The Rule Of Six

Something so impossible to apply in the real world, 

outside the Westminster bubble, 

that we posted about it twice in one day.   

And it didn’t work in preventing the spread of Covid 

so there had to be a return to lockdown.   

Nor was it strictly adhered to by those 

inside the Westminster/Downing Street bubble.

From Facebook Archives

9 September 2020 at 09.08

Feeling a little less than a ray of sunshine this morning.

Ferretfingers appeared to enjoy his day back at the day centre, and says he did ‘gardening’.

But will it happen next week?

Because there’ll be more than 6 people there from more than goodness knows how many households.

Does it count as a workplace?

Well it does for the staff, but what about the attendees?

Miss Fiddle  or does it count as an educational establishment, in which case they'll be in bubbles.

Mrs Quilt  Gyms have re-opened with pre-booked, timed slots, limited numbers but greater than six.  So I wonder what rules they'll need. Presumably "Gardening" is mainly outdoors and six trainees would be quite a large group to be in a confined space.  Good luck

Kentishlady  Wondering about the Silent Adventures too where my son has just started back to work. Too many grey areas.  Once again, we need some clarification.

Ms Delune  We don’t have that rule but the husband just did bloods of work for someone in Caerphilly and can’t return the kit now to get paid because it’s non-essential

The Squireen  If it counts in a workplace I have a major problem about 29 households in my bubble

9 September 2020 at 18.45

So, the rule of 6 ...

We are a family of 4.

Twice a week Emil comes in to take Ferretfingers out, that makes 5 in the house.

If Miss Doozer next door comes in, that makes 6.

But if my friend Mrs Leftfoot calls with her daughter then we're over the limit.

Who do we report ourselves to or should we rely on one of the neighbours to do it?

Mrs Leftfoot   Isn't it six at any one time?

Mrs Lasagne  Yes at one time we just need to space visitors x.

Mrs Leftfoot  And what's a moonshot?

Ms Delune We’re a family of six.

Bugger!

(I know I’m Wales but family Somerset)

Bagdragon  Another scenario. I'm away with the Coven. Since Paula's death that's 6 of us.  We're in a different city but, on the street/in the beergarden/ wherever I see an old friend and his/her spouse.  What do I do?  Do I ignore them?  They may also know other members of the Coven. Does us now being, unplanned, in the same social space mean we are breaking the rules?  Can we shout "hello" at each other or just nod conspiratorially?

Mrs Leftfoot  Well if you all say you're testing your eyesight, you'll be able to do what you like.  Maybe I’m just too cynical in my older age?

McChurch  You all run out into the carpark, stand 2 metres apart and shout and wave at each other and stuff until you are all hoarse and kinda sore throated and all you want to do is go home and go to bed until you wake up in a better world!  Howzat for a sentence?

Bagdragon  The sad thing is, when I heard the rule last night the thought "well with Paula gone there's only six of us so we're ok" flashed across my mind.  She would have laughed, and I know in the great scheme of things this is a minor upset, but even so ...

Mrs Leftfoot  No, that is sad and it's not minor.

Mrs Walker  But we can still go grouse shooting so everything is ok!