Allow those who live alone to pair up with other household

Allow those who live alone to be able to pair up with one other household in a bubble. They would then isolate if either group developed symptoms. Could apply to number of different situations - and not be limited to people related to each other.

Why the contribution is important

Allow those who live alone to have better social contact and help improve their mental health.

by amyheulwen on May 05, 2020 at 06:03PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.8
Based on: 41 votes

Comments

  • Posted by jimt May 05, 2020 at 18:52

    face to face contact is important especially for those individuals who stay alone. Not everyone is able to use the various smartphone/computer/tablet forms of contact.

  • Posted by DuckPondFan May 05, 2020 at 19:16

    Totally agree with this idea. Those living alone are suffering and experiencing a drop in their mental health.

  • Posted by Norm1 May 05, 2020 at 19:20

    Single households are really suffering when they can’t exercise with another person. This needs to change.

  • Posted by DLC May 05, 2020 at 19:35

    Completely agree with this. Mental health is a big issue.

  • Posted by DDrought May 05, 2020 at 21:11

    Mental health is paramount! My partner lives in his own home. We haven't seen each other for 6 weeks and both of us are suffering mentally and emotionally because of this. Social "bubble" e.g. we can each choose 1 or 2 people outside household to socialise with.

  • Posted by Penchrystona May 05, 2020 at 22:49

    In some households there can be 5-10 people and three generations, plenty of opportunities to have social interaction and discussions, family meals, hobbies exercising together etc, but there are many people living alone. Some are suffering intolerably as a result.

    There needs to be a focus on creating households that can interact family units or groups of close friends

  • Posted by Penchrystona May 05, 2020 at 22:49

    In some households there can be 5-10 people and three generations, plenty of opportunities to have social interaction and discussions, family meals, hobbies exercising together etc, but there are many people living alone. Some are suffering intolerably as a result.

    There needs to be a focus on creating households that can interact family units or groups of close friends

  • Posted by julselis May 05, 2020 at 23:38

    Totally agree, single people have been totally overlooked and our mental health is suffering badly - especially when you live in flats which have several large families all having sing alongs etc whilst you sit here alone!
    Totally brutal.
    And let's not forget the disabled people living alone who aren't shielded!

  • Posted by Rainbowbright May 06, 2020 at 08:39

    Please do this.
    It is hard to be living alone with no human contact.

  • Posted by Mthomso May 06, 2020 at 09:28

    It is very stressful having no face to face contact with family and friends whilst living on your own. Even to be able to meet with a friend to walk or sit in gardens adhering to social distance rules would give a huge boost to morale. I’m aware some people probably do this at the moment, whilst others are adhering to rules. I recently became widowed and lost my mother so was finding life difficult before lockdown. Last week my father in law died. Just to be able to hug another person would be a comfort.

  • Posted by Mo_M May 06, 2020 at 13:57

    It's difficult when you live alone, because you get all of your society outwith the home and so in lockdown are in your own company 24/7. Many people live alone in many different sorts of circumstances. My partner lives in another city over 100 miles away, likewise on his own. We are each working from home and have no symtoms 6 weeks in, but have not been able to see each other. I understand fully the need for the strict rules during full lockdown, but if the "bubble" aproach is adopted, I still wont be able to see him or any of my family or close friends as none are in my local area. Similarly none of the family will be able to visit our mum who will remain in full lockdown on her own - even to chat thro a window and take her some meals - as none of us is in her local area.
    If it were possible to consider whether bubbles really need to be in the local area, even just in relation to partners living separately - although I can appreciate just how difficult this whole process is - then that would be very welcome.

    I am much more fortunate than others who have commented in that I enjoy reasonably good mental health, but wont deny that this is becoming distressing and the paper gives me no hope that there is any chance of seeing anyone I love any time soon.

  • Posted by RJW01 May 06, 2020 at 16:20

    As I have said in another place, single people are much worse off - I don't see the science in only allowing them to meet with one other person. More thought needs to be given to a larger bubble as the two households / 10 people idea seems to have been created solely for larger families.

  • Posted by Elena May 06, 2020 at 22:16

    I already struggle with mental health and I am single and live alone. My mental health has gotten much worse since the lockdown, and I don't see how I can survive being this isolated for however much longer. Even if I could just visit with my sisters, or be allowed to get a hug from one other person.

  • Posted by JoysieJ May 07, 2020 at 19:09

    Totally agree with this. People living alone can feel lonely enough without not being able to interact with a friend or family member. It is causing a lot of distress for these people.

  • Posted by as1 May 11, 2020 at 19:24

    I agree with this idea. It should be a priority to help those living alone to avoid complete isolation.
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