| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... 08:55 - Nov 18 with 7732 views | itfcjoe |
.....this focus on it re Covid is getting too much.
Talk of a 5 day period where inter house mixing is allowed, because if it is a full week the virus will spread too quickly.
Can we not just do what we need to do to get back to normal(ish) ASAP. I'd rather forgo a normal Xmas if it means we can get back earlier after, than have 5 days of normality which pushes us back a month on the numbers |  |
| |  |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:21 - Nov 18 with 1719 views | StokieBlue |
I've said numerous times on here that Christmas shouldn't be allowed. It's crazy to spend half a year saying people can't mix in large groups inside and then because it's Christmas it's suddenly fine.
There were nearly 500 deaths in the UK yesterday, over 700 in Italy - C19 hasn't gone away, nothing has changed.
Christmas is even worse than many may think as well:
- People travel all across the country for Xmas and then all travel back again after mixing with people from other parts of the country.
- Older generations are usually present at Xmas and I am sure nobody wants to bring the virus back to them.
- Being inside with people is literally the worst thing for C19. If you are in a room with no ventilation with 6 people and 1 is infect then everyone will be infected in 4 hours. If you wear masks it's still highly probably 4 people will be infected in those 4 hours.
SB |  | | |
| I totally get it.... on 10:22 - Nov 18 with 1712 views | Bloots |
| Yep, I lost my Mum last year.... on 10:13 - Nov 18 by m14_blue |
Almost identical situation to ours, I lost my mum in April and my Dad simply doesn't have a support network away from us.
My brother lives abroad and so has been unable to come home since the funeral and my dad obviously can't travel there either.
Our 2 year old is his whole world now and to be with her at Christmas may just about make it bearable for him.
I think there's understandably a feeling amongst some that it's 'only Christmas' thinking of work parties and massive family gatherings but it's far more than that to many families. This year more than ever. |
....even with me horrendously flouting the rules by having an elderly parent round my house for lunch, It will still be very different from normal.
I won't be going to the pub for a sneaky beer with my Dad before dinner.
The neighbours won't be coming round for drinks in the morning.
Our friends won't be coming round for the "surprise" visit in the evening.
Balls to it. |  |
| "The sooner he comes back the better, this place has been a disaster without him" - TWTD User (July 2025) |
| |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:22 - Nov 18 with 1703 views | Bluefish |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:17 - Nov 18 by itfcjoe |
It's a bit different in the UK with it being traditionally a Christian country and Christmas beinga big deal for the country shutting down.
If I were to live in a country of a traditionally different faith I'd expect more of a deal to be made with regards to their main national holiday |
It isnt a really a Christian country though, it is an atheist or agnostic country with a diverse multi cultural religious element. I would not suggest that the majority of actual religious people are Christian. |  |
| |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:23 - Nov 18 with 1698 views | m14_blue |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:21 - Nov 18 by 26_Paz |
‘And they definitely all voted leave.’
It’s actually even more ridiculous than that. He’s saying everyone who has broken the rules were ‘definitely’ leave voters. No one who voted remain has ever so much as stretched the rules. It’s just an unbelievably ignorant thing to say. [Post edited 18 Nov 2020 10:21]
|
Yes but he's not saying that they're breaking the rules because they voted leave.
He's saying that there's a certain mindset and attitude amongst leave voters (possibly anti establishment and anti expert?) that makes them more likely to.
At least that's how I read it.
And whilst he may have exaggerated I think it's probably accurate for the most part. |  | | |
| I totally get it.... on 10:23 - Nov 18 with 1696 views | 26_Paz |
| I totally get it.... on 10:22 - Nov 18 by Bloots |
....even with me horrendously flouting the rules by having an elderly parent round my house for lunch, It will still be very different from normal.
I won't be going to the pub for a sneaky beer with my Dad before dinner.
The neighbours won't be coming round for drinks in the morning.
Our friends won't be coming round for the "surprise" visit in the evening.
Balls to it. |
I think this is the right approach. Common sense has to prevail. |  |
| |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:24 - Nov 18 with 1688 views | Bluefish |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:21 - Nov 18 by 26_Paz |
‘And they definitely all voted leave.’
It’s actually even more ridiculous than that. He’s saying everyone who has broken the rules were ‘definitely’ leave voters. No one who voted remain has ever so much as stretched the rules. It’s just an unbelievably ignorant thing to say. [Post edited 18 Nov 2020 10:21]
|
All criminals are leave voters as well
All people that kick cats
And all Lambert inners
Utter scum the lot of them | |
| |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:25 - Nov 18 with 1684 views | Bluefish |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:23 - Nov 18 by m14_blue |
Yes but he's not saying that they're breaking the rules because they voted leave.
He's saying that there's a certain mindset and attitude amongst leave voters (possibly anti establishment and anti expert?) that makes them more likely to.
At least that's how I read it.
And whilst he may have exaggerated I think it's probably accurate for the most part. |
Correct but I'd give up trying to examine that to a leave voter if I was you | |
| |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:27 - Nov 18 with 1675 views | clive_baker |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:17 - Nov 18 by itfcjoe |
It's a bit different in the UK with it being traditionally a Christian country and Christmas beinga big deal for the country shutting down.
If I were to live in a country of a traditionally different faith I'd expect more of a deal to be made with regards to their main national holiday |
Quite, and it's not a controversial comment to suggest it.
We're living in imperfect times where some things have to give. The question on what's allowed to remain is whether the juice is worth the squeeze and weighing up risk vs. reward, hence pubs are shut but key food retailers are open. Hence premier league football is still a thing, despite no crowds. Top class sport is pretty superficial when you think about it, but it's allowed as it brings enjoyment to many people at a time it's most needed. We live in a country where Christmas is by far the most widely celebrated and significant time of social significance in the calendar. Attempts to make sure it happens are perfectly reasonable at a time when the vast majority of the population probably needs that most. It's not at all about appeasing one religious group ahead of another.
In the same respect cancelling VE Day celebrations and mooted Easter celebrations were also reasonable, as presumably they weren't deemed as significant for as many people.
I do believe it should be dictated by the science though. Like most decisions when it comes to Covid, and a social healthcare system generally, it has to be about 'at what cost?'. What's the trade off, the wider implications of cancelling Christmas vs. allowing it and increasing the spread. Or is there a compromise position? Not questions I would want to answer, to be honest. |  |
| |
Login to get fewer ads
| This is a very specific personal situation..... on 10:28 - Nov 18 with 1676 views | Bloots |
| I totally get it.... on 10:23 - Nov 18 by 26_Paz |
I think this is the right approach. Common sense has to prevail. |
....I'm not talking about any sort of widespread rule breaking.
I'm not going to get dragged into any exaggerated debate about dozens of people going to the pub.
I agree that there are wider rules that totally need to be observed and I have been doing so entirely.
That will not change. | |
| "The sooner he comes back the better, this place has been a disaster without him" - TWTD User (July 2025) |
| |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:28 - Nov 18 with 1667 views | ElderGrizzly |
They are thinking of a nationwide rule around Christmas, irrespective of Tiers. 2 days was being discussed yesterday, with a maximum of 10 people from 2 households.
What people probably don't realise is after December 2nd, we are likely to see local restrictions in some areas more strict than the national lockdown with schools etc closing too.
But I agree with you Joe, setting the country back in terms of supressing the virus for the sake of 48 hours does seem ridiculous. But Boris wants to be the saviour of Christmas and that will be the political spin applied |  | | |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:28 - Nov 18 with 1664 views | itfcjoe |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:22 - Nov 18 by Bluefish |
It isnt a really a Christian country though, it is an atheist or agnostic country with a diverse multi cultural religious element. I would not suggest that the majority of actual religious people are Christian. |
It's still a traditional Christian country, with the public holidays based around that calendar.
60% of the UK were Christians at the last census [Post edited 18 Nov 2020 10:30]
| |
| |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:29 - Nov 18 with 1661 views | StokieBlue |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:17 - Nov 18 by itfcjoe |
It's a bit different in the UK with it being traditionally a Christian country and Christmas beinga big deal for the country shutting down.
If I were to live in a country of a traditionally different faith I'd expect more of a deal to be made with regards to their main national holiday |
China cancelled new year in 2020 and that's the largest cultural festival in the world and massive deal for everyone there.
SB | | | |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:29 - Nov 18 with 1655 views | Bluefish |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:27 - Nov 18 by clive_baker |
Quite, and it's not a controversial comment to suggest it.
We're living in imperfect times where some things have to give. The question on what's allowed to remain is whether the juice is worth the squeeze and weighing up risk vs. reward, hence pubs are shut but key food retailers are open. Hence premier league football is still a thing, despite no crowds. Top class sport is pretty superficial when you think about it, but it's allowed as it brings enjoyment to many people at a time it's most needed. We live in a country where Christmas is by far the most widely celebrated and significant time of social significance in the calendar. Attempts to make sure it happens are perfectly reasonable at a time when the vast majority of the population probably needs that most. It's not at all about appeasing one religious group ahead of another.
In the same respect cancelling VE Day celebrations and mooted Easter celebrations were also reasonable, as presumably they weren't deemed as significant for as many people.
I do believe it should be dictated by the science though. Like most decisions when it comes to Covid, and a social healthcare system generally, it has to be about 'at what cost?'. What's the trade off, the wider implications of cancelling Christmas vs. allowing it and increasing the spread. Or is there a compromise position? Not questions I would want to answer, to be honest. |
But no to Eid or Diwali? | |
| |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:30 - Nov 18 with 1654 views | Swansea_Blue |
GET XMAS DONE
MAKE COVID BRITAIN AGAIN
ROOL BRITANYA  |  |
| |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:31 - Nov 18 with 1647 views | Bluefish |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:28 - Nov 18 by itfcjoe |
It's still a traditional Christian country, with the public holidays based around that calendar.
60% of the UK were Christians at the last census [Post edited 18 Nov 2020 10:30]
|
All seems a bit hypocritical little englander to me | |
| |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:32 - Nov 18 with 1651 views | DebsyAngel |
Well said. I knew in APRIL we would not be getting a Christmas this year, it was predictable to me as people just refuse to follow rules.
I am not looking forward to it - we never have an OTT one anyhow, but the little things like my Dad getting me in the car to go to theirs for Xmas Dinner and the lovely few hours to open presents and sit in front of the telly, relaxing for once in a warm cosy room, then going to my in laws for the evening to spend that with my husband and his family. Boxing Day would mean a little party at my parents, and one of the other days a little party at ours where we eat and play games.
It's no help when certain people who live near me have parents in the house and the police do nothing at all, believe the liars who are breaking the rules.
I have given up hope of ever having a normal life again. |  | | |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:34 - Nov 18 with 1638 views | itfcjoe |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:29 - Nov 18 by StokieBlue |
China cancelled new year in 2020 and that's the largest cultural festival in the world and massive deal for everyone there.
SB |
Fine, and we may do Xmas - but don't see how the fact we had restrictions over Eid make a jot of difference as to the relevance with regards to Xmas here | |
| |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:37 - Nov 18 with 1624 views | clive_baker |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:29 - Nov 18 by Bluefish |
But no to Eid or Diwali? |
It's deeply regrettable that we're in a position to be saying no to anything, but as I said in my post, surely it becomes almost formulaic and ultimately boils down to the extent of the reward. The same reason top flight Hockey was canned for lockdown 2, but top flight football remained. | |
| |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:38 - Nov 18 with 1622 views | Keno |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:28 - Nov 18 by itfcjoe |
It's still a traditional Christian country, with the public holidays based around that calendar.
60% of the UK were Christians at the last census [Post edited 18 Nov 2020 10:30]
|
But what we 'christians' celebrate as Christmas isnt actually Christmas
without going all 'Dan Brown' for 'convenience' maybe years ago the pagan midwinter festival was adopted by the church as Christmas.
We basically celebrate something akin to the Roman Saturn Festival, the Viking Odin one and the German one which I think celebrates the God who promises to being rebirth from the depth of winter and despair, I think they call it Lambert |  |
| |
| This is a very specific personal situation..... on 10:38 - Nov 18 with 1621 views | 26_Paz |
| This is a very specific personal situation..... on 10:28 - Nov 18 by Bloots |
....I'm not talking about any sort of widespread rule breaking.
I'm not going to get dragged into any exaggerated debate about dozens of people going to the pub.
I agree that there are wider rules that totally need to be observed and I have been doing so entirely.
That will not change. |
I agree and will be doing exactly the same. I will visit a small number of close relatives. This is very different from my normal festive behaviour. | |
| |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:41 - Nov 18 with 1610 views | Swansea_Blue |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:27 - Nov 18 by clive_baker |
Quite, and it's not a controversial comment to suggest it.
We're living in imperfect times where some things have to give. The question on what's allowed to remain is whether the juice is worth the squeeze and weighing up risk vs. reward, hence pubs are shut but key food retailers are open. Hence premier league football is still a thing, despite no crowds. Top class sport is pretty superficial when you think about it, but it's allowed as it brings enjoyment to many people at a time it's most needed. We live in a country where Christmas is by far the most widely celebrated and significant time of social significance in the calendar. Attempts to make sure it happens are perfectly reasonable at a time when the vast majority of the population probably needs that most. It's not at all about appeasing one religious group ahead of another.
In the same respect cancelling VE Day celebrations and mooted Easter celebrations were also reasonable, as presumably they weren't deemed as significant for as many people.
I do believe it should be dictated by the science though. Like most decisions when it comes to Covid, and a social healthcare system generally, it has to be about 'at what cost?'. What's the trade off, the wider implications of cancelling Christmas vs. allowing it and increasing the spread. Or is there a compromise position? Not questions I would want to answer, to be honest. |
I'm possibly being pedantic here (and certainly cynical!). But here's no way Premier League football is still on because of the fans' enjoyment - it's all about the money.
Same with Christmas. I expect it's nothing to do with the mood of the country, but all about the thought of losing support if the Tories are seen to cancel it. A spike in cases and more unnecessary deaths is a very much a price they're prepared for us to suffer I expect. | |
| |
| Well that's not the same.... on 10:41 - Nov 18 with 1613 views | Bloots |
| This is a very specific personal situation..... on 10:38 - Nov 18 by 26_Paz |
I agree and will be doing exactly the same. I will visit a small number of close relatives. This is very different from my normal festive behaviour. |
...as me then.
I won't be visiting anyone.
None of us will be going to more than one household. | |
| "The sooner he comes back the better, this place has been a disaster without him" - TWTD User (July 2025) |
| |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:41 - Nov 18 with 1611 views | itfcjoe |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:38 - Nov 18 by Keno |
But what we 'christians' celebrate as Christmas isnt actually Christmas
without going all 'Dan Brown' for 'convenience' maybe years ago the pagan midwinter festival was adopted by the church as Christmas.
We basically celebrate something akin to the Roman Saturn Festival, the Viking Odin one and the German one which I think celebrates the God who promises to being rebirth from the depth of winter and despair, I think they call it Lambert |
I think most of that is irrelevent to point being that Xmas is the time of year in this country that is the main national holiday across 99% of industries. And is treated as such by basically everyone whatever their religion, or lack of.
Comparing it to Eid, or Diwali in the UK is just totally pointless | |
| |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:53 - Nov 18 with 1579 views | clive_baker |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:41 - Nov 18 by Swansea_Blue |
I'm possibly being pedantic here (and certainly cynical!). But here's no way Premier League football is still on because of the fans' enjoyment - it's all about the money.
Same with Christmas. I expect it's nothing to do with the mood of the country, but all about the thought of losing support if the Tories are seen to cancel it. A spike in cases and more unnecessary deaths is a very much a price they're prepared for us to suffer I expect. |
I agree, I think that's certainly part of it.
How many jobs and peoples livelihoods are dependant on a strong December trading period. I saw a shop owner on the news yesterday who reckons 50% of his annual trade was Christmas.
These are all valid factors. | |
| |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 10:54 - Nov 18 with 1572 views | Kieran_Knows |
| Whilst I want a normal Christmas..... on 09:24 - Nov 18 by Ace_High1 |
Amen Joe, complete sense.
For some reason some seem blinded by the "magic of Christmas" and think it will all be ok and worth it for a few days to mix households together because it is Christmas.
Its a write off, forget it and lets get on top of the virus by careful management over winter and then nuke it with vaccines in the spring.
If people want to party, lets do it in the summer - hot weather, euros etc..... summer 2021 put it in your diaries!! |
' lets get on top of the virus by careful management'
Shouldn't we have done that in August? Instead we were all told to go out and eat?
Bell*nds, the lot of them. |  |
| |
| |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
