What does "support bubbles" mean here? Is it a common expression?
Native speaker’s answer
Rebecca
The phrase "support bubbles" in this context refers to a group of people or another household that you have contact with or socialize with. This phrase can be used in some contexts to refer to people outside your family who you rely on for support, especially in the context of a pandemic where people are limiting their socialization. In the context of the pandemic, the purpose of "support bubbles" is to be able to have another group that you can socialize with besides your own household, without risking too much socialization and exposure to the virus. The phrase "support bubbles" is most common to use in the UK, and not in the US. Ex: My family has a support bubble with my extended family.