To break the rule of six for my birthday?

[44jams]

It’s my birthday on Sunday and I’m planning to have a small gathering in the garden with friends. I know I’m meant to stick to the rule of six, but it just seems so nonsensical, considering that we will all be outdoors so our risk of catching the virus is tiny. Would you break the rules and have say five or six households (or 20ish people) round? Or stick to the rule of six even though as I say, the chance of catching it outside is tiny?

Depends how likely your neighbours are to report you. I'd not like the fine tbh.

Could you split them up over the weekend. One household comes for lunch on Saturday, another for the evening and the same on Sunday?

I'd be too concerned about being reported. There are a lot of busybodies around.

The chance may be tiny but for every person who takes that attitude overall it will increase the risk of another peak in cases.

If you do decide to do it then please make sure you let everyone who is going know so they can make their own choice. I wokld be pissed off if I went to someone’s believing it was within the guidance to find out they where blatantly ignoring it.

Are you serious? Your birthday is more speshul than everyone else who has been following the rules... Why? YABU to have a gathering of 20 people.

The risk of catching outdoors in general encounters or walking along is tiny. 20 people standing still and at close quarters (and likely at closer quarters after a few drinks) is riskier, both in terms of covid and in terms of pissing off the neighbours.

I had 2 lockdown birthdays. Just the way it is. Why are you more special than anyone else?

@Sirzy

The chance may be tiny but for every person who takes that attitude overall it will increase the risk of another peak in cases.

If you do decide to do it then please make sure you let everyone who is going know so they can make their own choice. I wokld be pissed off if I went to someone’s believing it was within the guidance to find out they where blatantly ignoring it.

What Sirzy said

I thought you were going to say someone was bringing their child so there would be 7. One extra, from one household.

But not 20. No.

It won't be over if people don't stick to the rules. It's not an arbitrary number, it's a scientific calculation & balancing of risks to enable us to be out of lock down, do not be part of us needing to go back into it.

I wouldn't. Not least because somebody is likely to report you with that many. 8 or so? I'd be alright with that, but not 20-ish.

You'll have to spread your celebrations out and have people round separately. You'll be able to talk to them for longer then too, as you won't be spreading yourself amongst 20 people.

Is it a special birthday?

Twenty is nowhere near six. So no I wouldn't be able to enjoy myself knowing I could be busted! And you will absolutely need to tell everyone so they can decide for themselves.

We've all got tales of woe when it comes to missing out on events.

This is why this pandemic has gone on for so long - because everyone thinks they are too special to follow the rules. Whatever is said here, you will do what you selfishly want so I would, as a pp said, make sure all your guests are very clear that you intend to invite so many people. Hopefully the majority won't be as stupid as you and you'll end up with less than 6.

I thought you meant 8 or 10 max. My Dc spent their 18th and 19th in lockdown.
That was miserable.
6 is fine.

Is that you Mrs Hancock? Yes of course, knock yourself out. Speshul people are allowed to break the rules for their birthdays 🙄. Us ordinary folk won’t mind being locked down for longer to accommodate this.🤷‍♀️

We've all got tales of woe when it comes to missing out on events.

This. Stick to the rules

No, I wouldn’t.

One of the people you invite will think you are being a dick as well.

My soon to be 7 yr old is able to understand and accept that she can only have 4 friends round to the back garden for her birthday party because of coronavirus. If she can be mature enough to accept and be happy with that, why can't you?

Sorry I would be happy to attend your birthday of 8, but I would be really annoyed to pitch up and find 20 people in attendance.

I would also be pretty annoyed as your neighbor and whilst I wouldn't report you but I would definitely judge you as someone very selfish!

Wouldn't mind an extra person or two, but 29 is definitely too many.

20!

You risk a big fine if a neighbour reports you. . It was a big birthday for my daughter so she had a celebration over 4 nights with 6 people at each.

Do it - and enjoy it!

20 is a massive difference though. I think the rule is more so you can keep a good distance which will be very hard if there is so many people unless you have a field for a garden. I wouldn't hesitate to say to stretch the rule a bit so this is not a 'we must follow every teeny rule' but I think 20 is completely taking the mick.

I thought you were going to say 7 or 8 people, 20 is taking the piss a bit, what makes your birthday so special?

To be honest I’d not, not that many people. Not due to Covid as such, but more because with that many people there will be noise and it’s a fair chance someone will report you. I’d do it later in June.