All these "bubbles"

[lovelylittlepanda]

So, childcare bubble, support bubble, separate Christmas bubble, changing your bubble, travelling to see your "bubbled" household etc.

All allowed. All have highly technical fine print probably read by very few.

Impact on Covid rates.

Discuss.

Disclaimer: we are in one. Wouldn't want to terminate it obvs.

Oh God, another one who wants a Chinese style lockdown

I like the bubbles and can see how vital they are for some. But some people seem to think that just because they are allowed, they are safe. No thought is given to masks and social distancing within the support bubble - and then people are distraught when they pass it on.

“LoudTree
I would be strongly against stopping support bubbles- I think it was inhuman to keep people effectively in solitary confinement for months with no human contact last time.
However, I would restrict it to people who live alone. It should never have been extended to single parents or families with babies.”

Until you have been a single parent or had a baby during this pandemic I suggest you keep your opinions to yourself. We have a support bubble with my parents as I have a 5 month old and it has quite frankly saved me from PND my husband works full time and as a first time mum coupled with a pandemic and all the restrictions and lack of postnatal and maternity care that has come with it this is the one little thing that is keeping me sane and giving my little girl some interaction outside of just me and her dad. That and being able to meet a friend outside for a walk is all we have! Imagine some people thinking that something as basic as that is a luxury that shouldn’t be allowed. It’s frankly disgusting how some people are so solely focused on covid they have lots all empathy and compassion for any other situation.

@FalseAlarm1

I like the bubbles and can see how vital they are for some. But some people seem to think that just because they are allowed, they are safe. No thought is given to masks and social distancing within the support bubble - and then people are distraught when they pass it on.

You don't have to socially distance within a support bubble.

@FalseAlarm1

I like the bubbles and can see how vital they are for some. But some people seem to think that just because they are allowed, they are safe. No thought is given to masks and social distancing within the support bubble - and then people are distraught when they pass it on.

You don't have to wear masks or socially distant yourselves in support bubbles. Many couples that do not live together have formed a bubble with eachother. The point of bubbles is you treat it like one household. Do you wear a mask and keep 2m from family you live with?

People need support in some form but the amount of people who are stretching the rules is quite silly.
We are a family unit so no support bubble but so many friends are bubbling with other families even if there aren't single

How can anyone be in support of stopping support bubbles for single parents with babies/young children?
The baby/toddler years are incredibly hard and you need support more than ever, you can't just be shut away, unless you want to shot your mental health to pieces!
(Mine are older now, and I'm not a single parent) but I remember all too well how demanding it can be when they're little.)

@PinkSparklyPussyCat

Oh God, another one who wants a Chinese style lockdown

One where we virtually eliminate the virus and get the economy running again and peoples lives back to normal? Would that be so bad?

I bubbled with my parents as I’m sick with pregnancy complications and my DH was deployed. Without regular contact with my parents I would probably be dead as they saw how sick I was I ensured I ended up being treated.

We shall be bubbling with them again when baby is born.

Without childcare bubbles children would be going to childminders or after school care, mixing with far more households. Childcare bubbles will reduce the number of households children come into contact with.

Other support bubbles are absolutely needed, if we could form one we would especially now schools are closed.

For what it’s worth I’d never want to get rid of bubbles. I believe they’ve saved lives and if schools close I know I’ll have to reach out to mine but there is an awful lot of piss taking.

@StatisticalSense I see my son, and my boyfriend. That is it! So yes, there are a routes for transmission, but are you saying I should lose 50% of my social contact?

I'm not saying it isn't without risk, but given that none of us is above 45, and no one is seeing anyone vulnerable then the risk is measured.

There needs to be one bubble per household, so you are either a childcare bubble, for one other household only, or a support bubble for a single adult/ single parent with children. You can’t be a support bubble for your adult single child, and a childcare bubble for your other two adult children’s kids

That’s where the issue is

If that means choosing, then sorry so be it

@lovelylittlepanda

Maybe you should also mention the 'school' bubbles of 30+ people at times?

So, some may think they are in a 'support' bubble with 3 others for instance, but their actual bubble in terms of potential virus transmission could be gigantic?

Anyhow, I think bubbles are necessary but should be kept to an absolute minimum

I'd rather have a support bubble than have my son in school tbh

My mum is my support bubble despite the fact she lives two hours away. I have only seen her a handful of times last year and it has been invaluable.

I brought my daughter home after a NICU stay to go straight into lockdown three days later.

My mental health has absolutely plummeted in the last year. I've never experienced mental health issues previously and I'm fearful of ever getting to my lowest point again. My DH was around but unfortunately he did not know how to emotionally support me in the way I needed and I literally lived for the few days I got to spend with my mum every few months.

I respect there is a risk to mixing however neither her nor I do anything except go to the shops or work (her). She suffered hideously with Covid earlier in the year but still tested positive for antibodies in December, so we are both comfortable with the situation.

Without having my support bubble I am more likely to suffer more from my mental health rather than Covid.

One where we virtually eliminate the virus and get the economy running again and peoples lives back to normal? Would that be so bad?

If they virtually eliminated it. No, I don’t want to live under constant surveillance in a country where whistleblowers ‘disappear’.

The government have got many things very wrong but I don’t think the Chinese government are a great role model

BTW as someone who has lived in China you do not want what they have

People were literally welded inside their apartments. Is that what you think should happen?

@Amidone

many people in support bubbles are also people who are at increased risk due to advanced age and health

Agree, this is a problem. Forming bubbles with grandparents (when they are 65+ years) or the vulnerable should be done as a last resort

DH and I are secondary teachers and have 2 primary ages DC. We have no support/childcare bubbles. Since Sept we haven’t seen anyone other than each other, shop workers for our weekly shop and the 1000 pupils we come into contact with.

Support bubbles aren’t the problem, schools are.

I think they should simplify the rules and allow every household to be in a bubble with one other household. No exceptions. No switching bubbles. Easy to understand and much fairer than the current rules.

I think they should simplify the rules and allow every household to be in a bubble with one other household. No exceptions. No switching bubbles. Easy to understand and much fairer than the current rules.

Actually I agree and think compliance would increase if this were allowed.

Can't believe people want us to be more like a Chinese government.
WTF have we become, it's playing fucking havoc with people's mental health in my opinion.
Of course the virus is serious, and I'm following all rules/guidelines, but I think some have taken leave of their senses and lost all persepective.

I would have loved a childcare bubble when my husband deployed unexpectedly in the first lockdown. Our baby was a week and a half old. If you’ve not been there you can’t really say whether they are worthwhile or not. Our nearest family is four hours away so I was completely alone. Is easy to make all these sweeping statements but the reality for many people is quite different.

@lljkk

No one has any specific data to show bubbles are a widespread driver

Research may never be conducted on this, or if it was, it may end up being inconclusive

How can one not believe that in most instances bubbles do not increase transmission?

I think that for some risks, common sense has to prevail rather than insisting on seeing 'specific data'.

When you finally get your proof, it may already be too late