NHSers - Xmas bubble plans?

[treesliding]

I've no idea what to do. I'm working right up to Xmas Eve in acute hospital - possibly on covid ward (depends on numbers nearer the time).

My extended family who would be in my bubble want us to come for Xmas regardless but I feel uncomfortable. The risk is held with me. It feels wrong no matter how much I'd like a fairly normal Christmas.

What's everyone else doing?

Im sorry but I am not an NHS worker (I do work with preschool children though)
I have no advice but I feel for you and think its actually quite unfair for NHS staff. x

Sorry not for NHS staff but for everyone else to be enjoying themselves and you feeling like you need to be careful x

I am also NHS but I'm community and see most of my patients virtually currently. It sucks because we are business as usual in terms of working hours, if anything I am lucky I get the bank Holidays off! Really feel for you and thank you for everything you are doing 💐

Thanks - I feel ok about working with covid etc and being in the hospital - I just hate being the party pooper. Other people don't really get the risk I pose. I don't know. So difficult.

I’m in the same position @treesliding. I really don’t know what to do. If I went to my parents, my 100 year old nan would be there. I’m so torn with it probably being her last Christmas, to wanting to keep her safe.

It’s also the thought that if it wasn’t Christmas the Mixing wouldn’t be allowed.

We’re not mixing.

OP I'm really sorry you have this dilemma. I am not NHS, and it isn't at all comparable in terms of risk, but I work in early years (so no social distancing) and have 4 children at school (3 at large secondaries with lots of cases). To be honest, I don't feel comfortable bubbling with any relatives for Christmas either - I feel like we are quite 'exposed' as a family and therefore could pose quite a high risk to older family members. We're having Christmas on our own as a family for the first time in 16 years.

Personally- I don't think I could- like you say, it's ok for them to say they don't care, but you would be responsible, in your own mind at least. One positive though- if you are wearing PPE, not associating with colleagues in tea room (our biggest hospital outbreaks were caused by hospital staff not social distancing in breaks) then the risk is definitely much lower and if maybe be a bit more confident saying yes.

Hi, another one here who isn’t NHS but preschool with 2 at uni & one at secondary. I agree with you not bubbling at Christmas. We have the same issue as my youngest & I break up on the 18th. We have already lost my mum this year. My dad is extremely nervous of catching it. Don’t know when he, & we, will feel it is safe to see each other.

I’m not NHS either but DH and I are secondary school teachers. We have decided not to see my family. My mum is in a nursing home and I haven’t seen her since March when we first went into lockdown. I’m dreading breaking the news we won’t be visiting but I can’t take the risk.

NHS, also working up to Xmas Eve.

I am not mixing with anybody outside of husband and children.

Could you request staff testing around the period in order to help be more informed? I know it’s not bulletproof as you could develop it etc but it’s a good indicator I guess. And make sure the relatives understand that if they choose to be in your bubble they are at an increased risk.

Same as pinkpip100. Due to my work and my children I still don’t feel I ought to be mixing with elderly parents etc. I will be working up to Christmas Eve. We will be having a small family Christmas at home and I am quite excited.