No new measures in England before New Year

[Jourdain11]

Has just been announced by the Health Secretary and reported across BBC etc.

@SilverGlitterBaubles

If anyone believes that Boris Johnson is making decisions in their best interests then they need to give their head a big MN wobble. Johnson is on the ropes trying to save his own skin after recent events, slumps in the opinion polls and pressure from looney backbenchers. Boris Johnson only cares about Boris Johnson.

YY exactly this. It's not going to help hospitality because lots of people will look at the Covid figures and decide they're not going to go to massive celebrations. All Boris is doing is making sure he doesn't have to compensate businesses. Because as a PP pointed out, this government has millions to waste on contracts for their friends but doesn't want to invest in the NHS or in the small businesses affected by Covid. Boris decision-making has been craven throughout Covid but this is probably amongst his worst yet and its going to have a massive impact on the businesses, the NHS, schools and the vulnerable. It's a ridiculous decision.

This is how they are going to fuck us over in the New Year though and they did it in the gap between lockdown one and two.

"Try NOT to party and mingle but we won't restrict you" - then when cases rise it's "...all the publics fault for not being sensible. Nothing to do with our incompetent handling of it all".

@Fairylights25

There is a lot of wishful thinking on here, Johnson is not going anywhere, sorry to disappoint you but he won a landslide, and after this hiccup I am sure he will again. He is the best they have - and there is no one in the Labour party will give him a serious run for his money.

My guess is Johnson won't lead them into the next GE as he has a real personal issue now, the % of voters who consider him trustworthy has dropped to 11%, plus we have more brexit dogshit to come next year.

I just do not think the shine will go back on.*

*Obviously I do not know, but this is what I think today.

[quote SilverGlitterBaubles]@Jourdain11 Is that you Carrie[/quote]
So original! I'm not pro-Johnson. I have never even voted Tory. But I don't automatically assume that (a) he is the only one involved in decision-making or that (b) every decision he makes is wrong.

@Poetrypatty

We've reached a point where we can't trust the government and that's quite worrying. I hope things do turn out well, but I've no doubt Boris Johnson's number one concern was his own political career.

Anecdotally I know a lot of people who won't be going out NYE who might have done, and that's bad news for hospitality it really is.

This is the truth of it.

We are at a point now where those who want to be cautious don't need lockdowns/ restrictions and those who don't want to don't want lockdowns/restrictions.

I'm certainly not at the point where I'd go to a huge crowded indoor event.

I really fear for hospitality suffering either way.

Pubs near are already posting about shorter hours and cutting entertainment NYe due to staff shortages.

Fairylights25

I know you are a teacher Fripps and desperate not to teach

Oh dear, don't let the truth stop you from posting rubbish. Please read what I have posted and not what you think has been posted.

Thank you.

@Fairylights25

Schools will have to operate with combined classes for a while, it is not difficult. We all have to adapt. Even teaching in assembly halls will be fine if push comes to shove. I am sure the heads are competent enough to make a plan B that works in the short term just in case.

I know you are a teacher Fripps and desperate not to teach, but we have to remember the children that have died because they were not in school and were murdered. It is not safe to close schools. We have seen horrific evidence for that in the last few weeks. So they won't close, they will remain open and we will manage. Thank you

Large groups and cobbled together classes - legally are not possible if safeguarding leads are absent. @Fairylights25.

Legislation hasn't changed. Safeguarding is a priority and the government document Keeping Children Safe in Education has to be legally met.

No qualified safeguarding leads, no school. I've had schools closed because both safeguarding leads are ill.
Legal requirements cannot be met.

@humdingle

It's a good decision and I hope the government continues to hold its nerve. We can't keep restricting people for an illness with an almost 100% survival rate. If you're scared, you should be the one to stay at home. Let the rest of us live normal lives.

This. It’s time to start to get back to normal and treat it like any other viral infection.

You might not like him rruth but Boris Johnson is a vote winner, Rishi is wooden next to him, Truss lacks real authority. Johnson will lead the conservative party to the next election for sure, and if Starmer is still there then Johnson is very likely to win again. The Labour party are in total disarray with no policies and no direction whatsoever. What would we even be voting for if we choose the LP??? I have no idea what they stand for anymore.

Honestly I think the election will happen sooner than you think, and you have misjudged the outcome because you are just looking at the polls now with people being rightly pissed off. When it comes to it, they will vote for their livelihoods, their houses and their jobs.

@AshLane

I hope those who think this is a good thing, also don't mind their children being at home in January because of staff illness.

My LA are saying we are 7 days behind London, schools ( and other public services) will be decimated by lack of staff.

Boris is only out to try and save himself, not you, not me and certainly not children's education.

The biggest hit has been blanket closure by a long shot.

Even with high London rates staff absence only closed classes in March 20 for two days before lockdown

@FrippEnos

Fairylights25

I know you are a teacher Fripps and desperate not to teach

Oh dear, don't let the truth stop you from posting rubbish. Please read what I have posted and not what you think has been posted.

Thank you.

@Fairylights25

You might not like him rruth but Boris Johnson is a vote winner, Rishi is wooden next to him, Truss lacks real authority. Johnson will lead the conservative party to the next election for sure, and if Starmer is still there then Johnson is very likely to win again. The Labour party are in total disarray with no policies and no direction whatsoever. What would we even be voting for if we choose the LP??? I have no idea what they stand for anymore.

Honestly I think the election will happen sooner than you think, and you have misjudged the outcome because you are just looking at the polls now with people being rightly pissed off. When it comes to it, they will vote for their livelihoods, their houses and their jobs.

I guess we will see. He was not a vote winner in Chesham, or North Shropshire.

The key indicator is 'best PM' and Johnson has now lost it. Tories have now lost their lead on economy too.

If they go soon they need to get cracking before fuel prices etc.

But I am not in possession of a crystal ball, that is for sure.

Given recent events the figures, hospitalisations and death rates needed to be conclusive for them to get away with restrictions. This isn't the case and they know that many would have ignored. However this also suits their narrative just offering 'guidance' so they can blame us all if it goes wrong.

Boris is indeed now a liability to the Tory party however no-one wants to take the baton at such a difficult time so he will have to soldier on (do you like how I did the war reference there) or resign. He won't ever resign.

@Fairylights25

You might not like him rruth but Boris Johnson is a vote winner, Rishi is wooden next to him, Truss lacks real authority. Johnson will lead the conservative party to the next election for sure, and if Starmer is still there then Johnson is very likely to win again. The Labour party are in total disarray with no policies and no direction whatsoever. What would we even be voting for if we choose the LP??? I have no idea what they stand for anymore.

Honestly I think the election will happen sooner than you think, and you have misjudged the outcome because you are just looking at the polls now with people being rightly pissed off. When it comes to it, they will vote for their livelihoods, their houses and their jobs.

He was a vote winner. He isn’t any more. He’s comprehensively pissed on his chips and anyone who thinks he’d win another election is delusional. Hell, he would lose his seat if the results of the latest polls were extrapolated in a general election.

@Overthebow

I’m so pleased, such good news. Everyone can enjoy a proper New Years now!

Not everyone in the U.K. lives in England you know 🙄

and @Fairylights25 I personally very much hope Johnson stays in post. I think he is attackable and tired-looking and a new leader might just get that temporary bounce they all get. Agree Sunak is wooden - but I don't think he would get it anyway.

@Ihopeyourcakeisshit

It's worth remembering that not all hospitality is alcohol based. I worked for a charity which had a coffee shop as part of its fund raising. I lost my job due to redundancy. It's not quite that bloody simplistic .

And there are also the companies involved in the supply chain to hospitality businesses.

Lockdowns have a huge economic impact. The government is absolutely right in waiting for more information on Omicron, before rushing into very damaging and potentially unnecessary restrictions.

[quote PinkTree7]@PollyIndia

Me and DH can both work easily from home and the DC’s school provided ample live lessons during the last lockdown.

Frankly there’s very few reasons for us to need to leave home, given that we can get supermarket and takeaway deliveries.[/quote]
Good for you? That doesn’t apply to everyone. I know, why don’t you stay at home until April as you find it so easy, and let the rest of us get on with our lives how we wish.

Frankly there’s very few reasons for us to need to leave home, given that we can get supermarket and takeaway deliveries

You can only stay at home because others don't & facilitate it for you.

+You might not like him rruth but Boris Johnson is a vote winner, Rishi is wooden next to him, Truss lacks real authority. Johnson will lead the conservative party to the next election for sure, and if Starmer is still there then Johnson is very likely to win again. The Labour party are in total disarray with no policies and no direction whatsoever. What would we even be voting for if we choose the LP??? I have no idea what they stand for anymore*

But Labour are now miles ahead I’m the polls.

I don't think Sage or Indie sage are advocating for lockdown, they're advocating for restrictions that will avoid lockdown.

Lockdown is nothing being open except absolute essentials, and not being allowed to go anywhere, with schools shut, like March 2020. It's not there being minor restrictions on pubs and restaurants for a short period and limiting large crowds mixing indoors, whilst schools and all shops stay open (but require masks).

I didn't mention blanket closure @MarshaBradyo

Interruptions - schools open, schools closed, classes open, classes closed, some siblings in, some out, last minute changes, early collection etc etc - just so disruptive to everyone, including children's learning and parents working life. ( and no furlough to support parents).

I pointed out that under legal requirements of KCSiE, schools cannot stay open without their safeguarding leads in attendance. This is be two staff members in small schools. Cobbling together large groups of children, just because it is convenient for parents won't meet risk assessment ( including things like fire, teacher child ratios etc)

We do sometimes manage make 'local arrangements' with other schools to try and keep schools open, but it wasn't always possible in my LA as 'other schools' similarly had no safeguarding staff available - whole schools did close in December.

Legislation could have been changed, but of course the government don't want to be accountable and responsible for incidents in schools which they have decided that safeguarding children is no longer a legal requirement.

People on mumsnet Using the death of children from their own parents neglect and abuse to endorse not to close schools down during a pandemic is a real low. Star Hobson wasn't even school age when her step parent killed her :(
I never see teachers or anyone else up in arms about being shut for 13 weeks a year or at weekends either.
Neglect and child abuse and death has always gone on for many years long before any lockdowns. It's the sad truth.
It was so tragic what happened to those children that have been in the news lately, but solely blaming lockdown closures is out of order : schools were open for key worker and vulnerable children anyway. They didn't shut completely at any time, not where I live. Other people also let those poor children down too.
Anyway , I can't see that happening again anyway , I think it would cause a riot. I'm not a teacher , by the way.

@kickupafuss

Great for all those people who want to go out drinking for New Year. But I want to be sure there will be enough teachers in school to teach my children in January. I'm sick of children being lowest priority of this government. (I daren't even mention the clinically vulnerable on Mumsnet).

I don't trust Johnson and his cronies to get this right.

This. A parent party took out an entire class in our local primary just before Christmas through so many children testing positive. I bet it ripped through the staff over the holiday

Good... if they lockdown now no one would follow it anyway so it would just lose them respect and not work.

If they do a partial lockdown through mid-January when most people are broke and the weather's cold and there are no big cultural celebrations in most areas people are more likely to follow it as people naturally rest and recover through January anyway.