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?

[Bluethrough]

People will do what they want, using "common sense" as Johnson would say.
Its not in his gift to stop or allow Xmas.

How many police do people really think there will be out an about over Christmas?

[gungholierthanthou]

Until the last two weeks I knew people once removed who had the virus - I now personally know 11 different, UNRELATED households with the virus 

Yes I was thinking the same yesterday, it really does seem to be spreading at the moment, although none of the people I know with it have ended up in hospital. The local high school has now had every year group off for a fortnight at different times. I'm wondering if the best thing right now would be to close all secondary schools and have online learning until January.

[PaddyF0dder]

@TheKeatingFive

Not incapable at all.

Not seen a relative in 8 months - I live in a different country from them. It’s awful. A very close relative is dying. If they make it to xmas I’ll be surprised.

We’re going to do the right thing though. There’s no point in having a super-spreading Xmas. My kids will be losing one grandparent imminently. I’d rather the others remain alive and well. We’ll meet in the spring, when the vaccine rolls out.

[HumanFemale1]

I don't give a damn about Boris rules as I will be doing whatever I want for Christmas

[GrumblyMumblyisnotJumbly]

@TheKeatingFive well if you look at many of the comments on here they relate to how many they will have round the table for Christmas lunch rather than upset because Christingle will be on zoom this year. It is comparable to other significant cultural festivals. We are in a disease pandemic mass social gatherings for any reason are unwise.

It will indeed be some people's last Christmas. In my previous comments you will see I said its understandable & natural people will want to see family but it is not essential that it happens in a mass family gathering.

It will be some peoples last Christmas because of Covid.

[TheKeatingFive]

A very close relative is dying. If they make it to xmas I’ll be surprised.

Personally I’d be moving heaven and earth to see a close relative who was dying. We all make different choices.

[HumanFemale1]

@Bluethrough

People will do what they want, using "common sense" as Johnson would say.
Its not in his gift to stop or allow Xmas.

How many police do people really think there will be out an about over Christmas?

Exactly, do people think police will be breaking into people's homes to break up gatherings? And if they do, how will they know everyone who is in the home doesn't live there?

This isn't nazi Germany

[TheKeatingFive]

In my previous comments you will see I said its understandable & natural people will want to see family but it is not essential that it happens in a mass family gathering.

I certainly never mentioned mass family gatherings.

But people will want to see their loved ones, at a very culturally significant time of the year. That’s a basic human instinct. Absolutely give guidelines on how it should be managed as safely as possible, but don’t expect people to not do it.

[FraterculaArctica]

I am as unimpressed by the government's handling of this as the next person, but honestly, why is it up to Boris to "have a plan"? We will not be seeing any family this year at Christmas, because there is no way we can get our 3 young kids to socially distance from grandparents over 70. So we're not seeing them. Just as we haven't seen them all year. Most other people I know are doing the same - Christmas in their own households.

[PaddyF0dder]

@TheKeatingFive

Didn’t say we haven’t seen them. But outside, safely. Not crammed around a dinner table. That would be idiotic.

[TheKeatingFive]

Exactly, do people think police will be breaking into people's homes to break up gatherings?

A poster on here, who shall remain nameless, in all seriousness suggested they send they army in to do this.

I’m still reeling from that.

[rookiemere]

I think it would be sensible to finish schools a little early so there is a clear week between that and Christmas day. I believe a lot of the infections are transmitted in the first week, and asking people to effectively self isolate for a week is a lot more realistic than two weeks.
Our teen is transformed since he is back at school and seeing his pals, I really don't want him to have to spend 14 days back inside in front of a screen just so we can eat a meal with my DPs.

If allowed we will go and visit them - we are an hour away. Depending on case levels we will either just go for a walk outside or have a short visit inside. If levels are low enough we'll have a meal together.

I think it's an impossible one for a politician to dictate. Although I'm sure Nicola ( we're in Scotland) will have no problems doing just that. I think it's also important to note that there is a big thing about having a virtual Diwali today. We cannot really expect other traditions to remain uncelebrated and then demand a big family christmas dinner together.

[Stellaris22]

This is a bit of a pointless thread really.

People will do what they want regardless of advice to stay safe.

It's just one day and honestly, not that important. I don't see why everyone is so desperate to spread the virus and cause further lockdowns just because it's Christmas.

Because this will cause another lockdown.

[ChasingRainbows19]

@Stellaris22 I agree, I think regardless of ‘the rules’ some people can’t possibly not have Christmas their way, cases inevitably will rise in January. Another lockdown will arrive shortly after ( furlough is extended for a reason). This lockdown won’t be extended as they need people Christmas shopping and out/about lifting the economy.

Everyone have to make their own peace with their decisions, that asymptomatic transmission is very real. If they can live with the risk of potentially testing positive a few days after Christmas and being a super spreader because no one is telling them they can’t hug grandma. It’s their choice and their guilt. I just couldn’t do it. I’m happy I can still see my dad even on a doorstep. I’d rather be still seeing him next Christmas than giving him Covid. Others are happy to take the risk, on both sides.

[Bikingbear]

It would make sense to close the schools the Friday before Christmas. How much work will be done on the Monday / Tuesday?

[NeverSurrender]

Alas! No!

[HumanFemale1]

[quote ChasingRainbows19]@Stellaris22 I agree, I think regardless of ‘the rules’ some people can’t possibly not have Christmas their way, cases inevitably will rise in January. Another lockdown will arrive shortly after ( furlough is extended for a reason). This lockdown won’t be extended as they need people Christmas shopping and out/about lifting the economy.

Everyone have to make their own peace with their decisions, that asymptomatic transmission is very real. If they can live with the risk of potentially testing positive a few days after Christmas and being a super spreader because no one is telling them they can’t hug grandma. It’s their choice and their guilt. I just couldn’t do it. I’m happy I can still see my dad even on a doorstep. I’d rather be still seeing him next Christmas than giving him Covid. Others are happy to take the risk, on both sides.[/quote]
Grandma is not a blob with no thoughts or reason. If people have hugged grandma it was because grandma consented to the hug knowing the risks.

I am really fed up with people acting like the elderly are 5 year olds with no agency and like covid is the only thing that can kill you if you're old....

Enough is enough

[Stellaris22]

These attitudes are why we will see a big spike in cases and another lockdown.

It is one day and too much pressure is placed on having a 'magical Christmas' where family have to be together.

If you are single then visiting a family member is fine and necessary. But why it's so important to have a huge gathering and spread the virus is beyond me.

[Bikingbear]

If you are single then visiting a family member is fine and necessary. But why it's so important to have a huge gathering and spread the virus is beyond me.

Because that single person might be newly widowed, the adult child they've bubbled with is probably also grieving for their missing parent, having siblings and other family around can help take your mind of that empty seat. Mental health is important too.

[Badbadbunny]

I'd expect pubs to have to stay closed throughout Xmas and New Year period, i.e. reduce the "total" lockdown down to tier 3 throughout the country, with maybe restaurants also closed in the worst hit areas. That's possible for the police/councils to enforce.

No way can they stop families/friends meeting in each other's houses as it's not enforceable, so they won't go that far. At least it means "contacts" are between mostly family and friends if covid does spread at parties, gatherings, etc., so tracing contacts and isolating is possible.

Allowing pubs to open over Christmas and New Years Eve is madness as there's no way social distance will be enforced and you'll have all kinds of virtual strangers potentially passing covid far and wide, mostly untraceable.

The Govt has to keep covid under control throughout the festive period, otherwise it will just mean that it will spread rapidly through schools and universities again in January as infected people return.

[Stellaris22]

If there has been illness and/or death in the family then that is very different and I can understand the need to carefully arrange visits.

But if it's just visiting for the sake of it and because it's what has always been done, then no, I don't think it's necessary. Especially if it means traveling and cramming families into cars for long drives.

Chatting on Zoom or similar should be enough.

But as I've said before, discussing on threads like this is pointless. People will travel and spread the virus.

[GrumblyMumblyisnotJumbly]

@Bikingbear this will be the second Christmas after losing one of my DP.

Last Christmas was raw. It’s always going to be hard no matter how many or few you celebrate with. Often in loss larger gatherings can actually be harder. Increasing the chance of giving your surviving DP Covid by having more people there would not improve matters.

I would not ever want my surviving DP to be on their own for Christmas but they don’t need to be with my family & my siblings families all at the same time this year.

[StealthPolarBear]

Agree rookiemere

[Bikingbear]

Last Christmas was raw. It’s always going to be hard no matter how many or few you celebrate with. Often in loss larger gatherings can actually be harder. Increasing the chance of giving your surviving DP Covid by having more people there would not improve matters.

Define what you'd consider a "large gathering"?

[MercyBooth]

Mine would be 3 households and six people. And there were plenty of us on here objecting to what happened with Eid .