Christmas during Covid times

The HorsesMouth

hatrickpatrick wrote: »

And yet you have high profile politicians, including Simon Harris for example, admitting that a vaccine simply may never exist for this. If that's true, what's Plan B?

If social distancing from strangers remains a necessity indefinitely then the human race will become extinct or will fundamentally regress due to inbreeding.

It mystifies me that people don't understand the gravity of telling young, single people that they may never be allowed to date, much less f*ck, again. Because that is the logical conclusion from "being forced to stay two metres away from all strangers at all times may be a long term reality and not a short term stop gap".

Honestly, if there's no vaccine, what is the end game? When it someone who is 18 now and finished school supposed to make new friends, meet a future partner, and have kids down the road? If they're never allowed to physically touch anyone new to their "bubble" ever again?
.

Sorry have I missed something in this thread or is there someone genuinely putting forward an opinion that social distancing is here to stay?

Look..at this stage, especially with the vaccine news this week and the coming announcements from moderna and oxford, anyone still pedalling this "world never the same again" "we might never have a vaccine" "restrictions here to stay" BS obviously want the world to stay this way. It might suit their personalities or life situations but most people don't want it and the science itself it's saying restrictions will be gone by late next year at the latest.

Rubberchikken

Have worked the past 4 Christmases but off this year so 3 nights at home. Nice:)
We're sticking with lockdown rules and did the last time too no changes there.

Will time my visits to tesco to later in evening to avoid queues that are already there at certain times but are bound to get worse nearer we get to Christmas.

No house visits no visitors as aware of those who might be vulnerable.
It won't affect our Christmas. It's normally quiet, the way we like it, so no issue.

Other Christmases when I worked we had our Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve so tbh having it on Christmas day will be a treat.

jrosen

I passed a car park at a retail park today. Only one store there considered essential yet the car park was absolutely filled. Every other store offering click and collect. Passed Dunnes, line out the door. Local town cars parked lined the streets, car park fairly full too. I was out for my run.

I had to go to Tesco today and the amount of people, full families out strolling around not really shopping was ridiculous.

Ive said already on this thread. My family are in the minority of people I know following rules.

If people were really following rules of level 5 we would not be seeing the cases we are seeing.

mcburns07

jrosen wrote: »

I passed a car park at a retail park today. Only one store there considered essential yet the car park was absolutely filled. Every other store offering click and collect. Passed Dunnes, line out the door. Local town cars parked lined the streets, car park fairly full too. I was out for my run.

I had to go to Tesco today and the amount of people, full families out strolling around not really shopping was ridiculous.

Ive said already on this thread. My family are in the minority of people I know following rules.

If people were really following rules of level 5 we would not be seeing the cases we are seeing.

Not really seeing what the issue is with people who live together spending time together outside their house?

mcburns07

mcburns07 wrote: »

Not really seeing what the issue is with people who live together spending time together outside their house?

Because shops should only be allowing certain numbers in. Shopping should be done by one person out of common decency if nothing else.

Rodin

The reason that Christmas is under threat is because of people's poor behaviour and the lack of enforcement of regulations.

Just look at South William St last night

Melanchthon

Rodin wrote: »

The reason that Christmas is under threat is because of people's poor behaviour and the lack of enforcement of regulations.

Just look at South William St last night

No it's because we have had a useless test and trace system, basically no travel restrictions from high risk areas (and before the north is brought up cases started rising in the Republic before northern Ireland, northern Ireland just kept rising), and policies that push people into towards socializing indoors as we don't do short sharp lockdowns instead we have endless restrictions. Germany hasn't half the restrictions but has low mortality, out of European countries is there anywhere that's had the level of restrictions for as long as Dublin.

Rodin

Melanchthon wrote: »

No it's because we have had a useless test and trace system, basically no travel restrictions from high risk areas (and before the north is brought up cases started rising in the Republic before northern Ireland, northern Ireland just kept rising), and policies that push people into towards socializing indoors as we don't do short sharp lockdowns instead we have endless restrictions. Germany hasn't half the restrictions but has low mortality, out of European countries is there anywhere that's had the level of restrictions for as long as Dublin.

Unenforced restrictions.
We can't trust our people to behave... perhaps Germans are better behaved.

ceadaoin.

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

The fact he hates anyone doing anything shouldn’t detract from the fact that people need to be less scumbaggy and do better with this.

I think its unfair to label people scumbags for wanting to see their own families. Its pretty hard to override the human need to socialise for so long. And what about people who for various reasons this could be their last Christmas? They should just suck it up and spend it alone? **** that. If they want to make an informed choice so be it.

Flyer1

The Christmas plans are made by 90% + of families. Yet another example of a time NPHET have dropped the ball. People don't plan these things 25 days in advance.

Charles Babbage

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

Because shops should only be allowing certain numbers in. Shopping should be done by one person out of common decency if nothing else.

My suggestion is that when shops reopen that only men are allowed in for the first week, as women spend two and a half times as long. Perhaps only women could be allowed in pubs as a compensation.

ceadaoin.

ceadaoin. wrote: »

I think its unfair to label people scumbags for wanting to see their own families. Its pretty hard to override the human need to socialise for so long. And what about people who for various reasons this could be their last Christmas? They should just suck it up and spend it alone? **** that. If they want to make an informed choice so be it.

The restrictions are there and they should be followed regardless of what people want.

jrosen

mcburns07 wrote: »

Not really seeing what the issue is with people who live together spending time together outside their house?

Because we are at level 5, essential trips only.

mcburns07

Flyer1 wrote: »

The Christmas plans are made by 90% + of families. Yet another example of a time NPHET have dropped the ball. People don't plan these things 25 days in advance.

As much as I dislike NPHET, people having ONLY 25 days to plan their Christmases in this year of all years is a laughable criticism.

Mr. Karate

jrosen wrote: »

Most people I know have already made their plans for Christmas Day and all are doing what they would any other year. Hosting for family or traveling to family.

We all know gatherings will lead to an increase of cases. The reality is there are alot of people who simply dont care anymore.

So when we see more numbers rise, and face another lockdown where people are out of work again I wonder will we think it was worth it or not? Because the government will lock down again.

They intend to lock us down again no matter what we do. Even if we were sticking to these restriction with military like precision the Govt would still find a reason to lock us down again. They even just said that we will spend most of 2021 in and out of lockdowns.

I don't blame people for wanting to give these clowns the middle finger for Christmas.

jrosen

Covid is not going to take a little mini holiday because its Christmas. It will still be there. We all know limiting our contacts is what we need to continue to do.

So all of this now. All this sacrifice will be for nothing. Because from December 1st, assuming we see the level reduce to 2/3 thousands of people will start mingling again.

People will be out of work again, surgeries will be postponed, school closures will continue.

Kermit.de.frog

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

As long as appropriate precautions like that are in place I have zero issue and would encourage it. That does not appear to be what is suggested unless the poster would like to clarify.

You think I'm going to go in hugging her and not taking precautions? Have you any idea what life is like for an 84 year old living alone with arthritis? I've been working at home since March. Have only seen my wife and daughter and my mother all that time. Can't belive how inhuman some people are.

ReginaldSmythV

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

Because shops should only be allowing certain numbers in. Shopping should be done by one person out of common decency if nothing else.

Then they just end up standing in a big group outside the shop. If more shops were open there would be less crowds.

freshpopcorn

Deleted User wrote: »

Then they just end up standing in a big group outside the shop.

In before they should just stay at home and only have one shopping a week answer.

hmmm

jrosen wrote: »

Covid is not going to take a little mini holiday because its Christmas. It will still be there. We all know limiting our contacts is what we need to continue to do..

Exactly. We know what we need to do to keep our families safe, and blaming NPHET, the government, bill gates or whoever doesn't make the risk of the virus go away. For me, one day indoors isn't worth the risk considering we have vaccines around the corner - it'll be a lot safer to host a family get-together in Summer of next year.

I agree with Flyer1 also that the government need to say something now because plans are made well in advance and people are going to meet anyway. Limit the damage by giving advice on lots of ventilation, limiting contacts to close family, possibly self-isolating for 2 weeks beforehand, meeting people outdoors if you are really going to meet. We have one set of relatives who we know will insist on visiting, and we plan to (reluctantly) meet them outside.

freshpopcorn

freshpopcorn wrote: »

In before they should just stay at home and only have one shopping a week answer.

Many people can only shop at the weekends due to work. Also where I live there is a rural catchment area of probably 30km and then the locals can't leave the 3km so all the shopping funnels into one supermarket.

Spanish Eyes

Super Valu (or wherever) delivery is yer only man. Why would anyone need to go to any supermarket FGS. Torture.

Got four bottles of grog for prezzies at ten euro discount per bottle. Happy Days. Booked a spot last night for Tuesday, that's great.

Got grocery stuff aswell just to mention, lol.

Do people not think older people have no right to decide the level of risk they want to take? At advanced years each one could be your last, or at least your last in good health and sound mind. I know what I'd choose at that age.

Spanish Eyes

jrosen wrote: »

Covid is not going to take a little mini holiday because its Christmas. It will still be there. We all know limiting our contacts is what we need to continue to do.

So all of this now. All this sacrifice will be for nothing. Because from December 1st, assuming we see the level reduce to 2/3 thousands of people will start mingling again.

People will be out of work again, surgeries will be postponed, school closures will continue.

Most are listening and observing, but many don't care. That is where the focus should be now, but I doubt it will be in any way successful. That is because they are asymptomatic, but are spreading it around just the same.

I get that younger wans want to socialise, but it's either you or your community now I think.

Spanish Eyes

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Super Valu (or wherever) delivery is yer only man. Why would anyone need to go to any supermarket FGS. Torture.

Got four bottles of grog for prezzies at ten euro discount per bottle. Happy Days. Booked a spot last night for Tuesday, that's great.

Got grocery stuff aswell just to mention, lol.

Here the delivery slots are reserved for older people living alone. Also SuperValu is expensive.

jrosen

Deleted User wrote: »

Do people not think older people have no right to decide the level of risk they want to take? At advanced years each one could be your last, or at least your last in good health and sound mind. I know what I'd choose at that age.

If that risk stopped at them of course, but it doesnt. I dont care if Mary down the road has her entire family over. But you multiply Mary by X number of households and it creates a whole different situation.

jrosen

jrosen wrote: »

If that risk stopped at them of course, but it doesnt. I dont care if Mary down the road has her entire family over. But you multiply Mary by X number of households and it creates a whole different situation.

Explain how a family unit that live together visiting an elderly person living alone contributes to spread.

Spanish Eyes

Deleted User wrote: »

Here the delivery slots are reserved for older people living alone. Also SuperValu is expensive.

I understand that, but paying for my safety and that of my family is a no brainer for me now. I couldn't go into a supermarket anymore. It is ridiculous the way people behave there, and in any outlet now.

But that's just me, and I take your point, it is not financially easy for many.

However, a few euro to have it delivered is worth it.

jrosen

Deleted User wrote: »

Explain how a family unit that live together visiting an elderly person living alone contributes to spread.

Is this a serious question?

You cant see how households mixing will lead to the spread of covid?

ixoy

People are going to meet regardless. No use trotting out the line, "The virus doesn't care.." because it'll make little difference. What I'm hoping is they maybe try and tackle it with a bit of common sense and maybe make strong recommendations that people who are meeting up over Christmas restrict their movements as much as possible beforehand (something I'd be happy to do if needed), at least in terms of social interactions. Won't get everyone but might make a difference.