Is anyone actually going to follow the rules from spring?

[Cloudsurfing]

It will have been a year since being allowed to properly see friends and family. Even in summer last year you still had to social distance so seeing family was difficult, and some areas had tighter restrictions throughout. Everyone I know is going to see family and friends from spring, regardless of what restrictions there are. I am too. The government do know that most people won’t stick to it from then, right?

Is anyone on here actually going to not see family at that point? I know Mumsnet seems to be full of people who are happy to isolate for years if need be, but are you actually going to?

If the vaccines are working, so the deaths decrease and the NHS are able to cope, no.
If the variants are getting past the vaccine and we still have the deaths. I will yes.

I think we are all going to have to learn to live with this virus for a while. As long as those most at risk are protected as much as possible. What else can we do? We can’t live in isolation forever. What about our and loved ones mental health?
I had my mother in law in tears. today as she hasn’t seen her grandson for over a year. I’ve sent her a photo book as he’s 6 but he’s changing so much. I’m really worry about her.

Once we’ve both had vaccines, deaths drop and NHS capacity increases. I’m done with this and the scales will tip towards my families mental health.

During the summer restrictions were lifted somewhat and the rule of 6 meant we could see closest family. We didn't break these rules allowed time in-between meeting different sides of the family. The only time anyone on my side of the family is when my aunt lost her husband and my mum and other sister went to her house and the funeral and naturally hugged her etc.

We have been I feel realistic throughout to keep ourselves covid free, online shopping, social distancing and when you could eat out we didn't join the 1000s doing it.

My MIL has pushed the boundaries throughout .

We have a 9w old baby and she is constantly on about hugging and kissing him, I get it but she has had children before...its not like she has never held a child and I just wish people would be much less dramatic about not seeing people.

I would rather not see family physically for 5 years to see them again at some point than to potentially risk not seeing them ever again. I say POTENTIALLY!

I lost my niece at 21 days old to a virus that affects much less people than COVID (Group B strep) so the covid I'd rather avoid if humanly possible, but let's all just follow the guidelines and wait for the new info. Things were different 4 months ago and again 4 months before that so who knows what's in store in another 4 months.

How many people on this thread say no to following the guidelines but have actually lost family members envers to covid?

I am terminally ill and it has been a little depressing sheilding at home knowing that there won't be many more summer holidays or parties or weddings in my future. It has seemed cruel to be spending my last years sat at home. But my children are still young so the consolation was that I got to spend more time with them. Not seen my mum or grandma for a year but I guess they need to get used to not seeing me.
Most of you on this thread are being immensely selfish drama queens. One year, out of your lives, where you couldn't get about and see family. and you are planning on flouting the suggestions, meaning the stupid virus will drag on and on and on. That just means that people who are sheilding, like me (and by extension my kids) are trapped in total lockdown for even longer.
Whoo hoo. No, it's OK, I didn't want to have one last holiday before I die, or go to the pub or anything. That's right, you go and break the rules. They don't really apply to you anyway petal, you are special.

I’ve waited this long - another month or so until our most vulnerable get their jabs won’t hurt

I feel like so many people are really militant about this screaming about people being selfish and things not being essential.
It’s perfectly possible to bend some of the rules without putting anybody at risk.
I fully understand why the rules are what they are because plenty of people are too stupid or feckless to make a sensible choice. However plenty of us are capable. For example my parents have taken a walk to the park when I’ve been there with my children they didn’t touch them or come within 2m but it massively raised everyone’s spirits. Currently my son is isolating after a case in school, he’s on day 8 we went for a walk we didn’t go near anybody or touch anything.
As for all this I’m NHS or police my neighbour is a nurse and been breaking the rules left right and centre. People round their house, went on holiday during the 2nd week of their isolation from being abroad. My other friend a nurse on a covid ward has broken the 2 people rule by meeting a friend and their child in a park. Friend who is policeman absolutely not bother about crossing the tier line that went down the middle of our city. There’s breaking the rules by having a party, going out with symptoms, not wearing a mask totally selfish. Bending the rules for your families mental welfare whilst putting absolutely no one at risk not selfish

@TheHoneyHunt

No. Had it in the first round so immune. Been following rules since out of solidarity, but we only have one life and it’s time we started living it again. Those at significant risk have been vaccinated already and I am not a risk to them anyway.

I’ve had it and have the antibodies as evedenced by a test. But you still need to conform to the regular mask wearing and distancing so acting like that is not a good idea. On top of that, if you had it over six months ago there’s no guarantee they you won’t catch it again or be infectious again. You could be risking people’s lives.

I’ll be careful and use common sense, but will see small groups.

So sick of posters calling others selfish for not planning to continue with this madness. Lockdown situations are not equal.

It’s easy to preach stay at home from a comfy house with a work from home job you haven’t lost.

It is important to follow the rules. Getting vaccinated does not mean you cannot catch Covid, it is likely to be pretty good at preventing death but people can still get ill once they have had it. Even with two doses the Oxford vaccine is only about 60% effective and studies are still ongoing to determine transmission. Most of the population will not have been vaccinated by the Spring, so the virus will still be in circulation. Younger people can still get very ill even with no risk factors and long covid is very real. If there are laws in place to prevent people mixing it is in your best internet to follow them.

No

steph2412

I really hope people will follow the rules, I will continue to do so as i have from the very beginning. I have had my vaccinate but my family have not and are not eligible. The faces of people I care for at work every day fighting for their lives is etched in my memory and serves as a reminder that it is not worth meeting friends. These people are not all older with under lying health conditions, some of these people and young and healthy and find themselves wearing hoods for hours on end to keep them alive. I would rather continue as we are for as long as it takes if it means my family are protected.

^^this. I am hearing the same from friends in ICU. Even though my risk is low and have had first jab I can still potentially be an asymptotic transmitter and want to know I’ve done my best to protect my fellow human beings from harm. I am utterly sick of the restrictions, haven’t seen family for over a year now but that is a small hardship compared to what could be.

Also we are all at risk of needing an ambulance and an overrun NHS means that ambulance might not get to us in time. I also don’t want to do anything that might prolong this lockdown.

So all in all I can’t see a single reason I would break the rules. It seems totally counter productive.

I'll be following the rules. My much loved husband died of Covid and I think it's really, really important that we stick it out until we're nearer everybody being vaccinated or lots of other people are going to be grieving/regretting.

That is the sort of attitude that got us in this mess! No we will be sticking to rules as even vaccination may not stop people passing it on. It is nearly a year since we saw anyone inside.

ILoveDolly I hope that you’re able to get a vaccine and make the most of your time with your young family. Everyone else’s gripes seem trite compared to your situation. I just wish that as a nation we had tackled things very differently so that we weren’t relying on vaccines after so many deaths already. It really is such a tragic situation for so many. We all need to stay strong and not take each other for granted 🌺

I won’t risk making my parents unwell. I will stay in touch by phone and wait it out.

Then they’ll owe me a month of babysitting 😆

You say it’s selfish to not follow the rules but do not judge! You have no idea how people are struggling especially children when they are at a ridiculously low risk! I have had my teenage daughter crying saying there is no point and she wants to die their future with a being ruined for a virus that poses no risk to most! So once those vulnerable have been vaccinated I am done we have to start living again for plenty of other health reasons than this one virus!!

Most people fail to realise that keeping social distancing and other rules, plus no indoor gatherings etc is not really to keep the individuals concerned safe, but to prevent the spread of infection, so that the virus eventually peters out.
If it is still doing the rounds because some people refuse to do the sensible things then we will still have variations of lock downs etc for a looooong time.

Oh my piss is so boiling right now! We are, I’m CEV and have just had the jab, so are my parents. My kids are school age so they’ve been restricted too. However I am constantly seeing people I know and thought were quite bright going into each other’s house - doing play dates. Which is not on - even more so when they are the first to complain when anyone else does it. And have elderly parents. Then all over FB making out they are some community spirited martyr. I’m seeing people in a whole new light!,🤬🤬🤬

Yes but only because I’m pregnant and that makes me more vulnerable. If I wasn’t I would be socialising from March with all family who were vaccinated and all friends who were young fit and healthy. My MH has suffered far too much from this lockdown and I’m not about to become suicidal once more and end up back on antidepressants because I ‘may’ catch Covid. The odds say I definitely will end up suicidal/on antidepressants but only possibly catch covid.

@peachdribble Thanks. I think it is mental health that has been the biggest challenge. That and trying to organise good times to have hospital treatment with three kids at home and no access to childcare. Lol. I have had the vaccination as my area is quite well organised on that front. I too wish we were a little more New Zealand on the whole covid effort but as I never was a Bojo fan I can't say I've really been surprised by the way it panned out.

Same here. I’ve friends who are single, mental health issues and I don’t hesitate to support them in anyway possible

Yes, although I think the rules will relax by April. I can wait, and I don’t want to be part of a chain of transmission that kills someone.

Yep, an island just like us. Regardless of size (other than the ability to actually police it) They closed their borders. They imprisoned anyone that broke rules. They quarantined residents returning to the island. They required permits for anyone to work there following their period of quarantine. They wore masks indoors and outdoors. The public as a whole bought into it & did it in the knowledge that by doing so everyone would be free to see their family sooner. If only UK would do the same.

Cautionary tale as to how transmissible this virus is. We have all been shielding - myself, partner and elderly mum all CEV. Haven’t been over the doorstep since March, apart from a GP appointment and to be vaccinated three weeks ago - masked, gloved and sprayed, straight home and showered when we got in. No one gets over my doorstep, deliveries and internet shopping all sprayed appropriately and left before bringing in. My husband had to be admitted to hospital unexpectedly last Friday and on testing before admission he has tested positive. We have no idea how or when he was exposed as to all intents and purposes we have taken every precaution possible. Won’t be going anywhere any time soon.