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Original poster

Do you support this tier 0 over Christmas?

230 replies

notevenat20 · 15/12/2020 08:34

I can see why it might be popular, but won’t it just kill a lot of the people we love the most?

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 15/12/2020 12:59

At the risk of sounding patronising, I do think some elderly people do not understand quite how bad infections across schools are, as they don't have direct knowledge of it.

Yes, you do sound patronising.

ComDummings · 15/12/2020 12:59

I think it’s nuts and I am really worried about mental health in January because the January blues are already a thing and the realisation we are back in tiers for even longer will really hit many people hard. Loads of people seem so excited about Christmas about the new year and seeing family but they’re not really thinking any more ahead of that period. I think early 2021 will be so grim and I’m worried.

SantasBritchesSpelleas · 15/12/2020 13:01

If they didn't have it, I think many people would break the rules in an unlimited way - the 'bubbles' system is damage-limitation. I'd rather it wasn't happening, though - I think, especially, people travelling round the country is going to be disastrous. That new virus strain will be all over the place.

I'd personally have preferred them to limit Christmas mingling to people in a support bubble that meets with current rules - perhaps with very specific exemptions such as being able to see family who are terminally ill.

I won't be seeing my elderly parents at Christmas - not worth the risk. DH and I will make the best of the day by ourselves.

RedskyAtnight · 15/12/2020 13:04

@PurpleDaisies

At the risk of sounding patronising, I do think some elderly people do not understand quite how bad infections across schools are, as they don't have direct knowledge of it.

Yes, you do sound patronising.

Well, I'd rather sound patronising than have dead relatives.

And, to be fair, quite a lot of the country seem to think secondary schools are perfectly safe.

HopeAndDriftWood · 15/12/2020 13:06

BoJo's spokesman has confirmed they are reviewing the guidance... The news seems to think it may be reduced from 5 days to 3, or from 3 households to 2 allowed in a bubble.

I do think people would have broken the rules anyway, but the way that the Gov has gone about announcing this - the whole "saved Christmas!" narrative, has got people thinking that it's safe. I have heard it from loads of people this month, customers, friends of friends... they wouldn't be allowing it if it was dangerous.

I suspect everything now will be too little, too late.

MirandaWest · 15/12/2020 13:07

My DHs mum died, unexpectedly, in May this year. We’d last seen her last Christmas as she lived about 160 miles away.

My parents live about 150 miles from here, as do my sister and her family. And DHs DS lives about 300 miles away in the other direction.

DH hasn’t seen his DS since January. We’ve seen my parents twice this year and not seen my sister since last Christmas.

DH and I both work from home and don’t socialise with anyone else. We do go in shops. DD and DS are at school. DS had to self isolate in September but not since then.

DSS is going to come here on 23rd/24th December until 26th. We are then going to go and see my mum and dad and come back on the 27th. We may see my sister and family outside (they are in tier 2 as are we).

My parents are in their early 70s and both in good physical health. I am worried about my mum’s mental health. I think for us as a whole we have assessed the risks and it is important to see each other over Christmas.

And when I’ve heard people saying to not visit people this Christmas so that they’ll have another Christmas - what if they don’t?

DigitalGhost · 15/12/2020 13:09

Tbh it just looks like another country wide punishment because of London if they change it now.
The rates in the North are dropping so I can't see anyone following the rules whether they change them or not.

MarshaBradyo · 15/12/2020 13:11

@HopeAndDriftWood

BoJo's spokesman has confirmed they are reviewing the guidance... The news seems to think it may be reduced from 5 days to 3, or from 3 households to 2 allowed in a bubble.

I do think people would have broken the rules anyway, but the way that the Gov has gone about announcing this - the whole "saved Christmas!" narrative, has got people thinking that it's safe. I have heard it from loads of people this month, customers, friends of friends... they wouldn't be allowing it if it was dangerous.

I suspect everything now will be too little, too late.

Good to hear
Haenow · 15/12/2020 13:13

I honestly don’t know. I’m concerned it may lead to a further lockdown/more restrictions which will massively impact on the economy. That said, I understand the need to be with more people. Like many of us, I’m struggling with the limited human contact. I think people will see their loved ones regardless of the rules though. Cases are on the rise in some parts of the country, I bet we’ll get blamed for mixing. Can’t win!

RedskyAtnight · 15/12/2020 13:13

And when I’ve heard people saying to not visit people this Christmas so that they’ll have another Christmas - what if they don’t?

This quite probably will be FIL's last Christmas. He's still told us not to visit. He doesn't want his time to come any earlier than it has to. And he doesn't want to spend Christmas with us all on edge. Quality of relationships and enduring memories are more important than seeing people on a particular day.

cardswapping · 15/12/2020 13:15

No, with the vaccine around the corner we have agreed with granny, who is in our bubble, not to mix for Christmas but meet after vaccination, and still in as much a safe environment as poss.

Teddybear27 · 15/12/2020 13:16

Hubby and I won’t be seeing anyone over Christmas. I have said to family members we will leave it this year...I know a friend of mine who is inviting her family down from Liverpool from 23rd - 27th and is worried about getting Covid?! I wouldn’t be doing it. We will definitely be having another lockdown in January. The rates are already really high and that is before the Christmas period...

houseinthesnow · 15/12/2020 13:21

No I don't.

LazyName · 15/12/2020 13:24

@Bronzino

No. And it’s a big problem as a lot of people (me, but I can’t be alone!) are basically going to be bullied into situations that they’re not comfortable with because “it’s allowed”. I’m horribly disappointed at the weakness of the government here.
You aren’t alone! It’s very draining being bullied into having everyone mix together when I just want us all to stay safe. Sad
user89 · 15/12/2020 13:26

No, I don't support it. Based on some things I hear about pressure from families as a result of it 'being allowed' and people's creative interpretation of being able to mix with 3 households (no it's per day, it's not at a time etc) it is going to be the cause of a nightmare in January

I would support it if people on their own could see another household as of course no-one wants to be alone at Christmas, but there isn't really any need for 3 families of 4 (as an example) to get together.

It's not so much people seeing each other that concerns me as much as people travelling around the country to see each other.

We have chosen to change our plans, we are in tier 1 and were originally (pre covid) meant to be seeing family from tier 3 for Christmas this year, in theory we could still do that as it would be within our 3 household limit, but just because we can doesn't mean we have to be stupid about it

princessannachops · 15/12/2020 13:27

What's the alternative in the U.K. though. Most people I know would have met up anyway. The only thing I don't agree with though is the length of tier 0. Should have been 24-26 imo.

Joeblack066 · 15/12/2020 13:29

Well just don’t go and see them then. Let them shield.
We have no elderly people in my family. They’ve all already died of other things. I do have 3 people with MH issues who need this Christmas. Therefore we will follow the rules and have Christmas Day together. We will not endanger anyone. Make your own sensible choices. We are.

houseinthesnow · 15/12/2020 13:33

princess if the restrictions changed the majority would not meet up anyway, I imagine they would tweak their plans, as anyone with a grain of common sense would understand that things are definitely not going the right way, and christmas will make things even worse.

The small minority that will 'meet up anyway' are factored in, and that is their problem and risk to take. The point is you keep the majority safe and that will make a big difference.

ScrapThatThen · 15/12/2020 13:37

I think I am going to come up with a cunning plan B now for dm and husband (live locally) instead of Christmas Dinner we can gather in the garden with fire pit, comfy chairs, blankets, hot water bottles delivered when the chill sets in, mulled wine, hot turkey sandwiches and tasty food. We have a covered area. I know they are already keen to minimise the time here and be sensible.

houseinthesnow · 15/12/2020 13:38

That is what we are doing scrap we have some fireworks too, a firepit and we are going to stay outside. I am too worried about the virus to be in a house now. Better than getting covid, and worrying about it for two weeks afterwards.

RedRiverShore · 15/12/2020 13:41

DS will come down anyway as he will just be in a support bubble being single, instead of a Christmas bubble, in fact a support bubble has less restrictions.

Orangeblossom77777 · 15/12/2020 13:46

I suspect everything now will be too little, too late

They cancelled Eid they day before didn't they. Not sure why his should be any different

Iremembertheelderlykoreanlady · 15/12/2020 13:47

*HopeAndDriftWood

BoJo's spokesman has confirmed they are reviewing the guidance... The news seems to think it may be reduced from 5 days to 3, or from 3 households to 2 allowed in a bubble.

I do think people would have broken the rules anyway, but the way that the Gov has gone about announcing this - the whole "saved Christmas!" narrative, has got people thinking that it's safe. I have heard it from loads of people this month, customers, friends of friends... they wouldn't be allowing it if it was dangerous.

I suspect everything now will be too little, too late.

Good to hear*

I've read the article. It doesn't say that.

It says the spokesman wouldn't confirm or deny whether they were considering shortening the time peiod/reducing it to 2 households. So not the same thing.

And they also said that all guidance related to covid is constantly under review. Not that this specific guidance is being reviewed

Numbers in the north are coming down

Absolutely no reason to restrict the north of the country. But of course London wouldn't accept it if northerners were still allowed to mix.

Fucking sick of this shit now

Iremembertheelderlykoreanlady · 15/12/2020 13:51

They cancelled Eid they day before didn't they. Not sure why his should be any different

They didn't cancel Eid. They put SOME areas into harsher restrictions. Not every Muslim in the country.

Really need to stop comparing the two. Numbers wise there's a huge difference between the amount of Muslims and the number of people who celebrate Christmas (which is largely cultural not religious)

HopeAndDriftWood · 15/12/2020 13:52

Iremember Apologies, I was just reporting what the radio news had said.