It would be a terrible, terrible mistake to ban exercise outside

[Thedogshow]

Domestic violence has already increased, and whilst I know some people have been ignoring the rules the majority are abiding by them. The knock on effects for people’s mental health and the safety of women and children inside the home would be terrible.
It would be such an infringement of people’s liberty and terrible for the mental and physical health of so many people.
Imagine being stuck indoors all day with young children in a flat with no outside space.
This idea worries me more than anything else about the current crisis. I hope so much that it doesn’t happen. I feel like it’s almost like a reaction in anger because not everyone will do what they’re told: like a smack.

[KeepWashingThoseHands]

Personally I would more severely fine all those flouting the rules, as if their behaviour continues the lockdown will become stricter which affects everyone. I'm not taking about multiple walks a day, I'm talking gatherings of people especially in public places.

Problem is there are also a lot of people getting upset about how the police are handling it. Now I know there are been a couple of cases where the police could be said to have been overly zealous; highlighting a couple of examples does not mean that's the norm.

We can't have it both ways.

[TheCanterburyWhales]

The irony is, from what you read on social media it's the people who were happy never to lift their arses off the sofa and from their screens who are suddenly bleating about their rights to go for a bike ride.

Funny innit. They never wanted it before they thought it would be taken away.

Yesterday the police estimated there were 3000 people in one park that they were trying to patrol.

Can't cure stupid I guess.

[morecoffeerequired]

It's about time we got the police horses and cavalry out in the big parks. The horses need exercise and can cover a large area in a short time. The officers can canter up to people and suggest they take their picnic and their suntan lotion and sod off home.

[LaneBoy]

Of course, we are doing the daily walk at her pace (round the pond so she can see ducks) as we all get fresh air and sunlight.

Unfortunately Joe Wicks type stuff is too much for me (I’m better than I was, but still have to be very careful due to ME/fibro/PoTS) 😳 but we have an exercise bike, hand weights (most of my gentle gym workouts were resistance based as intense cardio tends to cause flare ups) and of course unlimited access to things like yoga on YouTube :) there’s usually a way round these things! Other than swimming, I miss that :o

[Oxyiz]

Er, your lung health matters a bit when it comes to viruses and infections, yes.

Also I used to go to the gym every day, so I'm not one of the ones you're mocking - but there will be people who used to move around/walk a lot in their daily lives who now don't get to do that. They might not have ever counted that as exercise but it was.

[PegLegAntoine]

Rich or poor, your mental health, lung health, dogs health will not matter one jot if you are dead.

But lung health does matter if you catch CV! It’s not black and white but if your lungs are stronger you may be less likely to die of it surely

[Defaultuser]

The shielded group (I'm one of them) are expected to stay indoors until the end of June. Many of us live in flats and have young children. It's pretty brutal.

[TheHonestTruth100]

I get your point OP, but the counter argument is if they don't enforce more rules then more people will die from coronavirus and other illnesses as the hospitals will be completely overrun.

[VaukaPinhvin]

On the spot fine of £200 might concentrate the minds of those hanging out in parks etc.

[twosoups1972]

They need to enforce the current rules more strongly.

I'm in London and some boroughs have closed their parks in the last week or so. So what happens - everyone else just goes to neighbouring parks, increasing the congestion even more!

Police the entrances to parks, only allowing a certain number of people in a time, like they are doing in supermarkets now. Police people who are congregating in groups or having a picnic.

[knittingaddict]

All those having a go at unhealthy people suddenly desperate to get out and exercise should perhaps think why that might be.

All my favourite activities are sedentary ones - reading, knitting, sewing. I'm overweight and not at all fit. This has been the wake up call I needed and I'm trying to change my overall health. That's why I want to go out, not some selfish need to "bend the rules". I don't suppose I'm alone in that.

[Joliany]

Big fines for those who flout the rules. No group gatherings. No sunbathing in the park. If you do you get hit in the pocket. Use that cash to support a worthy cause. I don't see why those who stick rigidly to the rules should be punished alongside the twats.

[Helpwithaversion]

I think it will end up being necessary
Lots of people where we are seen to either flout the rules totally or think that wearing sports wear means they can socialise then say it’s ‘exercise’
We are not a particularly fit nation this sudden desire to be active is more like pda (my eldest has this and will not be told what to do and it almost feels like a mass effort to bend the rules/not be told)

Imagine if this was the war and regarding the blackout ‘oh it’s not fair I can’t have a light on for ’

Huge amounts of people will die if people can’t stay in or at least stick to the rules this is why now those in flats or without gardens will suffer not being allowed out of things get stricter as the selfish ones have ruined it for others

[Derbygerbil]

Surely they need to get tougher on those flouting the rules first before they look to ban outdoor exercise

[Thedogshow]

Yes, agree with those saying just make more effort to crack down on those flouting the rules, don’t punish everyone for it.
That makes a lot more sense.

[alloutoffucks]

Domestic violence is not caused by not being able to go for a daily walk whatever violent men might say. Domestic violence increases because violent men are spending more time with their partners.

[Cissyandflora]

I am in a flat. Overcrowded. No outdoors space. I sleep on the sofa and have four children and not enough beds. My children are staying home. It’s been 20 days. Key workers are out there fighting for us so the very least I can do is stay inside. I’ll do it for as long as it takes.

[alloutoffucks]

@Helpwithaversion Yes if it is the war and we had blackout I agree lots of people would have "reasons" not to comply. I guess the difference is that they get bombed. Pretty quick retribution for idiots.

[MozFan]

I really hope this doesn’t go ahead, we have a small house, no garden and a very active 17 month old

[MozFan]

And my mental health is already at breaking point but apparently no one cares about mental health anymore

[Hugt]

I think though we are increasingly losing patience with the current state thus people who were following guidance are now finding ways to mildly flout it. As boredom sets in this is only going to get worse.

For example when the rules about essential shopping came in my facebook selling pages began to crack down, but now more and more people are selling things that are non essential. In the same way people are beginning to venture out to make non essential journeys to do things like drop off easter eggs.

I live on near a busy beach, it was quiet to begin with but now the level of visitors is noticably increasing

If people are starting that now imagine what they will follow in 2 weeks

[TriangleBingoBongo]

And my mental health is already at breaking point but apparently no one cares about mental health anymore

It is MH considerations that have formed part of the decision not to force the UK into a complete lock down until now. MH has been repeatedly acknowledged.

[Thedogshow]

And also: it’s great that people who didn’t exercise before are doing so now. From the NHS’ point of view long term, that is a good outcome.
People should not be called hypocrites for starting to exercise. It often takes a bit of shock or a fright to get people to make positive changes, and starting to make positive changes now is good.
There is no need to be totally housebound. Numbers will continue to rise for a while because the incubation period is long, rather than because people are still getting infected from being outside taking exercise. Most people with ‘new’ infections will have been infected before the lockdown started and so will only now be starting to show up in the stats as the illness takes a while to reach a stage requiring hospitalisation for those worst affected.
And then of course there are a whole load of people who will unfortunately get infected because they work in the NHS, care homes, on transport etc. But that is a whole other issue.
I’m not sure there will be any cases where people have got infected from abiding by the current rules and going for a walk or run!

[BigChocFrenzy]

"It would be better to get heavy with those who flout the rules."

It's much easier to target people when far fewer are out, rather than millions at any time

Also, so many people have been arguing with the police, standing on the letter of the law,
condemning the police for shaming people

It seems more than a 1% who will stretch the law to its outermost limit and argue they are entitled to do so

Flexibility was there for those who needed extra, such as those without gardens, those with MH problems,
or where the risk was lower, such as those living very rurally

Now that flexibility is in danger, because of too many entitled twats abusing it

[Cameron2012]

Rich or poor, your mental health, lung health, dogs health will not matter one jot if you are dead.
I’m not mocking anyone, just stating a fact.