Social distancing - was this the wrong thing to do?

[brittanyshears]

We live on the outskirts of London, and have Epping Forest literally on our doorstep (it's at the end of my road).

I know our local park has been really busy over the last few days, and the bits of forest near us where we walk our dog has also been really busy.

Today we went out in the car to try and find a quiet spot. We drove past all the normal places we'd park for a first walk, as there were loads of cars parked. We ended up quite a way out, but somewhere pretty deserted. We walked for a couple of hours. We saw about 10 people a a few horse riders. We had to direct pass two people on a track, but it was about three metres wide so we all moved to the opposite side to do so. The other people we saw were either way in the distance or on the other side of a huge open space (think football pitch sized).

So, no danger to us or anyone else re infection (in my opinion) . But, I'm now feeling guilty that we left the house for something other than shopping or work. Should I be? We've got two youngish children and a tiny garden. They needed to run and climb.
We specifically looked for somewhere huge and deserted.

But I'm conflicted. Were we wrong?

I don't think so.

No, that was a perfectly fine thing to do.

Nope, you were fine, govt has said walks are fine and good, just keep clear of people. We did the same 3 days on the trot. I’m storing it up for when we actually can’t go far. I,e when we are in lockdown due to muppets crowding paths and parks.

I don’t think so either - it seems unlikely (from what I know) that a virus would be transmitted through any of the things you describe. However I think the restrictions will get tighter and tighter.

Thanks! I'm seeing all the news reports about beaches and country parks being crowded and how we should all just stay at home and am feeling bad. But it was practically deserted today, and we didn't park up until we were sure that was going to be the case. So I don't think we added to any "throngs"!

I don't think you were wrong. You drove there, so didn't use public transport unnecessarily, you chose somewhere uncrowded and you maintained a good distance. Getting out was good for your physical and mental health. I think this sort of trip was what the government had in mind when they said being outdoors was ok - unfortunately you get the idiots not using sense and crowding together on seafronts or climbing Snowdon en masse.

nope perfectly fine!
I live in Bradford and just looking out the window I can see heaves of people with no distance between them! Its madness.... A friend of mine went into asda to get some paracetamol ( which she didn't find) and she sent me a video... people were literally on top of each other! I don't think people are taking this seriously at all. If I was to go out, I would do exactly what you did!

No, you were thoughtful and sensible about it.

Me and my DH walked our dogs today in the park. It was pretty easy to keep well away from others.

The pavements are narrow though on the way, so when we passed a family, we just walked in the road.

This is within guidelines. Perfectly fine.

Bizarrely though, when we walked in the road to avoid the family, we also completely avoided eye contact??

Don't know what the fuck that was about but it just seemed to come naturally, when you're avoiding people

@WorraLiberty I run, almost daily. I always call a cheery "Good Morning" as I pass anyone apart from the slouchy teenagers on their way to school who look like I would ruin their day if I talked to them

This morning on my run I did the same...stepped out into the road/gave a wide birth. Not a single "Good Morning" came out of my mouth today. Very bizarre.

😂

That was fine. DH did similar with our dogs today, took them somewhere quiet in the car and let them have a long run.

You're allowed out to exercise and you kept your distance. It's ok.

ChoporNot glad it's not just me