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?

Can we just stop with this ‘selfish’ label for anyone desperate to see their family? For whenever reason it is NOT selfish to want to see your family. For Christ’s sake.

Do They Know It's Christmas?
Band Aid
Written - Midge Ure & Bob Geldof
Keyboard - Midge Ure
Programmer - Midge Ure
Bass - John Taylor
Guitar - Andy Taylor
Drums - Phil Collins
Recorded at Sarm West Studios, London - 25 November 1984
Release Date - 29 November 1984
Label - Columbia Records & Phonogram Inc.

[Paul Young]
It's Christmas time
There's no need to be afraid
At Christmas time
We let in light and we banish shade

[Boy George]
And in our world of plenty
We can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world
At Christmas time

[George Michael]
But say a prayer
Pray for the other ones
At Christmas time it's hard
But when you're having fun

[Simon LeBon (Duran Duran)]
There's a world outside your window
And it's a world of dread and fear

[Sting]
Where the only water flowing
Is the bitter sting of tears

[Bono & Sting]
And the Christmas bells that ring there
Are the clanging chimes of doom

[Bono]
Well tonight thank God it's them
Instead of you

[Boy George & Others]
And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time
The greatest gift they'll get this year is life (Oooh)
Where nothing ever grows, no rain or rivers flow
Do they know it's Christmas time at all?

[Marilyn & Glenn Gregory]
Here's to you

[Paul Young]
Raise a glass for everyone

[Marilyn & Glenn Gregory]
Here's to them

[Paul Young, Marilyn & Glenn Gregory]
Underneath that burning sun
Do they know it's Christmas time at all?

[Chorus: All]
Feed the world
Feed the world
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time again

Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time again

Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time again

Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time again

Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time again

Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time again

Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time again

Is that on the wrong thread lol

@Nicknacky

christinarossetti19 What do you consider to be “elderly”?

Not sure really, it was just in reference to people talking about seeing their parents etc.

I guess seeing people who you haven't been up to now indoors due to their being higher risk.

It's possible to understand why people want to see their families and not call them 'stupid' or 'selfish' and also feel a deep well of despair at what increased mixing indoors will likely herald for January ie more cases, more deaths, more restrictions, more job losses etc.

With a hard Brexit thrown in for good measure.

Well - a very divided set of responses to my original post! Although I quite understand the mitigating circumstances in terms of ill parents/grandparents, mental health issues, etc. I still do not see a reason why a very large percentage of people cannot err on the side of caution to prevent a surge in January!

My issue is that my family are planning to keep it to a minimum so that everyone has company on the day without becoming a big party of people. DHs family are getting all worked up that they HAVE to see every single member of 5 families and actually spend time with them or its not Christmas. My suggestion to split into two big groups instead to keep my elderly in-laws risk halved went down like a lead balloon, everyone indignant as if I was trying to ruin Christmas!

Not my risk to decide so I'll leave it to them.

christinarossetti19 In answer to your question, no I’m not isolating or getting a test before Christmas.

Why? Because my circumstances is different from yours, that's why. I've been living with/ caring for my parents throughout. Between March and the end of the year, we will have had 9 weeks without restrictions (if nothing changes). Those 9 weeks my parents have been able to go out, and my siblings have visited on the driveway. We have had no-one else inside the house since March, and have been in no-one else's else's house since March, and I have had to give up work. My sister and her family, that's 4, will be coming over Christmas day. My brother and his family who usually come over boxing day are not because his wife is a nurse.

I am guessing you have had less restrictions than me. So if I see my sister and her family for 4 hours maybe Christmas day, and that's it, does that mean I'm not knuckling down?

@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?

I understand your point of view but I have a big issue with calling people stupid because they see things differently. Some people could argue,for instance, that locking down for a virus with all the destruction of the economy and certain industries is stupid when that virus is relatively harmless to the vast amount of people that get it. If you want people to see your point of view, try not insulting them. That goes for both sides of the argument.

Are you my neighbour OP?
She has been constantly posting preachy Facebook statuses all week telling people to delay celebrating Christmas with family and friends until it's safe.....all the while her husband has been collected for work by three different people this week and doesn't appear to own a mask.

My 80 year old nana wants to see me, she doesn't want me to stay away to protect her.

@MagicSummer

Well - a very divided set of responses to my original post! Although I quite understand the mitigating circumstances in terms of ill parents/grandparents, mental health issues, etc. I still do not see a reason why a very large percentage of people cannot err on the side of caution to prevent a surge in January!

Because as I said in an earlier post I cannot and will not continue to be held accountable for the health of the entire country any more. And I'm sorry if that offends anyone, but it's time to focus on my own family's well being now.

I cannot and will not continue to be held accountable for the health of the entire country any more.

I 100% agree with this.

Failures of government to prepare for this, failures of the health service (well really government) to scale up for it, totally unrealistic expectations from others that we control and be ‘kept safe’ from a virus - these should not be put on ordinary people’s shoulders.

A huge amount was sacrificed by everyone during the first lockdown to give some leeway for those dealing with it at the top. People now wondering what more will be asked of them.

@Napqueen1234

Can we just stop with this ‘selfish’ label for anyone desperate to see their family? For whenever reason it is NOT selfish to want to see your family. For Christ’s sake.

I just don't know how you think increasing the risk for others isn't selfish

justgeton I assume you are staying home alone over Christmas?

You enjoy your quiet Christmas.

I’ll be having a big Christmas, mixing with all family both in and out of the U.K. through December and I don’t really care what the rules are or what anyone thinks.

I know people with relatives in their 90’s who haven’t seen them in months or only through a screen or video call. These relatives have varying degrees of dementia and don’t understand looking at loved ones through a window or on a video call, these people may only have months left anyway. Nobody wants their relatives to die of Covid but everybody dies of something and I’d much rather spend time with an elderly relative and accept the risk than not see them for months on end and them die of something else alone or without loved ones.

Mind your business. You do you, let everyone else do them.

I just don't know how you think increasing the risk for others isn't selfish

I’m starting to think that preventing people from seeing their loved ones for months on end, chasing the illusion we can control a virus, is the more selfish position.

@TheKeatingFive

I just don't know how you think increasing the risk for others isn't selfish

I’m starting to think that preventing people from seeing their loved ones for months on end, chasing the illusion we can control a virus, is the more selfish position.

Agree.

@MagicSummer

Well - a very divided set of responses to my original post! Although I quite understand the mitigating circumstances in terms of ill parents/grandparents, mental health issues, etc. I still do not see a reason why a very large percentage of people cannot err on the side of caution to prevent a surge in January!

Oh do go away !!

So many drink drivers people who want to take risks on behalf of other people. So generous of them

The second time with this poor drink driving analogy.

Driving would be banned if people cared as much about road deaths/pollution as they do about covid.

You are absolutely utterly obsessed with Covid SheepandCow. It cannot be healthy.

I am having Christmas alone and I have no intention of endangering my family by going there.
My elderly parents do not want me there as I work in the NHS.
I just think it's bloody selfish - lets all enjoy a family Christmas a sod everyone else. Go hug your granny then you can watch her die horribly on a ventilator in January.
I have no idea why people think Christmas is so important.

I just think it's bloody selfish - lets all enjoy a family Christmas a sod everyone else

I have been prevented from seeing my elderly parents for more than six months of this year.

They want to see their child and grandchildren. They are not prepared to forgo this source of joy to mitigate all risks of Covid. Who are you or the government to tell them they should do otherwise?

There are far more things that can kill you than Covid. I don’t know that this won’t be the last time we celebrate Christmas together.

Sure bang on endlessly about your boring mental health

Boring mental health?!
Well, that comes from a lovely place of privilege, doesn't it - lucky bloody you to not have to worry about boring silly little things such as mental health

madcatladyforever You say you work for the NHS yet say “boring mental health”??

Wow. I’m actually lost for words apart from ones that will get me banned.

I’m glad you will be alone.