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

You are not going to catch covid from passing someone on the street

We were walking the other day and three joggers coming towards us. Three abreast and obviously difficult for them to go behind each other. I was behind my husband a few paces as the dog had stopped to have a wee.

The joggers continued and the one passed closest to my husband turned and gave him daggers as he passed as my husband didn't move out of his way !

Lots of people out there don't seem at all worried about covid. I have two vulnerable family members so we are all careful and wear masks outside. Though we live in a semi rural area we have to restrict our walks to urban pavements because at least then you can usually cross the road to distance from people. On the country foot paths it is impossible. We don't always manage to get out of the way of pavement runners and cyclists in time, but accept that we can only manage risk, not eradicate it.

Why wait for the most dragging it's heels (along with its knuckles) government to catch up? Wear a mask everywhere and take exercise away from other people. Stupid people are getting blasé and those who care are getting pissed off. Fights and assaults will go up soon other people are just bad news all round.

@GintyMcGinty

You are not going to catch covid from passing someone on the street

You simply cannot say that as a fact. Even though the risk might be minuscule it's still a risk many of us would rather not take.

I don't know if this is scaremongering or softening us up for outdoor mask wearing?

"Behavioural science group SPI-B (Scientific Pandemic Insights Group on Behaviours), which reports to the Sage group of government advisers, has said that mandatory face coverings may be necessary in a wider number of settings, such as in workplaces and possibly outdoors. "

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55505722

"You are not going to catch covid from passing someone on the street"

Okay Doc, glad that you've got peer reviewed scientific data on the very new mutation already

"If they make mask wearing outside mandatory that will take all the virus shedding joggers off the streets. I currently wear a snood and pull it over my face when I pass someone, but there's no way I can run with it on the whole time. I know a doctor ran 22 miles with one on to make the point that you could, but it's pretty unpleasant."

Where I am you have to wear a mask outside, but not if exercising (jogging, but not walking or cycling) or doing heavy labour (e.g. building work).

YABU, I know it's a bit of an elephant in the room but the reality is it's not "entitled" to name it... That being millions of us in the non vulnerable category have sacrificed a LOT to keep the elderly and vulnerable safe, mental health, economic well being, lots of people confined indoors with abusers, no other health service etc etc. It works both ways and the elderly and vulnerable need to do their bit too! That means trying to avoid popular places at busy times. I do about 5k most mornings, 7 to 8am, in Manchester and it's nice and quiet. I don't go then because I'm vulnerable, I go because I like seeing the sunrise and not being treated like a leper if I accidentally get within a few metres of someone.

Ffs there is no where for people to go so of course parks etc are crowded and yes it is annoying when people encroach on your space but why put yourself through it?! Either go somewhere isolated or stay at home.

"Why wait for the most dragging it's heels (along with its knuckles) government to catch up? Wear a mask everywhere and take exercise away from other people. "

Masks protect other people more than yourself so there wouldn't be much point to that.
However, if it would make OP and her DM feel safer...

Don't even get me started on the bloody joggers!!! 🏃🏼‍♂️🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏼😡🤬😤😖

"Even though the risk might be minuscule it's still a risk many of us would rather not take."

Do you generally avoid miniscule risks in everyday life? Do you avoid going downstairs in case you fall? Do you not eat in case you choke? Do you not cross the road? It's important to keep things in perspective isn't it?

Favourite one was when I was running on the pavement towards a couple who were taking up all the space. Out of courtesy I ran onto the road to get round then. And got beeped by a car who had to move ever so slightly out to get round me. Can't win

The irony is that people jumping off the pavement into the road is considerably more risky than two people passing briefly on a pavement.

I’d be prepared to bet that there’s been a statistically significant increase in accidents between pedestrians and cars this year as a result of people jumping off pavements to avoid passing within two metres of others!

I think a lot of people have lost the ability to assess relative risk this year. Our local council has blocked off a traffic lane on a two lane road near the station to give pedestrians more space on the (already wide) pavement, with the result that traffic has to come round a sharp bend and then suddenly merge into one lane. It’s so dangerous and I’ve seen several near misses there.

If someone is behind you, and clearly want to pass, then you should move over to allow them to come past you. If someone is walking next to you, just stop and wait for them to get ahead of you. Sounds like you think everyone else needs to move out of the way to let you pass. What makes you so special?

Walking is getting so busy and the paths are not designed for it. I live in a rural village and usually there would be barely anyone around. Now there are people every 2 minutes looking surprised it is busy and hostile that other people are around. Parking up the village and glaring at us for being there too. Trying to be understanding and put up with them, I agree with the posters that say we need to try to be kind. These walkers are easily 3 times the amount of people we would have around usually. Probably around a 25% increase in the amount of people in the area on a nice day, coming from goodness knows where and parking to the extent that you cannot pass. I think at the moment we all have to try to be considerate and tolerant. It was quite a relief last lock down when people were told not to travel for exercise for us. We have a lot of vulnerable and elderly living here.

@Gwenhwyfar are you in North America?

My Canadian friends have been moaning about having to wear a mask for cross country skiing on totally empty country trails. Seems completely ridiculous. By all means mask up when you meet somebody, but if you are miles from anybody I can’t see the point.

@annevonkleve

If they make mask wearing outside mandatory that will take all the virus shedding joggers off the streets. I currently wear a snood and pull it over my face when I pass someone, but there's no way I can run with it on the whole time. I know a doctor ran 22 miles with one on to make the point that you could, but it's pretty unpleasant

All the doctor did was prove that they could run 22 miles with a mask on themselves! How pointless.

@Blondiney Even though the risk might be minuscule it's still a risk many of us would rather not take.

Do you avoid every single minuscule risk in life?

Don't even get me started on the bloody joggers

thats why im out at 6am when people that moan a to are not around, if I do meet someone I cross over - but still people moan, sometime I think people just want to moan

@LimitIsUp apologies if you thought I was giving out medical advise.

I think you're being a bit unreasonable although I do understand your feelings.

The chance of contracting COVID from someone walking past you in a park is absolutely minimal. People have nowhere else to go so of course they are busy but that's life at the moment.

It sucks, but if you are sufficiently vulnerable and worried about this the onus is on you not to go out at all. Yes people should stick to the 2m rule etc but you expect a degree of freedom in an outdoor space and if you are this worried about it its clearly not worth it for you.

Not to the OP but other pps, just because you live in the countryside doesn't mean you own the countryside. People who have to drive to the countryside have an equal right to walk on public country paths, not just people who live locally but don't actually own the paths.

OP
Studies have shown that to even catch CV19 outside you have to be less than 1 foot apart and for more than 15 mins.
If you are so concerned then I suggest walking at night or not going out if you are vulnerable.

Not to the OP but other pps, just because you live in the countryside doesn't mean you own the countryside. People who have to drive to the countryside have an equal right to walk on public country paths, not just people who live locally but don't actually own the paths

This 100% the countryside is for everyone. Imagine if us city dwellers had the same attitude... In cities visitors tend to be welcomed to go to the shops, eat in the restaurants, attend the gigs and theatres. Except we've not had that opportunity for over 6 months, so we go for walks as it's all there is up bloody do!