So lockdown worked!

As we're talking about Christmas, in Germany the number allowed is 10. Children don't count in that, so there could potentially be another 10 or so. It seems to me that our 3 household bubble is being far more cautious.

I am glad I dont live in the UK at the moment, as it all seems so confusing, however living in Sweden isnt much better, we have a rule of eight,and I am not convinced people will adhere to it. At last people are wakening up to wearing face masks,it isnt compulsory but I have seen some people wearing them, which to me is progress,I will say no more until the New Year when the statistics come along.We can all hope wherever we are that things dont get any worse,and hope and pray the vaccine isnt delayed any longer.

Spot on Daftbag. We won’t be meeting up with any of our family and haven’t done so for 10 months now. Christmas will be me, DH and the dog. I’m not even putting decorations up. May do that at Easter when, hopefully we can have a great get together. Having said that I think everyone should decorate the outside of their homes as much as possible to make everything look magical for children: but I don’t have any and don’t want to go shopping.

Of course you won't be hauled over the coals, Daftbag1. I think that there are more people on here that agree with you than there are those who might disagree.

Yup that's the plan!

I will no doubt be hauled over the coals now, but I would say, if you love and care about your family, you will ignore the free for all, and keep everyone safe by NOT meeting your loved ones how ever hard it is and have a really safe get together when either this virus has passed or you and everyone else have been vaccinated.

They have made mistakes along the line but so has virtually every other country.

True. Yet the UK still has the highest death rate in Europe and also the worst performing economy. On that basis, it does seem that our Government has made a bigger pigs ear of the whole situation than anywhere else in Europe.

Carrieanne - are you saying that the children will not be any closer to you than 2 metres for the whole of the visit? I hope you have an enjoyable day, but the risks are just not justifiable for many.

Yes, lockdown is working, the numbers are reducing, but it would have been faster with stricter rules, heftier enforced fines and curfews, as Australia did, we’re too soft.
Flakesdayout it’s not confusing, three families are an exclusive bubble for the 5 days, that’s it.
I’m fed up with people trying to excuse not sticking to what we’ve been told, not you specifically Flake, we’ve all seen it and read it on here. I’m not a paragon of virtue, but I’ve read throughly at each stage the advice and acted accordingly..ok, I’ve finished now.

JenniferEccles

But how Lucca ?
It’s so very easy to be critical but with a population the size of ours and with such a large ethnic mix, there is no magic formula to ensure the best outcome for the hospitals and the economy.

I happen to think Margaret Thatcher was the best PM we have ever had but I don’t think even she would have managed to protect both lives and livelihoods.

Don’t get me wrong I’m no expert but I think she’d have closed the borders, clamped down on things like the race meetings etc and made the lockdown much tighter. She wouldn’t have been so desperate to be liked and I rather hope she would it have tolerated the chumocracy!

In any case I think it’s just too easy to say PM can’t do right whatever.

As a family we are getting together on Christmas day,but differently from normal.We have a conservatory next to the dining room,our grandchildren are going to eat in there and we oldies are going to eat in the dining room.We can see each other and have a conversation with them while social distancing,so for us problem solved!

As of today 30th November, the second wave has peaked in England’s hospitals, with the number of beds occupied by covid patients falling for five consecutive days across the country.
So yes, lockdown (itself) worked!

Ive had a discussion with second son about Xmas. We (me and my OH) are one household, my son and his wife another. They want to visit her parents which is household 3. My other son is visiting his parents in law that is households 4 and 5. So if I want to see that son and his wife that will mean 6 households mixing although not all at the same time. No wonder people get confused. So Covid is having a break from infecting people for 5 days? How nice that would be. And what happens on New Years Eve. I cannot see everyone staying in and behaving. We all suffered the first lockdown which worked well in slowing down the virus and as soon as people mix it increases again. I can see a third lockdown on the horizon probably in late January/February. I have no faith in our government but I do think tighter restrictions may just help if only people can be sensible.

But how Lucca ?
It’s so very easy to be critical but with a population the size of ours and with such a large ethnic mix, there is no magic formula to ensure the best outcome for the hospitals and the economy.

I happen to think Margaret Thatcher was the best PM we have ever had but I don’t think even she would have managed to protect both lives and livelihoods.

Wrong. As I said up thread. I loathed thatcher but she’d have taken much more decisive action andDealt with the pandemic much more effectively.

The Prime Minister really can't win. Damned if he does, damned if he doesn't.

GrannyRose15

Totally agree ALANaV.

If lockdowns worked we wouldn't need another one (or a lockdown by another name ie tiers.)

If lockdown does not work it is because of the arrogance and stupidity of people who believe the rules do not apply to them and that they have the right to live their lives as they choose, regardless of the effect their choice may have on other people.

We are not being forced to get together at Christmas and people should use their common sense which in some people is sadly lacking. If the government had not allowed families to get together at Christmas the press would have had a field day. The press have unwisely in my view, been pushing for people to be able to spend Christmas together. I can imagine the uproar on social media sites if the government had prevented people getting together. As some posters have pointed out the government simply cannot win whatever they do. I will be following Nichola Sturgeon’s example and not be seeing any elderly or vulnerable relatives or friends.

Maybee70. So many people who don’t read any posts it seems.!

RUFUS. Great post and what you say is echoed by my son who is in Sydney. “ This has all been made possible by the very early testing programmes, quarantine, overnight curfews, face masks etc. The imposition of severe financial penalties for any breaches has undoubtedly kept people focussed!”
Absolutely! Decisive action and compliance from the public rather than whingeing about mask wearing etc.

GrannyRose15

Totally agree ALANaV.

If lockdowns worked we wouldn't need another one (or a lockdown by another name ie tiers.)

I take it you haven’t read the posts pointing out that Australia is now back to relative normality as a result of lockdowns then?

Sensible answer! We have been given guidelines as to what we can/can't do. I know some people don't like being told what to do but at the end of the day the meeting up with relatives/friends is our decision. We can to choose to be on our own or meet up with/invite family members. If any are vulnerable perhaps take a dinner to their porch (if they live close enough). I know it's an important day for a lot of people but there are lives being lost around the world due to the pandemic and other issues. Lets look out for each other by checking on people we can't see and making sure they're warm and have food in the house. Hopefully soon we can get out and about and visit when it's safer. If we're not careful we may not have elderly or vulnerable relatives/friends to visit in the future. Lets be sensible even if we meet up with others and enjoy the christmas period as much as possible. I will be thinking of people who have lost their jobs and if you know anyone who has perhaps tell them not to worry about presents this year but I would also sort out some food hampers to help them out.

I dont think that we need a crystal ball. Canada had a spike following Thanksgiving in mid October. There are warnings about the possible increase in cases following the US Thanksgiving, we will have to see if they are reflected in the figures in the next month. You don't need to be a genius or consult the Tarot to work out how this is going to pan out. More practical advice could have been that households should avoid mixing as far as possible to maintain the drop in infection rate. No prosecutions over the festive period, just advice backed with the evidence. We know that household mixing results in the spread.

I can tell you one thing that isn’t working in my corner of Essex and that’s senior school children who should be home isolating due to a Covid case in their bubble are out and about on bikes, scooters and hanging around in medium to large groups outside our small local supermarket.

I guess the parents are at work or totally given up. Lockdown fatigue is definitely on the rise!

Well said, SaraC.

Totally agree ALANaV.

If lockdowns worked we wouldn't need another one (or a lockdown by another name ie tiers.)

Are the Australians right? Are we just a nation of "moaning poms"?
Sashabel That's how it looks from Down Under!
Victoria, which includes Melbourne of course, has now gone 31 days without a single new Covid case or Covid-related death.
That's over 6 million people; the other States also have smilarly impressive figures such that interstate travel has resumed and social activities are more relaxed.
This has all been made possible by the very early testing programmes, quarantine, overnight curfews, face masks etc. The imposition of severe financial penalties for any breaches has undoubtedly kept people focussed!
Plus, and this is vital, self discipline and sensible observation of all rules set by medical personnel.
Doctors, nurses, carers have been fantastic and we all owe them our deepest gratitude.

We know from daily TV News that the Old Country is doing it tough and we wish you well in your struggles!
OoRoo