Now I'm the mean parent on the block

[Anonymous]

Well there are stay home orders in DC, VA, and MD now, so (quietly) call the police if you see this happening.

[Anonymous]

I live in Arlington and my (former) nanny’s husband has the virus. He’s on a ventilator and not doing well. Kids are getting sick too. You are doing the right thing.

[Anonymous]

I have the same problem in my neighborhood. Families treating it like some fun group spring break. Hoping the stay-home order knocks some sense into them.

[Anonymous]

The first people we know to have it is the whole family of my kid's best friend. The parents are in healthcare. Now she gets why we are isolating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not just the mean parent but the mean neighbor on my street in general. I won't let my kids play AND I'm the uptight B who isn't joining the block/lawn wine parties. You should see the looks I get. I am already considered "not fun" because I don't socialize a ton (sorry, not going to leave my sleeping young kids alone in the house to go drink in someone else's backyard!) so eh, whatever.

I guess there is one in every neighborhood. I’m the one in my neighborhood. I wish you lived near me, PP.

[Anonymous]

Same in my neighborhood. Kids are knocking on our door to play with my 7yo. Now I’m the mean parent who won’t let her go.

[Anonymous]

Yep, I’m just waiting for these people to fall sick and be “so surprised”.

[Anonymous]

I’m in MoCo, in Olney, and my neighborhood is taking this seriously. No socializing with families (including our next door neighbors with kids the same age as ours).

[Anonymous]

My kids go out twice per day and at the same times. We had a neighbor kid knock on our door twice. He immediately stepped back when my kids answered. They played outside a couple of times "together" staying far apart. I know because we reminded them and watched them. I've seen unrelated neighbor kids that are younger (<8) playing together very closely and not being supervised. They are too young to be outside in the current situation unsupervised. Op, hopefully your kid is still getting some exercise outside. There is no need for him to hang with your crazy neighbors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids go out twice per day and at the same times. We had a neighbor kid knock on our door twice. He immediately stepped back when my kids answered. They played outside a couple of times "together" staying far apart. I know because we reminded them and watched them. I've seen unrelated neighbor kids that are younger (<8) playing together very closely and not being supervised. They are too young to be outside in the current situation unsupervised. Op, hopefully your kid is still getting some exercise outside. There is no need for him to hang with your crazy neighbors.

You can tell me I'm being a jerk, but I have seen this sort of "social distance playdate" several times, and kids are NOT staying 6 feet apart-- even on the way outside chance yours are, 100% of the time-- 6 feet should be a very bare minimum when unavoidable. Adults aren't either. They're chatting 3 or 4 feet apart-- and I get it, because I had to take out a tape measure and realized 6 feet was significantly farther than I had estimated it was. And again, we're not supposed to be regularly hanging out even 8 or 10 or 12 feet apart.

My neighborhood seems about 90% to be taking this seriously, but even *among those people*, some are not quite getting it in practice. I am 1000% sympathetic, because it's hard for our brains to turn on dime after decades of habit and social norms. But I saw two kids (8 years old) from different, very very responsible, educated families biking/walking together and I'm certain told they should be apart... but they were often about 2 feet apart. I don't want to police other people, but it's frustrating.

[Anonymous]

I'm the mean one in our neighborhood too, I've never seen so many kids and adults out as there were yesterday. It's crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Same here. All our neighbors are outside playing with different families.

I think people basically waited 2 weeks, and assuming no one from either family got sick, they're in the clear.

Oh yeah, everyone assumes that if you have been isolated 2 weeks and no symptoms you are all post quarantine so can come together.

However, I seriously doubt all those families literally stayed in their homes for two weeks with no grocery shopping, no packages, and no close approaches on walks — which when you aggregate all their risks together and then merge by socializing, the virus spreads.

Plus people don't tell you everything. 2 weeks ago was right around the weekend of the 15-16th when lots of people weren't taking this seriously or saying -- oh it's our last time to have fun before we're locked down and WFH with kids home for a long time. So who went out to dinner that weekend or a family birthday party where their cousin from NY came down with her family? Who decided on the weekend of the 21st that oh seeing the cherry blossoms is NBD, it's outdoors. I mean unless you have a diary of these people's movements then 2 weeks means nothing -- bc how many times have they gone grocery shopping or had groceries or takeout delivered since then or gone running on a trail that's packed or whatever. You're right, they're wrong.

THIS.

We've all had to adjust, and readjust, and adjust again-- and it's headspinning. I feel like my family has been extremely responsible, but I recently realized I'm not that reliable of a narrator-- and I wasn't trying to hide anything! We haven't been to school or work in almost 19 days. And during that time, we ran 4 essential short errands with extreme precautions.

Sounds reasonable.

But I realized, well, the earlier errands were with precautions that NOW seem inadequate, even though they seemed significant at the time.

Oh, and I was going out for "socially distant walks" at 6+ feet apart with two neighbors until just 6 days ago! Sure, we got better and better at being 6-12 feet apart, but earlier on, we were probably 3 or 4 feet apart a lot of the time. And it was just too much, very obviously, in retrospect.

Oh, and a friend rents our basement. We only have one shared space and never see him (laundry room, we wipe with bleach), but you see... I would have said even a week ago that we were doing extreme social distancing, but in retrospect... I wouldn't even necessarily trust me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
No, at this point they are all exposed and some will get sick. DO NOT SOCIALIZE NOW.

OP you are doing the right thing. You know this but I understand how it is so hard when you are the one seen by your child keeping him/her away from friends.
To fortify your resolve keep this in mind: if your child catches the virus and needs hospital care you will not be able to see your child at the hospital. Essentially it is leave the sick at the door right now. Your child will have to remain at the hospital without you or a loved one. That is a fact right now and that fact keeps me from giving in and allowing my kids to socialize.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Same here. All our neighbors are outside playing with different families.

I think people basically waited 2 weeks, and assuming no one from either family got sick, they're in the clear.

Oh yeah, everyone assumes that if you have been isolated 2 weeks and no symptoms you are all post quarantine so can come together.

However, I seriously doubt all those families literally stayed in their homes for two weeks with no grocery shopping, no packages, and no close approaches on walks — which when you aggregate all their risks together and then merge by socializing, the virus spreads.

Plus people don't tell you everything. 2 weeks ago was right around the weekend of the 15-16th when lots of people weren't taking this seriously or saying -- oh it's our last time to have fun before we're locked down and WFH with kids home for a long time. So who went out to dinner that weekend or a family birthday party where their cousin from NY came down with her family? Who decided on the weekend of the 21st that oh seeing the cherry blossoms is NBD, it's outdoors. I mean unless you have a diary of these people's movements then 2 weeks means nothing -- bc how many times have they gone grocery shopping or had groceries or takeout delivered since then or gone running on a trail that's packed or whatever. You're right, they're wrong.

+2

[Anonymous]

We need more mean parents.