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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think going on holiday at the moment is selfish and unnecessary

649 replies

OverTheRainbow88 · 30/08/2020 07:59

I think it’s totally unnecessary and selfish for people to go abroad on holiday at the moment. I’m not talking about people that need to go abroad for other reasons, such as ,work or to see ill relatives etc. I think getting our children back to school trumps a holiday.
However, lots of family and friends are going away abroad for holidays, do others agree with me or am I being unreasonable?

OP posts:
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cakewench · 31/08/2020 19:32

We travelled this summer. We're both from different countries, there's no 'socially distanced cup of tea w grandma in the back garden' etc for us, and my mental health was very low by the end of school time. We travelled to DH's home country (mine is too far and has too much covid right now) which has handled this much better than the UK, and another trip which was to an island with almost no cases.

Lightline · 31/08/2020 19:32

@MrsMcMuffins such a good little rule follower. Society needs people to question things and push boundaries and right now needs people to get the economies moving again. Not scared out of their minds hiding at home from a virus that is killing less people than flu. It’s ridiculous that Boris has to now encourage people to send their kids back to school when it was quite clear early on that children are at a low risk from the virus. And I appreciate they may pass it on the vulnerable people but it is those vulnerable people who should shield. Not specify grinding to a halt

Lightline · 31/08/2020 19:33

*society

pjmask · 31/08/2020 19:33

I guess we won’t all agree on this issue. I love going on holidays and have missed out this year but am happy to do so for the greater good

Are you waiting for a round of applause?! This pandemic has given a platform to smugness such as yours like never before. I've never known so many people to broadcast their virtuous choices on any platform they can find with the unspoken, or more often than not, blatant, subtext of I'M DOING THIS AND YOU SHOULD ALL DO THE SAME AS ME!"

Such hideously depressing, virtue signalling, self congratulatory, judgemental bollocks

Did you share the "I haven't been in anybody's house and nobody's been in mine" post too op?

SecretSpAD · 31/08/2020 19:46

We flew to our holiday home in France with some friends for my husbands 60th birthday a few weeks ago. One of our friends is a pilot so she flew us in her plane (it's not a private jet, just big enough for 6 of us). We stayed at our own house. My husband and friends did the shopping as they can wear masks and I can't. We mostly stayed around the house and the pool so didn't unknowingly infect anyone with our non existent covid, then came home.

We both work from home and the kids have avoided big meet ups with friends. All is fine. It was good to go away and I feel no guilt.

Original poster
OverTheRainbow88 · 31/08/2020 19:51

No I don’t need a round of applause thank you, I am happy with my decision and that’s enough for me.

People are also having to pick up other people’s slack once they get home and can’t leave their house for 2 weeks, my elderly neighbour has been trying to walk her daughters dog twice a day for the past week. I’m sure I’ll have to send work extra work home to children who should be back in school but have to miss the first 2 weeks as they went on hol.

Also, there is a middle ground, just because I don’t think going on holiday at the moment is appropriate doesn’t mean I’m sat at home scared, doing nothing with my time.

OP posts:
Original poster
OverTheRainbow88 · 31/08/2020 19:52

@SecretSpAD

I think those circumstances are very unique... I can’t imagine they are the norm of people’s holidays

OP posts:
MrsMcMuffins · 31/08/2020 19:52

@Lightline, give me a break. You are not going on holiday to bravely push boundaries and save the Greek economy😂 I am not hiding at home but I think at the moment what’s most important is to get children back to school and unis and that should be our focus rather than the holidays. Other countries have advised their citizens not to holiday abroad this year and I wish our government had done the same. I don’t think for a minute everyone follows quarantine rules. And not everyone has their own private plane.

looopy2411 · 31/08/2020 20:01

Hi,

Me and my huband have just returned from France and are now self isolating (government announced it the day we went) We knew the risks before we went and so prepared to isolate. We needed to get away for our mental well-being. We feel so much better in ourselves and now enjoy being in our house again (neighbours and little things grating on us due to being at home!!) We both work from home at the moment and don't have kids in school etc. We drove there and didn't go to any of the hotspots and stayed in the countryside away from crowds etc. We have seen more people walks past our house since we have been back then we did when we were in France

toobloominghot · 31/08/2020 20:04

Prize Covidiots next door-week in Croatia. Didn't get back by cut off for quarantine. He goes back to work next day. She continues walking the dogs with various friends in tow and numerous trips out in the car together.
If you're going to go you must be prepared to quarantine properly

joles12 · 31/08/2020 20:12

Many people will have booked holidays long before COVID arrived and not all companies are offering the chance to cancel,where travel is allowed, are you suggesting they should lose their money? We have just been away to Greece - booked in August 19 , the area we travelled to have had 4 cases all year. DH has worked 13 hrs a day throughout COVID - not sure I see why going a Road is selfish where you observe SD , wear mask where required, and frequently sanitise when you get there.

Corono · 31/08/2020 20:13

@OverTheRainbow88 you certainly sounded like you anticipated a round of applause 👏!

So what have you been doing? Restaurants? Pubs? Cafes?

aivilodraw · 31/08/2020 20:24

You do you and let everyone else do what they feel is right. I haven’t been abroad myself but have no feelings on people doing what they feel is right. Stop sticking your nose in other peoples business and just live and let live. All this “this is what’s right and this is what’s wrong” is beyond boring.

Sarahrellyboo1987 · 31/08/2020 20:28

My dad has a caravan and Durdle Door and we went there for a Monday-Friday holiday. We easily social distanced and visited the beach early in the morning for sunrise or late at the night for sunset. Was lovely.

I do consider holidays a luxury and I don’t think anyone need a foreign holiday. It’s terrible for the environment!

Original poster
OverTheRainbow88 · 31/08/2020 20:29

@Corono

I wish... didn’t do that much even before covid because of my boys age and inability to sit down for more than 2min

Zoos, playgrounds, beaches, nature reserves, woods, animal parks etc

Have managed a couple of brunches outside with friends and relatives.

OP posts:
Putyourdamnshoeson · 31/08/2020 20:30

I totally agree about the overwhelming smugness platform. It's as exhausting and pathetic as it is hilarious.

The same people who hooked their bosom over our two week trip (we got back the day before quarantine was made mandatory) are the same who appear to be doing as they please, posting it on social media, but putting 'socially distantanced' in front of it, so that makes it OK.

I am an adult who is perfectly capable of risk assessing.

Sarels · 31/08/2020 20:33

If people are taking necessary precautions as they should then yes go on holiday. I have abided by all guideline rules from beginning and am looking forward to my holiday coming up soon in Turkey. Its been booked since last year , I work hard in health care and know risk involved that I could have to quarantine on return . I am not selfish I am living in these uncertain times like everyone but my choice is to go on holiday , and I will respect rules when I'm in Turkey also . I could go on holiday here but I chosen abroad . Tbh im glad I going abroad as some places here too packed and many people not respecting social distancing / masks .

Aridane · 31/08/2020 20:38

Fly out to help out!

Ethelfleda · 31/08/2020 20:40

Of course it isn’t selfish. Don’t be ridiculous.

expatinspain · 31/08/2020 20:44

In that line of thinking then it’s selfish to go on a U.K. holiday too, as infection rates are high and you’re moving out of your own area, possibly using public transport, mixing with people who potentially have Covid etc. Unless we all stay in a bubble then there’s always a potential risk. Life has to go on though.

PablosHoney · 31/08/2020 20:46

Some stricter than you OP would say you are unreasonable for fannying around a zoo and having brunches during a pandemic 😂😂 everyone has their own line and you are way over some people’s holiday or not.

PablosHoney · 31/08/2020 20:48

Some people on here seem to have gone on a holiday right up their own asses. I haven’t even been abroad and still think you are unreasonable.

Tubs11 · 31/08/2020 21:09

Everyone's situation is different and I don't think we should be sitting around judging people for their decisions.

midlifeangst · 31/08/2020 21:10

If you are sensible. Don’t stay in a hotel, don’t my god to busy places and the country is officially safe then it’s fine. Packed planes, packed hotels are a bad idea

Fungster · 31/08/2020 21:17

I tend to agree. Although my view is somewhat colored by the bone-headedness I see in my own family. They all live in an area that recently went under lockdown as such. Cousin 1 doesn't give a shit and has been out to pubs and parties - maskless, obviously - and went to a family party despite feeling under the weather. Two days later she tested positive for COVID. Cousin 2, who sat next to Cousin 1 at the family party, and who should be self-isolating, flew out to Europe this morning. Because she "needs" a holiday 🙄