It was mentioned in a news broadcast this morning that the PM has said we can cautiously return to hugging when the last lot of national restrictions are removed in June. We are to 'use our common sense' is the advice on how to proceed.
I've tended to treat each and every safety edict with the greatest of respect throughout the pandemic, and been almost sceptical as they've been removed, (and at times replaced), and often thought that it was too much too soon.
But I'm going in for this one! Never mind pubs, restaurants, holidays in foreign places. Of all the things I've missed the hug is it! Of course I'll be as careful as I can, but frankly I can scarcely wait!
Photo: Nate Johnson: Unsplash
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We have a family gathering (re-scheduled from before Christmas) soon after the lifting of restrictions. We will be coming from five different counties from most areas of the UK ( South-East, South West, Midlands, The North and Scotland) - but we have all had two vaccinations, so it should not be a "super spreader event".
Lots still to discuss. Here in the US , because of lack of research, our country’s top medical advisors have said that our vaccinations may not protect us adequately against the variants. Of course we have 50 states, which means 50 different guidelines, no matter what our highly educated medical advisors say. They do say to continue to wear masks until more research is done on the variants and protect the more vulnerable, even if they have been vaccinated. Leaving good judgement up to the individual hasn’t worked for us, obviously. The US is a good example of what not to do. The upside, you can always wear a mask when you hug. ❤️🏄♀️
My son lives in Sacramento and people actually shout out to those not wearing a mask in the shopping mall . Here in UK I see quite a few not wearing masks whilst shopping but myself and others seem to look and say nothing.
I guess it depends on which location you hear or see those stories. I live in a fair size place in Florida. I haven’t encountered rudeness yet from either camp of mask wearing opinion. Sure, when I see someone not wearing a mask I mutter “things” under my breath, but I would hate to have to apologize to someone who might have a legitimate reason for not wearing one. Being rude to someone usually doesn’t bring the results you want in the first place.❤️🏄♀️
I guess it's because the simple act of breathing in and out can cause us to share breath in the close proximity of a hug, and as we've learned more about it, it's become clearer that the virus is spread most readily in droplets in the air. This is at great odds with what we were first led to understand at the beginning. I do believe that, had masks been readily available at the outset, or we had been been advised to use makeshift mouth and nose coverings, our rate of infection would have been greatly reduced. As it is, it's still very important to use hand hygiene, but not quite as critical as using face coverings. I think that if you feel cautious about this, it might be better just not to indulge until you are comfortable, as there's no guarantee at all that hugging a family member is going to be safer than hugging anyone else.
All variants are a reason not to be happy, yet. I have to keep hope we will win the battle, in time. Be a warrior.❤️🏄♀️
Hi Sue, we are getting there slowly but surely and a little hug won't go a miss now and again to our loved ones . I hope you have had a nice weekend . Clive X 🤗
Hi Clive, it's been such a pleasant weekend, excluding the weather. Much quieter than last weekend and nowhere much to go, but sometimes that's a blessing. I've enjoyed some cooking and some eating! Hope yours was pleasant too! x
nice message - i dont do a lot of hugging anyway - what i am looking forward to is the day we can visit people outside out bubble cautiously indoors with social distance
Great idea!
Thank you Mratl83, and it's been hard on us all hasn't it? It is difficult when you have to remind others to be properly socially distant, but it's for the good of us all, no matter how anti-social it may feel. It is hard to realise that many people really don't see or feel the need to stay safe and put not only themselves but others in jeopardy.Anyway, hopefully we'll soon be able to have all the hugs we crave! 👍😊🙏
I was never keen on hugging, near-strangers flinging themselves on me - yuk. It has been a funny old time, I hope all the huggers are pleased but hopefully will do it with discretion.
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