Kids mixing after Thursday

[Singlebutmarried]

So, if the kids are in school together, in the same class and they live next door to each other. Would you let them play together outside of school?

My understanding is that two individuals from different houses can meet outside

It's an ambiguous rule which is open to abuse. I don't believe it was intended for kids to play outside with their friend.

I've told DS he can meet up with one friend but if they happen to be in the same place as other friends from the same school not to worry. I've told him no mixing with friends from the other school other than one to one.

The rules are clear but stupid. Don't get me wrong I'm relieved the schools are staying open but what is the government thinking? That the virus somehow magically doesn't infect anyone between 9 and 3?

My understanding is that two individuals from different houses can meet outside

Yes they can from what I've read. Though there should be social distancing between them. And only two people at a time.

@StealthPolarBear

My understanding is that two individuals from different houses can meet outside

Indeed. But that's restricted meeting up, not a free for all.

If the kids weren't in school I'd let the older ones go to an open space and spend some time together 1 on 1 while I watched from a distance away. But as they're in school at the moment there's probably less need for them to socialise at the weekends, not like last time where they were desperate for some social interaction.

I completely get why it seems illogical and people will be tempted to let kids mix at the weekend but for me, with an initial shorter lockdown (though who knows if it will be extended) and kids still seeing each other at school I won't do it at the moment.

I'd love to do away with all the rules. Why? Because people obsess about the detail of the rules instead of engaging their brains to consider actual risk. I've see so many groups planning to meet up repeatedly this week before the rules take effect.

Look at this thread, all about application of rules, very little thinking about how to avoid infecting the vulnerable while keeping life going. It's not a board game.

I dont dee the problem, the kids dont suddenly become more infectious at 4PM.
As long as it was literally next door and just two only children, who sit with each other in school all day

'These two spend the school day together, so why not play outside together after school?'

If they spend the day together they really don't need to spend time out of school together too do they.

The problem is kids playing out attract more kids wanting to join in so just make it simple and let them do their socialising at school.

If they spend the day together they really don't need to spend time out of school together too do they.

So if adults see other people at work, why do they need to see others outside of work too?

It’s totally fine imo if there’s only two of them.

But I’m not in England, under the Wales lockdown rules it isn’t allowed.

The guidelines say the children can play together as long as it's just the 2 of them (no parents or other children) and they are in a public outdoor space (no indoors, or gardens). And they must socially distance at all times. So, if you can guarantees also these apply, then it's fine! Being in a "bubble" all day is irrelevant.

OP if your kid is meeting one other friend from a different household outside that’s okay, but you can’t be there and neither can the other parent. The rules aren’t exactly complicated

'So if adults see other people at work, why do they need to see others outside of work too?'

Not in lockdown, no. Also adults don't tend to play football in the street causing a load of other adults to want to join in.

I'm afraid I don't see the school day as the only socialising kids need. They spend the day together and take the bus there and back together so if they want to go out on their bikes together after school and at the weekend they can. I'm not keeping my active kid indoors for a month to avoid a risk that is non existent - ie that they will pass the virus to each other when they are more likely to do that during the 35 hours a week they are next to each other and not social distancing.

Well obviously just use your own common sense? If it's not increasing contact between people who wouldn't otherwise have contact then I guess it's fine.
I don't know why people keep saying there no SD in schools though? Maybe not in primary but at my DC high school they are definitely trying to SD - spaced out desks, no congregating in communal indoor areas, no contact sports including football, masks in corridors, and each class only allowed in its own designated part of the building. It's quite different to pre Corona. It's not like they have all just piled back in and carried on like before.

There’s a coronavirus board people!!!

Stop clogging up AIBU with these mindless attempts to circumvent the rules!!!

There is also the bit that says 2 households can form an informal childcare bubble for children under 13 (Or is it 12) read it this morning on the gov.uk site

No.

My kids' schools are social distancing well. Kids sit at well-spaced desks, the teacher doesn't physically go near them and they do not move between lessons. Distancing is encouraged in playgrounds.

"Playing" outside of school would not be subject to the same rules and supervision.

School bubbles don't count once school hours are over.

@IfNotNow12

Lol! Then your child’s school is in the minority. My classroom has 14 desks for two children. That’s 28 children it can comfortably accommodate. Most of the time I have classes of around 35 children, meaning that 7 of those desks are overcrowded. This makes the classroom overcrowded. Add in a couple of teaching assistants and my classroom resembles a rave.

@Rosebel

The rules are clear but stupid. Don't get me wrong I'm relieved the schools are staying open but what is the government thinking? That the virus somehow magically doesn't infect anyone between 9 and 3?

The government is thinking that it will minimise all interactions that are not medical, education or work so it can see what effect just these vital activities has on the transmission/infection rates. If the rates fail to come down it will have to start closing more things. If the rates improve it can open more things. No one thinks that schools are magically virus proof. Actually I think most people are aware that schools are a cesspit of infection, but to prioritise them staying open means restricting what everyone does in all other areas of life.

[Why the government is not thinking that it will try to make schools safer, would have been a better question]

Well if they are mixing indoors at school then outdoors are gone surely isn't an issue. I'm in Scotland though where children under 11 are not required to distance so would still be within the rules here anyway

If people arent able to grasp that kids cant mix outside of school then schools will have to shut.

If we want to keep schools open we have to aknowledge the rules dont make sense but follow them anyway.

For fucks sake, how much socialisation does your child need. They are bloody lucky to be able to go to school all day. I despair

And this.

@RedskyAtnight

The guidelines say the children can play together as long as it's just the 2 of them (no parents or other children) and they are in a public outdoor space (no indoors, or gardens). And they must socially distance at all times. So, if you can guarantees also these apply, then it's fine! Being in a "bubble" all day is irrelevant.

And bear in mind that if they are somewhere where lots of other children are in the same place, like a playground,they need to be 2m away from all the others too.

So while I think the answer is technically yes it’s allowed, practically I’d question how realistic it is. How much do you trust your children to stay at least 2m away from the friend they are playing with and for all the other children who might be using the same equipment to do the same?