To be concerned about MILs level of anxiety?

[NotExactlyHappyToHelp]

So background MIL and StepFIL are both early 60s with no underlying health conditions, they’ve both had their first vaccine. They’re quite insular people who don’t have Internet or TV.

DP asked if he and DS could pop over this afternoon for a catch up as the weather was nice. It wasn’t explicitly said that they’d be sitting in the garden but DP said it was implied. When they got there MIL kept them on the driveway and wouldn’t let them in the garden (which is accessible from the drive so no need to go through the house). They talked to MIL on the driveway for 15 minutes or so during which she told them that this is the way it’s going to be until probably July when they’ll be 3 weeks post second vaccination hopefully.

AIBU to be worried about MILs level of anxiety? She’s always been a worrier but I’m concerned she can’t see that sitting in the garden is no more of a risk than talking in the driveway?

DP is feeling really hurt by the whole thing and I’m not sure if that’s skewing my perception of things.

MIL seems reasonable to me. Staying COVID secure within her comfort zone.

My concern here would be how she’ll cope with “normal” post pandemic life tbh.

I wouldnt worry now. I think people are just being cautious as it would feel awful to get covid now when they are so close to the final injection. If she is still bad after that then I'd worry. To switch it around, she was happy to see your husband and they did catch up so why does it matter so much whether it was in the drive or garden?

I guess that she was just trying to adhere to two metres. And if it is a normal alleyway then unlikely to be 2m wide

I'd definitely worry a little bit if I were you. But like a previous poster said I would worry a lot more about how they'll adjust once the world goes back to 'normal'.

I suppose all you can really do is support your DP and reassure him that it's not personal. They're just trying to protect themselves in the best way they can. Whether that seems entirely logical or not is a separate matter.

I don't see it as over the top at all. I've had my first shot, second in may, I have also had a bad dose of covid, but I am not mixing in anyone's garden until a month after my 2nd. Even though it's a slight chance I will get it again, I am not taking any chances, it was a scary and very painful illness, and am still suffering post covid symptoms. Also a dear friend came off the ventilator 3 weeks ago, after 3 months on one and we are blessed he is recovering well, but he will be in for months of rehab before he can come home.
So all in all, I think your in laws are being really sensible.

@GreenClock Yes that’s my concern as well.

@DrinkFeckArseBrick (love the name) it matters because the driveway is noisy and within earshot of lots of neighbours/people on the street, it’s not a great place to stand and chat. Also the traffic passing can make it difficult to hear so MIL was asking DP to step forward so she could hear him. In the garden they’d be able to sit distanced and talk relatively privately.

@Rubyupbeat I’m really sorry to hear you’ve been so poorly and I’m glad you’re better. We don’t want to endanger anyone or risk anyone’s health, the point I’m making is that the garden would surely be safer than the driveway. Sat down so no accidental creeping forwards and a larger distance between them. MIL kept asking DP to come closer so she could hear him over traffic. I’m concerned she can’t see that chatting distanced in the garden and on the driveway have the same amount of risk yet she’s only happy with one.

My dad is the exact same as your MIL. Not done anything more than a driveway visit in over a year. Yes I do think he is being over cautious especially as he has a large garden but I respect his decision and I think your DH has to as well

If that's what she feels comfortable with then that's what she feels comfortable with. I'd be more worried if she was still this worried a few weeks after their second jab.

I've had my first a week or so ago and I'm still very wary and keeping my distance from people