To see my brother

[Idontlikecheesecake]

I just want some guidance and to know if it would be in the rules.

My brother has aspergers and learning disabilities, and he lives in supported living in a self contained flat. The only social interaction he gets is when he goes food shopping, seeing me and/or our other sister (who lives about 60 miles away), social support with staff, or to access one of his support groups (which he rarely goes to). This is his social interaction pre covid, so it would be even less now. I was concerned about his isolation and depression enough even before covid but now it’s even worse.

I can count on one hand how many times ive seen him since lockdown began, and the last 2 times I’ve seen him have been to meet up at a supermarket for lunch.

Would I be classed as his bubble? He wants to go for a pub lunch on Wednesday.

The only thing is, me and my partner agreed that we would bubble with his mum, who provides some childcare for our 3 year old.

I feel so bad for my brother cos I have a good support network and he doesn’t have anyone else really. Our mum passed away years ago and he has never seen his dad. We’re in a tier 2 area.

Please don’t flame me, I just want to know if it would be in the rules that i could meet him to offer him some support

I would meet him and take him to the pub with all the safeguards you can, masks, handwash, social distance etc

The rules depend on what area you’re living in. You could of course meet outdoors.

Yes, I agree. Take all precautions and meet him.

I wouldn’t give a flying fig about the rules, I would include him in my bubble if he was my brother and keep as much social interaction with him as normal. I think the consequences for his mental health could be far worse than Covid if you don’t!

I would also meet him for a pub lunch, taking reasonable precautions

Caring for someone vulnerable is permitted. Frankly, I’d do it regardless. Cruel not to, IMO.

I wonder if it could be classed as providing care for a vulnerable person?

He wants to go for a pub lunch on Wednesday - please take him!

Thank you for your reassurance 😊

Just meet him.

I’m looking forward to going for lunch on Wednesday now 😁

I would absolutely see him. You can’t be expected to choose between childcare for your toddler, and seeing your isolated brother, so I would do both.

You've already formed a support bubble with your MIL so he cannot be in your support bubble.
You can't meet anyone outside of your household in a pub as you are in tier 2 but you could go to his home to provide care/support.

I don’t think mil would need to count as a support bubble, as childcare is allowed separately.

YANBU in any case.

I think you can have both a support bubble (for your brother) and a childcare bubble with MIL

I wouldn’t give a flying fig about the rules, I would include him in my bubble if he was my brother and keep as much social interaction with him as normal. I think the consequences for his mental health could be far worse than Covid if you don’t!

Absolutely this ^^ You're presumably going to take all necessary precautions so there is no way I would stop seeing my brother in this instance.

By the letter of the rules you cannot see both him and MIL. She can provide childcare but you shouldn't be socialising directly with you or your DH if you are also seeing your DB.

That said I would do this OP but be prepared to explain that you are a bubble to wherever you're going out for lunch. I've been asked several times if we're part of the same household when entering pubs etc.

*she shouldn't be socialising directly with you or your DH!