Agreed, I came back home at the start of the whole thing and I'm still here because my offices aren't opening properly for another couple of weeks. I was down briefly in July but I just couldn't cope with it personally. I'm only a couple of years older than you as well and had lived across the country from my family for years before now, I can't even imagine being Ruby's age and having to go through thisIn fairness to Ruby she's 20 (21?) and living away from home during a global pandemic. I know some people might be completely fine with doing that but for others it's actually not ideal, particularly if your mental health isn't great (which Ruby has said hers isn't before). I'm a 24 year old student doing my second degree and I'm homesick sometimes despite having not lived permanently at home for years. It's also worse at the moment because I went home during lockdown (the first one) and so now have to readjust to being alone again (I live alone).
I know some people are very independent and can totally cope with living alone (and we don't know that her flatmate hasn't gone home, prompting this!) but others can't and I think it's a bit unfair to criticise her so heavily. I know this is a Tattle site but sometimes I think people forget that everyone is different and if she's not breaking rules or whatever then it's kind of an unnecessary criticism. I also know that a fair few of us on here are a bit older than Ruby and might do well to remember what it was like to be 20.
/rant
My landlord is very understanding and has cut my rent but paying that to keep the flat I love, storage for my stuff and the peace of mind of being with family right now is 100% worth it to me. I'm dreading going back in January if I'm being honest with myself!