People having family and friends visit

[BackInTime]

Why do some people think that it's ok to have friends and family over? That they are special and the rules do not apply to them. So infuriating and an insult to those of us who are missing seeing our loved ones.

Because they’ve probably made a desperate choice for the sake of their own mental health. How do you know they aren’t alone and desperate, close to carrying out something horrific to themselves and have sought desperate help from friends or family to avoid worse circumstances?

Next door's adult DD is round with her Toddler now. She's also brought her mate with her.
The house beyond them a couple are visiting their friend.
Next door to that one, her sister is round having a drink in the garden and their other neighbours are visiting from next door with THEIR next door neighbour's kid with them.

Lockdown smockdown. That good ol' Blighty spirit isn't getting our lot down! Oh no. Nothings going to keep out street from socialising!
Only reason my right hand side neighbour isn't with my left now is because he's out at his brothers 😂.

And no, I'm not being nosy. It's a close street and I'm in my garden with a cider. Can't help but see them.

They have decided to take the risk.

If both families have no symptoms and have been socially distancing from others, the risks are pretty low.

Covid isn't going anywhere any time soon and at some point in the next month or so we will be 'allowed' to see family again and the risks will still be there.

They may be struggling with their mental health, there may be some kind of family crisis going on..who knows.

I think it is best not to concern yourself too much with what other people are doing. It isn't an insult, because you can make the same decision too if you are willing to take the risks.

I've just sat in my mother's garden at a 2 distance - she has been alone for 4 weeks and figured at this stage her mental health is important, she hasn't seen one person (apart from at shops) .. neighbours probably thought the same as you!!

.. just to add I haven't been anywhere either so risk is very low

@TDL2016 I am not in a position to comment on the inner workings of someone's mind however they are not alone for sure. One situation is couple with 2 DCs and another on the way in a few weeks carrying on as normal with family and friends visiting and enjoying beers and BBQs in the garden. Another is elderly people who's adult DC and DGC visit regularly as they always have done. As I've said lockdown doesn't seem to apply to some people.

Because they think the rules don't apply to them and don't give a shit about anyone else.

They have decided the risk is worth seeing their loved ones.

she has been alone for 4 weeks and figured at this stage her mental health is important

Yep, I would have made the same decision.

I see the impact this is having on mental health daily, and that worries me massively. Sometimes the benefits and risks need to be weighed up.

Some people don't give a shit about others and apart from reporting them there is nothing anyone can do to change that, so it's not worth spending time and energy thinking about it.

@username108 Just charming. So when my DC ask why they can't have friends over and others can, when they are upset about not seeing anyone for 5 weeks I shall just tell them that shall I

Sitting in the garden maintaining social distance is slightly different than going in to someone's house.

However, if you have been to the shops you are still at risk at spreading the virus.

I bet most people who are doing this are idiots and nothing to do with mental health, but they will still be expecting to get treatment from the NHS if they get ill.

Yes, at some point they will relax the rules and let family see each other, but that will probably be introduced together with more testing and tracking , which currently isn't being done in this country.

SIL is visiting her father as he has terminal cancer (Marie Stopes basically told her to crack on - yes, if he got CV he'd die, but he'll die soon anyway so he might as well have family around him). Other than that I don't know anyone doing it.

I have also just spent 2 hours in my mums garden at a distance. We both live alone and neither have been to the shops in weeks. A short visit once a week is getting us both through this.

@BackInTime surely it's entirely possible that the elderly person you are referring to has a terminal illness and has decided they'd rather have company in their last months?

Spain have just announced children are to be allowed outside. they haven't been allowed to go out for 6 weeks. We don't even seem to be able to cope for 3 weeks and at least our children have been allowed to go out for exercise.

@username108 you are very rude and aggressive. Lots of us who are missing out family and friends because we are following the rules quite rightly resent those who just don't give a fuck and carry on regardless. It's people like that who will keep us under lockdown for longer.

@KnobwithaK I would not have posted this if that was the case. I know the people concerned well and no cancer or mental illnesses just a large dose of exceptionalism.

I've been round my parents a couple of times a week with my toddler.

They have a big garden with a playground set. We also borrow and lend tools and stuff to each other and get extra food from the shops for each other.

No one in either household is working or going to school /nursery.

I don't really care if its against the rules. I don't agree with the lock down anyway. So I'm gonna do what I can to get through this without going nuts.

I've spent time with my sister and my dad at his house organising my mum's funeral and helping him with all the legal stuff if that's ok with you OP. Yes we broke "the rules" and no quite frankly we didn't care because somethings are more important that what judgy, curtain twitching busybodies think.

@Pulpfiction1 oh well that's ok then if you 'don't agree with the lockdown' - you just crack on and do as you please then.

@chocolatesaltyballs22

I am yeah thanks.

More fool you for being a goody two shoes and following all the rules.

Noone in my family is in the at risk groups so we're happy to take our chances. The hospitals round here are empty anyway. The gov have even admitted we didn't need a lock down nationwide, but we are for "national unity". So you can sit at home like a mug if you want, but I'll carry on seeing my family.

I think people are starting to weigh up the risks and do as they see fit.

A friend of mine, her mental health is so bad she was suicidal, so it was best she visited family.

I see a lot more of this happening.

@trappedsincesundaymorn I am sorry to about your DMI absolutely am not talking about an exceptional situation such as yours. I am am talking about people who have family and friends over for beers and BBQs.