Hard to spread Corvid 19 outside (an OPINION)

I've always thought this focus on 2 metres outside, people wearing masks outside, etc, is over the top. I have abided by the distancing rules, though, because I can see that some people are very frightened so, if necessary, I cross the road when I go for a walk - though I've noticed most people are much more relaxed about it now.

I do think that there is likely to be an increased risk in being close to large numbers of people, even if it's outside (as has happened on popular beaches).

I have heard so many different explanations of the virus and interpretations of the rules that I have rather lost patience. Like SueDonim I also thought they said originally that the virus was not airborne, which is why I thought it was a bit daft being so obsessed with distancing. Originally they were emphasizing the need to wash your hands and not touch your mouth, eyes and nose because touch was the way the virus was transmitted. If it is airborne then surely spending all day in an enclosed space, such as an open plan office, factory or other indoor workplace, with a number of other people must significantly increase the risk?

I'm OK with my own company but there is a limit! I do like getting together with friends and family and I've really had enough of all this. At some point we have to get back to a degree of normality, even if it means accepting a degree of risk. How can restaurants, cafes, entertainment complexes, etc, etc, function profitably if only half, or less, of their customers are allowed in?

On the other hand, perhaps we need to have a re-think about how many eating, shopping, and entertainment outlets we really need, and instead labour can be re-directed to more important issues that help produce healthy food in the most environmentally friendly way, save resources, reduce pollution and just generally protect the planet.

Current research suggests that Covid-19 is partially airborne:

academic.oup.com/occmed/article/doi/10.1093/occmed/kqaa080/5849370

For those who don't like links, here's an extract from the above article:

"There is more than enough evidence of the interpersonal spread of COVID infection via airborne transmission. A recent report of the unfortunate results of a choir practice in Washington State brings this point home. Sixty singers convened for their weekly rehearsal in a semi-rural county where no COVID cases had been previously detected. All reported that they had been in good health that day. Hand sanitizers were provided. The singers were conscious of self-distancing and they avoided ‘the usual hugs and handshakes’. Nobody coughed, sneezed or appeared ill. Nevertheless, within 3 weeks 45 of the singers had been diagnosed with COVID and two had died [10]. This remarkable example of interpersonal ‘super spreading’ is best explained by the enhanced aerosolized transmission that resulted from enthusiastic singing. And the spread to so many, despite distancing, argues that transmission was not due solely to localized droplet dispersion, but more likely to wider dispersion of aerosolized droplet nuclei."

Yes Growstuff I read that now the WHO have had to acknowledge the possibility of 'airborne transmission in crowded, closed, poor ventilated settings'. Not that I'll be venturing in any soon but I realise not everybody has a choice. So at least let's have compulsory masks in all indoor settings!

I am prepared to accept that terrifyingly little was known about this virus, its effects, its transmission,its treatment, its origins, its “behaviour” in the early weeks and months. Each week however brings the fruits of more research, possibly by trial and error, but that’s how we learn isn’t it? I think that is more valuable than the mathematical “modelling” which has underpinned much of the government’s response and which in some cases has proved fatally flawed. (Foot and mouth, SARS being two examples)
It’s a good enough reason for me, for hunkering down as treatment improves, outcomes are better managed and hopefully we get closer to a vaccine.

But many of the things that are now being ‘discovered’ about the virus have been touted by Dr John Campbell for weeks/months and he also put up scientific reports to back them up.

Today we left our little village for the first time since early March. We went to our nearest small town to get cash and visit a few shops and businesses.

I wore a mask and disposable gloves. The town was fairly quiet and I didn't see anyone else wearing a mask. I hope that some of the folk who saw me might consider doing the same.