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Original poster

Telegraph tomorrow, Christmas relaxed

173 replies

MummaPI · 20/11/2020 23:48

Just seen the front page on the telegraph but can't read online with subscribing.
Says Boris to announce Christmas rules next week but likely to be 21st-28th.
My first thought was "I don't normally see people every day for this long at Christmas anyway!!" Grin
If anyone can read it and add more info, that would be great. I know its nothing definite but there has been a habit of leaving to the press before announcing.

OP posts:
DdraigGoch · 21/11/2020 21:42

@Viviennemary

One or at the very most two days is plenty. Then we all have to suffer a miserable January with no shops or cafes. It's mad. Sick of the whole wretched business. It's like living in a police state.
So in the one or possibly two days in which you've very generously granted me for seeing my parents (I live alone, the alternative is sitting quietly in the middle of a half-renovated room in my cottage pulling both ends of the same cracker) how exactly will I have time to travel 200 miles south, see my parents and travel 200 miles back north bearing in mind that there will be no public transport for the 25th and 26th? Bear in mind that I will be working on most of the other days in question. A minimum of three nights is required by anyone who needs to travel on public transport.
Cantspeakpublic · 21/11/2020 22:40

What happened to don’t kill a granny campaign?
Most schools do not break up till the 19th which does not give the 2 weeks isolation time needed to keep families safe.
There will be some families out there who lose members if this goes ahead. We would like to break up in the 19th, isolate for the 2 weeks then see the family. That’s my decision as a grow adult and surely I should be allowed to do this. I do not agree and will not be seeing them before!

Dustballs · 21/11/2020 22:48

I've felt this for a long time, but this brings it more clearly into focus:

Does anyone else feel we're being controlled? I don't know how anyone could fail to feel that.

Being locked in. Then released for 6 days - when we don't even want to be. But that's when we can be free. And then locked back down again.

This is torture. I'm not a believer of conspiracy. But there's more to this. It's not about Covid. It's too weird to just be about Covid.

Why are they choosing to go about it in this way?

TracyBeakerSoYeah · 21/11/2020 22:53

I would love to spend Christmas with my friends & family this year but not if it means we have a harsher lockdown after Christmas.
I know this is a different situation to WW1 & 2 but many many soldiers & their families didn't see each other for years.
One missed Christmas although completely shit won't kill us.

Though maybe the Government might come up with a work around so at least we can have a sort of Christmas for a day or 2 or 3.
But as pp's have said it does rely on the majority of folk not taking the piss.

Ninbuscl · 21/11/2020 22:56

I totally don’t understand the obsession with Xmas either. Just have a low key Xmas. This could all be over by spring and we can have a big Easter party instead

Viviennemary · 21/11/2020 22:58

Many people have families far afield and haven't seen them over this whole period and eont be seeing them any time soon. . I think it's totally mad to lift restrictions for a week and then more lockdown more job losses more poverty. It isn't balanced or sensible.

Dustballs · 21/11/2020 22:59

I don't think anyone I've spoken to or read on mumsnet/anywhere. Nobody at all is bothered by Christmas.

People that are desperate to see their family don't want to give Covid to them. Others just aren't fussed about Christmas.

Has the government done any research into this? Why do they talk to the nation as though every single one of us wants this? It's sort of patronising. But it's deliberately misguided. Isn't it?

Cantspeakpublic · 21/11/2020 22:59

I think it isn’t as simple as one missed Christmas though. Many of our parents are elderly, I worry it will be the last Christmas I get to spend with mine. As I say we would prefer the choice and celebrate with them after school has broken you and after the 2 weeks so a late Dec early jan. So I’m hoping they don’t announce it’s those days or nothing. That will force thousands of families to mix when children have been at school! Horrifying! We will not be taking this risk but I fear many will because the government have said so it must be safe Shock

Molly333 · 21/11/2020 23:05

If this is true i want to cry and cry ! How can the poor nhs roll out the vaccine and also deal with the covid cases that will be generated from this long release of measures ? Im so so sad

MzHz · 21/11/2020 23:09

If we have a relaxing available, those who use it should self quarantine afterwards - as if they had gone on holiday.

Those who don’t mix should be allowed to carry on and get some life back

covetingthepreciousthings · 21/11/2020 23:15

Has anyone seen if this means non essential retail will potentially open up from the 3 Dec again?

Or will that depend on the tier..

CountreeGurl · 21/11/2020 23:19

I don't understand why people woukd risk their elderly relatives' lives because they feel entitled to Christmas. The only way it is safe is if the rapid tests are available more widely in the days before, or if people isolate for 2 weeks prior, which is what I am planning to do so I can see my parents for a few hours

covetingthepreciousthings · 21/11/2020 23:22

I don't understand why people woukd risk their elderly relatives' lives because they feel entitled to Christmas

I think in some situations the elderly relatives should be able to make a decision on this though, for example I have an elderly relative in their late 80s, lives alone so not a care home risk situation, they would much rather see family when they can and accept the risk, than be completely isolated.

ineedaholidaynow · 21/11/2020 23:27

But would they then be putting extra pressure on NHS @covetingthepreciousthings if they got ill?

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 21/11/2020 23:28

@Molly333

If this is true i want to cry and cry ! How can the poor nhs roll out the vaccine and also deal with the covid cases that will be generated from this long release of measures ? Im so so sad
I know. Not to mention schools and workplaces putting all those at risk that didn’t mix.

Not sure how you would enforce quarantine after, many people would claim they hadn’t mixed. Given how many don’t bother isolating when they should or go out when positive relying on trust clearly doesn’t work. It’s a good idea though, no school or work and have to stay home for 14 days after may make some think twice as to whether they really need to see others.

Billie18 · 21/11/2020 23:31

Good grief! People so scared to take responsibility for themselves. We should never have had laws prohibiting us from seeing friends or relatives. That doesn't mean we are prevented from taking precautions and limiting contact with those that are vulnerable. Just because you don't risk being fined for doing something doesn't mean you are forced to do it.

Dustballs · 21/11/2020 23:42

@Billie18 - my child is disabled and has been stopped from doing her sports that keep her muscles moving and prevent contractures.

She also has friends in these places. Friends that she does not have at school.

But she can't do these things anymore because they're all shut down. That's just a part of the way that this is affecting us.

What about those whose businesses have been shut down and will close as a result of this?

It's not as simple as choosing to break the rules.

mommydragon · 21/11/2020 23:51

Gosh....the Trace and Trace App will be going mental come mid January 😊

SheepandCow · 21/11/2020 23:52

It's like drink driving. People aren't just taking the risk for themselves.
With the vaccines so close it would be an utter scandal if the government knowingly allows tens of thousands of avoidable deaths.

SheepandCow · 21/11/2020 23:53

@mommydragon

Gosh....the Trace and Trace App will be going mental come mid January 😊
The grave diggers will be busy too.
SleepingStandingUp · 21/11/2020 23:57

Sure this will go down a storm with all the NHS staff working over Christmas and then get to can watch hundreds more die in January

SheepandCow · 22/11/2020 00:01

It's two fingers up to our hardworking over stressed NHS workers. As if they're not already traumatised. ICU nurses were sectioned after the stress of the first wave!

Temporarything · 22/11/2020 00:12

What a stupid idea.

Billie18 · 22/11/2020 00:14

[quote Dustballs]@Billie18 - my child is disabled and has been stopped from doing her sports that keep her muscles moving and prevent contractures.

She also has friends in these places. Friends that she does not have at school.

But she can't do these things anymore because they're all shut down. That's just a part of the way that this is affecting us.

What about those whose businesses have been shut down and will close as a result of this?

It's not as simple as choosing to break the rules.[/quote]
Agree. Was responding to posters who wanted restrictions to prevent them from meeting people.