Coronavirus, ? stronger measures to be announced

[Workingman]

In my OP on the other thread I did say that the information about the new variant of the virus and the rise in cases could cause a U-turn on the Christmas rules..... and that to do so would be justified and accepted by most of us. U-turns should not always be criticised as sometimes they are essential, as is the current case.

One thing I do hope is learned from all this, by politicians, scientists and the media, and that is not to promise the Earth and salvation at some fixed date in the future. All it does is drive up hope to unattainable levels only for it all to be dashed in a day. "Slowly, slowly catchee monkey", as the old saying goes.

What is unfortunate, though highly predictable, is that the measures used to try to contain the new variant of the virus are likely to lead to its spread. Trains were crammed and the motorways chock-a-block as people tried to flee London for all parts N. S. E. and W. Others will continue to do so in the next few days despite the rules. The total numbers now leaving are likely to be a lot higher than they otherwise would have been.

[saundra]

My thoughts exactly WM

[miasmum]

Precisely WM. I’m sad for Luke. His Christmas is Nanna and gramps Christmas Day but sadly Gramps is no longer with us and Aunty Kay Boxing Day and now no Aunty Kay. Aunty Kay is in her 70’s and vulnerable so Luke hasn’t seen her since March. He doesn’t understand so I feel sad for him

But in contrast my friend is thrilled. She is married with 2 sons at home She was having her recently married son and his wife Christmas Day but her daughter, son in law and 4 children were going to his mums. She’s now in tier 4 so they are going to my friends. So she’s gone from a house of 6 adults to 8 adults and 4 children. Tell me how that is safer? We were only seeing 3 adults the whole Christmas now 2

[debih]

I don't think she is allowed that in tier 4 MM. I'm sure it says that you can only see people who live in your household or are in your support bubble (which I am pretty sure a support bubble is 1 person living alone being able to meet up with one family). If they don't live in your household you are only allowed to meet one person outside.

So her christmas day should just be herself, her partner and the two sons that live at home. The other children should stay at home with their respective families.

But people will do what they will do.

[miasmum]

She’s not in Tier 4 she’s in tier 2 same as me Her son in law’s family are now Tier 4 which is why all 6 of them are now coming to her. Boosting her numbers

[cromwell]

One thing I do hope is learned from all this, by politicians, scientists and the media, and that is not to promise the Earth and salvation at some fixed date in the future. All it does is drive up hope to unattainable levels only for it all to be dashed in a day.

They know they are lying when they say it; they just hope people will believe them.
Increasingly they don't.
The anger this type of behaviour is generating - "Oh, it's only for a few weeks" and then all of a sudden it isn't - is palpable now.

[Workingman]

The anger this type of behaviour is generating - "Oh, it's only for a few weeks" and then all of a sudden it isn't - is palpable now.

Absolutely!

If the message had been something like: "We are going into lockdown and hopefully it will end in early December, but we will review it nearer the date and act according to the situation at that time." we could all have gone with that.

[saundra]

Just seen BBC news reports that this new virus was reported in SEPTEMBER

Yet nothing was done

[cromwell]

Saundra imo it has been held back to use as an excuse ready to shut the country down.

[TheOstrich]

She’s not in Tier 4 she’s in tier 2 same as me Her son in law’s family are now Tier 4 which is why all 6 of them are now coming to her. Boosting her numbers

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tier-4-stay-at-home

Travelling out of a tier 4 area
You must stay at home and not leave your Tier 4 area, other than for legally permitted reasons such as:

travel to work where you cannot work from home
travel to education and for caring responsibilities
visit those in your support bubble - or your childcare bubble for childcare
attend hospital, GP and other medical appointments or visits where you have had an accident or are concerned about your health
The full list of exceptions will be published in the Regulations.

So SiL & family are breaking the law, surely? Have I got that right?