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

472 replies

MagicSummer · 26/11/2020 18:36

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?

OP posts:
user1471562688 · 27/11/2020 01:09
Hmm
user1471562688 · 27/11/2020 01:13

Certainly won't be if they catch covid at Christmas.

Yep. Covid will see to that. Likely give them a fever before they die too

Just the blinkered responses I expected. Missed the point completely. I despair, I really do. There's thick and then there's THICK.

MercyBooth · 27/11/2020 03:05

Do you think even if as expected the majority of people stay at home that we won't continue to be locked down till March regardless

I asked this on a previous thread @Knickerthief1 Im still waiting for an answer.

MercyBooth · 27/11/2020 03:08

@SheepandCow Why is the trauma @Nicknacky goes through doing her job worth less because what she encounters isnt Covid related? Surely its the same.

Dongdingdong · 27/11/2020 06:25

I'm also worried about the greater restrictions needed afterwards to compensate.

Why? Nothing much happens in January anyway, even in normal times. It would be far easier for people to cope with tougher restrictions in January than December.

Dongdingdong · 27/11/2020 06:29

How come only 0.2% of school children have actually had Covid if it's so so virilant.

Is that the case? I didn’t realise it was such low figures.

Dongdingdong · 27/11/2020 06:31

I do hope that your families will remain healthy

@cantkeepawayforever kindly keep your passive aggressive “well wishes” to yourself.

kezziethecat · 27/11/2020 06:41

I would happily have stayed at home and had a quiet Christmas and might still do that. But now the government have created these Christmas bubbles I am being pressured by my older relatives to see them - they are so desperate to see the grandchildren and don't know when they'll be able to again after this. It's tricky to know what to do for the best.

Laundrybasketseverywhere · 27/11/2020 06:48

I’ll be mixing.

My dad is dying. This will be his last. He may not even make Christmas.

Laundrybasketseverywhere · 27/11/2020 06:49

For the record. My dad has had COVID. He caught it whilst in hospital.

trappedsincesundaymorn · 27/11/2020 06:59

I'll be mixing...I've buried both my parents this year, my mum in April, my dad last week. Both times during a lockdown, so no wakes or mixing after wards. If I'm allowed to mix at Christmas with my sister and extended family to raise a glass to the two people I loved most in this world and who loved Christmas get-togethers above all else, then I bloody well will. Who knew that people would consider a bereaved family wanting to be together "selfish"?

3littlewords · 27/11/2020 07:19

People are only " stupid" if they believe that mixing comes without risk. Most adults are mature and intelligent enough to weigh up their personal circumstances and make their own decision whether that risk is worth it or not. Some feel it is some feel it isn't thats their choice to make. We all know theres a tiny chance of a very very bad outcome.
For me im using it as an excuse to stay home, yes I'm being selfish on grandparents but they won't be alone. It will be nice not to be rushing around to see everyone dragging the kids away from their presents and just do what we want for a change.

islockdownoveryet · 27/11/2020 07:35

@Dongdingdong

I'm also worried about the greater restrictions needed afterwards to compensate.

Why? Nothing much happens in January anyway, even in normal times. It would be far easier for people to cope with tougher restrictions in January than December.

Exactly its well know that January is quiet for most industry's. The hospitality lockdown this month in the hope they can open next week but for most it's looking like the 16th at the earliest. This is the busiest time and it smacks of hypocrisy that you can queue in shops but not eat in a pub all social distancing. January is quiet so god yeah that'll be terrible all staying home in January. The hospitality will have been relying on reopening for Christmas if that doesn't happen a lot won't reopen at all .
RaspberryCoulis · 27/11/2020 07:50

I am so over this shitty, sanctimonious attitude over this illlness.

trappedsincesundaymorn · 27/11/2020 07:50

@cantkeepawayforever

What an insult to people who have lost loved ones to drink driving.

What do you think those who have lost loved ones to Covid think of the Christmas free for all? Do you think that they might feel somewhat insulted - perhaps particularly relatives of healthcare workers who have died - buy their sacrifices being put at naught in the way that they are?

Well seeing as how you asked let me tell you what one of those who lost a loved to covid (my mum), thinks. I think that if people want to see their families at Christmas then go for it. If dad hadn't died 3 weeks ago (cancer ), then we, as a family would all have spent it with him. Mum loved Christmas and the thought of people using her death to stop others from enjoying it how they would want with their own families would have her spinning. Sorry I've not given you the answer you wanted, but you did ask.
Requinblanc · 27/11/2020 07:53

Why does it bother you so much?

Spend your Christmas as you wish and let others decide how they will spend theirs within the rules that have been set up by the government.

Too many people are eager to vent their to self-righteous indignation these days...

trappedsincesundaymorn · 27/11/2020 07:59

Oh and whilst I'm at it, this whole "tell-that-to-someone-who's-lost-a-relative" stuff is insulting. Don't tell it to us, we already know thanks and we all deal with it differently.

lazylinguist · 27/11/2020 08:04

Because a huge portion of the general population are extroverts and think the world ends when they don't mix with other people.

What, so anyone who wants to see their parents or siblings is an extrovert? Sure....

BefuddledPerson · 27/11/2020 08:20

@Dongdingdong

How come only 0.2% of school children have actually had Covid if it's so so virilant.

Is that the case? I didn’t realise it was such low figures.

Its not that low, that's just a misapplied number.
InTheLongGrass · 27/11/2020 08:26

All those saying it's not necessary - do you live near your parents so you can have a chat across the drive, pop in with some shopping, have cup of tea in the garden (when allowed)?
I've seen my Mum twice since feb. Dad once. PiL not since last summer.
PiL have said no to visits. That's fine.
But Dad's business is getting ever closer to bankruptcy. He has furloughed as many as he can, and is working 12/14/16 hour days to sell what he can. This wasnt a struggling business before the hospitality industry was closed down. Dad needs to see people not about to loose their livelihoods. Mum needs some support. Damm right I'm using the window to go see them for a night. I suspect it will be the last opportunity until Easter.
Is it a covid risk? Yes.
Is it worth it for the mental benefits? Absolutely!

christinarossetti19 · 27/11/2020 08:27

It depends on your situation though.

I'm happy not to see family and find the idea of going into the New Year with an increase in cases and further restrictions utterly depressing.

But that's not the viewpoint that is being used to mandate what people can and can't do over Xmas, and it's clear that seeing family at Xmas is important for a lot of people.

I feel appalled on behalf of people working in the education, health, transport services who will be even more exposed to the virus in the New Year.

But people have been given permission to mix, so it's fair enough if they do I suppose.

frozendaisy · 27/11/2020 08:30

@Dongdingdong

I'm also worried about the greater restrictions needed afterwards to compensate.

Why? Nothing much happens in January anyway, even in normal times. It would be far easier for people to cope with tougher restrictions in January than December.

Yep this is how we think about January. Much rather be told to stay in during the bleak midwinter.
BefuddledPerson · 27/11/2020 08:31

@christinarossetti19

It depends on your situation though.

I'm happy not to see family and find the idea of going into the New Year with an increase in cases and further restrictions utterly depressing.

But that's not the viewpoint that is being used to mandate what people can and can't do over Xmas, and it's clear that seeing family at Xmas is important for a lot of people.

I feel appalled on behalf of people working in the education, health, transport services who will be even more exposed to the virus in the New Year.

But people have been given permission to mix, so it's fair enough if they do I suppose.

I think this is where I am, I don't think it's a good idea but it is happening.
BefuddledPerson · 27/11/2020 08:34

I'm also worried about the greater restrictions needed afterwards to compensate.

I meant that the Christmas mixing risks pushing areas into higher tiers. The stop-go on the economy is very disruptive and unhelpful, it's making the economic problems worse in addition to the health problems.