Anyone else finding the empty streets unnerving/frightening?

[QuimJongUn]

DH and I usually go out for our half hourish of exercise (a walk, locally) when he finishes wfh, between 6pm and 7pm daily. As the lockdown has bedded in and the streets have got quieter, it's become a bit unnerving out there. We live in a large city but we often see nobody at all, and the ones we do see often have their faces covered with masks/scarves - we've even seen the odd balaclava. There are very few cars around and in our suburb we've not seen one police officer/car. And if course the shops are mainly closed. We've also been looking at the live traffic cams in our city centre and it looks even eerier there.

I'm not saying we don't feel safe exactly, just that I've realised that safety in numbers is yet another thing I took for granted in the Before Times. I'm constantly on edge when we're out - if someone wanted to commit a crime, the fact that there's nobody about might make it easier for them to do so. It's not so bad in the daytime but towards the evening it feels worse. Hopefully the lighter evenings will help.

Anyone else noticed this?

I live in a village and, apart from quite a lot of through vehicle traffic on the main road through it, I never see anyone when out with my dog on his afternoon walk about. We are lucky to have an area of heathland and woods with close walking distance. Yesterday, I walked for around 90minutes and didn't see a soul. It is a bit un-nerving OP, I agree.

I think it's most probably safer than normal, OP. The kind of criminals who target other people won't be out because there are no victims out there. I've had some amazing midnight walks around my deserted city centre.

Also waves to @QuimJongUn

@wonkylegs
Same around here too. People going for walks who wouldn’t usually give too hoots. Our street has become a thoroughfare! It feels like you have to pick your moment carefully when stepping into the street.

My usually bustling commuting town was completely silent yesterday. No one walking in or out of the train station or coach station. No taxis parked waiting for custom. The only people I did see were either teens clearly ignoring the lockdown or people that would look at me in pure disgust at the fact I was outside (8 months pg). Felt like saying sorry I forgot pregnant women can’t leave the house Tbh everyone was giving everyone else the dirtiest looks it was an awful atmosphere. Had to wait for DH outside ASDA and I had a backpack on so I could carry some bits (no car). Some guy in his 70s with his son came trundling past within inches of me, sneezed, coughed and laughed like it was sooo hilarious! Luckily everyone else around me looked at him disapprovingly too. He also loudly commented on the fact I had a backpack and likened it to a ‘school trip’. Fucking nob shouldn’t have been out!

Just realised it was in another thread I'd already said I lived on the fourth floor

QuimJongUn

Every person off the streets at the moment means fewer infections, fewer deaths, fewer families in mourning, fewer lives irreparably shattered.

I know it doesn’t seem like it, but empty streets mean the plan is working perfectly, and is a reason for joy rather than sadness.

@Time40 DH was saying last night that he'd love to go for a wander around town in the dark but he'd be too scared, looking at the CCTV pics. Takes a lot for him to be scared, rock hard Geordie that he is!

Also, big wave back to all the locals!

I can run within 2km of home. I usually run in the evening but changed to mornings as I have less chance of coming across other

Sorry! Less chance of meeting other joggers or walkers. I cross the road to avoid oncoming people and most people exchange a wave which is really heartening.

I love it, it reminds me of years ago when I first moved in and the roads around my house were really quiet. Then it was mostly farm vehicles and horse riders. Now nearly every household owns two or more cars and the road in front of my house is like a motorway in rush hour. Just enjoying it whilst it lasts.

I'm one of the people who usually wouldn't give 2 hoots about going out for a walk but that's because I previously spent 4 nights a week at the gym which I can't do now. Also I have to exercise the kids. DD is a gymnast and usually trains for 6 hours per week plus 2 hours dance plus running around at school so she's climbing the walls!

I work in the city centre and have to walk to the bus stop (5-10 mins walk) at about 9pm. The silent empty streets are kind of eerie. The homeless people are still there but very few others.

I miss your city @QuimJongUn! Used to live there. And yes it's normally quuuuuite a bit busier than that!

I can't say I have but but then it's two weeks since I left the house.

I’ve got to go out today for the first time in eight days. I’ll be going to a nearby market town and although I have absolutely no idea what to expect, I’m sort of dreading it. Not from fear of catching the virus, but because I’m expecting it to feel weird and unsettling.

Waves to @QuimJongUn (I'm not too far from you!)

Ooh, @QuimJongUn are you in Newcastle???
I’m a Geordie, but have lived in London for 20 years.
I miss Newcastle :-(

I find its all older people. There are no children. It's like 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'.[

I love rurally and have noticed a lot more wildlife noise during the day - I'm undecided whether it's because there's no other noise to drown it out or actually whether the lack of people and traffic has brought the wildlife out more.......

I can hear the birdsong instead of traffic. I can cycle on the road in safety (and breathe better air). Shared cycle paths are too narrow for social distancing anyway, and the few vehicles have their windows shut.

I don't much like crowds anyway, so I quite like it.

It's also nice to be able to get out of my car and hear birdsong when I arrive at work in the middle of an industrial estate.

It is quite strange. The lack of road noise makes a big difference to what you can hear.

I adore it. Beyond measure.

Pandemic worth it, eh?

There’s still plenty of people and cars about in my town. We do live off the high street though so I suppose you’d expect it.