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Original poster

Next announcement from Boris

376 replies

whoamitojudge · 09/01/2021 16:11

Does anyone know when it is?
With all this new talk of this current lockdown not being enough I just wondered if maybe he’d step up and say something

OP posts:
MummaBear4321 · 09/01/2021 18:23

The thought that they could close playgrounds sends a panic through me. I have a 2 year old, an 8 week old, no bubble as I have no family in this country, all my friends have bubbled with their family so dont want to go for a walk, and I see and speak to absolutely nobody bar DH. The playgrounds are the only way I survive the day some days. To lose them would kill me and my DD mentally. Its all I have.

peak2021 · 09/01/2021 18:23

I expect a press conference announced for 5pm on Monday. Which as is usual for Mr Johnson, will not start on time.

What measures it will contain, I do not know. At a guess, some more closures such as garden centres and perhaps hardware stores. What I would like to see such as 'work from home if you can' becoming 'work from home unless impossible to do your job at all' or similar will not happen I think. Far too many people being required by micro-managing bosses (or worse) to be in an office when they could do their job at home.

SilverGlitterBaubles · 09/01/2021 18:24

The biggest problem is there is still households mixing, lots of people just don't care or find reasons to justify it or form multiple bubbles. From what I'm hearing from teen DC lots of their friends still meeting up even having sleepovers etc. If they restrict people going for walks or single person bubbles it would be grossly unfair.

InsideNumberNine · 09/01/2021 18:24

Christ this is depressing. Everyone clamouring to find the harshest restrictions possible - no playgrounds, no support bubbles, walk around the block only.

It’s clear the rising numbers are from Christmas mixing, this will continue for another few weeks then there will be a natural drop as lockdown and the vaccine programmes kick in.

We’re looking at another three months of this, and people will not comply if you remove the small pieces of normality that are keeping them sane.

Reallybadidea · 09/01/2021 18:25

Why on earth aren't masks mandatory in all workplaces? I don't understand it. 'Covid secure' is meaningless if people are in the same room all day without decent ventilation and IME close contact is more or less inevitable in coffee rooms, toilets, etc.

Busygoingblah · 09/01/2021 18:27

@MummaBear4321

The thought that they could close playgrounds sends a panic through me. I have a 2 year old, an 8 week old, no bubble as I have no family in this country, all my friends have bubbled with their family so dont want to go for a walk, and I see and speak to absolutely nobody bar DH. The playgrounds are the only way I survive the day some days. To lose them would kill me and my DD mentally. Its all I have.
A perfect example of someone not understanding the huge importance of support bubbles for lonely people. You have your DH, you are not alone yet you’re complaining about not having a bubble.

Imagine if you didn’t have him and people were suggesting taking away your only chance to speak to an adult face to face.

Jojo19834 · 09/01/2021 18:28

Support bubbles are there for a reason, I have had a lockdown baby as a single parent (by choice). It has been lonely as hell and I need to have an adult to talk to/see as it has helped immensely with the PND I have suffered and am dealing with. I am also going back to work at start of February and my mum is childcare, as you can imagine my daughter knows nothing but me, we need to get her happy with someone else

Ledkr · 09/01/2021 18:28

Its clear from the threads on here that the biggest change that is needed is in schools.
Its a huge pain in the arse trying to wah with kids but surely if the kids are NT and over a certain age its possible for a while even if too much telly is involved.
I managed a heavy case load as a sw in the last lock down and my dd who was 8 sat with me at the table and when i had zoom calls or meetings i just set her up with a movie or some art project and if she needed me i told her to knock on the door and id mute my mic and quickly see to her.
I realise thats no possible for everyone but im guessing a few more could possibly manage like that to at least reduce numbers a bit more.

Skyr2 · 09/01/2021 18:28

@TrinidadQueen

Masks in outdoor, public busy areas I expect .
I think this a good idea personally, not that I am going anywhere busy.

Interestingly my teenager who has worn masks since she returned in Sept in school in corridor s and anywhere not at actual desk in classroom automatically puts her mask on when she gets out of the car in town. So it encouraged me and seems sensible now I am used to it, more and more people are wearing masks out and about.
Have not read full thread so it this is against the grain, so be it.

GypsyWanderer · 09/01/2021 18:28

@BrigitsBigKnickers

You think they would tell old people who live on their own that are not allowed to be part of a support bubble? Thats just inhumane.

My DF82 is desperate for company. He can't see any of his friends or do his usual voluntary work. I do a socially distanced visit a few times a week ( in his conservatory 4m apart with the door open.) I am the only person he sees.

He has had his first vaccination three weeks ago ( second postponed 😡) so I assume he has some sort of immunity. No way am I going to abandon him.

I couldn’t agree more. My mum is only in her 60’s so not eligible for the vaccine yet, but she is bed bound and can’t walk. I’m not in her bubble (due to distance) but my brother is. The only other person she sees is a carer, twice a day if she’s lucky. Sometimes they don’t turn up and she has to wait until the next morning to eat missing her dinner.

If she couldn’t see anyone it was honestly destroy her spirit a little I think. She’s an incredibly social person who hardly sees anyone anymore due to the virus and I know she isn’t the only one.

mocktail · 09/01/2021 18:28

I don't think bubbles should be stopped but I agree with previous posters that they can be a problem and people end up in multiple bubbles, and socialise with their childcare bubble which isn't allowed. They're basically completely unenforceable and make household mixing more common and more accepted in general.

FreshFreesias · 09/01/2021 18:29

I just wonder if any of these Uber lockdown fanatics have had their lives or health destroyed by these lockdowns?
Many won’t be satisfied until people are actually nailed into their houses.

mocktail · 09/01/2021 18:30

I do also think the number of children in schools and nurseries needs to be cut to similar levels to the first lockdown, hard as that would be for some people.

HarryLimeFoxtrot · 09/01/2021 18:31

Yes to stopping professional football etc.
No to limiting school places to families with 2 KW parents though (you’ll just end up losing key workers as often the non-KW will earn more)
Bubbles should stay - but no one should be allowed more than one (so you shouldn’t be able to have a support bubble and a childcare bubble). Children to be allowed to move between separated parents, but to only belong to the support bubble of the resident parent.

ilovesooty · 09/01/2021 18:31

@LadyCatStark what a horrible comment.

I do think that support bubbles need some form of tightening. Mine consists to me and my friend and her husband, who are both retired and have no contact with anyone else. The ones which involve extended contact with others outside are a potential risk.

haloalkane · 09/01/2021 18:32

Dear god what's he said this time

mocktail · 09/01/2021 18:32

I'm no over lockdown fanatic. I actually think the current rules (or less) would quite likely be enough if people actually stuck to them. I just want to be out of lockdown and back to normal life as soon as possible.

ilovesooty · 09/01/2021 18:32

@mocktail

I don't think bubbles should be stopped but I agree with previous posters that they can be a problem and people end up in multiple bubbles, and socialise with their childcare bubble which isn't allowed. They're basically completely unenforceable and make household mixing more common and more accepted in general.
Yes, that explains what I meant.
haloalkane · 09/01/2021 18:32

Oh next announcement, sorry I thought he'd made a new announcement

cardibach · 09/01/2021 18:32

[quote StatisticalSense]@BrigitsBigKnickers
If society would accept support bubbles being limited to the elderly and under 25s who are living totally alone and have no reason to mix with other households they could probably continue. The problem occurs when single parents whose children are already mixing with their other parents household want to be able to mix with further households.[/quote]
So, I’m 56, live alone. You’re happy for me to see nobody for however long this goes on? Happy that I have no social interaction? When my bubble is my daughter and her partner. We are all responsible and follow rules and all live in the same city. I can’t see how we are more of a risk than a family of 5 with 3 children at 2 or 3 different schools.
You have no empathy or understanding for lives unlike your own. Look at yourself and try to change.

MummaBear4321 · 09/01/2021 18:32

@Busygoingblah where did I say I didnt understand the importance of support bubbles? Why is it one or the other? Everyone needs what they need to cope.

Orf1abc · 09/01/2021 18:32

that have led to some (such as those in shared accommodation) having to essentially stay alone for months

People living in HMOs are allowed to form support bubbles.

Chaotic45 · 09/01/2021 18:35

@MummaBear4321

The thought that they could close playgrounds sends a panic through me. I have a 2 year old, an 8 week old, no bubble as I have no family in this country, all my friends have bubbled with their family so dont want to go for a walk, and I see and speak to absolutely nobody bar DH. The playgrounds are the only way I survive the day some days. To lose them would kill me and my DD mentally. Its all I have.
Sorry you're struggling and feel that the absence of playgrounds would be a big blow to you. Just in case, can you think of any alternatives?

I may be lucky but my area I can think of a few places which aren't designed as playgrounds but could be used as such- wooded areas with logs to balance on and walk along, walkways with different coloured paving that could be made into a game or jumped over, fallen trees that make for good games.

I hope I don't sound patronising, I know it's not ideal- but it may be better than nothing....

cardibach · 09/01/2021 18:36

I think support bubbles should be allowed but I think travel should be given a specific target such as 'next town' for rural areas or so many miles for more built up areas. Local area is just too vague for most people
Doesn’t work @minisoksmakehardwork
I’m in Wales. We had the 5 mile rule last time. My daughter lives 10 miles away, so we drove 5 mile each to a local park to walk, thereby taking any infection either of us had to a third area. If I’d driven to her house and just gone in her garden we’d have had fewer interactions.

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