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Original poster

Why Tier 4 from boxing day

39 replies

Hollyoakswatcher · 23/12/2020 17:55

I don’t understand if cases are getting out of control to pretty much be put in lockdown in 48 hours time, why are the government waiting till Boxing Day to put them in tier 4, and allowing a relaxation of the rules still for Christmas Day. It’s seems mad to me.

When Tier 4 was first announced for London and South East only about 7 hours notice was given until Tier 4 came into effect.

OP posts:
doireallyneedaname · 23/12/2020 19:16

To avoid misery I expect. Obviously the better thing to do is lock down now but there would be huge backlash and people would still do what they wanted to do anyway.

Randomrebel · 23/12/2020 19:19

It might help people to seriously consider how they spend Christmas and get organised for it.

umpteennamechanges · 23/12/2020 19:20

Our numbers are still quite low here - East Hants.

We're only just about 100-150 per 100,000.

At this late notice and with relatively low numbers I don't think anyone would cancel their Xmas plans TBH.

islockdownoveryet · 23/12/2020 19:20

What 2 days before Christmas announce tier 4?
Last Saturday was short notice for some but 2 days before would be cruel.
Those that want to be extra careful have chosen not to mix on Christmas Day but let the rest of us enjoy this one day and stop trying to make more misery .

umpteennamechanges · 23/12/2020 19:21

Originally they thought they wouldn't have to extend Tier 4 until 30th but as case rates are rising fast they've pulled it forward to the 27th.

If they cancelled Xmas now it would potentially backfire of tonnes of people who don't have food in crammed into shops tomorrow.

Moonandstars25 · 23/12/2020 19:23

@islockdownoveryet

What 2 days before Christmas announce tier 4? Last Saturday was short notice for some but 2 days before would be cruel. Those that want to be extra careful have chosen not to mix on Christmas Day but let the rest of us enjoy this one day and stop trying to make more misery .
I’m sorry but it is just as cruel for those already in tier 4 to see others still getting Xmas when they can’t.
Orf1abc · 23/12/2020 19:26

If they cancelled Xmas now it would potentially backfire of tonnes of people who don't have food in crammed into shops tomorrow.

If people don't have food now then they're going to be shopping tomorrow anyway.

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 23/12/2020 19:30

Not if they were going to have lunch with another household.

Smallbus1 · 23/12/2020 19:34

Agree @Moonandstars25.

Moonandstars25 · 23/12/2020 19:36

@PastMyBestBeforeDate

Not if they were going to have lunch with another household.
Seen as you are now only meant to be going for one day and not stay over then most will have enough food in to eat on Xmas day. It may not be Turkey or whatever they had planned on eating but it is food.
Flowerpot345 · 23/12/2020 19:40

Because they are too scared of upsetting the public. Boris hates having to do restrictions.
He's a rubbish leader who simply can't lead.

itsgettingweird · 23/12/2020 19:41

I think because this is actually a pretty emotive spike for once.

I'm tier 2. Cases still under 200/100k. Never gone over that and below average.

Another area skipping T3 straight into 4.

I think that's the right move because this is really transmissible.

However we are way below what T3 areas have been for months when their cases dropped.

I felt for Hancock this evening. He looked close to tears.

itsgettingweird · 23/12/2020 19:42

Emotive spike = pre emptive strike!

Iremembertheelderlykoreanlady · 23/12/2020 19:43

There's no point in Tier 4/5/1000 if they don't close fucking schools. I say that as a parent

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 23/12/2020 19:49

But people will still go out to try and get something for a lunch so it would add to the shopping moon. They won't all just make do with what they have.
Personally I think they just didn't want to be accused of forcing people to change their plans again.

backinthebox · 23/12/2020 19:50

@umpteennamechanges *Our numbers are still quite low here - East Hants.

We're only just about 100-150 per 100,000.

At this late notice and with relatively low numbers I don't think anyone would cancel their Xmas plans TBH*

Good luck. I’m over the border in Tier 4 West Berks, and your numbers in East Hants are what ours were 5 days ago. We are apparently now far too Covidy to be allowed to see family, and we did cancel our Christmas plans, even though our numbers were only what yours are now when we were told to cancel them.

It will be telling after Christmas if the areas that are rising now but where people are still allowed to spend Christmas Day together surpass those in areas where Christmas with family was cancelled. It will prove that the government allowed a nationwide super spreader event to go ahead, and could have prevented deaths but fear of recriminations over a change to Christmas plans meant they didn’t go ahead. I believe that if Tier 4 is necessary, it is necessary ASAP.

slipperywhensparticus · 23/12/2020 19:57

Anyone else feel like a science experiment 🤔

Moonandstars25 · 23/12/2020 20:08

@PastMyBestBeforeDate

But people will still go out to try and get something for a lunch so it would add to the shopping moon. They won't all just make do with what they have. Personally I think they just didn't want to be accused of forcing people to change their plans again.
I doubt it would make a massive difference to the shops to be honest and that is a pretty crappy reason for those sitting in tier 4 already.
lifestooshort123 · 23/12/2020 20:16

We're already in tier 4 and, odd as it might seem to some on here, I'm pleased others are still getting to see families on Christmas day. You'd have to be a fairly bitter and twisted individual to want others to do without as well. Oh, sorry, this IS mumsnet.

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 23/12/2020 20:23

I'm not justifying it moon just chatting about why this government might have done it.

WhiteChocTwix · 23/12/2020 20:25

I’m sorry but it is just as cruel for those already in tier 4 to see others still getting Xmas when they can’t

@Moonandstars25 agree. I was meant to visit DF at his care home Christmas Day for my half hour slot. Not happening now. I don't wish other ppl to loose out on Christmas Day. I could just have done with seeing him for the first time since August.

ArtieFufkinPolymerRecords · 23/12/2020 20:37

@lifestooshort123

We're already in tier 4 and, odd as it might seem to some on here, I'm pleased others are still getting to see families on Christmas day. You'd have to be a fairly bitter and twisted individual to want others to do without as well. Oh, sorry, this IS mumsnet.
That's refreshing to hear, because that seems to be the tone of others on here -as if they are glad that more are moving to tier 4 and resentful that it isn't happening early enough to totally fuck up Christmas plans for people in those areas.

As the mother of a young disabled man who is unable to understand why his whole life has been changed since March and who has for extended periods been unable to see us (he lives in supported living), not even being able to spend a few hours with him on Christmas day, when cases are still relatively low here, would have totally fucked me off.

Mangofandangoo · 23/12/2020 20:41

People are much more likely to adhere to the rules if it starts on Boxing Day

Bluebellpainting · 23/12/2020 20:42

@lifestooshort123

We're already in tier 4 and, odd as it might seem to some on here, I'm pleased others are still getting to see families on Christmas day. You'd have to be a fairly bitter and twisted individual to want others to do without as well. Oh, sorry, this IS mumsnet.
Maybe Im selfish then. As for me I’d rather it came in sooner- so that those already in it close by can actually stand a chance of bringing the cases down and get out of it. There is no way that some of the areas will get out of it if their tier 2 neighbours are able to socialise on Xmas day as that is going to cause cases to rise without this new variant added in. And to give my friends who are exhausted, stretched to their limits at our local hospital a break by bringing these cases down sooner rather than allowing something which is going to spread it more.
Gingerkittykat · 23/12/2020 20:45

They probably know if they made those restrictions right now that so many people would not comply that it would not be worth it.