Pritti Patel now saying we can't walk with another person

[whenwillthemadnessend]

Anyone see this morning today. In her interview she claimed that we should walk cycle and run alone

I understood the rules to allow a walk with one other person.

I walk my dog twice a week with a friend. Rest of the time I'm alone with dog on walks and it's the only thing that keeps me sane at the moment. Take that away and I dont think I can cope for much longer.

Make the rules clearer ffs!!!

Yeah, il use common sense and personal risk assessment - sure I’ll be fine thanks
Pretty sure I’ve never caught a virus from getting a takeout coffee before!

This whole thing about walking and talking is not exercise is ridiculous

DH has a problem with his hip. Walking does it good but he can't walk very fast. If we go together we stroll along chatting rather than walk briskly but it's still exercise as we're not sitting still

YABU for listening to anything she says. The law might change but it definitely has not yet. Obviously it's reasonable to doubt as to whether or not it's safe, but is definitely legal.

I live on the edge of the Peak District. There is no ‘isolated country’ round here. It’s rammed like a triple bank holiday everywhere😨

This woman is just happy to stick the boot in at any opportunity. She seems to disapprove of all humans who are not fortunate enough to be... her. She looks down her nose at everyone, I'm sure she even hates her own family. Not only arrogant, but rude and judgmental. God help us if she ever becomes PM.

I would say, that unless you live alone and the person you exercise is your support bubble and exercising is the way you have social contact, just exercise alone.

The fewer contacts we have the better. It’s as simple as that.

The law might not expressly say you can’t see someone outside....but are you interested in the letter of the law or doing what will help reduce the spread.

It really is about doing the minimum not looking to do the maximum.

The main difference between an exercise walk and a social/chat walk is an exercise walk you are both pointing mostly in the same direction so you aren't facing each other. That helps along with distance (2m likely necessary with the more transmissable version) to reduce risk. If you're facing each other and perhaps a bit closer, you're breathing at each other.

Might sound daft but can make a difference. and in line with guidelines from some of the earlier lockdown in the workplace and how to arrange desks, even how to stand in lifts etc.

Apparently the government are about to launch a new public health campaign...

This is the first: It was tweeted by @10DowningStreet about an hour ago.

One new advert as part of the series which is being considered is the slogan:
“DON’T LET A COFFEE COST A LIFE”.

and

"COVID TAKES THE TRAIN TOO".

This WOULD explain why Patel is saying this and what messages the government may be about to put out in the next week or so...

Whether they WILL be used is another matter, but there does seem to be something behind this story...

How much specific law do people need to understand reducing contacts is what will stop the virus spreading?

That means if you can exercise alone or with your family that’s better than meeting someone else. If you don’t see anyone else and are isolated, then you may we’ll need to see someone else for sanity, but all the people who live with others or go to work etc could avoid that extra contact whilst exercising.

With every outing, I consider if it will bring about a contact I could avoid. I’m walking alone and not with my friend for the time being. I go to the shop once a week not twice like usual or shop online. I don’t go to the corner shop for a packet of crisps in the evening when I fancy them. I’m staying in and reducing contact...these things aren’t spelled out in law, but I understand I must reduce my contacts.

I live in high covid rate area. I regularly walk with a friend and we’ve both had covid. We still socially distance as who knows, neither of us wants it again but we’ll carry on until unless the law changes.
She has to realise that for many, contact with one person is essential. Sometimes just having a chat in fresh air with a good friend does wonders for wellbeing.

God help us if she ever becomes PM. @TammyHullfigure surely that's not a danger?? she's been sacked twice!!

@Iknowwhatudidlastsummer

No one cares about this current lockdown. People meet with entire groups outside, organise parties inside, sleepovers and whathaveyou. There are countless threads on my local groups about kids birthday parties and sleepovers.

People don't wear masks because they can't be bothered - just claim you are exempt, people just live their normal life but call it "bubbles'

I feel so sorry for the few who genuinely cannot work, have to isolate and are penalised. no one else is bothered. Our local coffee shops are full!

Unlucky for you.

In my area we are mostly compliant, reflected in our rates falling. People almost universally wear masks, we are respectful with our distancing, and coffee shops are takeaway only (my fave is only open Friday and Saturday at the moment).

It's exactly this sort of crap that just makes me think the government is incompetent ans is trying to set people against each other to distract from their inability to manage hospital infection, terrible and chronic understaffing, not paying people to isolate, fucking up the arrivals testing. Ffs why am I being lectured about going for a walk, whilst thousands of people arrive from all over the world and do whatever the fuck they like.

I think everything and anything is justified by well-being and mental health.

People say they need to go to the garden centre, and to walk with 3 different friends across the week, and to go to the shops 3 times and to visit their elderly mum and to get a coffee from Starbucks as it cheers them up and......how many contacts is it in a week?

The thing is, it’s possible to avoid being totally isolated and not have all these outings and contacts. I think lots of people delude the,selves about how many people they are in contact with over the week....and then lots can’t understand how they’ve got it. They forget how many quick encounters they’ve had and how many those people have had.

I don’t understand why people don’t limit themselves more, when lots could reduce the number of times they leave their house without it genuinely impacting their wellbeing....it might make life a bit more dull and boring, but it seems people won’t consider that.

I will continue with my once a week socially distanced walk with family relative. She is dealing with a husband who is very disabled and 70, plus a 90 year old father and very little other social contact. She needs the time we spend together for her mental health, despite only being in her mid 50s herself.

If she ends up not being able to cope, that 3 people who suffer, not just one.

@WombatChocolate i agree. I stopped my 14yo going to get choc earlier as it wasn't "essential" ( found some sweets at home for him) But I also feel some weird irrational judgement on those who in my eyes, "push it" as in walk with a friend, get coffees etc as they are having nicer lives than me!!
I suppose I feel they are relying on the uber sensibles to keep the numbers down

I can’t make sense of anything Priti Patel says. It’s just one long stream of words!

“DON’T LET A COFFEE COST A LIFE”.

I seriously hope this is a joke. I’m sorry, but anyone who falls for this crap must be hard of critical thinking. It’s pure hyperbole and propaganda.

@Bonkerz

I think it was clear the 2 women who got Starbucks and went outside their county were doing it as a social thing rather than exercise. That's what Patel was condemning this morning. If you go for a jog do it alone in a place that's close to home. No need to drive and no need to stop for coffee first. Sure do it 2m away from someone else but then it's not social it's exercise as you can't have a chat.

Whoever started talking about those women going “outside their county” was being deliberately misleading. I’ve driven from Ashby-de-la-Zouch to Foremark Reservoir. Not only is it no more than 15 minutes, it’s as near as anywhere else locally to go for a long walk. Which is why the fine was withdrawn. Honestly, if the police officer stood there and said “where are you from? Ashby? well you’ve left the county then” s/he wants talking to. Some people live on a county line - what are they supposed to do - not cross the street?!

@tatutata

It's exactly this sort of crap that just makes me think the government is incompetent ans is trying to set people against each other to distract from their inability to manage hospital infection, terrible and chronic understaffing, not paying people to isolate, fucking up the arrivals testing. Ffs why am I being lectured about going for a walk, whilst thousands of people arrive from all over the world and do whatever the fuck they like.

This.

If they don't want us doing something they should legislate. This business of guidance going further than the law is infuriating.

@Robbybobtail

“DON’T LET A COFFEE COST A LIFE”.

I seriously hope this is a joke. I’m sorry, but anyone who falls for this crap must be hard of critical thinking. It’s pure hyperbole and propaganda.

Nope. I don't believe it is a joke. I think its being considered. I would be surprised if it is used, but we shall see.

@Rosehip10

Pritti Patel is an airhead

This.

Anyway it was in the Times today that Matt Hancock wanted to stop people exercising with one friend but Boris said no, in the first sensible decision of his life.

chatting while walking outside and drinking a coffee is perfectly fine. You can even laugh while doing it.

Careful now.

She’s a brutal airhead though.

Capital punishment😨