Outside walks and people

[CharlotteRose90]

No hate please but I’m hoping I’m not the only one.

So me and my mum have been going for walks with the dog and it’s making me so angry what people are doing. Walking so close to us and not keeping distance. We’re both in the vulnerable category and I’ve said so many times to people to move away.

I completely get you don’t have to wear a mask but don’t walk next to or behind people you don’t know. The park we choose today had a massive path and people still did it. I ended up shouting at this woman for standing next to my mum and coughing.

Rant over. I’m hoping I’m not crazy

Parks and walking paths are crowded at the moment because there's nothing else to do apart from going for a walk. I don't mind people walking close to me, what annoys me is when groups or families insist on walking 6 abreast along the path forcing you into the mud to get past

If parks are so dangerous you shouldn't go or keep doing what your doing and avoiding other people. Telling other people to move is rude. Just move round them.

Round here our parks are busy but everyone tries to keep clear of others. You cant expect the non vulnerable to be on high alert. Some people are in a world of their own.

@KatherineJaneway

Everyone has to share the space, so you can’t expect everyone else to move out of the way for you all of the time.

I agree. If you want space, you move out of the way.

The current rules are that everyone should make an effort to keep 2m distance. Everyone. I live in an urban area and have never been out for a walk where the distance could actually be maintained, but it is on everyone to try.

In my local park there is a sign saying that cyclists and joggers must give way to walkers. The other day I saw a young female jogger hurtling along towards a older couple, one of whom was being supported by the other. She obviously felt her need to not have to swerve or lose momentum took precedence, at the last moment they had to step aside on to the grass almost falling, and this is something that happens a lot. People are extremely rude and selfish.

I understand your concerns but unfortunately you can't police a public space like that and you can also rest assured that Covid transmission is extremely low outside, so in all likelihood you'll be absolutely fine.

I think if it's causing you this much anxiety try and find some quieter spots? Some of the parks around me are much quieter than others and I also find it's quieter when I go early or around lunch time.

Just for the record we do stand to the stand so people can get past. Although it’s not hard that if we are walking slower then someone just overtake there’s plenty of room. I’m on about the people that deliberately walk behind you or next to you in a line.

And the person I shouted at was because we again stopped and stood to the side and the lady decided to stop next to my mum without a care in the world and started coughing. I’m definitely not being unreasonable about that.

YANBU. I am completely with you on this OP. I do a daily walk in a rural area with a dedicated wide foot/cycle/horseriding trail, and it is really stressful because so few people bother to maintain a distance. I end up spending a lot of the walk watching out for approaching walkers and particularly cyclists, then gauging how much space there is, and stepping aside into grass, mud or even nettles sometimes, as they just do not bother. This is only possible anyway where there is enough width to get off the main path. Where paths are narrow it is impossible, and I avoid them. To all those who think it does not matter, I would say you do not know how vulnerable to infection the person is who you meet or pass, so it is not up to you to judge the level of risk you will be putting them to.
What is wrong with following the guidance to maintain 2m distance?

To hopeishere, Ohdoleavemealone, saraclara and others who say that the risk is minimal when pasing someone outside - with respect, how are you qualified to judge that? Or is it just wishful thinking? The new variant of the virus is much more contagious than the first, and even the scientists working on it do not know the exact risks of any particular activity. So I feel you should not be coming on here and saying that there is no or little risk from passing close to people, as you simply do not know that to be true.

@nosswith

OP you must be someone with a gentle well mannered dog. You would not have the problem with a Staffie!

I do haha he’s a springer that’s afraid of his own shadow sometimes

If you’re vulnerable
Pick your time

I went out at 7.45am today. Bliss. Beautiful. Not a soul.

Took my children out at 3... busy. Doesn’t bother me but then again, I’m not shielding. If I was, I would be more selective re when I went!

@ZenNudist

If parks are so dangerous you shouldn't go or keep doing what your doing and avoiding other people. Telling other people to move is rude. Just move round them.

Round here our parks are busy but everyone tries to keep clear of others. You cant expect the non vulnerable to be on high alert. Some people are in a world of their own.

I disagree, it is on everyone to do their best to keep these public spaces as safe as possible, and the vulnerable need them most. No one can have the luxury of being in a world of their own right now.

If people can’t behave in as careful a manner as possible, then it is those people who should be avoiding the public spaces. Being as careful as reasonably possible will still mean coming close sometimes and the odd mishap, but some people are taking the piss expecting to be able to do what they like and push everyone else aside.

I am sick of people being told to stay home if they are so scared. Those particularly vulnerable to covid are often the people who will face the worst consequences from not being able to maintain moderate exercise, and in the city there can be few choices of alternative places. If we need to keep public space open it is for these people, not at their expense.

I think you need to chill a bit - has it occurred to you that you might be dawdling? It's just not on shouting at people for being near you in an outdoor public space. If you are both that vulnerable, it's on you to go at a quiet time of day, or to somewhere that is not so popular with walkers.

I move over and find it annoying when people approaching in the opposite direction don’t go single file when I’ve made the effort. I have to say it’s usually the man “protecting” the girl like a manspreading octopus.

Walking so close to us and not keeping distance

It takes two to walk close to each other - you see them coming and you move over so there is more room for them so it's not just on them is it.

Of course people shouldn’t be walking so close.

I tend to any walk in places where I can avoid people ,by walking away or around them, crossing the road etc..

I don’t think I would go to a park and expect no one to go near me, sometimes it’s just not possible if there are narrow paths or lots of people walking in one area. I would suggest wearing a mask if walking in areas where you can’t avoid people.

I'm with you OP EXCEPT that you don't need to shout at people - I just extend my arm (in a sort of "stop") in their direction and say "Sorry - could you please give me some space" and usually they look a bit surprised and do so. It also works in the supermarket till queue. I don't know why they are still encroaching as they ought to know by now. I also have a beef with people who see an acquaintance (or 2) coming towards them and then stand blocking the entire path so no-one can pass them at a distance (I walk in a forest so you can't actually get off the path more than a short way as brambles and trees block the way). All they need to do is stand 2 metres apart from the other group on the same side of the path and then everyone can pass them on the other side of the path safely distanced.

To those who say your chances of catching Covid in the open air are very small - what about people talking loudly to each other and passing you within 2 feet (as often happens) - surely their aerosol spray is going to be way over 2 feet? ALSO, I don't think we know how big or small the risks with the new Covid variants in open air EXCEPT that they are being transmitted very much faster than the original Covid, so might be much more likely to be transmitted in the open air than Covid was before. I am not willing to take the risk (by letting people brush past me) and will continue to say something if I can't get away from them myself on my side.

It's unlikely anyone is walking next to you on purpose, they are most likely just being absent minded, OP. Maybe also wear a mask when you are outside on a walk?

@Didiusfalco

I think you need to chill a bit - has it occurred to you that you might be dawdling? It's just not on shouting at people for being near you in an outdoor public space. If you are both that vulnerable, it's on you to go at a quiet time of day, or to somewhere that is not so popular with walkers.

No dawdling from us at all we walk at a normal pace thanks. Just inconsiderate areholes that don’t know what distance is from people. We went at a quiet time and unfortunately was still busy.

Regarding running/walking/cycling.

I do all these three activities and am always polite (I hope). But, as someone who does all 3 things...

As a Walker I will almost be the one to move out of the runner or cyclists way- simply because if I'm walking, I'm in the best position to move - , I won't lose my footing, I'm not on a watch, and I won't lose any momentum particularly by stopping.

As a runner, I'm on a watch, I want to do a good time; people nearly always move out of my way, and I am always really grateful for that and thank them.

As a cyclist, it's a pain to have to stop and start, the momentum is lost. Again, most people move out of my way, and I'm always really grateful and thank them.

So, as a Walker, I'm happy to move because I'm the one who will be least disrupted by doing so.

I get you Op, I'm not worried about catching it outside but I'm fed up with families sprawled across the path. It's rude, you go single file if possible. And that goes for non pandemic times too.

I’m fed up of groups period. Why do so many need to walk right beside each other on a narrow path preventing others from being able to past them. Our sons, oldest almost 6, SEN and our youngest 3 know how to walk single file and I make sure they aren’t in anyone’s way. I’ve been walking after 8 pm just to be able to walk without having to dodge people and I notice that I’m not the only one because I see the same people when walking. My husband was wondering why I was heading out quite late for my walks until he started going out for runs and realised why. He finds if he runs during lunch time, there are less people.

I’ve not shouted at anyone. Just look behind me to check for cars and buses, walk into the street to pass them and get back on the pavement or look and check to make sure I’m not going to wade through dog **it before walking into the grass to get past and back onto the pavement.

Whilst it is acknowledged that outdoors environments were very low risk for transmission of Covid 19, I don't think we can afford to be quite so sanguine now. I wouldn't want to walk directly into someones exhaled plume of breath with the new mutation leading to higher concentrations of virus in the nose and throat. Yes the virus will be dispersed in the breeze but with higher concentrations exhaled, this presumably might take a minute or two longer? Fortunately living in a village I can generally find quieter routes but it must be tricky for those in busier areas

It really annoys me when people wearing masks outside stop dead when you get within about 12 feet of them and dramatically glare at you. If you’re that worried about it, stay at home. You don’t own the footpaths.

When I'm out walking and someone is coming the opposite direction to me, if they decide to walk in the road to distance from me then they can. I won't go in the road for anyone unless they need more space such as a wheelchair or buggy.

I don't mind passing people because I don't believe the chances of catching covid outside are high from walking past someone, which takes about 3 seconds.

However inside in queues I do get annoyed when people give me no personal space whatsoever

As a PP said, they’re so busy atm because it’s the only thing people can do. Try to walk somewhere more secluded if you can or if not, go really early in the morning.

Totally baffled by the responses. Everyone is responsible for giving each other space right now. Luckily, everyone I’ve come across when walking the dog has actually been very polite and provided ample space. Why can’t we all just be kind? It’s not “entitled” to want others to keep their distance from you right now, even less so if catching the virus has a higher chance of killing you. You are absolutely entitled to expect those around you to provide 2m space and be polite. Why some mnetters are appalled by this expectation is beyond me. Luckily my own rl experience is very different from the picture mn portrays here.

@Brieminewine

Walk faster or get out of the way.

You’re the problem here, not everyone else.

It's not the responsibility of those who respect social distancing to avoid those who don't, any more than it's the responsibility of law abiding citizens to avoid people who throw unexpected punches.

@arethereanyleftatall

Regarding running/walking/cycling.

I do all these three activities and am always polite (I hope). But, as someone who does all 3 things...

As a Walker I will almost be the one to move out of the runner or cyclists way- simply because if I'm walking, I'm in the best position to move - , I won't lose my footing, I'm not on a watch, and I won't lose any momentum particularly by stopping.

As a runner, I'm on a watch, I want to do a good time; people nearly always move out of my way, and I am always really grateful for that and thank them.

As a cyclist, it's a pain to have to stop and start, the momentum is lost. Again, most people move out of my way, and I'm always really grateful and thank them.

So, as a Walker, I'm happy to move because I'm the one who will be least disrupted by doing so.

We are cut from the same cloth Me too

But so many on mumsnet would say that the runner and cyclist should essentially take a (distanced) bow to the Walker.