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AIBU?

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Original poster

to think that going for a walk is too bloody stressful?!

135 replies

Pishposhpashy · 24/03/2020 18:40

We live in London. Go out for our permitted daily walk (me, dog, 4yo DD). Constantly having to dodge on the way to the park to avoid people coming in the opposite direction. Once in the park, same story. Dodging out of the way every 10 seconds to maintain social distancing. DC not understanding why she cannot run on ahead. DD touches bench before I can stop her then immediately puts a finger in her mouth. Leave to return home as park is just too busy to be able to be safe.

We dont have a garden and I desperately feel we need outdoor exercise, but this is the same story every time and it doesn't matter what time of day it is either.

OP posts:
OlaEliza · 24/03/2020 22:02

You'll end up with no one being able to run or walk or cycle. We can't in Spain. People were taking the piss so dog walking was stopped. Only allowed so far from the apartment to let them go to the toilet and if you have a garden, no walking them. People were walking them to the supermarket but that may have been stopped.

GameSetMatch · 24/03/2020 22:04

Keep doing really loud coughs every 50metres it will guarantee people avoid you😁

SecondaryBurnzzz · 24/03/2020 22:04

Same for me this morning at 7am, I was jogging (staggering really) and every time another speedy jogger/cyclist appeared I had to leap onto the grass to keep the distance. I seemed to be the only person moving. ended up just running in circles in the middle of a field at the end, just so I could relax. There should be a one way system around the paths and timed entrance so we go when its quiet.

DangerMouse17 · 24/03/2020 22:12

You are also not meant to be going out un groups larger than 2 people. So it needs to be you OR Dh taking the toddler out....not both of you at the same time!

DangerMouse17 · 24/03/2020 22:12

In*

Evenstar · 24/03/2020 22:16

People were being sensible in our local park in terms of distancing, but came across two people with aggressive dogs that I had never seen in there before 😡

BodiesMakeForGoodFertiliser · 24/03/2020 22:18

More than two people who do not live together.

BodiesMakeForGoodFertiliser · 24/03/2020 22:21

How is it missing the quote?Confused
Try no 2
You are also not meant to be going out un groups larger than 2 people. So it needs to be you OR Dh taking the toddler out....not both of you at the same time!

More than two people who do not live together.

So obviously families are ok

Original poster
Pishposhpashy · 24/03/2020 22:25

You are also not meant to be going out un groups larger than 2 people. So it needs to be you OR Dh taking the toddler out....not both of you at the same time!

Incorrect, more than 2 people from a different household, while practising social distancing. You are allowed to go out with anyone in your household.

A lot of people on here telling others what they can and cannot do do not seem to have read the guidelines very clearly.

OP posts:
mumoffluffs · 24/03/2020 23:32

I do wonder if people are just so much more conscious of people it feels like they are everywhere now

Nope not for me - 20+ joggers on my small street within such a short time frame is definitely not normal

Purpleartichoke · 24/03/2020 23:36

I wouldn’t hesitate to use reins at this point if I lived in a dense area (thankfully live in a wide-open exurb)

Lenny1980 · 24/03/2020 23:47

It’s the same point though @Pishposhpashy. Am I supposed to just do walking laps of my tiny garden?

I haven’t actually been out the last few days in any case. I’ve been attempting YouTube fitness videos and just playing with the DC in the garden even though it’s small.

OlaEliza · 24/03/2020 23:58

Am I supposed to just do walking laps of my tiny garden?

No, you are supposed to suck it up and accept that normal life is now on hold. You have a garden to get fresh air in so stay in your home so there are less people on the streets and those that are, are only there because it's essential.

People shouldn't even be going out on daily jaunts. It's incredibly irresponsible of the government to allow this. It makes a mockery of the lockdown.

mrsnoodle55 · 25/03/2020 00:01

Please, for the millionth time, just stay in. Boris’s 4 reasons are not targets!!!!! Every time you go out, your risk to yourself, and to others goes up. Simple. I HAVE to go out, to try and save the lives of those who CHOSE to go out.

My kids and mum have not left their respective houses for over 7 days now. My mum is in totally lockdown, and has been for some time, forced by me. I expect I’ll catch this virus, I expect I’ll drag it home to my kids. I expect by the time my or your family might need medical help, there won’t be any left. You have the CHOICE to reduce yours and their risk, use it. Stay in. Some of us would kill for that choice right now.

TwatCat · 25/03/2020 00:04

Me, DH and our two boys (all same household, so allowed) are fit and active people. Boys walk to school, oldest 15 goes to the gym most days after school before walking home and me and DH are at the gym on days off and walk 5km-10km most evenings too. We usually do our walks as a family.

My concern was, if we're only allowed out once, if we only did our evening walks, it's dark, so not getting our usual vitamin D. So today we did a 10km late afternoon walk through the woods by our house and following our usual daytime trails. We would usually pass 2 or 3 people. Today we only passed 1 dog walker with plenty of distancing and a farmer in his field.

But I felt guilty the whole time I was out, as if I wasn't supposed to be out.

I think a huge problem at the moment is that we've had a shit winter, wet and windy almost every single day and now suddenly it's nice and we are told we can only go out once a day, so people are doing it because they are allowed.

Xmasbaby11 · 25/03/2020 00:04

It's similar here op. So many people on the streets and my 6yo dd seemed to be touching everything at the park. People were obeying the rules but it made me feel uneasy. We could drive out somewhere quieter but you'd have to get out of the city and we don't have much free time (both Dh and working from home with 2 young dc).

OlaEliza · 25/03/2020 00:14

But I felt guilty the whole time I was out, as if I wasn't supposed to be out.

That's because you aren't. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

Original poster
Pishposhpashy · 25/03/2020 06:10

That's because you aren't.

I'm sorry but that is not what the government has said so people are still going to do it, including me. I dont know why some people on here think they know better over and above the govt.

OP posts:
vikap · 25/03/2020 06:18

So the price minister says we can go out for exercise but so many on here stay we mustn't. Why should I listen to you rather than the PM??

I took my two pre schoolers out for a kickabout with a ball at a field down the road. Kept out of everyone's way. Nothing was touched. What on earth is the harm of that?

vikap · 25/03/2020 06:18

Prime not price Blush

MarshaBradyo · 25/03/2020 06:28

I agree we’re in London too. With a 2 year old who would touch stuff wail at no playground, run off. Just grateful we have a decent size garden for her to really run. I’ll leave the parks for people who don’t.

Lolling · 25/03/2020 06:29

I know what you mean OP.

I would love to take my 11mo out for a walk each day. But I'm 25wks pregnant and taking immune suppressing meds and there's so many people walking past my window each day coughing and sputtering that I daren't go out. Baby would be under rain cover but still not worth the risk.

MotorwayDiva · 25/03/2020 06:33

Go on quieter roads if possible, near me there are lots of older people watching out their windows. DD gives them a wave, hope it helps them feel less isolated

Figmentofmyimagination · 25/03/2020 08:11

Where I live - market town - east of England - went out at about 6 last night round our large park to walk the dog. It didn’t seem that crowded tbh. I saw nobody at all on the way there and back and in the park there was just a handful of people, mostly walking, a couple of joggers, one coughing person who I avoided.

Maybe it’s about the time of day. I left it to the end of the day but before the sun went down as I thought it would help the dog and I to sleep a bit better.

UseByDateExpired · 25/03/2020 08:19

@DangerMouse17
“You are also not meant to be going out un groups larger than 2 people. So it needs to be you OR Dh taking the toddler out”

You have misunderstood the instruction. Check before you pass this in again. Where is the logic?