Family groups out walking

[Carbosug]

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?

I think you’re being ott here. If you’re genuinely concerned you could catch this in the split second it takes for a child to pass you on a bike or scooter then you might be better off isolating completely.

Right now we’re being asked to observe social distancing and while most people are managing to do that most of the time, being outside will involve being less than two metres from another person at some point, even if just for seconds. Have you not passed another person in a supermarket aisle? Walked by people waiting at a bus stop?

You won't catch a respiratory virus from a child tearing past you on a bike.

It looks like some countries are banning walking outside.

Been pretty much the case in France for a week.. outings on foot confined to being for exercise purposes only such as jogging, stay close to home (perhaps less then 2km) , and be outside for less than 30 minutes..and at all times carry the (completed by you) government approved form available off the internet.

It is being very much enforced and a big increase in fines (and possibility of prison time) for persistent offenders was announced just this AM - the "flics" are losing patience..

I'd suggest similar is coming to the UK any day now so as somebody suggested upthread maybe a change in the popular mindset in the UK might be required in the very near future.

Errolthedragon - I am with you on this. There is a lot of complacency from Alexis and others on here about the transmittability of the virus, and reassurance by posters on here who cannot know for certain that what they are saying is true, for example about breathing and 15 minutes exposure. That is now almost certainly out of date It is now thought that clothes can transmit the virus, so I ask again - parents please do not let your kids go close to other people, or brush past them as I saw yesterday. You really do need to think of others, not just your own family, as children are likely to be unwitting carriers of the virus.

Parents need to drum into kids the importance of the 2m social distancing for their sake if nothing else.

I'm in NI and I'm seeing some social distancing measures but it's not really being taken as seriously as it should.

It will be a concern for those going into schools in coming weeks if it's not supported by parents as well supervising school staff.

That said, the risk of someone transmitting to you while passing by is very low. Unless they cough right on you at precisely the wrong time!

Don't let it put you off getting out for a walk. Hope you and your loved ones can stay safe and well.

I would consider walking somewhere else, and/or at a different time. I hope your family member recovers well. Stay well everyone, in this difficult time

There is a lot of complacency from Alexis and others on here about the transmittability of the virus

I admit there are a lot of unknowns. But if the OP is worried she can go very early in the morning or later at night. OR she can go to somewhere like a park which is bigger and therefore easy to avoid people.

Her problem isn't some unsolvable riddle that noone can ever help now is it?

OP also lives in Ireland. One of the least densely populated countries in Europe. Its hardly central London that she's in. She can find somewhere to go or stay in as suggested.

You won't catch a respiratory virus from a child tearing past you on a bike.

Would you stake your life, or the life of a loved one on that?

Just keep your kids under control until you're in a big enough space. If you don't, then we're all going to end up under full lockdown.

@errolthedragon

But the point is- you cant control other people, you can only control what you do. So OP should go when there are less people- in the morning or evening or in a place where there is an abundance of space to avoid people.

Problem solved.

OR she can go to somewhere like a park which is bigger and therefore easy to avoid people.

Did you not read the OP? She's having to avoid parks because kids are rushing around too close there. She's not saying she expects that to stop (though some moderation even there may be needed).

Every park in the vicinity is packed with people so close to her she cant avoid them? just how small are these parks?

Ok- she can go to the park early- before breakfast. There you go. Problem solved. Again. She gets her walk but still avoids the crowds.

Can you get out for about 6-7pm? I going to try that in the hope that it coincides with mealtime for many lots of people.

Oh, I don't disagree that the OP will probably have to change her behaviour more to avoid inconsiderate people. But a better way to solve the problem would be to stop behaving in problematic ways.

If a kid is old enough to rush on ahead of their parents, they are old enough to have some basic consideration.

OP - I understand you are very stressed and worried at the moment. As someone who also needs to self isolate because of underlying health issues , walking once, sometimes twice a day is saving my sanity.. but you are not being logical.

You are afraid. Fear is always exaggerated by the unknown. You genuinely believe that a child whizzing past you on a scooter/bike is a threat to you and therefore your poorly relative. So I understand your fear but it is not something to worry about.. Really it isn't.

The virus is spread in droplets of saliva/sputum. So the social isolation distancing of two metres is to ensure you don't pick up these droplets from someone sneezing or coughing them over you.

The other way it transmits is via the hands. Someone with the virus (they may not know they have it) touches the saliva on their mouth/lips and then touches another person (again social distancing prevents this) or a surface that the infected person has touched.

These are the only ways you can catch it. It isn't airborne. Thank goodness. Therefore taking some simple actions when you are out will prevent your anxiety spiralling out of control.

1. Child hurtling towards you. Put your hand up like this ✋ to stop them. Step to one side and both pass each other. If you don't touch the child or the bike then there is no threat.
2. Wear gloves on the way out. If you can get disposable ones , great. Throw them away when you get home and wash your hands.
3. If a child crashes in to you AND he happens to cough over you. Then go home. Straight to your bathroom , take if your clothes, bag them up and get in the shower. Wash yourself thoroughly with soap. Including hands. Put your clothes in the washing machine.

Chances of a child actually crashing in to you whilst incubating the virus .? pretty minuscule. So I would live and let live . This is hard for everyone.

OP also lives in Ireland. One of the least densely populated countries in Europe. Its hardly central London that she's in. She can find somewhere to go or stay in as suggested.

To be fair, she could live in the middle of a city for all any of us know. She's not going to be able to drive off to the hills for a walk if she has someone at home that she's looking after. However, I agree that the OP should perhaps go for walks at different times.

I found this yesterday so I’m in wellies from now on so I can keep to the fields or verges away from people and kids on bikes and scooters x

Oh, I don't disagree that the OP will probably have to change her behaviour more to avoid inconsiderate people

I agree its annoying but as I said, you cant control others.

Actually- walking at sun rise is actually incredibly beautiful and almost spiritual. The air is clean and pure and not a soul about and you get the sun rising on the trees and flowers- its very calming and soothing. I'd really recommend early walks for good mental health.

OP why don't you go out walking in the evening or at night when children are in bed?

Kids need fresh air and exercise as much as anyone.

But the point is- you cant control other people, you can only control what you do.

This 100%

As is likely to be shown again and again on here there are always going to be fuckwits who are self-absorbed. You can either expend your energy thinking and festering over their behaviour or by changing your approach.

I think you need to become more informed about how the virus SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted. It is very contagious, but you cannot get Covid-19 by seeing someone with it. You cannot get it merely by touching a surface that someone with it has touched because it cannot pass through skin. You can only get it if it enters your airways through your nose or your mouth. If you breathe in the air that someone with the virus has just breathed out then you have a chance of getting it. If you touch a surface that has a droplet of their bodily fluid on and then you put your hand in your mouth then you can get it. When you go out you need to make sure that you do at least one of the following:

• keep your mouth closed and only breathe through your nose.
• wear disposable mask and gloves
• wear washable gloves and a scarf over your nose and mouth that you then put in a bag at your front door and put straight in the wash with detergent.
• wash your hands and then your face when you come home.

The social distancing rules do not currently extend to telling families that live together that the cannot go out and get fresh air. It is worth remembering that the SARS-1 crisis was predicted to be much worse than it turned out to be, but vanished when the weather improved and people got outside instead of being cooped up in close proximity to one another. Continuing to find safe ways for people to get fresh air in their lungs and sun on their faces is really important for their immune systems and for the eradication of this virus, so as long as they are not meeting up with other households then they are not being unreasonable to take their children out for exercise.

Playgrounds are another matter. They involve children being in close proximity with children from other families and children are more inclined to put their hands in their mouths, so if there is a trace of the virus on a surface then they are more likely to pick it up and get infected. I would hope most parents realise this.

I agree with Genevivia above. Ultimately locking everyone up for 6 months is totally unrealistic and will lead to people being less healthy and able to fight the virus. If you disagree and think everyone is better totally indoors then do it yourself.

But the point is- you cant control other people, you can only control what you do.

^^this is what people need to accept I think. One way of looking at it is the people not following guidance are going to be the ones that scientists learn about the virus from, so they are more knowledgeable when treating the rest of us.

It isn't just kids, unfortunately. Too many adults aren't observing the 2-meter rule either.

YANBU

I agree with you. This happened to men yesterday. I went walking and where I am is fairly rural and open. Should be easy to avoid people. However 2 adults were out with four children and completely spread across the area I was walking. I couldn’t avoid them as they made no attempts to stay to one side or give me space / distance.

We all have to be considerate and respectful of one another.

Ultimately locking everyone up for 6 months is totally unrealistic and will lead to people being less healthy and able to fight the virus.

none of the countries in lockdown disagrees with that.
Sadly, the selfish and irresponsible behaviour of individual had made it a necessity. It sucks.

Do people really think schools are closed, shops are closing, people losing jobs and lifelines are happening for the fun of it?

It's a bloody shame people need to start seeing body bags piling in the street to wake up. As it takes 2 to 3 weeks, that's going to be a painful wake-up