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Original poster

What's classes as non essential social gatherings? Can I still meet friends with my toddler?

231 replies

HotChocolatemarshmallows · 17/03/2020 06:12

We usually go to baby groups then for a coffee. Baby groups are now cancelled and I'm not sure I'm happy to go for a coffee now either, not sure I want to go to peoples houses either! So is a meet up for a walk safe?

Are people avoiding friends now?

OP posts:
Wanderlust21 · 17/03/2020 07:37

I'd say no because it is not essential BUT if you meet her outside and keep a meter or two apart I think a walk is fine. Even in more shut down countries atm, you are allowed out to exercise.

HoffiCoffi13 · 17/03/2020 07:38

But it’s not just about you turdtimelucky. I have a family of young, healthy adults and children who will likely only be mildly affected. DD2 has a mild cough and we are self isolating for 14 days. Not to protect us, to protect those that aren’t young and healthy. I fucking hate being stuck in the house. I especially hate being stuck in the house with a 6 year old, a 4 year old and a 1 year old who are climbing the walls. But we could pass it on to someone who dies, if we go out.
It’s pointless. There’s no point implementing measures in a society where people care more about the injustice of being asked not to see their mates than other people’s lives.

LadyEloise · 17/03/2020 07:39

The UK government's plans and actions re Covid19 are so different to the Irish government's plans and actions.
Here in Ireland schools, colleges, pubs, sporting clubs, libraries, museums, hotel bars have been shut down.
Your post made me smile - it's just not an option for us here, though there are stupid people aren't there always defying the Governments recommendations and putting others at risk.

StoppinBy · 17/03/2020 07:43

@Goatinthegarden I have the same thoughts as you. I have had several messages and phone calls today cancelling things yet every day I have to drop my daughter off at school.

Makes no sense.

turdtimelucky · 17/03/2020 07:43

So you can't go for a leisurely picnic in the park, but you CAN jam yourself into a crowded tube carriage. Makes sense alright.

turdtimelucky · 17/03/2020 07:44

Are you more likely to pass it on in a tube carriage or in a park? Answer that.

turdtimelucky · 17/03/2020 07:46

And btw, I am actually in a high risk group. But I'm at higher risk of ill health if I socially isolate for 3 months.

FamilyOfAliens · 17/03/2020 07:46

Please read the article linked to by @LoisLanyard.

The graphics are really good for explaining what may seem hard to understand otherwise.

GCAcademic · 17/03/2020 07:46

If I had a choice of taking my chances with CV or being isolated for 3 months, I'd take CV.

So would I. If it were just myself I had to think about. But I don’t have the right to decide that I’m going to stake other people’s lives on my wish to have a meal out. There was a story yesterday about an 88-year old man who has died of the virus after having a meal in a restaurant with someone who’d returned from a skiing trip from Italy. Now that person will have to live with the knowledge that their selfishness caused this man’s death.

feelingverylazytoday · 17/03/2020 07:47

being isolated can be detrimental to the mental health of some people
Do you think they don't already know this? It's going to be extremely hard mentally for everyone, but the only alternative is mass deaths. What effect do you think that would have on the mental health of the population?

Trumpspeach · 17/03/2020 07:47

I am due to visit my aunt today. She is having end of life care in hospital. I am torn about what to do - I don't think I SHOULD go, according to Government guidelines, but it will be the last time I'll see her.

turdtimelucky · 17/03/2020 07:48

I have to think of myself. And do what's best for me. If you don't look after No. 1, you can sure as well know that nobody else gives a shit about you. Human nature.

So I'll be doing what suits ME first and foremost.

HoffiCoffi13 · 17/03/2020 07:50

So I'll be doing what suits ME first and foremost

And that’s why we don’t stop the spread of Coronavirus, and that’s why loved ones will die.

Rosehip10 · 17/03/2020 07:50

@turdtimelucky It is attitudes like yours which will rapidly move this from "advice" to a full enforced lock down like France. So you better start getting ready for it.

feelingverylazytoday · 17/03/2020 07:52

turdtimelucky are you really this stupid?
Some people have to carry on working, and some of those people have to use the tube to get to work. To reduce the risk to those people the rest of us have to stay off the tube. It's that simple.

daisychain01 · 17/03/2020 07:55

Why is it ok to spend the day shut in a classroom with two dozen children with questionable hygiene, but then not walk home in the fresh air with my colleague who has spent the day in the classroom next door to me?!

People have to use some common sense - if you have to work because your family depends on your income, then it's unavoidable. You have little choice unless you just walk out, say you're self-isolating and risk not having a job.

Walking home with a colleague is fine if you're at least 2 metres apart, but that's a completely non-essential and elective thing to do. You have to decide which non-essential activities you're prepared to take the risk on, when the government is urging all of us to immediately start social distancing.

Nobody will stand there with a gun at your head, it relies on everyone having a social conscience to take it as far as they can, for as long as they can. The more we all try to create our own exceptions to the rule, the less successful it will be and the more we stand to lose as a society.

MissBax · 17/03/2020 07:55

This reply has been deleted

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BovaryX · 17/03/2020 07:58

I have to think of myself. And do what's best for me. If you don't look after No. 1, you can sure as well know that nobody else gives a shit about you. Human nature. So I'll be doing what suits ME first and foremost

Hmm. Great attitude. Not.

turdtimelucky · 17/03/2020 07:59

Judging by how busy everywhere has been in the past 3 days, I'm not the only one putting themselves first. If you don't look after yourself, nobody else will.

lubeybooby · 17/03/2020 07:59

I despair that people can't tell what is essential and what isn't.

turdtimelucky · 17/03/2020 08:00

All of you judging me, how many of you have left the house in the past 3 days?

HoffiCoffi13 · 17/03/2020 08:00

And Turd I am genuinely sorry you have no one that gives a shit about you, that must be tough. Perhaps that is what has caused your horrific attitude.

BovaryX · 17/03/2020 08:00

59lubeybooby

I despair that people can't tell what is essential and what isn't

It truly is beyond bizarre....

HoffiCoffi13 · 17/03/2020 08:01

Not once turdtimelucky, DD2 has a cough so the entire family are self isolating for 14 days. It’s fucking horrific. But at least we aren’t potentially killing vulnerable people.

Marpan · 17/03/2020 08:02

My baby group we go to hasn’t cancelled. But we won’t go. Are weddings cancelled? We are supposed to Attend one Saturday, don’t really want to go.