Would you go to this meal?

[CapitanSandy]

I’m in two minds about going to a family meal tomorrow there will be 15 of us. It will be in a private room.

Not to drip feed I’ve been very anxious about Covid and have been shielding most of this year. Luckily my role is WFH I’m CV with cerebral palsy I’ve had 3 vaccines and a flu jab.

No one is keen on doing LFTs before and everyone has been working in busy places out and mixing. (Not saying they shouldn’t be). I’ve never met one of the guests so not sure if they have been vaccinated etc.
The rates in our area are increasing but not massive.

I’ve always been anxious about getting Covid as when I had flu Christmas 2011 I was poorly for 4 months.

I’m so stressed unsure what to do. A family member has worked hard organising it so I’d feel guilty not going but then I don’t want to take risks.

I know no one can tell me what do just interested in opinions.

Please be kind if you can I’m getting help with my anxiety and the effects of the last couple of years.

If you are so anxious you won't enjoy it and will worry after, I'd make a decision to drop out.

Sounds like you've got good reason to be concerned.

If the other guests are refusing to test then I think you are right to pull out.

Do what's best for you - don't worry about other people . We all have to manage our own risks now .

TBH those flow tests mean nothing anyway , take those out of the equation and weigh up what it would mean to you if you caught covid - there's your answer.

In two weeks yes I would but not just before Christmas especially if people won’t test

@Dontforgetyourbrolly

TBH those flow tests mean nothing anyway , take those out of the equation and weigh up what it would mean to you if you caught covid - there's your answer.

Flow test did pick up my Covid so l wouldn't totally write them off. I wouldn't go. Sounds like you could get hit hard if you picked it up. You have made big sacrifices to stay well so hang in there for another while. Everyone will understand

Thank you for the kind replies. I’m finding the uncertainty so difficult to manage at the moment. Just all a bit shit

Seeing as though your CV then I think it’s perfectly understandable not to attend plus if they won’t take an LFT test then another reason. If anyone gets snippy take no notice.

I was meant to be going out for a pre christmas meal then a bit of shopping with my sister on saturday.

I have had this virus (not covid) for six weeks and only since yesterday have felt a lot better.
We cancelled it as the restaurant is quite small (ventilation) and i just cant face being ill again after the last six weeks i’ve had!
So i totally get why you feel the way you do!!
If i were you i would cancel, its not worth the risk if you have health conditions.

I would cancel and think the people who won’t do LFTs are BU.

Heaps of people first find out they have covid through LFT, so don't agree with the PP who says they mean nothing.

Given that rates are the highest they ever been, and that you are CV, and that the others won't take a LFT first, I think you are fine to explain to the organiser that you just aren't comfortable going.

Thanks everyone feeling a little calmer now. I was half expecting to be told I was being unreasonable.

Does age make you automatically clinically vulnerable? My grandparents are 81

Why is no one doing an LFT?

I really wouldn't go. Is this meant to be instead of Christmas day?

“Because they don’t need to because of being vaccinated”.??!Kind of just a chance to see most of the family before Christmas. Will be seeing grandparents Christmas Day.

I am going to a meal at the weekend with a similar number of people but not a private room. The difference is, people will test beforehand and no one is CV (although a couple of elderly people). Only hob can weigh up the risk vs reward but I do think it’s very poor behaviour that they are unwilling to do LFTs.

@CapitanSandy

“Because they don’t need to because of being vaccinated”.??!Kind of just a chance to see most of the family before Christmas. Will be seeing grandparents Christmas Day.

Have you tried asking them to do one just to put your mind at rest?

I know it is annoying! I could try and persuade them to do an LFT possibly? I don’t know. Would I regret not going? Thinking more out loud here!

OP, if this was Christmas 2018 and none of us had heard of Covid, how much (on a scale of 1-10) would you be looking forward to this meal?

Personally if I was you I would cancel. It's causing you to worry about doubt yourself i think you are fighting your gut - your gut is telling you not to go.

@CapitanSandy

I know it is annoying! I could try and persuade them to do an LFT possibly? I don’t know. Would I regret not going? Thinking more out loud here!

Something that helps me sometimes is something like this:

What's the worst that can happen if I go?

What's the worst that can happen if I don't?

I also do Pro/Con lists but sometimes the only "Pro" is "I wanna!"

If 10 was the most excited ever I’d say a 7 we’ve done this kind of meal every year apart from 2 years due to family illness and then Covid.

That’s a good tip it wouldn’t be the end of the world if I didn’t go

OP, do you know whether any of the people attending are likely to have been out and about in London over the past week? London Covid rates are currently way ahead of the rest of the UK, so anyone who has been in London this week represents a massively increased risk.

No one has been in London that I know of.

How would you feel if you went and got covid? If this isn't worth it for you then don't go.