Feeling utterly gutted and so sad, can’t stop crying

[Lissy23]

I just read the latest, that people won’t be allowed to travel to and from London and the South East. I haven’t seen my parents since July, they live in the south east and we live in Yorkshire, they haven’t seen their Grandson (my DS) since then either.
My existing anxiety and depression has been truly awful throughout all of this and the one thing that was getting me through was the thought of seeing them at Christmas time. They were going to travel up within the ‘allowed’ days. But now it doesn’t look like it’ll be happening, I’m more than devastated. I know there are bigger things happening in the world, but I just feel so sad.

There is no ban on travel and they won't change anything over Christmas. Don't panic.

In all honesty I think it would be sensible, but don't think they'll do more than offer it as guidance.

Our area has been constantly in the bottom 1/3 for infections per 100k all the way through. In the last 4 weeks, we've gone from that to be in the top 20%.
The last two days infections in the UK have added up to more than half of the infections for all last week. That's worrying. It's growing rapidly.

I last saw my parents in August, haven't seen my siblings since lockdown began. Dh was planning on seeing his parents over Christmas, that won't happen if this travel ban comes in.

But also please remember that there are people (and often their family) who haven't been out of the house since last March. They are at severe risk of death if they catch Covid. They won't be coming out to shop, to go for a walk. Their Christmas plans won't be changing because they didn't dare make any anyway, because they know Covid won't have a Christmas truce.
They're going to continue being stuck inside for some time too, they won't be hoping that travel bans will be lifted, because it will make no difference to their lonely world. They are just hoping to survive.

Can you say what's stopping your parents from travelling up tomorrow? Why wait? You want to see them. Presumably they want to see you. Monitoring the news like this isn't healthy behaviour. Covid doesn't care if your parents get in the car tomorrow or Wednesday. You aren't trying to arrange a get together in a restaurant for 10 friends, or a business lunch for 25. It's just your parents visiting your home. Saying this kindly - stop obsessing and see your family.

I understand you're upset, OP, but a travel ban is totally unenforceable – I live in London so I can't wait to see how they'll stop people driving into the city, as what about deliveries, tradesmen, etc! It's ridiculous. If you're confident you've all reduced the risk to each other and will be fine once you're together, then go.

There is no travel ban.

Tier 3 are advised not to travel out of their area, but not prohibited.

@TatianaBis OP is talking about the rumours - that started last night - of new restrictions.

Eg Sky news headline- 'Travel restrictions considered to curb spread of mutant coronavirus strain' - here

A rumour is not a regulation. If travel restrictions over Christmas were to be announced, which I think unlikely, it would be ahead of time so her parents will have time to get up Yorkshire. If they left tomorrow there would be no problem.

There are rumours.

However I genuinely don't think they will bring anything before the 23rd (even though they should).

I don't forsee any more restrictions until the 28th in England.
But I could be proven yet.

HOWEVER I do think you are unwise to be travelling long distances. Staying in your local community is incredibly important and tbh its what you should be doing without the government telling you this.

I’m in London btw. Most likely scenario at the moment is lockdown after Christmas.

I can’t even believe people coming on here asking the OP to compare her situation to other “worse” ones. Don’t do that.

@ATieLikeRichardGere

I can’t even believe people coming on here asking the OP to compare her situation to other “worse” ones. Don’t do that.

Well I think they have a point. It’s always as well to consider people worse off.

@RedToothBrush - the OP isn't travelling long distances. She is waiting for her parents to join her in her home at Christmas. Parents in car, a few hours later, parents in home.
Unless they are High Net Worth Individuals. Then they might be flying in from a Covid hotspot, like the US, having a few meetings in enclosed spaces, and travelling around in taxis or public transport wherever they want without isolating.
The parents driving to visit their daughter in her home after 4 months apart. Meh.

treening that is awful Some people endure so much suffering in their lives, whether through horrible events or internal demons, that I think the rest of us should admire them just for being able to get out of bed and keep going each day.

I genuinely don't understand people who prefer to sneer at others for struggling with a difficult situation, with no idea of their circumstances. Why? What do you get out of being spiteful towards people who are already feeling low?

I have been crying as well as looks like I won't be able to go and see DP over Christmas. Going to be so hard seeing other couples all happy on the day when we can't even be together

[quote DianaT1969]@RedToothBrush - the OP isn't travelling long distances. She is waiting for her parents to join her in her home at Christmas. Parents in car, a few hours later, parents in home.
Unless they are High Net Worth Individuals. Then they might be flying in from a Covid hotspot, like the US, having a few meetings in enclosed spaces, and travelling around in taxis or public transport wherever they want without isolating.
The parents driving to visit their daughter in her home after 4 months apart. Meh.[/quote]
Eh?

It is a long distance, travelling from one area to another.

Four months isn't a long time. Not really.

Whilst its seeing parents, that doesn't stop the problem that is people meeting people and covid doesn't know who you are related to or how much you earn.

Still a bloody stupid thing to do unless there is a compelling other reason other than merely 'because i miss them' 'but its christmas'

I think it’s scaremongering, Aimee at hopefully dissuading more people from travelling at Christmas. Some people probably will change their plans, especially if they were too fussed about the Christmas mixing anyway. Others (like OP) should definitely still go. Just isolate as much as possible beforehand. You’ll be fine. They can’t realistically stop people from travelling anywhere.

aimed weren't

Yes, pp posted this link which discusses new strain and possibility of restrictions being changed over Christmas. Bit embarrassing calling people stupid when you have such poor comprehension skills, isn’t it?

Fuckssake NOTHING HAS BEEN DECIDED. Are people so ghoulish they actually WANT this to happen? I despair, I really do.

@OllietheOwl

I think it’s scaremongering, Aimee at hopefully dissuading more people from travelling at Christmas. Some people probably will change their plans, especially if they were too fussed about the Christmas mixing anyway. Others (like OP) should definitely still go. Just isolate as much as possible beforehand. You’ll be fine. They can’t realistically stop people from travelling anywhere.

God I'm fucking sick of 'but its scaremongering'

Its code for 'la, la, la, I don't want to hear sensible and rational arguments for not doing or getting something I want' in 90% of cases.

Fine go right a head and be a bellend. Then moan about how this is going on forever and we were told it would only be for 4 weeks. (And told everyone saying 12 - 18months they were scaremongering).

We all know its bullshit for the hard of thinking.

The only thing I saw was that travel in and out of the South East is recommended against, because of the new strain of Covid.

I do think that any long distance travel in the current situation is stupid. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but I'd rather not travel now, and use Skype, Zoom and whatever, in the hope that the virus will lessen.