NHS Coronavirus information. Information from gov.uk. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have health concerns, please seek medical attention.
Related: Lockdown Learning, discuss home schooling during lockdown.
Covid
Would you still see close family members?
Gruffalosandbuffalos · 20/03/2020 19:27
My parents are early 60’s, fit and well. They live round the corner and work full time. We see them regularly and it would absolutely traumatise my children to not see them for months on end.
My sister has a toddler and we usually see them once a fortnight. The thought of not seeing them is difficult but we could manage if we had to.
How strict are people being on seeing other family members if you are all fit and well?
ElektraPlektra · 20/03/2020 19:41
I usually see my parents 3 times a week or so, my kids adore them. Contact is currently limited to a chat across their front garden, my parents stay inside and open the window. My father is high risk and no way would I come closer than those 6 metres. I tell my kids that we can't go to see them because there's an illness about which is dangerous to old people. They occasionally whine, but they accept it. Yours will too.
user1471453601 · 20/03/2020 19:43
Although your parents are "fit and healthy", it's a fact that their heart and lungs have been operating for 60+ years.
They are not in the "vulnerable group" though.
Take those risks where you are prepared to live with the potential consequences.
Only you and your parents can make that decision.
Taking both these things into consideration,
Daisydoesnt · 20/03/2020 19:43
NO! Avoid all non essential social contact. The message couldn't be clearer. This is the only way we as a nation can give the NHS any kind of a fighting chance to cope with the shit storm that is coming their way.
I know we all feel we want to "do our bit". But in this case "doing our bit" is actually a 'not-doing' thing. And that is by not seeing other people and not going out unless absolutely essential.
The world has changed but god willing (and I'm not at all religious) we can all get through this.
TheThingWithFeathers · 20/03/2020 19:43
Some people (like me) live alone and now work in isolation at home too. I wouldn't go and visit my 91 year old grandfather or even my parents who are in their late 60s. But I think that going out for a walk with my sister for a bit of company is OK given the other measures we're both taking. You've got to think of mental health too and make the best call you can in the circumstances.
PumpkinP · 20/03/2020 19:43
I don’t think many people will stop tbh. There was a thread on here earlier with ppl asking if it’s ok to still meet up with partners you don’t live with. People still were. Don’t think people aren’t gonna see partners or family for months. Meet up at the supermarket 🤔
BubblesBuddy · 20/03/2020 19:44
You could meet up in a park and keep a 2m distance from each other. I’ve had to set up a new microwave for my DM today. Her old one had smoke coming out of it. We just kept apart. She’s 96 in a few days time. I agonised over this but she needed the microwave. She couldn’t lift the new one.
I am surprised the councils have not contacted the elderly in any way. No advice or contacts for shopping help. DM drives but getting to a supermarket early will be a struggle. I feel councils should have Co ordinated shopping for the very old.
2beautifulbabs · 20/03/2020 19:47
No I've told my parents to stay away and my Dad is 59 soon to be 60 my mum is mid 50s but my Dad has underlying health conditions and I certainly don't want to put either of my parents at risk it's heartbreaking and I would love nothing more than to see them in the flesh as they would also love to see their GC my DS and DD but we are using FaceTime to communicate daily it's not the same but at least it means we see them and get to chat.
Same with my DB I have no plans to meet up with him and my SIL I just don't want to put anyone at risk or them put us at risk.
Smellbellina · 20/03/2020 19:50
Some people are just very very odd.
My parents are SI, we haven’t seen them since the weekend and won’t be for the foreseeable. DSis is regularly dropping in on my parents, doing conference calls there as her DC are too loud, taking her DC to theirs as they ‘can’t cope not seeing them’ (they usually manage perfectly well 
), advising them to take ibruprophen etc. I don’t know if she’s just stupid or actively trying to bump them off in the hope of some inheritance.
SarahInAccounts · 20/03/2020 20:04
Our elderly neighbour has a weekly visit from a cleaner who not only does her cleaning but also changes her bed and does her washing and ironing.
She also does some shopping for her. Presumably this is ok as long as they stay well apart. Our neighbour would be unable to manage without her.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.