Person traveling from affected country going to child’s birthday party

[MyGreySofa]

My brother is holding a large party in the village hall for his 4-year-old DD on the weekend. His wife is French and her mother is traveling from France this weekend for the party.

I’ve asked if they are concerned regarding the French MIL given the quite high rate of infection in France. They have said it’s fine and are carrying on with the party.

Lots of children will be there, some the same age as their DD and also younger kids/babies.

We have a young DC ourselves and we are thinking of not going.

Should my brother cancel the party? Or at least tell the adults that there will be someone there who has travelled from France so they can make their own decisions about whether to go or not?

The area where we live does already have a confirmed case of the virus so wondering if it’s irrelevant that the French MIL is coming as it’s here now anyway?

I think telling people in advance would be reasonable, some people are very concerned and I think it's just polite to let them make up their mind about it.
But I wouldn't personally be anymore worried by someone coming from France than I would by someone who commuted into London and got on the tube everyday, for example. My colleague got back from France on Monday and I don't feel like it's increased my chances of getting it. But having said that, I'm not overly worried as it is, plus I don't have any family members living with/near me who'd be at increased risk - some people going to the party might do.

I don't think it's anything to be concerned about at all, and it's making it's way around the UK now so I don't think it makes much difference. There could be people at the party who have been abroad to various places recently anyway.

Yes your brother should cancel, if he doesn’t, you shouldn’t go.

I would want to know in advance actually so I could make a decision before attending. Have they told people this?

If there's already a case in the area then the people who are worried about the virus won't be attending anyway so mentioning the French based MIL won't make a difference.
The ones who are still coming despite the case in the area don't really need warning about mil.

I wouldn’t cancel, and I would go. There are cases popping up everywhere, so the lady from France poses no more risk than someone from down the road.