Did I over react about this?

[ToyStories123]

DM and DF broke lockdown restrictions today and had a BBQ with some family members. DF is in the shielding group but they said that it's been really hard and they wanted to see their family.

I haven't seen them in 9 weeks due to having to lockdown because of symptoms, I got so angry at them as they were complaining about people not social distancing at beaches or parks and told them they are are fine ones to talk because they have no idea where the family members have been.

I just think of the people who have lost someone and get so angry that they are thinking that they are above this lockdown.

I spoke to my DS who said that I overreacted and everything will be fine.

I don't know. I was a bit miffed that MIL and FIL had BIL and SIL over (they stayed 2 metres apart apparently) but I they are isolated in a small village and MIL's mental health has plummeted.

I wouldn't do it but they're adults and have to make their own choices

It depends on how careful everyone was. I can't see the harm in a BBQ where they did genuinely stay 2m apart from everyone. We're doing the same with PIL this weekend (we're in NI where this is allowed).

Basically, it depends on the behaviour of all present on the day and in the couple of weeks beforehand. If they've all been careful then it's probably ok.

I have been visiting my mum throughout the whole lockdown. We sit in the garden and have a chat. We aren't going to pass anything on doing that.

How many people were in the group?

Were they all family members? Was anyone unwell?

Did they hug? Or did they keep a respectful distance?

Did they sit apart? Did they sit outside or inside? For how long?

Sometimes you need to balance mental health with physical health. I saw my DF and stepmother recently, but the visit was not for hours on end and we didn’t hug as we usually would. But we all needed that. We thought about risk carefully before the visit - both Dad and I are shielding - and I cleaned my house well beforehand. I’m glad we saw each other.

I can't blame people who do this. It's gone on a long time now and people are lonely.

My dad is being shielded and he's not happy about it. From his pov he's spent years dealing with the thought he might die prematurely so this hasn't really changed things for him; he was used to the idea. The idea of not seeing his kids and grandkids though isn't something he can get used to.

There were 5 family members and I know for a fact that they didn't social distance at all.

Maybe I am overreacting, I'm just frustrated that one minute they're complaining about people not respecting the rules and a chance of a second wave and then flouncing the rules themselves.

Why did you have to lockdown for 9 weeks because of symptoms?

I'm starting to think as soon as they lifted the driving to exercise ban, so you can effectively go where you like and saying you can meet one person 2m apart, its virtually back to normal. If you can meet one person 2m apart, why not 2, or 3, or 4..like when everyone stands and claps outside of hospitals. As long as those people have all not had symptoms and are well.

I think a lot of people are really angry at how this virus has turned their lives upside down, and since there's not much point being angry with a virus, they are targeting their anger in different ways. Some are angry at the government's handling, others are angry at what other people are doing. Your parents are being hypocritical, but is it possible that your anger is being augmented by your anger over the virus existing in the first place?