Rules getting stricter?

[Granolaslice]

According to Boris...he says over the next few weeks.
How much stricter can they get?! Except for school closures I mean.

I wondered if support/childcare bubbles might go. They weren’t allowed in the initial phase of lockdown #1. I really can’t see what else can be restricted. (I’m in tier 4).

@OublietteBravo

I wondered if support/childcare bubbles might go. They weren’t allowed in the initial phase of lockdown #1. I really can’t see what else can be restricted. (I’m in tier 4).

It would be cruel and unfair. Plus no one would stick to it.

I’m not saying they should go - just that there is nothing else left to give.

(Actually I think every household should be allowed a support bubble - it would be a much fairer approach that the current setup).

Covid is not spreading because people are going for socially distanced walks with a friend.

How about we look a little closer to home at

• poorly ventilated housing
• poverty
• overcrowding
• sky high rates of obesity
• generally poor diets
• lack of Vitamin D
• poor levels of exercise

before we start banning outside walks with a friend and childcare bubbles, neither of which will do anything?

They always knew that poor diet and poor public health was a ticking time bomb and chose to look the other way.

I seem to recall there was some confusion around takeaways in the very early days of the first lockdown as it wasn't entirely clear whether allowed or not (I have a friend who was affected by this) but it was subsequently clarified that they were able to open. Very little risk, kept some businesses afloat that might have gone under otherwise, and brightened up our week. Hope that doesn't change. Also hope they don't remove the support bubbles for people on their own.

Also hope they don't remove the support bubbles for people on their own.

If they do that, I simply won't comply. I am not sitting in the house on my own all winter. Not for anything. People can call me anything they like.

@HesterShaw1

Also hope they don't remove the support bubbles for people on their own.

If they do that, I simply won't comply. I am not sitting in the house on my own all winter. Not for anything. People can call me anything they like.

I don't blame you. I left my elderly mother on her own for the first 3 months when we weren't allowed to meet up ( I live a long way away so not like I could just pop by for a doorstep chat) and I will never forgive myself for the impact it has had on her.

@HesterShaw1

Also hope they don't remove the support bubbles for people on their own.

If they do that, I simply won't comply. I am not sitting in the house on my own all winter. Not for anything. People can call me anything they like.

Same here. The introduction of support bubbles saved my life. If they take them away, I will not comply.

I don't blame you. I left my elderly mother on her own for the first 3 months when we weren't allowed to meet up ( I live a long way away so not like I could just pop by for a doorstep chat) and I will never forgive myself for the impact it has had on her.

I just filled up a little reading that. I think it's utterly unforgiveable what has been done to the older generation in the name of protecting them. We were deliberately filled with such fear. I'm so sorry. Your poor mum and poor you .

@CountessFrog

If the main problem is children mixing at school and passing it to grandma, is there any chance of shutting down grandma visits rather than shutting down their education?

Controversial I know.

My elderly MIL neither wants the vaccine nor to follow the rules. Plenty not willing to follow the rules.

Should have been stricter on shielding in the first place IMO.

It's a lot of the childrens PARENTS, not just grandparents.

@HesterShaw1 it's such a hard balance - even when once I was allowed to see her - was it the right thing? Was I risking passing something on to her? But to see the negative impact 'keeping her safe' has had on her quality of life, and the rapid decline in her mental capabilities, I will continue to take the very small risk of visiting her (but distancing, sanitising, no hugging etc). It's an awful choice to have to make

If the main problem is children mixing at school and passing it to grandma, is there any chance of shutting down grandma visits rather than shutting down their education?

What about passing it to the teachers and support staff? Everyone seems to think these people are immune! Even in full lockdown they were in school looking after key workers' children - a very high risk category eg front line NHS, care workers, retail etc

[quote KittyMcKitty]@HibernatingTill2030 I’m in the South East - it’s not that cold and it’s been sunny for days.[/quote]
Ha ha ha. I'm also in the SE. Here it has been dark every day, not above 2° & with a cutting wind.

Sunshine...I think Christmas Day was the last time that was seen.

When my DS was working at a very well known posh supermarket during the last lockdown the manager had to speak to the local retirement village and request that the residents not keep coming in every single day to do their shopping. There was complete uproar and in the end he had to organise a special hour for them.

But what I don’t get is if meeting up outside etc. Is so low risk, why are the rates so high when there is literally nothing else to do

I suspect it's because loads of people are actually meeting up inside if half the threads on here are anything to go by. Schools, clearly huge transmitter, work when you can't wfh, nothing to do with meeting outside in freezing cold wind.

Probably include nurseries and childminders for closure.

leaks to the media starting to happen

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55524764

we'll be hearing a lot more about something already very familiar: hand hygiene, social distancing, wearing masks and ensuring there is fresh air.

These may sound familiar but the advisers believe that because the new variant spreads so easily, the measures need to be applied with "a step change in rigour" - in other words, a lot more forcefully.

They suggest considering a return to the two-metre rule because it's more effective than the one-metre plus guidance adopted last year.

Masks need to be made of three layers, not just one, and worn in more locations than now - including workplaces, schools and crowded outdoor spaces.

I'm March parks and playgrounds closed, places of worship closed, takeaways closed, garden centres and outside grass route sport closed. 1 hour of excercise outside each day. Schools closed to all but key workers and vulnerable children.

Why are the BBC quoting the ‘one hour rule for outdoor exercise’ crap?

1 hour of excercise outside each day.

This was actually never the case. It was deemed to be the rule after a politician suggested an hour should be about right when asked - and it became 'the law according to Mumsnet' but was never a hard rule/law .

@OublietteBravo

I wondered if support/childcare bubbles might go. They weren’t allowed in the initial phase of lockdown #1. I really can’t see what else can be restricted. (I’m in tier 4).

I don't think they will stop support bubbles as they are only for limited groups anyway and there for a reason. I certainly will be keeping my baby under 1 support bubble anyway no matter what they say, it's very much needed!

This was actually never the case. It was deemed to be the rule after a politician suggested an hour should be about right when asked - and it became 'the law according to Mumsnet' but was never a hard rule/law

And the BBC is quoting it as if it were true. Then again, I believe very little that the BBC come out with these days

The hour thing wasn't even just advice or guidance just something Gove said.

So who is going to be checking mask layers then, though my 100 for a fiver Amazon ones are.

one source to back me up, I'm sure I can find more