To think children should be able to eat out together?

[sunshinesky]

My child’s birthday on the weekend. I’ve realised that even though kids can sit together all day in school, with no distancing, they can’t even go for a burger together at the moment! I’ve followed all the rules but this makes no sense to me!

It makes no sense.
Dd spent the day last weekend with her best friend who she sits next to all day at school (high school) They didn't go into either of their houses, so didn't see other family members, they went for a long walk, wandered about town, went for lunch in Tesco. Both myself and friends Mum thought this was fine, they are sat with no masks together all day. They worse masks on the weekend. The rules are just crackers, they make no sense.

Makes no sense. Both of mine are in secondary school (ie old enough to understand social distancing). I know they've both hugged their friends. I'm assuming yours is younger, so there's no way he/she has been distancing at all in school.

Yes it’s shit.

Education essential
Party not.

Your child at school will be spaced out (even if just normal spacing) and have an adult overseeing them, to stop them getting too close.

Oh dear god, this one caught me off-guard 🤣
I’m a teacher, thank you for the laugh! 😄

But school is a more controlled environment than MaccyD, and the reason they can’t all go to the latter helps make up for the fact that school isn’t that controlled.

Uh, this is false.

We went to McDonald’s just the other day. We had to queue outside, socially distant until a table was free. The table was cleaned to within an inch of its life. I had to wear a mask to order, behind a screen ...and that mask had to stay on until I was seated AND ready to eat. I was not allowed up for sauces, I had to ask. As soon as we finished we were asked to leave. We were watched over by 4 members of staff, who were also constantly cleaning.

I can assure you that nothing like this is happening in schools.

Would you prefer they closed the school to make it logical

@DBML

But school is a more controlled environment than MaccyD, and the reason they can’t all go to the latter helps make up for the fact that school isn’t that controlled.

Uh, this is false.

We went to McDonald’s just the other day. We had to queue outside, socially distant until a table was free. The table was cleaned to within an inch of its life. I had to wear a mask to order, behind a screen ...and that mask had to stay on until I was seated AND ready to eat. I was not allowed up for sauces, I had to ask. As soon as we finished we were asked to leave. We were watched over by 4 members of staff, who were also constantly cleaning.

I can assure you that nothing like this is happening in schools.

My stepdaughter got a detention for sharing her water bottle with a friend at school.

At McDonald’s, she decided she didn’t like an Oreo McFlurry, passed it to a friend to finish, spoon and all, and I had to suggest that wasn’t a great idea.

That’s what I mean by less controlled. Not every last aspect, certainly.

Children do not social substance at school no matter what the school says. I’ve witnessed it myself most days.

Accept they have to draw the line somewhere but they don’t check to make sure diners are from the same household!

Most kids mix with kids the same age as them, so in their school year and part of their bubble. If they stuck to the rule of 6 I can’t see how it would be an increased risk. I certainly don’t think ‘I’m clever for spotting flaws’ but just feel sad that this is likely to last years and when so many sports and activities are off limits to kids we could allow them this.

It a shame most people on this thread have jumped onto the 'of course children aren't distanced in schools' and are not responding to the few 'how the hell would that work?' questions.

How could restaurants etc. be expected to ensure guidelines are followed when Sarah's arguing that it's ok to bring ten 8 year olds in cuz they're all in the same class so what difference does it make; Liam's throwing a tantrum because he's just been in an office all day with his 5 work mates and now they want a beer together; Bob's booked his whole extended family in for birthday celebrations because the grandparents provide child care so they're sharing germs anyway.

Everyone has their own 'but we should be the exception because...' story. But it would be completely unworkable. Restaurants can't police between those kids who have genuinely spent all day sat right next to each other in class and those who haven't and are trying to get away with it.

So if you're arguing against these rules, what you're really saying is that you want no lockdown at all (because if your kids should be able to get to go out with their class mates, there's no point in guidlines/ rules/ laws as they'd be completely unenforceable). Which is fine if that is how you feel - but own it as an opinion.

@howmanyroads

I thought they were supposed to be distancing in school?

Are you having a laugh?! Where is the room for 30 of them to distance in a classroom?

There's certainly no social distancing happening at my eldest school within the school canteen, it is too small. My chid is always telling me they are all squashed up against one another while queuing.

Well said Agradecida.

@agradecida I'm not fine with it and think that schools and especially secondary schools should be set up differently and utilise blended learning. But they're not, and we're being told that is fine when clearly it is not.

Every time people mix with others not in their household there is an increased risk of passing on COVID. School (distancing or not) is necessary for children to get an education (and let's be honest, allow adults to work). Having a meal together or hanging out together is not deemed necessary. More mixing = more chance of spreading.