The Dogmother Posted December 15, 2021 Share Posted December 15, 2021 One assumes that being vaccinated allows us some freedoms, but it seems not; we are less likely to catch any of the variants, and 'may' suffer reduced symptoms if we do, but can still pass it on to those who are more vulnerable. I never stopped being careful, but it is all pretty boring in the winter months. I do regular LFTs, partly for work, and partly to keep my dad safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted December 15, 2021 Share Posted December 15, 2021 Luckily I had my booster three weeks ago; I'm now marinating in a Covid soup of class of year 3 and year 4 children! Only 9 more lateral flows till Christmas. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 I saw one of the Jeremy Vine topics was 'France bans UK tourists' but have struggled to get to the detail, because it's not on the French news. Now looks like from today everyone must have an officially certified PCR test of less than 24 hours, triple vaccinated or not (it was 48 hours for triple vaccinated). From the 18th the only people allowed in are either French or French resident, with the aforementioned test of course. Bad news for anyone visiting family or friends here for Christmas. One of our friends came over on the 15th, another moved her flight from 27th December to May last week in anticipation of this restriction. Quite when it will end I don't know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 As someone said we will probably be living with this for a long time like we do with the flu. Most of the people I know with it but not sure if Omnicron or not are young and were partying🙄but lets face it if we were young we would probably be doing the same - I know my young self would have done. I think its worse this year as we had had some freedom and that could be snatched away, Both sons are socialising and I said to them that if you get it now well certainly the one who doesnt live with me will be stuck at home with g/f who wont be happy if they cant get to see her folks. The youngest is grumpy as wants to see mates now home from uni. Throw a very grumpy Polish builder into equation who was planning to drive thro France to Poland for Christmas and our house isnt a happy place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 When Omnicron first hit, the UK and Portugal had roughly the same number of reported cases. Its a bit different now, even if you measure it proportionally, per 100,000 head of population. Well I am back in UK, had rapid antigen test on Mon, negative, had PCR this afternoon, waiting for result. But a friend I was going to meet up with has said her bro (middle aged, very sensible!) has tested positive, as has her daughter's boss, with whom the daughter spent most of Tues. So, her family Xmas plans are very up in the air, and I can't meet her either, just in case, as I am at home with my elderly and not very well Mum. It will be interesting as time goes by to see what we are allowed to do, long term, although I have to say France sounds draconian. OH still can't fly so an Xmas trip was never going to happen to see my MIL, but now it sounds even less likely. We said we'd go in Feb, pre-Omnicron, but now we think Mar/Apr/May would be more realistic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 On 12/16/2021 at 3:13 PM, Alis girls said: Throw a very grumpy Polish builder into equation who was planning to drive thro France to Poland for Christmas and our house isnt a happy place. Is he a member of the family or have you just taken in a random polish builder?! On a serious note could he drive a different way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 On 12/16/2021 at 8:51 PM, mullethunter said: Is he a member of the family or have you just taken in a random polish builder?! On a serious note could he drive a different way? If I remember they were having an extension built hopefully to be finished by Christmas! Hope it is nearly done.😄 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 No poor man 🤣 living with us would kill him - hes as Blackrocksrock ( excellent memory) said doing our extention. I have a kitchen now - bliss, can see my chucks strutting round in their run. New bedroom nearly done. No hes got EU citizenship so he can go apparently go the French have said if goes without stopping . Beggars belief when a lot of East Europeans wont have the vaccine. Hes had two, but says wont have booster😳too tired to argue that no vaccine gives 100 percent protection. It's only a few hours so should be ok. He was agitated all day . I was glad when he went home. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 On 12/16/2021 at 10:15 PM, Alis girls said: No poor man 🤣 living with us would kill him - hes as Blackrocksrock ( excellent memory) said doing our extention. I have a kitchen now - bliss, can see my chucks strutting round in their run. New bedroom nearly done. No hes got EU citizenship so he can go apparently go the French have said if goes without stopping . Beggars belief when a lot of East Europeans wont have the vaccine. Hes had two, but says wont have booster😳too tired to argue that no vaccine gives 100 percent protection. It's only a few hours so should be ok. He was agitated all day . I was glad when he went home. Glad you have a kitchen - I had to have one too after an April kitchen flood! Only finished a month ago so glad that finished - waited 6 months in a real mess but super pleased with it and my new built in double oven - no more bending. (Arthritic knees!) hope the builder makes it ok! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 According to my Mum, next door have had the builders in for months, but neighbour says she is over the moon with her new kitchen! And the builders left today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 Ours is back tomorrow and then hes off. Hes a happy bunny today. Has anyone noticed how bad tempered people are - or is it just London. Some guy today called me soem rude names as I was trying to park, shouting loudly, I opened my car window and let him have it verbally- no one calls me what he did for no reason I could see. So I am bad tempered too. No I am trying to be nice. Usual moaning minnies in Morrsions today so I was chatty to lovely assistant - be kind should be our mantra. Glad you all have kitchens - I love mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 On 12/17/2021 at 4:51 PM, Alis girls said: Ours is back tomorrow and then hes off. Hes a happy bunny today. Has anyone noticed how bad tempered people are - or is it just London. Some guy today called me soem rude names as I was trying to park, shouting loudly, I opened my car window and let him have it verbally- no one calls me what he did for no reason I could see. So I am bad tempered too. No I am trying to be nice. Usual moaning minnies in Morrsions today so I was chatty to lovely assistant - be kind should be our mantra. Glad you all have kitchens - I love mine. Not really been out and about to notice grumpy folks but love my Mask as can cuss and no one can see you!🤣🤣🤣 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 I’m not really a ray of sunshine right now either, I have to confess… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 We had a lovely meal yesterday with friends. No social distancing and no masks. So refreshing to do something normal after so long, but based on the situation at the moment it is unlikely to happen again for a while now. They are using the UK as the disaster scenario and say that if we don't take drastic measures we could be in the same situation in 10- 14 days. Even now we have 3000 intensive care beds (up from 1000 in October) occupied by Covid patients, the majority being from the 25% of the population unvaccinated. To that effect all New Year fireworks are banned as are large gatherings. They are intensifying their checks on Health Passes and found 110,000 invalid resulting in 200 arrests. To put more pressure on the unvaccinated the Health Pass is being discontinued from January, to be replaced by a Vaccination Pass, so not available with a negative PCR test. They are now talking about reducing the time between booster jabs, so from 5-7 months down to 4 -6 months. Seems most Countries are on other Countries 'red lists' and the situation is changing daily, so we are all expecting further measures. In the meantime it's a lovely sunny day and we are going to enjoy it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 They announced an “emergency” press conference tonight and we will be probably be going into lockdown again tomorrow. Primary schools are already closed as of Monday. But likely secondary schools and non-essential shops etc too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 So yes, back in proper lockdown. Unsure if I have to teach next week. Exam classes can come to school, but we don’t have to teach online. Shops are closed though, apart from the essential ones. And all restaurants snd such too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 I find it hard to understand that the Dutch government have been slow on the uptake for the better part of 2 years and lagging behind with measures constantly … and now suddenly decide on incredibly strict measures compared to the rest.🤷🏼♀️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 I’ll be interested to see how the general population react CT. Some scientists here are calling for a ‘circuit breaker lockdown’ and if that were to happen I’m really not sure how compliant people would be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 Crikey CT I’ve just read how strict the rules are on visitors over Christmas and new year - that is really short notice for something that’s going to cause such disruption. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 Yep… we have one Sunday to figure out if and how we will be teaching our exam students and if we will be doing online lessons to the rest. I had a test planned on Tuesday. Wasn’t planning anything exciting for Christmas. But it will be a great disappointment for many. On 12/18/2021 at 10:01 PM, mullethunter said: I’ll be interested to see how the general population react CT. Some scientists here are calling for a ‘circuit breaker lockdown’ and if that were to happen I’m really not sure how compliant people would be. There is not much choice here. Shops will have to close and will be checked. Same as gyms and such. But house parties are hard to stop and check on… 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted December 21, 2021 Share Posted December 21, 2021 So here we were thinking that we're pretty safe after our 3rd jab, only to be told last night that we have only 70% protection against Omicron. No wonder people are cancelling their Christmas gatherings. The ski resorts are suffering now because the British are not allowed to holiday in France. I didn't realise that at least 10% of their revenue comes from Winter holiday Brits and in the resort of Val-d'Isère it's a whopping 42%. Pfizer have produced a reduced dose for the 5-11 year olds. Unfortunately, due to an error, six in Le Mans were given an adult dose. No reported ill effects yet so hopefully they will be OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted December 21, 2021 Share Posted December 21, 2021 Portugal has already started vaccinating 5-11 year olds as well. OH told me Portugal Govt meeting today, amidst rumours that we will have some sort of lockdown 2-9th Jan, including not leaving your municipality. Its all conjecture and may not happen, but I am going to book my flight back today, to return earlier than planned to avoid being potentially stranded. It should be OK as my Mum has had encouraging news from the doctor so I don't feel guilty on that account. I have just realised that we have friends coming to Portugal (not to us) late Dec to stay into Jan, so maybe they will have to cancel/postpone. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted December 21, 2021 Share Posted December 21, 2021 On 12/21/2021 at 8:58 AM, Beantree said: So here we were thinking that we're pretty safe after our 3rd jab, only to be told last night that we have only 70% protection against Omicron Don’t take my word for it, but I think the reports here last week were that the booster gave you 75% protection against ANY symptoms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted December 22, 2021 Share Posted December 22, 2021 YS has tested positive on lateral flow. Awaiing PCR result. OH and I negative on lateral flow - triple vaxxed. Time will tell, Had to tell elderly aunt not safe to bring her down. Hes got headache and feels washed out - has taste and smell so far. Oh well I suppose after over a year in NHS in height of pandemic I should expect to get it sometime - just wish it wasnt now - but many worse off. Stay safe all. xx 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted December 22, 2021 Share Posted December 22, 2021 (edited) On 12/22/2021 at 8:22 PM, Alis girls said: YS has tested positive on lateral flow. Awaiing PCR result. OH and I negative on lateral flow - triple vaxxed. Time will tell, Had to tell elderly aunt not safe to bring her down. Hes got headache and feels washed out - has taste and smell so far. Oh well I suppose after over a year in NHS in height of pandemic I should expect to get it sometime - just wish it wasnt now - but many worse off. Stay safe all. xx Oh no! Just when you don't need this. Hope his PCR is negative. I do LFT's regularly too - just keeps you safer and everyone else too. 🤞all will be ok with your family. Edited December 22, 2021 by Blackrocksrock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
