Study in the time of COVID-19 (2019/20 intake): lockdown restrictions, relaxation of rules and repeat... And will the Grinch government cancel Christmas?

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Carrying on from our previous thread.

I believe these threads have probably been running since the summer/autumn of when our DC were about to start/in Year 13 (so 2018)?

@ginfordinner so we will both be heading for Newcastle. I think DH will do that one but he is going to pass by his DP's house to deliver and receive Christmas presents even if he doesn't go inside the house. I will probably do the Sheffield run, but once DS realises that we are in Tier 2 I think he may decide to come home sooner.

We're in tier 2 but DH is heading to Newcastle too, on the 8th. Original idea was to stay over but if the Premier Inn is closed he will probably stay in York, which is the nearest Tier 2 area. DS has a test booked for the 7th and they'll come back on the 9th.

We’re in tier 2 but DD in 3. Not heard from her but she’ll be gutted. Durham has had hard restrictions for so long and she’s spent far too long in that house. Their figures have come right down but find themselves in a higher tier than before lockdown. Dreading answering the phone to her as I usually get the pleasure of being her sponge. Thank god there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I know what you mean about being a sponge Benji

Also a (seething) Tier 2 here. Both DS1
and DD in Tier 3 areas, one just back to where they were going to be put before November 5th anyway, the other, like us, previously Tier 1. Our plan is collect, whenever, just not go into house / flat. Although if in need of the l5qoo, I for one will probably just text whichever one I'm getting and tell them to start screaming for help as soon as they see the car...

l5qoo???
Sure that wasn't there when I hit post.

loo...

I really feel for the students and I hope universities lay on something special at the end of the summer term(all being well with vaccine roll-out) for them. Fingers are crossed.

At least with all of DD's university friends being in tier 2 and 3 she won't feel left out this year because nobody will be out partying.

Yes there is that but DD was enjoying eating out or sit down clubbing but nothing open now.

We've been bumped up to T2 and DD now T3 (Durham). We'll have to drive there and back in one day now to pick her up - it is doable but a long day (8 hrs driving). She's seriously thinking of not going back until March, there's no social life for her there, at least at home she can be warm and well fed and spend time with us, we get on well so it won't be a chore, but such a shame they are all missing out on so much.

We are in Tier 3 in Brum and DS in Tier 3 in Nottingham

@Benjispruce2

Yes there is that but DD was enjoying eating out or sit down clubbing but nothing open now.

I meant at home. She has a social life at university.

Thanks for the welcome back, and @Itscoldouthere I'm glad this thread is helping.

The 'what to do about Christmas' decisions must be tough. Here most students have already sent home by their universities, and are expected to do online university until they come back in January. Am expecting Covid rates here to soar for the next few weeks after Thanksgiving and all the associated travel.

I think we're all now just holding our breaths here for the change in government, and the vaccine.

You can still get a train in Tier 3. At least I hope you can as that’s how DD will be getting back from Durham. Hand gel and face mask of course.DH doesn’t fancy repeating the 8 hr round trip he did in September.

Yes you can still get trains. It might be worth carrying some paperwork about the reason for journeys eg the Welsh police have just been given new powers to stop cars and ask people where they are going.

@ZZTopGuitarSolo I saw a graphic somewhere which showed how people have been moving around the US for Thanksgiving (big time!) - the bottom line was that it's going to impact big time on COVID-19 spread and another wave. Isn't this how it spread like wildfire in China and East Asia (with the Chinese New Year). It will be the same everywhere that Christmas is celebrated too.

That is such a worrying thought @NewModelArmyMayhem18.

DD will be home for Christmas, but we are staying put and not visiting family several hours away. They are more vulnerable than we are so Zoom will have to do.

@Ginfordinner, unless they do get on with rolling out the vaccination programme ASAP, it would seem to me that even the five-day reprieve over Christmas (bearing in mind that most of the country will be able to shop and socialise to a reasonable extent over the next fortnight to three weeks), is going to lead to a third wave in the new year.

I think if one has basically been self-isolating for two weeks ahead of the festive 'window', it would be okay to meet with one or two other 'bubbles', including grandparents to celebrate. However, if you've been here, there, and everywhere, surely it's a risk unless all meet-ups are held outside?

All very depressing.

Given that the vaccinations are expected to start in December and that the vulnerable groups should be vaccinated early in 2021, are Universities planning to start face to face teaching again after Easter? I'd hope that's what they're thinking. I think we all accept that remote learning and minimal face to face will be the norm between Xmas and Easter, but I'd like to think that there'll be the impetus and will to get staff back onto campus doing face to face teaching on return after the Easter break.

DD's in tier 3 and we're in tier 2, neither of which is unexpected and should make little difference to what we do currently. She's still coming back by train, whether they go back in January I suspect will be whether the university discourages it or not.

DD said that she misses lab work. She was very nervous about doung lab work to start with, but it helps massively with her understanding. She is like me in that she learns better while doing something rather than just reading about it.

She has now got her year 3 accommodation sorted out, so that is one less thing for her to be concerned about, and now she can concentrate on her work.

eg the Welsh police have just been given new powers to stop cars and ask people where they are going.

Fining people for trying to escape across the Channel for a few days' change of scenery seems to have turned into a nice little earner for Kent pice, as well, apparently...

Oh bother- again...
Police...

I honestly don't think there will be any issues with students returning home for Christmas and they need nothing more than a ticket to justify being on a train.

It will be very interesting to see what happens after Christmas, though. Mine will both want to go back to their independent lives irrespective of whether teaching is face to face, though providing the students have a 2 week self isolation period when they return (assuming we are not in a 3rd wave thanks to Christmas) I can't see any reason why they cannot just have a proper restart.

DD has rung to say she’s got a steal of a ticket price by a different route and DH will drive an hour to collect her but it means a difference of £60 in ticket price. Off peak on a Thursday (17th?)