Today I have made a decision to stop reading the news for a while

I have watched the news just once since Covid began and never again

Today the news has been filled with speculation

About what we may or may not be able to do this Christmas

And it has fuelled my anxiety and sent my over thinking and worrying into overdrive

I cannot keep on like that for another six weeks

I am really worried about how the government are going to handle Christmas

What restrictions they will and will not choose to have in place

I know how important Christmas is for everyone

Me included

But I think we all have to accept that this year Christmas cannot be normal

I adore my family but I don’t want to give or receive Covid this Christmas

I can’t see how for five days at Christmas it will be safe to mix with extended family

Indoors

If it is not considered safe the days before or after

And it leads to a hard lockdown through January

Which will be utterly miserable for so many people

I understand that people want to be together for Christmas

I do

We had six birthdays through lockdown in our immediate family

And missed significant birthdays and anniversaries in our extended family

Millions of people celebrated Eid and Diwali under harsh restrictions

I know that Christmas is special

But I think unless it is scientifically proven to be safe

I do not want to take the risk

Of giving or receiving coronavirus this Christmas

I do think there should be concessions

I think there should be special permissions for people who live alone

For single parent families

But other than that

It is just one Christmas!

I would much rather have Christmas at home

Knowing I am keeping the ones I love safe

And then have a big celebration together in the spring

I know I am in a privileged position

To have this point of view

And I know that lots of people will have a polar opposite point of view

And be just as passionate about their reasons as I am about mine

And to an extent

It has to be as lockdown has been

Within the permissions given

We must all be kind to one another

And accept the decisions that people and families make for themselves

We have been very sheltered for 9 months now

Our children do not go to school

And we have only seen a handful of friends and grandparents

I have not seen my parents or my sister who live outside of Kent for almost a year

And it breaks my heart that I will not spend any of Christmas or New Year with them

But I know that it is for the best

And I know that when we do see each other again it will be wonderful

I think it must feel very different for families

Where parents are working in a public space everyday

And when the children are at school

I think the media need to be really careful over the next few weeks

About speculating too much about what may or may not be in place come Christmas

Where we live

We are looking at coming out of lockdown

With four times as many cases in our area as there were back in October

Perhaps even more than that

I know more people who are ill with Covid or are recovering

Than I have known at any other time through this pandemic

This wave feels much closer to us than the first

I know it will be hard, strange, sad for everyone

But it is one Christmas

And by sacrificing one

Hopefully many more people will enjoy many more Christmases with their family

We have all given up so much this year

It seems so silly to me

To throw it all away and take such risks at Christmas

I have been talking to a few people today

Who have reassured me that I am not alone in how I feel

And I wanted to share this rambling post today

In case you too are having worries, doubts, anxiety about Christmas

I do understand that not everyone will agree

That others will have very different views

And I respect that

I truly do

I am also genuinely interested to know

What others are hoping for this Christmas

What do you think should be allowed this Christmas time?

What would you be happy to accept?

I think I am expecting the bulk of Christmas at home alone with our immediate six

Then perhaps seeing Granny and Grandad for a walk and a festive hot chocolate in the garden

I think seeing people outside with social distancing would be okay

But I genuinely cannot comprehend how a normal extended family festive feast

Can be sensible or safe

Or necessary this year for many of us

If you agree with me I would love to hear from you

But I would also love to hear from you if you disagree

I think it is healthy and helpful to try and understand all points of view

And try to see the different sides of a situation

What are your thoughts for this Covid Christmas 2020?

ps – I am going to be sharing some ideas here on the blog

For a fun and safe countdown to Christmas

And ways to make Christmas magical and special in this crazy crazy Covid year x