To go for a drive?

[maa1992]

Hi,

Myself, DH and baby DS have been isolating for a week (we aren't sick, no symptoms I just thought we should as we didn't have to go anywhere and DH is on annual leave so could stay in)

However, I'm going out of my mind. This is DH idea of heaven but I'm really mentally abit drained. I think I've spent too much time watching the news.

Anyway, would IBU to go for a drive just to get out the house. This is something we used to do just to get out.

Likely wouldn't need petrol but that would be the only time we come into contact with other people if we did.

Do you think this is safe?

[Youwonjane]

Well as long as you don’t stop for petrol I think it’s fine. If you do need to stop for petrol - then not so much.

[MyOtherProfile]

We are going to do this on Saturday. Drive to the beach for a walk. Cant wait. We will keep our distance from anyone and take sandwiches.

Unless we are all on lockdown by then...

[Holdmenow]

Of course you can go for a drive AND believe it or not if you NEED petrol you can even do that!!! I’m in Ireland (where we have been social distancing since last week and I have been for isolated walks and for petrol and food shopping. You just wash your hands before, try not to touch to much unnecessarily and then sanitize/wash your hands after!!

[BowermansNose]

Of course you can, and you get can get petrol too

[Babdoc]

You are no threat to others (or them to you) as long as you are in the car.
Having a walk in an isolated country spot, ditto. Stay 2 metres away from any other walkers you encounter.
We will all need to use petrol stations eventually, even if we are just driving to the supermarket. Wear gloves at the pump (many stations provide disposables to keep petrol off your hands) and pay by card. Wash hands in the petrol station loos after touching the card reader and again when you get home. I’d say that counts as social distancing and is minimal risk. We cannot all stay indoors for 3 months and we do not all have gardens.

[maddening]

You are not self isolating due to illness so of course you can go for a drive etc.

[Fluffybutter]

Don’t stop for petrol ? Of course op can stop for petrol!!
Op,you’re fine to go for a drive. We will probably do this a couple of times in the near future if we are still able and symptom free

[Snufflesdog]

Why wouldn’t you be able to?

Stop watching the news all day.

[adaline]

Well as long as you don’t stop for petrol I think it’s fine. If you do need to stop for petrol - then not so much.

What?! Why on earth can't she stop for petrol?

[lanthanum]

Agree with maddening - you're self-isolating by choice so no reason not to go for a walk or a drive. I think I might need to go for an occasional evening stroll, and some countries have specified that it's okay to go for a short local walk for exercise or to walk the dog.

I'm limiting when I look at the news - it can become too intrusive.

[SidsWife]

We went for a drive yesterday. Even went to the drive through for a milkshake.

[maa1992]

Thanks everyone, it'll just help me to keep sane!!!

[Stickybeaksid]

Life goes on just with social distancing. Go for a drive, go to the park (not the playground) go yourself to the shops without the kids and keep your distance, use your contactless technology to pay. Get petrol.

[bemoreeverything]

Yes go for a drive. It will be good for you all.

And wtf - yes you can stop for petrol. In fact I would actively encourage it, top up your tank

[housepicturesqueclub]

Bizarre

[CherryPavlova]

Mental health is going to be as important as avoiding the virus for many. I suspect there will, tragically, be almost as many deaths from poverty and suicide as from C19 - particularly in younger age groups.

[anothernotherone]

Of course you can.

Pay for petrol with a credit card if you can.

Some people are being ridiculous - you're self isolating out of choice, you don't have symptoms, of course you can get petrol, go for a drive, and go for a walk somewhere quiet where you can keep 1.5 to 2 meters distance from passers by too and still count yourself very cautious!

[GnomeDePlume]

I'm hoping we will still be able to go out to our allotment. Only real change will be taking soap and washing hands after opening the gate. Other than that we will be very distanced from other plot holders as we are a solitary bunch at the best of times! It's a bit like going for a walk in the park but each plot holder has their own section of park.

[agentstarling]

Even if you got petrol you could still maybe pay at the pump

[Thymeout]

Gnome Just use a tissue to open the gate?

[Burgerandchipvan]

You can still go out. You'll go absolutely mental being couped up all day for weeks and weeks on end.

We went to the park to feed the ducks this morning. We said hello to everyone we met and it was all very pleasant!

[OldEvilOwl]

We're not on lockdown, just be sensible and avoid crowds

[pigsDOfly]

Of course, get out for a drive or a walk. I'm over 70, not isolating as such as no symptoms. I walk my dog every day. Rarely see anyone but if I do we keep our distance. You can still say hello.

Life has to go on. I had to take delivery of my dog's food this morning. I opened the door, the delivery man ask if I was Mrs Pigs, I said yes, I stepped right back into my hall and asked him if he'd just pop it inside the door, which he did.

It was all fine.

He didn't ask me to sign for it, which I was pleased about. It just needs everyone to be sensible.

[IVflytrap]

Of course you can. Drive out, clean your hands, fill up on petrol, clean your hands again and drive to somewhere open. A park, the coast, something like that. Get some fresh air and exercise. And try to avoid checking the news so much when you're back home.

[GnomeDePlume]

@Thymeout it's the padlock that's the problem. It's a bit of a wrestling match even with two hands totally free. Hand washing will be no problem, there is a tap next to the gate. It just takes a little bit of being mindful, no more than that.

Alotmenteers are a phlegmatic lot. We are used to making the best of what we have and there is always next year.