Travelling 90 mins to sit on a crowded beach - so silly right now

[Defenbaker]

On the news today they showed a beach down in Devon, which was crowded with people to the point where social distancing was almost impossible. They filmed people going up and down some steps which are the only access path to one beach, then interviewed a family who had driven 90 miles to get there. The mother said "It's ridiculous, some people aren't even trying to social distance... it's like Tescos!" I found myself laughing at her attitude - did she really imagine that they would have the beach to themselves?!?

I understand that people are restless after weeks of lockdown, and they want to enjoy the sunshine, but I'm wondering whether we'll get a nasty spike in the death rates in around 3 weeks, due to the rules being relaxed a bit too much. It's a shame, as the number of deaths has declined over the last few days, but I doubt it will last long. I know we can't stay in strict lockdown forever, but beaches and beauty spots might become virus transmission hotspots if people can't resist the urge to travel to them. Maybe it would be better to limit numbers in some way and/or only allow parking for cars which are registered locally - say within 20 miles? What do others think?

Even on a packed beach, the chances of the virus spreading is minuscule. It's fine. Chill.

She was nuts.

I agree.

I live next to the beach. I will avoid it from now on as its been very busy since Wednesday.

What do the fish think?

Johnson relaxed the restrictions so that allows people to go where they like in any 24hr period, so no overnighters.

In my part of Cornwall, things are getting pretty much back to normal, less influx of tourists but plenty of people travelling to get to places and meeting with others

As he must have known what would happen, it looks as though we are back to Herd Immunity.

Transmission outside is very, very low. Cut the hysteria.

This is life in every London Park right now too.

They don’t think the virus transmits the same way outside

We say 2m....but France use 1m and Germany 1.5. So 2m is really just a guide like eat 5 a day is

People presumably weren’t licking each other/shagging

The majority will of washed hands and got changed from Sandy clothes once home

I’m assuming arcades etc weren’t open so they were just sitting on the beach outside

The risk of them all dying of Covid are fucking tiny

MarcsLover posted:

"Even on a packed beach, the chances of the virus spreading is minuscule."

@MarcsLover - I'm unsure that's true, although it's probably less risky than a crowded indoor venue.

My local Tesco's is the strictest place I've come across in lockdown!

I also live 10 minutes drive from the beach.

But I'm also lucky that 3 minutes drive and 10-15 minutes walk the other way I have miles and miles of farmland.

I've not been near the beach but can imagine what it's like!

However I walk here daily!

I live a stones throw away from the beach and have a two year old and not a lot of outdoor space. The beach has been my lifesaver during once a day daily lockdown.

Today was the first day I've noticed it being very busy, lots of cars all parked up down my road. I must say though everyone was very respectful of social distancing still and we had absolutely no problem in our usual running along the sand dunes. I didn't feel particularly threatened at any point crossing paths with anyone as I know transmission like that is low.

We then as usual came in changed clothes and washed hands for good measure

Even on a packed beach, the chances of the virus spreading is minuscule. It's fine. Chill.

Depends how packed!... I agree though, I’d be surprised if people were sitting nearer than 2m to another person on the beach (people wouldn’t do that pre-Covid!) And brief passing encounter of less than 2m as you pass someone on a path in the fresh air is extremely low risk.

MarcsLover posted:

"Transmission outside is very, very low. Cut the hysteria."

@MarcsLover - do you have any scientific evidence for that? I would love to know the facts.

No hysteria here, just concern that there could be a sudden upwards spike in transmission rates.

Countries that have had a strict lockdown, have reduced infection rates to the low 100s per day after around 10 weeks, the UK's are still running at around 4000 per day, both inc Care homes.

So we will have to see if those who say Cv isn't transmitted outside are correct.

I think people will have to get used to the fact than a lot more people will be out and about from now on

Until they open up schools and work places people will be in parks and on beaches , if it's sunny

Maybe the lack of mass gatherings will help but come July people will be in beer gardens again

If you're shielding start stocking up in food again !!

inews.co.uk/news/coronavirus-catch-outside-indoors-why-get-covid-19-explained-2848865

I think we also need to realise that in other countries it is 1.5m or even 1m. Do we think that is because the ‘science’ is different in other countries or do we need to use a bit of common sense?

The virus spreads the most indoors if you have close contact with someone for more than 15 minutes.

Are the public toilets open though?

How do people manage?

On the plus side, apparently sunshine helps kill the virus, and there has been talk that Vitamin D can be useful to help fight the virus, so getting out for fresh air in the sunshine is a good thing, provided social distance is possible. I guess every activity carries a risk of some sort, and it's just personal choice whether to go to these popular tourist spots right now.

I was at a beach today. It wasn't crowded at all. More people cycling and walking than normal, but that was fine.

The media obviously try to find somewhere they can show crowds - it doesn't mean all beaches and parks are like that.

I was at a beach today. It wasn't crowded at all. More people cycling and walking than normal, but that was fine. The media obviously try to find somewhere they can show crowds - it doesn't mean all beaches and parks are like that.

Ditto. Beach not busy at all.

It was Lulworth Cove in Dorset not Devon and yes it was ludicrous.

We are supposed to be socially distancing. We’re only safe outside if sticking to rules which is why there are rules. Some of these areas are dangerous if crowded anyway,people trying to socially distance going up and down crowded steps is dangerous. Hoards of people holding onto banisters, handles etc will transfer. You can’t wash hands properly on beaches.

Some of Dartmoor closed again. Some areas would be dangerous with crowds climbing and trying to socially distance.

I suspect some places will end up closing over the summer. Everybody wants to go to the same places. The lady interviewed seemed to forget that, she was contributing to it.

I think the irony was that they had driven quite a long way to get there and then was moaning that it was busy and other people were ridiculous and she had done exactly the same thing!

It’s not a case of it being crowded so suck it up. We have to so socially distance. Life isn’t just going back to normal but a bit more crowded. Things will close if people can’t socially distance safely.

@MarcsLover Thanks for the link, I read the article. I guess that a trip to the beach is probably less risky than working in an air conditioned building, which is something I was doing before I was placed on furlough. Coughs and colds spread much more easily in such buildings ("sick office syndome").