That now is not the time to visit a zoo

[aceofspades987]

NC as family are on here.

I'm shielding and have barely been out apart from quiet walks since March so am prepared to hear that I'm BU.

My brother is taking his DC to a fairly busy zoo next week. They refuse to make the DC wear masks at the moment so are unlikely to wear them when they visit the zoo.

For background, during the last month or so they have been visiting us and trying to socially distance in our garden but it's quite tricky as the DC are so young. I feel that knowing they will have been somewhere so crowded makes me not want them to come round to our garden (as I have said it is very hard to SD at the best of times)

Am I being overly cautious?

You are being entirely unreasonable

Likely not being overcautious as you are shielding. However, a zoo is open-air and social distance will be easier than, say, in a school or nursery. Do, or will, the children attend these places?

It's the opposite of crowded. They're limiting numbers and are only doing pre-booked tickets. I've been to two attractions recently and they're taking it very seriously, because they have to or they risk being closed again and that could mean financial disaster.

As you are shielding I don't think you're being unreasonable.

What I notice is the people who say we all have to use our own judgement get very cross when we use it be cautious!

If you don't want drama just pretend you're a bit under the weather or something.

If you're shielding the can you ask them not to visit for 2 weeks after zoo? Having said that if they are going in shops etc the risk is probably no different. The zoo will probably be limiting numbers and have social distancing measures in place

You're not shielding if your having people round.

Are you required to sheild or just a bit of a worrier?

For kids and most people yep it's time to get back out.

Those zoos need money in order to stay functioning. Some around the world have already started euthanisation programs (pogroms?) For thier animals as they cannot afford them any more

You are being overly cautious but if it makes you so uncomfortable just don’t have the around for the week after the zoo visit.

We went to Whipsnade a couple of weeks ago and there was loads of space. Doubt we came within 2m of anyone at any point. Any crowded areas (penguins, lions) were controlled with 2m spaced queues and staff supervising. All indoor and play areas were shut.

Far less risky than a trip to the supermarket IME. But, if you are shielding then you need to do whatever makes you feel comfortable, your health is more important.

@labyrinthloafer

As you are shielding I don't think you're being unreasonable.

What I notice is the people who say we all have to use our own judgement get very cross when we use it be cautious!

If you don't want drama just pretend you're a bit under the weather or something.

Well yeah because using your own judgement is "I'm shielding so you can't come tound"

Not

"I'm shielding so you can't go out"

You have to book a time slot in the zoos local to us- if anything far less busy and maybe a really good time to visit so you can actually see something rather than pushing through crowds.

If you are shielding why are you having people round?

And no, my kids won’t be wearing masks if walking around a zoo.

YABU. You are within your rights to ask them to delay their next visit. That's your call.
But going to a zoo is a reasonable and safe thing to do for the vast majority of people. So I don't think you are within your rights to complain about that.

You are allowed to see people outside if you're shielding as I understood it now?

I'm on chemotherapy rather than being 'a bit of a worrier'

So don’t have them round.

I think they are fine to go.

You are fine to say don’t visit for a week or two.

It will be easy to socially distance and similar to have likely people getting too near like in a supermarket but I’m guessing you’re already fine with that.

As pp said, having people over isn’t shielding.

Not enough info. Why are you shielding op? Is it because you’re in the high risk category and have been requested to or simply a personal choice?

In addition have you taken some time to look at rhe zoo and how they are managing admittance now?

Why can't you just not see them for a while afterwards?

X post.

So don’t see them for a couple of weeks. That’s fine.

Ok sorry cross posted, I think just ban visits for two weeks after th zoo visit I’m sure they will understand,

They are not BU & YANBU but if you're concerned, ask them to stay away for a week or 2-whatever you're comfortable with

For those not shielding it is excellent to go to the zoo, all outdoors, fewer people being let in, we went to Chester zoo and it was great, no queues, toilets were very clean, plenty of space, lots of one way systems in and hand sanitising everywhere. Would definitely recommend.

I don't think the op is suggesting they can't go to the zoo, just wondering if she is unreasonable to worry? Or have I misread?

Nobody is being unreasonable , if you feel that their visits put you at risk then stop seeing them but it’s perfectly reasonable for them to go out to anywhere and use their own judgement for that .

YABVU

Zoos are desperate for the funding from visitors to keep the animals alive.
They are well organised and running at 1/3 of capacity making social distancing easy.
They are predominantly outside.
There is no need for anyone to wear a mask there, adult or especially children.

I've ended up buying an annual pass in recent weeks as it was such a good, educational, low risk, straightforwards day out and the zoo staff were so pleased about the upgrade to the pass.

If you don't want visitors, politely decline, but they are not being unreasonable for going to one.

@maddening I agree, I've also taken the kids to Chester since they have been open and it was managed brilliantly.