Does anyone else feel like they are just watching things implode?

[StealthPolarBear]

Things are just getting worse and worse and January is going to be hell

@IfIHadAHeart I know, I get it (secondary school teacher).

Knowingmeknowingyou
.. thank you from me too! I appreciate all front line workers. Must be hell for you all
Take care this year

I know a family who plan on having 2 sets of grandparents come for the Christmas. They definitely weren't quarantining or isolating themselves or reducing contacts to keep the grandparents as safe as possible in case they pick up virus and are in the incubation phase. There is a piece in the paper on how to have a safe Christmas when mixing with others this year and the hosts completely dismissed the idea of opening a window for ventilation. I find it sad. The guidelines are there to keep each other safe. It's just arrogancy of the highest ordering believing the family won't be hit by virus.

@mrshonda

There is hope, there are vaccines and they will begin to make a difference soon. Please don't give up. And this is coming from someone who suffers from depression and severe anxiety, who became suicidal and had a breakdown in summer, has lost 4 relatives this year including my dad, and lost my job a few weeks ago. I haven't hugged another soul since March. If I can keep hoping, you can too.

Great post

Merino 2 sets of grandparents is within the allowed guidelines unless you're in tier 4. People are making their decisions within their families and all the judging is a bit much. I've actually found all the blame games and self righteousness one of the most depressing things this year. Not that I haven't engaged in it at points but it is just grasping for a sense of control that isn't really available to any of us, just to the big decision makers who we're at the mercy of.

I'm lucky. We're in tier 2 now, ds and I have just had negative test results after having to isolate due to close contact with a potential case in our support bubble who also turned out not to have it and we will be seeing our family for Christmas. My sister and her partner have had tests before leaving the country they were in and then isolated on return home then paid for another private test and my parents (who are the at risk ones) are the only ones taking any risks and that's just going to church with their masks on.

No doubt there'll be some disgusted curtain twitchers making assumptions about us but we're three households as legally allowed and we have taken what precautions we can and will be very much enjoying the opportunity to actually be together for the day. Christmas has been something to look forward to for my ds and I and I feel really sorry for people who've now been told they can't have it.

@Bargebill19

Yes. Apart from the words used - its back to square one. I doubt things could have been handled/made much worse, if the advice had been to ‘do whatever you want’ a la Cummings.

Hardly back to square one when people at this very minute are being vaccinated against the virus is it!

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow

But the vaccines don’t appear to be happening very fast.

I’m in one of the groups. Evening standard had a vaccine timing checker. I’m due to be done in June. I’m not even in the bottom group.

Yes but we don't need everyone to be done befor restrictions are lifted... Just the most vulnerable groups which should be done by March!

The vaccine can't be delivered in high numbers until The Oxford vaccine is approved which should be between Christmas and New year... Come mid January we can expect stadiums being used as vaccination centres by then.

I was feeling quite positive until recently but cases in our area are rising at an alarming rate and we are now tier 4..

My OH said "this is worrying! Chris Whitty looks scared shitless"

@likeamillpond to be fair Chris Whitty always looks scared shitless. I don’t think he’s a natural in front of the camera.

Yes, everything is crap. Frontline NHS workers treating Covid patients - hundreds every day - going home to their families with uniforms that need washing in home machines and living with someone who treats 100s of highly infectious covid patients every day is not a priority for vaccination, despite the fact that families of frontline NHS workers on Covid wards are at very high risk (obviously not trumping the elderly and ECV, but fgs this is a forgotten group). Many frontline NHS workers are still living away from home and unable to spend Christmas with their families due to this oversight.

Hear hear. China has really got away with this. Where is the condemnation ? I've slated our government enough , same as other people have, but I understand it's not entirely their fault too.
China should pay , but they won't. They should at least apologize or try to clean up their act on animal welfare and human rights.
People will flame me for saying this I know.
Just angry about all of it and upset for friends who have a shit time.

Totally agree.

@Forgetmenot157

People are yet to receive their second dose of the vaccine - so even the small amount already vaccinated aren’t protected. Just like March. However Boris and co have made things even worse this weekend. It’s rather like living ina bad sitcom. I’ve changed my stance - March was infinitely better. !

I heard somewhere Australia called China out and they retaliated through trade somehow, sorry a bit vague but my point is I don't think many countries will say much as China has do much clout and what with Brexit the UK won't want to pass them off.

Yep they're punishing Australia from the bits I've seen. And they can because if necessary the state will cut their products prices to the bone covered by full government subsidy and put competitors, such as Australia, out of business.

Ahhhh it's the French presidents birthday. Boris desperately keen to make the point they're great chums

Yes because every day there seems to be more bad news, more restrictions. If I had faith that the vaccine roll out would be as speedy as they promised I might feel more optimistic. The PM just said again at the press briefing that things will be very much better by Easter. How ? The current rate is 500,000 being vaccinated a fortnight rather than the planned million per week promised. If that continues (and I know its early days) the Easter promise looks like a pipedream. Overpromising AGAIN?