so the things you mention are not allowed l.

ListeningQuietly · 20/10/2020 10:42

The arrogance of those enjoying lockdown while people on minimum wage risk their lives every day to pack and deliver food and groceries is astounding

annabel85 · 20/10/2020 12:29

@bendmeoverbackwards

I really hope people stick to the rules whatever they may be at the time.

It's ONE Christmas FFS. Unless you are elderly or have a terminal illness, just need to accept that things will be different this year. It's really not so terrible.

Yes people just need to stick to the rules.

The government will be realistic. They aren't going to say no household mixing on Christmas Day (unless the situation is catastrophic in December) so there needs to be some give and take.

While I agree with the sentiment that it's just one Christmas, it was too much to ask people not to have a foreign holiday for one summer.

Youandmeareluckytobeus · 20/10/2020 12:41

@Fizbosshoes

My elderly relative is in tier 2 and lives alone an hour away from me. They are in their 90s. Whilst I have kept to the rules so far I would consider breaking them (if relative also agreed) than see a 90- something year old spend what might be their last Christmas on their own.
I can't see the problem with you seeing them at Christmas.....or any other times. Don't you just form a support bubble with them and that way you are treated as one household...or are they already in one with someone else?

swg1 · 20/10/2020 13:04

I would imagine most people who live that far away have support bubbles set up with someone closer. My support bubble is the friend ten minutes away I can see weekly vs the family 40 minutes away because otherwise it's not really very supporty.

Fizbosshoes · 20/10/2020 14:40

They are friendly with neighbours who have done shopping for them but dont think they have formed a bubble. As swg1 says it might be better to have a support bubble closer (and therefore more regular contact) but I'm not sure if they would. I'm thinking of taking some food round next week, (and obviously won't go in the house) so can sound them out about it then, or when wespeakon the phone.

HeIenaDove · 20/10/2020 15:15

Remember the anger when it was revealed towards the end of May that Cummings broke the rules oops sorry guidelines at Easter The anger and the fury afterwards.
Now imagine that multiplied if its revealed at the end of Jan that an MP or adviser etc broke the rules over Christmas (if restrictions are still in place in December) The anger will be magnified X a million as Christmas because as a PP said its more emotionally charged and its more important to most people.

A lot of the public are going to be thinking Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.

IronLawOfGeometricProgression · 20/10/2020 15:49

@ListeningQuietly

The arrogance of those enjoying lockdown while people on minimum wage risk their lives every day to pack and deliver food and groceries is astounding

The sacrifice of those who have taken themselves out of circulation as much as they possibly can lowers the infection risk for everybody.

That's their contribution to society.

It's hardly fair for those who can't or won't do the same to begrudge them making the best of things.

Teawaster · 20/10/2020 18:07

If the rules don't change here in NI, we won't be allowed to mix indoors with anyone except my 93 year old MIL as we are in a bubble with her. Hopefully most people who are elderly /vulnerable and living on their own will have formed a bubble already and be with someone at Xmas . It's not ideal and the DS's and I are sick looking at each other whilst studying and working from home so some more company would be nice . However we will have more Xmas's , I hope . MIL may not , so as long as she is not alone , that's the main thing . This is our 3rd Xmas since DH died and from where I'm sitting a Xmas with just him and the DS's wouldn't be half bad .

joystir59 · 20/10/2020 18:09

Noone will comply unless they feel personally threatened by C19.

joystir59 · 20/10/2020 18:11

I will only mix within my support bubble over Christmas and I will abide by the rule of six. Tier one at present.

Crunchymum · 20/10/2020 18:25

From a government perspective, I actually don't think it would be sensible to ease restrictions at a time (Xmas) when there is usually a lot of movement and mixing of households. The spread of the virus would be catastrophic.

As a human being, I'm going to risk asses nearer the time. We don't have to travel to see family, we are local and I can't bear the thought of my dad spending Xmas alone (just a few months after my mum died).

It is just all so fucking shit.