Opinions on the potential of Christmas being cancelled?

[Blak]

Hi everyone. With what’s being said in the news etc about the government being wrong about relaxing rules over Christmas I was just wondering how everyone is feeling about it if it does get cancelled. I’m getting very anxious as I was looking forward to spending Christmas with my family after the year we have had. Also my partners parents live in a different part of the country and we haven’t seen in months so will be upsetting not to see them after Christmas. My baby is 6 months old and I want to enjoy my first Christmas with her. They say that people can have a Christmas next year but both me and my partner will be working next year so we won’t be able too. All I want to know is how is everyone feeling about it and how what will people be doing for Christmas if things change.

They should not relax the rules. But I'm sick of the phrase 'cancel Christmas' being bandied about. For many people it just means Christmas will be e.g. parent(s) and kid(s) rather than more extended family. (and yes I know for some people it will mean being totally alone, and I know that's hard).

But anyway, I'm happy for the current tiers to continue being observed and for households not to be able to mix indoors at all over the period. It's tough but I don't see how else we can all stay safe. I'm not seeing either of my parents because they're both high-risk and I'd have to get trains and buses to see them; there's no way I'm getting public transport and then sitting in a room and sharing food with them.

They can cancel it all they like, but I won't be listening.

I'm gobsmacked that people are adhering to the rules so religiously. You can do whatever the hell you like.

I understand if you have a health problem or an elderly family member that you would absolutely adhere to this, but I think we've got to her on with life now. This isn't going away.

but I think we've got to her on with life now. This isn't going away.

I'm gobsmacked that people are adhering to the rules so religiously. You can do whatever the hell you like

Can’t you see the link?

It doesn't bother me at all

@minipie

I would like to see more public health warnings in the media about the 5 day Christmas, warning people that although it's allowed, it's no more safe over those days. ..advice for taking some precautions

I think we are already starting to see this. Lots of comments like “use your judgment” and “just because you can meet doesn’t mean you must”.

Basically, it’s up to you, so we’re not the meanies who cancel Christmas but it’s also not our fault when there’s a spike.

If it's back to relying on the common sense of people in this country then we're really fucked.

I can't speak for London but just want to assure people that public transport is very well-managed, in the North West at least.
People seem to have a fear of getting on public transport due to the virus but with everybody wearing masks (or the majority) nobody sits next to each other, seats are blocked out etc. And of course you can use hand gel freely.
I have been taking it daily since March and haven't caught Covid that I know of.

Kandymuse70, I don't disagree, public transport IME (in London) is feeling quite safe and spacious and people are behaving. But I'd have to travel longer distances to see either parent, on what are going to be busy days, I think. I still wouldn't be worried about it for my own sake if my parents weren't high-risk, but they are.

I think we're already starting to see (public health warnings) Lots of comments like "use your judgment"

Yes you're right although perhaps specific advice on how to be as safe as possible indoors is needed? I know it's mostly common sense but well it might filter through to people that don't understand how the virus is transmitted?

Of course we do have Boris' posh slogan "Have a jolly time but be jolly careful"

The people who have decided they’re not letting anyone tell them what to do any more will probably carry on regardless anyway, but if the government actually says “the Christmas relaxation is cancelled”, at least a few might listen and there could be a little less mixing and travelling etc.

I don't understand the logic of the government's apparent thinking, that if they didn't loosen the rules people would meet up anyway. Surely, yes, you're always going to get some rule breakers, but if it's against the rules to meet then less people will do so and therefore infections will be less??

As it stands I know people who are doing all 3 households, and some who are pushing that towards 4 or 5. If it was against the law I don't think they would.

What we will be doing is less risky than my daily work this year because we are all isolating beforehand. So we are lucky in that we will be pretty guaranteed to be safe and not to contribute to any post Christmas spread.
If Boris 'cancelled Christmas' we would have to change our plans as they rely on us being able to get into a holiday rental which is currently being allowed to open for the Christmas bubble period.
But I agree that if you are worried, don't do it. Take responsibility for your own actions and your own relatives.

@friendlycat

I think the whole thing is a recipe for disaster and there will be a very big price to pay come the end of January/February. I completely get that single people need to be able to bubble with their wider family and children return from Uni etc.

But all the others who are just mixing for the sake of Christmas festivities is just clearly bonkers. All the scientists are dead against it and know what it will lead to. We are all going to pay a further heavy price in the NY for all of this mixing. I feel sorry for all the businesses (mine included) on their knees with this.

Exactly this ^^

It's a tricky one because everyone has different ideas don't they?!

For example, we see my parents as of very recently as they're our childcare bubble, but they don't see anyone else (maybe my brother for a distanced walk now and then) and rarely go out, same as us. I see mil for a walk once a week, distanced and she's always telling me that she's been to so and so's house and is having such and such family over.

For Christmas this year, officially it is 'her turn' but whatever the rules say, we are a bit apprehensive about it because we know she'll be taking the mick even more if the rules are relaxed. But it's hard to tell her not to come (or it is for us because we're softies!)

I think they're leaving it too late to be fair, too many people have made plans. Some would have broken the rules anyway and if they u turn now, even more people will.

Take responsibility for your own actions and your own relatives

... and all the people you and they will come into contact with before and after you arrive at your holiday rental?

There's no way it will be.

The reason being a significant number of people will say fuck that, of course we're having Christmas, and then what? Police doing random spot checks on people's houses? Demanding to see bedrooms proving everyone lives there? People getting fined or imprisoned (randomly, because you can't catch everyone). It would be miserable and impossible to enforce.

As it is we're too far away so doing nothing anyway. Just a small Christmas the four of us. That's fine by me, it's what we did last year anyway.

I think if you've avoided seeing people all year, it's a bit mad to gather for Christmas when cases are high, hospitals are filling up and there's a vaccine coming next year. Why not wait, at least for spring when cases will naturally fall?

We're seeing people for walks outside, that's all. Dinner as a household only.

But there will still be a risk in spring too, even if it's lower. So what will it be then 'see you in summer maybe ?' 1.5 years of not seeing them ?

I really fear for people's mental health having to go without seeing loved ones for so long for something they will most likely survive.

@Kandymuse70

Remember let's not treat elderly people as if they are children. Being 'fuming' at them for wanting to leave the house, let them make their own decisions regarding Christmas too.

I’m fuming because we’ve sacrificed a lot. Kids on line learning/parents wfh/ 2 breaks cancelled/ no visiting other single elderly relatives and ‘my elderly person’ won’t stay at home and is invigilating- an 80+ year old with teenagers. Ffs

I don’t think they will cancel it, they know that some will mixing no matter what they say so they may as well just leave it as it is and not bet he government who ruined Christmas.

Personally we have decided not to see anyone, it’s sad and hard after a year of not seeing family but Christmas isn’t cancelled, we will still have a lovely time, I feel lucky that we are able to have a kitchen full of food and nice presents under the tree for DC when so many people will be going without this year.

Just because we’re allowed to meet people doesn’t mean it’s not a terrible idea that will directly lead to countless deaths. We have decided (not that it was hard) that we want no part of that and are staying home as our usual household unit.

I am genuinely at a loss as to how anyone will enjoy a Christmas spent in a warm, centrally heated house with alcohol flowing and three households (10 people? 15?) sitting in a probably fairly small room. How can anyone sit there thinking anything other than about the potential consequences? So for me it’s not just about sacrificing something enjoyable, it’s about recognising that there is nothing enjoyable about possibly leading to the illness or death of loved ones or even strangers.

Don’t get me wrong I understand how desperate we all are to see our family. But I’m desperate to enjoy seeing them. Not desperate to see them, knowing that it is at the potential expense of their health or someone else’s.

I hope and pray that most people are responsible about this because January is going to be horrific otherwise.

@Kandymuse70 The difference is that the most vulnerable should be vaccinated by Easter. The vaccination roll-out plus warmer weather will lead to a reduction in community spread, making it much safer to see people again.

This isn't forever.

I'm amazed that some people have chosen to not see their own family for nearly a year, those who live in the same country.
Not even a walk ? Doorstep chat ? That's truly shocking.

Cancel Christmas? The dramatic wording from the media. If you mean not mixing households over the Christmas period, then I think that the government would be right to stop the mixing based on the overall increase in transmissions. Personally, I just don't think a family dinner is worth people getting sick or dying for.

Anyone else trying to figure out how to handle their rule ignorant inlaws if they do say we cant see anyone? I am not one for blindly following rules, but I see the logic in not meeting despite basically ass our family being low risk and in low risk jobs. Plus I would be so uncomfortable all day if I thought someone may report us, but my MIL is going to hit the absolute roof if we say we wont see them because the rules say so. There may be screaming tears down the phone
She may even just turn up on my doorstep (genuinely. She is basically 12).