Country walk, couldn't believe my eyes, this is how it spreads...

[RapidRainbow]

We've been, like everyone else, walking more than usual. Today we walked a new route. The path was really tricky to SD on having to stop and go up against barbed fences to let people pass. We were wedged between a group carrying a pushchair down to a beauty spot (we didn't realise until we got there the insistence to go down the very steep rocky stepped path was because they were clearly gathering for a day out with other families as we saw approx. 20 people in groups in a clearing!). At one point we stopped so we didn't get too close to people in front and a family group behind us went past and I felt their presence on my back, you know that little brush against you! Then there was a group of 3 in their early twenties ish with one man coughing and sensed them very close behind so moved over to let them past. On both occasions a polite 'excuse me' would have been better so we could suitable SD as best we could.

We sat on a hill near a gate, we could see everyone going through it opened it with their hands. My DH and son used their feet to knock the catches open so we didn't have to touch the gate. If we have to touch a stiff gate, we instantly use our hand spray gel, I'm so glad we didn't need to do that today!

I watched as kids climbed over the gate, people opened the gate then rubbed their face or opened a drinks bottle or ran their hands through their hair! I estimated that in the 10 minutes we sat there, approx 20 people touched that gate and not one used a handgel or wipe etc afterwards.

It's not exact, but that would be 120 people in an hour and over a 10 hour day of a busy area, approx 1200 touching that one gate. Statisticly, some of them would be carrying Covid!

These will be the people who get Covid and say 'well I've only been to the Supermarket and out walking'!

I don't think I'm being overly cautious? I feel safe outside if we SD but I try to imagine every person and every surface could be carrying Covid to keep risks to a minimum.

The thing is how the hell are the people frantically washing their shopping putting the post in quarantine, bleaching gates refusing to use pedestrian crossings etc etc ever going to function normally again?

This is not how it spreads OP.
All the research tells us that transmission outside is extremely low.

The thing is how the hell are the people frantically washing their shopping putting the post in quarantine, bleaching gates refusing to use pedestrian crossings etc etc ever going to function normally again?

Lower infection rates.
Better treatment options.
Functional t&t system.
Vaccine.

Does that answer your question?

And I wouldn't say I'm frantically doing anything, that's just your imagination.

You were part of the problem.

@EnlightenedOwl

I stopped reading when you admitted washing your gate. You need help

How bloody rude! Why does she need help just because she chooses to be as careful as she can be to protect herself and her family? Some people on MN are just sooo rude and sanctimonious these days.

I am a TA. I have never ,in all these weeks , washed my shopping down; I’ve opened parcels when they arrive ( not quarantined them for 72 hours) and haven’t stopped having takeaways. All I’ve done is made sure I wash my hands regularly, and stayed home if I wasn’t going to work, getting shopping or taking the dog for a walk ( no garden) on the beach I live right by. I ( and my partner) are completely well.
Of course it is concerning, but before this all blew up, we all took risks everyday while there were - and still are - plenty of infectious diseases out there .
I think it’s time for everyone to behave a little more rationally.
I’m staying ‘alert’ but living my life.

“Avoided pedestrian crossings”
Your aware we all have elbows yes? Or a set of keys? As it’s impossible for most people to put their elbow in there mouth or there key in there this is more reasonable than waiting for traffic to stop and crossing, given the crossing is there because of the business of the road 🙄🤣

@jamdonut ... that's because you are rational and sensible. There are a lot out there and on here that are not in any way rational or sensible as can be seen in this thread alone.

If i saw you kick a gate open with your boot i would be over anxious i got dog shit on my hands. YOUR PARANOID DOLL!!!

I think you're being overly paranoid. There is now a 0.05% chance that someone has the virus, so a 99.95% chance that no one you met today had it. You're going to drive yourself mad if you think as you are, it's time to start getting the risks in perspective.

If i saw you kick a gate open with your boot i would be over anxious i got dog shit on my hands. YOUR PARANOID DOLL!!!

Quite, jeeperscreepers. Here's a list of diseases and infections you can pick up from dog shit: www.cpha.ca/human-diseases-transmitted-dog-poop

Fancy a spot of e-coli, OP, or a cheeky tapeworm up your guts?

How many people on here are washing their shopping?

Why didn’t you just go home?

When I went for a particular walk and it was rammed, I turned tail and didn’t add to the masses.

Bil and sil have been walking round their local industrial estate - they said it was blissfully lacking in people and actually quite interesting...

The government and media have done a very good job of raising anxiety levels but maybe try not to worry too much as the risks are very low, especially outside.

We have a right of way going through our land. It's about 3 foot wide. There has been a load of whining on Facebook that there aren't enough passing places on it and that it should be widened to 2 metres. So many bloody people are using it during lockdown it's like a motorway. We won't be widening it 😡

OP you should also consider the concept of viral load. If someone leaves COVID on a gate outdoors and you touch it, then touch your mouth, nose or eyes, yes there might be a transfer, but nothing like it would be if you were at prolonged close quarters indoors with an infected person. Yes, some people are being idiots but I think you need to calm down. If you’re worried about gates, take disposable gloves. Or just use your elbow/foot/little finger to open it if possible and don’t touch your face.

We've also been going for daily walks. Often down a path that is used by cyclists and other walkers. We've been doing it since March, some cyclists and walkers get very close. Same in supermarkets and various other places. This is nothing new OP and there's nothing to be gained by panicking. It's very unlikely that anyone you walked past has the virus. Even more unlikely that they've transmitted it to you.

I don't think you can go out for a walk and moan about other people also out on a walk. Outside the risk is very low. Isn't there some guidance which mentions being in the presence of someone for 15 mins or more makes it much more likely for you to be infected by a person who has the virus?

Just take antibacterial wipes or gel. You can’t stop what other people are doing just protect yourself. How on earth is the UK going to function after this if opening a gate is such a big deal?

Alex50 - absolutely not! I've bought bottles of water or pop and swigged them from the bottle.

We go on lots of country walks and open gates with our sleeves/tops so we we don't use our hands.

Couldn't care less what everyone else does

Is this for real? You were on the narrow path too If you thought it was too busy you should have turned back and walked the other way. You’re adding to the problem.

All I will say is "Germany"! Read the news!

Mumsnet is evidence for how the fear spreads though. Or at least, it was at the start of lockdown. It's now calmed down and become sensible enough for me to take the CV topic out of lockdown.

@iamapixie The government and media have done a very good job of raising anxiety levels Absolutely this. They've scared many people shitless, just like Daily Mail headlines do on a regular basis.