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Original poster

UK locked down for Christmas?

30 replies

houseinthesnow · 13/12/2020 07:51

Is anyone else wondering how on earth the country will still go ahead with the plans for christmas mixing for five days if the numbers are still going up as quickly as they are now? We are already seeing very high infection rates - and its only the 13th of December. If we continue as we are for another ten days - how is it going to work?

I am actually seriously worried now that Christmas is not going to happen in the way we planned. Perhaps we should have continued the tier 3 across the country for another few weeks to allow for Christmas, but as it stand now we are averaging over 21,000 infections every day, and with over 500 people dying per day. In another ten days surely that is going to multiply, and by Christmas we will be in a bad place, if we go ahead with the 5 day free for all, what happens in the first few weeks of January?

Or do we not care because it is 'christmas'.
I am very worried how the NHS will cope, and I am by nature an anti lockdown supporter, but I fail to see how this will work. The third wave at this point is looking all but certain looking at the numbers...

OP posts:
FippertyGibbett · 13/12/2020 07:57

But I think a third wave is inevitable, unfortunately.
Even if we were locked down for Christmas there are those that won’t comply anyway.

CodenameVillanelle · 13/12/2020 07:58

Infections were at 21k yesterday which is high but not as high as it was in mid November.
Lockdown only ended a week ago so it's not linked to people mixing more. The way we deal with it is by accepting that infection rates for this disease fluctuate and not panicking. Christmas will happen and we may need another lockdown in January. On a personal level you do what you feel is best for your family and others will do the same.

Original poster
houseinthesnow · 13/12/2020 07:58

Surely now is the time the gov need to scale back at least? Are we not missing a window of opportunity here to minimise the carnage in January?

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CodenameVillanelle · 13/12/2020 07:59

@FippertyGibbett

But I think a third wave is inevitable, unfortunately. Even if we were locked down for Christmas there are those that won’t comply anyway.
There are no 'waves' any more. This is a disease that has peaks and troughs constantly and will continue to do so until enough people are vaccinated to disrupt the infection chain. The vast majority would not comply with Christmas restrictions and the government would not vote to allow them so they won't be happening.
CodenameVillanelle · 13/12/2020 08:00

@houseinthesnow

Surely now is the time the gov need to scale back at least? Are we not missing a window of opportunity here to minimise the carnage in January?
People will not comply and the government will not attempt to make them.
FippertyGibbett · 13/12/2020 08:01

What if we were to ask people to do the right thing rather than the government having to tell us what to do ?

Original poster
houseinthesnow · 13/12/2020 08:02

code I don't agree with this attitude, if your local hospital is overwhelmed and you have a heart attack what happens then? Have you actually been in hospital lately? I have, and had to wait 8 hours just for a bed, that was weeks ago and things have only got worse since then. It was packed to the brim with people that were seriously seriously ill. I am not sure how this works with an very high rates of covid as well. I am very worried.

We look to the gov to make policies to keep people as safe as possible. Shrugging our shoulders and accepting a third wave means many thousands of people will needlessly die.

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Pikachubaby · 13/12/2020 08:03

BJ will not cancel Christmas as he could not cope with the headlines (and he’s sentimental about Christmas)

Suddenly we are not “following the science“

And we’ll pay for it in Jan

Changeismyname · 13/12/2020 08:03

Infection rates are falling across large parts of the country. The government needs to grow some balls and put London into tier 3.

OffredOfjune · 13/12/2020 08:04

Doesn't matter anyway, a huge number of people will just mix regardless

Original poster
houseinthesnow · 13/12/2020 08:06

off we should not be making that easy though.

A messaging of only essential mixing at christmas should be in place, those that run the gauntlet do so at their own peril, others will follow the advice and many lives could be saved. Many people are feeling pressured into mixing now, because we can.

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Original poster
houseinthesnow · 13/12/2020 08:08

London is looking very bad, and Kent and Essex, still no sign of tier 3 though.

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mrssunshinexxx · 13/12/2020 08:09

@houseinthesnow
Couldn't agree with you more.
But the government wouldn't try to enforce lockdown over Xmas as they know they would be ignored by a large number and would still end up putting us in lockdown in jan
It's all a bloody shitshow

BikeRunSki · 13/12/2020 08:10

I think a lot of people will mix anyway, but the majority of people I know with school children are deliberately not planing to see grandparents.

Original poster
houseinthesnow · 13/12/2020 08:12

mrs The gov don't need to enforce a lockdown over christmas, they could alter their messaging significantly by recommending that where possible families should mix, and they should be aware of the dangers and risk. At the moment it is just too lax and by christmas we are going to see huge numbers. Huge. Forget about January - the crunch will happen before then in many parts of the UK. Wales is looking especially bad.

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Original poster
houseinthesnow · 13/12/2020 08:13

**SHOULD NOT MIX

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mrssunshinexxx · 13/12/2020 08:14

No point ranting about it on here it's out of your control @houseinthesnow

mrssunshinexxx · 13/12/2020 08:14

Just minimise your / your families risk that's all you can do

Original poster
houseinthesnow · 13/12/2020 08:17

My perception now has been impacted by my hospital experience, I no longer have the confidence that our hospitals can and will cope over christmas and new year.

NHS bosses are ringing the alarms already, but no one is listening.

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mrssunshinexxx · 13/12/2020 08:21

No one will listen until it affects them
So many people are still unaffected or have had it / know people who have had it mildly
It's horrendous

Original poster
houseinthesnow · 13/12/2020 08:21

I think if the public could actually see what is happening in the hospitals there would be very little support for any christmas mixing, much less one that involves five full days!

I intend to keep my family safe, but who knows when someone will have an accident, break a leg - have a stroke etc and need to go to a hospital. It happens all of the time. Honestly, we have made a big mistake on this.

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Pikachubaby · 13/12/2020 08:23

I think the majority of people think Covid would not be dangerous for them (and they are right)

But ANYONE can have an accident/fall/other illness , and they then could not get care as hospital would be (is) full of Covid patients

It is scary

Pikachubaby · 13/12/2020 08:24

Cross posted with you OP

123rd · 13/12/2020 08:27

I've come to the conclusion that people know the rules/guideline and say fuck it anyway. They think that just them going to see their parents or just having one set of mates over doesn't count.
I'm very frustrated but have decided I can't change others behaviour. I can make sure I'm following the rules and by not mixing.
Certain parts of society are very selfish. This includes my family and some friends. Nothing will change that
BoJO appealing to the GReat British common sense is hilarious

Original poster
houseinthesnow · 13/12/2020 08:28

pik That is it. It is scary.

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