Will you go to family at Christmas?

I'm happy to risk it for the sake of my grandson. He's had an awful year starting with his father nearly dying and he spent weeks in hospital, then lockdown in a tiny flat . His parents are very good about saying hands etc.

Our Christmas is a work in progress as I can't believe things won't change over the next few weeks. I presume the shops will be mayhem once December comes, giving the virus a wonderful chance to spread. Luckily we work out at 3 families but not sure we will all get together at the same time anyway. Our small turkey crown now in freezer.

goose1964

I'm happy to risk it for the sake of my grandson. He's had an awful year starting with his father nearly dying and he spent weeks in hospital, then lockdown in a tiny flat . His parents are very good about saying hands etc.

The thing is, whatever your personal circumstances, you are risking it for all of us. There is no such thing as individual risk taking in a pandemic. I know that many people will ‘risk it’ over the 5 day jolly ( and longer) but they shouldn’t kid themselves or us that this hasn’t the potential to impact in one way or another or those who don’t take risks. I’m already planning to go back to a very strict self isolation in January including asking my GP to bring forward my January blood tests to the first half of next month. I know I have to accept this because my country is a basket case but I woukd like the risk takers to acknowledge their role in affecting all our lives. That’s all

My understanding is that the family bubble must stay as the same 3 families throughout the period and that one unit can’t pop out for another to pop in. Is this correct? I think 5 days is far too long and very risky!!!

We do childcare for our two grandchildren who live within walking distance of us so we are lucky if sometimes exhausted. We will have Christmas lunch with them being careful and watch the 3 and 1 yr old open their presents but will not travel or see anyone else sad though that will be.

We'll not be joining DD, DS and family for Christmas. We've done so well so far in avoiding Covid we think we can last a little longer until the vaccine comes on stream. Then we'll all have a lovely weekend away.
Looks like most of us on here feel the same. It's the youngsters who are the risk takers judging from recent events and the rise in infection level in their age group.

We will be hosting our children and grandchildren over the Christmas period
I see them regularly as my son is in our bubble and I look after my granddaughter every week

So all of you deciding to meet are going to quarantine for two weeks after the last goodbye to your bubbles - so probably till 3rd week of January. Including jobs and school, stay in your homes and get all shopping delivered. Otherwise you are risking the lives of all the rest of us. You do understand that's what has to happen, don't you? Have you arranged leave from work, childcare etc. ?

I will have my two sons at my house on Boxing Day hopefully. Can’t cope with nit seeing them at Christmas but I am a little apprehensive.

We will be ringing the community doorstep jingle bells at 6pm on Christmas Eve, and then going indoors for the Family Zoom at 7pm, wearing our best Christmas jumpers. On Christmas Day, dinner for two whenever we wish. Weather permitting, garden visits only from ACs either morning or afternoon. Rates are very high here, and as Jason Leitch said at the coronavirus briefing this afternoon, your best line of defence against the virus is your own front door.

StillNotGinger

So all of you deciding to meet are going to quarantine for two weeks after the last goodbye to your bubbles - so probably till 3rd week of January. Including jobs and school, stay in your homes and get all shopping delivered. Otherwise you are risking the lives of all the rest of us. You do understand that's what has to happen, don't you? Have you arranged leave from work, childcare etc. ?

I don’t this falls within Government regulations

We will be staying at home as previously planned The whole bubbling for Christmas plan is ludicrous and we will pay for it with a rise in infection In theNew Year

Depends where you live as well. We have always been in tier one My family all live in a small town we have a population of 12k with an average of 12 to 15 cases

@rosie1959 it's the only moral response. Pretending otherwise can only lead to a massive heap of guilt. No-one will know who they may accidentally infect if they don't stay home.

Stillnotginger
I don't think you've quite understood the directive on the Xmas gathering.

No way, I’m classed as high risk,

Tanith -I'm sorry to say but it doesn't work like that. Once you've had 3 households meeting you cannot bring another household in. So even if you leave, they won't be able to have another household instead of you.

@petra yes I understand only too well, and I heard the silence re what should happen after the magic five days. Let's see, put a dozen people in a house for five days, including those superspreader children, then disperse. Probably the best way to create a third wave yet seen, and there will have been lots of lovely shopping along the way.

But as I have said I see my family anyway in tier one and in lockdown as I look after my granddaughter what difference does Christmas make

rosie1959 you're right, no difference for you. I am scared of all the people saying how they will travel and 'stick to the rules' , those rules have left off the bit about what to do afterwards.

Let’s all cancel Christmas then everyone will be happy!

Stillnotginger
All that you state in your post @ 17.43 is what you want to happen. If the government has decreed that 'bubbles' can meet over Xmas ( all being well) so be it.

Harris27

Let’s all cancel Christmas then everyone will be happy!

This is a false dichotomy. Christmas can’t be cancelled for one thing and plenty of us have the sense and the maturity to enjoy Christmas with our families via technology and/or meeting up outside for socially distanced walks

What would make sense is if the schools broke up for Christmas a week early to reduce transmission between children, then by 23rd the underlying rate would already have reduced, which would make it safer for households to meet up. We can’t have it all ways.

My daughter is in Belfast so I definitely won't be seeing her. My son lives over an hour's drive away and has offered to come and stay in the garden - I've told him we'll have Christmas when we are vaccinated. I am very scared I might be a carrier, I'd never forgive myself.