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Original poster

Bubbles of 10 'outside'? Would rather stay with my parents please

80 replies

RC000 · 26/05/2020 07:23

Would anyone else rather be able to stay with their parents/another household rather than this supposed outside 'bubble of 10' where I presume you have to still socially distance?

We can't be the only family with elderly parents who live hours away (5 here) who are desperate to see grand children? AIBU?!

OP posts:
SnuggyBuggy · 26/05/2020 07:24

I'm not convinced that outdoor social distancing works with small children.

MandosHatHair · 26/05/2020 07:27

I would prefer that too OP. Like you my family live away, I have local friends but naturally thier bubbles will consist of thier family who live nearby. The new guidelines will make no difference to me unfortunately.

NoHardSell · 26/05/2020 07:29

Yabu to base your behaviour on what the government tells you that you can or can't do, but that's up to you

As a way of easing lockdown, the outdoors thing is a safer bet but we're going to see a second peak regardless I would imagine. Our nhs can cope.

BikeRunSki · 26/05/2020 07:29

I’m with you @RC000z, my mum (nearly 80, widowed). PiL are 4.5 hours away, but at least they have each other, and other localist cd and DGM who can go and shout at them from the end of their garden and go home again.

mynameiscalypso · 26/05/2020 07:30

If the new guidelines are as reported, I also can't see it making a lot of difference especially if you have to stay outside because who is going to want to do to a garden party where nobody can go to the loo?

IgnoranceIsStrength · 26/05/2020 07:30

Exactly the same here. And if it is outside only as you say most my friends have local GP so my DC will still be alone. Not seen them since Christmas

Pelleas · 26/05/2020 07:34

Yes, I am in exactly the same position as you, OP. I don't even know 10 people to 'bubble' with for outside meetings, and if I did I doubt I'd be that bothered - but I'm desperate to see my elderly parents - due to distance, that's not feasible without staying overnight (they've had to give up driving so no option to meet half way, either).

Bythebeach · 26/05/2020 07:36

Where are these new guidelines being reported?

AgentCooper · 26/05/2020 07:39

@SnuggyBuggy I totally agree. Loads of folk I know have been sitting at safe distances in relatives’ gardens anyway but there’s no way in hell my 2.5 year old wouldn’t be climbing up on his grandad and asking for a story Sad

AlfieandAnnieRose · 26/05/2020 07:39

It’s just speculation at the moment, nothing confirmed

Splodgetastic · 26/05/2020 07:42

I'd like to stay with my parents. They are over 70 and we have no grandchildren, but I still like to check up on them from time to time. Unfortunately they live six hours away.

BitchPeas · 26/05/2020 07:45

OP I think as lockdown restrictions are eased you will need to use your own judgement to make a decision. If the benefit outweighs the risk in your situation, then go ahead. Would your parents really want to spend the final years of their lives in isolation and lonely or take a small risk (statistically it will be small) and see their child and grandchildren, have you asked them? Have you looked at the statistics and survival rates for people their age/with underlying conditions? Life isn’t without risk, no one is going to get arrested and sent to prison or immediately drop dead if you use your judgement and act accordingly.

Splodgetastic · 26/05/2020 07:46

I suppose a 12-hour round trip is just about feasible.

KatherineJaneway · 26/05/2020 07:46

The more and more people can / are allowed to go back to work the more mingling will happen anyway. Busy buses, trains and tubes mean that you are in close proximity to others, some of whom don't wear masks.

Also they are reopening markets, how on earth do they think anyone will social distance there?

KatherineJaneway · 26/05/2020 07:47

I would be OK with a bubble though. At least it is some social contact.

Original poster
RC000 · 26/05/2020 08:01

Thanks all. My parents are desperate to see us, but only when formally allowed. They are in the SW and neighbours would kick off if we came down from SE if not allowed.

This is all speculation, of course. But I really hope seeing direct family/one household is permitted.

OP posts:
ememem84 · 26/05/2020 08:01

@mynameiscalypso our guidelines (in jersey) are similar. We can meet 5 people outside. But must retain social distancing at all times.

Our chief minister was asked about having people in gardens and toilet useage in a press briefing because this was something that people were wondering. Apparently if 5 people are in the garden and one needs the loo then as long as the rest stay in the garden it’s ok.

ShadowsInTheDarkness · 26/05/2020 08:21

We are currently weighing up the risks of seeing PILs. (59 and 62 and healthy) Both households have been isolating, we are very rural with v few cases in our postcode and I've started to think that actually they could come and stay with us for a short break as long as both households remain symptom free.

Not sure whether we would actually do it, but conversations have been going round and round.

I actually think that while we are all isolating is a better time to do it than when schools and markets and shops have reopened and risks of picking something up have increased. At present DH goes to the local co-op once a week and work every day (where he works alone with his own tools etc) and me and the DC haven't seen a soul/left the village since schools closed.

I think as time goes on we will all start doing our own risk assessments based on our circumstances. It's not a popular opinion though

Aragog · 26/05/2020 08:38

Would the 'bubble of 10' need to the same 10 people each time? And do all those people have to also choose the same 10 for their bubble?
If so how does that really work? Teen DD's bubble would include some of her friends as well as our family, but then would h and I need the same bubble too?

Our is that you can meet up to 10 people at a time outside using social distancing? And that the bubble of up to ten could vary each time?

I'm looking forward to when we can visit family and stay over in their home. That's really the only way I can see my parents and my sister and nephew.

NoHardSell · 26/05/2020 08:40

If they want to follow the rules then it might be a while longer.

Catsmother1 · 26/05/2020 08:47

@RC000
We just want one household bubble too. I’m not happy about the garden party announcement.
From what I’ve read, you still have to be 2m apart. It is for outside, so no one could use the toilet. You still won’t be able to hug your partner, or grandchildren. If it chucks it down with rain every day for a few weeks, then we’d basically have no contact with anyone - we’ve been really lucky with the weather so far.

All these things they are saying you’ll be able to do are already happening. Markets were open two weeks ago around here, the odd non essential shop is open, people have been having family around for a couple of weeks (not me!).

My wish is one strict household bubble (your household with one other), but you can go inside, and have physical contact. And you could stay over if you wanted, like if you visited parents at the other end of the country for example. I hope Boris will think of that.

ChaoticCatling · 26/05/2020 08:48

What's the point of bubbles if you are socially distancing the same as you would with all the strangers you pass when out for a walk or run or in the supermarket? Surely bubbles are only necessary if you are visiting friends or relatives at home or hugging them?

MynephewR · 26/05/2020 09:05

Well at the moment we are allowed to meet one other person outside and keep 2m apart. I have seen loads of groups of people (who very obviously do not live together) not keeping 2m apart in our local country park since that new rule was announced. If they announce that we can meet a bubble of up to 10 outside but it has to be the same bubble then only a small amount of people will actually stick to that IMO. Most people will see whoever they want. Personally I think that this has gone on too long now and we should be able to use our own judgement, I'm glad that more and more people seem to be doing that. You'll always get the idiots having house party's but hopefully they are in the minority.

HelloMissus · 26/05/2020 09:08

So we can all have picnics and bloody BBQs. Sigh.

ThinkingAboutWork · 26/05/2020 09:18

I've been visiting family and sitting their garden this week but they live nearby. I have staunchly followed the rules for the whole of lockdown but I am no longer doing that.

For me, it is safe to sit in a garden at a distance from family. I have been for walks with friends so I see it as no different. I go for a wee before I go and when I need a wee I pop home and that's that.

However on the other side, I have avoided the public areas I am legally allowed to go to (parks etc) because I don't want to be near to a lot of strangers. I'm back at work, my child will be back at school. So I've reached that "meh" point. This government will open the country whether or not it is safe.

The cherry on the top was Dominic Cummings. So I am more than happy now to use my common sense if he is allowed to. In a very reasonable way.

So OP, I suggest you do the same. Risk assess your own circumstances and take it from there. Most people are sensible.