Partying during a pandemic
Can you host house parties during a pandemic such as Coronavirus? There could be several options that you could explore. A pandemic doesn't necessarily mean that you cannot party.
Alcohol
Certain alcohol stores can be closed during lock downs; you may want to stock up before the lock down.
Online parties
You can host online parties using an app such as Zoom.
The idea would be that one person handles the music and people join online. They can use their computer or just their phone.
The people involved would need fast internet otherwise they may have problems. If they are experiencing problems they could try turning off video but leaving on audio.
The free version of Zoom cuts out after 40 minutes so if someone doesn't have a Pro account everyone would need to rejoin the Zoom room every 40 minutes.
Alternatively you could have your party in a virtual world such as Second Life.
Online parties can be less work for the host and they're easy to end. The host doesn't have to buy supplies for lots of people; though the host could pay to have food delivered to the guests.
If the host wants to decorate they can do one area of a room if they want.
Bubble parties
If you live with some friends or family you could have a party with only the people in your house. If you know that your area is going into another lock down a group of friends may want to arrange to live with each other.
To expand the party you could have people over an online app such as Zoom.
Real house parties
If you want to have a real house party ensure nobody at the party knowingly has the disease. You should not do this if there's a stay-at-home order or lock down in your area.
If the disease is raging in your area hosting a house party could be a bad idea.
Outdoor parties and social distancing
Outdoor parties may be safer than indoor ones. These will be even safer if all people in a bubble stay 6 feet away from the people in other bubble.
If I was doing this I would allow one bubble in the house at anytime.
Indoor parties
I would avoid indoor parties but if you want to have them I would definitely advise you to wear a mask and stay at least six feet away from people in other bubbles.
By bubbles I mean people that don't social distance from each other for example people in the same household. The bubbles could social distance from each other.
If you have a lounge that has doors to your garden you could have your guests stay outdoors. If you have a door going to a different area of your house this could be better for people going to the toilet.
Venue
Someone who you know may have a bigger house that's more appropriate. However the responsibility of the party would probably fall on them. This might be more feasible for special occasions such as birthdays.
Food and drink
I think that it's safer if bubbles don't share food and drink. People also can bring their own plates and cups to make things safer.
Cleaning
You would want to make sure that areas are properly cleaned before the party.
Seating
Bubbles should be 6 feet apart but 13 feet would be ideal if that's possible.
Games
You would want to stick to games that don't require physical contact such as "Never Have I Ever" and "Trivia". Another idea could be people on phones playing online with each other.
Movies
If you want to play movies you'll benefit from a big screen as you can have sets further apart.
How many people should come to the party?
Ten people or less would be a good number.
Also keep the numbers under any limitations by your area. For example an area may ban gatherings of more than 10 people.
Tips for the toilet
I would leave all doors open so people do not have to touch door handles. People should wash their hands when going to the toilet.
To ensure people will have privacy make sure nobody else is near the toilet or surrounding rooms when people go.
Invitations
You might want to disallow people from bringing guests that haven't been invited.
You may want to clearly explain the rules on your invitations. Rules could be bubbles not sharing their own food or drink, staying 6 feet away from other bubbles and wearing masks
You might want to put on your invitations that if someone is symptomatic or might have the disease they should stay home.
If you say that people must RSVP then you could invite more people if enough people don't RSVP. You could say RSVP by a certain date and then invite more people if you don't get a satisfactory number of people on the first round.
Invite responsible people
You may want to only invite responsible people who can abide by your rules.
Offer them an alternative
If people decide not to come offer them a way to join you with an online app such as Zoom instead. This could be a way of including people with extra health concerns.
Follow up
You may want to follow up with your guests two a week after the party. If someone is positive, symptomatic or waiting for a test you should notify the other people who attended your party.
Get people to notify you if they're sick or get tested.
The host may want to contact details of every person at the party so you can follow up with them.
I would contact them by text instead of social media websites like Facebook. From experience Facebook messages can easily be missed.
Let people know that you would like to be notified if they're sick or need a test after the party.
Masks and social distancing
People wearing masks and social distancing would provide the most protection. Doing one but not the other would provide less protection.
Stick to the rules
Stick to the rules of your area. Failing to do this could lead to consequences for you and your guests.
Risk of partying during a pandemic
You or someone at the party could catch the disease and spread it to a person that's more vulnerable of dying of the disease. One or more people at your party could die too.
If someone at your party did have the disease the people who attending your party could be forced to isolate afterwards.
Thanks for reading
Stay safe and use common sense.