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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To go to Whitby beach tomorrow

662 replies

BubblyBarbara · 12/05/2020 18:31

I’ve gone to Whitby every year for the past decade or so and I’m missing it dearly. I’ve read Boris’s PDF and it says you are allowed to drive any distance to “open space” from tomorrow so my plan is to go to Whitby and spend the day on the beach - social distancing of course.

But I did a search on Facebook about car parks etc (it’s ok the parking inspectors are furloughed so I can park anywhere I like) and found lots of angry posts on local groups about how the people of Whitby don’t want people coming into their town yet Confused

It’s legal for me to go tomorrow but the locals don’t want us to go.. who is BU here? I say the law is more important than what the locals say.

OP posts:
OrangeSamphire · 13/05/2020 20:37

Right now the absolute worst thing that can happen for seaside communities is that there is an influx of Covid-carrying visitors now, that cause local outbreaks where previously numbers have been low, and then seaside destinations have to shut down for the entire summer. This really would kill off the tourism industry.

Waiting for national numbers to drop first would be the responsible thing to do.

MargotB7 · 13/05/2020 20:38

OrangeSamphire

Very true.

GinnyStrupac · 13/05/2020 20:44

I can see the OP has updated to say she has put off her visit till next week. I very much doubt the situation will be any different then.

We live in a National Park and have similar concerns to the good people of Whitby, other coastal communities and National Parks. At this time, local residents don't want visitors, local businesses don't want visitors, local police don't want visitors, local mountain rescue and RNLI don't want visitors, local councils don't want visitors, local minor injuries units and hospitals don't want visitors, local tourist boards don't want visitors, local National Park Authorities don't want visitors, and so on. Loos, cafes, restaurants, pubs, attractions and many car parks are closed. The Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish governments don't want visitors. Notice any pattern here? If so, please take the hint and respect the serious concerns of local communities and services. Why go where and when you are not welcome, when waiting a little while longer until you are will make all the difference to how you are received and to helping to control viral spread for every single one of us?

The only people saying go are the UK government, well, the English part of it. Boris is out of step here. He has got this wrong. I would have more respect for him if he recognised this and put a 5 mile, postcode or county travel limit in place for exercise, except for those few with medical exemption as before. At the moment it just looks like a shambles, causing untold worry and division, and inviting a second wave. It's the ill-fated herd immunity policy once again, by the back door.

My family miss the sea and coast dreadfully, spending up to 13 weeks a year there at the very best of times, and even an afternoon would seem like a huge treat now - but we will not be going until it is safe to do so, until we are welcome, and until we can contribute to the local economy. We respect the feelings and fears of locals, just as we would like people to respect ours here in our National Park. We might have the right to travel for exercise from today, but we have the responsibility to stay local.

For those who feel their wanting and right to travel to exercise trumps all, at the very least don't go in the local shops or petrol stations, don't park or walk around the towns and villages where people including many elderly and vulnerable live, don't light fires or BBQs, don't sit there with your engine running adding to air pollution, take your litter, nappies and dog poo home, and avoid the honey pots.

OrangeSamphire · 13/05/2020 20:47

Very well articulated and fair @GinnyStrupac

YouTheCat · 13/05/2020 20:49

I couldn't agree more, Ginny.

Some people are going on like this is going to be it forever it will be if they don't use some sense and stay home for a few weeks longer .

Sibsmum · 13/05/2020 20:49

You and 10,000 +others! Please don't go.
I live in a tourist hot spot and we have seen numbers massively increase in the last few days, emptying our tiny convenience shops and feeding our lambs crap from the roadside. Two sick lambs, another vet bill on the way and our massively elderly demographic compromised We don't own the place but we live here 24/7/365. Please consider the locals.

HeronLanyon · 13/05/2020 20:50

mutha gone a little Scottish there have we ? Back to your whittling woman !

fib88 · 13/05/2020 21:06

I think you’re being very unfair to the local residents of Whitby. What would happen if we all took the same attitude? We’ve all got to be responsible for own actions!

MuthaClucker · 13/05/2020 21:19

Sorry Heron, just bored whitless.

HEGNHS · 13/05/2020 21:21

As someone who comes from Whitby and is also an NHS worker, I urge you to be patient. I am not able to visit my family yet and would not feel comfortable doing so in the current circumstances as I don't want to put them at risk. Although you have been told that travel for exercise is ok, a day trip to the seaside is NOT exercise. Places like Whitby have limited resources and can not cope with floods of potentially infectious visitors. Nothing is open yet - no toilets, no food outlets, no businesses, no attractions, no carparks. Yes you can park on some streets because the traffic wardens aren't there but they are residential streets and everyone is currently staying at home so parking will be an issue. Wait to visit when things open in July and protect others by staying home. Please.

bemusedmoose · 13/05/2020 21:24

Boris' advice is stupid.

Of course the locals don't want people bringing their germs from hell knows where with them, especially as there are so many people who are asymptomatic (my kids and I all had covid and we hadn't been around anyone with symptoms so it must have been someone asymptomatic)

Don't go. Simples. Im missing Folkestone like crazy, would love a day on the beach but im not going to be seeing it this year. Sad yes but safe.

Viviand · 13/05/2020 21:30

Just plain selfish. Stick to your own location and let others enjoy theirs' in safety. Whitby and its oysters will still be there in a few month's time. Stay home and stay safe and let others stay safe. I live on the coast in Dorset and we are terrified of the influx of Londoners etc. that will now descend on us, thinking it is safe to do so. This Government have made a grave mistake on opening the Country far too early. Watch the number of affected persons rise significantly and then we will have a second lockdown. So many selfish people in this Country. I don't like Sturgeon, but she is talking sense. Shut down until it is safe. Life is much more important than a selfish trip to the seaside. Urrgh!

jamdonut · 13/05/2020 21:34

I live in Bridlington. We are, as a town, desperate to stop people from out of the area coming! Besides all the toilets are shut and no restaurants/amusements/pubs open. The whole Yorkshire coast wants visitors to stay away - just for a little longer, please! Then we will welcome you with open (desperate) arms .

Ferret27 · 13/05/2020 21:40

Let’s be clear ... it isn’t the law... but a bumbling Conservative party amendment aimed at trying to kick start the economy because they don’t give a shit about the elderly or the working poor including care workers and NHS staff who they need back out there ASAP to keep the top 5% happy, wealthy and safe from harm.....

Ferret27 · 13/05/2020 21:42

Well said Ginny ....

XingMing · 13/05/2020 21:46

I don't disagree with viviand's message at all, but we do need to realise that most younger fit people are not in danger of dying from Covid-19. However, many will be helping older and less fit relatives who ARE at risk, so if you are running errands for older people to help them cope, PLEASE try to consider how you can avoid adding anything to complicate the situation.

GiftedFish · 13/05/2020 21:48

I think it's ridiculous to even consider it.

XingMing · 13/05/2020 21:49

@Ferret27. Do you really believe any party in government would have performed better?

XingMing · 13/05/2020 21:50

or to paraphrase, have bumbled less?

PeanutDouglas · 13/05/2020 21:53

I wouldn’t , no

PingusMistress · 13/05/2020 21:58

Where do you live OP? I'll drive to bring my family to your street. We'll have a picnic and walk up and down in front of your house so that you don't feel safe to use your front garden and your kids are trapped inside. I'll get all my friends to do the same. Then we'll leave all our food wrappers and used drinks bottles behind for you to deal with. But it's alright because we will have had a lovely day.

I live in a National Park and have to deal with this every weekend.

Just because you can do it doesn't mean you should do it.

TP67 · 13/05/2020 21:59

Did anywhere get busy today? I haven’t seen anything implying that

KarmaStar · 13/05/2020 21:59

Are you trying to justify invading a tourist area by saying you've been going there for decades?
Everyone is affected by the restrictions and everybody should do everything they can to minimize the spread of covid 19.
Travelling for an hour to a tourist area where the locals have asked visitors to stay away is not doing all you can.
Wait it out.The locals will welcome you with open arms and appreciation of your thoughtfulness when this is all over.
Go now and you'll be remembered as 'one of those' who put their own enjoyment over the health of the locals.

Viviand · 13/05/2020 22:01

XingMing
I think a lot of younger people are doing wonderful things for the more vulnerable. This is fine, as long as it is in their own locality, not travelling for one hour to walk on a beach. That was what I was trying to put over. I am lucky to live within a minute's walk from the waterside. I have a friend who lives near Woking in Surrey and he informs me that he intends to travel the hundred plus miles to Weymouth, so that he can go for a walk on the beach, there. I have informed him that I think he is daft. The beach will already be crowded with the locals. It was busy before lockdown was lifted. Let locals enjoy what they have. We do not want any more Covid 19 in Dorset, thank you. I live in Poole, not Weymouth, by the way!

WhoWants2Know · 13/05/2020 22:09

I live maybe 45 minutes from some nice beaches, but I don't plan to go. Mainly because on every sunny day, every other person within a 30 mile radius decides they also want to be on the beach, and I don't think the next few weeks will be any different.

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