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Original poster

Are you sitting outside when meeting friends?

155 replies

ParrotsAteThemAll · 15/02/2022 18:55

If a friend was coming to your house for a coffee and chat but announced on arrival they would only sit outside how would you feel? They are not CEV, double vax and awaiting booster, person the are visiting is triple vaxxed and negative LFT. They are not isolating, still working, shopping and fit and well.

This is in the UK.

OP posts:
CinzanoChic · 15/02/2022 20:38

Of course not.

maddiemookins16mum · 15/02/2022 20:39

Jeez no. I thought all that was over yonks ago.

Gladioli23 · 15/02/2022 20:41

I wouldn't mind having an outdoor meet up if that was what they wanted but I would want to be forewarned so we could e.g. plan to meet in a country park where we could get a takeaway coffee and go and look at snowdrops and walk round for an hour or two. Not just sit in the freezing cold getting colder and colder. Being outside is perfectly nice if you're appropriately attired and also moving and frankly miserable if you aren't.

AmberGer · 15/02/2022 20:43

Honestly thought this was a zombie thread

OliveTree75 · 15/02/2022 20:43

@RoseAndRose

This! Are the people still socialising like this going to do this forever?

Why would you wonder that? Because that's a bit of a wild leap

When there are 46,000 new cases a day and it's still peak virus season, it seems pretty sensible to me. And indeed if it was reasonable in June 2020 (under 6k cases a day) then it definitely is at the moment!

Can you seriously not think of a big difference between June 2020 and now?!Hmm
Icecreamandapplepie · 15/02/2022 20:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

solbunny · 15/02/2022 20:44

OP, is there a chance she could be pregnant and is perhaps feeling a little anxious? I know that's when my covid anxiety went into overdrive personally!

I honestly wouldn't mind if a friend asked this, but then I like sitting outside - I wrap up warm, put some blankets on and sit outside to drink my coffee with the sunrise most mornings Smile so I wouldn't think twice really. But I do understand why others wouldn't be happy as it's just been sprung on you and wasn't the meet up you'd agreed to!

Rainbowsandstorms · 15/02/2022 20:49

If they were a good friend I would but ideally you’d have this chat beforehand and have worked out a plan including postponing if it was freezing. I’ve struggled with anxiety throughout this and have hugely appreciated the friends who have understood this and have been happy to accommodate walks and outdoor meet ups without making me feel like I’ve lost the plot. I do always however make sure there’s a clear plan before any meet ups and would never announce it at the last minute and I’m always ready to postpone if the weather is bad and have encouraged my friends to meet without me and to do things that I’m not yet comfortable with without me. Try to be gentle with those who are still struggling I’ve fought to continue to move forward with things and have come a long way and I’ve hugely appreciated those friends who have been gentle and supportive. I’m finally reaching a point where I’m starting to do some indoor activities again but it’s not been easy. Try not to be too quick to judge if you have friends who are struggling, You never know what someone has been through that has triggered health anxiety or how hard they have worked to get to the point that you are judging. Always be kind.

RoseAndRose · 15/02/2022 20:50

@Enjoyingaquickdip

When there are 46,000 new cases a day and it's still peak virus season, it seems pretty sensible to me. And indeed if it was reasonable in June 2020 (under 6k cases a day) then it definitely is at the moment

FFS - vaccines?? Hmm

Well quite!

6,000 cases a day in an unvaccinated population - with 391 daily admisdions (June 2020) is way wat lower than 46,0000 with 1110 daily admissions (now) in a vaccinated one.

If it was reasonable to seek to avoid infection and avoid further stress on NHS in June 2020 (as I took the post referencing that month to mean) then it's definitely reasonable on the current figures.

Not everyone can afford time off work, and so may need to reduce the number of occasions for transmission. The risk can't be eliminated, but it can be reduced.

Beth13579 · 15/02/2022 20:50

If the weather was dry, I would be pleased to accommodate that request. I'd find it a bit surprising if very windy, cold or wet.

Enjoyingaquickdip · 15/02/2022 20:55

RoseAndRose

The NHS isn't struggling due to COVID admissions now though is it . ..

How long do you intend sitting outside for? It's just nonsense unless you were undergoing chemotherapy or something, I'd totally understand then.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 15/02/2022 20:56

Not everyone can afford time off work, and so may need to reduce the number of occasions for transmission. The risk can't be eliminated, but it can be reduced.

If that's how people feel that's fine, they just needn't expect me to freeze on their account! I don't think I like any of my friends enough to sit outside this weather!

RoseAndRose · 15/02/2022 21:00

@Enjoyingaquickdip

RoseAndRose

The NHS isn't struggling due to COVID admissions now though is it . ..

How long do you intend sitting outside for? It's just nonsense unless you were undergoing chemotherapy or something, I'd totally understand then.

I pi didn't like the 'if not now then when' question whenever it's reared up.

Because it's not ever been a 'now or never' situation, let alone a 'this or perpetual lickdiwn' one.

I thought I'd explained that when the case numbers and hospital admissions number are as low as the summer lulls, then things will seem quite different.

And some people simply cannot afford more time off work if they catch it again.

OliveTree75 · 15/02/2022 21:03

6,000 cases a day in an unvaccinated population - with 391 daily admisdions (June 2020) is way wat lower than 46,0000 with 1110 daily admissions (now) in a vaccinated one.

Not comparable though. How many tests were done daily in June 2020? Not half as many as now and we didn’t have LFTs being given out like sweets.

EeeICouldRipATissue · 15/02/2022 21:07

No chance!
It's bloody freezing Grin
Unless you're seriously vulnerable and compromised, I don't see why anyone would do this at all anyway.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 15/02/2022 21:07

And some people simply cannot afford more time off work if they catch it again.

That's understandable but they should say something beforehand, not turn up at someone's house and announce they are sitting outside, that's just plain rude!

RoseAndRose · 15/02/2022 21:11

Announcing on arrival is leaving it too late, I agree.

But the basic idea of being outside is fine, and I think it should be respected

Not comparable though
The number of hospital admissions is

chiickenandchiips · 15/02/2022 21:15

Why would you wonder that? Because that's a bit of a wild leap

When there are 46,000 new cases a day and it's still peak virus season, it seems pretty sensible to me. And indeed if it was reasonable in June 2020 (under 6k cases a day) then it definitely is at the moment!

But the majority of people don't even realise they have covid, or feel like they have a cold. It just doesn't warrant sitting outside in this weather.

OohThatCat · 15/02/2022 21:15

No, if they were going out working and shopping, I’d say that was double standards!

RoseAndRose · 15/02/2022 21:18

@OohThatCat

No, if they were going out working and shopping, I’d say that was double standards!
Work and shopping are pretty necessary

Social engagements usually aren't, though they can be highly desirable.

It's not about eliminating risk, it's about managing it and reducing it, in line with the hierarchy of needs.

OliveTree75 · 15/02/2022 21:18

The number of hospital admissions is

It’s really not.

BurntO · 15/02/2022 21:20

In February, no.

LouLou198 · 15/02/2022 21:24

No. Last time I did this was last winter when I was desperate to see my parents, I sat on a camping chair whilst they sat in their porch! Since restrictions allowed I have been meeting people indoors. What is her job?

whattodo2019 · 15/02/2022 21:25

Of course not!! We have to learn to live with covid...

Goldendaffodils · 15/02/2022 21:27

I’d be fine with it tbh. A brew in the garden really isn’t that big a deal to me. I have a friend with a CEV husband and she goes to great lengths to protect him - has done for two years, and I have the utmost respect for her. And no, she doesn’t exactly love sitting in the p*ssing February rain either!

So much privilege on this thread. No wonder disabled people and those dealing with mental health issues feel marginalised… Hmm