Isolation - going for a walk

[OrangeSunset]

Myself and a few other members of my family tested positive over the past week. It was pretty horrid but feeling on the mend now.

In terms of the rest of isolation, I’m interested in views on whether it would be ok to go for a walk. Context is, we live in a village where we can walk out the door, down the road and over the fields. We may encounter one or two other people, but it would be easy to cross the road/move to another path etc.

Obviously we are sticking to the rules - no visitors, not left the house for shops/work or anything else involving others. But, I feel it’s important for us as we recover to get some gentle exercise and fresh air, especially now the clocks have changed. I can feel the rot setting in, mentally and physically, from sitting around inside all day.

However, the rules on the NHS self isolate page say do not go out to exercise.

Given our circumstances, I’m interested in how many people would take a view that it’s logically no risk to others to take a walk.

This isn't actually a choice. If you go out and get caught (by the test and trace phone tracking thing or by a spot check) you'll get a £10,000 fine.

If you're so wealthy you can sink that, feel free

If & when I get it I'll look out for some kind of enforcement officer hiding behind a tree.
The spreading is due to crowded places , schools & indoor socialising, not someone with Covid walking through an empty field.

And I'd bet they wouldn't fine someone £10000 for walking through the countryside. Is there a documented case?

@YukoandHiro

This isn't actually a choice. If you go out and get caught (by the test and trace phone tracking thing or by a spot check) you'll get a £10,000 fine.

If you're so wealthy you can sink that, feel free

Not if you don't have the ridiculous phone app and haven't done a PCR test. Most people are only traceable then.

We live quite rurally. Very easy to step out of the house and be in farm fields within minutes, barely seeing a soul.

Yes, I absolutely would head out for a walk if I wanted to and felt up to it.

Also, track and trace are a pain. So many phone calls when I was feeling absolutely awful and just couldn't talk to them.

No, you shouldn't

It puts you off getting a PCR really. I did it because of the statistics but knew I had Covid and just opened myself up to a relentless barrage of calls when I felt ill.

I was responsible in my walks and didn’t put anyone at risk

You need a bell.

My Dd had Covid the other week. I let her go take the dog out in the very quiet forest near us... She would have been able to stay well apart from anyone so I couldn't see the problem.

I don't get why some people seem to like following rules for rules' sake when,
firstly, the scenario involves no risk of harm and, secondly, there's no chance of getting caught.

I think one of the main reasons is that as a pp said, if you were to have an accident, then you will put other people at risk or even if you come across an incident I suppose.

Accidents happen at home too...

* I think one of the main reasons is that as a pp said, if you were to have an accident, then you will put other people at risk or even if you come across an incident I suppose.**

So no one should go swimming in case means lifeguard or fellow swimmer suffers
No one should light a candle in case fire and then put fireman or other occupants and neighbours at risk
No one should drive a car in case they knock over someone
No one should… well ever leave their home (or cook, use any electrics etc)

Just. In. Case

I thought for a minute I'd turned up in March 2020!

Me too @Pootle40. I got harangued in March 2020 for going for a walk too (pre lockdown)

Some of the responses on here are NUTS! Ironic as I'm watching The Handmaids Tale.......

No you dont go for a walk with an active covid case.

What the heck is wrong with people?

If we get restrictions this winter, will you be wondering why?

Are you the kind of person that would tell someone living in a flat in london to not go out as they can’t avoid people and then go for a walk yourself ? That person on a flat can’t leave as they would leave virus through the shared corridors and passing people on the street.
You know how far smokers smoke goes in the food that you step away from and hangs in the air? Ditto covid.
Isolation is there for a reason, to keep schools open etc. Sit in your garden for a few days and then crack on.

I don't think it's unreasonable to ask
Everything is a bit shit at the minute - there are people not isolating, refusing the vaccine, wont test, won't wear a mask even in a hospital and then are complaining when things like appointments get cancelled 🤷🏽‍♀️

I've been dealing with work complaints because staff are all off due to covid/self isolating/unwell that it's not acceptable customer service but these are the same people that won't distance, wear a mask or do any tests. You can kind of see that they're linked!

I think be sensible. I know I could walk out my door and up and down the road for a leg stretch without touching anything or seeing anyone but I wouldn't go out the front door as it's a shared space

@Pootle40

I thought for a minute I'd turned up in March 2020!

Big difference between someone actually positive and infectious and asymptomatic people getting exercise.

Aren't asymptomatic people infectious too? You can't infect if there is nothing too infect. Weird

Ooh the signal went out 🤣

It's 10 days, you know you have Covid and you know that you could pass it on.
Use your garden for fresh air. (Though I suspect we're going to hear about all the rural houses that have no gardens now)

Notice how its the ones who want Covid Over Now(!) who are the ones who would happily continue the spread.

@Pootle40

Aren't asymptomatic people infectious too? You can't infect if there is nothing too infect. Weird

The OP has a confirmed covid infection. What you are talking about?

Notice how its the ones who want Covid Over Now(!) who are the ones who would happily continue the spread.
Not true here. I have a family member who will probably die if they get it, unless we can get antivirals quickly. However, as I said in March 2020 people need to use their common sense.

@OrangeSunset

Myself and a few other members of my family tested positive over the past week. It was pretty horrid but feeling on the mend now.

In terms of the rest of isolation, I’m interested in views on whether it would be ok to go for a walk. Context is, we live in a village where we can walk out the door, down the road and over the fields. We may encounter one or two other people, but it would be easy to cross the road/move to another path etc.

Obviously we are sticking to the rules - no visitors, not left the house for shops/work or anything else involving others. But, I feel it’s important for us as we recover to get some gentle exercise and fresh air, especially now the clocks have changed. I can feel the rot setting in, mentally and physically, from sitting around inside all day.

However, the rules on the NHS self isolate page say do not go out to exercise.

Given our circumstances, I’m interested in how many people would take a view that it’s logically no risk to others to take a walk.

For all those saying 'I live in the countryside and I would go out for a walk', how would you feel if someone from a town or a city drove themselves (not stopping anywhere on the way) to the countryside to go for a walk? They could cross the road/path exactly the same as you? Also, what if you have an accident while out walking and can't walk home? You're then putting emergency services at unnecessary risk. I think, unfortunately, its quite a selfish attitude

@OrangeSunset why even ask here? just do as you feel is best for your and your loved ones' mental and physical health. Your surroundings (rural, access to open fields, isolated) make it an ideal location for keeping yourselves mentally intact and others safe. Hope you have a lovely walk.

I think one of the main reasons is that as a pp said, if you were to have an accident, then you will put other people at risk

You're statistically more likely to have an accident requiring medical help in your own home.

I absolutely would OP.