Why are other European countries...

[Thewheelsonthebus23]

Allowed to kiss and hug each other have been for a while now? I’m assuming it’ll be close family and partners who don’t live together only. But I still don’t understand why they did that a few weeks ago but here they’re saying we’ll be social distancing indefinitely?

I've wondered this as well when people have mentioned they don't anticipate being able to stay over with family or touch anyone for months. Obviously we have a higher rate of transmission than many of these countries due to our governments' shambolic handling of this.

BUT if our r-rate goes down or remains stable, why would this be last on the list for us when Italy etc. have been able to do this for nearly a month.

What is it about "infectious disease" and "8000" new cases per day don't you understand then?

Because, as with everything during this pandemic, all countries have taken their own path. We still have a high rate of infection and to allow kissing and hugging of people outside of your household would be irresponsible.

Which countries, OP?

I'm not aware of this.

Are you referring to countries with a lockdown?

Or do you mean like Sweden? And...er...Sweden. Can't think of anywhere else that hasn't locked down.

Perhaps because other countries managed this effectively enough that hugging and kissing is lower risk than it is here.

And can you post a reliable link to this, please?

Because they lockdowned properly. Have you looked at how many cases/deaths they have? When we get that low we will be allowed to. But that isn't yet because people didn't isolate properly

We still have social distancing rules in Sweden.

How do we know that allowing kissing and hugging is sensible or appropriate for any of these countries? It’s too early to be able to say that the easing of restrictions in Italy or anywhere else isn’t leading to a further rise in cases.

Which countries, OP? I'm not aware of this being "officially" allowed in any of the other European countries that are starting to ease lockdown but maybe you are thinking of somewhere in particular...?

Definitely not happening in Spain. No way.

Where did 8000 new cases a day come from? @noego that's far higher than the numbers I've seen, do you have a link to your source?

www.google.com/amp/s/www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/05/04/italian-grandparents-joyful-reunions-grandchildren-two-month/amp/

www.google.com/amp/s/www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/05/04/danish-grandparents-allowed-hug-grandchildren-schools-across/amp/

www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/world-europe-52470838

People aren't sticking to the rules and our death rate isn't coming down fast enough. If people want more relaxed rules than other countries had (we were allowed out to exercise and now we are allowed to see groups outside) then it will be a lot slower to get to the stage where we don't have to social distance any more. We can't have it both ways unfortunately.

I wouldn't hug strangers, but I would hug my sister or other family members whose lockdown behaviour is known to me.
People are not suddenly starting to hug and kiss everybody around.
But given that transmission needs you breathing on people for a couple of minutes - a brief hug of two people coming out of lockdown doesn't seem that dangerous to me - you can wear a mask (yes, they do minimise not eliminate risk) and hold your breath for extra security.

Because there is growing evidence that children don't get or carry it as much as adults. My understanding is that the physical distancing rules are still in place for adults..

@majesticallyawkward

Where did 8000 new cases a day come from? *@noego* that's far higher than the numbers I've seen, do you have a link to your source?

Currently 11,300 new cases per day. It was 8,000 per day a few days ago when Wales and NI data was not included covid.joinzoe.com/

I think I must be a very odd person. I can't remember the last time I hugged someone not my husband or children.
I have never had an urge to hug my parents as an adult.
Looking at that data from the link above 11000+ new cases but wow 17% drop that's brilliant.

Which countries? From what I see social distancing is still the norm.

In Italy (see newspaper) families were in total lockdown. No walks, home quarantine, etc. So those families would both be risk free. In countries where we have been allowed exercise, go to work, shop, the risk will be higher. Italy has virtually shielded all the population so their risk is quite low.

Personally I don't think it's safe to him family you don't live with.

@Duckfinger

I think I must be a very odd person. I can't remember the last time I hugged someone not my husband or children. I have never had an urge to hug my parents as an adult. Looking at that data from the link above 11000+ new cases but wow 17% drop that's brilliant.

Yes I thought the drop was quite encouraging too. The website gives a range of new daily cases for each region if anyone is interested. I think the low number in the range is based on confirmed cases and the upper number is derived from their model which takes into account self reported symptoms.

Regional breakdown of total daily new cases
England overall: 7,223-9,301

Down 17% from last week

South West
293-767
Northern Ireland
173-1,445
Scotland
261-1,662
East of England
563-1,185
South East
663-1,233
London
732-1,484
Wales
510-2,410
North West
988-2,023
N. East & Yorkshire
1,347-2,501
Midlands
1,475-2,739

Sorry I did mean hugging close family or partners. I know the infection rate is still high, but surely meeting 6 people from different households is a bad idea too?

I’m not bothered about hugging anyone, I really meant my DS hugging his grandparents.

I'm sorry I just can't understand threads like this.

What do you mean 'allowed' to kiss and hug? No one can stop you from kissing and hugging. If you really want to.

Obviously there's a risk that you'll catch or spread the very contagious nasty virus that's still going around.

I'm also another one who can't understand the obsession with kissing and hugging everyone.

I rarely hug anyone aside from my dh or children.

I have a wonderful relationship with my mother but I never hug her, it's the least of my worries. Dh never hugs and kisses his parents either and they're all pretty close.