Anyone else having a COVID Christmas?

[CovidIn2024]

I pray it is just me.

Meant to see my parents on Christmas day but they had read in the paper that flu rates were high so cancelled us on Christmas Eve.

They then relented and said we could come up today, drove 6 hours only for my DS 15 to sneeze as we arrived so all banned from the house. Have had to drive an hour to get a Premier Inn. £300 for tonight (2 rooms)

They don't want to get sick are worried we have COVID. Not particularly old (60's) have vaccination just have never got over the fear of germs.

AIBU perfectly normal to be worried
AINBU germs are everywhere, more likely to catch it shopping

It's a shame that they fell for all the hysteria 4 years ago, and still believe that Covid is dangerous. Sadly, after all this time, it is unlikely that their views will change. It is as if they have a joint mental illness. I am really sorry, OP, as I'm sure you have tried to reason with them. Just don't pander to them any more.

I’d be pissed off if after 5h driving to them they wouldn’t want to see us because my son had sneezed. Unless they’re in their bubble and they don’t meet with anyone and don’t go anywhere else and taking into account you don’t mention they have any other illness I’d have a strong word with them over the phone

60’s? Thought you were going to say 80’s! Blimey !

That’s very sad

I feel really sorry for people who are still living like this.

I’m sorry but they would be dead to me if they had pulled that crap on me after that drive. What an absolute shit show.

Given that you drove so far they are totally un reasonable .

Afraid I would not be talking to them after this. Disgraceful behaviour. Your poor son being treated like that by his grandparents

No it isn’t. It’s pathetic and rude.

COVID and flu are dangerous, I see it in ITU at work but we have to live our lives. Unless you're severely immunocompromised of course. If they are of a certain age they can get COVID vaccinated or pay for flu, I always get both at work to help protect my patients.

That’s such a shame. I’d be fuming. Is there a reason they are so worried about Covid? Underlying illnesses etc?
DH is terrified about Covid - he was admitted in 2020 albeit only for a few hours and he’s been paranoid about it ever since - drives me potty but he is genuinely terrified

The parents sound a bit weird, they should definitely pay for the hotel and travel themselves next time!

I have COVID. Symptoms began on Christmas Day. I thought it was a cold. Drove 250km to parents after Christmas. Stayed the night. Then did a test when my sense of smell disappeared. The test was positive so I left my parents house immediately as one parent is very vulnerable. Feeling almost ok by now.

I know a healthy couple in their early seventies who are like this. They don’t really mix. I feel quite sorry for them tbh, the woman especially was always very gregarious.

But they wouldn’t invite someone and turn them away for a spurious reason. That’s poor behaviour.

It's so sad that people still have this fear of Covid

To answer some questions, they do go to some groups, and into shops for quick things, to which to me makes it more weird. We have to drive home tomorrow now and could have done without the fuel and hotel costs. We weren't even allowed to leave the presents.

Gosh that is extreme and they are only in their 60s! My DH and I have had the flu since 18/19 Dec - well we’re over the worst but still not 100% - and both kids have been coughing for a week or so… my 75 year old mum was not to be deterred from coming for Christmas despite my suggesting I wouldn’t be offended if she didn’t want to come! She went home yesterday and is so far ok! I imagine if she behaved like that after one sneeze from one family member, we’d not have seen her since Covid!