Early May for household mixing, any chance?

[Beebityboo]

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9267563/Roadmap-lockdown-Blueprint-UKs-future-suggests-pubs-business-May.html

Sorry for the daily fail link and I know it's all speculation so far, but I was wondering about the point it makes about pubs going back in early may with two households allowed to sit together inside. Do you think this will apply to private houses too? We're a family of five so haven't been able to see my parents in a very long time and I desperately miss my mum. Do you think it's possible they would be able to visit us in May? They live too far away to drive over for a quick sit in the garden.

I'm not wading in on the debate about if/when restrictions should be eased but I really hope that when they are it will be 'rule of 6' OR two households outside/inside or wherever. It was always utterly ridiculous to allow 6 people all from different households to meet up but not two families of four. I'm really hoping common sense will prevail on that one.

Everyone has different priorities and everyone is fed up with the whole thing. Mine is schools being back and this time it looks like it's also the government's too. Last time schools were kept shut when lots of other things were open which was pretty disgraceful and children were the bottom of the pile. I supported this lockdown and it was right schools were shut but they should be the priority this time to open first.

I think they’re going to struggle to enforce tight restrictions going forward. Mass parties and weddings maybe but families mixing indoors, I doubt it.

@Delatron

I think they’re going to struggle to enforce tight restrictions going forward. Mass parties and weddings maybe but families mixing indoors, I doubt it.

Yes I think so too. It’s been too long for people not to be allowed to see family. Once schools open that’s it really.

Yes I think there is a chance. I just can't tell you how big a chance :) Maybe 50%?

Agree about two households meeting rather than the stupid rule of 6. It was ridiculous last time that I could meet up with 5 adults from a different household yet couldn’t get together with another family of 4 so the kids could play. Also penalises big families.

To all the people saying about restrictions not lifting to ensure schools are open, thats fine, but why should others always suffer. I’ve spent a year being told that this is the most shit for parents and kids (and should be thankful I have no children to enjoy, and get watching netflix)
We worked through all the first wave, sacrificing leave to ensure parents with kids at home got all the time they needed. When we could go out/ holiday in the uk, we couldn’t get in anywhere because families were missing so much and booked everything. And now so long as schools open nothing else matters. And despite what is said schools are a hotbed- the november lockdown didn’t lower numbers lots when everything bar schools shut- because people were still chatting at the gates, letting kids play. And because they were mixing at school, why did it matter to stop them after school 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️
That sounds so bitter I know, but if I had a baby now, I could see my mum, if I had to use my parents for childcare I could see them (lets be honest, no one just does doorstop drop offs) if I was single I could bubble. but because I have a partner I’m expected to crack on with no life, and its pushing us to breaking point. And waiting until summer for a glimmer of family time is torture. Especially when ‘Sue’ can see her best mate because they happen to have kids at the same school. Its all or none to me now

Given teaching can happen remotely and avoid large gatherings I thought the economy would be prioritised over schools reopening benefiting everyone not just parents.

I do agree with the rule of six including children though, they can catch it and pass it on so it makes sense to include them. Most cases within a household start with children i read recently on MN.

@IceCreamAndCandyfloss

Given teaching can happen remotely and avoid large gatherings I thought the economy would be prioritised over schools reopening benefiting everyone not just parents.

I do agree with the rule of six including children though, they can catch it and pass it on so it makes sense to include them. Most cases within a household start with children i read recently on MN.

Yes that’s a good point, children are still getting an education, it hasn’t stopped. Other things need to be prioritised. I also agree with the rule of 6 including children, otherwise there could be a party of 10 children in one house which would be a bit stupid.

What were the rules in Scotland? So two households rather than rule of 6? So you still had a limit but more fair for families with say three children?

Maybe the science was different in Scotland..

Totally agree, Hidingunderthetable.
It's the disproportionate nature of prioritising schools that seems so unfair. Of course education should be a priority. That's why we're considering letting 30+ households mix indoors, if it's in a classroom, long before that will be allowed anywhere else. But doing it before you can have another household over for a cuppa - even in the garden! - is a bit disproportionate.

Perhaps it’s schools turn to be prioritised. They were bottom of the pile last summer when everything was opened in June, pubs on 4th July but no sign of any education until September.

I hope it's not the rule of 6, it's really unfair on larger families and ridiculous when you can have each person from the group of 6 from 6 different households.

@Lemons1571

Perhaps it’s schools turn to be prioritised. They were bottom of the pile last summer when everything was opened in June, pubs on 4th July but no sign of any education until September.

Schools were prioritised throughout autumn and beginning of winter. They were open all through the 2nd lockdown when mixing was banned for everyone else, and open in December when most of the country was in tier 3.

Something has to be first and if not schools what? Schools provide some economic benefit since it frees up parents to resume work, what economic benefit does seeing family provide?

The next step is likely to be non-essential retail I reckon, again not more important than anyone’s family but provides a tangible economic benefit.

These aren’t emotional decisions and shouldn’t be either.

Exactly @AnniversaryScaresMe
mixing 30 odd households isn’t the best way to test out the stability of the reduction in numbers. And whilst education is a massive priority to me, how can they justify one group over another? Especially when most parents go back to work, then its the attitude of I can see x&y, but not people who actually matter to me.

And whilst I get the point of people saying about getting people back into work etc, a lot of people are still going to be furloughed when schools reopen because retail and hospitality will still be shut. The only thing this will do currently is help out parents who are working from home (who have my utter sympathy)

I just feel though for the kids who are 16-18 and are doing an apprenticeship/working etc. Can you imagine all your mates at sixth form meeting and you still can’t see anyone? This will have a massive impact and a lot will then sod lockdown- I’d be tempted and I have stuck to the rules so far.

@PotteringAlong I would prefer they stayed shut for longer until cases are low enough. This means that opening schools have less impact.

It's not about having tea with them, its about supporting family members at difficult times. It's about having suffered bereavement of a parent and having not seen the rest of my family for over a year.

@PotteringAlong I’d prefer that too. I think schools should stay shut until indoor mixing is deemed safe and allowed. It’s either ok to mix indoors or it isn’t.

@DarceyDashwood

Why do people not get that if we want kids to be able to mix in school, there might have to be restrictions on mixing outside of it?

I really don't know. People don't seem to understand that there are priorities for mixing - education is one of them. Parties and indoor playdates are not.

@IceCreamAndCandyfloss

Given teaching can happen remotely and avoid large gatherings I thought the economy would be prioritised over schools reopening benefiting everyone not just parents.

I do agree with the rule of six including children though, they can catch it and pass it on so it makes sense to include them. Most cases within a household start with children i read recently on MN.

Teaching isn't happening effectively remotely though, not consistently, not at all.

@Racoonworld I don’t think it’s that simple. I’m a secondary teacher. My mum lives 250 miles away. I would love it to be as straightforward as “I am safe to teach 180 different pupils in a 6 period day therefore I am safe to go to my mums for the weekend” but it isn’t.

Yes that’s a good point, children are still getting an education, it hasn’t stopped. Other things need to be prioritised.

Schools will be prioritised which is good

@poppycat10 do you not understand that there are children who aren’t school age who need play dates because they won’t get interaction from school. My dd who isn’t school age will be mixing once schools open.

Completely @Racoonworld I think people forget there is a missing group of children between the under one bubble age and nursery age who are lacking well, anything..... even outdoor playgroups would be a start, especially if they are considering kids sports teams starting when schools reopen.
Its not all about play dates and parties for adults, its about basic human interactions for everyone

@poppycat10 it’s not about play dates though is it? It’s about interaction and socialisation for babies and under school age children. Which is equally important as well as mental health support for new mums. I wrote to my local MP to plead that they take this younger age group of children into account when easing restrictions. We need baby and toddler classes back alongside schools reopening. They felt very safe when open before January and they are vital. They did reply and say they are pushing to have all children’s activities restarted in line with schools opening so at least they are thinking about younger children too.