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Original poster

Would you now host big indoor party ?

43 replies

Cecillie · 12/07/2021 22:46

Perspective needed
Preface by saying I haven’t been anxious about COVID, worked throughout in client facing role. Had it the first March and had antibodies 14 months later, double vaxxed etc. Obviously been careful and followed all the rules.
Boss has planned for ages a big party for 31 st of July. Part personal and part business and she is really excited about it, and I’m supposed to be helping.
It’s about 200 guests in an upstairs function room, no outdoor space , a disco and a buffet.
Even from my laid back perspective, the rate of infections now make this seem like some kind of viral culture medium !
She doesn’t seem to have even thought this might be a terrible idea to go ahead and obviously the rules now say she can.
I can’t see many people wanting to go though lots of people will feel obligated to do so.
Am I being cautious , should I say something? If I wasn’t helping I’d just shut up and either not go or pop in for half an hour but I feel some kind of responsibility as it is.
Don’t get nasty, this party isn’t my idea, just trying to canvass opinion before I burst someone else’s bubble and have a chat with her.

OP posts:
ColettesEarrings · 13/07/2021 08:03

I think it's very different to what pubs have been doing so far - there are very very few who can hold 200 indoors, they've been required to socially distance according to capacity, and have been table service only, reducing mixing even further. It's noting like what being proposed now and for this event.

BoaCunstrictor · 13/07/2021 08:05

I would, but only in a private capacity. Not a good idea for her to be throwing one through work for a number of reasons.

LizziesTwin · 13/07/2021 08:07

Friends have been advised by caterers to cancel their party on 31/7 as likelihood of staff having to SI v high & they don’t want to have a super spreader party

Rainallnight · 13/07/2021 08:16

I wouldn’t and I am DYING to go to a party

ifonly4 · 13/07/2021 08:45

No, I wouldn't want to host or go even with a covid passport. Crowds do not appeal right at the moment.

Whichjab · 13/07/2021 08:58

And from a business point of view if everyone has to isolate its a bad idea

duffeldaisy · 13/07/2021 09:06

To add to @onlyfortonight's sensible maths - that in 40 cases, 1 person will be hospitalised, statistically - another 4-8 cases are likely to get some form of long covid, which can range from 12 weeks to fully recover, to developing diabetes, having long term lung problems, kidney problems, etc.

So for a business, it's really a bad move at this moment in time, and for the people involved, it is the kind of risk that you probably wouldn't take in normal times just for a party.

bigbluebus · 13/07/2021 09:07

I've been invited to a gathering which I assume will be indoors, with a buffet and a disco. Not sure on numbers but estimate 50- 100 in a small venue. I need to RSVP now but the event isn't until the end of August. In spite of being cautious throughout, I'm going to accept the invite on the basis that a) I'm double jabbed with no underlying health conditions or increased risk (other than age) and by the time the event happens the SH1T will have had a chance to hit the fan with an appropriate change/backtrack on rules if necessary. To date I have only been to outdoor events and stayed outside at pubs. I'm not sure I'd want to go to your event at end of July though as I think some people will be going wild from next week like animals let out of cages. Having just attended an outdoor event of 1500 people it was clear that people are up for a good time and you would be hard pressed to know we were in a pandemic when we were there apart from the LFT checks on the gate and 2m signs around the field - which of course will be gone next week.

GlencoraP · 13/07/2021 09:08

I am in this situation , I’m not keen to go . It’s not so much that I am worried about myself but we have elderly relatives that we support .Also I just don’t want the hassle of isolating etc. Also I just think that if I had children there is no way I would go as only one person needs to test positive and that 100 people isolating and your entire school holidays ruined .

Whichjab · 13/07/2021 09:12

@GlencoraP

I am in this situation , I’m not keen to go . It’s not so much that I am worried about myself but we have elderly relatives that we support .Also I just don’t want the hassle of isolating etc. Also I just think that if I had children there is no way I would go as only one person needs to test positive and that 100 people isolating and your entire school holidays ruined .
Exactly, it seems a big risk for a small gain. A work party and the risk of 10 days isolating just as the summer holidays start. No thanks.
Mindymomo · 13/07/2021 10:08

I would say to boss, shall we ask everyone if they are happy with what is being planned before going ahead with it, as I’m pretty sure if the majority of colleagues are older, then they are like you, not happy attending.

Original poster
Cecillie · 13/07/2021 10:28

Thanks for all the replies
Pretty much what I was thinking really
Onlyfortonight thank you for taking the time to do the maths !
I just feel like bearer of sad tidings as boss is ludicrously excited about this .
Moving outside would be a great plan I think , this summer has been so dodgy though.

OP posts:
Ponoka7 · 13/07/2021 10:32

People need to turn down invitations that they don't want and leave those that do, to crack on.
I am ECV. As soon as I could I went to the cinema and I've been the pub/restaurant. I'm itching to go to the theatre. Mutations are a concern of course, but we now have to live with this and many of us, even those ECV don't want to live half lives. I've spent a lot of time in hospital and housebound. I have CF and I'm going to do what I can, when the opportunity arises.

I'd suggest to her to get feedback on guest numbers, she might have to accept less people than she'd like are going to go.

Ponoka7 · 13/07/2021 10:34

"only one person needs to test positive and that 100 people isolating and your entire school holidays ruined ."

The advice is changing on isolating and many workplaces are accepting daily negative lft instead.

KylieKoKo · 13/07/2021 10:54

Do you really think there will be a u turn before the 19 th after today’s press conference, surely they can’t ?

I wouldn't put it past them after Christmas and then opening schools for a single day in January before closing them @Cecillie

Who knows with this government?

ColettesEarrings · 13/07/2021 11:09

@Ponoka7 Isolation advice isn't changing until August 16th, so 1 case in a crowded indoors environment at this party is disastrous for parents over the school holidays.

lostandlonely20 · 13/07/2021 15:28

Absolutely no way! Someone I know (in their teens) went to a party of 50 people a couple of weeks ago, someone had covid there and it spread - about 250 people were affected by it in the end, either catching it or having to isolate and some businesses had to close for a week and others (including a caterers) had to cancel events due to staff having to isolate. A complete waste of time for everyone (and money for some!)

FourTeaFallOut · 13/07/2021 16:18

Here, right now? No.

Our local rate is 970/100k and we have a holiday booked for Friday 😬

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