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I almost can’t stand it. What the hell will they be announcing now?

@donquixotedelamancha Chin up, by summer things will be much improved. I'm telling myself the solstice is almost here and then we can think better times are coming. Not sure I'm fooling myself yet but I'm trying.

Well if Boris has any guts he will be cancelling Christmas and putting the whole country back into complete lockdown.

Yes I know it will mean the end of lots of shops, restaurants etc but it is the sensible thing to do.

It's a joke telling people that suddenly at Christmas they can mix with others, presumably sit close together at the dinner table etc.

Of course even if he does have the guts to cancel so so many idiots will ignore him. You only have to read some of the posts here to know that.

My bloody neighbours have never obeyed the rules even back in March. We are in tier 3 which means NO visitors in the house. The neighbour one side has had at least FIVE different visitors in the last 2 weeks (probably more that I don't know about). What makes it even worse is she works in a care home. Utterly stupid and utterly selfish

to everyone suffering. It's just a massive pile of shit yet again. In Scotland here and we've been in highest restrictions since September. What kept me going was Christmas and seeing my parents then. So upset this might not happen. But I don't want to risk anyone. There is no right or 'best' answer. Dreading 2021. to us all lucky we will have extra supplies of both if things change

I’m so worried we’ll have to start rationalising beds - it’s horrendous for staff not to able to treat people.
@Elfieishere your decision impacts others. You might get a bed but someone else won’t.

Indeed, midscram

FWIW I also appreciate why police numbers are low; I just can't quite see the point of endlessly crying "police it!!" when we know it's not going to happen

@VaTeLaverLesMains

Elfie they wouldn't refuse you treatment because you saw your family but you might not be able to get treatment because the NHS is overwhelmed after Xmas.

Does that make sense?

Of course it does and if that happens then I’m willing to take that chance.

Many hospitals at 97% capacity. like it is every winter then. Every year we see photos of people on trolleys in corridors on the front of the daily mail because of winter flu bugs.

@feellikeanalien Can you leave for your sister's now? Your dd has had a fucking horrible year and I'd do it before the announcement this evening.

@Whatishappenin

My daughter, who lives in London, had confirmed Covid in March followed by a positive antibody blood test a few weeks later. She has just had another positive Covid test. She thought it might be a false positive and is getting another test sent to her home. But perhaps it's the new strain - and maybe you can catch Covid again?

Is she ill with it? It places a big question mark over whether a vaccine will work, if your theory is right.

Keeping nonesssential shops open was a massive mistake. London being in tier 2 massive mistake. Hopefully both will be rectified (yes I know London is now tier 3but too late -it needs locking down like March)

@Ihatemyseleffordoingthis

"Whitehall sources told The Telegraph that the Government is looking at locking down all transport routes in the south east of England.

This could mean shutting entire London Underground lines or restricting general commuting into the capital."

Says the Torygraph

whether that is all of it or whether there is more horror on top

Well if they shut the underground down, thousands will not be able to get too work including my sister and Bil, both London Firefighters at work during the holidays.

@Pomegranatespompom

I’m so worried we’ll have to start rationalising beds - it’s horrendous for staff not to able to treat people. *@Elfieishere* your decision impacts others. You might get a bed but someone else won’t.

We always have to ration beds, this time last year we had been on our knees since October, ambulances queuing for hours and absolutely no free beds with patients being treated in ambulances. Did anyone give a shiny shite then? Of course they didn’t. Brexit was the only thing anyone cared about.

We cancelled Christmas in our house months ago. My husband seems to have an amazing irony for guessing what will happen.

We’ve got family members in other countries. Who had very strict lockdown measures. I remember feeling so sad at how restricted they were. But it seems to of worked. They’ve got no Covid now. Will be going out for a meal with friends for Xmas.

We’re here months later getting stricter.

[quote ancientgran]@feellikeanalien You aren't alone, I've found myself sinking the last few days. I've honestly coped well since March but it has suddenly hit me like a ton of bricks. My DH is disabled, my kids are along way away, the Sainsbury delivery man chatting for a few minutes while I unload the shopping is the highlight of the week, conversation with a real human being standing in front of me. Who could have thought we'd be here.[/quote]
ancientgran I think it just all gets too much sometimes. I know logically we have to go on and I will but I think I am also quite annoyed that the situation has started to get to me, if that makes any sense.

Sometimes you just need to rant!

@lynsey91 have you spoken to the care home manager to let them know? Or the police via the non-emergency number?

As for proper enforcement, I would have those who have made long non-essential journeys or broken quarantine have a driving ban, or loss of passport. Even if it took a year to bring them to court before doing so. Paltry fines are not the answer, people will take the risk.

@Whatishappenin

My daughter, who lives in London, had confirmed Covid in March followed by a positive antibody blood test a few weeks later. She has just had another positive Covid test. She thought it might be a false positive and is getting another test sent to her home. But perhaps it's the new strain - and maybe you can catch Covid again?

Was she in hospital? As most of the home tests around that time were not approved so not accurate enough and same with antibody tests which hadn't been developed

I also had it then and could not access a test but then was included in the government study so had an official antibody test which showed I had had it

@Elfieishere I want you to be ok - and your family and to have a great many merry Christmass to come. Please be careful - just for my mum, and all those who need the NHS. The beds just aren’t there. If you need a and e - it’s possibly a 20 hr wait at my mums local hospital. I miss my family dreadfully too, I do understand your need to see them x

@Recycledblonde I care a lot. I’m sorry it’s so awful.

[quote TicTacTwo]@feellikeanalien Can you leave for your sister's now? Your dd has had a fucking horrible year and I'd do it before the announcement this evening. [/quote]
This.

I’d also query whether you may be fine regardless as single parent families can form a support bubble.

Well if Boris has any guts he will be cancelling Christmas and putting the whole country back into complete lockdown.

Yes I know it will mean the end of lots of shops, restaurants etc but it is the sensible thing to do.

I assume you don't work or own a shop or restaurant?

Elfie that does explain your position.

You would prefer to see your family and take the risk that your own family or other people's families cannot access care in the New Year, even for conditions that are normally entirely treatable in our country.

*Elfie they wouldn't refuse you treatment because you saw your family but you might not be able to get treatment because the NHS is overwhelmed after Xmas.

Does that make sense?*

If the NHS is overwhelmed, it's overwhelmed. It's been underfunded and neglected for years. If Elfie's relative is in danger of not getting treatment in the new year, all the better reason to see them now.

No one will look back on this time, having lost a relative and feel that at least they stayed away. This is time we can't get back.

@iftherewereahorseyinthehouse

We are supposed to be going to my parents - bubble of two families. In south east. Where the fuck are we going to get our Christmas food from if they cancel!

This has been my lifeline for months. I will be so upset.

Christmas Dinner is basically a glorified Sunday lunch. I'm sure people will manage. Just like they do every other day of the year.