The “I just had a sit down in the park with crisps” brigade

[Candodad]

You are the problem. The rules are simple. Go out and exercise and then go home. Just that, nothing more than that.

To be fair then problem is actually bigger than that and has been brewing for years as we increasingly become a country with rules but almost everyone has an excuse for why that rule shouldn’t apply to them/their child/family.

[SimonJT]

The guidelines don’t forbid it.

I have type one diabetes, so under your version of the rules I’m unable to leave my flat.

[Winkywoop]

Walk and eat if you're that hungry.

[Verily1]

I have mobility issues. My physio told me I need to exercise every day but I can only do short spurts before needing a rest (on a seat) then I need to restart. I can’t get the exercise I need without having several breaks.

I don’t sit near anyone, I’m not putting anyone at risk.

Stop discriminating against the disabled.

[Dollywilde]

I am pregnant (third trimester) and if I’m to get any exercise, yes occasionally I will need to sit down and eat a satsuma/have a few sips of water/rest my hips before I carry on walking. This wouldn’t be the case before pregnancy (30 years old, fit and healthy).

The rules do not forbid it and, actually, my primary concern is at what point common sense and critical thinking ceased to exist for a very vocal minority.

[EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall]

At least read the rules before you come on here telling people what they can and can't do

[OmgThereAreNoPlanesAboveMeNow]

Well, pack of crisps kind of defeat the exercise bit, doesn't it. Can't people really last hour or so without food unless they have medical condition? Even my DF with diabetes managed that... That's imo more mind boggling than rules breaking.

[Obviouspretzel]

Another thread on the same thing? Couldn't you have posted on one of the many, many other threads whinging about the same thing ?

[1moreRep]

i disagree, everyone needs to take responsibility:

from those whose lifestyles have resulted in them being unhealthy and therefore a burden on the nhs, it was stretched before this and your choice is stretching them further

from those who tax evade and haven't paid in their fair share to the pot

from those who voted for a government known to starve the nhs from funding

to those who are a constant drain on the public purse through lifestyle choice, choosing benefits over working (not at all those who are incapable of working due to health)

to those who believe the rules simply do not apply to them, going out and socialising still, shopping daily, not keeping their distance

to those picking relentlessly at the failure of others weather it be organisational or personally finding problems, spreading fear but no solutions

we all have a part to play and a responsibility to take

spread hope and positivity not hate

[drivingmisspotty]

Do be honest I didn’t read the rules like that - ie in the pamphlet the government sent out they said only to leave the house for essential reasons and that included going out for exercise but did not specify I couldn’t have a quick rest while I was out.

But rules aside, how does someone sitting on the grass and eating some crisps instead of being constantly on the move when they are out increase the risk of them passing on covid? They are still on the grass so actually easier for you to keep 2m away from. If everyone did it I guess the grass could get full and mean others couldn’t exercise. But I’m not seeing that where I live. Our park is a big field with a car park. I go to play football with the kids and we stop occasionally and have a drink of water. Joggers sit briefly on the park bench to catch their breath. Some people sit in their cars in the car park listening to music. Some smokers sit down for a quick smoke. Nobody seems to be bothering anyone else or getting in each other’s way while they do this 🤷🏼‍♀️

[GoatyGoatyMingeMinge]

YABU (and ridiculous )

[Scruffyoak]

Personally, I do not need to stop but I woildnt begrudge someone doing so. Yes some may just be taking the P but for others it is the only way they can get fresh air.

[JudyCoolibar]

Candodad, you need to read what the rules and guidance actually say.

[ImHappyHopeYoureHappyToo]

Oh yeah, Every fekker's got a reason to be out and about. The longer we take the piss, the longer this is going to last.

[TriangleBingoBongo]

I’m so bored of this. They aren’t the problem. Corona is the problem. I don’t sit down when out and do respect the “rules” but the act of actually sitting isn’t spending the virus. As I understand it’s the fact they are occupying one spot for longer than necessary and hence creating more people in anyone place that’s the issue. I visit the park at 730am with my toddler. There isn’t another soul in sight. It wouldn’t be a problem to sit down.

Stop demonising every single person.

[HelloJohnGotANewMotor]

If you can't manage to walk without frequent rests and/ or a bag of crisps, then stay at home to exercise/ eat your crisps. Going out to exercise isn't obligatory. Stay at home and expose yourself to fewer risks.

[ImPeckish]

spread hope and positivity not hate

How ironic.

[PersonaNonGarter]

The virus is spread through social contact not eating crisps on park benches. YABU.

[Grobagsforever]

Don't be so stupid.

Not exercising INCREASES your risk . Fat and unfit ppl have lower survival rates. Grim but true.

Also lack of vitamin D increases your risk.
FFS go out and exercise and take a bloody snack if you need one.

[slimecentury]

Oh fgs stop blaming people stopping to eat their f ing crisps. It's far more complex than that. And for the record the guidelines say you can stop and eat.
I think the real issue is how the government has dealt with it. And beyond that how fucked our relationship with the natural world has become. Not Joe Bloggs getting some fresh air and saving his sanity. Fuel your anger there.

[Warsawa31]

Jesus, it’s funny how some people go straight to authoritarianism at the slightest push. There had never been a vaccine for any of the Coronavirus family. Ever. It seems to me this virus is something we are going to have to live with for a long time. We are all going to die at some point so stopping to eat some crisps on the grass isn’t something I can bring myself to care about

[sonjadog]

Actually, I think it is very positive that people are questioning rules rather than following them blindly. I can think of several historical periods where people unquestioningly followed rules and they didn't turn out so great...

[PippaPegg]

Get a grip.

If 2 strangers were sat next to each other then maybe you'd have a point. But if it's a single household who gives a shit!

[Makeitgoaway]

Why does it matter to you? You be all pleased with yourself for obeying all the rules and let them get on with it.

Lockdown was planned with an understanding that there wouldn't be a 100% compliance. It's working. We have a massive hospital barely in use. If we'd been "better" at lockdown the cases would be even more spread and this thing lasts longer.

Relax, it's all part of the plan.

And for the love of God there is no one hour restriction, so you don't know how long they've been out before needing/fancying a bag of crisps or what their specific circumstances are. Yes some will be doing it because they can. Some will have taken DC to eat crisps in a field to avoid killing them (seriously )

[JudyCoolibar]

If you can't manage to walk without frequent rests and/ or a bag of crisps, then stay at home to exercise/ eat your crisps.

Why? Are the disabled/diabetic really supposed to exercise solely by walking round and round their living rooms? What about the risk to their mental health?

I really struggle to understand what the big deal is about someone sitting on the grass or a park bench when they're not close to anyone else. It's perfectly easy to avoid going near them.

[Dollywilde]

Every fekker's got a reason to be out and about

Actually @ImHappyHopeYoureHappyToo I’ve been self isolating from before the lockdown so have been indoors for 6 weeks. Haven’t been to the supermarket, haven’t left the house. I do not want to put myself or my unborn child at risk. The only times I have left the house are once a week for a long walk at quieter times, this week I went for a walk on Sunday at 6 when it was quieter.

During that walk due to the baby I’m lugging around I needed to sit down and I make no apologies for that. I already feel incredibly guilty about exercising so little when I know that it’s important for me during pregnancy for my baby and for my own birth and recovery.

@HelloJohnGotANewMotor If you’d like to explain how I can get sufficient exercise in a small flat while in late pregnancy please do. I already do yoga but cardio activity is important.