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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Are bubbles a covid risk?

107 replies

Beseigedbykillersquirrels · 30/05/2021 19:18

It's been beautiful here today so we took the DC down to the riverbank for a picnic. DD (2) wanted to take her bubbles and she was blowing them on and off for quite a bit of the two and a half hours we were there. It was busy enough but not packed; there was, at a guess, about 20 other families, all well spread out. Towards the end of the afternoon, a man was walking by and then approached us and said (well, more like shouted) that we shouldn't be blowing covid bubbles all over the place and that one popped near his face so he has now been exposed and will have to take the day off work until he can have a test.
I am fully prepared to be told IWBU - it honestly didn't occur to me that my child blowing bubbles could be a covid risk but I am aware that this man thought it was. Was I being unreasonable in allowing my DC to blow bubbles at the riverbank this afternoon?

OP posts:
Ratatattatpat · 30/05/2021 20:52

I couldn't care less whether children blow bubbles or not. Some people won't be happy until children are not allowed to move.

ThursdayWeld · 30/05/2021 20:55

Do you not breathe outside then?

She's not just breathing though, is she? She's sending little packages of her breath around the place, possibly to pop in someone's face.

Yellowcrockpot · 30/05/2021 20:56

Voted wrong Yanbu!

Original poster
Beseigedbykillersquirrels · 30/05/2021 20:59

@WouldBeGood

I really hope this is a joke?

If not, madness reigns.

Unfortunately it is most definitely not a joke. I am feeling very regretful, believe me! There were a good few other families around and none of them seemed to even acknowledge the bubbles; we were all fairly well spread out so I'd be surprised if any of the bubbles reached as far as they were based. I should have known better though, and I will keep bubbles indoors from now on.
OP posts:
RaeRaeMama · 30/05/2021 21:03

Oh for goodness sake

How do these people make it out of the house

Absolutely pathetic

WouldBeGood · 30/05/2021 21:04

@Beseigedbykillersquirrels, I meant YANBU, and complaining about a child blowing bubbles seems so so insane it couldn’t be true!

What kind of people are these that think this stuff?!

ripples101 · 30/05/2021 21:05

We all need to breathe. Every single one of us. Are you seriously equating breathing with blowing bubbles? Do you seriously think that pointing out that people breathe is a good retort that posters point?

musicalfrog · 30/05/2021 21:07

Oh my goodness. I would have actually laughed. "covid bubbles" WTF? Grin

Some people will use any excuse to spoil other people's fun (including a few on here I see). Let the kids have some bloody fun you mood hoovers!!

ripples101 · 30/05/2021 21:09

Does anyone actually know whether it can be spread through blowing bubbles?

motogogo · 30/05/2021 21:13

We were told when opening toddler group in April bubbles were a no no unless you have a bubble machine (bubbles contain air you have blown) so he's not being ridiculous

MonsterMash2210 · 30/05/2021 21:13

Just when I thought the world couldn’t get any more mad.

If I had seen this I would have smiled at children having a great time.

The guy is overreacting!

Nicknacky · 30/05/2021 21:14

What have we become when a toddler can’t blow bubbles? It’s not difficult to get out of the way of them! Posters need to get a grip.

“Packages of breathe” ffs🤦🏻‍♀️

Gothichouse40 · 30/05/2021 21:14

You have got to be kidding. Ive heard it all now. Bubbles are soap. Soap kills Covid. WtF next? Don't touch that soapy water? The man sounds an absolute bampot.

RaeRaeMama · 30/05/2021 21:14

@motogogo

We were told when opening toddler group in April bubbles were a no no unless you have a bubble machine (bubbles contain air you have blown) so he's not being ridiculous
Yes. Yes he is.
TimeForLunch · 30/05/2021 21:16

Oh that's hilarious and totally ridiculous, of course. Please do not feel that you have done anything wrong.

hilarymantlepiece · 30/05/2021 21:16

Oh Lordy.
Bubbles are made of soap.
Mr. Angry needs to research,
Hope you had a lovely day, despite him Smile

Original poster
Beseigedbykillersquirrels · 30/05/2021 21:18

[quote WouldBeGood]@Beseigedbykillersquirrels, I meant YANBU, and complaining about a child blowing bubbles seems so so insane it couldn’t be true!

What kind of people are these that think this stuff?![/quote]
Oops, sorry @WouldBeGood! 😳

OP posts:
Original poster
Beseigedbykillersquirrels · 30/05/2021 21:21

@hilarymantlepiece

Oh Lordy. Bubbles are made of soap. Mr. Angry needs to research, Hope you had a lovely day, despite him Smile
Thank you very much, yes it was such a lovely afternoon. I just hope I didn't allow DD to spoil everybody else's day! Look out for an AIBU later from an angry parent about a bubble blowing toddler infecting them all with covid. I'm jesting but I have taken on board that IWBU and wont take the bubbles out again, if for nothing else but to avoid another ear bashing! He was actually spitting he was that angry!
OP posts:
ThursdayWeld · 30/05/2021 21:21

@hilarymantlepiece

Oh Lordy. Bubbles are made of soap. Mr. Angry needs to research, Hope you had a lovely day, despite him Smile
The soapy bubble does not touch all of the breath.

Honestly, it's just physics. No research needed.

hilarymantlepiece · 30/05/2021 21:22

Today 21:13 motogogo

We were told when opening toddler group in April bubbles were a no no unless you have a bubble machine (bubbles contain air you have blown) so he's not being ridiculous@Beseigedbykillersquirrels

Oh just stop.
I have CEV husband and CV child. We have shielded for 14 months. Think about that, a child having to shield for 14 months. I am seriously well informed and risk adverse.

That “air” is surrounded by soap, which breaks down the cell walls and kills the virus.
Do your bloody research.

Original poster
Beseigedbykillersquirrels · 30/05/2021 21:26

@ripples101

We all need to breathe. Every single one of us. Are you seriously equating breathing with blowing bubbles? Do you seriously think that pointing out that people breathe is a good retort that posters point?
No, Ripples. You are clearly very upset about this, as your subsequent post about the data surrounding toddlers spreading covid via bubble blowing suggests. The bubbles my toddler blew contain her breath. As does her breath. To me, although I admit I have no scientific background, breath and breath are the same thing.
OP posts:
ripples101 · 30/05/2021 21:26

A simple google search shows that no one knows whether blowing bubbles poses a risk of covid or not.

The man was being presumptuous to say it is a risk.

But equally anyone here saying it isn’t a risk is being presumptuous also.

ripples101 · 30/05/2021 21:30

@Beseigedbykillersquirrels

What on earth are you going on about. I didn’t write any post about data.

There is a difference between breathing and blowing. Just as there is a difference between breathing and coughing.

Its all about the amount of air you expel and how far it is expelled.

I’m not upset about anything by the way.

Original poster
Beseigedbykillersquirrels · 30/05/2021 21:30

@ripples101

A simple google search shows that no one knows whether blowing bubbles poses a risk of covid or not.

The man was being presumptuous to say it is a risk.

But equally anyone here saying it isn’t a risk is being presumptuous also.

I would love to see your Google search history
OP posts:
Alconleigh · 30/05/2021 21:31

Quite a few people are just itching not to go back to normal, aren't they? I think Covid must have been the most excitement they've ever had, and they are desperate to prolong it. Bonkers. Don't worry OP, you didn't ruin everyone's afternoon.