Meeting indoors

[Dailywalk]

Was due to meet friends outside this Thursday evening. The weather is freezing though so the plans are changing and friend just suggested we meet indoors. I’m the only one of the 5 of us who seems to be anxious about this. I’ve had Covid and they’ve had their vaccine but if we were able to meet indoors safely then why would the advice be not to until next month? I’m suddenly feeling really anxious about the whole thing and considering just staying at home. What would you do?

@ekidmxcl

Look at the rates for your area and the surrounding areas. Some areas are almost totally clean and others have still quite a lot of cases.

exactly. Between this and knowing what your own behaviour is (do you wfh, do you go to supermarkets, what are the behaviours of the people you're socialising with) you can make a reasonable assessment of your own risk of having it.

Of course you cant say for certain, but given that the vaccines arent 100% effective (As posters on here enjoy pointing out), if we're living by the 'but how do you KNOW you dont have it' mantra, we'll never do anything, ever again.

Fair enough, I see your point but how do you know you don't have COVID when 1 in 3 show no symptoms?

So are you suggesting we never mix indoors again? The vulnerable are vaccinated. The vast majority of the rest of us will likely be no more unwell with covid than we are with the common cold. Lockdown is coming to an end. If you want to hide indoors alone forever feel free. The rest of can get on with living our lives and living with this virus the same way we live with every other virus out there.

Mumsnet is the only place where people are obeying the rules. Literally no one I know in real life seems to be doing it.

Echo chambers, literally no one I know of real life isn’t obeying the rules.

I would go.

Nothing is totally "safe".

@beckypv

I wouldn’t go. I’d be amazed if any of my friends suggested it whilst it’s against guidelines. (If they did, I’d probably internally judge them for a moment but then move on). But I am a rule follower, naive as that may be. I thought the bit someone said about the example you are setting to children is certainly something I agree with. Demonstrating that it’s ok to pick and chose what rules apply to you is an interesting concept for a child to comprehend/implement themselves.

See I've thought about that as well - the 'picking and choosing what rules apply' and the example to kids.

But I think its an equally "interesting concept" to tell your kids that they always have to blindly follow what they're told to do by The Government, even if it doesnt really make sense.

You are no less likely to catch it this month than next month.

If you’d be willing to meet indoors next month, than you could do so this month, risk-wise.

Statistically, there is no difference in risk of you catching it now or then.

If it’s a case of following rules blindly, for rules’ sake, then that’s a different matter.........

I would go. It’s funny that people think that after midnight on a certain date in May all of a sudden it will be “safe”. A lot of people have completely lost the ability to make a rational decision fir themselves. It’s so depressing as well as alarming.

I do sometimes think when I read mumsnet that I must be the only one still following the rules but irl most people I know are. Also working in a key worker role I see myself as more high risk to others despite having had x2 of the vaccine I'm still working with patients in very close proximity and dh is a teacher and we have three school aged kids, we may have to mix a lot at work and school but due to that I am closely following rules re social mixing as the I'd hate to pass something on as a carrier.

The rules have to apply to the lowest common denominator (in this case a group of unvaccinated people). They can't say "only meet outside unless XYZ" because it would be confusing and unfair and impossible to police. So they just have the same rule for everyone. No it doesn't make sense in your situation.

@siestalady yes, blindy following rules no matter what can lead to some pretty dire consequences too.

It’s worrying as a population, when we lose the ability to think critically and question rules that make no sense.

Blind acceptance indeed.

But I think its an equally "interesting concept" to tell your kids that they always have to blindly follow what they're told to do by The Government, even if it doesnt really make sense.

This!

It’s illegal so 🤷‍♀️

It’s funny that people think that after midnight on a certain date in May all of a sudden it will be “safe”
It will be “safe” in terms of not getting fined if you’re caught.

@MimiPigeon

It’s funny that people think that after midnight on a certain date in May all of a sudden it will be “safe” It will be “safe” in terms of not getting fined if you’re caught.

Oh, c'mon. The police have been defunded for years. There just isn't the manpower to police people in their own homes.

I wouldn't meet indoors. I'm bored with this now and would like a half decent summer outdoors.

I’ve been vaccinated still caught Covid so no I’d recommend you don’t go .
We are having this I’ve had the vaccine so it’s ok Attitude.
Also you may be unlikely to get it again but what if someone does catch it , then your all in isolation, is it worth it ?

@islockdownoveryet

I’ve been vaccinated still caught Covid so no I’d recommend you don’t go . We are having this I’ve had the vaccine so it’s ok Attitude. Also you may be unlikely to get it again but what if someone does catch it , then your all in isolation, is it worth it ?

Plenty aren't bothering with the isolation, either.

Personally I wouldn’t be doing it, but I work with very vulnerable people and have a conscience.

What are the rates per 100,000 in your area op?

Nothing is actually going to change in the eve of 16th May that makes what you are suggesting any safer. You have all either had the vaccine or had the virus so you're not going to kill anyone's granny whatever anyone says.

The whole point of the vaccine to reduce hospitalisations, not to stop cases. You aren't putting anyone at risk. The govt can't really say 'you can meet others who've had the jab' so we technically all have to wait.

This crap has gone on far too long.
I'd go! Just keep the windows open if it makes you feel better.

How long ago did they have vaccine? My DH has just tested positive, we think he was infected 13 days after first jab on a rare visit to the office, he’d been nowhere else

I would ask for the plans to stay outside and take loads of blankets.
I know it’s freezing. It is here too and the Easter holidays are fucking miserable as a result but I keep telling myself it’s only another couple of months and soon it will be June 21st.

@EasterEggBelly

I would ask for the plans to stay outside and take loads of blankets. I know it’s freezing. It is here too and the Easter holidays are fucking miserable as a result but I keep telling myself it’s only another couple of months and soon it will be June 21st.

The host doesn't want to stay outside freezing in blankets. They're the hosts. If you don't like what a host offers, don't go, it's pretty rude to say, 'Well, I want to sit outside' and expect them to do so as well when they don't want to.

My children fully understand that we have obeyed and still obey most of the rules most of the time, but they also understand - having lost one grandparent recently - why I am choosing to value seeing my remaining vaccinated parent over blindly 'following the rules'.

I guess it depends whether you want to raise children to be always obedient or occasionally questioning.

In much the same way, my children know that I very much approve of safe driving and speed limits but will occasionally go at 72 mph on the motorway and that doesn't make me an immoral outlaw.

@TristantheTyrannosaurus that too , also so many just like to pretend it’s just a cold while spreading this virus .
My poor dc has to isolate so much , it annoys that people are actually considering meeting up with several people inside .
Just wait until it’s a warmer day and meet outside or just leave it a few more weeks .