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Original poster

Family groups out walking

101 replies

Carbosug · 22/03/2020 08:23

I'm living with a family member currently being treated for cancer. The only time I can go out is for solo walks, in order to keep that person safe. I've been avoiding parks as they're full of kids letting off steam, and have been just sticking to the roads around me.

However I'm going to have to stop that now because of the number of parents who are letting their kids fly ahead of them on bikes and scooters, with no thought for how close to other people they're going.

AIBU to think that if you're using public footpaths at the moment you should exercise a bit of care and make sure you're children aren't hampering other people's attempts at social distancing?

OP posts:
CalleighDoodle · 22/03/2020 08:40

We have all been told to encourage bike rides and scooter use. I would assume that is because you can’t get that close and they are moving fast.

i think youre being a bit of a martyr.

Chickoletta · 22/03/2020 08:41

Do you have any parkland etc near you? Surely this would be better than walking on pavements? The NT has opened all its parkland and car parks for free.

TeacupDrama · 22/03/2020 08:41

The 1-2 seconds they are closer doesn't put you at risk,
standing closer for several minutes does potentially that is why cafes cinema etc or pushed too close together in bus checkout queues is bad

Fr0g · 22/03/2020 08:41

my understanding is that it's prolonged sitting/standing at less than two metres that is more of a concern than someone walking past you - but if the little darlings are careering out of control on bikes and scooters, there's always the danger they crash into you, On the plus side, if they do pass you, it will be fast.
Agree with IggyAce that best way of avoiding is early morning/evening,

JustInCaseCakeHappens · 22/03/2020 08:43

Sadly, this is exactly why national trusts and beach are starting to close. Next will be parks and the whole country will be on lockdown.

If people were not such selfish twats, we might have had a chance - probably not, but we could dream.

People will have to stay at home. For weeks, possibly months. Or be fined or jailed. If they can't understand that it is the reality, they need to google the news. You can use google translate to really understand what is happening only in Europe.

JustInCaseCakeHappens · 22/03/2020 08:44

The NT has opened all its parkland and car parks for free.
no, they had to close them, they were too crowded and people too disrespectful and stupid.

Fatted · 22/03/2020 08:44

I think the only way you are going to be able to 100% self isolate safely is to not leave the house at all.

I had to take my kids out for a walk yesterday. They were climbing the walls. But we went where there weren't too many people. It's hard trying to explain to them not to get too close to people, but I'm trying.

HyacynthBucket · 22/03/2020 08:47

YANBU People including parents and children need to become a lot more considerate of others and their needs. Yes children will need to let off steam in parks etc. but there is no reason why parents cannot instruct them to be careful when in proximity to others, and to give them a wide berth. Hope you and your relative cope OK, it must be all the more worrying with a serious condition. We need to take care of each other, and that includes parents thinking beyond their own kids' needs.

Gatehouse77 · 22/03/2020 08:49

I think you’ve misunderstood - walking past, or kids whizzing past isn’t going to cause you problems. The 2 metres is if you are stationary - such as a queue or between you and a cashier - and for more than 15 minutes.

Personally, as long as there’s no direct interaction with these people I’d carry on with the walks. It’s finding a balance between looking after both physical and mental health.

IrishMamaMia · 22/03/2020 08:49

Seems to be a lot of people in Ireland misinterpreting social distancing as needing to be 1 mile away from children.

EverydayLife · 22/03/2020 08:50

I did experience this yesterday. I live on the coast and yesterday was like a bank holiday here. Lots of families and children whizzing around on bikes. I only went out for a quick walk with one dc to get some fresh air but it was so busy we had to step into the road on occasion and it’s put me off going out today.

CarolHasAnotherUTI · 22/03/2020 08:51

i think youre being a bit of a martyr

And I think you are being unfair.

It is clearly a worrying time for op, more so than it is for most of us. I'm not surprised that someone in that position would be feeling more anxious about walking near others than the rest of us.

EricaNernie · 22/03/2020 08:51

everyone needs to get out and about in the sunshine, all of us, not just you op.
keep up with the hand washing and social distancing

BogRollBOGOF · 22/03/2020 08:57

A child dashing past by whatever means is fortunately going to be smaller than you and not breathing directly into your face. The chances of any spread from fleeting near contact like this is minimal.

Stay well x

Waterdropsdown · 22/03/2020 08:57

I’m not sure you understand how difficult it is for a say 3 year old to be inside 90% of the time, then when they do finally get out they then have to act like an adult. I understand you are in a difficult position but you could go out in the dark that’s not really an option for a parent and small child as it’s dangerous.

Greenpop21 · 22/03/2020 08:57

Yabu. Walking briefly past people is ok so long as they don’t cough or sneeze. Wear a scarf that you can snuggle into when passing.

Marieo · 22/03/2020 08:58

You are not being unreasonable for parents to try and teach their children to give people a bit of space. FFS. Yes you might be at low risk as it's such fleeting contact, but unless they are young children they aren't wild animals that have zero capability for rational thought.

Portosantamaria · 22/03/2020 08:59

As others have already said above-significant contact is defined as “less than 2 metres apart for longer than 15 minutes”, not people running by or cycling past.

ErrolTheDragon · 22/03/2020 09:04

Of course YANBU.

The OP is talking about pavements and narrow footpaths, not open spaces - parents should have their kids under some sort of control on those anyway, even in normal times fgs.

Maybe the chance of an unlucky inhale as a symptomless passerby exhales is low, but I would not be confident that it's zero.

The other aspect to this is that on pavements and narrow paths there's more chance of a speeding kid coming a cropper in some way. This is not the time to want unnecessary trips to A&E.

Keep them under control until you can get somewhere they can exercise that's safe for them and others.

chomalungma · 22/03/2020 09:05

It looks like some countries are banning walking outside.

LukeSkywalkingOnTheseHaters · 22/03/2020 09:08

YABU

try and move really out the way if you're really worried about a child on scooter passing you with some space for one second

Else go at a different time

aprilstory · 22/03/2020 09:12

Couldn’t agree more. We went for a walk in a common yesterday after days of being stuck at home, but decided to come home immediately when at least two panting runners went past us completely ignoring social distancing! Why oh why do you exhale in my face Confused

youkiddingme · 22/03/2020 09:13

What's so hard about keeping the children close to parents, and apart from others on narrow footpaths but letting them have a good run when the get to a park or open space?

alloutoffucks · 22/03/2020 09:15

I do not believe it is impossible to catch this from a passer by.
Teach kids to stay away from other people. And this is for their benefit too. A passer by could sneeze as your kid goes by.

VivaLeBeaver · 22/03/2020 09:15

I’m not bothered about someone walking past me within 2m. Not going to catch it from that. If I stop and talk to a neighbour we keep 2m plus apart from each other when talking. I reckon that’s what they mean by observe social distancing when out.