Would you be annoyed if someone did this?

[nightimebrowser]

Background:
Obviously been social distancing and taking all the necessary precautions (not seeing anyone outside household, staying in except for essential trips etc) for the past 9 weeks. My mental health has seriously declined due to this (already diagnosed with depression and anxiety) and the lockdown really has not helped plus being dropped by the adult mental health team as they don't have the resources right now.😣

My 2 friends have suggested meeting up for a walk tomorrow and having a picnic- we would obviously not touch each other and stay 2 meters apart at all times and we are going to a large, isolated open space. I know the rules are only 1:1 meetings though, would you be annoyed if you saw 3 people?

I really need this right now, I've been struggling so much. Obviously it's easier to meet as a 3 than do two separate meetings 1:1.

Go for it and have a lovely time. You've been dropped by mental health so you need to take care of that yourself and you are acting very responsibly.

I don't go out the rest of the week except to the supermarket so I feel okay doing it.

That’s what everyone who is following the guidelines is doing. You seem to think this is particularly virtuous. I don’t know why,

How is that safer than 1 journey and 1 meet up, socially distanced?

Exactly. Government rules are that it’s fine for both your parents can come and visit you as long as it’s one after the other, doubling the amount of trips and doubling potential exposure time.

If the OP and her friends met in the field, but only two of them were inside the field at any one time, while the third waited on the pavement outside, that would be completely permissible according to Matt Hancock. Explain how 2 people in a field and one waiting outside swapping places is safer than 3 in the field 2m away?

Rock on. I wouldn't have a problem with it.

Could you do it in one of your gardens (if any of you have one)? You’d be able to relax more without the worry of other people judging you.

It’s tricky because I think the rules are nonsensical but people love rules so are likely to judge...

@RapunzelsBuzzcut

You have misread the OP, she wants the three of them to go for a walk and a picnic, together, not while one person is sitting on a pavement outside the field.

That’s what everyone who is following the guidelines is doing.

No, the guidelines are that you’re allowed unlimited exercise (and even before the loosening of rules, you were still allowed to go out every day for exercise), plus essential shopping with no restriction on number of journeys, plus actively encouraged to return to work if you can’t work from home.

Not leaving the house at all except for a weekly shopping trip is far, far more strict than the guidelines.

The government guidelines are crap and are far too relaxed, but let’s not invent our own rules and pretend they are fact.

Another vote for 'go out and enjoy yourself'.

Lockdown isn't meant to be a punishment, OP, and others are doing far, far worse. just use your common sense.

Hope you feel better soon.

Or you could just not do it and minimise the risk? It's not difficult

My previous two posts were gentle and understanding as you genuinely seemed to be in a quandary.

Having read your update, you're obviously completely and utterly selfish. Go and do a few shifts in a Covid ward and then come back here and let us know if you still think you're justified in breaking the rules.
Actually, the word selfish doesn't even come close to describing you. Your actions are despicable.

Reallynowdear you’ve misread my post, Matt Hancock is the one saying meeting two people in a row is fine.

I’m asking what is the difference between meeting two people in a row, and meeting them both at the same time 2m apart.

@Carrie7469 I agree. All I see is excuses and making up rules

The only people making up their own rules are the posters insisting we’re only allowed to leave the house once a week for essential shopping.

@PapunzelsBuzzcut

No, I have not misread your post.

Public gatherings of more than 2 people from different households are prohibited. Why are you different OP?

@RapunzelsBuzzcut

People spread it. But apparently only people sitting 2m away in a private field. People in work places were social distancing is impossible can’t spread it, which is why the government is urging those people to return to work ASAP. Sounds perfectly sensible!

It does sound perfectly sensible if you're thinking about numbers. Obviously there has to be some contact between humans for life to function. But it needs to be minimised to control the virus. Some things are essential, like giving CPR instead of social distancing. Other things are necessary, like buying food. Some things would push the number up too high and be of no benefit to thr greater population, or even really the individual. Like meeting many people for fun.

Ignore the posters sticking the boot in, OP. They know full well that what you're proposing is low-risk, and I suspect they're getting a kick out of lecturing a random on the internet who's made it clear she's suffering with her mental health. If anyone's despicable on this threat, it absolutely isn't you.

And I say this as someone who has stuck to the rules religiously over the last eight weeks.

Obviously you did.

Please explain why meeting up with one person while the second waits outside then swapping over (explicitly allowed according to Matt Hancock) is fine and safe, but sitting 2m apart from those two people in a private field and you might as well march into a care home with a machine gun and open fire.

And I say this as someone who has stuck to the rules religiously over the last eight weeks

Do you want a badge or something? We ALL should have been sticking to the rules, but apparently some people are special and don’t have to

Anyone who cares is a pathetic saddo tbh.

No I wouldn't be annoyed, if I noticed at all. Go and enjoy it.

Obviously there has to be some contact between humans for life to function. Some things are essential.

Tell that to my 65yr old MIL who’s been forced back to work in a factory where social distancing is impossible. She packs hair straighteners.

Why are hair straighteners essential but an isolated mentally ill person accessing support through a medium that has a tiny risk of infection is not?

I sometimes clock groups that don't look like a single household. I don't care.

I wouldn’t care. Go and have a lovely time.

Jesus just follow the rules will you.