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

[HotChocolatemarshmallows]

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?

I totally understand what social distancing is, and we are respecting it. As others have said, though, it is difficult to explain to my 7 year old, why he can go to school and play with everyone e on the playground, but he can’t have his best friend round to play (after sitting next to him all day!). It is equally difficult to explain why he is still going to school, but daddy hasn’t been to his office for over a week already (homeworking was advised well before government advice in his company).

@LeeMiller

I think you’ve made a very good point! Going to show this to my ignorant friends that do not seem one bit bothered by the whole social distancing and think this is all media hype. Yes countries are losing billions for the sake of media hype!!🤔

@Wannago the virus is aerosolised, it spreads in droplets of moisture in the air. Have a look at dr John Campbell on YouTube, he explains and references a study where a man got on a bus and infected someone sitting 4.5 metres behind him. Same bus then infected a load more passengers after everyone got off and then lots more got on later.

The virus is highly, highly contagious - that's the problem. It would have been much easier to contain if it was spread by eg someone sneezing directly onto you, or being picked up from surfaces.

The “avoid friends” thing is, I suspect, ignoring the fact that many of us live alone.

I also have to use public transport for work. Is it so terrible for my best friend to come by?

I personally think if you are visiting friends you should both be wearing a surgical face mask s swell as having scrupulous hand hygiene. Not to stop anyone from.catching it but to reduce the likelihood that the mask wearer could spread.it

Theres another thread on here, where the majority of people are going to yoga /gym and so on! Bloody mad if you ask me .I am booking secretary for our towns pub league quiz team ,of which Im also a member. I will not be making any bookings for at least the next 3 months . Daily life is on hold for the forseeable future I think

The “avoid friends” thing is, I suspect, ignoring the fact that many of us live alone.

Yes. It's already heartbreaking to not have a family. This is too much.

The worst of it is, friends will be happy to avoid contact and bunker down with their little families. It's a new sort of "Im alright Jack". Awful.

Moose, thing is, some people will have a big family coming and going. So there’s no reason to say I can’t see my best mate.

Luckily people tend to be prejudiced 😂
So if anyone sees my bestie coming in and out of my flat, skin colour alone will probably make them think we’re related and put us in the “okay” box.

As others have said, though, it is difficult to explain to my 7 year old, why he can go to school and play with everyone e on the playground, but he can’t have his best friend round to play (after sitting next to him all day!).

I don't think the average 7 year old is thinking in that way, sorry. More likely he's hearing you expressing that frustration. Anyway he's 7, so it's not a long conversation is it.

Friends and I have started meeting up online by video chat. It really helps with the feelings of isolation, because you're not just hearing a voice on the phone, but you can see each other, even have a cuppa 'together'.

No, not the same as real life contact, but better than nothing.

Are people going to make household residents wear a mask in the house after being at work?

Does anyone have any info re swimming lessons?

My local leisure centre haven't changed a single thing and I'm so confused.

Go for a walk with your toddler but I wouldn't meet up with friends.

Get onto Skype and Facetime everyone.

Loads of baby classes are running their classes via Facebook live and Instagram live! Use their timetables to make a daily schedule so you don't go out of your mind.

If it's none essential. I'm assuming meeting up with friends for a coffee is not essential so I wouldn't go.

Absolutely not avoiding friends
Still doing hot yoga, running with friends, round to friends for coffee etc

It is essential to my mental health

Not watching my friends get ill and maybe die and wonder if it was me who infected them is more of a priority for my mental health tbh.

Swimming lessons are not essential, JoMalone. Personally I would not go, even if the class runs. It is oneness social interaction, that's how I view it. It is very hard to make sense of what is "permitted" for children and what isnt.

Me and my friend are planning on driving (in separate cars) to a place that’s very open where we can go for a walk with our daughters in their proms and have a chat but we will keep our distance.

You could do things like set up online book groups, baby and parent groups etc using skype? I know it is not the same as face-to-face, but there are solutions.

DD's dance classes are going on "until the schools close". Can't blame the dance school for wanting to stay in business and I can't see how DD is at any greater risk there than in her school.

But there really is no hope for social distancing is there because everyone's going to say that.

It is essential to my mental health

We are really going to have to make some huge changes over the coming months. I agree with the person above that witnessing many you love die is going to be worse for your mental health than anything. If you don't have many loved ones with vulnerabilities, others do.

My DD has an appointment at the hearing clinic today .Usually have coffee/cakes in cafe nearby .Not today though.Honestly the way some people are going on ,you would think we have all been imprisoned for life FFS! Its a few months people, hopefully no more if we all play ball and are sensible .There was someone saying just today ,that although they are over 70 ,they would still be going out and so on and there was nothing to enforce them to stay in !

“ I agree with the person above that witnessing many you love die ”

There’s no one size fits all. Me, mum, best mate, we all want a “do not treat” badge, were quite happy for the authorities not to waste beds on us.

But social isolation, so soon after dads death, is more likely to finish off mum anyway.
I’m always SO jealous of dad for being dead but more so than ever, how lucky to miss all this crap.

I guess there’ll be a lot of suicide

There’s a poster who can’t get medical attention fir her child who sounds very ill

There’s going to be massive collateral damage.

don't delude yourself that anyone gives a shit about anyone else. They don't
@turdtimelucky

They do my lovely, they really do. It sounds like life’s been a shit to you if that’s what you believe, but in the whole people are good and kind.

I went on our local Facebook page last night and it was inundated with offers of baby food, nappies, tinned foods, etc that people had surplus but were willing to pass on at cost price if people were struggling. Loads of people coordinating shopping for the elderly. Loads of offers of general help for those who may need to self isolate.

There was an initial panic, but when that passes I think we see lots of kind acts and altruism.

I'm guessing everyone should cancel Mother's Day lunch out to the restaurant then yes?