COVID - general discussion - Temp Locked
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I have generally done the same off lead walk around a local estate since the really hot weather, and she was allowed to mix and return when I call 😉, I do drive it's a horrible road walk, about 2 miles each way, as traffic is slightly less than normal. Like you I have never been bored there is always something different to see. Currently the state of the mud! But the birds are making nesting/wooing/drumming sounds 😀. Won't be going that way today, it's raining again 😢
Sometimes the car parks are stupidly busy, I have been leaving a completely full carpark, theres lots of spaces, and counted upwards of 50 cars coming in a queue down the drive! But still they join 😱 and I've seen queuing on the road......... But I've never had an issue with lots of folk, we go to the further reaches of the grounds. However the playground is often rammed!
I have to agree that road/pavement walking can be a nightmare at the moment in a city. We have found some interesting alleyways and new to us areas, but I can't say it has the same uplifting effect on me and the dog doesnt get as many miles under her belt. Quite important when you're a very lively 9.5 month old 😢
Some clarity would be fabulous as I can think of so many walks in a 10 mile drive and I check on my late parents 😉. But I've not done it.
I have to agree with Deleted User User about traffic levels this time around.
I heard that they are still breaking up raves, parties and gambling clubs in London and may be issuing more fines 😤........... it seems we try to our best to abide by the guidance are thwarted by those who won't. I try not to dispare.
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As it's a Tuesday morning in January I assume that those people travelling have to go to work or have a driving job? As it is early-ish morning I doubt that those travelling near your busy trunk road are all travelling for exercise at this hour or all leisure traffic?
I'm sure they would like to stay and work from home but it is not always possible and they have been told to come in.
Stay at home only applies if you cannot work from home.
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By allowing people to drive a few miles to green open spaces to exercise will actually reduce the concentration per square mile of people and thus reducing social contact compared with insisting that they walk from home to exercise. Simple logic and common sense really.
In March our local council made all their car-parks in the city's parks free so that people could go to get exercise and reduce the strain on the NHS for non-covid matters particularly mental heatlth.
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As long as you make it-I darent go out for the post card🤷🏻♂️😬
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There are two situations at play here. One is rule based, the other is guidance based. The guidance based is open to some very broad interpretation, and is being so, causing confusion, distrust, bad choices.
Rules can be enforced, but you have to have the supporting infrastructure (staff, cameras, patrols, etc...) to do it, and there simply aren’t enough police officers across the country.
Guidance is what it is, a guide only. There for folks to twist, take up, drop, re interpret as they wish. Guidance is reliant upon an informed, compliant, cohesive, co operative, well intentioned community and individuals doing the right thing for the best results for all.
There are a lot more reasons that folks can leave home for this lockdown compared to the first. Some very eyebrow raising as well!🤔
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I have noticed in the last couple of days that positive tests have been dropping, in this borough from 1137 last Friday to 1027 yesterday
It is very noticeable in our road, how many vehicles are going out to work? compared to the last "lockdowns" and spaces all day this time
I have today recieved an Email from the NT advising that their parks and open spaces are open but a slot will need to be booked for access, as has been since last years easing but to stay local
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Basic intelligence would help but is undoubtably in short supply☹️
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To some extent that is true. However, you do get a bottleneck on the paths away from the car parks. In the first lock down that was closed and there were no problems for us locals walking from home into the forest. Now on a nice day and particularly weekends the first few paths are crowded, although once away from those you see very few, as most only walk a small circuit. At busy times we now go to Clumber Park (about 5 miles) There you have about 2 miles of Lime tree Avenue to park on and can walk directly away from the car onto unpopulated paths. You can book, but then you get herded into a large field and the area round the lake gets very busy.
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I think the BBC are just reporting what others are saying according to this report https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-55630164 I am no fan of the PM but I think there are far more serious things he can be criticised for? I don't ride a bike much now but I would have thought a seven miles ride is unlikely to provide that much in the way of exercise unless he was going seven miles up Alpe d'Huez
David
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To be honest, I'm surprised that anyone should be surprised that the BBC and many other news sources are running this story.
And I can't make up my mind whether is total naivete on Boris's part not to realise his outing would be picked up on or total astuteness in thinking that the press would latch on to this story just at the time when the full implications of his Christmas policy were becoming evident.
Either way he's made a rod for his own back and life doubly difficult for those who have to attempt to enforce the current lockdown rules.
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Indeed, that’s what makes it so convenient. We are members anyway so contributing annually, however last time we walked past where you check in if you had booked. I proffered my card as they get credit for each member visitor. There even used to be a sign asking you to get your card swiped if you parked away from the pay boxes. However, apparently no longer, they have run out of money.
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I don’t actually begrudge him his bike ride. Seven miles isn’t much physically, but the buzz you get just doing it, out in fresh air, seeing a bit of blue sky, maybe even a bit of wildlife around Olympic Park must have seemed like heaven to him. Not that familiar with London, but Olympic Park possibly a lot safer than straight out of No 10 with paparazzi trailing after you. Don’t forget he’s possibly locked down with a squalling infant as well😱
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Surly he is entitled to have daily exercise like everyone else. i cant blame him for wanting to cycle in a park either.
Clearly there are some organisations and people who disagree with the government policies and will take every opportunity to criticise, thats there prerogative.
I'm sure he is not surprised this petty story has made the headlines and i dont see how he has made a rod for his own back.
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I agree 7 miles is a drop in the Ocean, I think we should get over it now, at least he used his time on his bike wisely, it is reported that he reported back to ministers just how concerned he was at the number of people he had seen out and about and how many were obviously not following the rules, so i guess the bike ride was productive in more ways than one
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I don't think it matters, people out for walks aren't the problem by the sound of it. I feel for those in London, the parks are so crowded all year round not just in this lockdown.
Interesting in our locality, NT Montacute have closed off the public right of way that goes through the grounds, it maybe so they can control numbers. We went last week but won't be going again till things ease off, no desire at present to drive anywhere (that's a personal view.)
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The NT definitely has no right or authority to close off a public right of way. It may be that it is a permissive right in which they can make changes but not normally without some consultation and notice but it not unknown for them to act is a high handed way.
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I don't begrudge the PM a bike ride out in the open air, after all if we are allowed out for our mental health why shouldn't he.
What with Brexit and Covid 19 I should think that a nice 7 mile ride will have done him the world of good, it works for me.
Going out for a walk or a bike ride isn't the problem with the spreading of the virus. Its being indoors with people that are infected or meeting up with lots of others outdoors in big groups. You would think after 10 months of this people would by now understand how it spreads.
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Of course he is entitled to his daily exercise, no problem with that.
And maybe it's not a rod for his own back, just for those who are now going to have greater difficulty in enforcing what seem to becoming increasingly flexible rules/guidelines.
Don't forget this happened on the same day that our esteemed Health Secretary said "any flexing if the rules could be fatal."
But yes, outdoor exercise is much less likely to cause transmission - I made that very point yesterday, and it's clear that, as things stand we can now drive to any one of a number of local villages to walk the dogs, and more than once a day apparently. Happy Days!
Lockdown? What lockdown?
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Totally agree about the buzz. I'm just back from a bike ride (all within 5 miles from home) the first this year. A beautiful sunny cold morning and I feel so such better physically and mentally and I'm really amazed at the difference it has made.
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regular exercise, and riding a bike is a really good one, i do it almost daily, increases your Hippocampi (the area of the brain involved in memory) and thankfully i can still remember the good old days before we devastated the world with something we now call Covid-19
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Walking is my regular exercise, i try to do an hour most days but i dont go out in heavy rain. At weekends i try do do one 10 mile+ walk. Clearly due to restrictions it all has to be done locally but that doesn't bother me, it's good to be out of the house for a while.
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In the present climate anything that gets in the way of the dire messages being put out is scandalous. The event yesterday, whether or not it actually broke the law, it stretched the spirit. In this case there was ample room say at Chequers to take a bike ride that was away from prying eyes. Surely those at the very top are aware that everything they do is scrutinised and their legion of advisors are aware of this. Just wait for every man and dog to use this stretch as an excuse for their wrong doings..I know my views are straight to the point but there you are.
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In the absence of a definitive definition of local this is just an exaggerated story for the purposes of giving BJ a kicking, If you go out for a bike ride, reaching a point 7 miles from home is probably what most would consider a decent bike ride, but surely not excessive. So, the debate just becomes silly, should he ride around in circles in the rear yard of 10 Downing Street or bigger circles on Horse Guards Parade or follow a proper cycle route somewhere?
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