Parents think I'm being ridiculous - rule of six and baby

[Putmynewshoeson]

Before the rule of six we had arranged for family friends to come and sit in the garden for a socially distanced coffee with my husband and I, our nine month old and my mum and dad.

I mentioned in the week we would have to cancel because there will be seven of us but everyone keeps saying oh it's fine babies don't count.

We haven't been anywhere - the poor little one hasn't been ANYWHERE except out on walks outside since this whole thing began - but babies DO count don't they? (This is UK)

Would you still go ahead even though it's breaking the rule? They're all being very dismissive and saying because he hasn't been anywhere and isn't mobile he doesn't count

In Scotland he doesn’t count. In England he does. Not sure about Wales or NI.

They do count England, they don't count Scotland but Scotland is only two households so three couples not allowed.

Technically they do in England, but I'm not counting my 8 month old when my parents and my brother and his gf come for dinner on my birthday next week (we will be 7). My rationale is that the baby hasn't been anywhere without me and isn't old enough to touch every surface in sight yet, so isn't going to have picked up Covid on a nice jaunt on her own!

They don’t count in NI.

I wouldn't go ahead if it is breaking the rules in the country in which you live. Babies do count in England. If everyone just decided for themselves what rules they will and will not follow, rates of infection will go up and the restrictions will last longer.

These restrictions are a joke whilst thousands of kids are in secondary schools, spreading it.

My rationale is that the baby hasn't been anywhere without me and isn't old enough to touch every surface in sight yet, so isn't going to have picked up Covid on a nice jaunt on her own!
Considering it is transmitted by aerosol droplets and is possibly airborne, your rationale isn't very rational.

Babies do count in England! I'm using it to get out of a family meal that's coming up.

What will it take for people to take Covid seriously?

www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/uk-england-south-yorkshire-53097646

Although very rare, some babies have died from Covid-19 in the UK.

Honestly I think it’s fine, you’re in the garden and she’s only a baby. I’m not counting my 5 month old as she just sits on my lap and I’m pretty sure there’s zero chance she’d have it and I/my DH/her sister wouldn’t. But am counting my whirlwind 2 year old

The rule is ridiculous but you are correct that babies are counted.

We are affected by this. Just had our second child which means there are four of us in total so we can only see two other people at a time. It's shit.

These restrictions are a joke whilst thousands of kids are in secondary schools, spreading it

This doesn’t make sense if you give it a moment of thought. It’s like saying that if something was dangerous to do once, you might as a well do it every day.

From that article posted above ...

"Sadly on Monday June 15, a child passed away... having been brought in to the hospital in a critical condition. Attempts at resuscitation were unsuccessful.

"The cause of death is not yet known. Tests have confirmed that the child had Covid-19, but it isn't yet clear if it was a contributing factor."

Please don’t scare people! Articles like these terrified me when my baby was born in April. So much so that I’m pretty sure I had/have PND.

Also, OP, of you need back up for your assertion that babies do count (with my parents it was a pointless back and forth of 'Yes, they do,' 'No, they don't,' you can find it here:

www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-54093465

'The new "rule of six" means:

Social gatherings of more than six people in England will not be allowed in law from Monday 14 September
The new rule applies to people in private homes, indoors and outdoors , and places such as pubs, restaurants, cafes and public outdoor spaces
It applies to all ages
The rule does not apply to schools and workplaces , to people living together or in the same support bubble, or to weddings, funerals and organised team sports
The full list of exemptions also includes protests and political activities subject to "strict risk assessments", jury service and providing emergency assistance
People who ignore the police could be fined £100 - doubling with each offence to a maximum of £3,200'

We haven't been anywhere - the poor little one hasn't been ANYWHERE except out on walks outside since this whole thing began - but babies DO count don't they? (This is UK)

Really all a little baby needs is their mother’s voice and hugs. They don’t need to go site seeing :)

They don’t count in Wales either.

I would do it though but distanced and outdoors and wouldn’t let anyone hold the baby.

These restrictions are a joke whilst thousands of kids are in secondary schools, spreading it

It's exactly because children (and teachers) in schools are spreading it that we all need to be much more careful in other areas of our lives.

Regardless of opinions on the matter, in England, legally, babies DO count.

FWIW, I'm in the frustrated camp too, just had DC2 a couple of weeks ago so now there's four of us, we can't meet any other couple with even just one child for DC1 to play with as that would be seven. Even though the baby is either in the pram or sling limpet like on my body and we're outdoors in a playground.

@Itsabeautifuldayheyhey

www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/uk-england-south-yorkshire-53097646

Although very rare, some babies have died from Covid-19 in the UK.

Bloody hell jump right in with the scaremongering why don't you....

Technically they do in England, but I'm not counting my 8 month old when my parents and my brother and his gf come for dinner on my birthday next week (we will be 7).

Yet another person saying "This is the law.....but"
It infuriates me.

Please, for those of you either sharing scaremongering bull, or who are shaken by those who love to share scaremongering bull, here is a FACT based study from the British medical journal looking at over 260 children admitted to hospital with covid 19 from January to July. The study is far from terrifying, and clearly shows that only children with severe underlying health conditions are badly effected by covid 19.

It's important to recognise risks that exist with covid, but scaring parents unnecessary for the sake of 'it's the rules' is disgusting.

www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m3249

In England children are included. However I don’t know anyone who counts babies. People are using common sense that the increased risk by having a baby who belongs to one of the house holds present is minuscule.

Yes unfortunately any baby even a newborn counts. It would be nice if they didn't especially for those with another child but unfortunately the minute you have the baby they count in the numbers.