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Original poster

Are they really going to cancel Christmas?

718 replies

fedupfrances · 15/12/2020 13:59

And if they do, will loads of people just break the rules anyway?

It’s sodding ridiculous - myself and DP have barely left the house last week and won’t be going out this week either, other than walks in our local park. My parents have also been at home pretty much constantly. None of us has Covid 19 and the risk of catching it if we get together at Christmas is practically zero. So fed up with this shite!

OP posts:
Original poster
fedupfrances · 15/12/2020 14:15

The BMJ and the Health Service Journal have said that the government cannot be claiming to be protecting the NHS if they allow the plans to go ahead. If the rates continue as they are currently, then by 31 December there will be as many people in hospital as there were at the peak of the first wave. It's downright irresponsible to relax the rules at this time.

We keep hearing this rubbish. I remember when people were berating the BLM protesters, saying that the protests would lead to a spike in cases. The marches went ahead anyway and the spike never materialized Hmm

OP posts:
ThePlantsitter · 15/12/2020 14:16

As someone in London (who is staying in London over Christmas) the point is not to shut everyone down because London is the most important, it's to stop the rising infection from London being tramped all over the country by people travelling to, from, and through it.

I grew up outside London so I understand the 'London centric' annoyance but in this case it is just practicality - if it happens.

chocolatesaltyxmaspudballs · 15/12/2020 14:17

*In my city (north) cases are coming down and now lowest they've been since September.

If they cancel it will be because of cases rising in London and I'm done with that shit now.

I can cope with making it fewer days but nothing else.*

Agree with this 100% - I'm also in the North. I'll be doing what I planned to do whatever is decided.

Original poster
fedupfrances · 15/12/2020 14:18

You can say that you and your parents are low risk, but not everyone can say that. It's rife in secondary schools, so anyone with DC or teachers etc are at high risk, plus other people in public facing jobs.

But if my family is low risk (which we are) then why shouldn’t we meet? It’s up to people in higher risk situations to make their own judgments about their own family situations and since we’re all adults, I’m sure the vast majority of people are perfectly capable of doing so.

OP posts:
Hayeahnobut · 15/12/2020 14:18

I remember when people were berating the BLM protesters, saying that the protests would lead to a spike in cases. The marches went ahead anyway and the spike never materialized

Those people were largely all lives matter right wingers, not medical experts.

Iremembertheelderlykoreanlady · 15/12/2020 14:19

As someone in London (who is staying in London over Christmas) the point is not to shut everyone down because London is the most important, it's to stop the rising infection from London being tramped all over the country by people travelling to, from, and through it.

If that was the case then they would change the rules for London and not allow any travel.

But that will never happen because the government are incapable of making that kind of decision.

Same reason the north were placed in lockdown 1 when case rates were very low.

CordeliaCroft · 15/12/2020 14:22

People will do what they like anyway as won’t think the rules should apply to them. Some people will have to be taken on a personal tour on a Covid ward before anything sinks in and even then might think they are “special”🤷🏻‍♀️

damndoreathea · 15/12/2020 14:23

I think it's such a tough call. People miss their families but also the vaccine is being rolled out so hopefully we'll all be able to have a normal Christmas.

My concern is hospital capacity. Despite hospital cases not being too high, the staff shortage is absolutely massive. My trust as of today have 361 people off due to having to self isolate. That's a lot of primarily front line staff to make up the absences.

Personally I think there should be a compromise, do we really need 5 days? Would 3 be enough, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day?

Hapixmas · 15/12/2020 14:23

Eurgh. I hope not. My mental health has been awful this year. I am single, share a house with 2 others who work from home. I've been really careful the last 2 weeks in order to spend Christmas with my new niece. Can't they just stick to the 3 household rule and just let people make their own risks. I won't be mixing with anyone high risk. Fuck. We need this.
So fed up of the constant changing. I am not from up north but I agree with those from there. They only seem to care now that London is high.

Rosehip10 · 15/12/2020 14:24

They can't reduce it to three days due to very limited public transport boxing day and day after.

MassiveSalad · 15/12/2020 14:24

I really wish people would not use the term "cancel Christmas". We do not live in a dictatorship, although it is clear lots of people on here wish we did. This shambolic government can say what they want but that doesn't mean that Christmas, or anything else for that matter, is then cancelled. It cannot be policed and people have had more than enough and will see their families anyway.

Lovemusic33 · 15/12/2020 14:25

@CordeliaCroft

People will do what they like anyway as won’t think the rules should apply to them. Some people will have to be taken on a personal tour on a Covid ward before anything sinks in and even then might think they are “special”🤷🏻‍♀️
So true.

I hope all those breaking the rules because they ‘need to see their family for Christmas’ spare a thought for those who will be working 12 hour shifts on the covid wards over Christmas (and the coming months).

Hapixmas · 15/12/2020 14:25

Also I don't really understand why they need to reduce from 5 to 3 days? Really? Why? So long as peolle stick to their 3 household bubble, what difference do those days mean?

mrsknottschicken · 15/12/2020 14:26

@fedupfrances

You can say that you and your parents are low risk, but not everyone can say that. It's rife in secondary schools, so anyone with DC or teachers etc are at high risk, plus other people in public facing jobs.

But if my family is low risk (which we are) then why shouldn’t we meet? It’s up to people in higher risk situations to make their own judgments about their own family situations and since we’re all adults, I’m sure the vast majority of people are perfectly capable of doing so.

It’s not that simple, though. Yes, you might be low risk as a family. But what about the people that your family then goes on to mix with, through work, on the bus, school or other settings? Those people don’t have a choice, but your actions could affect them. It’s a bit like the argument about smoking and passive smoking, I think.
Original poster
fedupfrances · 15/12/2020 14:26

I really wish people would not use the term "cancel Christmas". We do not live in a dictatorship

Well if they do “cancel Christmas” then it will certainly feel like we do.

OP posts:
FourTeaFallOut · 15/12/2020 14:26

People miss their families but also the vaccine is being rolled out so hopefully we'll all be able to have a normal Christmas.

Outside of trial participants, there won't be one person who has had two shots and an additional 10 days for the vaccine to confer its full immunity.

stayathomer · 15/12/2020 14:27

It’s up to people in higher risk situations to make their own judgments about their own family situations and since we’re all adults, I’m sure the vast majority of people are perfectly capable of doing so.
I'm in Ireland and I believe this too. The only thing is if you choose this route you and anyone you meet stay out of shops etc after, that way it's all between you.

needabus · 15/12/2020 14:27

They should but really there’s no point as if they do everyone will break the rules anyway 🤷‍♀️and I can’t see the police working Xmas day just to check every report of too many round the Xmas table
Will just need lockdown in jan/feb I guess

MarshaBradyo · 15/12/2020 14:27

I wouldn’t be surprised if it changed in some way - reduced

When mentions of reviews start happening it usually follows

Kazmerelda · 15/12/2020 14:28

I appreciate those feeling the mental pressure on this, my situ is unique where my mum is disabled so I am her carer full time over the Christmas period every year.

It’s also come at a time where restrictions have gone on for so long that people are fed up.

However, how is this celebration any different from the others cancelled or restricted at other times of the year? Why should this be treated differently?

Original poster
fedupfrances · 15/12/2020 14:28

It’s not that simple, though. Yes, you might be low risk as a family. But what about the people that your family then goes on to mix with, through work, on the bus, school or other settings? Those people don’t have a choice, but your actions could affect them. It’s a bit like the argument about smoking and passive smoking, I think.

Like I said, all of us have barely been out this past week and we’re not going anywhere this week either. I’d be driving down to my parents and they get all their food delivered. The risk is practically zero.

OP posts:
Hayeahnobut · 15/12/2020 14:28

How old are your parents OP? A family friend ended up in hospital for a month with Covid, his wife was called in twice because they thought he wouldn't make it. He's 68, no underlying conditions. The damage done by covid mean he'll spend his last years in a poor state, it's unlikely he'd survive any further illness.

But as long as you're ok, right?!

Original poster
fedupfrances · 15/12/2020 14:31

@Hayeahnobut did you not even read my OP? The risk is practically zero in my situation.

OP posts:
Hayeahnobut · 15/12/2020 14:32

did you not even read my OP? The risk is practically zero in my situation.

I did. The risk was practically zero in his situation too, they've never worked out how he caught it.

Why do you think you're so special?

lynsey91 · 15/12/2020 14:32

I don't think it will be cancelled but it should. Not that a lot of people will take any notice.

No it's not great and I haven't seen my elderly parents for months but I am sick of people ignoring the rules. We are in tier 3 so not meant to have anyone in the house. My neighbour has had at least 4 different visitors since Saturday. I know this because I hear their dog bark when someone pulls up and I look out because I am expecting quite a few parcels.

Me and DH are having our first Christmas just the 2 of us in 40 years of marriage. It will be the first time in over 60 years that I have not spent it with my parents/family.

No it's not great and I am sad but I also do not want the virus, do not want my DH to catch the virus and do not want my parents and family to catch it.