Have I got this right - playgrounds

[edgeware]

Playgrounds in Scotland will be open from the 29th of June I believe - but playgrounds in England will stay shut until Autumn? The leaked plans for after the 4th of July seem to say they will stay completely shut?

I emailed my local MP about this (England) and was told 'high touch' and about 'rare but several young deaths'

I mentioned in e.g. Holland had been open during this time and no such problems recorded and they wash their hands after.

She didn't mean from playgrounds specifically though (MP) Thanked me for sharing my thoughts but no plans to re-open them yet.

Odd as thought NS was meant to be 'more cautious'

I've never been in a playground where kids are closer than 2m anyway, they take turns on the equipment and naturally distance. So as long as they wash their hands I really cannot understand why they are shut

I’ve wondered about play equipment in pub beer gardens. Perhaps if you spend money in the pub thereby helping the economy, it makes the play equipment safer

"I've never been in a playground where kids are closer than 2m anyway" That's why you never hear about kids passing on nits as they "naturally distance"

I saw something on BBC and Times today specifically saying that when beer gardens opened the play areas would not be open.

Idiotic and ridiculous.

Well that’s annoying. My kids are the absolute perfect age for playgrounds, they’re 6 and 8 and are big enough to go on everything, don’t need lifting up and continual assistance, and even play together sometimes - basically they’ll go on any walk anywhere if I can promise a go on a playground as part of it. So it’s an hour of free entertainment with hardly any input from me. I can’t believe they’re losing the best playground months of a year when they’re just at the perfect age to enjoy them.

I think it's rubbish too. Mine are a bit old for playgrounds but I did try asking the MP mentioning Holland but sadly that was the reply I got. I tried!

Also saw something about soft play to opening either. there may be swimming pools opening soon but not sure about children there either.

It seems children really miss out even though they are low risk. Makes no sense.

soft play not opening

Who are the 'they' who leaked this and where was it leaked, is there a link to this information?

In the Times main headline www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/leaked-rules-show-how-pubs-restaurants-and-hotels-will-reopen-in-england-bbb39pfdr

i'm not sure - the BBC also were saying "In the Times"

It’s bonkers. How can anyone justify park benches being ok but not play equipment?
Afaik there is still no evidence of anyone having spread this via surfaces outdoors. Added to the fact that kids are low risk it is just incomprehensible.

Let's all day trip to scotland then
Cant believe they will not plan to open outside play grounds before then. My lg is back a nursery mixing with children so dont see what difference playing in the park will do .

Maybe it’s another case of ‘floating’ the new guidelines amongst the public to see what we get angry about. Orangeblossom is probably right to email MP, I will do the same. It takes the piss that you can go to the pub and get twatted but children can’t play in a playground.

Maybe its down to the risks caused by parents congregating rather than kids?

Although they said risk was lower outside.

Fucked if I know the logic behind all this. I guess playgrounds dont generate income so not a priority to be deemed safe...

I’m unreasonably annoyed about it, I’m due in Oct and really would like to spend some time before then with my DS doing things one on one that he loves - soft play, swimming are out of the question apparently so can I at least have a bloody outdoor playground?!

Maybe it’s another case of ‘floating’ the new guidelines amongst the public to see what we get angry about. This. Governments do it all the time. Remember when Tony Blair's government floated the idea of ID cards, and GPS tracking of drivers? The public were furious about those ideas.

Incidentally, this is why I think we should be showing even more anger and writing to our MPs even more than we already are about restrictions still ongoing: if we're too docile and accepting, I think they'll keep restrictions in place for longer. I'm waiting to see what we're allowed to do on 4th July, before writing about the rest.

We currently live semi-rurally with no car. I have a disability I need to be careful with when it comes to Covid which means no buses so our only hope for summer was playgrounds would be open as we'll be unable to get anywhere else regardless of if they're open or not.

We'll be totally cut off and unable to do anything other than walking the fields we've been walking since March. I know it seems like such a little thing but it makes me want to cry. I really thought they would be open by now .

AS well as Holland being OK, I also mentioned physical and mental health benefits to children and the cost free aspect for parents as well

MP is Lib Dem, unsure if that makes any difference but thought they were quite pro mental health in the past.

I have to admit I’m really starting to wonder how the hell imgoing to fill the summer holidays.

I am surprised to see all the people here wanting playgrounds to open. I personally can't think of anything worse to be honest! However, I guess I can see why people want them open and if you're happy to take the risk then I am OK with that.

@EvilPea open spaces, football, forest walks. We have been going to our parks anyway, children seem un bothered for the most part.

Orangeblossom78 I have emailed my MP too

Beebityboo that really sucks, I hope we all get a different outcome

Wanderings I do think we should all get angry. It’s not like pubs are hubs of health ffs. I’m glad they will open but then open bloody playgrounds!