Why can't people see that it is stupid to mix at Christmas?

[MagicSummer]

I know that the Government had to relax the rules for the 5-day period because so many people would have broken them anyway, but can people not see that mixing families, travelling and close contact is going to cause another spike in the New Year? It makes me so cross - why can't people just knuckle down and have a quiet Christmas this year without endangering the lives of their older relatives?

Because their older relatives want to see them? I’ve heard quite a few stories of older relatives wanting to see their family rather than be ‘protected’.

I’m happy to have Xmas at home. Have everything I need here but I don’t have elderly relatives who live alone otherwise I imagine I’d feel differently.

I completely agree.

why don't you enjoy your quiet Christmas OP and stop worrying about what others are doing?

I agree! Won’t be mixing

I think they had to come up with rules that weren't ideal but at least most people would stick to rather than strict rules that many wouldn't.

Rosehip, probably because what others are doing will effect everyone.

I agree OP. It’s not just about risking older relatives but taking the virus into work and schools after mixing and putting those that didn’t at risk.

I imagine there will be a lot of moaning about another lockdown, school closures etc after by many that did mix.

I wish the government had said no mixing and granted a bank holiday after the vaccine rollout.

Because older relatives are people too, they have their own thoughts and many are willing and able to make their own risk assessment.

You do you. Let everyone else decide for themselves.

Yes, why do people crave human contact and time with their loved ones? Truly, it is a mystery.

Having lost mu mother in law in March, O feel it would be cruel to not visit my father in law.
But this will be for minimum time and taking social distancing guidelines.
Would love to see my own parents but know I can't. Last visit was December last year 😪

Not all of us have older relatives and want to see people

My older relative called today to say she wants me DH and the kids over to hers.

I explained DS has Covid, it knocked him for six, and that there is absolutely no way we are taking the risk while my other son also remains at secondary rife with cases.

She seemed surprised as her friend popped over today with her little girl who is self isolating! Two weeks ago this mother and her 11 year old also had my relative over to theirs to bake cakes - even though the child was on a previous self isolation.

Just because you can...

And just because an older relative is OK with this, I'm not. It's also not fair on grandchildren to live with the burden if they infect somebody.

I've seen what it does to a fit teen, how easily it moves and if others did too then maybe they would think twice.

Firstly, not everyone who is seeing family is seeing older relatives. We are seeing my PIL who are in their 50s and my SIL who is in her 20s.

Secondly, it's not for us to judge other peoples desire to see their family. I am not seeing my family this christmas, and have only seen them once since march as they live abroad, and I have accepted it is what it is, but my MIL would have a breakdown if she went one christmas without seeing her children. She has never had to do it, unlike my mother. I cant judge her, despite the fact that I wouldnt have the same reaction as her in the same situation. She loves her family.

Thirdly, people are doing what they are doing out of desperate love, and if you see that as stupid, fine. However, you arent the baseline for everyone else.

@OnlyFoolsnMothers did anyone say everyone did

Everyone in my family has had it already, anyway, including elderly relatives.

Because people who don't want to mix are not being forced to and can therefore stick to isolating themselves but for the vast majority of people that want to and will mix regardless they are able to. I suggest you have a look at the thread regarding suicides amongst young people and try thinking of life as a whole rather than this one specific disease which for almost everyone is entirely harmless.

Sametoo op did actually “why can't people just knuckle down and have a quiet Christmas this year without endangering the lives of their older relatives?”

I'm so desperate to see my mother, but we don't because it is selfish and dangerous. We have DC at secondary.
If I'd gone over last week we would have taken Covid in the house.

I’m cross that the rules haven’t been fully thought through. They aren’t following the science.
We are off 19th December to 4th January. Many people have this as a break including schools and universities. We have no plans to go anywhere and have online shopping booked. It would therefore be safe so see older relatives for a festive meet up around New Year, having isolated for a good while. Boris says only allowed until 27th! They should break schools up early IMO, if these are the rules.

I agree OP. We won't be mixing indoors with other households. I know that there would have been mass disobedience of the rules anyway, but at the very least the government could have not condoned it, even if it was not being actively policed.

Because I live in the area of the country with the lowest rate even though my county has been put into tier 2. There have been 0 cases in my town for weeks now. I miss my family and friends and it’s a risk I and they are willing to take.

It's "allowed" - doesn't mean it's compulsory.

My parents and PIL have chosen not to take the risk of mixing with anyone over Xmas. We obviously fully understand this, but would have visited them if they'd wanted, because it's their choice. (Also it may well be DM's last Christmas, for unrelated reasons.)

The people who want to take stupid risks would have been doing so anyway, rules or no rules.

Because 'stupid' is undefinable. Your 'stupid' will be different to my 'stupid' because people have different lives, concerns, priorities and vulnerabilities.
Some people think locking down at all was 'stupid'.
Some think leaving the house for any reason that is 100% necessary to survive is 'stupid'.
Some think accepting a vaccine they perceive to be rushed 'stupid'.

Because some people may spend Christmas alone. Including myself.

isn't 100% sorry