Footpaths and gates

Labaik you are probably right on all points.

And I stand by my prediction.

@crystalball

Pikachu; the reason the government aren't advising people to wear masks is probably because they haven't got any. If and when someone in government works out how to obtain protection for people in this country they'll probably advise us to use them. One of those things which, imo, can't do any harm but might just do some good. The reasoning being that a mask might not protect you from the virus but will prevent an asymptomatic person coughing or sneezing in a confined space thereby infecting other people. As ever we'll be the last country to officially implement it by which time most people with any sense will be wearing them already...

Disposable gloves ? If only I knew where I’d buy some!!

Now I see he is back here in Devon. The Government tells us not to visit our second homes. But it is a lot safer here in Devon than in London.

Is his GP from London bunking up with him
Because GPs cannot handle extra temporary registrations right now.

I wear my marigolds because they are bulky and remind me not to touch my face.

In what way Pikachu? The underpinning science won't change.

By the way I have one neighbour whose house is actually his second home. He lives in London most of the time. Now I see he is back here in Devon. The Government tells us not to visit our second homes. But it is a lot safer here in Devon than in London.

That's nice of him, Annaram1. I trust he hasn't brought some Covid19 with him, London being something of a hotspot, you know.

That's why people are being asked not to travel to holiday homes etc. To minimise the risk of spreading the disease.

I predict that within a few weeks the scientists will change their advice on masks and gloves, especially when they ease lockdown.

The virus cannot enter your body through your skin.

All that is required is to NOT touch your face, particularly nose mouth or eyes while outdoors and to wash your hands thoroughly as soon as you arrive home.
Gloves are a distraction lending a false sense of security as they transfer virus in just the same way as hands do.

I await to see piles of discarded wet wipes and disposable gloves alongside the dog poo bags on my daily walk in our local woods ?

Yes, the virus can be transferred onto gates and latches and stay active for about 24 hours on wood and several days on metal.

I walk to work across 2 parks and open the gates with my foot and use my elbow to slide the gate. I wash my hands when I get to work.

i would put a notice up.about touching the gate and distancing...or print one out from the internet and put in a plastic folder..

I do wonder when I read of people using wipes whether any company is manufacturing wipes which kill Covid19?
Most wipes are antibacterial, some products e.g. Dettol say they also kill coronaviruses but don't say that they have been proven to kill Covid19 - as they have not!
Please do not think a wipe will protect you. You need alcohol 60% or above or soap and water.

Thankfully few of our footpaths have either stiles or gates. So far I have been wearing gloves when using the one walk with styles. When I get home I take them off and leave them on the side. The virus, if any is still alive, will be non-viable when I next use them , then I wash my hands.

Much more important to have my secaturs to cut back the brambles on the less used paths and spare cash and a bag incase I buy any plants displayed for sale on stands at people's garden gates.

Sarahellenwhitney if you are using the same pair of gloves all along the walk or even shipping in s supermarket, if you pick the virus up on one item or gate latch you will pass it to the next thing you touch. You can't wash your hands after everything you touch when out. Best advice is not to touch your face while out and thoroughly wash your hands when you get home

Sunlover
There are NHS approved disposable sanitised hand wipes you can buy online.Surely much safer than carrying a piece of cloth around with you waiting to go in the washing machine no doubt at the same time as other items?

Wondering where all my Guideline information from the Countryside Alliance reference the country side has gone??

People have to take responsibility for their actions. They may well have hand sanitiser with then and yes but after touching the metal. As long as they don't touch their face and wash hands they should be okay. Isn't it amazing how many people have discovered places to go in the lockdown. I live on edge of golf course (no golf played) but people have managed to trek over with pushchairs, ride bikes and quad bikes all over the greens making an absolute mess. The golf club is trying to maintain the place but finding it a losing battle. Where have the folk come from, no one knows!

By the way I have one neighbour whose house is actually his second home. He lives in London most of the time. Now I see he is back here in Devon. The Government tells us not to visit our second homes. But it is a lot safer here in Devon than in London.

DH has taken to looking for a largish leaf (dock is good) and using a couple as little hand shields while touching gates etc. - No harm throwing those away when you move along.

When on a walk I always carry a small bottle of hand sanitiser with me and keep using it throughout the walk especially after touching anything. My daughter warned me against sitting on any seats. But you cant catch the virus with your bottom can you?

There are so many potential ways to catch this virus. Certainly we all know it can linger on hard surfaces for 72 hours, and on cardboard for 24 hours. Now, published today is a study Finland that shows how far the aerosol droplets can remain in the air and how far they travel, and the claim is that a person sneezing in one supermarket aisle can infect another in the next aisle who is not actually there at the time, but walks into an invisible cloud several minutes later. So we can all tell others to be careful, to wear gloves, not to touch gate latches or hold onto hand rails without sanitising afterwards, and we can all say how it's isn't right to deny people the right to exercise - but really ??? There is an over-exaggerated sense of entitlement in my opinion about the personal right to walk through a park or field and honestly I would say to anybody who disagrees that a trip (not possible of course) to any London hospital right now would bring home the gravity of this Covid situation. For heaven's sake, stay inside at home and just forget for the moment the will to walk outside in pleasant surroundings. Surely everyone can give just a little of their freedom up to protect the nation.

Theoddbird
Duh! then you dispose of the bu*****don't you again using the correct procedure in doing so.

I live on the cusp of two footpaths, one of which continues towards and through the farmyard. The whole concept of cross contamination has bothered me for a while. So I contacted the Countryside Alliance and they have guidelines on the subject that I printed and placed on the gates. So does anyone pay attention to them? No!

As I am technologically inept I cannot place the Notice on here but I will run through the gist of it.

COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE (Guidelines for Covid 19)

When using a local right of Way for Exercise:

Respect social distancing
Don't pass through farmyards, gardens or close to people's
homes.
Avoid gates, but if you can', sanitize before and after use
Keep your dog on a leas and under control

Don't travel by car to use a right of way.

Preferably STAY HOME