Is it ok to meet friend and her kids for a outdoor picnic this week (half term) ?

[betterlucknexttimer]

What do you think? Obviously the kids will interact if we meet, as they are under 5 they won't social distance. Would be friends two kids and my two kids.

Well it is against the guidelines so yes you are being unreasonable.

No

Are you planning to ‘meet’ anyone else in the coming two weeks? Will she? If so, then you’re creating a chain of transmission and risk spreading the virus. If not, you’re basically agreeing to be an exclusive household bubble for the short term, which is of course not allowed but still relatively low risk.

No, too many people meeting at once.

Only if you drive to Durham and have the picnic there. Then it's okay. Trust your instinct as a parent.

One person can meet with one other person outside of their household (so not parents + children).

It is against the rules.

Ministers are said to be considering plans to let people hold barbecues and garden parties with family and friends from the end of next month. The end of June.

I was going to say it wouldn't be a big deal, but actually if the kids can't/won't social distance then that's a problem.

It's against the rules so no

In reality you will all be fine. If as I'm sure you have been following all the rules at home and social distancing washing your hands etc there is no chance that you would have the virus and same to the other family. However these daft rules wouldn't allow you to actually meet up.

Do you want to follow the rules? If so as they’ve pointed out only one person from outside your household.

Well kids will be going back to school / preschool next week, although supposedly in bubbles there.

My DH works outside the home, so I suppose there is more risk to friend from my family, than risk from hers ( as they both been working from home.)

I haven't replied yet to friends invite to do a picnic. I doubt she is seeing loads of people this half term.

What do you think? Obviously the kids will interact if we meet, as they are under 5 they won't social distance. Would be friends two kids and my two kids

Depends on whether you're someone who's bending the rules to suit themselves or actually sticking to them.
Me, personally, I'm sticking to them and I'm usually pretty laid back but all this let's do what the fuck we like is making me think why should I bother, then see posts like yours too and feel more so.

I wouldn't. Especially given your dh has been working outside the home and then the kids are going to school next week with other children and staff.

I would in second

I wouldn't do this on the basis that kids won't socially distance. Given what I know about the virus I choose never to be part of something meaning members of different households aren't socially distanced and aren't outdoors.

I would have a picnic with a friend outdoors and 2m apart. I find it easier to keep 2m apart if I'm stationary than actually waking as it's easy to have a concentration lapse and get too close especially as I'm a bit deaf.

Well, how’s your eyesight? Does it need checking?

I’m tempted to say... could you do it in one of your gardens? As other posters have pointed out, no it’s not in the rules. But if you’re going to do it you may be less of a risk to others if you stick to the privacy of your homes.

I think a big battle at the moment is that there is a limit to the amount of outdoor space available... those who live in flats etc are flocking to outdoor spaces, those who have perfectly nice gardens but want to meet someone from another household have to flock to outdoor spaces... it’s no wonder parks/woodland/beaches are all getting very crowded.

I’ve seen a lot of group picnics in the forest over the last week or so and they are taking up quite a lot of room and making it for others who do want to social distance to do so.

@LemonadeAndDaisyChains I'm not going to their house, we are talking about being outside. But yes they are kids they will want to play, especially as they've not seen other kids for so long. They might sneeze on each other and want to kiss each other, so there is a risk even being outdoors, but that same risk will be there when they go back to school/ preschool/ nursery.

My end sentence was supposed to say: “making it hard for others”

I wouldn’t.

No

Not ok

I wouldn't

I wouldn't because DS2 is a nurse and I've heard some horrendous stories from him. If my kids were small they'd not be going back to school next week either.