Would you still see close family members?

[Gruffalosandbuffalos]

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?

[Singingatmidnight]

@SarahInAccounts I think that would count as essential social contact. Essentially working as a carer.

But no, we're not seeing any family members. Sad, but just the way it is. It doesn't matter if people are going to school/work/the supermarket. If everyone reduces the number of people they see by 75, 80, 90%, that will make a huge difference.

[Pentium85]

OP, I’m probably the only one of this thread to say this, but yes, I am still visiting my mother.

We are all classed as low risk, and other than the supermarket for essential food, visit no one else.

[Daisydoesnt]

The news statement today said its fine to go out, go to the park or for a walk

Dr Jenny Harries (deputy chief medical officer) actually said it was fine to go out in your household group to the park. That is, the people you live with, all going to the park together.

She definitely did NOT say it was ok to have a social meet up with others at the park.

[jackstini]

No, you just can't - not indoors

I have not seen my Mum for the last few weeks and have agreed to go for 1 walk on Sunday, at least 2 meters apart then will be weeks again

Just have to text, call, Skype...

[SarahInAccounts]

Thanks, Singing. Reassuring.

[MildlyMiserable]

My parents are late 70’s and I am in the vulnerable bracket. We can’t see them now, in the short term (and I and my teenager will miss them terribly), but this way we have the best chance of all of us surviving in the long term - I know which option I prefer.

[Macaroni46]

The irony of all this. Social distancing. Yes I understand that.
Teachers - go to work and look after children not only in term time but now in the holidays as well! I also understand why that needs to happen. Though there suddenly seem to be an awful lot of key workers ...
And on a side note, by the time we get to the supermarkets the shelves are bare.

[Chewbecca]

I’m still looking after my GD once a week. Her parents are working. Is that not supposed to happen? (Noone in my household is in a vulnerable group)

[GirlCalledJames]

A lot of people in Italy caught it babysitting their grandchildren so their children could work. If you don’t live in the same house as them you shouldn’t see them.

[SingleDadReally]

Pretty soon I’m going to start a thread to explain the meaning of the fairly well known simple word “unnecessary”. I work in the NHS, in finance not on the frontline, but the briefings we’ve had have been absolutely jaw dropping. Infections are doubling every 3-4 days. You don’t need to be the greatest mathematical genius in the world to understand that no health system in the world can have enough ventilators for the percentage of those patients who will need ventilation. Our only hope is to reduce the rate of infection by isolation.

[Nousernameforme]

My children have no school or college, the pubs are closed, shops are going out of business people have lost jobs all in aid of social distancing. But of course they didn't mean you couldn't see your parents did they ffs

[allthesharks]

If two households self isolate for 14 days, and everyone is free from symptoms at the end of it and there's been absolutely no risk of exposure in that time, then is it not ok for those 2 households to mix?

[OneMoreWish]

I'm still seeing my parents who are in the their sixties. I am a single parent with two children, a two year old and 8 month old.

I made this decision after discussions with parents . I see no one else and get shopping delivered. No nursery, no shops, no social visits and no park - only people I see are my parents and vice versa.

I just couldn't do this for months on end without my parents help so that is how I chose to do it.

[OneMoreWish]

Oh and I'm currently on maternity leave so no work and I drive so no public transport

[WishUponAStar88]

allthe the problem is you’d need to know that neither household had had ANY contact with anyone - in supermarkets, delivery drivers, postman etc.

[Ipadipod]

I would dearly love to visit my elderly parents, especially on Mother’s Day but we will have to make do with Skype. There is no way I would put them at risk!

[Pentium85]

@allthesharks

Interesting logic, I am thinking the same, but I’m not sure

[Ipadipod]

Families are meant to love one another, would you risk their health in any other circumstances? Would you drive recklessly if you were all in a car together, would you leave them in the deep end of a swimming pool knowing they can’t swim ?

I know these examples are a bit daft but the message just isn’t getting through to some people.

[MindyStClaire]

We're all supposed to be eliminating non essential contact. So essential is things like shopping for food and medicine, going to work if not possible to work from home. Non essential is basically everything else, including seeing extended family.

Even if none of you or your extended family are vulnerable, meeting with more people increases the risk that you'll pass it to someone who is during essential contact. Even if you don't see the direct threat to you and yours, see the threat to the health service if they aren't able to treat those who get seriously ill, whether through coronavirus or another problem.

[MurrayTheMonk]

No. For gods sake.

[Gruffalosandbuffalos]

Out of interest- what if I lived with them? I would then see them all the time but the risks would still remain the same as the same people would be working and leaving the house, and the same people staying in all the time.

[Sparkles9768]

This is why we need martial law.

[SapphireSalute]

how ridiculous....we could all say that about everyone couldn't we?

have you seen the graphs, charts and statistics? have you seen how we are in a worse position than Italy was at this stage? do you know what that means?

people like you will push us into same situation

[wildthingsinthenight]

chewbacca the advice specifically said children must not be left with their grandparents

[Etinox]

@Chewbecca

“I’m still looking after my GD once a week. Her parents are working. Is that not supposed to happen? (Noone in my household is in a vulnerable group)”

And do they all, including you, stay in all the time? Because if not you could pass the virus on to someone who is vulnerable.