To let DS blow out his birthday cake candles this weekend ?

[Ishouldtryabiteachdayer]

So having both lots of Grandparents for a birthday tea in the garden. My Dad says he's not eating the cake I'm decorating if DS blows on it. He says as he "might catch the virus." Would I be unreasonable to let DS blow out his birthday candles?

I mean eating birthday cake is optional, I could provide other shop bought cakes ? Seems sad not to let him,,but it is a bit gross when you think about it these days. BTW DS is turning 5.

People need exposure to germs FFS. I can’t believe the number of people on here calling it a ‘gross tradition’.

Personally, I can’t help thinking that this obsession with cleaning everything in the wake of coronavirus, while understandable, is paving the way for a generation of very vulnerable adults, with poorly developed immune systems and more susceptibility to allergies, who are going to be fairly well fucked the next time a mega virus comes along.

Of course people need exposure to germs but I still think an elderly relative being worried about eating a cake ,blown on moments earlier by someone not from their household during a pandemic of a virus that, due to their age is more likely to be serious or deadly is reasonable and understandable.

People are so miserable.

@Ishouldtryabiteachdayer

So having both lots of Grandparents for a birthday tea in the garden. My Dad says he's not eating the cake I'm decorating if DS blows on it. He says as he "might catch the virus." Would I be unreasonable to let DS blow out his birthday candles?

I mean eating birthday cake is optional, I could provide other shop bought cakes ? Seems sad not to let him,,but it is a bit gross when you think about it these days. BTW DS is turning 5.

@Ishouldtryabiteachdayer For my Los birthday, I'm making a small cake for candle blowing out and this year only, buying pre made decorated fairy cakes for those that would like one (I'd normally bake a cake matching the party theme, but this year believe that the less that we "share" the better.)

I don't think your father is being unreasonable, though I know that my own dad wouldn't ever say that!

I've been to a couple of mini birthday parties in the past few weeks and no kids have blown out candles on the cake. The cakes have had sparklers/indoor fireworks instead of candles or there has been a stunt cake for candle blowing.

I've been to a couple of mini birthday parties in the past few weeks and no kids have blown out candles on the cake. The cakes have had sparklers/indoor fireworks instead of candles or there has been a stunt cake for candle blowing.

An adult should quietly refuse any cake or just take off the icing, not make a fuss before the event.

OH WONT SOMEONE THINK OF THE CHILDREN

Careful you don't cut yourself on that edge, user1471504210

@heartsonacake of course they will remember it. My kids will. The only thing my son could have of what was planned for his birthday was his cake. His party got cancelled, his day out got cancelled, he then said he wanted a maccies and that then closed, so yes blowing out his candles was some normality. If people don't want the cake, fair enough but don't stop the kids having fun.

@midnightstar66

Of course people need exposure to germs but I still think an elderly relative being worried about eating a cake ,blown on moments earlier by someone not from their household during a pandemic of a virus that, due to their age is more likely to be serious or deadly is reasonable and understandable.

Yes, be cautious. But why deny a 5yo when he just has to say 'no thanks' when offered a slice/not eat the icing/bring his own etc

And also if he's THAT bothered, he wouldn't be mingling with non household members at a kids birthday party where it's going to be VERY difficult to social distance and not cross contaminate surfaces etc.

[quote 00100001]@GreyishDays

"There is currently no evidence that food is a source of coronavirus (COVID-19) and it is very unlikely it can be transmitted through the consumption of food, according to EFSA (European Food Safety Authority)."
www.foodstandards.gov.scot/consumers/food-safety/coronavirus[/quote]
Did you read that though, it says “Based on what we know about similar viruses, the virus would be inactivated through thorough cooking“

I would have a family cake for you household, and then have either cupcakes or separate cake for family who aren't in your bubble.

@GreyishDays

Fine. You're obviously right to be concerned that we're all going to catch Covid-19 through consuming all food exposed to air where anyone might be breathing nearby...

Let him blow it out and just buy a tray of frosted supermarket cupcakes for guests who don't fancy it. I can see his point, I wouldn't want to eat it either but its easily solved.

[quote 00100001]@GreyishDays

Fine. You're obviously right to be concerned that we're all going to catch Covid-19 through consuming all food exposed to air where anyone might be breathing nearby...[/quote]
I didn’t say that. Where food has been actively blown on is more of an issue. Why do you think we’re being advised to wear masks and also wash hands after touching things that others have touched?
Because they think it transmits by a) people breathing it out and b) you putting your hands into your mouth if you’ve got it on your hands.

Therefore, putting something on your mouth that someone has breathed on, doesn’t seem like a great idea.

[quote 00100001]@GreyishDays

Fine. You're obviously right to be concerned that we're all going to catch Covid-19 through consuming all food exposed to air where anyone might be breathing nearby...[/quote]
So, there's no point with social distancing or using hand sanitiser/washing hands after touching potentially contaminated surfaces. Because there's no difference between a cake someone has blown all over and someone breathing near you. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Normally I wouldn't twice about this, but these are not normal times and Grandad actually has a point. Better to flag it up quietly now than make a big fuss on the day.

Lots of sensible ideas on here about different ways to do it sensibly without making a big fuss. 😊

Have the cake as normal. Let your DS blow out the candles. Then give every body else a slice of slab cake or a cup cake.

I never eat the icing anyway so it wouldn't bother me.

Oh, and take a photo. There's nothing like a photo a. 5 yo blowing out the candles on their cake not covered in clingfilm

It's not just about the breathing, it's about the expelling of breath forcefully and the aerosol droplets that can be exhaled over a wide area with that. Viral load and all that. It's like you can go to church but not sing.

Just let the five year old blow out the candles on his cake, you miserable gits. Buy another cake for the guests.

Never said there's no point.

But this old man is going to a social gathering where it will be very difficult to keep distance and stop surface and airborne contamination,and is making a big fuss over a 5yo blowing out his candles,as though that is the only source of infection... If he was really concerned he wouldn't even be going because the risk is too high 🤷‍♀️

And the fact remains that he doesn't have to bloody eat the cake! But he's willing to potentially upset a 5yo over it??

I don't know an adult that would put their enjoyment of a slice of cake above the joy of a child blowing out their candles. If I did, I wouldn't spend any time with them!

Eat it / don't eat it. But sucking joy from children, especially now, is unpleasant.

Nowhere does it say he's making a 'big fuss' just that he's mentioned his stance. Which is an understandable. Lots of solutions have been given - the most sensible one imo is to put the candles on a separate cupcake. Birthday cakes tend to be too big for an individual household so makes perfect sense to share it and take measures that protect all 4 grandparents- all of whom will automatically be of higher risk by age alone. Looking back at the pictures will a memory of a strange year. And I can't see how any joy will be sucked or anyone suffer as OP's have suggested by doing it this way!

It will save time that I should only make him a cupcake !