Kids playing outside together (in covid times)

Polly701 · 04-01-2021 1:33pm #1

I live in an estate with a green area. My kids are 9, 7 and 5 - we've mainly kept them in during the pandemic. I take them to a beach close by every day for a runaround. Or the woods or fields close by too. We have met my eldest best friend on the beach a handful of times.. Always for a short time.

Every day there are about ten kids playing outside all day. Sometimes more.. Lots of shrieking and kids going by on go carts. My kids can hear them and it seems wrong that my 3 are inside with too much screen time, etc. Mixture of households outside with no adults around. They have stopped calling to our door as I said kids couldn't come out because of corona virus. When we drive in or out my youngest begs to be left out to play... I'm questioning myself at this stage.. Do you let your kids play outside with others?

Acosta · 04-01-2021 1:39pm

Polly701 wrote: »

I live in an estate with a green area. My kids are 9, 7 and 5 - we've mainly kept them in during the pandemic. I take them to a beach close by every day for a runaround. Or the woods or fields close by too. We have met my eldest best friend on the beach a handful of times.. Always for a short time.

Every day there are about ten kids playing outside all day. Sometimes more.. Lots of shrieking and kids going by on go carts. My kids can hear them and it seems wrong that my 3 are inside with too much screen time, etc. Mixture of households outside with no adults around. They have stopped calling to our door as I said kids couldn't come out because of corona virus. When we drive in or out my youngest begs to be left out to play... I'm questioning myself at this stage.. Do you let your kids play outside with others?

People need to adapt to whatever the current state of the virus is, but unfortunately too many can't, hence the current high numbers. I think there's many points since last March when kids from other households playing together and in general people doing different things together would have been fine, once a bit of cop on came into it. However we're at the worst point of the pandemic since last March. Nobody should be mixing with anyone outside the house unless it's totally necessary.

Lashes28 · 04-01-2021 1:42pm

Mine are 15,5 and 4 we live facing a big green and there's gangs of kids out playing.
I've kept mine in.

If they are keeping schools closed to stop kids mixing and keep numbers down why would you let your children out to mix with high cases of CovID out there?

Everyone will have a different opinion. But they are getting exercise and fresh air with you.

Gemma1982 · 04-01-2021 1:54pm

I let mine out to play over Christmas. I was under pressure from them and gave in. I regret it now and won’t be doing it for the foreseeable future. I think there’s a lot of parents thinking that if other parents are doing it, it must be ok and getting a false sense of reassurance from that. I am surprised by the amount of kids playing on the green and also going in and out of each houses.

ahnowbrowncow · 04-01-2021 1:57pm

If they can go to school they should be allowed outside to play.

Being outside in the fresh air is safer than being in cramped classrooms and buses.

Away With The Fairies · 04-01-2021 2:04pm

ahnowbrowncow wrote: »

If they can go to school they should be allowed outside to play.

Being outside in the fresh air is safer than being in cramped classrooms and buses.

Has your views changed this week since they're not in school?

ginoginelli · 04-01-2021 2:06pm

Definitely not at the moment. EVERYBODY needs to stay in bar true essentials or a bit of exercise.

LAZYIRISH · 04-01-2021 2:16pm

Mine are let out to play with there friends they dont play every day together but when its beautiful and sunny like today they go out for a kick about or a cycle , for an hour or 2, my eldest is 15 and 2nd is 10, the 7 year old has his friend call over once in a blue moon but he plays with his siblings and there friends sometimes. If my kids were sick I'd keep them in and the same for their parents. The 15 year old had been going to his soccer and strength & conditioning training over this whole pandemic no problems, presuming itll be back up again for them in few weeks. No outbreaks in his school of nearly 800 kids, either same as the other two. I've seen the other side of scaring the **** out of kids can do. I wouldn't like to have my kids mentally ill worrying about this. I bring them to beach they have there wetsuits&boards so they have been out enjoying the surf too. The two smaller kids (4& 9months)are usually with me obviously too young to be meeting friends and only see their friends at playschool.

mirrorwall14 · 04-01-2021 2:18pm

Ours is only 5 but he plays the odd day outside with the neighbours kids. Max of four of them and it’s supervised. Parents miles apart. Too cold for long play sessions right now anyways. Our two year old plays on our lawn but doesn’t really interact with anyone

It’s really our only risk factor right now and it’s worth it. He needs the fresh air and the company.

Fr Tod Umptious · 04-01-2021 2:36pm

ginoginelli wrote: »

Definitely not at the moment. EVERYBODY needs to stay in bar true essentials or a bit of exercise.

Oh Fcuk off with this s**t.

Kids are not the super spreaders they were thought to be.
Playing out in the open air is about as low risk as it comes.

All summer kids played GAA and other sports together and there was no major spread.

Snotty · 04-01-2021 2:41pm

My 7yr old has a group of 4 other kids that meet up for play dates etc, wont be stopping that, she really suffered during the first lockdown and it took her months to get back to herself, i wont be doing that to her again.

Hoboo · 04-01-2021 2:51pm

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

Oh Fcuk off with this s**t.

Kids are not the super spreaders they were thought to be.
Playing out in the open air is about as low risk as it comes.

All summer kids played GAA and other sports together and there was no major spread.

Summer not winter. Schools were closed and numbers were low. Numbers were not in the mid thousands. Outbreaks in a a number of schools the week before Christmas in Drogheda with 350 third years told to stay at home from one school after 14 cases, unreported of course. And no contact tracing as it was over the weekend to keep the numbers deflated.

Now Drogheda has the worst incidence rate in the country (circa 1000).

That's not a coincidence.

Acosta · 04-01-2021 2:54pm

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

Oh Fcuk off with this s**t.

Kids are not the super spreaders they were thought to be.
Playing out in the open air is about as low risk as it comes.

All summer kids played GAA and other sports together and there was no major spread.

https://twitter.com/bbc5live/status/1345006866829463552

SusanC10 · 04-01-2021 3:00pm

We don't live in an Estate so no kids playing outside our house. But No, our kids are not mixing with other households at the moment.
No playdates or meeting friends outside of school.
They both went back to GAA over the Summer and trained when it was permitted but both finished up before Christmas when Training ended. They both went to their other outdoor activities.
They exercise most days with one or both of us. My Husband also has home gym equipment some of which they use on wet days.

LAZYIRISH · 04-01-2021 3:01pm

Acosta wrote: »

https://twitter.com/bbc5live/status/1345006866829463552

That has been disputed as fake news , I' think you should research more into what you just posted as it has been proven to be nonsense.

Theboinkmaster · 04-01-2021 3:02pm

Acosta wrote: »

https://twitter.com/bbc5live/status/1345006866829463552

That has since been debunked as nonsense.

LAZYIRISH · 04-01-2021 3:05pm

Acosta wrote: »

https://twitter.com/bbc5live/status/1345006866829463552

Here I'll help you , scaremongering at its finest.

https://twitter.com/CheungRonny/status/1345307828119089152?s=20

Acosta · 04-01-2021 3:23pm

Theboinkmaster wrote: »

That has since been debunked as nonsense.

Fair enough. I would have thought the BBC could be trusted on such a serious issue.

SomeGuyCalledMi · 04-01-2021 3:30pm

I thinks its ok to have kids playing outside. The scientists tell us the schools are safe and they are indoors. So do we believe the scientists or not?

History Queen · 04-01-2021 3:34pm

The advice is very simple. Keep to your own household. Children (or anyone) should not be mixing with other households unnecessarily. If you choose to ignore that advice you are part of the problem no matter what excuse you tell yourself.

bladespin · 04-01-2021 3:41pm

Yes, mine are out and playing, not allowed enter other households etc but cycling, football are fine with me, they know all the guidelines etc and I trust them to follow as best they can, there aren't a lot of other kids in our area so their group pretty much consists of one or two from one other family.

ceadaoin. · 04-01-2021 3:41pm

Acosta wrote: »

https://twitter.com/bbc5live/status/1345006866829463552

This has been debunked thoroughly at this stage.

https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/news-events/news/rcpch-responds-media-reports-increased-admissions-children-young-people-covid-19

jellybear · 04-01-2021 3:42pm

For parents allowing their children out, all day, unsupervised, please think of the effects this has on others. There is rarely a quiet time for vulnerable people to go for a walk in their own estate (there are children playing outside my house since 11am, non stop), it is very unfair on people working from home who are on calls etc (maybe I'm just unlucky to have children in my estate who scream to communicate with each other).

The official advice is that you can mix with one other household outdoors...not a different household per child, depending on who their friends are, which is what I'm seeing.

I'm so fed up sitting in my house, following all the advice, only to look out and see this crap every day. The parents may aswell be standing there giving me the two fingers, because that's basically what they're doing by allowing this all day, every day.

Rant over.

bladespin · 04-01-2021 3:46pm

jellybear wrote: »

For parents allowing their children out, all day, unsupervised, please think of the effects this has on others. There is rarely a quiet time for vulnerable people to go for a walk in their own estate (there are children playing outside my house since 11am, non stop), it is very unfair on people working from home who are on calls etc (maybe I'm just unlucky to have children in my estate who scream to communicate with each other).
.

Surely anyone vulnerable etc can go for a walk while the kids are out, don't see how that would stop them tbh.
I've worked from home during the heatwave when the kids were out all the time, never had an issue - chose a room towards the rear of the house which would be quiet.

04-01-2021 3:48pm

jellybear wrote: »

For parents allowing their children out, all day, unsupervised, please think of the effects this has on others. There is rarely a quiet time for vulnerable people to go for a walk in their own estate (there are children playing outside my house since 11am, non stop), it is very unfair on people working from home who are on calls etc (maybe I'm just unlucky to have children in my estate who scream to communicate with each other).

The official advice is that you can mix with one other household outdoors...not a different household per child, depending on who their friends are, which is what I'm seeing.

I'm so fed up sitting in my house, following all the advice, only to look out and see this crap every day. The parents may aswell be standing there giving me the two fingers, because that's basically what they're doing by allowing this all day, every day.

Rant over.

Close the curtains and mind your business maybe?

jellybear · 04-01-2021 3:51pm

bladespin wrote: »

Surely anyone vulnerable etc can go for a walk while the kids are out, don't see how that would stop them tbh.
I've worked from home during the heatwave when the kids were out all the time, never had an issue - chose a room towards the rear of the house which would be quiet.

I'm not sure if you're in the vulnerable category or not, but as someone who is, that's much easier said than done. I do not feel comfortable walking past, or sometimes through, large groups of children who do not move, no matter how nicely they're asked.
Again, not everyone is in a position to chose a room in a quieter position.
Not trying to be a pain or argumentative but unfortunately not everyone has the options you do.

The HorsesMouth · 04-01-2021 3:55pm

Acosta wrote: »

https://twitter.com/bbc5live/status/1345006866829463552

That was debunked as fake news by consultants all over london hospitals. A bit of research will tell you that.

bladespin · 04-01-2021 3:55pm

jellybear wrote: »

I'm not sure if you're in the vulnerable category or not, but as someone who is, that's much easier said than done. I do not feel comfortable walking past, or sometimes through, large groups of children who do not move, no matter how nicely they're asked.
Again, not everyone is in a position to chose a room in a quieter position.
Not trying to be a pain or argumentative but unfortunately not everyone has the options you do.

Not vulnerable personally (well anymore than anyone else really) but we do have several who would be classed as such close by, never had a problem, the boys actively look out for them (even do some shopping etc), would suggest stopping trying to see the bogey man in the local kids, might help with the situation, the kids been through just as much as someone in your position, if not more.

jellybear · 04-01-2021 3:57pm

bladespin wrote: »

Not vulnerable personally (well anymore than anyone else really) but we do have several who would be classed as such close by, never had a problem, the boys actively look out for them (even do some shopping etc), would suggest stopping trying to see the bogey man in the local kids, might help with the situation, the kids been through just as much as someone in your position, if not more.

We'll have to agree to disagree so

anewme · 04-01-2021 4:00pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Close the curtains and mind your business maybe?

What kind of response is that?

JDxtra · 04-01-2021 4:05pm

There is absolutely no way I'm keeping my children inside. They have been and will continue to play with a few of their friends kicking a ball at the green, cycling around etc.

No issues with anyone who wants to keep theirs inside, but kids need a few friends and to be outside being kids. To not permit it is more cruel.

anewme · 04-01-2021 4:07pm

I’m not vulnerable personally but providing support to older vulnerable adult with shopping etc.

Kids down my way playing away, mixing, screaming, shouting etc on the green and that’s the parents own decision. They are not close enough to stop me on my walk so no harm done.

But what is annoying me is that they have taken to ringing people’s door bells and running away. I’ve had it twice daily. I am keeping to my household and I don’t want them on my property or mauling the door handles

I’ve found who the culprit is and did not approach the parents yet as I would have turn strips off them and would not have been productive or helpful.

Thelonious Monk · 04-01-2021 4:08pm

Upon going to local Dunnes last night there were teenagers everywhere in groups. It was the same during the first lockdown though.
Surely teenagers meeting in groups can spread the disease? Neither the parents nor Garda care so whatever.

JDxtra · 04-01-2021 4:12pm

jellybear wrote: »

For parents allowing their children out, all day, unsupervised, please think of the effects this has on others. There is rarely a quiet time for vulnerable people to go for a walk in their own estate (there are children playing outside my house since 11am, non stop), it is very unfair on people working from home who are on calls etc (maybe I'm just unlucky to have children in my estate who scream to communicate with each other).

The official advice is that you can mix with one other household outdoors...not a different household per child, depending on who their friends are, which is what I'm seeing.

I'm so fed up sitting in my house, following all the advice, only to look out and see this crap every day. The parents may aswell be standing there giving me the two fingers, because that's basically what they're doing by allowing this all day, every day.

Rant over.

It's difficult, but kids are not generally quiet. That's the way they are. Best off to just accept it and work around it as best you can. Maybe an early walk in the morning before they are up and about.

JDxtra · 04-01-2021 4:17pm

anewme wrote: »

But what is annoying me is that they have taken to ringing people’s door bells and running away. I’ve had it twice daily. I am keeping to my household and I don’t want them on my property or mauling the door handles

I’ve found who the culprit is and did not approach the parents yet as I would have turn strips off them and would not have been productive or helpful.

Parents may not be aware. We had a note placed on our residents Facebook page that some children were doing this and requesting parents to have a word with their children. It has stopped now as far as I'm aware, certainly no further complaints. Just mention it nicely - no need to mention germs on the door handles etc. Parents generally don't want their kids annoying people and most are reasonable.

jellybear · 04-01-2021 4:19pm

JDxtra wrote: »

It's difficult, but kids are not generally quiet. That's the way they are. Best of just accept it and work around it as best you can. Maybe an early walk in the morning before they are up and about.

Oh I know and I don't expect them to be quiet...I guess you'd have to hear it to know where I'm coming from

I fully appreciate kids need to be out playing, don't get me wrong, but it's the large groups I have an issue with. I just can't understand the blatant disregard for the advice to only mix with one other household. It means others aren't trying to get by large groups on narrow paths. All of this is very unique to my circumstances, where I live etc so I know others won't agree or see where I'm coming from.

I have been going out early morning and late evening as these are quieter times. I suppose having a busy toddler, it would be nice to feel comfortable getting out for a walk with him during the day, but unfortunately, it's not something I'm comfortable doing with cases so high etc. It's a personal choice that I'm making due to being high risk, which I don't expect others to agree with, and that's fine

KaneToad · 04-01-2021 4:20pm

JDxtra wrote: »

No issues with anyone who wants to keep theirs inside, but kids need a few friends and to be outside being kids. To not permit it is more cruel.

This is why we have a problem. Everyone thinks that their personal situation/opinion should override the expert opinion of NPHET. Most of us are guilty of it, if we're being honest.

Of course kids need friends and need to play but that needs to be restricted until we are in a better place. When they are in school, they are subject to restrictions & Covid reduction measures.

SpacialNeeds · 04-01-2021 4:21pm

(post removed)

anewme · 04-01-2021 4:21pm

JDxtra wrote: »

Parents may not be aware. We had a note placed on our residents Facebook page that some children were doing this and requesting parents to have a word withtheir children. It has stopped now as far as I'm aware, certainly no further complaints. Just mention it nicely - no need to mention germs on the door handles etc. Parents generally don't want their kids annoying people and most are reasonable.

The person whose child it is is known to be fiery and defensive over kids and if they take me the wrong way there would be killings, hence I didn’t call near the door.

bladespin · 04-01-2021 4:24pm

SpacialNeeds wrote: »

Sounds like you just hate children tbh. Nasty post.

I didn't read it like that tbh, a little one sided maybe but not nasty, we all need to be mindful of everyone affected by this.

anewme · 04-01-2021 4:26pm

Didn’t read it nasty at all either.

People need to be mindful that everyone has their challenges in this pandemic and It’s about respect for everyone’s situation.

JDxtra · 04-01-2021 4:40pm

KaneToad wrote: »

This is why we have a problem. Everyone thinks that their personal situation/opinion should override the expert opinion of NPHET. Most of us are guilty of it, if we're being honest.

Of course kids need friends and need to play but that needs to be restricted until we are in a better place. When they are in school, they are subject to restrictions & Covid reduction measures.

Now hold on a second, that comment is unfair. I did not visit any restaurant, bar or any social venue in December. I never saw many members of my family over Christmas because the lockdown pulled the shutters down. I made the sacrifices, I was sensible and I have not contributed to the current problem.

Me allowing my kids to kick a ball around outside with a couple of friends is extremely low risk. There is only so much screen time they can have, they need to be outside and be kids.

For all we know (at the moment) they'll be back in school on Monday. They'll be then mixing with a much wider circle of other kids (in school and going to/from school).

History Queen · 04-01-2021 4:45pm

JDxtra wrote: »

Now hold on a second, that comment is unfair. I did not visit any restaurant, bar or any social venue in December. I never saw many members of my family over Christmas because the lockdown pulled the shutters down. I made the sacrifices, I was sensible and I have not contributed to the current problem.

Me allowing my kids to kick a ball around outside with a couple of friends is extremely low risk. There is only so much screen time they can have, they need to be outside and be kids.

For all we know (at the moment) they'll be back in school on Monday. They'll be then mixing with a much wider circle of other kids (in school and going to/from school).

Unfair or not, households mixing is the reason we have a problem regardless of whether it is in a garden or a house or a restaurant. I'd be pretty confident that schools will not be open next week, or at least not to full capacity.

JDxtra · 04-01-2021 4:59pm

This is such a contentious issue.

Nothing is zero risk. Me allowing some minor flexability with children in an outdoor setting does not even remotely compare to some of the other stupid things people have done in December and over Christmas.

These people are the problem, not a few kids kicking a ball around on a green. Others will disagree with me, that’s fine. To me it’s about having a sensible, safe balance. Remember NPHET do not have a graph measuring our childrens mental health that gets shown everyday on the 6.01 news.

History Queen · 04-01-2021 5:07pm

JDxtra wrote: »

This is such a contentious issue.

Nothing is zero risk. Me allowing some minor flexability with children in an outdoor setting does not even remotely compare to some of the other stupid things people have done in December and over Christmas.

These people are the problem, not a few kids kicking a ball around on a green. Others will disagree with me, that’s fine. To me it’s about having a sensible, safe balance. Remember NPHET do not have a graph measuring our childrens mental health that gets shown everyday on the 6.01 news.

Agreed. It is contentious and in the scheme of things it is lower risk. Truth be told Ronan Glynn really made me sit up and think yesterday. In my opinion it is worth following the regulations to the letter for the next 4 weeks in the hope that enough people do likewise so as to dramatically drop numbers. I'm a teacher and want to get in front of my students as soon as possible. I also really really miss my extended family. Best wishes to you andyour family.

bladespin · 04-01-2021 5:12pm

History Queen wrote: »

Unfair or not, households mixing is the reason we have a problem regardless of whether it is in a garden or a house or a restaurant. I'd be pretty confident that schools will not be open next week, or at least not to full capacity.

Kids were mixing at school and at sport since September, no issues, they're not the ones to blame.

History Queen · 04-01-2021 5:27pm

bladespin wrote: »

Kids were mixing at school and at sport since September, no issues, they're not the ones to blame.

It's not about blame. It's just a case of less people mixing equals less transmission.

mirrorwall14 · 04-01-2021 8:03pm

To be clear, I wouldn’t be comfortable with all day every day but ours is supervised, for a short period and not a free for all

timeToLive · 05-01-2021 1:35am

Look, you shouldn't be letting your kids out mixing. Just use your brains.

TallyRand · 05-01-2021 2:04am

timeToLive wrote: »

Look, you shouldn't be letting your kids out mixing. Just use your brains.

Brain dead! Use yours, firstly you clearly haven’t got kids!
They’ve been in school and playing outside crawling all ove each other for 5 months and and and........nothing happened.

You stay away from kids and don’t worry your little brain.

Lashes28 · 05-01-2021 3:01am

TallyRand wrote: »

Brain dead! Use yours, firstly you clearly haven’t got kids!
They’ve been in school and playing outside crawling all ove each other for 5 months and and and........nothing happened.

You stay away from kids and don’t worry your little brain.

So you don't put your seatbelt on once in the car and you don't have an accident does that mean it's ok to never have your belt on ? Sure you did it before and nothing happened??

The last 5 months haven't had the level of infection in the community as it does now. So the chances of your kids catching it now is much higher than before.

Also the having children/ not having children line is just boring at this stage. Anyone can have an opinion.

Kids playing outside together (in covid times)

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