She doesn’t want to touch the ball-y’know, because of covid

[Thecarobsarefalling]

We were at the beach last night with toddler Dd, she was happily running around the beach and fairly nearby was a family with two girls, maybe 8/9 years old.
Dd ran near to them (does this fairly frequently) to say hello/wanting to play. The older girl looked almost scared and backed away and said ‘I can’t’ we called Dd away as it felt like an awkward situation. The mum then cheerfully called to me that she probably didn’t want to touch the beach ball, because of covid. She then told her daughter she’d done the right thing. They left, saying a cheery goodbye and for us to enjoy our evening.
Aibu just to find this so very sad.

How do you know they were on holiday? My friends and some family live in a holiday resort abroad and rules are far stricter for locals. They are told to isolate positive DC in a household in a room alone for the duration and not to mix them even with their parents. A positive test is treated like the plague (it's similar with chicken pox) so is almost shameful. They can't even go to the supermarket without a negative test or double vax certificate.

Our schools aren't doing football at the moment so I could easily see how a child wouldn't join in

Live and let live.

@NannyAndJohn

How about you don't judge and accept that some of us (a lot of us, in fact) still want to be on the safe side?

I'm just so fucking pissed off that anyone who dares to show a shred of caution is mocked and laughed at.

Completely agree. Both myself and husband are CEV, so are still careful - if be awful to be judged. We're trying to do the best for our family.

This COVID situation has left lasting marks. My 3 year old doesn’t know how to interact with other children, share and pushes others out of instinct when they get too near. We’re trying to work this out of him but it’s a hard slog. It’s a sad byproduct of this situation. There are tonnes of maladjusted children now.

It's sad that after more than a year into this situation, you don't appreciate that some are more vulnerable than others.

It is sad we are in this situation but the girl was being sensible.

It’s super sad. Some people are forever changed by this experience. I’m always so sad when it’s little kids. My friend came round earlier, both 30s both double vaxxed, no CEV in families, both wfh etc. Our mutual friend has died from cancer and my visiting friend sat at the other end of my large room and wouldn’t come anywhere near me because she’s still distancing. She’s not been to a pub, restaurant, cinema etc since the beginning. Orders shopping online. Basically doesn’t leave the house. I think I might be the first friend she’s seen in person this year. It’s no way to live.

It's tragic

It is interesting the degree to which people haven’t kept up with the developments in our understanding of covid. The risk of fomite transmission like this has been comprehensively debunked.

Is this anchoring bias? Or perhaps there’s a more accurate term.

@Yourcatisnotsorry

It’s super sad. Some people are forever changed by this experience. I’m always so sad when it’s little kids. My friend came round earlier, both 30s both double vaxxed, no CEV in families, both wfh etc. Our mutual friend has died from cancer and my visiting friend sat at the other end of my large room and wouldn’t come anywhere near me because she’s still distancing. She’s not been to a pub, restaurant, cinema etc since the beginning. Orders shopping online. Basically doesn’t leave the house. I think I might be the first friend she’s seen in person this year. It’s no way to live.

Not everyone needs to go to the pub or out for food. Perhaps she feels the risk of illness isn’t worth the activity.

She’d probably been told not to play with other children because of Covid. Maybe they are self catering and maintaining distance? Maybe they drove there? It’s not sad, it’s fine, parent just wants to minimise risk.

Maybe a similar situation in the fact that next door neighbours childrens balls come over, football or tennis ball. I automatically throw back over and then wash my hands, whereas my husband says to leave for 24 hours like at the start of Covid19 we were doing for our post but that now we open it up straight away then wash our hands, knowing that on a beach all you can do is to either wash/rinse your hands in the sea or use handgel after touching or playing with such an item.

But in a way good that children of a young age are aware of Covid19 as my brother's 2 young children (both under age of 7) both keep asking my father - their grandad - are you ok, have you got covid and hope you dont die.

But yes aware of the situation as hard as it may be for us all, even children wanting to enjoy themselves.

@Joysutty

But in a way good that children of a young age are aware of Covid19 as my brother's 2 young children (both under age of 7) both keep asking my father - their grandad - are you ok, have you got covid and hope you dont die.

But yes aware of the situation as hard as it may be for us all, even children wanting to enjoy themselves.

I don't think that's good. Children should not be having to carry burdens like that.

@Joysutty

But in a way good that children of a young age are aware of Covid19 as my brother's 2 young children (both under age of 7) both keep asking my father - their grandad - are you ok, have you got covid and hope you dont die.

But yes aware of the situation as hard as it may be for us all, even children wanting to enjoy themselves.

I don't think it's good at all for children to always be anxious their grandparents might die.

I'm a teacher and I've noticed since the pandemic began there's pupils who are very sensible about COVID, maybe even a bit lax with social distancing (as children are), and pupils who are absolutely terrified of COVID and have had many issues due to their anxiety over it. It's affecting their studies, socialising, their lunch hour etc. It's not a coincidence that these same pupils are the children of parents who have emailed in instructions about how to help their child reduce the risk of getting COVID and have been constantly asking if we are still adhering to COVID guidelines.

Anxious parents: you WILL pass your anxieties onto your children. Stop it!

@BogRollBOGOF

It's very sad that children have been indoctrinated to fear normal interactions and it will have a long term cost in society.

The chances of catching Covid from touching a beach ball are so low as to be negligable.

I agree. People want to have a bit of a think about how they are scaring children who will be absolutely fine.

@Joysutty

But in a way good that children of a young age are aware of Covid19 as my brother's 2 young children (both under age of 7) both keep asking my father - their grandad - are you ok, have you got covid and hope you dont die.

But yes aware of the situation as hard as it may be for us all, even children wanting to enjoy themselves.

That's very alarming!

But in a way good that children of a young age are aware of Covid19 as my brother's 2 young children (both under age of 7) both keep asking my father - their grandad - are you ok, have you got covid and hope you dont die.

On what basis do you think this is a good thing? It’s really fucking depressing!

No, not alarming - as in my case my neice and nephew live abroad so it's just the odd conversation they have with their grandad over the phone and it hasn't upset my father - as they only generally see him once a year when they fly over as with Covid19 its now been over 2 years since been over to the UK and seen him physically as it's only through neighbour's mobile that can see + speak to his grandchildren, as its good that my brother has instilled in them some intelligence at an early age - plus the school has closed a full class if a child has been tested positive and so that has made them aware of the world that we CURRENTLY live in. Sorry for not explaining properly in the first instance but they are bright young kids these days and that we shouldn't shelter them too much, as thats old school, and no-one is burdening anyone, whilst appreciate the stress that teachers are facing as with everyone in their line of work as my husband was going to give up his part time job in supermarket after 2 heart operations last year but as I dont yet receive my state pension it keeps us afloat but every time he comes back home he takes off his uniform, washes his hand and face as handles coins + notes, as not everyone is wanting to do the contactless. Its affecting so many people's mental health unfortunately in whatever job they do these days, I think more - but that's another conversation to be had, this is for the handling of a ball with young child.

its good that my brother has instilled in them some intelligence at an early age

Even post explanation this seems such a weird thing to celebrate. I think my child is quite intelligent (I can’t take credit for “instilling” that - nature vs nurture and all that). I’m pleased beyond measure that she doesn’t spend a moment of her time asking my parents when or if they’re going to die of covid. She’s aware of death and life and covid but I’m doing my damnedest to make sure it’s as small a part of her life as possible.

@Joysutty no it really is worrying that they're saying they don't want him to die. Why would they even connect grandad with death? Who has told them their grandad could die?

@Peach01

are still washing shopping Still? I've always wiped shopping 😂 some sweaty ball toucher could've given it a good handle.

Dear Franjipan, My dad is 95 + hasn't left his flat in nearly 18 months not due to covid19 but mobility issues. We try to get up north when we can but agency coming in. He is the only grandparent left for them.

@Joysutty that's not relevant - children shouldn't be anxious about their grandad dying of COVID. No one should be telling them he's at risk because of his age. This is not a happy story