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.

Do you want a badge or something?

ODFOD. I was making the point that I am no rule-flouter but couldn't see a problem with what the OP was proposing.

Unfortunately, sometimes AIBU tips over into internet bullying. It's particularly cunty when the victim is someone struggling with their mental health owing to the current circumstances.

I think limiting the amount of traveling on public transport is really important, so if it means traveling once rather than two trips, I think it's sensible just to go for the one trip to see two of them. My teens have been out this week (one on one though) to have picnics with friends, and it's worked really well. It makes a huge difference to your sense of wellbeing and mental health.

Yes

Anyone who cares is a pathetic saddo tbh.

Yep.

If people are having conga lines and orgies, that's bang out of order.

What the OP's proposing - I don't give a monkeys.

So after 8 weeks of quarantine, the second the rules are relaxed just slightly, people think its ok to ignore them and risk us all having to go through an even stricter lock down all over again. And the excuse is that its easier to make one trip rather than two. What are you doing that makes you so busy that two trips cant be fitted in?

Their is such a simple solution, meeting them separately on different days or on the same day at different times.

I wouldn’t care at all. Tbh I would assume you were part of the same household.

Their is such a simple solution, meeting them separately on different days or on the same day at different times.

Two weeks ago you'd be bleating that going on two journeys was irresponsible because it doubled the risk of a car crash, which would overburden our precious NHS.

But now someone who's really struggling with her mental health suggests meeting two people at the same time, to save a trip, you're giving a world of shit.

It's called bullying.

@RapunzelsBuzzcut

I did not misread your posts.

All government guidelines are posted on Gov.uk or NHS.uk, the news is on all day long too with updates on various channels.

You might not agree with, like, care or give a shit about the current guidelines, that is your choice.

Do not attempt to tell me I have answered anything other than to OPs questions.

The OP has not mentioned swapping friends locations from fields to paths, she has only talked about the three of them going for a walk, and a picnic, together, in the same location, in the same field, at the same time, together, from 3 household, travelling seperatly to the location. I am not sure why you are try to insinuate she has said otherwise. I have answered the OPs questions only on the information she has given.

Is this any clearer for you?

What are you doing that makes you so busy that two trips cant be fitted in?

It’s not because it’s easier it’s because it’s safer. Doubling the number of trips doubles the risk of infection.

meet them separately on the same day at different times.
But from an infection standpoint that’s literally the exact same thing. The virus isn’t going to avoid you because you’re virtuously following stupid and dangerous rules.

I’m so annoyed by threads like this. I am working my arse off to deliver a response to the pandemic (not a nurse but other front line role that isn’t even mentioned anywhere).

It’s really not that difficult is it, to just stay home? I get that people are suffering with mental health issues, I really do, but why do you think this is ok when it’s clearly outside of the rules? FaceTime, chat on the phone, zoom. I know it’s not the same (it’s not for me any my friends or family either by the way) but if everyone keeps just stepping outside the rules (and thinking up excuses to do so) then we are all going to be in a much worse position in a few weeks. Why the f do you think this ok and why are there so many people supporting you? I’m guessing none of you have actually lost friends or family to the virus yet???

Seriously, stay in, be patient and think of everyone else.

Have a great time, hope it helps

Reallynowdear at no point did I claim the OP said she’d be swapping between friends. That is you misreading.

I said the OP was doing something that is just as safe if not safer than swapping friends, so why is that banned when swapping friends is allowed?

To try to put it into simpler words:

Me: “The government says X is fine, and the OP wants to do Y. But Y is equally safe or safer than X. So why is the OP hypothetically allowed to do X, but not Y?”

You: “The OP never said she was going to do X.”

I couldn’t get worked up about 3 friends sitting 2m apart on private land anymore but I do think that you should each walk to the venue alone. People walking together but 2m apart along the pavements causes a lot of trouble as people can’t get past easily whilst also staying 2m apart.

I’m guessing none of you have actually lost friends or family to the virus yet???

If my family dies it’ll be because the government is forcing them to work without PPE, forcing them back into non-essential work, restricting car access so they’re forced to take public transport, restricting public transport so buses and tubes are far more crowded, restricting Freedom Pass use so they’re forced to travel at busy times, allowing unnecessary travel and outings, encouraging shops and restaurants to re-open, not funding or resourcing the NHS properly, and putting money above lives.

Not because someone sat in a field.

@RapunzelsBuzzcut

This isn't my view, but as I understand it, packing thr hair straightners is a job, whixh generates money. If your MIL does, she will be paid and pay her taxes. If she doesn't, the government has to help her or her employer. It's a financial decision. There is no economic benefit to the country of parties or gatherings, but their is of people going to work.

I was just pointing out that there's not a fundamental difference in what's okay or not. We just can't have it all in combination (because that would be too much and overwhelm the NHS), so the key things have been selected for us.

Op has disappeared, funny that. Hanging head in shame I’d imagine.

And the excuse is that its easier to make one trip rather than two. What are you doing that makes you so busy that two trips cant be fitted in?

Logic dictates that it's safer though, not that OP is busy.

Go and have a lovely time - let it remind you that we are much closer to normal than we were a few weeks ago and you will be doing this regularly soon.

@RapunzelsBuzzcut

Ok, whatever you say, you're right, the government is wrong.

I think it might help you to understand pandemics, and their effects, more when you realise lockdown isn't purely about contamination.

Containment and resources play an vital role, there is nothing 'stupid and dangerous' about the advice being given.

I haven't misread any one of your posts, as you can see from my responses.

I wouldn’t care one jot because I’m not a sanctimonious arse.

I think you should go. The fact that you’re thinking about it tells me you’ll be sensible. I’ve been out walking my dog the last two days and seen lots of friends mingling, walking side by side.

I wouldn't judge or think anything of it, but I do think it's not only wrong but really self defeating. We're going to end up with stricter restrictions, again and that will be even worse for your mental health. Also, you're meeting two at the same time cos you want to, not for mental health reasons.

Half of MN yeah it's fine, meet a few friends, same half of MN in a fortnight 'it's Boris' fault the R has gone up again'.
OP mental health is important but meeting one friend will have the same benefit. You could then meet the other friend later in the week so have two nice things to look forward to rather than one with bigger gaps in between

I wouldn't be annoyed. If it's ok for people to stand altogether and clap once a week (as is shown on telly), then I don't see the harm in a socially distanced picnic, which from an infection point of view, is likely to be healthier than going to the cinema.