Christmas IS going to be cancelled - last minute.

[Elephant4]

Isn't it?

www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/18/boris-johnson-calls-crisis-meeting-to-discuss-response-to-new-covid-strain

They're panicking now.

@Fizbosshoes just to clarify - the 70 includes returned overseas people in hotel quarantine. The current Sydney outbreak that has resulted in the hard lockdown was at 38 earlier today. But you are totally right that Australia can do this because we never let the numbers get high. Once it gets past a certain number, Australia style action around tracing and lockdowns will be less effective. We’ve been lucky enough to have easily shutable borders and a low population and actions taken immediately to stop it getting to a point where those actions weren’t effective anymore. But there shouldn’t be a misconception that it’s been painless in Australia.

When they announced the 5 day rule, we had to cancel our original plans to see my DHs family a 4 hour drive away, because we couldn't fit it in and have Christmas Day at home.

Then we found out yesterday that a child in my DDs class has covid, so now we're isolating over Chistmas and cancelled plans to see my family.

So lots of people won't be see family anyway.

Christmas isn't cancelled - we'll have a nice time at home. But haven't seen some family for almost a year.

I wish they would cancel it! I haven’t seen ANY family since February! Not my Dad, not my FIL, not my DB &SIL, not even my DD.

As I work at school there is just too much risk that I could have it and pass it on a different am not prepared to risk anyone’s health.

Christmas will be me DH and DS and video calls with everyone else. Cancelling this Christmas to save future Christmases.

Ah don’t worry you can still celebrate the birth of Jesus can’t you? The day is supposed to be about that - not presents and having a big gathering 😂😂😂 the day itself literally can’t be cancelled - it will happen on the 25th December regardless!

You can still eat a big meal, celebrate etc - all that’s different is you can’t mix with a big group

🙄

Emeeno1 you articulated very clearly how we view death in today's society. I once worked with an American doctor (I didn't work with her in a medical capacity) who talked about how as a society many people now struggle with the concept of death, particularly premature death, in a way that previous generations didn't. Many people have never seen a dead body whereas previously many people died at home. And as a result we have been shielded from a harsh reality.

You articulated it so well.

Sorry if I've gone off topic.

I am almost certain that Xmas won’t ‘cancelled’ because there are too many families like me who have already had presents delivered elsewhere, booked shopping in anticipation of travelling or arranged tickets etc.

We are travelling from London to the NW by car and will stop once for a toilet break on the way. Once there we will be with my 85 year old mother, who would prefer to see us and take her chances. She may not live much longer anyway. We won’t be seeing anyone else, shopping delivered and left outside, no close neighbours.

I think there will be a London lockdown after Xmas maybe before the new year.

the birth of Jesus can’t you? The day is supposed to be about that

Maybe for you- not for most of us.

People will do what they want regardless

@HeddaGarbled

People won’t comply and it’s not policeable.
If it only applied to the South East then all roads out could be blocked, with all public transport cancelled.

How do people not comply then?

The government did the wrong thing opening the country up as it did in the weeks before Christmas, while at the same time bigging up Christmas as something to look forward to.

They should have either opened up as they did - with all the associated risks of a large spike OR underplayed Christmas and just said getting the economy started again is more important this year I’m afraid.

But given this government has little to offer other than populism, led by the populist in chief BoJo the Clown. So it doesn’t surprise me in the least they couldn’t lead and govern responsibly.

What I'm pissed off about is the up and down of it all. Yes you can, no you can't but you can do this...it all messes with people. They were ridiculous to allow the 5 day break in the first place and now because of that, may have to backtrack at the last minute when families have made plans - travel, food, sleeping arrangements. They just keep screwing with people's heads and hearts.

I'm not even annoyed for myself. Thank goodness we chose to stay at home this christmas so are prepared for that. We have children and a happy household so are lucky. I'm annoyed for everyone who had their hopes up to see family, some mentally vulnerable, who now have huge uncertainty possibly followed by the biggest disappointment.

On that note, I'm also furious on behalf of secondary school teachers, especially headteachers, who now have a Christmas 'break' of work because of again, last minute announcements.

Worded that d paragraph wrong, but I think my meaning is clear enough. They wanted to have their cake and eat it.

second paragraph. Need a new iPad!

I don’t think they should cancel any religious celebration. We don’t live in a nanny state. Just give us the full information and let us decide individual risks.

If they were more forthcoming with re admission rate for people in hospitals (because a lot of people are being discharged a lot earlier than normal), I think people would be more careful with their own health.

No. They couldn't possibly enforce it and they know that 'cancelling' Christmas would make people pissed off, beligerent and more likely to act recklessly. With the rules in place, most people feel grateful for some relaxation of the rules and compliant. People do still need make their own rusk assessment and take responsibility for themselves. With the number of cases in my area, I personally don't fee comfortable mixing with lots of people or going to busy places.

Christmas transcends religion, as has been stated many times over many threads, for many months. We have celebrated a mid winter festival long before the Romans cane along. Can't stop this white knights piping up though.

You cannot cancel Christmas! Everyone who wants to, can celebrate, just in smaller groups/households. It's not like they're going to stop us having gifts, Xmas dinner etc.
And those who are determined to, will still have big gatherings or parties anyway.

Normally Mumsnet is full of people who want to have Xmas with their 'own little family' and resent having to accommodate anyone else, especially in laws. This year everyone wants to accommodate their big happy family. It's quite funny.

Christmas isn't cancelled. It's happening and we can all make the best of what is possible for us.

@forwardsbackwardsrebound sorry if I upset you. I was talking about my circumstances. Most of my friends who live with DH and children are still planning to meet wider family at Christmas. It is of course different if you live alone. I don't think there has ever been the suggestion that the normal bubbles can't meet, the debate is whether to extend those bubbles for Christmas?

@Heyahun

Ah don’t worry you can still celebrate the birth of Jesus can’t you? The day is supposed to be about that - not presents and having a big gathering 😂😂😂 the day itself literally can’t be cancelled - it will happen on the 25th December regardless!

You can still eat a big meal, celebrate etc - all that’s different is you can’t mix with a big group

🙄

This is very true. It’s likely to be a mixed celebration coupled with sadness for some, painful loss for many others.

You can still go for a walk to see the Christmas lights ( The Watercress Line train is surreal going across the Hampshire countryside).
You can still tell family members you love them via Zoom.
You can still just about post cards in time.
You can still go to real or streamed church and sing carols at home.

We’ve a distanced carol service on 23nd. People all spread out across the green, the churchyard and their driveways and wrapped up, lanterns, a keyboard instead of an organ. Looking forward to it.

At least this thread is in the Coronavirus Quarantine zone where it belongs, home of the Scrooges; it's a shame it's spilling over into "trending now", MNHQ needs to do something about that, I've asked them before.

I wonder if this thread is Scrooge's wet dream? He would have loved cancelling Christmas, and would have gladly taken Boris's place to spread the anti-Christmas message, but he would also have loved the poor to get together and kill themselves in the process, while he enjoyed his lonely, virtuous Christmas alone.

wanderings This is just odd. Really, really odd. Are you attempting to write fantasy fiction?

How do people not comply then?

Err, street parties for one! Sme ee VE very local lives where families and friends live close by. Oh ye of little imagination.

@pimlicojo Not us! We love staying at parents houses and having cousins, siblings all together it's just lovely. Loud, tiring and brilliant! This will be our first year at home with our own children but are also looking forward to it. It will just be different.

@PimlicoJo

Normally Mumsnet is full of people who want to have Xmas with their 'own little family' and resent having to accommodate anyone else, especially in laws. This year everyone wants to accommodate their big happy family. It's quite funny.

Christmas isn't cancelled. It's happening and we can all make the best of what is possible for us.

That's because it's generally the pissed off who post

Next year there will be a plethora of threads about how much they enjoyed a smaller Christmas, and how can we get out of XYZ this time round and forever

The day is supposed to be about that - not presents and having a big gathering

Technically, no, it's always been about the celebration and gathering, Jesus was just stuck on top of it so people could keep their pre-existing midwinter festivities when Christianity came along.

@Doyouthinktheysaurus

You really should cancel your 'lovely' trip to the Isle of Wight and STAY THE FUCK AT HOME.

See, we can all play this game.