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Laura’s Law: Pandemic or not, deciding to divorce is always scary

Laura’s Law is a monthly legal column written by family lawyer Laura Mounsey. Laura is a partner at Harrogate Family Law. She specialises in dealing with divorced couples and people who have been in abusive relationships. Her role involves protecting her clients’ assets and income if they want to live with someone or get married, and resolving disagreements about children.

This week Laura advises on whether there is a “right” time to divorce.

New Year, new start?

2020 was challenging year for most people, with the unprecedented stress of dealing with a global pandemic. Many have not only been fearful of what the future holds outside of their home but also, the future inside their home.

A lot have shared with me that:

marital problems that they had been able to bury or turn a blind eye to started to bubble up in a big way. Suddenly, they had little choice but to confront the reality of their marriage and the effect this was having on them.
they found themselves unable to put a plaster on the cracks anymore and bad behaviour boiled over. Exhausted and stressed out, arguments become more common place and, with no distraction or outlet, more difficult to move on from.
the added pressure of home-schooling, fearing whether they would have an income, missing loved relatives and the ever-fluctuating tier restrictions made them feel more trapped than ever, and more desperate than ever to get out.

Even though the pandemic pushed these individuals to realise that their marital difficulties needed to be dealt with, holding onto the certainty of an unhealthy marriage seemed more comfortable than the uncertainty of separating in an unfamiliar world.

Often, individuals would tell me that they were too anxious about what getting divorced would look like in 2020 even though they knew that, for the sake of their family, they did need to make that change. They were fearful that they would have nowhere to live because of the state of the housing market, they would not be able to pay their bills because of the financial downturn, the impact on the children would be too difficult to handle with home-schooling, and their ex would keep their children from them because of the pandemic.

In my experience, anyone who is thinking about getting divorced is scared about what the future will hold. That is no different in a pandemic. But whether we are in a pandemic or not, there is no lightbulb moment and there is no perfect time.

The hardest part tends to be making the decision about whether to make that call or not. It is easy to delay and delay, convincing yourself there will be a better time. But how much worse are things going to get in the meantime?

If you think splitting up is inevitable, waiting can cause more damage to your relationship. How much harder is it going to be to get through everything as painlessly as possible if there is more to fix when you eventually decide that you are “ready”?

Speak with someone impartial like a counsellor and lawyer who are not here to sell you on any outcome, just help you take a step back and decide whether this is what you want. And if it isn’t what you want, what are you going to do about it?

68 covid infections reported in Harrogate district today

Another 68 covid infections have been reported in the Harrogate district today — down from yesterday’s record high of 101.

The figure from Public Health England takes the total number of cases since March to 4,480.

The seven-day average rate of infection has soared from 141 people per 100,000 to 198 people per 100,000.

The North Yorkshire average is 251 and the England average is 449. Richmondshire and Hambleton are the worst affected districts in the county.

North Yorkshire entered tier 3 at one minute past midnight on New Year’s Eve.

Meanwhile, Harrogate District Hospital has reported a further death in a patient who had tested positive for coronavirus in the last 28 days. The patient died on Boxing Day, but it was only included in figures released today by NHS England.

It brings the total number of patients who have died with covid-19 at the hospital to 109 since the start of the pandemic. One death was reported on each of December 26, 27 and 28.

A media briefing this week revealed there has been a big increase in the number of people being tested at the covid testing centre in the Dragon Road car park in Harrogate.

Matthew Robinson, senior resilience and emergencies officer at North Yorkshire County Council, said that on December 21, 280 people were tested at the site, the highest daily total to date.

This is more than double the figure of some previous weeks, which reflects the growing spread of the virus.

From December 21-27 over 1,200 covid tests took place.

Fine people who flout covid travel rules, says North Yorkshire MP

A North Yorkshire MP has called on police to fine people who flout covid travel rules.

Kevin Hollinrake said many people in tier three areas had travelled to lower tiers because of the “greater freedoms”.

North Yorkshire moved from tier two to tier three today amid rising infection rates.

It is believed people in higher tier areas, such as Leeds, frequently travelled to the Harrogate district’s pubs and restaurants, which were still open until today.

Mr Hollinrake, the Conservative MP for Thirsk and Malton, said this movement of people had increased the spread of the virus.

He told the House of Commons yesterday:

“We would definitely want to move travel restrictions from guidance to being an offence.

“That would prevent a lot of the travel we are seeing, with many people moving from different parts of the country into our area, which is increasing infection rates.

“When the police have used their powers in terms of mixing within hospitality venues or households, that has been very effective, and the word has gone round quickly.

“It would have a similar effect if we started to fine people for travelling without good cause.”

Mr Hollinrake reiterated his call for the government to consider applying different tier restrictions to different districts in North Yorkshire. He said:

“North Yorkshire is a huge place: our districts are the size of counties in other parts of the country.

“Putting a huge county such as North Yorkshire into one tier masks huge differences in the infection rate among districts.

“Some districts have an infection rate that is two or three times that in other districts, so it is possible that some of our districts should be in a higher tier and some in a lower tier. We should consider that.”

Mr Hollinrake also called for grants to businesses forced to close to be increased.

Health chiefs call for patience on Harrogate district vaccines

Senior health officials in North Yorkshire have appealed for patience over the vaccination programme amid concern by some people about a lack of information.

Vaccination for the Pfizer-BioNTech jab got underway this month at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate.

Several people who have been inoculated have told the Stray Ferret the process was smooth and efficient.

But we have also received numerous calls and emails from people wondering why they haven’t heard anything yet. Some have parents in their 90s.

The North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, which represents agencies involved in tackling covid, urged people to be patient at a media briefing today.

Richard Webb, North Yorkshire County Council’s director of health and adult services, said the NHS was working “as quickly as possible” to administer the vaccine and that residents should wait to be contacted by their GP or local NHS trust.

Mr Webb added:

“Our colleagues in the NHS are working around the clock to prepare to receive the latest batches of vaccines. Please be patient, it’s a massive logistical issue.

“They are moving as quickly as possible to get people vaccinated.”

The media briefing also revealed there has been a big increase in the number of people being tested at the covid testing centre in the Dragon Road car park in Harrogate.

Matthew Robinson, senior resilience and emergencies officer at North Yorkshire County Council, said that on December 21, 280 people were tested at the site, the highest daily total to date.

This is more than double the figure of some previous weeks, which reflects the growing spread of the virus.

From December 21-27 over 1,200 covid tests took place.

Biggest daily covid increase in Harrogate district for 6 weeks

Another 53 people in the Harrogate district have tested positive for coronavirus — the largest daily increase for six weeks.

Today’s figure from Public Health England is the highest since November 16, when 69 infections were recorded.

The highest figure since the start of the pandemic remains 95 on November 9, shortly after the second lockdown began.

In another worrying development, the district’s R number has increased again from 1.1 to 1.2, which means every 10 people infected will pass the virus on to another 12.

Read more:

The seven-day rate of infection for the district has risen to 126 people per 100,000. It remains the lowest in North Yorkshire.

The county average is 189 and the England average is 387.

The news comes on the day North Yorkshire moved into tier three restrictions, forcing the closure of all pubs and restaurants, except for takeaways.

Harrogate district to move into tier 3 at midnight

The government has announced that the Harrogate district will move into tier 3.

The decision, which comes into effect at one minute past midnight, means pubs and restaurants will only be able to provide takeaways.

It will force many people to change their New Year’s eve plans.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock made the announcement this afternoon as part of a review of the national tiers.

Tier rules are based on factors such as infection rates, particularly in the over 60s, and pressure on hospitals.

North Yorkshire was previously in tier 2 but rising rates, especially in Scarborough and Hambleton, prompted the decision along with concern about the spread of the new mutant strain of covid.

The Harrogate district’s infection rate has also risen considerably over the last fortnight, albeit less dramatically.

Public Health England confirmed another another 47 positive cases yesterday and the R number rose above one for the first time in over a month.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock made the announcement this afternoon.

What are the rules in tier three?

You must not meet socially with anybody you do not live with or have a support bubble with.
However, a group of up to six may meet outdoors in some public places, such as parks and beaches.
Shops, gyms and personal care services (such as hairdressing) can stay open, as can swimming pools.
Small wedding ceremonies can take place but with no receptions.
Hotels, B&Bs, campsites, holiday lets and guest houses must close.
Indoor play centres and areas, including soft play centres and areas must close.
Leisure and sports facilities may continue to stay open, but group exercise classes (including fitness and dance) should not go ahead.
Work from home where possible.
No supporters are allowed into sporting events.
The advice is not to travel to-and-from tier three areas.

NHS insists Harrogate Nightingale ‘can take patients if required’

The NHS has insisted the Harrogate Nightingale hospital is able to take patients despite concerns it lacks the capacity to do so.

Many people are wondering why the building remains on standby at a time when the new mutant strain of covid has sent infections soaring and put tremendous strain on hospitals.

A record 53,000 people were confirmed to have covid yesterday and hospital admissions have surpassed the peak of the first wave.

The Health Service Journal even reported yesterday there were plans to transfer patients from overloaded London hospitals to Yorkshire.

But the Harrogate Nightingale, which was set up at the town’s convention centre at breakneck speed in spring for covid patients in Yorkshire and the Humber, has yet to treat a single person with coronavirus. It has been used for CT scans.

Ripon peer Lord Newby, the Liberal Democrats leader in the House of Lords, has said the Nightingale “simply does not have the staff available to allow it to operate safely”.

Conservative MP John Redwood has called for ministers to explain why they are not using the Nightingales.

The NHS has repeatedly declined to issue more than a brief statement in response to questions from the Stray Ferret about the Nightingale or requests for interviews.

It did so again yesterday when we asked if there were still plans to use the hospital, particularly in light of reports that the London Nightingale was being dismantled.

A spokesperson for the NHS in the north east and Yorkshire said:

“The Nightingale hospitals in the north east and Yorkshire has been running a clinical imaging service since June with more than 3,000 patients receiving a diagnostic test or CT scan, and can take patients if required.”

My Year: ’10 months of hell’ for Boroughbridge travel agent boss

Peter Cookson, owner of Spear Travels in Boroughbridge, reflects on the way the covid pandemic undermined the business he had spent 30 years building up – and looks forward to the start of a new year.

We were in Singapore last Christmas meeting our two-month-old grandchildren for the first time. That was when we saw the first indications of the new infection. Fears were rising of a ‘SARS-like’ epidemic coming again.

Unfortunately, whilst we were there, I had picked something up on the plane. I ended up in hospital with pneumonia. I was given a test for “’flu” and I now wonder what that test really was for and what I actually had? Either way, the test was negative.

‘Radically different’

We returned to Singapore a couple of weeks later to help with their house move and the twins. We were due to be at our second home in Corfu in February to check it out, so we flew from the UK to Athens and onwards to Singapore.

This is when the potential of this new disease was obvious. Leaflets in our seat pockets on the plane dated early December 2019 advised us of the risks of the new “flu-like” symptoms and to make sure we reported them. The cabin crew were masked and mask wearing was advised but not mandatory.

The atmosphere in Singapore this time, even though it was only two weeks later, was radically different. We stayed for two weeks to help them move and were glad to leave. It was obvious that this infection was going to spread more easily than SARS.

In hindsight, as things panned out, we were incredibly lucky to have been able to go and see our grandchildren but, like so many others now, we haven’t seen them since. Zoom is great, but no substitute.

On our arrival back in the UK in mid-February, panic had set in as to what covid would mean for our country. It was difficult to separate our concerns for our personal welfare from those selfish concerns for our 12-strong travel agency business which we had spent nearly 30 years building up.

We realised it was going to be a tough summer, but none of us thought we would still be talking about this now. With the impact of covid and Brexit still unknown, our worries will continue well into 2021.

Without furlough pay, CBILS loans and various grants, it would have been difficult to continue. I often “joke” about “30 years of hard work being written off in 30 days”, but that’s what it felt like by the end of March.

Our company had always been financially successful, which stood us in good stead with our cash reserves. But can you imagine a business where you are giving back nearly all your revenue for the previous year, because of cancelled bookings, and for what you had done in 2020, with no new business coming in?

It was 10 months of hell, but everyone is in the same boat and none of it is our fault. Our aims were always to protect jobs, and with furlough and CBILS loans, we have been able to do that.

I don’t usually celebrate New Year’s Eve but this year I will make an exception and be glad to welcome in 2021 with open arms!

Tier review: Harrogate district set for tougher restrictions

The Harrogate district looks set to move to a higher tier, and possibly even tier four, following a flurry of developments this afternoon.

Sharon Stolz, director of public health at City of York Council, told ITV News it was “inevitable” the city would face tougher restrictions in the coming days.

Any changes affecting York would also apply to the Harrogate district unless the government changes its policy of maintaining the same tier level across North Yorkshire.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock is due to announce the outcome of the latest tier review tomorrow afternoon.

North Yorkshire is in tier two but Ms Stolz said this was “no longer sufficient to contain the spread of the virus”.

She said although the city had not seen large outbreaks yet, the numbers were creeping up.

Her comments came on the day the R number for the Harrogate district rose above one for the first time in over a month.

Ms Stolz added:

“Without some additional restrictions coming in, my worry is that we will just see the virus spread and we will start to see large outbreaks.

“So I think it is inevitable there will be some announcement tomorrow of additional restrictions for York.”

Also today, Kevin Hollinrake, the Conservative MP for Thirsk and Malton said he still wanted a “super local approach” that would allow some parts of the county to stay in tier two but added:

“Regrettably, I think we can reasonably expect York and North Yorkshire to enter a higher tier in the next few days, my best guess being the early hours of New Year’s Day.

“In terms of which tier, it appears that infection rates are not dropping significantly in those areas currently under tier three restrictions.

“My view then, and I speak as the parent of a child taking their A levels this year, I would prefer a shorter, sharper, shock with wider closure of the economy together with extended financial support for businesses and with schools providing a full timetable on an online-only basis until the end of January.

“At that point, with vaccinations starting to have meaningful effect we should be through the worst of this desperately damaging crisis.”

Mr Hollinrake’s comments came after a call today with North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, which represents groups fighting covid in the county.

The forum has called an urgent media briefing for tomorrow amid growing speculation of a change of tier.

R number rises to 1 in Harrogate district

A further 19 cases of coronavirus have been reported in the Harrogate district today.

Today’s figures from Public Health England take the district’s total number of infections since the start of the pandemic to 4,176.

The seven-day average rate of infection for the district has risen to 118 per 100,000. But it still remains considerably lower than the national average of 366.

The Harrogate district has the lowest rate of the seven local authority areas in North Yorkshire. The area with the highest rate is Scarborough with 238.

The R number in the Harrogate district has risen to one, which means the spread of the covid virus is no longer shrinking.

Every 10 people infected pass on the virus to another 10.

The total number of coronavirus deaths at Harrogate District Hospital remains at 106. This has not risen since December 10.