Outdoor exercise ban?

Personally I agree with the Swedish approach …..7,000 dead in the entire country (yesterday's figures)...not all of CV some of other causes but all lumped together ! Statistics for UK winter deaths from all causes are normally high …...Sweden has allowed its citizens to be TRUSTED to act in the interests of each other and as a consequence it is a much happier place ...following what little dictats there are and keeping businesses open (with social distancing) likewise restuarants, bars and cafes....citizens on the streets interviewed yesterday are happy with their governments arrangements and happy they are not being treated like children and happy to follow what rules there are in place. I think the proof will come later...and it will be interesting to see if those countries that have employed what is virtually military law and those that have relied on their citizens to behave responsibly come off better ...there will still be, albeit a reduced, economy, there will still be employment...there will still be deaths but NOT mass hysteria

We live literally between the sea and lakes, neither popular so we can walk our dog without coming across anyone else. As someone with mobility problems, it's very much a case of 'use it or lose it's, so our daily walk is doubly important, but we both agree strongly that the only way we will get through this will be to move to a lock down like in France.

It would be impossibly strict, but even if for just a few weeks, would help us to move forwards. What people seem to forget is that the figures issued daily ONLY represent those being diagnosed or dying in hospital. Were testing to be rolled out into the community it's likely that numbers would increase significantly and people (who aren't already),would take the lifestyle changes more seriously.

M0nica Unless you have had a letter or email from the government saying you are in the 'shielded' group, or you have/thinkyou may have or ave been i contact with Covid-19. isolating is an over reaction.
I think you'll find that before the lockdown government advice was for ALL over 70s to self-isolate, probably for some months. So it's not an overreaction, it's what we've been told to do. Maybe you've forgotten.

Some of those people in London have maybe been having to go to work on crowded tubes and see no reason to avoid people at the weekend.
It's faulty reasoning, but understandable if that's the case.

There is preliminary evidence that the virus may be airborne, therefore anyone going out for walks should be staying further away than 2 metres from other people. Aerosolised particles travel further than water droplets from coughing. Same applies when shopping, of course, but difficult to see how that much separation could be managed.

Just bear it in mind if you are going out. Here in Fortress Bluecat, we won't be taking any chances. DH gets enough exercise with his DIY projects and I'm idle anyway.

I agree Monica.

To ban all forms of exercise would be horrendous.
Those with gardens won’t suffer too much.
But just imagine being cooped up in high rise flats with young children.

No Riverwalk - that was the link to the BBC news report I mentioned. If you scroll down you’ll see the bit about the 3000 people and the park having to be closed.

I think the mental health issues will be far greater if people continue to lose loved ones and can’t get to their funerals, or experience the terror of a loved one being on a ventilator and not knowing if they will live or die. I think the mental health issues arising from not being able to go out for a long walk or jog or cycle for a few weeks will pale into insignificance compared to that.

People have been warned that it will happen. Maybe now they will listen and do as they are told. If it happens it happens. So sad for those in flats with children...they will be the ones suffering. I do hope people will listen and keep to the rules that are there to protect us all.

Are they obeying the rules?

A friend of a friend lives in a high rise block in a small rural town in Flintshire.

Older people are going out as much as three times a day to shop then for exercise! Apparently people are going out to jog that never jogged before!

I think it will raise a huge number of mental issues if people weren't allowed to go out for exercise. I know it is better to stay in a house than end up in a coffin but I can't begin to imagine to imagine what it would be like to have to stay in a flat twenty four hours a day. I am so fortunate to have a garden

It's not captivity it's just measures to keep us all safe so I wish the thoughtless minority would listen

SirChenjin did you attach the wrong link? There were no crowds that I could see.

*Gagajo. Unless you have had a letter or email from the government saying you are in the 'shielded' group, or you have/thinkyou may have or ave been i contact with Covid-19. isolating is an over reaction.

You have chosen to make the decision to put yourself in exclusion, even though you are not in the group advised or required to do so. That is your personal choice and I am not going to criticise you for making it. Others choose do do exactly as the govern requires, and that is socially isolate and only go shopping once a week. That is our right and you have no right to criticise us.

As you are isolating and the rest of us are doing as we have been asked to, I cannot see what there is for you to criticise anyway.

On the question of exercise. The government needs to address the issue that those in the most cramped living condtions and most in need of getting out for some exercise are those living in large cities and conurbations with fewest green spaces. These areas have such high population densities that it is almost impossible for them to go out for some exercise without contravening the distancing regulations. The government has got to devise someway for these people to get out and obey the rules. Possibly different post codes allocated different exercise times, or odd and even numbered addresses given different times, divide numbers by three and everyone has to carry a bank statement, utility bill or driving license to show their address and house number when they go out so that the police can check it.

When we had Boris' original broadcast I believe I heard him say one hour but in fact he might have said once a day. Which is fine even half an hour would have to do. I have been unable to find any reference to that since so possibly my dodging hearing!

The vast majority of people are talking this seriously and sticking to the rules. There are very few flouting.

Just got in from my bike ride and I am now sitting having a cup of coffee. Can I ask about this only take a 1 hours exercise, where did that come from because I can find no link to it anywhere. Just asking nicely.

Starbird

With respect, I don't think it's correct that the 2 metre rule is in case of a cough or a sneeze. As far as I understand it, the virus can jump from person to person without any coughing etc. But I just cannot understand why people have difficulty following the rules. They are simple enough and easy to follow, but some people seem to think they only apply to everybody else and they can do just as they wish without regard for others. Joggers should not be overtaking within inches, simple as that.

Why don't they just hose them down with water cannons? Only their dignity would be hurt. ?

I would welcome Martial Law. Seems about 75% of the population think isolating is an over reaction.

If other peoples choices didn't affect me, I genuinely wouldn't be bothered WHAT people did. But they do.

its suprising what people call exercise.......i go for a walk up the woodland nearby. up there you see groups of walkers...teenagers in groups. told them off for not being apart. oh we cant get the virus we in the sunshine and fresh air .told them its by touching infected surfaces. oh !! how do we know whats infected and what isnt. and says me its by close contact...and then you go home and see your mum .what happens if she gets it from you .?. i mean are they so dense ,they cant see that...

If the police are overwhelmed there could be Martial Law.

I’m shielding owing to underlying health issues and depressed immune system. Currently having to stay off work. Husband is front line paramedic treating confirmed and suspected cases daily. I sometimes think I would be better off taking long walks in the fresh air!

I heard on the radio that, unlike in my county, they have not closed parks in Leicestershire, the spokesperson (not sure if she was council or police) said it was up to people to be sensible.
The powers that be are very aware of people’s mental and physical need to get out. As usual the minority spoil it for others. Perhaps we need to arm our police with some sort of harmless paint spray that marks skin and clothing - but they should always enquire first in case it is a family group who are within their rights to be there.

skate. Can you get hold of, or make a mask?

As I understand it, the 2 metre rule is in case somebody coughs or sneezes ( in which case you actually need about 8 metres according to some sources). If, briefly, somebody passes you at say, 30cms, but does not cough or sneeze on you, it does not mean you will catch the virus. After all, a jogger presumably is not coughing or sneezing or they would not be jogging?
I understand your frustration though, I would find it impossible to resist going onto the beach and breathing in some sea air.

Yes. Ban it. People can exversise in there homes if they cant go a few weeks without! The only problem i can see is for dog owners who have no garden but thats all really.

They must not stop the hour s exercise that would be detrimental to everyone but they should disperse any gatherings and fine people who are caught for sure no question about it but a solo walk in the fresh air and meeting no one is necessary

It's the fools thronging the parks and heading to the seaside in droves that are threatening to cause us to have draconian measures imposed.
Fine them!! Immediately and without arguments. Police in full PPE should be there to curb the stupids so the rest of us stay safe.