So...does Borris really have a plan in the pipeline so families can be together for Christmas?

[BlowMeToBermuda]

Hi,

With rumours swirling, does anyone think there is actually a "together for Christmas" plan?

Before anyone shoots me down, I'm not saying I believe there should be one necessarily. There are certainly more important plans needing to be put together right now.

Don't get me wrong, I would absolutely love to be with family for Christmas, but I just can't see how.

Thoughts?

[starfish4]

The most I think we can hope for is two families getting together at some point over Xmas. Any more, we'll be back in lockdown in February.

[YogaLite]

Let's hope media keep updating us on what the great, good and those at the top do for Christmas so the rest of us have a precedent to follow

[friendlycat]

With the numbers rising it’s difficult to formulate a plan and let’s be honest this government isn’t good at planning even when they have other countries to look at and follow.

In a few weeks let’s see what some other European countries are doing, as they are all struggling as well, and then perhaps try and see which approach Boris is going to adopt for here. However, his own party is completely split and can’t present a cohesive front so who knows.

I do think that furlough being potentially extended until March indicates a lot.

[DiddlySquatty]

Agree with one PP (and maybe others have said) that I’m hoping schools will break up a little early so that if people want to self isolate for 2 weeks leading up to Christmas in order to see vulnerable family members then they can. I’m really hoping we can do this and may take my kids out of school a few days early. Appreciate not everyone can work from home

[Chaotic45]

Big fat nope.

Would he like to have a plan- yes.

Is it impossible to make a safe plan given the current situation- yes.

As surely as 2 + 2 = 4, and square pegs don't for neatly into round holes there is no one on this earth that can formulate a plan that is workable or safe.

He may relax the rules, but that's not a plan- that is a botch job!

[Chaotic45]

Crikey some people must have an epic Christmas Day if it's worth completely isolating for two weeks in the run up!

We will be out walking, seeing lights, delivering cards, meeting one person at a time outside, having take away hot chocolate. I absolutely would not choose to stay locked in my house for one day of celebration over 14 days of relative freedom. Each to their own of course and I accept that maybe I need to up my Christmas Day game!

[Alternista]

I’ve given up hope of it changing tbh. I just feel sort of blank and resigned this time around. Which might not be healthy but it is making it easier than last time!

[Bikingbear]

I was just thinking Boris has 4 adult children, his parents and partners parents. My guess is he is going to want to see at least some of them at Christmas.

My guess is they'll decide to limit to 6 households and twelve people. Purely based on the Johnston's!

[MercyBooth]

YY @YogaLite I reckon the only Zoom that MPs advisors etc will be worrying about is the Zoom lens operated by a press photographer who may be discreetly keeping an eye on their Christmas plans.

[MercyBooth]

thats if they dont relax the rules

As @Bikingbear pointed out they will want their Christmases too without being spied on by the press to check they arent being hypocrites.

[DiddlySquatty]

Well good point about whether it’s worth isolating for 2 weeks for one day, but it’s about being able to spend it with my dad who is having chemo. Haven’t decided yet if it’s what we’ll do but it’s an option

[PaddyF0dder]

I think adults should be adults for one year, and accept that a quiet Christmas is better than a super-spreading one. It sucks but it’s only one year. The vaccine is around the corner. Just focus on having a nice, small Christmas in 2020.

[Bikingbear]

Paddy that's easy for some to say, have a quiet Christmas.
Others may not have seen family since last Christmas.
Others this could be the first or second Christmas without a close family member and need the support of the remaining family to get through it.
Others facing terminal illness it could be the last time they can have a family Christmas.

The numbers have dwindled round my table in the last 10 years, of the 10 people who were here 10 years ago, 4 are gone. And two children have arrived. Christmas is important for families.

[Racoonworld]

I don’t think it’s possible for them to have a plan yet, it’s too early to see what cases will be doing around that time. I’m hoping they will say we can see another household for Christmas. But really don’t think they’re going to be able to let us all mix with multiple households no matter how important it is to people. If you have elderly or vulnerable family members it’s not going to be a good idea to see them anyway no matter what the rules are.

[Chaotic45]

@Bikingbear I agree with you, but the cases where this is genuinely the situation are in the minority. I feel that those of us who can can cope with a less than ideal smaller Christmas should do so. People who really must support loved ones and who cannot cope without seeing them should do what is right for them.

It really is just one day, if people have gone a full year without seeing a relative then maybe they could consider extending this until spring when outdoor meetings are easier and hopefully things will have improved.

[TheKeatingFive]

I doubt it.

The only thing that would actually make for a safer Christmas would be some kind of rapid testing programme rolled out. I doubt that's on the cards.

I don't think breaking up schools early is a goer. How many would actually isolate? If they don't the whole thing is pointless.

The best they'll be able to do in the end is advise on numbers for household meetings, which will be totally unenforceable.

[Bikingbear]

The best they'll be able to do in the end is advise on numbers for household meetings, which will be totally unenforceable.

I think that's exactly what they will do. Advise a max of 6 households and 12 people. And only to go to one house. They'll probably also advise to keep windows open to increase airflow.

[PaddyF0dder]

@Bikingbear

We’re in that position. My entire family is in a different country. I’ve not seen a blood relative since February. I am at this point terribly, terribly lonely.

It’s not easy. But we need to suck it up.

[Chaotic45]

We will not be mixing indoors with anyone who is in a risk category from Covid regardless of the rules. Passing on the virus is not going to be part of any Christmas Day here. No one would want to take that risk, nor would they enjoy the day with that hanging over them.

It can wait.

[RichardMarxisinnocent]

@Bikingbear

The best they'll be able to do in the end is advise on numbers for household meetings, which will be totally unenforceable.

I think that's exactly what they will do. Advise a max of 6 households and 12 people. And only to go to one house. They'll probably also advise to keep windows open to increase airflow.

How on earth do 12 people social distance indoors or around the dining table unless people live in a mansion?

[Changechangychange]

Boris will relax everything in the face of SAGE opposition, because Boris hates to be the bad guy and fancies himself as PM Santa.

Then cases will go up, and there will be a u turn (probably more stringent that it would have needed to be if he’d left some restrictions in place).

Not sure if that will be before Christmas or between Christmas and New Year, but it will be whatever time will cause maximum disruption to people’s plans, and to the economy.

[KiposWonderbeasts]

He doesn’t do plans.
He does slogans.

[lovelyupnorth]

Not sure Johnson has ever had a plan about anything. How the fuck people voted for this buffoon I’ll never know. And you can see what a cluster fuck Brexit will be.


At least there’s a vaccine. Shame it’ll go off in the queues at the border trying to clear customs. 😂😂

We’re so fucked.

[Thewiseoneincognito]

I’m still expecting us to be in lockdown despite what the gov are saying now about restrictions being lifted on the 2nd Dec. IF said restrictions are lifted then we can expect to be in another long lockdown come March once again. Those hell bent on spending time in groups will go ahead regardless of what the advice is, so we should expect another uptick again by January.

My worry is what happens if the gov say Christmas is off.

[Chaotic45]

@Thewiseoneincognito what is your fear wrt Christmas being called off. I'm not being goady- just interested? Is it mass outrage?