What to do about Christmas ?

[Briefencounter]

After last year , when we weren’t allowed to celebrate Christmas , at the last moment , I was really looking forward to this year with my three adult children and 5 grandchildren . Plus , husband of course .

I was feeling quite “gung-ho” about the situation , until omicron appeared as my RA is well controlled .

I’m somewhat immunocompromised ( was CEV last year ) on 20 mg of methotrexate plus Sulphasalazine . Have had 2 x AstraZenica , plus the Pfizer “booster” (September 23 rd ) . The letter from my rheumatologist saying that I was eligible for a third dose arrived after I’d been called for the booster ( registered as booster on my records ) . So I guess I’ll have to “fight” for my 4 th jab .

I have booked separate accommodation close to the house where all festivities will take place . Allowing room for everyone else to stay in my son’s house - but of course we will all be together for meals etc . All adult children have been triple jabbed and one 12 year old will have had 2 jabs . The other 4 grandchildren are too young .

Now that we are allowed 3 months between jabs , I guess I could try to get my 4th jab/booster on the 23 rd December but I felt quite poorly after the Pfizer “booster” , so don’t want a repeat. Also , I don’t imagine the extra jab will have time to give any more protection for the period 24 - 27 December festivities .

Does anyone else have a similar dilemma ?

[Neonkittie17]

Did they give you CEV/shielding as was status on your two meds : Sulpha and Mtx, or do you have a comorbidity which put you in the three point category as it was for CEV? It is also consultant/GP discretion too.

You’ve had a third vaccine whatever terminology the record shows and that will not prevent you from having your actual booster (fourth) when it’s time. You shouldn’t have to fight for anything re the fourth.

You’re right your fourth vaccine (booster) won’t start to protect soon enough over Christmas if you have it 23rd. I would not want to advise anyone what’s right to do, sorry. (I’m CEV and still shielding.) Ask your rheumy nurse for an honest answer? Good luck.

[Briefencounter in reply to Neonkittie17]

Thanks for replying , Neonkittie17. I'm not sure why I was given CEV status , although I do have MGUS and I'm 80 ( not sure if this is classed as a comorbidity 😀 ) .I have an excellent doctor and rheumatologist , so maybe I was just lucky .

A local Sports Hall was given over to provide 3 local surgeries with accommodation for all jabs , including 'flu . This was brilliantly run with great vaccinators , cheerful volunteers and doctors on hand to answer any queries . This closed at the end of November but I've just been notified that it will open tomorrow to cope with the rise of Omicron. So I think I'll go along after Christmas , clutching the letter from my rheumatologist and get my 4th jab .

Keep well and I hope you have a good Christmas.

[Hidden in reply to Briefencounter]

Being 80 is not a comorbidity when you have such a positive outlook 😜

[Briefencounter in reply to Hidden]

Thanks 😊

[Fruitandnutcase]

It’s sad but we’ve made a decision that our son won’t come up to see us this Christmas. He lives alone but is in a bubble with a friend who has school age children. He’s worried about possibly passing anything on to us and we would prefer not to take the chance. Husband and I have each other and he has his friend so we’ll all have someone to be with and we’ll meet somewhere at s9me point for a picnic and an outdoor present swap.

[Briefencounter in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Thanks for replying Fruitandnutcase . I'm sorry that you've come to the decision that you won't meet up with your son but great that he'll have company and that you'll meet up sometime/somewhere . Unfortunately, my three children live a long way from us and one another . One in the east Midlands , two in London and we live in the South West , so we really have to stay when visiting any of them .

Last year we were prepared to meet up for a couple of days but when Christmas was cut down to one day , we didn't feel like making a round trip of over 300 miles , when the rest of the UK was on the roads .

I really thought/hoped this year would be better , as I'm sure everyone else was . With three good vaccines , I was quite hopeful .

Keep well and enjoy your Christmas.

[Hidden in reply to Briefencounter]

It’s a 300 round trip from east mids to East Sussex to see my sons and two grandchildren, it’s emotional exhausting and I cry on the way home. We go every 6 weeks and they come here twice a year too to see their grandparents. My parents are 85+ with attendant health problems hence we can’t move nearer to my sons and GC, mind you we could only afford a shed in that region.

[Briefencounter in reply to Hidden]

It is a long drive isn't it - especially when you're older . I agree , parting is difficult when you know it will be some time before you all meet again . Have a good Christmas.

[Hidden in reply to Briefencounter]

🎶 and you

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Briefencounter]

I hope you have a lovely and safe time with your family. Last year was dreadful. We’re in North Hertfordshire and we heard one day that we were going into lockdown at midnight that night. I was absolutely determined that my son who lived alone was getting the pressies I’d bought him - especially after all the effort I’d put in.

So we met half way between where we live and where he lives in Ealing and did a present swap - in a shopping mall car park, in the dark and pouring rain. Our ‘Christmas’ selfie has to be seen to be believed.

Yu could always give everyone a box of lateral flow tests as a surprise present 😉

[Briefencounter in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

That's a great story Fruitandnutcase . I think we're always doing our utmost to see our kids . Especially at Christmas. Hope you enjoy your Christmas too and see your son soon . I'm definitely going armed with a pack of L Fs as well as crackers . Two live in London and it sounds as though its rampaging there . I know they're doing LFs most days . Whatever has happened to our safe , enjoyable life ?

[Mmrr]

In Scotland we are being asked not to mix with more than 3 households over the Christmas period.Fortunately that's what we had planned anyway, with my partner and I having a quiet Christmas day on our own. I'm very happy with that.

Family Christmas eve (2 households), different family on 27th.

[Briefencounter in reply to Mmrr]

Thanks for replying , Mmrr . I saw the news with Nicola Sturgeon's advice and noted that before and after Christmas Day it was suggested that only 3 households met up . I'm assuming she's not giving recommendations for the day itself . I guess this is sensible because people can then make up their minds for themselves .

This is fine if families live locally . In my situation if we were to follow that plan , we have four separate households , and we were to adhere to it rigidly , then one group would have to miss out.

Keep safe and have a good Christmas.

[Lizard28 in reply to Mmrr]

I’m feeling that I should be the one to cancel, my son has invited us up to his house, but there will be four households going. As I’m the furthest away, I feel it should be me. Honestly I’m so disappointed. I was in Glasgow Central Station last week. The trains were being cancelled at a very high rate, they announced it was due to illnesses of staff. While I was standing watching the boards, there were two elderly people sitting with a spare seat between them, I wouldn’t have sat down beside them but 6 young lads plonked themselves down on either side of them, no masks on, talking over them. Honestly it was shocking, the man and lady shook their heads and walked away, walking sticks in hand. Why are there no police or staff monitoring this. No wonder this is spreading and it is us vulnerable people that is suffering. What is wrong with younger people. Sorry for the rant.

[Briefencounter in reply to Lizard28]

Rant away , Lizard . I think we all are entitled to .After last year’s fiasco at Christmas , I think there was so much hope for this year , that we could all have a nearly normal festive period . Now it seems not even the brilliant vaccines will save it .

I’m going search out a really good mask and try to find my stiff upper lip .

[Hidden in reply to Lizard28]

Disgraceful

[Mmrr in reply to Lizard28]

I get very annoyed when people won't abide by simple measures such as keeping their distance and mask wearing. I just fail to why it is so difficult.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Lizard28]

That really is unbelievable isn’t it.

[helixhelix]

We will follow the advice we got here last christmas…. Spaced out in well ventilated rooms, one person doing the serving and everyone else trying to stay put, no sharing of things like utensils, and no hugging and kissing. If the room or table is small then grannie/grandad were supposed to eat in a separate area.

[Briefencounter in reply to helixhelix]

Thanks for that , helixhelix .

That sounds like a plan . I read somewhere that it was a good idea to open a window for ten minutes , every now and again , to let the indoor stale air refresh . I really don’t want to miss a Christmas with the family again this year .

I think it was Andrea Leadsom that said in Parliament today ,that covid will be with us for years to come . So apart from vaccinations becoming more tweaked to match the latest virus and the promise of an anti Covid pill , I guess we’re going to have to live with it . We can’t stuff it back in Pandora’s box now .

[helixhelix in reply to Briefencounter]

5-10 minutes airing every hour here, wear a mask if moving around the table, ask people who regularly mix with lots of other people to get tested, young at one end of the table old at the other, chairs 1 metre apart.

And I would get some FPP2masks for you…

[Mmrr in reply to Briefencounter]

At my grandson's 1 st birthday recently, we kept a window at the front and back of the house (semi open plan) opened to let the air circulate, heating on, and we didn't use the dining table as we would have had to sit very close to each other. Rather we had hot finger food on our own plates, served by my daughter using utensils.

However the baby did crawl from one person to another, climbed on people's knees and the two 3 year olds ran round the house in great excitement at the party food / birthday cake.

If you have young children it is impossible to keep them apart from everyone, but we minimised the risk as far as we could.

The oldies used the downstairs loo and the younger ones the upstairs.

We will do the same on Christmas eve (3 households coming together).

[Briefencounter in reply to Mmrr]

That sounds eminently sensible Mmrr . Fortunately, we don't have a baby as an added but adorable distraction .

[Hidden in reply to helixhelix]

A big family with lots of children and some shielding who live near me set up the table in the garage with the door open, coats on and hot water bottles in laps to have a big family meal !

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Hidden]

First time my son came for a meal after lockdown he sat in our dining room and we sat at a table at the other end of our long kitchen and spoke to each other over the length of the kitchen, fortunately we didn’t have to shout but it was a bit strange.

[Briefencounter in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

I didn't see my lot until June of last year . It was a beautiful hot , sunny , day and there was a new puppy and new kitten to admire . I'd love to live nearer so that the gchildren could drop in whenever they felt like it .

[weathervane]

You could ask everyone to use a lateral flow test each time before you meet up , it might give you some peace of mind . Have a lovely Christmas together 🎅🎄☃️

[Briefencounter in reply to weathervane]

Thanks weathervane - the box of LFs are ready to be packed . Have a great Christmas too .

[weathervane in reply to Briefencounter]

Stay safe🤗🤗

[Briefencounter in reply to weathervane]

You too 😁

[Green230461]

This thing is going to be with us for a long time our relatives may not!I did not see family or friends last Christmas and some of them are no longer with us so this year we are meeting up taking precautions and trying to keep safe and well. Happy Christmas everyone 🎄🎄

[Briefencounter in reply to Green230461]

I so agree with you , in that covid will always be with us now . So we have to treat it with respect but not be cowed by it . We cannot let it get the upper hand . Although , it's doing a pretty good job at being boss at the moment.

[Green230461 in reply to Briefencounter]

Choose who you really want to see and share your time with. Happy Christmas 🎄

[Briefencounter in reply to Green230461]

Thank you , we will . Only close family and will have all windows open . So will probably freeze to death .🥶 At least we have a choice .

[Briefencounter]

Thank you - you too .

[Green230461]

I have decided to see my sister. As she said she is in her late seventies and may not have many Christmas left cheery but true. Take care 🎄

[Briefencounter in reply to Green230461]

Absolutely ! Have a great time with your sister.