Inside V outside. So the beaches were fine.

[buttheywereonlysatilites]

There's another article on this today. No outbreaks linked to any beaches.
I went to one of the infamous beaches last year. It was very easy to take a photo that suggested everyone was cheek-by-jowl, when in reality once on the beach we had plenty of space to stay away from others.

But beaches aside, I really hope that the inside v outside risk variation is taken into account next time the government look at the rules. The risk of transmission outside is really small. It would be perfectly possible to allow some children's grassroots sports to go ahead with the correct safety measures in place, for example.
The weather is starting to get better. This is a really good opportunity to make a real difference to some people's mental health.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/19/how-the-beach-super-spreader-myth-can-inform-uks-future-covid-response?CMP=ShareiOSAppp_Other

@Shelovesamystery agree with every word. I can just imagine the local council workers in their polyester suits filled with great glee at closing all the public toilets and taping off the benches.

I had to help with close contact tracing after a child in my class tested positive. I was asked to try and remember every move the child made over 3 days- going to the loo, queuing to wash hands, sitting within 2m of others etc. However, no interest at all in who she played with outside. That was considered such a low risk that it wasn’t a concern.

They were interested in the children she walked home with however, as there was a risk of direct contact for a more prolonged period as they walk home alone. It was felt that the children know they can’t grab each other on the playground (and we step in to remind them frequently) but this wasn’t monitored on the way home.

I met my single, living alone, cousin in a park on her 50th birthday and ate some strawberries and drank alcohol free prosecco. So sad that was illegal :-(

I agree with you op. I hope our beavers can get back to meeting in person - we have land so can run meetings outside.

I really hope that we are allowed to meet from 8 March as I do think the risk is low outside.

I also want to be allowed to drive as far as we want for days out. I live the beach even in winter and I'm hoping to be allowed to go soon.

Didn't we already know this last year? I remember talking to my SIL about it during the summer.

Magnums - I instantly thought cider but you wereprobably referring to icecream!

posted to soon. I misread Magners cider!

I also want to be allowed to drive as far as we want for days out.

Me too. We wanted to go for a walk yesterday to a white horse, but it's 30 mins away. Just had a feeling that on a sunny day it would be the sort of place the plod would sit in the carpark doing 100 quid fines.

AnneElliot, maybe you could rephrase your second sentence? I have just choked on my coffee!

I'm an NHS clinician, but my DCs don't go to school as KW kids as DH works from home. My DCs usually spend a couple of days a week at sporty holiday camps over summer. If they are open this year, they are going to be spending pretty much all of their time there this year

I went to one of the infamous beaches last year. It was very easy to take a photo that suggested everyone was cheek-by-jowl, when in reality once on the beach we had plenty of space to stay away from others

Definitely. It showed how easy it was for the press to manipulate the public

My daughter went to a local BLM protest in the summer. She took some videos when she was there and in her videos it is clear just how much distance and space there was between everybody. The photos that the local gutter rag published were taken at angles that suggested they were all crammed together. Mainly young crowd/BLM - you can imagine the comments when they were posted on the rag’s FB page

I was also about people on beaches here last year. I live opposite a popular beach, I could see it wasn’t “rammed”, I know the car park wasn’t full of holiday makers cars - because the council had closed it. Lots of photos were posted of these rammed beaches, but then someone posted a video they’d taken and again, plenty distance between people.

I’d love to get back to some outdoor events. My DD rides horses and is itching to get back to eventing and jumping comps. You’re somewhat naturally socially distanced while on a horse and the organisers managed the social distancing of helpers/spectators really well last summer

Agree. Though need to check any differences with the new variants.

Hopefully the annoying posts that appeared very regularly on here last summer moaning about beaches won't make a reappearance this year. "Look at this photo of a packed beach (usually taken with a wide angled lens to make it look much worse). What a bunch of covidiots flocking to the beach. Expect a spike in cases in two weeks."

I just hope that when they reopen golf courses/tennis courts, they also reopen farms and zoos.

It would be ridiculous if my dad was OK to play a round of golf with 3 other people from other households, yet I can't take my daughter for a visit to the local farm which has pre-booked appointment times and limited capacity alongside 150 acres of space to socially distance around...

To be fair they didn’t know that then and were taking precautions, which is understandable given the serious illness and death caused by this virus.
But I agree that now there should be lots of focus on outdoor socially distanced mixing for mental well-being, physical health, and the economy, and indoor mixing should be the last thing to happen.

It's not just people moaning about beaches. It's the people who think they will catch Covid if they walk past you, outdoors for a second. They throw themselves in bushes and huff and puff at you for just walking along the road.

A woman shouted at my children in the week for 'not social distancing' when crossing a bridge. According to her only one family is allowed on the bridge at any one time. This would be a bridge that is about 3.5 meters wide.

1000% agree with (nearly) everyone else. The risks of contracting covid outside are extremely low and the benefits from being outdoors are high.

Bring it on.

It's so sad that people feel they can not drive 15 minutes to walk with friends or family. Nothing prohibits that.

The police were stopping and fining people in my area only last week for driving for exercise.
The area was a popular walking area, but hardly a tourist destination. No-one would bother travelling more than a few miles.
The police were fining people who had travelled more than 5 miles.
That distance is not mentioned in any law.

Why are the police wasting their time enforcing a law that doesn't exist?
For an 'offence' that in no way impacts on virus transmission (or if it does, it is likely less than walking around a busy street or visiting the dentist).

If this is in England those fines won't stick if anyone appeals them. What a waste of police time. You would think lessons would have been learned after the meeting your friend with a takeaway coffee incident.

I meet people outdoors. Usually one on one as allowed for ‘exercise’ .. but we walk side by side & natter. Sometimes a couple of us. The risk is clearly extremely low. It’s daft, roll on spring when it’s more enjoyable to be outside though, first it was freezing, now it’s wet. Fabbb 😂

Is this the same Guardian that whined about the Cheltenham Festival last March?

I’m confused, Guardian, please tell me what to think.

I thought it was the pubs afterwards that were the issue at Cheltenham?

@MummyPop00

Is this the same Guardian that whined about the Cheltenham Festival last March?

I’m confused, Guardian, please tell me what to think.

There is a lot of densely packed indoor hospitality at Cheltenham. But beaches, walks etc are a totally different game.

@Sockwomble

If this is in England those fines won't stick if anyone appeals them. What a waste of police time. You would think lessons would have been learned after the meeting your friend with a takeaway coffee incident.

Yes it is England, in Scotland children’s outdoor groups can meet.

I wish people would specify.