Should we avoid family gatherings or meeting friends now?

[klaraday]

A group of family and friends (about 20 people) all had a meal and the ballet booked for Friday evening, this has now been cancelled by the venue. I was relieved as I was worried about it due to infection risk.

Now tonight after the announcement from the government about social distancing one of our group has invited everyone to her house at the weekend for dinner and a party!

Several people in the group are elderly or in an at risk group(including me), some have young kids or various health issues.

On one hand this maybe the last chance I have to see people before many of us are asked to completely avoid social contact for 12 weeks. On the other it just feels like another opportunity for the virus to spread should any of us happen to be carrying it.

My initial instinct was not to go but I expect that could cause much offense. Personally I think its crazy to meet in groups at this time but I know many people feel differently. Also some in the group are on their own and the isolation in coming weeks will be awful for them (I have my husband at home) so I feel selfish for putting myself first. The whole situation is complicated by differing takes on the situation many people, including my elderly mother think they are still fit, healthy and young and see no reason not to carry on as normal.

I'm not the only one in this position Im sure?

I think social distancing is really important, so as hard as it is, I think you should decline and encourage others to decline as well.

Agreed it is just not sensible to go right now. It is a big birthday for me next week but I said I'll just have to be 30+10 again next year!

Going to a party is the opposite of social distancing, regardless of whether the guests are in at risk groups.

Right now, the only way I can see meeting friends complying with social distancing in any way, is if you meet somewhere outside, like a beach, and all stay at least 2 metres apart.

I’d avoid the party personally.

No one should be meeting up with friends or going to parties.

I would decline. It's not "the last chance to see them". The epidemic will pass eventually.

If you do go and end up catching it, then it really could be the last time for some

....

I do agree with you all. I think some people are in total denial over this and will see me as being precious if I don't go. I'm in Edinburgh so we are a bit behind london in terms of spread apparently but I just read that they tested a whole town in Italy and they reckon between 50 - 70% of cases are completely asymptomatic, so any social contact is a gamble.

I'm was actually a bit annoyed at first at them doing this as it puts everyone else in an awkward position but they just have a different perception of the danger. Its also mothers day at the weekend, should I visit my mother for that? She will be upset if I don't.

No visit for mother's day I'd say. Only urgent contact eg delivering food or medicine, not just for socialising. The way I saw someone describe it was to imagine you had asymptomatic coronovirus and will spread it to anyone you meet.

We have a family funeral next week I’m in bits over it- to go or not? (There’s no way I want to miss it, but.....)

Will it even be allowed to go ahead?

@brutus, its so hard isn't it? To feel you must go even though you know you shouldn't. The funeral is so hard as it can't be rescheduled or postponed.

Don't go. Just not worth it. You'll see them again at some point. This is the time to cut contact.

My parents (in their 60’s) travelled from their relatively coronavirus free area in the country side to London for a funeral yesterday.

I was worried for them, but they were determined to go. It’s hard, it’s not like you can postpone it.

I'm the same @BrutusMcDogface, I have a friend's funeral on Tuesday. I really want to go. My sister in law's funeral was Thursday just gone, which felt risky. It has been a terrible start to the year.

I am
In Europe so total lockdown imminent.
A friend invited me to a massive party at the weekend. I refused, she was offended and I told her she was incredibly irresponsible and there's no way she should have a party.

Only today she's sending me group texts of angels and 'let's pray'. The sudden realisation happens, but I'm shaking my damn head.

No. Parties. People.

Definitely don't go. Some people are in denial about this. I was taking it semi seriously until last night when they interviewed an Italian doctor on the news. Her story was harrowing about how they cannot seem to cure many people and the hospital is overrun. You're in a vulnerable group so do everything you can to protect yourself and avoid being a body on a hospital bed.

This is a good graphic explanation of social distancing www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/

Well I have a "big One " this year coming up in September ,and we were due to fly to the States to stay with our friends out there .Obviously this is now in some doubt .Hopefully have to have a late celebration I guess! The problem here is that we are all so used to a huge amount of freedom ,and older people probably want to make the most of life while they still can .No one wants to feel they "have to abide by the rules " but our health is at risk here .Just say you are following NHS guidelines No one can argue with that! Sometimes when one person drops out others may follow as they often dont want to be the first one so to speak .