Been for a walk...

[imamearcat]

We've driven to some quiet woods 10 mins away.. which I believe is within the law and guidelines. But I've been berated by family for it!

We saw a couple of families in the distance and that's it.. so I'm not exactly worried about spreading covid19 but I don't know, I feel a bit guilty??

Just wondered what other people were thinking about this kind of thing?

[imamearcat]

@TooTrueToBeGood ffs, why the need to be so horrible??? Sorry our family conversations are so boring. It's not like we are doing much at the moment that isn't 'boring mundane details'.

If you must know it was a family WhatsApp, someone said the weather had dropped cold and someone else said they had managed to get out for a walk between showers, so I said we were having a drive out for a walk today because we are 'allowed' to do that now. Pretty normal convo I would have thought??

[PleasantVille]

It's been clarified that's it's allowed, why does it matter what anyone else thinks or whether anyone else is doing it? You don't need to check police guidance with family members or Mumsnet, crack on with your walk.

[Sunshine1239]

It’s allowed

It always has been

Half the ‘rules’ people argue about aren’t actual rules at all! We can do a lot more than people suggest. If people want to make up their own type of lockdown on themselves then that’s fine but they shouldn’t be enforcing it on others

[userxx]

@Sunshine1239 Well said.

[BubblesBuddy]

I think the police in some areas were talking about enforcing all sorts of things. One of them was going out in a car unless it was for an emergency, essential work or for shopping. Driving for a walk was shamed. That was wrong and I’m glad it’s been clarified. If we just accept police interpretation and don’t stand up for what’s reasonable, we are on a very slippery slope!

[Floatyboat]

@Sunshine1239

The point is you don't need to "max out" on what's "allowed". That may be selfish.

As an analogy driving at 70mph in heavy rain might be within the rules. Doesn't mean you should do it.

[imamearcat]

@Floatyboat but other than the 'might have a crash and put stress on the NHS' argument, what possible problem can going for a walk cause? And why does making it between 20 mins and 1 hour make it better??

[userxx]

The point is you don't need to "max out" on what's "allowed". That may be selfish

Eh?

[EricaNernie]

I was going to yesterday but was nervous of any judgement.

[Makeitgoaway]

Just don't tell people what you're up to, it's a sad fact of life atm that people love an opportunity to judge, they've got nothing else to do.

What you did is fine within the guidelines. Some people are determined to force their own made up rules on people, some people are enjoying the opportunity to feel superior for being better at locking down, even though there is no benefit from locking down more than is necessary to protect the NHS.

[AvalancheKit]

As others have said, it’s allowed, but with a ‘reasonableness test’. Viruses move with people. Travelling long distances means you will go to the fuel pumps more frequently and and increasing human to human contact. Long distances also increase your time on the road and hence how busy it is. This weekend we have seen more traffic between our local town and the neighbouring one with a large university hospital. There have been more instances of ambulances having to negotiate the road with sirens than previous weeks. It’s all about being measured and reasonable.

[Floatyboat]

So people think that as long as you live within government guidelines that is fine.

So adulterers, parents that can't be arsed, people that don't recycle etc should all just carry on and feel indignant if anyone dare criticise them.

[Makeitgoaway]

What Floatyboat? Adultery is no one's business but the people directly concerned, recycling does have guidelines to be followed and there is legislation to protect children from neglect. Parents who have chosen to do things differently to how you would, yes absolutely should be left well alone.

[Underhisi]

"As long as you walk for 20 minutes"

We take ds for a drive and don't take him out of the car at all. Taking him for a drive calms him down so he doesn't attack himself and us all day. The 'rule' is you must have a reasonable excuse and our excuse is reasonable.

[Floatyboat]

@underhisi

There may be rules in that case.

@Makeitgoaway

So you think any shitty parenting that does not amount to neglect is fine? You think that it is wrong to say a narcissitic man walking out on his wife and young children for a new model should not expect some degree of negative assessment from others?

[imamearcat]

@Floatyboat why do you feel the need to have your own rules of what people should and shouldn't be doing?

I'm sure if the government felt it was necessary for people to not drive for exercise then they would recommend and/or enforce it. But they haven't.

[Floatyboat]

These aren't "my" rules. You need to exercise for longer than the drive. Gove suggests you shouldn't need to exercise for more than an hour.

N

[sucha]

**Shitsgettingcrazy

Right... I didn’t make that up myself you know

[sucha]

Well I missed the clarification. Maybe the OP’s family did too.

[Casino218]

You can drive a short distance for a walk. Updated guidance. I think some posters on here need to follow the news a little more.

[Shitsgettingcrazy]

sucha but you are wrong. Your information is outdated

So if you are going to quite the rules, know them.

@Floatyboat how is adultery in anyway connected. Op acted with the rules to drive. Michel Goves opinion, is just that. An opinion. Just like his opinion was that children under 18 could not love between households. Then 5 minutes later it was that they could. His personal opinion is not government sanctions rules or part of the guidelines.

Driving shirt distances, for exercise, is allowed. Theres no limit on how long you can exercise.

If I give an opinion, on anything, whilst acting in my employed role, it doesnt not mean its fact. It's my opinion. Micheal Give gave an opinion.

[userxx]

So people think that as long as you live within government guidelines that is fine.

In relation to the virus, yes. I take it you don't think the government policy is up to scratch so you've made up your own rules ?

[Itwasntme1]

I have a stupid, related question. I haven’t driven my car for over a month. Do we need to drove our cars to keep the battery charged?

[Floatyboat]

My point is government cannot give clear guidance for every circumstance and people need to act with common sense in accordance with the principles and advice given. Jenny harries has said this, I'm sure others have.

It really is quite simple.

Why are people determined to make the government responsible for everything whilst at the same time saying how incompetent it us.?

[userxx]

Depends how old the battery is on the car, if it's old I would definitely be starting it up.