On the brink of breaking lockdown - what would you do

[MyNameForToday1980]

We've stuck by rules of lockdown to the letter. As have my parents.

DM and DDad are keen to visit tomorrow.

DM has been shielding (she's on the list). They're desperate to see DS. DM has been asking for several weeks to visit, I've said no; partly to do our civic duty, partly to protect her.

There is a good chance that this is the safest possible time for them to visit as DS returns to nursery next week when our lockdown bubble will be broken.

We've been working form home with DS(3) since the week before lockdown officially started. DS hasn't even been in a shop since the start, DH and I have each been to the shops twice in the however-many-weeks it is now. Literally no other contact with people.

We WOULD NOT be socially distancing in the garden (not big enough) but we are not a particularly physically close/huggy family.

I know it's breaking the rules. And until yesterday I wouldn't even have considered it.

But it dawned on me, if we don't do it now, DM and DDad might not be able to visit until there's a vaccine, and there's a fair chance DM won't make it that long (not terminally ill, but long term immuno compromised with underlying conditions).

WWYD.

YABU - don't do it
YANBU - do it, take reasonable precautions

[Cam2020]

I appreciate that if something were to happen, you'd feel guilty but something could happen anyway without you ever seeing your parents again and you'd be feeling guilty you sad no - life doesn't come with guarantees, you can only calculate the risk - which you have done. You've all been really careful up until now and I agree that this is the safest time before DS returns to nursery.

I don't think your mum has been selfish, she misses her family and is probably wondering whether she will get to see you all again, too.

[Tavannach]

I think I would do it. Paper towels are a good idea.

[CecilyP]

I also hope the neighbours won't judge.

Would they even know your mum is in the shielding group? I know the change is not supposed to come in until Monday (in Scotland it was Friday) but I am sure many others will do the same this weekend, whether for maximum safety like your mum, or because they will be back at work on Monday. Others will wait until tomorrow because none of their other circumstances have changed and it is convenient to do so.

You probably could still manage 2 m apart as it is just the 2 households that have to do that. So 2 lots of 2
garden chairs.

[TiddlestheCat]

If you have been rigid about following the rules, then now is the safest time to have a proper catch up. Imo, the 6 different people rule is actually worse than associating with one other household in a bubble. If you look at the social restrictions across the UK you will see that they differ and are therefore arbitrary. Personally I feel that it would be safer to combine two households/allow grandparents time with their grandchildren, esp if they live locally, than to allow you to travel as far as you want, sit on a crowded beach and meet up with six different people from unlimited households at once! I don't believe that BBQs are safe either as will inevitably involve people passing food across to each other/handling the same utensils/bowls etc. So, I think that people should use their own 'instinct' (to quote DC) to do what they feel is for the best for their family and the wider public.

[Dotty1970]

Why do we think cases may go up?
Why is this weekend the safest?

[Cam2020]

Why do we think cases may go up?
Why is this weekend the safest?

Because they have had extremely limited contact with others so far and the OP's son is going back to nursery tomorrow!

[alreadytaken]

I mentioned delaying a couple of weeks because if you did so you might be able to manage another visit. However if they drive to you will they need to pick up petrol anywhere? Petrol stations are fairly high risk places because they are used by people who are mixing a lot. Pay at pump if possible and wear gloves.