If we lockdown, is outside exercise allowed?

[WhoahThereCrazyHorse]

I’m interested to understand what’s allowed and not in places where lockdown has been implemented. Reading about Spain and it says people are to be allowed out ‘for emergencies, to buy food, or for work’. What’s the reality of how it’s policed, how would they know you were going, and if you wanted to go for a bike ride, really what’s the risk - given that you wouldn’t come into contact with anyone. And you could just say you were going to work. I do cycle to work by the way so that could be true. And my husband runs to work a few days a week.

@FurrySlipperBoots I was just thinking there that deaths from the lockdown might not be negligible compared to deaths from the virus. Depending how long it lasts.

I’m not a selfish witch. I’m a single parent and have had to overcome a lot and create a new life. It’s not kind to dismiss me and my kind as selfish and self important

And I do work but don’t get paid if I don’t.

No idea how it would be here, but I just read an article by a German medic encouraging walks etc. in remote areas.

The lockdown scenarios may be inescapable but the cost to mental health is likely to be high.

Only time will tell but I would hazard a guess that when future generations study this period in history, they will be analysing the number of deaths from coronavirus versus the number deaths from mental health conditions. I would not be at all surprised to see a large spike in suicides over the coming months for example. My DM has fairly severe mental health issues and has absolutely plummeted at the idea of having to self isolate, having been stable on medication for months.

I am not saying that lockdowns are not necessary because clearly the experts believe them to be necessary to curb the spread of the pandemic. But the mental health cost in society is likely to be high. It's not just about 'feeling sad' if you can't get out for a jog.

@MadamePewter don't let it get you down.

@MadamePewter

I'm preparing to drive to my dp's house ahead of a travel ban. I am in the process of moving anyway but it may be just accelerated

My friend in China described her kids being allowed out to the garden of their apartment building to play in the snow, separately from other kids in the block, but the public parks being closed.

@Tootletum thanks. I really am in a terrible spin

they're not allowed to leave the house unless they have a form to say they're going to buy food/go to the pharmacist

How on earth does this work though? So if you’ve ran out of food you have to get a form? From where/whom? How long does it take to get the form? How do you get hold of it if you’re in isolation? As a family of 6 we go through a lot of food - I doubt if we’re going on hungry I’d be fannying around waiting for a written letter of permission to arrive!
I just find some of this stuff hard to believe...

The document says that: “As many as 80% of the population are expected to be infected with Covid-19 in the next 12 months, and up to 15% (7.9 million people) may require hospitalisation.”

I'm wondering if I may be able to go see my sister who lives two streets away?

Guardian ^

It’s going to have an impact on ALL of us. I’m a single parent, I work. I don’t get sick pay, I can’t work from home, I have dogs, I have elderly relatives. But I will do as I’m told not as I please because if everyone pleased themselves we’d be even further up shit creek. Some people are just self self self! The way some people think these extreme measures won’t or don’t have to apply to them is astounding. It won’t be easy for anyone.

OP we are in france and go running and long walks a lot normally and very active dc and at first the idea is a real shock but actually you get used to it pretty quickly, and adapt - but this is on the basis that if it is done completely it will be for a short time whereas without lockdown the whole thing might go on for a long time and be a war of attrition against the soul...

We don't know that lockdown is going to work. But giving it your best shot for a period of weeks is probably worth it just in case. I think long term would be awful. Unless everyone toes the line it won't work short term for sure.

For those that have mh problems or are chronically lonely anyway, some sort of organised contact by phone might work.

The only people affected by her lovely walk are the frothers on mumsnet who can't bear anyone enjoying life! we are told it is very, very contagious - ie quite a distance, being in the same room as. Seems unbelievable that going for a walk wouldn't be safe, but if everyone took that view then there would be a lot of opportunities for contamination.

@MadamePewter I would strongly recommend not reading MN for a while, some of the comments are personal and horrifically hurtful for no good reason. None of us including the actual,you know, scientists, are certain of anything and yet the experts of Mumsnet will throw mud at you for any opinion that isn't "I will lock myself in a 1 metre box and sing The Hills Are Alive with joy, because I love to do the right thing. Fuck money cos I won't lose my house".

I have a front driveway - I still take my skipping rope outside and skip on my own private land - what can they do....(just being light hearted)

I think you are right @Tootletum. I’m also pretty disgusted about the dismissive attitude to mental health. It shows that all the #bekind and other campaigns are just a lot of mince

God help the nation's midwives come January 😳

No it isn't allowed. I have a friend in Mallorca on a cycling trip and he's confined to the hotel

Well, if we do go into lockdown it'll be a chance to get all the jobs done round the house and garden I don't usually have time for- my DH managed to put up some shelves this weekend that he's been meaning to do since for 6 months, seeing as we avoided shopping and eating out and visiting our elderly parents which we usually do on a Sunday.

@Freskstar that’s good..but I’ll be here on my own with my dc so no adult company and I don’t know if I’ll be allowed to see my DP or dc to see their dad.

I have friends in Italy. For what I understand, every household has been given a form that allows you to go to the supermarket. The person carrying the form is allowed out, alone. But you can pass the form onto another family member later on in the day of they need to go out.

My elderly parents live in Spain. The military and police are patrolling the streets. If you are stopped, they tell you to go home or justify where you are going. Their carer, for example, is still allowed to come to their house to do her job.

Many of us will be asked to self isolate for 4 months. Not being able to get out for isolated walks or runs would undermine most peoples mental health.

There must be opportunities in every situation. Use the lockdown/ time at home to do things you've been putting off:
decorating, decluttering etc
learn a new skill painting, embroidery, curtain making, yoga, meditation , new language etc etc
The world's your oyster especially with the internet. What have you been putting off?