The 17th May is coming - What are your plans?

[TheresaV]

Hi guys 

It’s Friday! But not any other Friday - It’s the Friday before the week in which the lockdown restrictions will be lifted further. This includes most of us being able to dine inside, meet outside in bigger groups and - most importantly - hug each other. While of course we should still be careful and cautious, this lifting of lockdown restrictions at least feels like another step in returning to some sort of normality.

So, this is why I want to know: What do you have planned from the 17th of May? Did you book your favourite restaurant for cosy inside dining (thanks to the recent weather this is, unfortunately, more than welcome)? Or did you plan to go meet a group of friends for a picknick outside? Or are you, like myself, making lists of who to hug first (looking at you @LukasB )?

Share your plans with us and tell us what you have missed most over the past couple of months! 

[LukasB]

This sounds like a thread @TheresaV 

[Cleoriff]

I will be meeting 'the gang' for a meal on Friday 21st. We've kept in touch obviously but not seen each other or gone out anywhere.

We are all of the age where we have had both Covid jabs, so hoping to have a great time.

[Mi-Amigo]

I`m not going to get excited about the 17th May coming.

While many will no doubt welcome the lifting of some of the lockdown restrictions, there will no doubt be cases of idiots going over-the-top.

This might sound pessimistic but watch out for press photos or video footage of mass group-hugs; crowds gathering; no social distancing or mask-wearing - with the excuses that this was allowed at the trial at the Brits and with fans allowed at the FA Cup Final. 

With Covid cases running riot in India and cases of the India variant increasing in Bolton, how long will it be before we see the re-intro of the local Level  restrictions [remember how unsuccessful that was?] and even the chance of another lockdown because of too much being lifted too soon, despite promises that lifting would be determined by data not date - it is the date [which Boris hoped for months ago] which is going to see the lifting.  

To add a footnote, I do realise that there are responsible people who have been vaccinated and who will take care of themselves and consider others when they socialise and I hope all of them have a good time with their friends and families.

[edited to add footnote].

[Cleoriff]

Yes @Mi-Amigo 

There will always be many who spoil it for the few!!

[Anonymous]

+1 @Mi-Amigo I won't be doing anything except avoiding the masses.

[Goblinqueen]

Have to laugh has anyone not actually hugged anyone in months ?? I’ve had both my shots as have friends and we had a 6 person catch up May bank holiday and it was hug central all round

[Cleoriff]

I've hugged those in my support bubble of course @Goblinqueen although I suspect a lot of people have been shielding during the pandemic so hugging would be out for them. Not forgetting those who are pretty much housebound for one reason or another.

We all lead different lifestyles really.

Being vaccinated does not stop you being a carrier of the disease.

My personal opinion is, we will have to learn to live a new normal with this disease because it isn't going to be eradicated in my lifetime.

[RunrigForever]

An appointment for a session of Reflexology in the morning

Visiting my local watering hole in the afternoon for a few alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks with my friends ... looking forward to hugs all round ... we are a small group who have not met up since last year, but have kept in touch by other methods

Being allowed to hug my mum, who is now in a nursing home ... she has been shielding since last March but has recently been diagnosed with dementia ... I will be taking some old photo albums with me next week's visit.

[TheresaV]

That sounds like a great plan @Cleoriff, I hope you will have an amazing time and the weather will not spoil it  I'm surprised you managed to book somewhere, it seemed impossible here!

That's true @Mi-Amigo @Anonymous, there is always a few who don't follow the rules and make it harder for others to enjoy their time cautiously. But I think for the ones being careful it's so lovely to reconnect with people, even if it's just a hug and meal under friends! 

@Goblinqueen I have literally only hugged two people over the whole time and I can't wait to see some friends who I had to limit conversation to video calls, so it will be a completely different thing!