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Original poster

Are people planning to social distance when they see family and friends this week?

158 replies

Swoonforpeterbishop · 28/03/2021 19:41

I am seeing so many people saying they are excited to hug their mum etc this week now that the stay at home is going to be lifted and it made me wonder how many people are planning to abide by the rules?

It seems to be taken as a bit of a free for all

It’s making me a bit sad as we’ve really stuck to the rules and ended up missing out on Christmas etc and other plans as lockdowns were introduced due to the spike and I know for a fact a lot of people weren’t sticking to the rules so have happily seen family and friends etc
I’m sick of missing out on seeing loved ones

I have to admit it’s making me wonder if the fuck it attitude is worth it to see the in laws who we haven’t seen in over a year

What are you planning on doing? Not being goady, not going to have a go whatever people say I’m just curious to see if we are among the few who were planning to socially distance inside still?

OP posts:
JamesAnderson · 29/03/2021 08:17

I've been seeing my parents through lockdown anyway as they're house bound and I've had to take shopping etc round.

The only place I'll be going today which is new is dog training and dogs are great for enforcing social distancing

diwrnachoflleyn · 29/03/2021 08:22

But no one thinks twice about jumping into their cars to drive over to the family and friend's house (of course, this is MN so they walk or cycle to see everyone).

User133847 · 29/03/2021 08:27

@moominmomma1234

I cant imagine ever allowing anybody into my 2 metre orbit now! I am screwed up for life about this. But i am not going to be constantly nagging my kids to stay away from others though. I will give the kids a prep talk about keeping their distance but i am not going to enforce it as much as i enforce it on myself
I can't even imagine being within 2 metres with anyone again. It seems mad.

I guess we'll slowly get back to a semblance of normal life. It'll take longer for some. I guess it's easier for others who've just done what they want anyway.

RingtheBells · 29/03/2021 08:36

We aren't because DS lives too far away to easily visit in a day (150 miles away) so we will see him in April when we are able to take our caravan to stay near to where he lives, we will not be hugging but will not be keeping 2 metres apart all day.

Itsalonghaul · 29/03/2021 08:44

Following the rules!

We have come this far, I am not going to screw up now. The weather is nice enough for a few drinks outside. I am not in any great rush to slam into first gear and meet up with everyone suddenly. We are taking it very easy, just a few friends here and there until we get used to socialising again. I am exhausted from the lockdown, my priorities are getting myself together first, easing into normality.

In the summer we have a small party planned, a few dinners in restaurants with friends in the coming months.

Taking it slow. Staying outside, and def no hugging!

Tigerchips · 29/03/2021 08:46

"I’m just curious to see if we are among the few who were planning to socially distance inside still?"

Well you probably want to go back and check what the restrictions are first because you shouldn't be seeing anyone inside, even socially distanced.

Tigerchips · 29/03/2021 08:58

"Statistically the people most likely to kill you from covid are your own family

Um you do understand the death rate from Covid is approx 1 to 2 percent, and fhen if you move to vaccinated people and lower age groups it’s even lower right? Like a fraction of a percentage point. “Kill you from Covid” is an extreme thing to write."

Um well yes, the death rate is low. But the pp is correct in saying that transmission is highest amongst families.

Pps on this thread saying well "we're all vaccinated" yet many of them don't seem to realise that it takes several weeks to work. Having the jab last week then "judging for ourselves" and "making our own risk assessment" makes you look a bit thick tbh.

bluechameleon · 29/03/2021 09:23

Adults will be social distancing. I'll let the children play though, they need to see their cousins and they can't keep up social distancing once they get into a game. None of us are particularly high risk and almost all adults in the family are vaccinated so it seems low risk.

Thenosleepclub · 29/03/2021 09:32

All of the old/vulnerable people in my family have had one vaccination, and the rest of us, and almost all my friends are teachers /NHS so having twice weekly tests now, so the risk is much smaller than it was last time lockdown was eased in May.

I've never really socially distanced outside tbh. Not hugged, not shared drinks/food, but that's about it. I have two kids under 4, I've never asked them to socially distance other than from strangers, and there are times when I'm need someone to hold the baby etc, so it's just impractical and stressful to try and stay 2m apart. We will be sticking to the 6ppl/2 households though and obviously not mixing inside.

JustDanceAddict · 29/03/2021 09:42

I won’t be seeing anyone inside until we’re allowed. It’s so much more risky. I will see more than one friend outside & also in garden (think they’re allowed to use the toilet). I’d love to hug friends but won’t until we’re both vaxxed up. Then I will (hope to have both vax by end May so it ties in w the June 21 release).

JustDanceAddict · 29/03/2021 09:43

I don’t SD outside otherwise- leave a bit of space on a bench but not when walking

HolmeH · 29/03/2021 10:44

I’m not gona be hugging but I’ll be behaving normally on the whole. I always have really, I walk side by side with friends. I sit with a gap on a bench or a picnic blanket or as normal around a table. I’m not one to be on each other’s knees so none of this is abnormal. My kids play with others & hug grandparents & friends etc. But I’m very respectful of peoples wishes. I know which friends/family would rather keep a distance and who doesn’t outdoors. And I always double check with parents I dont know when my kids run up to play with theirs..

VoyageInTheDark · 29/03/2021 11:00

I'll distance but my 3yo won't and I'm ok with that

CovoidOfAllHumanity · 29/03/2021 11:06

Yeh I'm going to hug my dad
We are both vaccinated. Both had 2 doses in fact
The last time I saw him it was at my mum's funeral. The time before that over her deathbed.
I hugged him both of those times too. So shoot me.
He is in a support bubble with my
Dsis who lives nearer so he has had someone to hug but under the circumstances would you really judge me for hugging my dad?

Frazzled2207 · 29/03/2021 11:15

Will be seeing friends outside and yes I will be but I won't be expecting my children to do the same.

CousinKrispy · 29/03/2021 16:11

I'm not planning to meet many people anyway and will keep social distancing.

kittensarecute · 29/03/2021 16:31

Nope. So done with social distancing and putting my life on hold.

murbblurb · 29/03/2021 16:33

given there is also a reminder that mask rules haven't changed - I really fear how this is going to go given how thick many of the great British public are.

if too many start piling on to each other inside - we're done. And that will fuck it up for all of us who have waited so long to see our families.

GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal · 29/03/2021 16:39

We'll be lead by them, as we've all had Covid so not worried about catching it. What that probably means is MIL and FIL will want hugs, and SIL and BIL will want to keep social distance - he's a teacher so doesn't want the additional risk, which is fair enough.

Iremembertheelderlykoreanlady · 29/03/2021 16:50

I have never really socially distanced outside. On walks for example, where are all these footpaths that are over 2 metres wide? Round here it's all narrow windy paths through woods.

If sitting in the garden I'll probably stay 2 metres away but just when sitting. When we are all moving around (to and from the bbq!) There's no way. My garden isn't big enough for a long queue!

Saracen · 31/03/2021 00:12

We're only seeing people outdoors, and will be social distancing. We don't do it perfectly - food is passed around and we sometimes get too close to each other - but I think we'll do a reasonably good job of staying apart.

CoffeeWithCheese · 01/04/2021 17:01

Kids are going to grandparents for the holiday for childcare reasons - no doubt they'll grab them and give them a huge hug like normal and mum will hug me. I left the decision to the grandparents to make based on their own judgements of risk - and that was their decision.

I'm done complying now anyway - they've had a year of my life and my kids' lives - now we're taking them back. We may well refrain from licking random people though.

blowinahoolie · 01/04/2021 17:12

MIL came into our garden to meet and chat this afternoon. She got to meet our new puppy. Dropped off Easter eggs. First time in a year.

We socially distanced. Easy to in nice weather.

ilovesooty · 01/04/2021 18:01

I will be following the guidance. I have a responsibility to my support bubble and I wouldn't abuse that.

joystir59 · 02/04/2021 00:41

I'm going to visit family on Monday, and staying over cos I can't face driving there and back on the same day. We've all been vaccinated weeks ago. I will do anything I can get away with now, these restrictions are driving me bonkers.