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The issue is, and always was, that a minority of the public are still heading to busy spots to meet up and ignore social distancing rules, sunbathing in parks etc.
We need to stop beating ourselves, and each other, up on the issue.
As I've said repeatedly, it's like a dam holding back a flood. A few folk driving 2 or 3 miles for exercise or some cyclists being out for more than an hour, these things are mere trickles. There are massive, gaping holes in the dam we should be worrying about more - like supermarkets, tube trains, care in the community services and folk like MOABs sister returning from India.
I don’t think that the government is looking to extend lockdown because a minority of cyclists are driving 10 minutes to ride away from busy bridleways. The issue is, and always was, that a minority of the public are still heading to busy spots to meet up and ignore social distancing rules, sunbathing in parks etc.
We need to stop beating ourselves, and each other, up on the issue.
This.
It won't be a lone cyclist, or even 100 lone cyclists, that gets exercise banned, it'll be the ****ing idiots using the exercise excuse to go down the park and meet their mates for a picnic, or go to the beach because the weather is nice.
I went for a 10k solo run yesterday and specifically avoided the busiest area but it still seemed like every damn family and their dog was out...
I'd quite like to go for a spin on the bike today but I don't know if I can be arsed trying to find a route where I can avoid the idiots that think it's OK to take their 7 family members, 2 dogs, pushchair, football and 3 bikes down to the park because it's "exercise" 🙄😠
There are massive, gaping holes in the dam we should be worrying about more – like supermarkets, tube trains, care in the community services and folk like MOABs sister returning from India.
And likely there are a significant number of young people socialising 'invisibly' who are also an issue.
Hancock as gormless and evasive as ever on Marr. There's clearly no exit strategy, just a series of reactive decisions without any sort of end-game. As you'd expect from this mediocre government, they're making it up as they go along and praying someone comes up with a vaccine.
That matters in this context because without any sense of a wider purpose and a finite process, a significant number of people will simply get bored of the lockdown and start flouting it or worse. Bear in mind, riots generally happen in summer because, hey, it's nice outside.
Fortunate to live in rural location. The issues I see aren’t people going out to exercise it’s interacting with other people (even seen shaking hands this morning) while out, carrying on as normal with visitors to the house and sadly cycling groups (4 or 5) out which I assume aren’t same household. Even in the supermarket people can’t manage the 2 metre rule.
Unfortunately we’ll see a blanket ban shortly except for food shopping. All thanks to a tiny minority.
it’s OK to take their 7 family members, 2 dogs, pushchair, football and 3 bikes down to the park because it’s “exercise”
Hang on:
We’ve got 3 riding the bikes
1 is in the pushchair so they’re ruled out
1 holding the dogs
The other 2 are playing 1 bounce with the footy?
Am I right?
Hang on:
We’ve got 3 riding the bikes
1 is in the pushchair so they’re ruled out
1 holding the dogs
The other 2 are playing 1 bounce with the footy?Am I right?
Holding the dogs? Why, when you can just let them run/shit wherever they want!? 🤣 And there'll be at least one bike just abandoned in the middle of the path by one of the kids...
I did actually run past a family group of 5 or 6 yesterday, all walking spanned across a 20ft wide forest path, one playing with a football. And then 100m down the path, a family group of about 6, with what looked like a picnic bag, chatting to a group of 3 (the 2 groups were 3m away from each other, at least).
I'm thinking the M25, or the main A road out our town may be the best bet to get some quiet cycling time in.
There’s clearly no exit strategy, just a series of reactive decisions without any sort of end-game.
Which is why it is a dumb question. There are many different exit strategies, all dependent on what we learn about the virus and how to deal with it in the coming months. The government needs to be reactive/adaptive. Give the scientists time to investigate, and adapt their approach based on their results. Real scientists that is, not Cummings’ pet eccentrics.
Well, other than a few walkers on the trails I had a nice ride this morning. However, there alsways one asshat and that’s you sir, the Essex builder type accent who decided to argue with me by Chingford golf course.
I approached with him and his wife standing in the middle of a pathway talking to a chap over the other side of the ditch. The pathways pretty much 2m wide. I approach thinking “ they’ll step to the side in a minute” but they don’t. I stop. It goes like this - imagine him with your best Ray Winston impression:
Him: What’s your ****ing problem?
Me: I’d like to come past please. Would you mind stepping to the side?
Him: You can get through there (points to handlebar width space behind him) - ****ing cyclists think you own the place!
Me: Mate, we are supposed to give 2m distance and I’d like to pass.
Him: (Steps a pace forward) go on then, ****ing prick.
Me: (Cycling) past, yeah ok mate, have a nice day.
I mean seriously, what a self entitled arse.
Reality surely is that you'd have put yourself (and him) at less risk with a quick pass rather than having a discussion.
(FWIW World Health Organisation guidelines are 1 metre)
Which is why it is a dumb question.
I think it's entirely reasonable for the media to ask about exit strategies, it's their job. Your answer, fwiw, was better than Hancock's by some distance.
I think it’s entirely reasonable for the media to ask about exit strategies, it’s their job. Your answer, fwiw, was better than Hancock’s by some distance.
They've been told so many times (by scientists) you can't have an exit strategy yet as we don't know enough about this novel virus. Immunity/reinfection is not proven for example. No idea of seasonality yet etc. etc. It's the same the world over. Some countries have some ideas (like us) - immunity certificates is one.
I suppose the question could be seen as an opportunity for Hancock to remind the public of all that Jamze. I take back my comment about the question being dumb, it could well be asked in good faith to help inform the public.
Yeah, I hate the Tories as much as anyone and I doubt we could have picked a worse selection of so-called leaders from the current inhabitants of the Commons, but I was under the impression that an exit strategy isn't really possible yet.
Bringing it back to the topic at hand - it would be terrible if we were put under proper lockdown based on a few media scare stories and the 2% of the population who DGAS.
I'm reasonably confident the public health experts would agree, so let's hope their advice holds sway still.
Reality surely is that you’d have put yourself (and him) at less risk with a quick pass rather than having a discussion.
I was at least 4 bikes lengths away, but still, I can see how of course its entirely my fault *rolls eyes*
I suppose the question could be seen as an opportunity for Hancock to remind the public of all that Jamze. I take back my comment about the question being dumb, it could well be asked in good faith to help inform the public.
Agreed. Didn't see the Hancock interview. My take on him is he's OK presenting the prepared briefing, seems less consistent when being grilled.
I got out of town on the bike today. Start pedalling at 5.30am to make sure I didn't meet anyone in town. Hills were lovely and quiet, think I saw 2 runners in the whole time I was there.
However, once I got back in to town it was mobbed! So many cars and folk walking around. Loads of big groups too with kids on balance bikes zooming everywhere and mum and dad on rusty old BSOs.
Best one was on the main road from the hills into town, I'm cycling back and there are two kids, about 3 and 5 in the middle of the road on a push scooter and balance bikes zooming about, doing figure of 8s etc. I have to stop as I don't want to run into them. A car is coming the other way and has to stop hard as well (there were parked cars blocking their view of the kids though I was waving him down).
Mum and dad are screaming their heads off - from about 200 yards up the road! They'd just let their kids play in the middle of a street, totally out of supervision. I got the kids to go on the pavement so the car (and I) could get past. The mum comes running up shouting about how the car was going too fast. It wasn't. I would estimate 15-20mph which is pretty reasonable for that road.
The problem was mum letting the kids use a road like a playpark.
I also saw a lot of other out of control kids/families as well.
Glad I got out early and am now at home for the duration.
As I’ve said repeatedly, it’s like a dam holding back a flood. A few folk driving 2 or 3 miles for exercise or some cyclists being out for more than an hour, these things are mere trickles. There are massive, gaping holes in the dam we should be worrying about more – like supermarkets, tube trains, care in the community services and folk like MOABs sister returning from India.
+1
As I’ve said repeatedly, it’s like a dam holding back a flood. A few folk driving 2 or 3 miles for exercise or some cyclists being out for more than an hour, these things are mere trickles. There are massive, gaping holes in the dam we should be worrying about more – like supermarkets, tube trains, care in the community services and folk like MOABs sister returning from India.
That's called whataboutary. There is also a bare minimum of social interaction to keep the lights on and food on the table (we can't shut the economy down 100%). Just because we can't totally stop all social interaction doesn't mean it's ok to have a house party or BBQ.
The problem was mum letting the kids use a road like a playpark.
In the unusual circumstances we’re in, kids playing in the streets more, to be outside or near to their home, is to be expected, perhaps.
That’s called whataboutary.
This.
Grocery shopping might be more high risk (which is why the government has asked us to do it as little as possible), but it can’t always be avoided. Car trips out to nice places can be avoided.
I had similar on the malverns a couple of days ago - a wide and ususally deserted path where a family of three on bikes had stopped to speak with someone else.
Between the four of them they were blocking my way with backs to me so I stopped and the lady turned and asked did I want to get through. Strange question as only one way to go having turned along that path! I said yes and she moved approx 30cm away from husband leaving a gap of less than 1m for me to ride between them. FFS. It was obvious for her to move to the same side as the other three and leave a 2m gap but no she put me int he situation where I had to ask again for a bigger gap.
Are there really people not watching the news or listening to government guidance?
I also saw a lot of other out of control kids/families as well.
That's what is going to happen - kids cooped up indoors with no exercise, no mingling with their peers, no school (which at least gives a sense of structure to the day), potentially a high level of shit food/sweets/fizzy drinks and they're let loose on the first nice day of the year after months of unending rain.
Yes there's bad parenting to a degree but there's also a really shit situation where play areas, parks and so on have been closed and a lot of people don't actually know where to go or what to do on a Saturday if it's not shopping or taking the kids to [insert relevant activity]. Neither of which you can do now...
The grass square in the middle of my estate is rammed with kids right now, sounds like a school at lunchtime! Plenty of parents mingling round the edge not paying attention, going to be bedlam when the dog walkers come out around 4-5pm.
Seemed pretty good today. We rode as a family and saw a few family groups, the odd couple but mostly solos. No one got too close so all fine. No one on the gnar-trails either so that's good.
I just had a bbq in my garden, is that allowed?
I can see how of course its entirely my fault *rolls eyes*
I didn't say it was your "fault". I'm merely pointing out that you could have avoided the confrontation completely if you'd heald your breath for a couple of seconds and, simply passed by.
So.. Im sure i’ve read recently somewhere that Matt Hancock said it was OK to drive a short distance to exercise?? Can anyone post me a link to this please
I just had a bbq in my garden, is that allowed
As long as you weren't sunbathing (apparently)
I’m merely pointing out that you could have avoided the confrontation completely if you’d heald your breath for a couple of seconds and, simply passed by.
Stop everything everyone! No need to social distance. No need to stay at home. No need for PPE. Just be careful when you breath. An expert in … er … something has spoken.
Idiots being idiots
So I'm sitting in my back garden currently, not far from the centre of a large Kent town.
All I can hear, every 20 seconds or so, is a motorbike accelerating away from some lights/down the motorway slip road etc.
Big single, then a vtwin, then an inline 4, then a v4, another inline 4, then a Harley...
My motorbike is safely tucked up in the garage. Some of these idiots are using the excuse that riding a motorbike is exercise.
Full lockdown coming this week. No exercise, no allowed out unless you have a form. The stupid public cannot be trusted.
I didn’t say it was your “fault”. I’m merely pointing out that you could have avoided the confrontation completely if you’d heald your breath for a couple of seconds and, simply passed by.
Seriously Colin, I'd have thought you'd know better. C19 isn't just "breath" related. I'm a sweaty MTBr, no doubt I've wiped my face with my glove and who knows if my clothes have the virus on them, and who knows if theirs do? Any slight squeeze through a space and swiping his/my clothes is possible transmission, best avoided by requesting a reasonable gap.
I was polite, sensible and observing a government request on behalf of my fellow human beings H&S, he was an arse. There's no more to it than that.
@bruneep - aren't you/Mrs Bruneep (presumably the phone operator) phoning the police?
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@bruneep – aren’t you/Mrs Bruneep (presumably the phone operator) phoning the police?
Ha! heck no going to London town would be the the last thing I'd be doing right now, safely confined to home in Aberdeen.
It popped up on my FB feed
Why phone the police when you can share your outrage on Facebook?
So that was yesterday, can only imagine what it's like now, as its probably going to hit 20 degrees in London/Kent today.
Thought I would ride my local roundabout loop that is popular with time triallers.
A. It's really boring
B. Having to continually pedal came as bit of a shock
C. I'm really slow.
D. How much at risk am I from heavy breathing time triallers going past me?
Looking for excuses not to have to do it again.
PS I too saw lots of motorbikers going to the shops. The eggs must have been in as they were in a real rush .
On the positive side of things, Derbyshire Roads Policing Unit's twitter feed seems to suggest that the Peak District honeypots are pretty quiet this weekend, fingers crossed:
https://twitter.com/DerbyshireRPU
That is positive news.
I was polite, sensible and observing a government request on behalf of my fellow human beings H&S, he was an arse. There’s no more to it than that.
Mea culpa. I wasn't there so don't know the exact circumstances.
I do think some people don't understand what lockdown means for people living in bedsits, hi-rise and garden less housing.
So that was yesterday, can only imagine what it’s like now, as its probably going to hit 20 degrees in London/Kent today.
Much better I believe, as the park is shut today
Klunk
I do think some people don’t understand what lockdown means for people living in bedsits, hi-rise and garden less housing.
That's why it's guidance and you're expected to use your discretion and common sense to avoid infection and to do no harm.
Ignore the Pharisees' angels on a pinhead interpretation and follow the guidance.
Another ride from the door today. More tarmac this time, but I'm exploring. I did revisit an old playground that I helped build in the mid '90's and there are still some trails, which is good. It's at the top of an 800ft climb, most of which is in 1.3 miles, which is not so good.
Driving standards much lower today, but I was using main roads for a lot of the ride.
Much better I believe, as the park is shut today
Good news, and looking at police twitters from all over the country, it looks like people are actually observing the advice. All I can hear along our road is hammering, banging, sawing, cutting - never thought I'd say that the constant sound of people doing DIY on a Sunday was a good thing!
I may venture out for an hour on the bike later on.
Next weekend will be the real turning point though, if it's nice weather. 4 day weekend + 20 degrees = too much temptation.
or i could rephrase it, and just some up the general tone of this thread with... why are ****ing poor people spoiling it for every one else.
Good news, and looking at police twitters from all over the country, it looks like people are actually observing the advice. All I can hear along our road is hammering, banging, sawing, cutting – never thought I’d say that the constant sound of people doing DIY on a Sunday was a good thing!
Started tidying the shed, mowed the lawn, and fixed a fence panel. During all that I discovered my 7yo daughter can ride my sons Giant TCX, skipping a now redundant Frog bike. So we now have an Isla and a Frog to sell. Played a bit of footie with the kids in the garden. With respect to all the issues around all of us is probably been one of the best Sundays for quite a while.