Meeting up in a park

Yes, it’s a risk unless the groups remain socially distanced completely. Particles from a sneeze can travel over 20 feet, whether you are indoors or outdoors, they just linger longer indoors.

20 feet?!
Oh. Didnt know that.

Thank you for your reply.

I was a Guinea pig at The Common Cold Research Establishment many years ago and we had to stay 10 yards (30 feet) apart when we were outside.
I think you will find that the distance is greater than 20 feet.

Unless you stay inside on your own you will always run the risk of catching something from someone wherever you are.

Makes you wonder how people used to manage when they weren't so obsessed with minor illnesses.

I think much depends on the health of the second family. If someone is compromised in some way it might be better not to get too close to a coughing child, but if everyone is hale and hearty I'd (personally) take the risk.

Don't take that the wrong way. Before Covid I only knew one person who was always worried about catching a 'bug' or passing one on. I've known her 50 years and we are still friends.

Half the time I don't even know I've got a 'bug' (cold-type thing) until it's almost over and it dawns on me I've got through more hanlies than usual and felt a bit achier than usual. Therefore, I am wicked because I've probably passed it on.

*hankies

Many virus' are more infectious before the symptoms present- this is why they are so successfully transmitted and why our immune systems provide the defence.

Coughing and sneezing are the bodies reaction to the pathogen ie a good thing and not always the means by which a virus is spread.

Maintaining a healthy immune system through diet and exercise is the best way to avoid infection. We do not live in a sterile germ free vacuum.

What happens when the child goes to school or preschool surely she/hes mixing all the time with colds and flu
How else do we build up resistance
I wouldn’t think twice about it personally

There are too many varying factors to consider to answer your question effectively. What I would say is there's no point exposing a child to others unnecessarily if their immune system is already compromised. It may benefit the adults in that situation (who want to see the child) but doesn't benefit the child in any way and surely the ill child is the priority? I can understand a parent not wanting to compromise their sick child to pacify a grown adult's feelings. I'd say just accept it, move on and wait til the child is well again.

@BlueBelle but if a child is already ill, you would keep them off from pre-school because their immune system is already compromised and is working overtime to fight the illness. Kids immune systems build up naturally, it's not something that should be 'forced' by exposing them to as many people and as many illnesses as possible when they are already sick. That would be completely irresponsible parenting on the mothers and fathers part.

mamasperspective
OP says a slight cough and ‘not really ill’
Who said anything at all about the child or anyone else being compromised you ve really gone OTT , no one at all is saying an ill, immune compromised child should be at school or out in public at all , but that is not what is being discussed here

It’s not even clear if it’s the child the poster is worried about or herself , meeting the child and the child could be 3 or 7 or 8 so it’s all a bit unclear

Hardly anyone keeps children off pre school for a cold. They are in every school I go into. They all seem to survive.

I think if there are no other health problems it's fine but I think those of us who have lived in families, either now or in the past, where a minor illness could be mean a hospital admission for someone - they would be more careful

If it's just a minor cough, then catching a minor cough yourself isn't a huge deal. We catch minor bugs from one another all the time. It's normal, and it helps to build up our immune system. One of the down sides left over from Covid is that the fear lingers on. But every cough isn't a sign of a deadly disease. It's just life, innit?

Will reply more later.

We settled for a me with a mask on, in someone's garden, with outdoor toys.

It isnt me that has the cough.
It was a matter of me mixing with family A, and potentially transferring things to family B when they arrive tomorrow.

Thanks for the replies.

Baggs

Makes you wonder how people used to manage when they weren't so obsessed with minor illnesses.

It certainly does 🤦🏼‍♀️

If I kept away from my granddaughter everytime she had a cough I’d never see her.
She’s prone to them.

fancythat

Will reply more later.

We settled for a me with a mask on, in someone's garden, with outdoor toys.

It isnt me that has the cough.
It was a matter of me mixing with family A, and potentially transferring things to family B when they arrive tomorrow.

Thanks for the replies.

If it's the very sore throat and cough virus that is doing the rounds, it's very unpleasant and the annoying cough lingers on.

I hope no-one else catches it.

JaneJudge

I think if there are no other health problems it's fine but I think those of us who have lived in families, either now or in the past, where a minor illness could be mean a hospital admission for someone - they would be more careful

Maintaining a healthy immune system through diet and exercise is the best way to avoid infection.
You can take vitamins, eat a healthy diet, exercise (if possible) but some people will still have a compromised immune system through no fault of their own.

JaneJudge is right

For all those who seem to catch nothing or get over a virus with just a sniffle, there will be others who will be laid low by the same germs.
They can be careful but should they have to hibernate because others go out socialising when they're ill?

Allira

fancythat

Will reply more later.

We settled for a me with a mask on, in someone's garden, with outdoor toys.

It isnt me that has the cough.
It was a matter of me mixing with family A, and potentially transferring things to family B when they arrive tomorrow.

Thanks for the replies.

If it's the very sore throat and cough virus that is doing the rounds, it's very unpleasant and the annoying cough lingers on.

I hope no-one else catches it.

It is/was.
The poor little thing ended up in a&e for a few hours as it affected his breathing.
We also noticed he wasnt making as much noise. Turns out, he had a very sore throat so had lost his voice in a toddler like way.

petra

If I kept away from my granddaughter everytime she had a cough I’d never see her.
She’s prone to them.

I know what you mean.

We are part of a large family, as have mentioned before. Dont like to keep mentioning it as may be boring people.
Some families are quite happy with catching anything going, if that be the case. And some are not.
Hence my starting this thread.
I needed to get the balance right between all of them.
I think I managed it.
Everyone is happy, I think.

To be a little clearer, I started the thread with a generalisation.
As much for another time, as today.
Partly so I could refer to it some other time if/when I needed to.