To think play dates are not allowed?

[SuperSue77]

Just had a message from the Dad of a boy in my son’s class asking him for a play date tomorrow. He’s never been asked by this boy before As ordinarily I would have gratefully accepted and been pleased - but surely this is not allowed under lockdown rules? They are in a class bubble at school, but I didn’t think that allowed them to visit a friend’s house. AIBU to refuse, nicely, for that reason?

@Wheresmykimchi

For those saying to just break it as the kids are together at school anyway , this is why we are continuing to be in lockdown. Can I go to my colleagues house then as we work together anyway?

They're in non-socially distanced bubbles all day at school. What added danger do you think exists on a playdate?

@vanillandhoney

Coming into contact with the other people that live in that house, perhaps?

Why can I stand in heaving corridors with my colleagues in corridors but not sit in the back of their car?

Children may not be allowed to have playdates - but - have we lost the ability to make child centred and sensible decisions?

Chidlren don't get sick, rarely pass on the virus (you can read WHO guidelines on this if you wish/ or Sage/ or Don't Forget the Bubbles an excellent paediatric resource.

And - they NEED to play and be free to interact playfully with peers - yes school is important but play is vital too.

Personally - I think children hsould be allowed playdates in their homes. Many other european countries allow children more freedom than adults.

Anyone who genuinely wouldn't take a kid and friend to the park because of the two person rule is the sort of person who would have gone along with Hitler.

@Wondergirl100

Children may not be allowed to have playdates - but - have we lost the ability to make child centred and sensible decisions?

Chidlren don't get sick, rarely pass on the virus (you can read WHO guidelines on this if you wish/ or Sage/ or Don't Forget the Bubbles an excellent paediatric resource.

And - they NEED to play and be free to interact playfully with peers - yes school is important but play is vital too.

Personally - I think children hsould be allowed playdates in their homes. Many other european countries allow children more freedom than adults.

Anyone who genuinely wouldn't take a kid and friend to the park because of the two person rule is the sort of person who would have gone along with Hitler.

Ah , so because people arent stupid enough to believe despite the evidence that children don't get sick or pass it on and won't just send their kids where they like (and into school to infect other children and adults , cheers) we would have agreed with Hitler.

What an absolutely ludicrous post.

As long as a kid looks healthy they can come in my house.

Please remember that just because something is the law it does not mean it is fair, just or in any way useful in the context of the current pandemic. Just look at the mess we are in - do you think these people know what they are doing?

Do you think covid knows if you have a substantial meal ?

Does covid know if your child is at school sitting heads together over their work or playing with lego together in your living room?

Please can we all focus on what chlidren need for their mental health - not just arbitrary rules made up because our govt couldn't fix track and trace. They think if they say kids can play adults will come in and have cups of tea - so just let the kids in not the adults.

I'm sure you can see the difference between 2 primary school kids who are already in non socially distant contact all day meeting outside of school hours (really not much risk of further exposure compared to what they bring to each other every day) and you having social time with a colleague when you should always at work remain socially distant and/wear a mask etc. You shouldn't stand in a packed corridor without proper covid precautions so if it is happening this is an issue. I suppose you could however consider that having a drink with a colleague would be safe provided you maintain your distances/wear masks i.e. reproduce your work environment.

Of course both scenario are against the rules but to some extent people need to decide what they want to do. It's not like we all always follow all rules to the letter.

It's not a ludicrous post and you picked the wrong part of my reply to answer.

What I see is people following rules for rules sake - I said that if you worry about taking an extra child to the park with you because it breaches the rule of 2 - you may want to think about historical times when people blindly followed damaging rules.

I didn't link the hitler comment to views on children passing on covid. Sage scientist on R4 the other morning - children six times less likely to pass it on when symptomatic - which they very rarely are.

Not a single proven case of child to teacher transmission in Europe (WHO October 2020)

Childrens needs have been ignored - one of my own children is currently on a 14 day isolation for covid in his bubble. Thousands of kids going through this - the law says he can't even walk round the block for fresh air. Many of his classmates live in tower blocks - it's cruel, it's bad science and it is probably just leading to people thinking the rules are stupid. It's also making kids unhealthy and depriving them of sunlight and vitamin D - exactly what will make them vulnerable to the virus.

@Wondergirl100

It's not a ludicrous post and you picked the wrong part of my reply to answer.

What I see is people following rules for rules sake - I said that if you worry about taking an extra child to the park with you because it breaches the rule of 2 - you may want to think about historical times when people blindly followed damaging rules.

I didn't link the hitler comment to views on children passing on covid. Sage scientist on R4 the other morning - children six times less likely to pass it on when symptomatic - which they very rarely are.

Not a single proven case of child to teacher transmission in Europe (WHO October 2020)

No but you said if we follow the rules we would have gone along with Hitler.

I can only assume you haven't been in a schoool. People are scared. We shouldn't be at risk for your playdates.

Could you imagine a teacher posted meh il go to my colleagues for dinner as it's practically the same? They'd get slaughtered. Rightly so.

@oblada

I'm sure you can see the difference between 2 primary school kids who are already in non socially distant contact all day meeting outside of school hours (really not much risk of further exposure compared to what they bring to each other every day) and you having social time with a colleague when you should always at work remain socially distant and/wear a mask etc. You shouldn't stand in a packed corridor without proper covid precautions so if it is happening this is an issue. I suppose you could however consider that having a drink with a colleague would be safe provided you maintain your distances/wear masks i.e. reproduce your work environment.

Of course both scenario are against the rules but to some extent people need to decide what they want to do. It's not like we all always follow all rules to the letter.

I follow all the rules to protect my colleagues and my children and I'd like to think parents do the same for us.

@oblada

I'm sure you can see the difference between 2 primary school kids who are already in non socially distant contact all day meeting outside of school hours (really not much risk of further exposure compared to what they bring to each other every day) and you having social time with a colleague when you should always at work remain socially distant and/wear a mask etc. You shouldn't stand in a packed corridor without proper covid precautions so if it is happening this is an issue. I suppose you could however consider that having a drink with a colleague would be safe provided you maintain your distances/wear masks i.e. reproduce your work environment.

Of course both scenario are against the rules but to some extent people need to decide what they want to do. It's not like we all always follow all rules to the letter.

Also , the problem with the houses is the risk increases with every person that lives in each house. Pupils aren't bringing their entire family to school each day.

How about if he takes your dc on a play date to the park or playground? That’s what some are doing around here. Not going indoors anywhere, but the bubbled kids still get to play and run off steam after school.

Whereismykimchi - do you follow absolutely all the rules/laws at any given time? Not about covid but generally? I'll admit that I don't and I sometimes use common sense and decide to go around some rules.

Personally I have no issue with playdates. The kids are not likely to come into close contact with the rest of the family really during a playdate and ultimately they are in contact during the day, I'm rly not sure the risk is increased. My husband feels the same and he is very rule abiding generally and certain re covid given his professional expertise. . Having said that we have far too much on our plate personally atm to be organising any playdates for our kids so it doesn't rly impact us anyway. But personally I don't judge parents who allow/have the occasional playdates.

@oblada

Whereismykimchi - do you follow absolutely all the rules/laws at any given time? Not about covid but generally? I'll admit that I don't and I sometimes use common sense and decide to go around some rules.

Personally I have no issue with playdates. The kids are not likely to come into close contact with the rest of the family really during a playdate and ultimately they are in contact during the day, I'm rly not sure the risk is increased. My husband feels the same and he is very rule abiding generally and certain re covid given his professional expertise. . Having said that we have far too much on our plate personally atm to be organising any playdates for our kids so it doesn't rly impact us anyway. But personally I don't judge parents who allow/have the occasional playdates.

Not necessarily but I do and the current time.

I don't judge them either ,I just think it's cavalier to just think aw they're together all day why not.