Easing the lockdown

[Etienne]

My mum and my parents in law and their friends all seem to have decided that socialising in gardens is fine.

[diggedy derek]

SA, I think journalists have been naive and irreposponsible by using that language. "Past this peak" would be OK. "Past the peak" is absurd, as we know there could be another, indeed history shows us there have been others.

[sw2borshch]

And as is becoming increasingly obvious across England, peaks are different in different places. Hartlepool Borough Council announcing that they will be keeping their schools closed for the time being as the Hartlepool R0 number (have I expressed that correctly?) is roughly twice that of London.

[Moonlight Shadow]

My mum and my parents in law and their friends all seem to have decided that socialising in gardens is fine.

Neighbours have spent last 3 days in each other backyards and houses at time, whilst working on a fence rebuilding project, installing a hot tub and getting merry. Add to that burning the old fence(lovely fumes...) and bursting a pipe during their digging so they shut the water down for other houses including ours in order to repair it. They did not see fit to tell us,u so I phoned water company, they were not impressed...

Our neighbours are complete and utter twats as you might have gathered...

[hobbes]

Now we're allowed out for mental wellbeing rather than just exercise, what do we think of me taking to cub over Blackheath to fly kites?
It's inherently distanced as you can't get within 30 feet of another kite for fear of entanglement and it'll be excellent for out mental health as he's been banging in about it for weeks.
That doesn't seem like a bad thing, does it?

[ursus arctos]

Sounds like a grand idea to me, though the traffic may be enervating

[Jimski]

My opinion fwiw is that that's ok. Outdoor activities with distancing sound as if they're fairly safe, judging by evidence so far.

[sw2borshch]

It sounds fine, assuming the journey itself isn't, I dunno, risky. Which it probably isn't or you wouldn't be considering it, I guess.

[hobbes]

Nah, it's a 12 minute drive and we can park on the main road right by the kite flying area. We shouldn't get closer than 30 feet to anyone.

[sw2borshch]

Well, our dad has been driving similar distances to potter round his allotment and our back garden all this time, so you can always cite him as precedent.

[San Bernardhinault]

I think it sounds perfectly delightful. Keep masks in your pockets in case you need to interact with anyone. Don't worry about coming within 6 feet of someone in passing while you're outside - say walking into the park from your parking spot. Just don't get within 6 feet and stay with a stranger for an extended chat.

[Moonlight Shadow]

Go for it Hobbes, just back from a 36kms ride meself. Ended up riding past an explosive depot in a field next to East Lancs, lots of lightning rods...

[Moonlight Shadow]

You are allowed to go out for mental well-being reasons as well btw

[hobbes]

Ah this is lovely. It feels almost normal.
Lots of rather big households out though. Like the 8 shirtless guys definitely not observing social distancing or the 3 couples having a picnic...

[hobbes]

[Toby Gymshorts]

Lovely! Hope it went well - the Heath does tend to attract crowds, as you've noted. My daily walks tend to involve a lot of scowling at people to try and get them to allow proper distance.

[Eggchaser]

You are allowed to go out for mental well-being reasons as well btw

Right now if I went out I would never return to the house because I am mentally shot.

[Paul S]

Right now if I went out I would never return to the house because I am mentally shot.

I'm glad I'm not the only one with mental health problems like now.

[Gert from the Well]

Right now if I went out I would never return to the house because I am mentally shot.

If you want to chat about this then I here if you need it? I have mental health issues myself and have noticed a tendency to stress about insignificant issues. Instead of losing sleep over Covid-19 I found myself obsessing about non-payment over the jacket I'm selling on E-bay. So I'm sure this is affecting us all in different ways. I've found walks and reading a great help. I'm currently re-reading War and Peace as a way of moving my mind away from the despairs of the present.

Same reply for Paul S as well

[marsupialman]

Earlier in the week my neighbours responded to cries for help in the middle of the night from the park we live next to. They found a young man hanging from a tree by his leg. He was very drunk. When they got him down, he said that he was a tree surgeon who had been laid off and was feeling upset. They weren't sue if he was seeking solace, drunken distraction or attempting to take his own life.

My wife is on call at the hospital this weekend and last night she had to go in to treat two separate patients who had both swallowed household objects. This type of thing happens every now and again, but two in one night is definitely a first.

I think a lot of people are finding it increasingly hard to cope.

[ale]

Surely its only safe to return to work when the elected Conservative MPs go back to work. This has to be a lead by example directive.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Look after yourselves Paul S and Eggchaser, we're always here if you need anything, not sure what I can offer but will try.

I think most of us are struggling and stressed, it's just to what extent.

Look after yourselves fellow OTFers.

[Kowalski]

Look after yourselves Paul S and Eggchaser, we're always here if you need anything, not sure what I can offer but will try.

I think most of us are struggling and stressed, it's just to what extent.

Look after yourselves fellow OTFers.

Exactly, well put.
.

[Capybara]

Look after yourselves Paul S and Eggchaser, we're always here if you need anything, not sure what I can offer but will try.

I think most of us are struggling and stressed, it's just to what extent.

Look after yourselves fellow OTFers.

Agreed.

[Eggchaser]

Thanks everyone. I managed to get out this morning to run a couple of errands as I have a day off work. Decompressed a bit just being away from it all. Taking the kids on a scavenger hunt round the local lake and fields this afternoon so hopefully that will help as well.


Edit: Also resolved to stay off the Planet Rugby message board for a bit because the utter cuntitude of some of the posters on there is disheartening beyond belief when it comes to their political compasses.