Can I go for a walk with a worried friend if we keep apart

[sunshineanddaffodils]

I have a friend who is a single mum to teens and feeling very anxious. We normally have a few walks together during the week but not sure if this is still going to be possible?

It's essential contact only so I would say no.

No, because you won't keep 2 metres apart.

I’d say no. Could you FaceTime her or have a chat on the phone? That way you can offer her support but still stay safe

I would but only if you were well apart, ie walking on different sides of the road. Which isn't conducive to holding a conversation at the same time. Or not a private one. But it still might give your friend some comfort.

If you're thinking of walking on the same path but keeping a 2m distance then I don't think you'll be able to maintain it.

Thanks for the replies. Yes we’ll have to sort something like that. So worried about her on her own worrying.

Of course you can. Unless either of you are in the most at risk group being contacted by the NHS advised to self isolate, or either of you are symptomatic or living with anyone who is.

Fresh air is great for mental health and should be encouraged, while sticking to social distancing guidelines given - so 2m apart. Hopefully you have something like a park close by you can meet at.

Enjoy your walk.🙂

See here and the section on looking after your mental health www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults#looking-after-your-mental-wellbeing

No. facetime her

Can you both go for separate walks and talk on the phone whilst you do it?

No no no. Watch the news this morning about social contact.
Face time your friend instead.

No, no, no

Yes you can, but it is more difficult than you think to stay 2m apart when walking/talking.

Could you meet in one of your gardens, with seats 2m apart, and stay sat in them to talk? Then you can still see each other face to face but also stay safe.

Yes you can
Keep 2 metres apart, don't have any contact, keep away from others.
Ignore holier than thou twunts who think that unless you never leave your front door, you are a spreading villain.
Hope your friend is okay

i will be doing this here and there with my friend but keeping distance

This is where everything is so confusing. Some saying yes, some saying no. I usually go for dog walks with two different friends once a week. Personally I am saying no and only walking with my kids and dh. But until we get clear advice from our government people are going to do different things.

Two mètres apart, keeping away from others, no congregating. Go somewhere quiet.

well if you ask on a big message board and get confused by getting answers that are not all exactly the same, then maybe its your first time here? Not a single person is saying carry on as normal. Not a single person is saying hug your friend or get up close, but there are different levels of isolation that people ae taking, with some pretty much quarantining themselves, and others social distancing as much as possible.
It is all inconvenient, but we all need to make changes.
I think if both of you are keeping isolated and safe in general, and you keep your distance, then that is fairly low risk

My friend is a nurse and has been working bloody hard this weekend on a the ward. She is on her own after her Mum and Husband died within days of each other last year, she needs support. She will be visiting me today for lunch, she will bring her own lunch and come in to the garden by the side gate that doesnt pass our door and doesnt get used by us. We put a small table and chair out yesterday morning and wiped it down with bleach, it is sitting in the sunshine waiting for her, i will already be sat at my table with my lunch, we will be sat 5 m apart . We will have a good chat for an hour or so.

I'm sure if you keep 2m apart, taking sensible precautions like not touching surfaces etc, you're fine to do it for now. It's groups of friends and families taking their elderly relatives out over the weekend walking in close proximity that'll get us locked down sooner rather than later, so enjoy it while you can.

@lowlandLucky: your friend is amazing to be still standing after her losses, let alone working on the frontline. Please tell her thank you from me.