Family member invited me for a picnic then asked me to provide the food, CF or not?

[BlueBlueAndPink]

A member of my family has been looking forward to restrictions being loosened so we could meet up and they could see the children. They invited us (me and the children) for a socially distanced picnic.

They then asked me to provide the food "you can sort the food can't you"

Getting the children ready for days out and leaving the house takes forever as it is and I find that stressful enough, this person doesn't have children so doesn't appreciate that.

Am I being a spoil sport or are they a CF?

I think the opposite I think people are using their common sense. Outside, fresh air, keep apart is low risk.

Especially as Scotland will be able to from this weekend. We are only a few weeks behind France, Spain and Italy and they are having dinner parties at friends houses...

Most people have followed the rules for 7 weeks. Many are back at work, travelling next to strangers on buses far closer than 2m in a confined space. Yet meeting a few friends outside and saying apart is where the risk is? I don’t think so...

We're doing this next week. Bringing our own food only seemed sensible. I would bring my own and tell them to sort their own. If they are the sort to 'forget' to it like a packed lunch so you have nothing spare.

If I were going to any picnic, I would always assume everyone was providing their own food, your mum and aunt sound a LOT like mine, have all grand ideas but don't put any of the effort in. My only problem would be as others have suggested, if it were my family they would instantly start pressuring me for cuddles and to let the kids out the second I got there, for that reason I wouldn't do what you're doing but if you think you can manage that then go for it

I don’t particularly want to go in the first place but feel slightly obliged as she has been quite lonely.

Why did you say this before then? Sounds like you very much want to go.

@TwoMuchTwoYoung you’ve clearly made your mind up. I’m not quite sure why you started the thread?

Good luck having the kids in a pram who haven't seen granny fir ages. The only way that will work is if they are asleep.

My kids at that age would've screamed the place down if expected to stay in the pram longer than a snack took.

Just make her an extra sandwich, if you're going to go ahead with this!
What a total non-issue ... she's family, not a complete stranger!

Orchid flower. I didn’t start the thread?

you’ve clearly made your mind up. I’m not quite sure why you started the thread?

OP thought her Aunt was the cheeky fucker; she didn’t realise and doesn’t want to hear she’s being a cheeky fucker herself, hence her flounce.

I think in general a household of strangers would sit further than 2m away, considering its only around 6ft l and a lot of others would be a bit put out if someone set out their blanket only 6ft from the edge of ours when you take into account kids spilling out onto the surrounding grass or people walking around their own picnic,that would be far too close to be polite. But difference is if you're meeting for a family picnic and so that grandma can see grandkids etc etc then you are going be more inclined to set up as close as you ' legally ' can to be able to have conversation get as close to grandkids as you can etc. So for me this comparison of being able have a picnic 2m from strangers but not your own family doesn't wash.

Enjoy your picnic OP sounds like you have considered the risks and are taking appropriate precautions. Not sure a 2yr old will want to stay in a prom for a prolonged period, so you may find yourself involved in a game of chase the toddler, but all good exercise!

I think what you are proposing is a far cry from all the gatherings and parties we keep hearing about. There will always be someone who will judge, but you don’t seem to be recklessly wandering the streets licking people. We have to start thinking about sensible precautions whilst getting on with living. My 15.5yr old dtd went out for a walk last week - first time out on their own since 18/03 and were shouted at by some bloke about how stupid they were/socially distancing - they’ve been together since the fecking womb! It took a lot for one of them to venture out and one judgemental twat who couldn’t keep his gob shut undid all that in five minutes. Dementors everywhere

to be polite even in pre lockdown/virus outbreak l mean.

All those people at the beach yesterday (see photos in today’s papers) probably decided they were ok to break the rules assuming it would just be them doing it, so where’s the harm?

Maybe they’re all completely right and the risk is very low.

In which case, makes me wonder why we were ever told we shouldn’t do it at the start of lockdown. It being so low risk and all.

@BlueBlueAndPink You are missing the point.

It's not about a picnic or being outside.

It's about how many people meet together. And the transmission over 6 ft is still under review- it's not absolutely correct, it's a guess. It's guidance but some research shows it travels further even by speaking, with no cough or sneeze.

You are allowed to meet one other person and stay 2 mtrs apart.

If a group of people mix, the risk of transmission increases. This is because there is more room for 'error' and that each of those people will bring their own risks with them.

It is impossible to allow us to meet in groups of 3 or 4 or 5 because people like you will push the boundaries and increase the numbers by one or more.

That's why it's 1:1 at present.

You clearly don't get this.

Are your own needs greater than the health of the country?

Can you not wait a few days or a week or so until you can do this?

You are trying to make out it's risk free, but it's not.

There is also some evidence that the virus can spread 18 feet outside. They really don't know. the 6 ft rule is a gestimate.

as your DH works in a supermarket you are being very irresponsible meeting up and your aunt it worse- she is older and more at risk.

If the 2m rule is an ineffective gestimate then I, and all my colleagues - office based, key workers ( gov dept) in since lockdown and all moved 2m apart, are doomed 😳

I haven't flounced at all.

I'm here, in the park enjoying my sandwiches.

We've just exchanged pleasantries with these two lovely policemen walking past who surprise surprise.. didn't fine us.

Oh and the children are sat in their pram perfectly happy to be seeing their relatives.

Rules are not called 'rules' if anybody could just pick and choose which to follow. They apply to all - those who agree and those who disagree.

Can you imagine everyone else obeying only the rules they agree with? "Oh, you're prosecuting me for stealing that necklace? But I liked it and I don't agree with the rule that one should not steal what is not his."

It doesn't really matter if the rule makes sense to you - if you disagree with it, there are ways to go about it - protest, elections, etc.

Right now, like this, you can call it whatever you want - it is still unreasonable and selfish.

Sorry to hijack the thread but, in a similar vein, my in (out) laws (mid 70s, one very vulnerable) have invited us for a picnic tomorrow at their house.

1. It's going to rain so we either sit outside in our coats in the wind and the rain (yay!) or go inside.
2. They want to provide the food which goes against the social distancing guidance.
3. If it rains, we'll end up going inside and I really don't want to do that.

My father in (out) law was an NHS consultant so surely should be aware of the risks.

I've moaned to my OH about being put in this position. He doesn't think there's anything wrong with it because "cleaners are allowed in".

Neighbours of ours have been flouting the guidance for weeks and it's driven me mad. I feel my OH and in-laws have put me in a very difficult position. I'd love to see my own parents but am not going to do anything that puts them at risk.

How have others handled these situations?

I despair. We are heading for a second wave if people cannot stay away from each other. Each take your own food.

Looks lovely, Blue. Hope you're enjoying the day and the picnic.

Glad you're enjoying your picnic, OP.

If I am expected to work in a classroom with 15 children starting in 10 days, next to classrooms full of other groups of 15 children who we will be passing in the hallways, sharing lunch halls with, etc, then I'll be damned if I'll be told I can't have a 2m distance away picnic with my extended family in the great outdoors. Especially when it would be 'acceptable' for me to run into people I know doing the same, sit 2 meters away from them, and have a chat while we eat.

Just to add that we have been strict in observing the guidance and have only left the house in the last two months for the occasional trip to the supermarket.

You are going against your own good judgement in attending this picnic at all because you know deep down that this will not end with everyone socially distancing. If I were you I’d text my aunt and tell her you’ve had second thoughts. Don’t let her push you into something you aren’t comfortable with

No she isn’t. She’s perfectly comfortable. It’s all the dementors on this thread who are clutching their pearls.

They brought their own sandwiches and flask and I brought mine for me and the children. We are on our own picnic blankets and definitely sitting more than 2m apart.

The reason i was reluctant to come prior was because I was a bit taken aback by the CF request to provide all of the food but that was swiftly dealt with and we're having a nice afternoon.

I don't expect everybody to RTFT but my household has already gone through a mandatory two week quarantine for coronavirus, I had textbook symptoms and my son was "diagnosed" by NHS111 shortly after.

You lot on here are outraged meanwhile the police who can see we are abiding by social distancing, are wishing us a good afternoon. Strange that