Dinner Party

[BabyItsAWildWorld]

Is it still OK to socialise within small groups within private homes?

We have a dinner party invite for Friday, around 8 people going. Host has whatapped us all to say it's still on, others have replied 'great, see you then.'

I'm not sure. On one hand I think we are meant to be limiting all unnescessary social contact so it should be cancelled, on the other all of us going are still working outside the home (local gov and health roles), so daily exposing ourselves to potentially 100s of contacts, so to then not attend a small group of 8 seems illogical?

None of us are in high risk groups or have vulnerable people in our homes.

Thoughts?

This is non essential social contact - I would stay away. If not for risk to your own health then to protect others and spreading it further.

No.

No essential social contact , cancel

Sorry that should have said , no, non essential social contact cancel

No. Cancel to protect others.

If we can't get through to people the many many stupid people that the non essential contact is so important, and that people don't stop trying to find excuses not to adhere to this then...

We will be in total lockdown very soon
AND
The disease is going to spread even faster than it is now.

I really can't believe that there are so many selfish and idiotic people in the world.

The point is to reduce everyone's social contact to an absolute minimum. If you have to work you have to work but unless you are working with these particular people your argument that you are all out at work anyway is completely irrelevant.

Its about breaking transmission chains. What you are suggesting is creating new potential chains.

No no and no again

@NoBooJustNo that’s why you need complete lockdown, as the current social distancing rules are full of contradictions; you can pick up your children from school where there’s loads of parents / children, go to work if unable to WFH, go into busy supermarkets, but then can’t have a dinner party of only 8. Can’t go to pubs. But we’ll leave them open, can’t sit in cafes but can buy a take away coffee. It makes no sense.

No wonder everyone’s confused

Do people Really not understand the concept of not socializing? Like i would like to understand when u heard that we need to limit social contact , what did u think that meant? I really am curious

No! Honestly this is getting frustrating. Why aren’t people comprehending the concept of social distancing?

@BabyItsAWildWorld I would cancel, it’s hard as like you said of your work etc, but I would say it’s just not worth the risk (even though you work everyday with various people etc)

Exactly. You aren’t meant to be making your own decisions! Just stick to the rules!

It is hard when the rules don't really make sense.

Expose yourself to 100 + people daily at work.
Expose your children to 100+ daily at school.
But do not see 8 people socially.

I wouldn't go to a pub.
A party of 50 on Saturday has been cancelled.
But 8 healthy adults at home is less clear.

This is why the government need to step the fuck up and put proper rules in place.

I’m not having a go OP, but it’s incredibly frustrating. You don’t need to be around those people, it’s not vital so don’t go.

Hasn’t it been shown that 75-80% of transmission happens between families? Socialisation in close quarters is very risky. Obviously you should all cancel.

The 8 people you are seeing socially have each been seeing 100 people at work, and will be carrying the virus if any of that potentially 800 people have it. It's still worth cutting your contacts.

From the nhs coronavirus website linked at the top...
do not have visitors to your home, including friends and family

Is that not clear?

To be fair to the op it's social distancing not social isolation. Dr Hillary even said this morning that he'd go to a restaurant if it was quiet.
Like you say I'm in a office of 100 people so ti not see a couple of friends for dinner sounds insane.

If you have to go to work or to the supermarket then that is necessary. Browsing around a department store, buying a coffee in a cafe, meeting friends for dinner - UNNECESSARY!

I was due to have 8 people here on Friday. I’ve cancelled.

Yes mixing with 100 at work but not 8 at home seems illogical but every little reduction in social contact helps, and the downsides of shutting down workplaces are far greater than the downsides of shutting down dinner parties.

Unlike restaurants etc dinner parties don’t even help jobs/the economy. It’s extra risk for no benefit to society.

No way. Don't do it.
I can't believe people still haven't gotten it into their heads

What part of “no unnecessary social contact” do people not understand

No. No. No.

It's not about 'rules' it's about common sense. Don't have the dinner party.