Are people driving unvaccinated kids they don't know well?`

[Anonymous]

OP I am with you, I think it is an unreasonable thing for this Dad to ask especially during the current COVID wave. I have been guilted / pressured into a few carpool rides during the pandemic but have not appreciated it.

As far as masks, one I doubt it works and two why should someone else be able to force you to take a long drive masked. Masks reduce COVID exposure not eliminate it - driving for a long time together in a car it seems unlikely that a mask would prevent catching COVID from someone who is contagious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The dad of one of the girls on my daughter's U13 soccer team keeps asking people to drive her to a tournament this weekend. My daughter is not vaccinated yet, and I see by this girl's birthday on teamsnap that she is not vaccinated yet either. I get that the actual soccer will be outdoors, but I personally would not want to bring an unvaccinated kid that I do not know in my small car. This guy has asked me personally, as well as sending out three messages on teamsnap. I said I didn't think it would work for us when he asked me in person, and he seemed irritated.

Are people doing this? During a pandemic, when DD is still not vaccinated, I would drive a good friend of DD's, where I knew the family but not someone I don't know. Am I being unreasonable?

Yes. You are being unreasonable.

[Anonymous]

If you're concerned, have the kids wear masks.

Covid doesn't care how well you know someone or their family, so that shouldn't be a factor here (assuming you are otherwise ok with giving rides).

[Anonymous]

Yeah, we gave rides to many people in the pre-COVID past, but I guess that it comes down to, I am just not comfortable with it until my daughter gets vaccinated. She goes to a small private school where most classes are held outdoors right now, so I am not sure that school really plays in much.

Happy to give this family, or any other, a ride once my daughter is vaccinated, but not right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, do whatever you feel comfortable with. But to answer your question, yes, we're sharing rides. Kids wear masks and windows are open. For me personally, the added risk among kids who are already spending time together regularly outdoors is minimal.

OP this is how we are doing it. We know many other families doing the same.

[Anonymous]

Yes, people are doing this. I know a kid who had to quarantine because of it. I personally would not do it, and you aren’t unreasonable not to want to.

[Anonymous]

People are all over the map on this and I've learned that if I assume other people think like me I am going to get continually frustrated and demoralized.

I have a vaccinated 12yo and am still not interested in doing constant carpools with vaccinated kids. I offered to drive two other vaccinated kids when asked but said we didn't need rides just for the sake of rides. People don't understand that...they prioritize not having to drive over trying to minimize risk, but they also just don't perceive this stuff as risky whereas I do. And that's ok.

I just have learned to be direct: "we're trying to minimize carpooling until everyone is vaccinated." Or "we're trying to minimize carpooling until the pandemic is over." Or "we're not carpooling now, let's revisit in a few months" is better than trying to assume what people are thinking/doing/care about. There are ways to do that without vilifying others or being rude. Some people will think you are crazy, but so be it.

[Anonymous]

+1 on masks.

I’ve driven my 11 year old’s friends. It’s definitely a risk, but…on occasion I’ve done it (without masks).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it's a big deal if the kids wear masks, and you can keep the windows open too. This parent needs help getting his kid to soccer, that's not unreasonable to ask the team for a carpool.

+1

Have the kids mask and roll the windows down.

[Anonymous]

I would drive the kid. Why not? Most parents are vaccinated and your kid plays soccer with that kid. I don't see much difference between the kids breathing n each other while paying or having a snack or being in a car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would drive the kid. Why not? Most parents are vaccinated and your kid plays soccer with that kid. I don't see much difference between the kids breathing n each other while paying or having a snack or being in a car.

This. If it's anything like DD's team, there is happy hugging after goals and wins, sad hugging after losses, absolutely no distancing on the side lines or stoppages, and not much before or after games either