Does anyone think there could yet be a U turn over Christmas?

[HallFloor]

At least in some areas.

It seems madness to me, after having to admit things are out of control in Schools (in London and SE, if not elsewhere) to positively encourage multi generational gatherings over Christmas.

I also wonder how many people plan to have their 3 household bubble and how many will decided it's too big a risk. My parents have said they're having Christmas on their own and whilst elderly, they have no additional risk factors and are not normally anxious.

Schools here are already gearing up for carnage in the New Year. We are currently debating going back on a remote timetable.

We're not going to see family. The school has over 900 children currently self-isolating - no way I'm willing to spread that to my family.

I really hope everyone does the same at school as I don't want to see my DS fall even further behind at school because he needs to be in a classroom.

@PaddyF0dder

I really hope here’s a u-turn.

It’s one Christmas. One. People need to grow up, stop whining and be sensible.

This 100%. Barring the terminally ill, or those who live alone they should really say as cases are now increasing in the South please think carefully about Christmas and stick to your own household only.

We'll have another lockdown in Jan and those that had all their aunties, cousins and pals round will be wanging on that it isn't fair.

We're in the South East. My daughter is a primary school teacher. My grand-daughter goes to another primary school. My OH and I work in different secondary schools. So far, none of us have come into contact with anyone who has covid - we have not had to isolate once.

We are all having christmas day together (we have been doing childcare all the way through anyway) and my other daughter (who is a single household working from home) will also be joining us.

Just giving another perspective on the 'covid is rampaging through schools in the south east' argument

No, it should be those who can limit activities outside their household (school, work etc) should be allowed to mix at Christmas and those who can’t shouldn’t. It’s not fair that those of us who can pretty much isolate be penalised and not allowed to see family when there’s pretty much zero risk. If your household is off put at school and working out if the home then obviously it’s more sensible that you don’t mix with family.

@Mousehole10

No, it should be those who can limit activities outside their household (school, work etc) should be allowed to mix at Christmas and those who can’t shouldn’t. It’s not fair that those of us who can pretty much isolate be penalised and not allowed to see family when there’s pretty much zero risk. If your household is off put at school and working out if the home then obviously it’s more sensible that you don’t mix with family.

Brilliant, so the staff members who have been working non stop in supermarkets, getting the abuse, on top of the normal abuse retails gets at Christmas anyway, gets rewarded by having their Christmas cancelled, but those who can work at home are fine.

@Mousehole10

No, it should be those who can limit activities outside their household (school, work etc) should be allowed to mix at Christmas and those who can’t shouldn’t. It’s not fair that those of us who can pretty much isolate be penalised and not allowed to see family when there’s pretty much zero risk. If your household is off put at school and working out if the home then obviously it’s more sensible that you don’t mix with family.

How very thoughtful of you. Nice to know that those of us who have children at school or work outside the home shouldn't be allowed to mix with anyone else.

You don't think it's slightly ironic that you say "it isn't fair" and yet suggest something like that?

'Remember - death comes to us all'

Jesus. It's no wonder infection keeps rising with this bright spark mentality.

Of course death 'comes to us all', but hopefully not prematurely and hopefully not after suffering horribly on a medical ward then ICU for weeks. Have your essential multi household knees ups in the Spring.

No and if they'd do people won't listen. Because they'd of made plans, brought food etc.

@Seriouslymole no, sorry I should have written my post better. I think the current Christmas arrangement is fine and everyone should get a break at Christmas and get to see family. I was referring to the post question, I really don’t think there should be a u-turn but if there was to be one I would see it as very unfair on those of us who have limited our outside contacts on purpose so as to be low risk for Christmas. I’ve barely done anything in the last few weeks, don’t have school age children. I AM seeing my family no matter what.

I think we are being primed for a U turn, especially if there is a No Deal with the EU.

It’s too late to u turn. People will go ahead regardless.

@MarshaBradyo

It’s too late to u turn. People will go ahead regardless.

Yes, we will go ahead with plans regardless!

I doubt there will be a U turn because most will still go ahead anyway with their plans.
People are emotionally and mentally at the end of their tether with the restrictions being able to have a little bit of normality will be a massive boost and we all need to make our own judgements whether it's worth it or not.
Some will say its selfish to mix with family and friends, some will say its selfish to keep people away from family and friends. Each to their own, you do you and not worry about what everyone else is doing

[quote Mousehole10]@Seriouslymole no, sorry I should have written my post better. I think the current Christmas arrangement is fine and everyone should get a break at Christmas and get to see family. I was referring to the post question, I really don’t think there should be a u-turn but if there was to be one I would see it as very unfair on those of us who have limited our outside contacts on purpose so as to be low risk for Christmas. I’ve barely done anything in the last few weeks, don’t have school age children. I AM seeing my family no matter what.[/quote]
Thanks for the clarification! Sorry for being snappy, I'm sick to death of the whole thing, as is everyone else I guess...

I'm holding on to the hope that the kids and DH (who is and out of 5 different schools throughout the course of the week) get through to next week Thursday without a dreaded email saying that they have to isolate for 14 days!

I'm holding on to the hope that the kids and DH (who is and out of 5 different schools throughout the course of the week) get through to next week Thursday without a dreaded email saying that they have to isolate for 14 days!

What does he do? We've had no visitors except emergency contractors for weeks, which isn't particularly good for their pay in the run up to Christmas, but...

@HallFloor

I'm holding on to the hope that the kids and DH (who is and out of 5 different schools throughout the course of the week) get through to next week Thursday without a dreaded email saying that they have to isolate for 14 days!

What does he do? We've had no visitors except emergency contractors for weeks, which isn't particularly good for their pay in the run up to Christmas, but...

Peripatetic whole class music and supply.

It's too late for a u-turn. Those who have made plans would just meet anyway. We won't be meeting any family indoors.

Maybe they should just say people with DC at school shouldn't mix households at Christmas as that would stop a lot of spread.

Peripatetic whole class music and supply.

We haven't had our peripatetic music in all term

@HallFloor

Peripatetic whole class music and supply.

We haven't had our peripatetic music in all term

Many schools haven't. It's a massive shame. So many things have gone by the wayside unnecessarily. DH lost 2 schools at the beginning of this term. I understand the reasoning but it is one more thing that children are losing out on.

Those saying schoolchildren shouldn’t mix with their families do realise childcare bubbles are a thing right and the mixing is already happening? I know tonnes of families with these bubbles because the parents need to work.

@tappitytaptap

Those saying schoolchildren shouldn’t mix with their families do realise childcare bubbles are a thing right and the mixing is already happening? I know tonnes of families with these bubbles because the parents need to work.

There is no need for them to mix any further though is there

It's ridiculous. They need to change or January will be horrendous.

They should have extended lock down to the 23rd to keep cases right down.

I think people already understand the the relaxation of restrictions over Christmas is risky. A lot of people I know are staying as they are - us included.

Those who plan to create their 3 family bubble I believe would have done so anyway, regardless of whether it was 'allowed' or not. They will still do it, even if rules are changed closer to Christmas.

I don't see why they think the three bubble thing is a good idea, given how close we are to vulnerable people being vaccinated. For goodness sake, a few more months and they will be protected! Why risk their lives for the sake of one day?

Each to their own, you do you and not worry about what everyone else is doing

Which is fine if what you are doing affects only you. Unfortunately if the people doing their own thing need health treatment, that has rather a big impact on the rest of us.