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Covid

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Original poster

Jogger passed so close he brushed my coat, so upset!

70 replies

Wasiinfected · 03/04/2020 16:32

I'm early pregnant and worried. Out walking and stopped to tie a shoe lace at the side of a woodland track I walk on every day (briskly except when I stop to tie a lace) and a jogger came round corner (with enough distance to move out the way and loads of room on his side) and passed so close while puffing away that his arm brushed my coat

I'm so upset, why didn't he just move out the way? He had time! I was facing other way and on edge of path but would have jumped into the bushes even if I'd know what he was going to do

OP posts:

PotholeParadise · 03/04/2020 20:21

He was an inconsiderate pillock but I'm sure you will be fine. Sorry that you've had this stress

Wash your coat though. I have two coats and I'm alternating them on trips out while I wash the other in the washing machine, because I'm so worried about picking up the virus on my coat in one place and transferring it somewhere else the next day.

Original poster

Wasiinfected · 03/04/2020 21:00

Thank you as this thread has made me giggle slightly, if only because of the stark contrast between some other threads where posters who have left their house for a necessary reason have been berated and told that they may have killed anybody they care within two metres of in the last two weeks because coronavirus can be asymptomatic and might be contagious in the incubation period.

Whereas in my case I'm unreasonable to be upset about someone panting literally right next to me when they had absolutely no need to! Presumably the advice has changed and we're allowed to come close to each other now, because the virus is no longer ever asymptomatic or contagious in incubation period and it can't be caught from droplets!

I do recognise however the risk is small. I don't care about the coat itself, it was just to illustrate how close he was. And I'm not regarding all joggers the same at all, most have been lovely as all other woodland users, just this jogger.

OP posts:

Eckhart · 03/04/2020 21:28

haven't been out much recently but two people have complained to me about joggers and runners not changing course or maintaining distance. I am sure many do, but if they can't perhaps they should change their exercise to walking for the time being

I don't think it's pace that makes these people inconsiderate.

eastegg · 03/04/2020 21:54

OP you've been patronised and belittled on this thread but I love the way you've come back at it with cool calm logic. Your assessment of the situation is spot on.

The jogger overwhelmingly probably hasn't got covid though. But yeah, there's a reason why the advice isn't 'you can go and breathe on people if you like jogging and feel fine '.

cologne4711 · 03/04/2020 22:33

haven't been out much recently but two people have complained to me about joggers and runners not changing course or maintaining distance

Why are all these people are coming to you (well telephoning and video calling you, presumably) to complain about people running?

Wereallsquare · 04/04/2020 01:08

I would be annoyed too, OP. On my daily walk, I am constantly having to get away from joggers and cyclists. They are breathing hard, exhaling god-knows-what, sweating, possibly asymptomatic or worse, feeling unwell but compulsive about their exercise. Manoeuvring to avoid them makes my relaxing walk unpleasant.

HopelessLayout · 04/04/2020 02:38

You aren't going to get coronavirus from a jogger

Really? Is that definite then? Better let Boris know so he can inform the nation.

Yellowshirt · 04/04/2020 02:54

I'm a runner myself and I do take a wide berth to avoid people and smile and thank people who move to the side.
In general though I can't believe the amount of people ignoring the social distancing. In the supermarket last night a bloke virtually stood on my toes to get to the fridge I was looking in. No manners he just sort of worked round me about two inches away. I wanted to tell him to F off.

theschoolonthehill · 04/04/2020 03:51

I had a similar experience OP. I was out walking with my young children and we walked off the path so we were walking on grass as it was impossible to keep to social distancing on the path. I kept looking around me to see if anyone was nearby when I got distracted by a fast walker who literally appeared behind me. There was loads of room for her and I was so angry with myself for not saying something to her. I spent the following couple of nights being really stressed and worried about it. That happened two weeks ago and I haven't been out for a walk since.

coachman · 04/04/2020 07:21

I agree with Granola. I'm in London and when out for a walk or run people are respectful and make way for each other. It's not crowded.

Where are you all that people have stopped going out for walks because paths are too crowded? I just walk through residential streets and they're pretty deserted, but the people I do meet usually smile and nod and one or other of us will move to the other side of the path or into the kerb, runners included.

OP, you won't catch CV19 from someone brushing against your coat.

MarginalGain · 04/04/2020 08:14

The bit about them not running ever before lockdown was a bit of a joke, although I'm finding it strange that the village is crawling with runners right now and it wasn't before

Gyms are closed.

Here in London there has been a major influx of obviously fit runners. I would imagine that normally they're on a treadmill/spin class or similar.

MN seems to think that a three-week (or six! or 12!) lockdown is not a big deal because this is how the vast majority of people spend their lives, on the couch watching Netflix, and the 'rude runners' are just disobedient unsociable types who like flouting the law.

kevintheorangecarrot · 04/04/2020 08:39

You'll be fine

Betty1233 · 04/04/2020 08:48

Get a grip

Eckhart · 04/04/2020 08:51

I'm thinking that perhaps when someone comes too close to me, I'll fake a coughing fit. It won't be much use with idiot runners, but it'll help in the supermarket.

cactus2020 · 04/04/2020 08:55

Agree were all. Runners are the least respectful round here, very much expecting us walkers to move. Wonder if it's because they're used to being in the zone and less aware of other people or something.

BusySittingDown · 04/04/2020 09:48

@MarginalGain

Eckhart pointed that out earlier in the thread. So has somebody else. I've ALREADY said fair point! Jeez.

BurgerQuean · 04/04/2020 09:49

I understand your anxiety OP, but the risk from this was very, very low. Try not to worry about it too much

BusySittingDown · 04/04/2020 09:50

I forgot about the gym goers. I usually go to the gym but I've been doing home workouts. I realise that not everyone has the space etc etc.

So there you go. I'll crawl back in my cave!

Tonyaster · 04/04/2020 09:54

Joggers are fine. Large family groups with huge buggies and dogs on extending leads - not fine

MarginalGain · 04/04/2020 09:56

Eckhart pointed that out earlier in the thread. So has somebody else. I've ALREADY said fair point! Jeez

Sorry! for your cave

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