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Original poster

Can my kids go to the park or not?

381 replies

NeedANewJob19 · 27/03/2020 13:13

I have name changed for this and prepared to be flamed.

My teenage DSs (13 and 16) have been going to the park near our house for one hour each day this week. They go together, they don’t meet up with anyone and they avoid other people using the park. They don’t go to the playground part, they just take a football and have a kick around together just the two of them. I was under the impression that this was ok.
Someone on my Facebook posted a picture yesterday if a group of kids at the same park and I could see my two in the background of the photo. No where near the kids featured just way in the background. This person wouldn’t know my kids. Everyone was commenting about how irresponsible this was and berating the parents, I daren’t comment on it but wanted to check opinions on here. I was assuming they were so angry because it was group of kids presumably not from the same household but now I’m not sure I should be letting my kids do what they’ve been doing

OP posts:
Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 27/03/2020 19:41

If the vast majority of people are complying why have they just built a 2000 bed hospital in London, with another two being built in Birmingham and Manchester?

Why was the mayor of London on the news tonight telling us that he's built temporary morgues around London, one in my borough to hold 1600 bodies. We have 250,000 people living here.

SmileEachDay · 27/03/2020 19:58

If the vast majority of people are complying why have they just built a 2000 bed hospital in London, with another two being built in Birmingham and Manchester?

Because that’s what we’ll need if the measures put in place work. If they don’t, the nhs will be totally screwed.

Barbie222 · 27/03/2020 20:01

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras I agree - it's an "I'm allowed to do this, but everyone else isn't if I get there first" attitude, and people saying it's a safe activity are entirely missing the point.

Blibbyblobby · 27/03/2020 20:11

If the vast majority of people are complying why have they just built a 2000 bed hospital in London, with another two being built in Birmingham and Manchester?

Why was the mayor of London on the news tonight telling us that he's built temporary morgues around London, one in my borough to hold 1600 bodies. We have 250,000 people living here.

"Reasonable worse case scenario" planning. It's not like anyone expects the controls implemented last week to magically stop all deaths, it's about keeping deaths and sickness within the country's ability to manage, and that includes whatever additional provisions are possible.

"The structures will be located in the worst-hit areas of the country as part of planning for what the Cabinet Office described as “the reasonable worst-case scenario”, which could lead to existing morgues being overwhelmed."
amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/19/temporary-morgues-being-set-up-across-uk-amid-rising-covid-19-deaths

Without controls the projected UK death rate of about half a million, in which case your 1600 isn't going to touch the sides.

Alsohuman · 27/03/2020 20:12

are entirely missing the point

What’s the point we’re all missing then?

WaxOnFeckOff · 27/03/2020 20:13

Okay, here is the rules for Scotland. You cannot play tennis as sports courts have to be closed, thus doesn't stop you hitting a ball back and forth on open grass.

Dogs can be walked as required.

www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others-social-distancing/pages/closing-certain-businesses-and-venues/

Blibbyblobby · 27/03/2020 20:17

it's an "I'm allowed to do this, but everyone else isn't if I get there first" attitude, and people saying it's a safe activity are entirely missing the point

But that is how reality works :-/

Back in the heady days of 2019, if I wanted to go out for a meal and the restaurant was already full of diners who got there first, I'd not get to go to that restaurant.

In the dark days of 2020, if I head out to do something that meets the guidelines and should be safe but when I get there it's not going to be possible to remain safe and compliant, I will have to do something else.

Barbie222 · 27/03/2020 20:24

@Blibbyblobby it seems that people don't though, as evidenced by the fact that people pile into the parks. If you've packed up and gone out somewhere most people aren't going to say "OK, let's turn around and go home as there's already three families playing football here." It's a bit different from queuing for a table at a restaurant in 2019, which impacted on no one but you.

Barbie222 · 27/03/2020 20:26

The whole reason we have restrictions at all is because everyone thought they had a right to go out at a time and place convenient to them.

Blibbyblobby · 27/03/2020 20:34

it seems that people don't though, as evidenced by the fact that people pile into the parks

Yeah, they aren't really doing that round here. Maybe Londoners are less selfish ;)

Though sadly you are probably right. I forgot about the number of UK people pre-all this who would sit in a traffic jam complaining about all the other people using their cars!

Mysocalledlifexx · 27/03/2020 20:37

I think lockdown should only get out for food etc.we are the lucky ones that are getting to stay at home while the NHS struggle. People moan because they cant get out if thats all the NHS & people who have this had to worry about instead they are working hard for us & people are dying.
No u cant go out and play football etc another poster was right its just walking jogging etc not go playing games.if u want to play do it in your own garden not hard ,we have the easy job STAY AT HOME

Blakes77 · 27/03/2020 20:51

No, you were boasting about going out LOADS.
Nope. Not boasting just saying.
And yes, I was out running at 7 am in a deserted wood. Out again at 11 with kids exercising on a massive playing field with maybe 8 other people around each at least 100 metres away. We walked there, crossing the street when we saw anyone, and everyone we saw was the same.
Later I walked across a field near my house and said hello to a horse from a safe distance. Report me to the authoritays.

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 27/03/2020 20:58

Yeah, they aren't really doing that round here. Maybe Londoners are less selfish ;)

You are kidding? I'm in a London borough, any park that can't be locked is packed, my husband is an essential worker and is out all day - he keeps sending me updates on the things he's seeing - groups of kids congregating outside shops, groups of people stood chatting outside the post office, our local paper even published a photo of a street full of people all huddled up close to cheer for the NHS last night.

This social distancing might just as well not exist here.

Blakes77 · 27/03/2020 20:59

if u want to play do it in your own garden not hard

Wot if U don't have no garden?

Also. Again. Nobody said what kind of exercise you could do!

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 27/03/2020 21:00

Without controls the projected UK death rate of about half a million, in which case your 1600 isn't going to touch the sides.

Yes, half a million across the UK, in total.

Not 1600, at anyone time, out of a population of 250,000.

Blakes77 · 27/03/2020 21:01

The thing is, the more they close down public places where you can be outside, the more every outside place that is still accessible will be packed. Lots and lots of people have nowhere to be outside. We need parks. Most people ARE sensible.

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 27/03/2020 21:04

Nope. Not boasting just saying.

Clearly you are boasting. You've been told to go out once per day to exercise. You've been three times.

Police now have the powers to fine people and I hope they start using them.

I can't leave my house at all for at least twelve weeks. Other people, including drs and nurses, will die but no, of course your desire to not follow the rules and parade around is oh so much more important than someone else's life huh?

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 27/03/2020 21:06

We need parks. Most people ARE sensible.

No they aren't. That's the problem - the packed pubs last Friday night, the packed seaside resorts, Snowdon, the Lake District last weekend, you going for three walks per day - proof that many people aren't sensible.

Squiz81 · 27/03/2020 21:15

It's just using common sense.

We have playing field 30 seconds walk from our house, I've taken my kids every day this week. They are 5 and 8. We take a frisbee and they have a run about. We never come remotely close to anybody else. Today we only saw one other person. For us, this is safer social distancing than going for a walk or cycle. Obviously, if the playing field was full of people it wouldnt be. It just depends on your area!

Blakes77 · 27/03/2020 21:23

Exactly squiz I have come in contact with no one I do not live in the same house as today, in all my "parading around". All my fresh food is getting delivered from local suppliers and I have been social distancing for weeks actually.
I am very sorry for anyone who cannot leave their house for 12 weeks, but I can, without hurting anyone, so I will.

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 27/03/2020 21:26

Just seen reports that Ireland are tightening the lockdown and have said you can only travel 2km from home and may only exercise briefly - if it's true let's hope we do the same here

PatioCandidate · 27/03/2020 22:42

Kickabouts are problematic imho as if the ball goes further than intended, it's fairly likely someone might run close to another person to retrieve it, through sheer force of habit as it's what someone would normally do. Or even run smack into someone if they're caught up in/excited by the game and forget to look where they're going

But that can happen at any time with excitable children running about. It's easy enough for people to get out of the way of a running child.

PatioCandidate · 27/03/2020 22:44

I think it’s clear. Football has been specifically mentioned as a no as it’s a contact sport. Common sense seems to be an issue.

It does indeed. Whether it is or isn't a contact sport hardly matters in relation to brothers living in the same household, does it?

I’ve heard football mentioned on the news so I don’t understand how there is room for debate.

The fact that something is mentioned in the news definitely doesn't mean that it must be the law. It isn't mentioned in the Coronavirus Act, which carries a hell of a lot more weight that what some politician or official said on the news.

ferretface · 27/03/2020 22:56

Everyone who keeps clamouring for total lockdown also needs to understand that poor cardiovascular health and obesity (and to a lesser extent vitamin D deficiency) are also strong risk factors for a whole host of other diseases (including covid-19 actually). It is really bad for the nation's physical and mental health to not be able to go out for exercise at all - this is likely to go on in some form for months - given its possible to safely exercise outside you can see why the government wants people to be able to continue to do so.