Host of family party has flu; still go with a kid?

[Anonymous]

My DH, 18 month old DS, and I were planning on going to DH's extended family's Christmas get-together tomorrow evening. We only go to this party once every two years, because we swap with my extended family's get-together.

The host, who is DH's aunt, sent a text around today saying that she has been diagnosed with the flu but is still having the party. She said that she understands if people don't want to come. She said the food has already been prepared (by her); she is going around disinfecting the house while wearing a mask, and plans to stay upstairs during the party (poor woman!) She is not a wimpy or overdoing it-type person.

I was looking forward to this party, but now feel like "Yikes, I don't want to go and possibly get sick or have DS get sick." I haven't had a flu shot this year (my fault, I know), but DH and DS have. DH wants to go and just cross our fingers that we don't get sick. I suggested that he go alone, and he said it would be depressing to be surrounded by his cousins and their families and not have his family there. His brother is bringing his 18 month old.

Do you think it's a foregone conclusion that we'll get sick if we go, or that our attendance is not worth the risk either way? Or that I should be more relaxed? I guess we could go and not eat anything? My parents (whom I'm staying with tonight) think I'd be crazy to go.

[Anonymous]

Nope. I had the flu a bunch of years ago and I thought I was going to die. Do not underestimate the flu. I was probably not actually on death's door, but people (especially the young and the infirm) actually do die every year.

[Anonymous]

I'd go. Especially if the aunt won't be around. If she has cleaned with a disinfectant cleaner then the virus won't be on anything she touched. Virus won't survive on cooked food.

[Anonymous]

Not worth the risk.

[Anonymous]

No.

[Anonymous]

No. The flu is contagious and miserable and I wouldn’t go. If you’re lucky it’s hell. If not it can be deadly. The shot doesn’t seem as effective this year. Don’t go.

[Anonymous]

NFW

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NFW

If it is “the flu” anyone who would consider going is nuts. I can’t believe anyone would think it would be ok for an adult, let alone a child

[Anonymous]

NO

[Anonymous]

It's crazy they haven't relocated the party. No way I would go.

[Anonymous]

Nope. But I would thank Auntie profusely for being honest, and promise you will visit her in the future when everyone is well. You don't want to make her regret her honesty, so go see her in a month or two, or three.. but visit her, anyway.

[Anonymous]

Can you go, get a hotel and do it outside aunt's house? I would not go into her house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nope. But I would thank Auntie profusely for being honest, and promise you will visit her in the future when everyone is well. You don't want to make her regret her honesty, so go see her in a month or two, or three.. but visit her, anyway.

Yes

[Anonymous]

NO! No way you should even consider bringing your young child into a house with confirmed flu. My (at the time) 4 year old got the flu and developed pneumonia. It was the worst month of my life.

[Anonymous]

Our Thanksgiving host was diagnosed with the flu on Thanksgiving day. We were already traveling. Many local guests cancelled but 10 of us were there and no one else got the flu. No one in my family had gotten the shot either... We washed hands more then usual but no masks etc. My kids are teens though which makes a difference.