The “I just had a sit down in the park with crisps” brigade

[Candodad]

You are the problem. The rules are simple. Go out and exercise and then go home. Just that, nothing more than that.

To be fair then problem is actually bigger than that and has been brewing for years as we increasingly become a country with rules but almost everyone has an excuse for why that rule shouldn’t apply to them/their child/family.

*That isn’t a rule.

Being outside while social distancing is perfectly fine.

HTH.*

When lockdown was announced Boris was pretty clear - "I must give the British people a very simple instruction - you must stay at home".

I'd take that as the overarching rule tbh.

So what is your advice then @LaurieMarlow?

Are there no.rules as far as you are concerned? What rules are there, in your opinion? Are there risks in touching objects and then not washing your hands?

No I don't. Likewise, just because it hasn't been expressly legislated against ,(bit is advised against) doesn't mean that it's a green light to rush out and do it.

So, it isn't against the law but that doesn't mean it is safe nor advisable.

The restrictions are broad. If the government hasn't said I can't sit on a bench and some crisps, then why should I broaden the restrictions even more for myself?

How about mind your own business. If it's not your fingers they're licking when they've finished it poses no threat to you whatsoever. Especially if you're at home where you're supposed to be.

‘ You believe that everyone is the same as you. Can do the same as you. Nobody has different circumstances and everyone is expected to fit in to your one size fits all world. It is what has held people with disabilities back for centuries and continues to treat them as second class citizens, having to live in a world not set up for them. When they raise a challenge to your assertion they are told “oh I didn’t mean you” in a very patronising way, othering them further.’

This. So very much this. I honestly do not think I had found MN as ridiculous and insular as I have these past weeks.

i must give the British people a very simple instruction - you must stay at home".

I'd take that as the overarching rule tbh.

And then gave a list of permitted reasons to be outside. Going for a walk was one of them.

Put the jackboots AWAY. The police don’t have license to reprimand people for doing this so you certainly don’t.

So what is your advice then

Follow the ACTUAL rules, not the ones you’ve made up in your own head.

It’s not that difficult.

And for everyone bleating about the 'long term mental and physical health implications' of not being able to leave your home...seriously

Every autumn there are loads of threads from people like me who really, really struggle through the shrinking hours of daylight in November and December. It's very debilitating, very depressing and does make people quite unwell. We're not making it up.

This time of year is what we live for - lengthening evenings, lots of strong, bright light and the chance to stock up on Vit D. If we do as lots of MN advises and don't leave the house at all, except if your life depends on it, we're condemned to spending all summer cooped up inside. Released in September, when the light is already on the slide and there's another dark, dreary winter on the horizon. Can you really not appreciate how profoundly depressing and difficult that scenario is? We're not all living on the Costas with 6 hours of strong daylight every day in January.

If people are out enjoying the fresh air, getting a bit of exercise and daylight and stop along the way for a bag of crisps, then crack on. Make mine a packet of worcestershire sauce please.

The restrictions are broad. If the government hasn't said I can't sit on a bench and some crisps, then why should I broaden the restrictions even more for myself?

Because if you look at the guidelines that the government have given, basically only go out for one of four reasons, where does it give the impression that "sit on a bench and eat crisps" is included in one of the four reasons?

Think about why the restrictions are in place? Why are we repeatedly told to wash our hands for twenty seconds, and to not touch our faces? What is the reason behind that?

Now, why might sitting on a public bench and eating crisps not be a good idea?

LaurieMarlow

What are the rules then?

And then gave a list of permitted reasons to be outside. Going for a walk was one of them.

And sitting on a bench eating food wasn't one of them

And then gave a list of permitted reasons to be outside. Going for a walk was one of them.

Absolutely. So if people are going for a walk and then going back home, absolutely fine.

If people are going to the park for a picnic, it's clearly not in the spirit of the guidance or following the pretty basic instruction to stay at home.

@PineappleDanish exactly.

I dare the poster to tell those who are socially isolated/stuck at home because of illness or frailty who’s mental health has suffered as a result sbd call them a bunch of snowflakes.

And sitting on a bench eating food wasn't one of them

Going for a walk was. Nothing to forbid sitting and eating.

As you well know.

But are you going to assume a vigilante role and impose this yourself, when the police have been expressly told not to?

PineappleDanish

How do you think those of us who are shielding feel then? Because that's exactly how we are feeling yet on MN all I keep seeing is "stop moaning. Imagine being in a refugee camp or having bombs dropped on you".

No one seems to give a toss how very difficult this is for those of us told not to leave our homes. We are just being expected to cope by some magical way not available to anyone else.

The rules (see 'Everyflightbegins' attachment) allow for people to take a brief stop for a snack. Whilst most healthy adults would be able to go for at least two hours without eating young children, people with diabetes/blood-sugar related migraines, pregnant people etc. will need to stop for a drink/snack.

Ah, so really this is all about envy then, @Hearhooves? I take it that you are having to shield? That’s unfortunate, but others are still perfectly allowed to carry on within the guidelines.

LaurieMarlow

I'm not imposing anything. I happen to think going out and sitting on a bench and then eating is foolish. But if people want to do it that's up to them, as long as they take every step to not infect anyone else.

Handwashing isn't compulsory by law - do you recommend that we all stop doing that too then? Because it isn't in any law and the police aren't making us do it, so by your rules anyone encouraging it is making the rules up and being a vigilante, right?

And for everyone bleating about the 'long term mental and physical health implications' of not being able to leave your home...seriously

And for everyone bleating about how those with long term mental and physical health are daring to go outside for exercise to help them cope and not sink into a pit of hopelessness.....seriously.

No one seems to give a toss how very difficult this is for those of us told not to leave our homes. We are just being expected to cope by some magical way not available to anyone else.

But just because you are shielding does not mean that you can extrapolate the stricter rules you're imposing on yourself onto the rest of us.

You are not making your shielding experience any easier by ranting on threads about people having packets of crisps, FFS.

LaLaLandIsNoFun

Nope, not envy at all.

Just annoyance at people informing others that it's quite safe to do something that is clearly against guidelines.

Do whatever you like, but if you do then it's your responsibility to make sure that you don't put anyone else at risk eg supermarket staff, healthcare workers etc. So, if taking risks only impacts you, do what you like but you have no right to risk anyone else by your behaviour.

Stopping on a walk to eat food is not against guidelines.

Are you struggling with comprehending the guidelines?

Minty, well said.

PineappleDanish

So, hold on a minute. You've just posted about how you live for this time of year, to be able to get outside and get sunlight and how it will be so detrimental to you if you have to stay cooped up.inside and not released until September.

How others need to appreciate how profoundly depressing and detrimental that will be to you. When I say that's how I'm feeling your answer to me is to basically suck it up?

So everyone needs to appreciate how profoundly depressing it would be for you to be cooped up.inside but no one else is allowed to say how terrible it is for them? Ok.

Why is standing in a queue outside a supermarket for 20 minutes less of a risk than eating a snack in the middle of an exercise break with nobody else around?