AIBU to want to pull out of this birthday party

No, you're not being unreasonable. I wouldn't go.

You are not being unreasonable just cautious. As you say, infections are rising, Covid is still here. If I were in your shoes, I would go, providing you and your husband are fully jabbed. If you want to deter others from kissing you, wear a face mask. That would be a visual sign not to get too tactile. At the end of the day you have to make the decision you feel is right for you. Nobody should be annoyed or disappointed with you should you decide to stay at home.

I’d feel the same, I wouldn’t go

That is a big crowd of people if it is inside. If you are vulnerable you would be sensible to decline the invitation. After being careful for the past few years I tested positive for Covid yesterday, I have no idea how I contracted it, probably on the bus as very few people have been wearing masks recently. I am 78 and so far have had mild symptoms starting with a dry cough and sore throat and now it is similar to a cold but of course it is different for everybody.

If you’re not comfortable about going, don’t go. You won’t enjoy it if you have to worry all the time you’re there in case you catch Covid. You can still send your best wishes and whatever gift you were giving. YANBU

Not sure that I would go the party,..last Sunday we had some of our children and grandchildren here...about 12 of us...3,including myself are now quite poorly with covid now...

I wouldn't go.
I know people are saying it's only mild and that we need to get back to normal but there's no way of knowing until you get it whether you will have it mild. Or not.

And unlike flu, it can leave a person with long term problems.

I agree with snowberry. I wouldn’t go.

If everybody going had undertaken to test on the day I would go, but if not…discretion is the better part etc etc.
Two of our family birthday gatherings have been cancelled in the last 3 weeks because somebody tested positive , even although they felt fine.
It’s the way of things alas. But cases are on the up so you are perfectly justified.

I wouldn't go either. I know more people now who have covid than at any time since the whole pandemic started. My daughter and her fiance both have it just now - and are convinced they caught it at a charity evening they attended, which would be a gathering of around the same amount of people.

This is going to be the difficulty with large gatherings from now on. I am in a similar quandary and won't be attending large gatherings. I find fit people really don't understand how ill you can be with Covid-19 and most folk now seem to think it's all over. People cough, splutter all over the place, no masks, no handkerchiefs. I fear Im going to be offending an awful lot of people in future. So be it, it's not them in bed ill with breathing difficulties. I'm not risking my health for a party. Happy to send a gift with good wishes.

Also not everyone tests and not everyone believes that Covid-19 is a problem or even exists! I hope they never find out it actually does.

If you are not comfortable don't go it's not worth the worry for you and you are not being unreasonable.
Everyone is totally justified is making the decision that they feel comfortable with

Don't go and don't be afraid to say why. You have kept yourselves safe up to now. Trust your own instincts that's what they are for.

Go if you like, but wear good face masks plus perspex face shields with some sort of amusing transfers on them ?

At the very least you may provide the others with some entertainment although you will be unable to eat or drink.

With covid on the rise again I'd not go at all but I'd not like a party that size anyway, so if there were not covid I'd have diarrhoea for an excuse if I needed one.

I don’t think I’d go.

I’d certainly not go to a busy lots of people gathering as it seems the best way of catching Covid as my DD did not so long ago and isolated for 12 days after. My health is more important than any party right now.

The way I see it, some exposure is unavoidable. So risk can't be completely eliminated. But a party is unnecessary risk.

I would decline.
The human body reacts in different ways to Covid (& virus’ in general) so clearly demonstrated by those who recover & those who don’t.
Even if fully vaccinated, who needs the hassle & worry if you catch it?
My chap went to a rugby function & caught an infection at the crowded club house. It’s too easy to relax within the bonhomie of a party & come away with more than you bargained on.
In your shoes? I’d definitely not go!

I would not go, and I would say why. You are being perfectly reasonable. Many people are not testing full stop. According to current rates there's bound to be a few people attending who have covid. This will not worry some people but more concerning for others.

I would be tempted to stay away too. You might find that you're not the only ones staying away too.

I used to volunteer for a local charity until mobility issues forced me to retire, I was chatting to the Manager on the phone last night and over half of our team, young and not so young, have Covid and cannot attend events.

I wouldn't go and I would explain why.

We have tickets to see Johannes dance next weekend but I'm thinking really hard about whether we should go to that, and beginning to think that we'd better not, especially as planning to visit my Mum the next day for Mother's Day.