My daughter in law goes for one run every day, with the dog on it’s lead. She told me that she was surprised just how seriously people that are outside are applying social distancing rules (often well in excess of the 2 metre rule).
I watched a news report yesterday where people in a London park were being moved on by the police for sitting on the grass and benches. They were all without exception keeping 7 or 8 metres between each other and there were no groups of more than three people (who were also well spaced).
If going out for exercise is allowed because it is considered therapeutic for both physical and mental health, and people are sticking to the ‘distancing’ rule, then the police have to use common sense in overseeing the situation. If the rule is being abused by people then the government will soon require people to not leave their homes even for one period of exercise per day, but does current nationwide evidence support that decision?
As I’ve said before, I’ve tried to put myself into the mind frame of someone who lives in a flat or apartment without any outside space, and tried to imagine how I’d feel confined within four walls in a total lockdown situation. I’m self isolating for the foreseeable future and I haven’t been out once since this advice was given to over 70’s with underlying health issues, but I am able to go out into my back garden for a little bit of (painful!) exercise, and also sit on a patio chair in the sunshine with a refreshing hot drink. It keeps me sane on a daily basis. It must be horrible if you don’t have the opportunity to go outside.
Unfortunately a minority of selfish people will probably continue to flout the ‘one piece of exercise per day rule’ and treat the pandemic restrictions as an opportunity for an extended holiday, which is a real shame for those who genuinely need to get outside and exercise once a day for the sake of their physical and mental wellbeing.
This is just my own personal view folks based on what I’ve seen and heard recently and I could well be wrong, so please let’s not fall out over it, lol.