To think it's too soon for a party

[SkiddySkidz]

My MIL is very excited lockdown is ending and has decided to throw a belated party for her 60th as soon as possible. She has managed to book the beer garden at our local pub on 4th July, which she is terming the new independence day, and has invited all her family and friends. I am not sure of numbers but possibly around 60 people.

AIBU to think this just doesn't seem right? Are things going to change that much in a few weeks that we will be able to have huge parties all of a sudden? The pub took the booking so it seems like it should be okay. Or are the pub taking the mick out of the rules / my MILs hopes? She has already bought loads of decorations and is ordering a massive buffet and I worry she will end up severely disappointed.

I feel like this sudden change 'back to normal' might take me a bit longer to get used to than some people...

The pub must be booking it as a private party and they should know if they can accommodate a party that size. Buffets aren't recommended, I think they're actually not allowed on business premises, you could check and toilets are one in, one out.

Personally I'm hanging fire and seeing if the infection rate goes up because pubs were a big source of infection pre lock down.

It will be August before I'll go anywhere.

@Ponoka7

pubs were a big source of infection pre lock down.

Do you have a link to the figures for this? i wasn't aware the authorities had studied where people contracted the virus.

because pubs were a big source of infection pre lock down

Possibly true for very busy ones but I’m not sure that can be stated factually.

I don’t think big gatherings will be allowed on the fourth. So she may be disappointed op. But as it’s outside it might be fine.

I'm generally very philosophical about Covid risk & supportive of easing restrictions, but even I think this too much too soon sadly, especially as many of her guests will presumably be older too & therefore more at risk than you or I. I would go for a smaller, simpler gathering or postpone the Big Milestone Birthday celebration to next year when hopefully she can throw a proper party!

I wont get involved or risk being told I am unreasonable. I was just wondering if the way I feel was unreasonable or not. I guess it's all about personal preference and many people will choose not to go because they dont feel comfortable.

You are right that it would have been nice to postpone for a year. I didnt picture a 'coming out party' being spent socially distancing, feeling unsafe, having to stay outside no matter the weather, and without full attendance due to people not wanting to do this. All with a big risk of being cancelled last minute. She knows the risk so I guess that's up to her.

The thing I can see her wanting to redo he party if this one doesn't meet her expectations!

Yes, a buffet sounds like a great idea!!!! 😂😂😂

Actually, I am pretty sure I read that buffets will be banned.

Now I have said buffet, I assume its sandwiches in a bag or some other way around it! I didn't pay attention to the details.

It doesn't sound likely that anyone will eat it

You might want to show her this story in the Metro about a gathering in the USA

metro.co.uk/2020/06/17/fifteen-friends-get-coronavirus-first-night-bar-lockdown-12863084/

Sounds amazing!!!! I'll take your place :)

Haha, I'll send you the details userxx

As I've said, I am waaayyyy more relaxed about Covid than lots of MNers, but.....I"m sure guests will understandably want to hug etc, and once the alcohol starts flowing....I'd be more easygoing if it was a group of twenty-somethings, but a 60th birthday bash is surely bound to have some people who could get quite ill if they did catch it? On the other hand its outdoors & infection rates genuinely are incredibly low now, so they'll quite probably all be fine.

@notreallybotheredaboutausernam, Jenny Harris was talking about it. Two publicans on the route to the Cheltenham racecourse died. A lot of the infections were among people who'd been in the pubs, not just at the races. Hotspots were traced to specific pubs and then into care homes, here in Liverpool.

We know indoor transmission between people who are talking, is going to be a risk. There's enough women who don't wash their hands, I wouldn't want to share a buffet with men, as well.

I suppose it depends on where you are. Here in Liverpool, our infection rate is still high. Smoking rates are high, which means lots of coughs.

My DD, 22 is still having annoying and at times discomfort from her symptoms of Covid, two months on.

well they've officially announced that Dexamethasone is one of the most effective treatments for Covid-19.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-53061281

well they've officially announced that Dexamethasone is one of the most effective treatments for Covid-19.

Not quite sure how that's going to help at the pub gathering but might help any over '60's who end up on ventilators

Sandwiches in a bag??

Has it been confirmed that pubs will definitely open on the 4th. Does anyone have a link please?

Well, 60 guests might have been invited, but I can’t imagine all 60 people will want to attend. The weather would be a crucial factor too - presumably if it’s pouring down then the party gets cancelled as moving everyone indoors won’t be possible. Even if such a gathering is legally allowed by then, it will likely be a completely different experience to what she might be envisaging. It’s hard, but postponing would probably be a better plan.

And if the pub is planning on doing this “on the sly” before it’s allowed, then I certainly wouldn’t go anywhere near it. Some Pubs near us have been taking the piss with unofficially opening, serving drinks and opening their toilets. The police are well aware and so will the licensing authorities. It’s not fair on those public and that have been doing the right thing and sticking to the rules.

No way are 60 people going to gather in a beer garden to eat a packed lunch, in July. I can't see why anybody else would be anywhere nearly as excited about this as your MIL is.

Pubs may open but social distancing is still in place...

I’m sure I’ll be accused of being a dementor but I really don’t think this will be allowed to happen. It’s only 2 weeks away and at the moment no one is allowed to meet up inside at all! I just can’t see things changing that much that quickly.

I doubt she’ll find that people who will want to go and if it rains what will they do? I would keep quiet or get her son to gently hint that a smaller gathering in the back garden might be a better idea

and if it rains what will they do?

Marquees. I've read this is how pubs will be trading going forward.

Some Pubs near us have been taking the piss with unofficially opening, serving drinks and opening their toilets

Our local has just been shut down after a week of serving 'takeaways'. People taking their drinks out onto the heath opposite, urinating everywhere, rubbish thrown on the grass and huge crowds. YANBU OP.