Reply to Frustration w different levels of self isolation between ILs and us

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[quote=Anonymous]NP here.  So let me start by saying that I have a family of four that has 2 members (one parent, one child) who are high risk with underlying medical conditions that make them vulnerable.  We are being extremely careful.  The kids only play with friends remotely (we have had a few playdates with another family, the kids play Nintendo Switch games while we have a Zoom session set up so that all four kids can see each other).  Otherwise, the kids (we have 8 yo twins and the other family has 7 yo twins) have not seen anyone else but us.  But, we are very sensitive due to the vulnerability.  I go out every 3 weeks for groceries, am very careful, we wipe all packaging down when it comes into the house and I immediately shower and change clothes when I return.  I wear a surgical mask (we had an opened box from a couple of years ago) and a cloth mask over that and bag the masks for 3 days after a trip.  I take the kids out bike riding or we all go out walking 2-3 times a week.  Last week, I took the kids to our private neighborhood tennis court and we played tennis for an hour.  We get them out, but we are very cautious.

Now, you know that I am extremely cautious due to our family health conditions.  For a normal family with lower risk, no underlying health conditions, I think it is fine to relax your standards a little.  Yes, the kids are getting antsy being cooped up and you need to do what you need to do for your family.  Your conditions of riding bikes with adult supervision to keep warning the kids to social distance seems reasonable.  I would make sure that one of the two adults rides between the two kids to help ensure as much social distancing as possible.

If you are going to do this, then I would NOT go hiking with your parents.  Right now those that are in their 50s are the age group that has had the most hospitalizations statewide in MD.  Next the 60s.  And the groups with the highest death rates are 70's, 80+ followed by 60's.  So, your parents are likely in a very susceptible and vulnerable age group.  While the risk is low when it is only you and the kids, once someone in your household is going out, whether shopping,  running errands, essential work, or in this case bike riding with friends, you are risking your parents.  While you and the kids are low risk, if you are exposed, you can very easily become carriers of the virus even if none of you show symptoms or get ill.  Then you can carry it to your parents and infect them and they are high risk to contract the virus and/or require hospitalization.

So, my suggestion is that you relax your quarantine slightly, but either do bike riding OR do hiking.  Not both.  And it is not for your benefit, but for your parents.  If your ILs become panicked, then let them know that you are following the guidelines to minimize the risk.  You and the kids are still social distancing, but are low risk.  You are doing what you can to protect your parents from any exposure they may have from you and the kids.  I personally would pick doing things with your parents instead of another family, but it's up to you how you choose to relax your quarantine. [/quote]

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