AIBU to think lockdown includes rural areas?

[Henbird]

My DCs dad lives in the middle of nowhere - fields, farms, a few houses around. The DCs are going to visit him over Easter and he is planning on going on several walks. He already goes out at least twice a day - once with his other DC (who has asthma and he has said is high risk) for exercise and once for his own exercise. My DCs are up in arms as this breaks the exercise once a day rule but he says it's fine because he lives in the country. AIBU?

My father lives rurally and goes for an hour’s walk twice a day, with the dog, all on his own land. BUT it has a public footpath through it. What a conundrum, eh? What to do, what to do... use common sense I suppose

I’m in and out of the house all day . I live rurally on a farm . It’s not one rule for everyone exactly . It’s more of a “ use your brain “ statement .

Since the rules are there to prevent to spread of coronavirus there is obviously no risk if you're out of a walk on your own land or you don't see any one. Common sense please.

Just too sensible underneaththeash. There must be RULES and people who live rurally must behave as though they live in a block of flats in a heavily populated city.

I would be more concerned that your DC's are going for a visit over Easter, or have I misread your post?

At 13 and 16 they are probably more up in arms about the idea of forced fresh air and exercise for hours on end rather than comfy lockdown on screens with just an obedient break for a half hour walk

But with agree with others that lockdown guidance is for social distancing and stopping spread of virus. I don't see how empty fields and woods are a risk.

YADNBU that's why the Scottish Chief Medic resigned. Rules apply to EVERYONE. FFS.

I live rurally. I have been running 4 times a week. I do sometimes see the odd person, usually either walking dogs, on a horse or riding a bike. Each of these times it is really easy to keep to the 2M distance for the couple of seconds it takes to pass each other. If I need to walk or stop to maintain the 2M distance I do.

I also have a dog. I will take him out for 10 mins later on in the day. I dont even go quarter of a mile before turning back again. On my non-running days I walk further with him. I see no-one during these 10 mins. Took me 5 or 6 days to feel better about it. I only ran a couple of times for the first week due to this. Reading comments (mainly on MN) I felt that by going out a second time for 10 mins where I didn't see anyone I'd still somehow be killing 1000 people or something.

Before anyone suggests for various reasons NO I will not run with the dog. Oh and before anyone says the dog needs more. My couch potato DH takes the dog out for a longer walk in the morning.

No- the Scottish chief medic resigned because travelling to a second home, to and fro London , whilst being expected to set example to a nation, is unnecessary travel , by any common sense standard. Living rurally and walking from your door into fields/country side and img alone is different entirely. My sister lives rural and I envy her. I’m in a small town but certainly not rural enough to take extra time out. If I was though, I would.

I have friends and family who live in the middle of nowhere.

They got out whenever they want - being in the middle of nowhere they meet no one.

And there are no police to tell them off.

I would be more concerned that your DC's are going for a visit over Easter, or have I misread your post?

Me too Crimson. Like it or not, exercising more than once per day in a rural area where you won't meet anyone, won't spread Coronavirus. Mixing households might.

The ‘rules’ are to facilitate social distancing. If you live so rurally that you can go out and about as you please and not see anyone then do!

This isolation business is bound to be terrible for people’s physical and mental health - it’s great if you are able to be isolated and be out of the house!

@Concerned12345 She resigned because it would have looked bad for not to have done.

OP, if you live rurally, you could go out for five walks a day, each an hour long, and it would be fine. The 'once a day' rule is designed to stop people congregating and having parties.

Everyone needs to be a bit sensible about this.

It should be different.

If you live in the countryside, you should be able to get out more than once a day. However, if you don't live in the country, you shouldn't bloody be there.

I think farmers have the best freedoms of all of us at the minute. They often work alone and/or in large spaces so social distancing is easy. They own the land so it's essentially one big garden. They can go days without even seeing another soul on a pathway. And, they're pretty used to working long days, independently, so they're probably adjusting to the no mixing out of the household thing incredibly well.

If they have their kids off then the kids can help with the farm work and they won't be as bored, either.

Obviously I'm sure there's huge stresses with markets being closed and reduced veterinary services... but day to day? Sounds great.

It's just common sense. If you aren't going to see anyone to potentially infect or be infected by then of course it's fine.

There is no rule specifying once a day. It is a guideline. Far more harm will be done by staying in and losing fitness. If your children have the opportunity to be more active whilst at their dad's, encourage them to make the most of it

The government cannot possibly say "here's the rule if you live in a city, here's the rule if you live in a village, here's another rule if you live rurally but all local walking routes are packed with people etc". They have to give one single rule. That doesn't mean that the risk is the same for every situation. Obviously if you live rurally and can access walking routes that allow you to roam for hours without seeing a soul, you are at far less risk of catching or spreading a virus than someone in a town religiously doing their permitted one hour of daily exercise or visiting a supermarket. Unfortunately they can't trust people to exercise common sense, and it's easy to see why when so many people are such sticklers for rules that are not relevant to every situation. Can't people think for themselves?

Of course it's fine. Rural areas get the shit end of the stick the rest of the time, but the one thing we have is space. I don't see why anyone should needlessly pretend it doesn't exist just because town and city dwellers can't access all their usual privileges and amenities. That's the only reason anyone would object.

PepePig you're so right. We've all been practicing isolation for years. My DH life has hardly changed at all, farming doesn't stop for anything. I keep telling the kids how lucky they are.

I live and work rurally and normally the roads i drive mainly horse and riders and the occasional car .Now it is bikes, walkers never seen so many .And they are getting in my way and it is driving me absolutely insane .

The government cannot possibly say "here's the rule if you live in a city, here's the rule if you live in a village, here's another rule if you live rurally but all local walking routes are packed with people etc". They have to give one single rule.

They don't. There's a general somewhat vague law at the moment, there could be additional laws specific to areas that need them.
London has laws for some things which don't apply everywhere (not CV related). Local bylaws are commonplace - because there are all sorts of things where one size doesn't fit all.

It's just common sense
Unfortunately, a rarity.

What iWantToBreakFree said.

I honestly can't believe what I'm reading. THE RULES APPLY TO ALL @MumsNet @MN you have a duty of care here to confirm this @Hebe

Lol