Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

If you’re trying to decide whether to go to a Christmas party

288 replies

AchillesLastStand · 13/12/2021 15:22

Victoria Derbyshire on Twitter has shared that her triple vaccinated brother contracted omicron at a Christmas meal out. Out of 21 one of them 17 have now tested positive.

twitter.com/vicderbyshire/status/1469354766560026624

Imagine thousands of similar mini super-spreading events up and down the country this week and where that could lead.

OP posts:
Original poster
AchillesLastStand · 13/12/2021 20:12

@HesterShaw1

So actually OP, threads like this are counter productive too.

People have been pushed around and manipulated and nudged so much they're past caring. That's the sad truth of the matter.

Well Prof Tim Spector will get lots of new case studies and data on omicron’s transmissibility. So that’s a gain!
OP posts:
Original poster
AchillesLastStand · 13/12/2021 20:14

[quote maconandmacorons]@AchillesLastStand you will not convince me (and I suspect the majority on this thread) that it is acceptable and safe to work with people inside, for long periods of time, but that it is unsafe for me to socialise with them.

I can't believe we're back to manipulation by the media and a load of Karen's on MN who have spent too long trying to absorb information way above their pay grade.

What do you do for a living, out of interest OP? [/quote]
University lecturer in political science.

OP posts:
LadyCatStark · 13/12/2021 20:16

So what do we do? Just sit in our houses forever? I caught covid from a Christmas party. The cold I have 2 weeks before was far, far worse.

maryzx · 13/12/2021 20:17

[quote maconandmacorons]@AchillesLastStand you will not convince me (and I suspect the majority on this thread) that it is acceptable and safe to work with people inside, for long periods of time, but that it is unsafe for me to socialise with them.

I can't believe we're back to manipulation by the media and a load of Karen's on MN who have spent too long trying to absorb information way above their pay grade.

What do you do for a living, out of interest OP? [/quote]
It's not going to be hospitality/retail/leisure, that's for sure.

Original poster
AchillesLastStand · 13/12/2021 20:18

For the record our university has cancelled all social events and everything else including new staff photos being taken tomorrow. Well my department never actually organised a party. We’re also teaching online from this week and will be for a very long time to come I expect as cases have risen so much on the campus where I work.

OP posts:
Kingsmede · 13/12/2021 20:19

School Year 6 hot tub birthday party. 6 attended. Currently 55 children and adults infected with the party as the source.

( not suggesting you are all having works hot tub parties tho....😂)

BitterTits · 13/12/2021 20:21

@AchillesLastStand

For the record our university has cancelled all social events and everything else including new staff photos being taken tomorrow. Well my department never actually organised a party. We’re also teaching online from this week and will be for a very long time to come I expect as cases have risen so much on the campus where I work.
Lucky you. School teachers don't have those protections (and actually we don't ask for them, just mitigations). But while it's acceptable for us to mix with contacts of positive cases day in, day out, don't also expect us to curtail our social lives.
Benjispruce5 · 13/12/2021 20:23

It’s real depressing how quickly a lot of people revert to selfish behaviour. I wonder how many of them clapped the NHS last year? Those same staff must be absolutely gutted to have to face this again and even worse because this time the public can’t be arsed to help them out by missing out on their oh so important parties. Angry

Original poster
AchillesLastStand · 13/12/2021 20:23

@LadyCatStark

So what do we do? Just sit in our houses forever? I caught covid from a Christmas party. The cold I have 2 weeks before was far, far worse.
Roll out the boosters as Johnson stated last night as they’re the best and only protection we have currently. Simultaneously try and slow cases down as much as possible so the NHS isn’t overwhelmed this winter. This winter is going to mirror last winter.
OP posts:
SpinsForGin · 13/12/2021 20:25

@AchillesLastStand

For the record our university has cancelled all social events and everything else including new staff photos being taken tomorrow. Well my department never actually organised a party. We’re also teaching online from this week and will be for a very long time to come I expect as cases have risen so much on the campus where I work.
My university has reacted completely differently. All on campus teaching is carrying on as normal and we got an email today stating that January graduations are scheduled to go ahead as planned.
DynamiteFilledRadish · 13/12/2021 20:25

@Benjispruce5

It’s real depressing how quickly a lot of people revert to selfish behaviour. I wonder how many of them clapped the NHS last year? Those same staff must be absolutely gutted to have to face this again and even worse because this time the public can’t be arsed to help them out by missing out on their oh so important parties. Angry
Are we less selfish if we didn't clap? I didn't clap one hand or bang one single saucepan, so I'm good to go Friday yes?
Benjispruce5 · 13/12/2021 20:26

I work in primary classrooms daily with no distancing, no Perspex screens as in lecture halls and I’ve been given a CO2 monitor by BoJo to remind me to open windows. I feel Hmmso protected.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 13/12/2021 20:26

@Benjispruce5

It’s real depressing how quickly a lot of people revert to selfish behaviour. I wonder how many of them clapped the NHS last year? Those same staff must be absolutely gutted to have to face this again and even worse because this time the public can’t be arsed to help them out by missing out on their oh so important parties. Angry
My mum works in a hospital and they had a staff Christmas party at the weekend. It's hilarious that people seem to think all NHS staff are hiding away at home.
Onerulefor1 · 13/12/2021 20:26

@Gwenhwyfar

"Today my dd has seen photos, on Facebook, of the hospital managers (including the one who had sent the email) enjoying their Christmas night out last Friday!"

Are the hospital managers in close contact with patients though?

Of course not, they wouldn’t want to take any risks, would they? Don’t you think they should be setting an example, instead of sticking 2 fingers up to their staff?

The staff aren’t allowed to go out in case they catch Covid, but the managers are allowed to take this risk. If any of the managers do catch Covid and need hospitalised, these staff (that they are ordering not to go out) will have the pleasure of working even harder treating them! Disgusting double standards!

Waxonwaxoff0 · 13/12/2021 20:27

What's depressing is how quickly the general public think they have a right to tell others what they should and shouldn't be doing. Utter arrogance.

Jmaho · 13/12/2021 20:27

So sick of these holier than thou judgy posts
Always from someone who has been able to work from home at every opportunity. Hasn't taken a hit on their income, managed to save loads through lack of commute etc
Happy to stay at home whilst Dave (on min wage) delivers their shopping. Tuts loudly at anyone not stepping into the road to let them pass. How fucking sad
Oh look at me following the rules looking down on all the scumbags enjoying life
So tedious

SpinsForGin · 13/12/2021 20:28

@Benjispruce5

It’s real depressing how quickly a lot of people revert to selfish behaviour. I wonder how many of them clapped the NHS last year? Those same staff must be absolutely gutted to have to face this again and even worse because this time the public can’t be arsed to help them out by missing out on their oh so important parties. Angry
It's not reverting back to selfish behaviour ffs. Are you suggesting those who had a social life pre covid were selfish??

I wonder if you'd feel the same if your livelihood depended on other people having a social life?

TheVampiresWife · 13/12/2021 20:28

School teachers don't have those protections (and actually we don't ask for them, just mitigations). But while it's acceptable for us to mix with contacts of positive cases day in, day out, don't also expect us to curtail our social lives

DD is a teacher and mixes with hundreds of students a day, and by extension, their thousands of contacts. I'm immunosuppressed and I know that a dose of covid could be very, very nasty for me. DD has no choice in the matter, and therefore neither do I.

Are you seriously suggesting that people in professions where they are putting themselves and their loved ones at risk daily should shut themselves away while not at work, OP?

Benjispruce5 · 13/12/2021 20:29

@Waxonwaxoff0 this has all happened pretty quickly and no doubt that party was organised beforehand. I’m sure ICU feel differently. Many received PTSD treatment after 2020.

BlackCatz · 13/12/2021 20:29

My mum works in a hospital and they had a staff Christmas party at the weekend

Exactly the same here lmao.

BitterTits · 13/12/2021 20:29

@Benjispruce5

It’s real depressing how quickly a lot of people revert to selfish behaviour. I wonder how many of them clapped the NHS last year? Those same staff must be absolutely gutted to have to face this again and even worse because this time the public can’t be arsed to help them out by missing out on their oh so important parties. Angry
Define selfish.
Greenhand · 13/12/2021 20:30

@TheVampiresWife

Many people, even the "vulnerable", just want to get back to normal

Thank you!

I'm so tired of people using us 'vulnerables' as a stick to beat others with.

I fully accept there are things I can't do because I'm immunosuppressed. I also really, really want others to enjoy life and do the things they want to do, because let me tell you, when your life comes crashing down and you can't go to gigs or meet people or use buses or basically have anything like the life you knew and loved, it's shit. So so so shit.

Go out, have fun, get pissed, dance like a twat, watch a play, go to the cinema, go for a meal. Wear a mask and wash your hands and do whatever you need to do to make yourself feel safer. Just do it. And have a (large) drink for me!

And another large drink for me.
Benjispruce5 · 13/12/2021 20:31

The selfish behaviour I’m referring to is the attitudes of some on here saying they don’t care and will carry on despite the warnings. That’s selfish.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 13/12/2021 20:33

[quote Benjispruce5]@Waxonwaxoff0 this has all happened pretty quickly and no doubt that party was organised beforehand. I’m sure ICU feel differently. Many received PTSD treatment after 2020.[/quote]
I'm not living my life based on the opinion of ICU staff.

XenoBitch · 13/12/2021 20:35

@Benjispruce5

It’s real depressing how quickly a lot of people revert to selfish behaviour. I wonder how many of them clapped the NHS last year? Those same staff must be absolutely gutted to have to face this again and even worse because this time the public can’t be arsed to help them out by missing out on their oh so important parties. Angry
I am ex-NHS but have a lot of ex-colleagues on my FB. They have all been out for their xmas parties. They all looked happy, and they all deserve it after the year they have had.