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Original poster

AIBU to go for a coffee at friends house ?

207 replies

Giffgaff99 · 19/03/2020 21:52

I'll drive there and back. Is it safe in the current virus climate? Friend is not ill that she knows of

OP posts:
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6
wedwoses · 20/03/2020 00:30

Oops I mean YABU

Take a look at what's happening in Bergamo now.

wedwoses · 20/03/2020 00:33

@curious78

Haven't read all the comments but if some people are angry on here with OP and expressing it then it may be because people who are not doing everything they humanly can at the moment to prevent the spread of this terrible disease are being unreasonable.

Trying not to be too over the top here BUT CATCH YOURSELF ON!!!

MrsWx · 20/03/2020 08:17

At work I am in very close contact with 30+ children a day. Cuddling, sitting on my knee, changing nappies, wiping noses, down at their level - it's my job, and I have to be there for those little people. I also come in contact with most of their parents or adults, some who are doctors and nurses and could quite easily be carrying this virus. It's all very well people going on about social distancing and self isolation when they have the luxury of being able to work from home, full sick pay for not going in or no threat of job loss. But some of us aren't that lucky.
Yet people are being called stupid or selfish for thinking it's okay to meet a well friend, in an isolated place for a coffee? Hmm

PurpleDaisies · 20/03/2020 08:19

Yet people are being called stupid or selfish for thinking it's okay to meet a well friend, in an isolated place for a coffee?

From your description, your highly likely to get the virus and infect your friend. Who will then go and infect other people she’s meeting for coffee in isolated places. And then her friends do the same.

Working in childcare is essential. What is so difficult about what non essential social contact means?

PaleBlueMoonlight · 20/03/2020 08:21

MrsWx The point is that your work interactions are essential (though when it is not children involved social distancing should still be used). That you can't help but have lots of interactions at work, you can help having any additional unnecessary ones. Every single interaction is a chance for the virus to transmit.

How you feel about having to work has nothing to do with it. That you personally are at risk at work doesn't make it morally OK for you to increase the risk for everyone by having unnecessary social interactions as well. It may not seem fair, but none of this is.

PaleBlueMoonlight · 20/03/2020 08:23

*Though, not that

LaLaLaLa22 · 20/03/2020 08:23

Of course not but you know that

Themaraudersmap · 20/03/2020 08:25

No you cannot. See attached. I’m glad this is in bright colours using the traffic light system as it seems that people can not grasp the concept of social distancing at all. I read something that said your grandparents were called to fight in a war. You are being called so sit on your goddamn couch and you can’t even do that. STAY AT HOME

AIBU to go for a coffee at friends house ?
MoonlightMistletoe · 20/03/2020 08:26

Please just don't even take the risk. Listen to the advice it's there for a reason.

kissmelittleass · 20/03/2020 08:27

Your call!! but are you not seeing what's going on in the world right now!! WhatsApp or Skype is now in the palm of our hands if use it if I was you!! that cup of coffee with your friend might cost you more than your petrol over there!!

Namechange8471 · 20/03/2020 08:30

For fucks sake no! It’s not essential!!

I’m one of the unfortunates that still has to work, there are so many thoughts running through my mind, I wish the only thing I had to worry about was missing coffee with a friend.
You may be putting people at risk, people with disabilities like the ones I support. Just fucking stay in, I wish I could!

treedragon · 20/03/2020 08:33

If the whole country behaved like Mumsnet we wuld be well on top of this pandemic.

Balkinfly · 20/03/2020 08:33

No we are going to be in trouble if everyone does this. Please please stop.

SingleDadReally · 20/03/2020 08:37

No, it’s unnecessary social contact. Everything everyone does should be focused on not spreading the virus. We need to minimise the number of people who are going to die because there’s not enough mechanical ventilation capacity.

DeadBod · 20/03/2020 08:37

@treedragon very true

MrsWx · 20/03/2020 08:39

But you don't know the OPs situation though. Her and her friend could both be working from home, and in no contact with anyone?

I'm not saying I would go for coffee with a friend. Like I said my interactions are way higher, yet no one bats an eyelid because it's 'essential' but it is going to spread the virus way more than 2 friends meeting for a coffee. I think until we are in lock down and normal everyday places shut people won't feel any different.

PurpleDaisies · 20/03/2020 08:42

But you don't know the OPs situation though. Her and her friend could both be working from home, and in no contact with anyone?

It’s irrelevant. This is still non essential social contact.

Seriously. Is it that hard? This guidance is for everybody. Can you explain why the op is not included in “everybody”? How many people’s lives should be risked for a cup of coffee?

Branleuse · 20/03/2020 08:43

what about a walk in fresh air but dont get close to each other. Take own flasks of coffee

MerryDeath · 20/03/2020 08:43

NO

ffs people really are selfish and stupid

xoxoluna · 20/03/2020 08:57

NO and why would you??

SumOfTheSquares · 20/03/2020 09:21

I think you should watch this mornings Sky News report from a hospital in Bergamo, Italy.
Then make your decision.

Themaraudersmap · 20/03/2020 09:26

@MrsWx let’s talk about this in small words given you seem to have trouble understanding.

You HAVE to go to work right now - if you don’t you’ll lose your job. Maybe you will have to keep going to mind the children of key workers. This is something you can’t avoid. You also HAVE to go to the shop to get food so you don’t starve and to the chemist to get medicine if you need it.

ANYTHING ELSE you DONT have to do. Social distancing is about avoiding social interaction WHERE WE CAN.

So how we do this is we avoid doing things that we don’t have to do. In general. No if and but or maybe. Just avoid them.

So you go to work. You don’t go anywhere else. You limit your social interactions wherever and whenever you can.

Is this any clearer? If not I direct you to the brightly coloured poster above that uses the traffic light system as this may help you understand.

NearlyGranny · 20/03/2020 09:36

You and your friend will be pooling your contacts and risking spreading germs and viruses you don't even know you have. Why woukd you do that when you don't have to?

Why not each sit in your own home and have coffee 'together' over Skype, WhatsApp or Facetime? Twice the fun, zero risk and a saving of petrol and a virtuous glow thrown in.

willdoitinaminute · 20/03/2020 09:42

I’m sorry but I have to say this YOU ARE STUPID .
Get with the plan and stay put. Keep yourself and those you don’t want to lose safe.

LittleRen · 20/03/2020 09:46

The people still going out will be the people complaining the most about being on lockdown. Which is where it's headed. We were given a chance, we failed. I have been in since Friday with only essential trips e.g 5 mins down the road in the car for milk, and a walk in the woods behind us.
I used to go for coffee every single day and shopping all the time, I hated being home, I have three boys under 6.... if I can do it, anyone can. Do your bit, please.