I asked this earlier but don't think anyone had any thoughts:

Regarding the latest exercise guidance in England, can anyone explain....
If a household group are allowed out to exercise together or sit in the park etc, but have to keep 2 metres away from any other groups of people, how is that different from meeting more than one other person from another household, as you still have to keep 2 metres away from them?

Answers on a postcard please.

Originally Posted by: Rob K 

I don't quite get this argument, if only 5-10% of the population has been infected here vs say only 1% in Cyprus, I don't see how this makes a material difference with regard to a significant second wave. Also countries that rely on tourism would be fcked anyway as they depend on what is happening in origin countries. It would be be even worse for countries like Cyprus, Greece etc. to have a bad health outcome and then have no tourism at all as well. At least now they can try and have tourists from other 'safe' countries.

Originally Posted by: xioni2 

UK data

• Number of tests - 87,063


• People tested - 61,741


• Positive tests - 3,242


• All settings deaths - 494

Originally Posted by: Gavin D 

When the weather warms up again we will probably put the tent up in the garden and have a "camping weekend". The kids will enjoy it, and so will I to be honest.

(Of course it helps when you know there is a shower, cooker and well-stocked fridge just indoors... and a bed if you get desperate!)

Originally Posted by: Rob K 

I asked this earlier but don't think anyone had any thoughts:

Regarding the latest exercise guidance in England, can anyone explain....
If a household group are allowed out to exercise together or sit in the park etc, but have to keep 2 metres away from any other groups of people, how is that different from meeting more than one other person from another household, as you still have to keep 2 metres away from them?

Answers on a postcard please.

Originally Posted by: Rob K 

It's just so random. This is what strikes me the most about this virus; millions have had it with absolutely no symptoms, even more have just mild symptoms. Others seem to have been exposed to it repeatedly but not caught it. Yet a small minority - yes, most with underlying medical issues or are very old, but certainly not all - have the infection become really serious and either make them seriously ill or kills them.

The Russian roulette element is so scary.

Originally Posted by: Saint Snow 

The rules are, you can meet one other person from another household.  That’s you as a single person, not your household, so there are only two people.  Never more than two, unless you are all from the same household.  I suspect this helps young people to meet their best mate and helps those living alone to feel less isolated.   

It’s about stopping large groups gathering and having to draw the line somewhere, so the rest is down to common sense!  If hubby and I go out for a walk and happen to meet another couple we know, we’d stand and have a chat.  We’ll probably all bend the rules slightly but better bent than broken completely.  

Originally Posted by: Caz 

If positive tests translates into the same as new cases, that's the lowest figure since March 31st.

Originally Posted by: Phil G 

From the start, when I've done shopping for my parents (generally twice a week), I've taken it into their house and we've chatted - at +2m distance - for 15-30 mins. On occasion, the kids have accompanied me.

Most weeks, they've also visited our house once a week and parked up. My dad gets out of his car ad stands, my mum stays in sat down. We all maintain a safe distance and have a chat. The last 3 weeks, my dad has also come to collect our dog and take it back to theirs for a few hours.

Last Friday when they visited, I suggested they come through to the back garden and we all spent a good hour chatting - again, all at safe distance. My dad had a pint and my mum a cuppa. 

I know some of the above is, strictly speaking, against the 'rules' and it will nudge up the risk factor - although from nil to negligible. 

There has to be a balance between staying safe and trying to maintain some of the things in life that sustain you emotionally.

Originally Posted by: Saint Snow 

The virus has perhaps affected him more that he is letting on. His brain is clearly not as sharp as it was, and without the cheering mob of delinquents behind him, his clown act doesn't work. 

He doesn't do serious and he doesn't do detail. He never has. He is the last person you want in charge in a crisis

Originally Posted by: The Beast from the East 

Yes, I'm afraid I've also done that - I chat to the neighbours from a safe distance and of   course everyone comes out for a clap on Thursdays, which inevitably ends in little groups standing around at a safe distance having a "chin-wag". 

Personally, I don't see the problem as long as everyone abides by the 2M rule.

Originally Posted by: Bugglesgate 

I agree entirely. If anything can perhaps define "staying alert" then maybe this is it. By defining situations to closely they have caused confusion when really it's all "bleedin' obvious" if you apply some thoughtful logic.

Originally Posted by: fairweather 

I asked this earlier but don't think anyone had any thoughts:

Regarding the latest exercise guidance in England, can anyone explain....
If a household group are allowed out to exercise together or sit in the park etc, but have to keep 2 metres away from any other groups of people, how is that different from meeting more than one other person from another household, as you still have to keep 2 metres away from them?

Answers on a postcard please.

Originally Posted by: Rob K 

The rules are, you can meet one other person from another household.  That’s you as a single person, not your household, so there are only two people.  Never more than two, unless you are all from the same household.  I suspect this helps young people to meet their best mate and helps those living alone to feel less isolated.   

It’s about stopping large groups gathering and having to draw the line somewhere, so the rest is down to common sense!  If hubby and I go out for a walk and happen to meet another couple we know, we’d stand and have a chat.  We’ll probably all bend the rules slightly but better bent than broken completely.  

Originally Posted by: Caz 

If positive tests translates into the same as new cases, that's the lowest figure since March 31st.

Originally Posted by: Phil G 

Looks like shopping centres are going to re-open on Monday.

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/all-poundland-stores-set-to-reopen-227131/

As ever, I won't be going to them!

Originally Posted by: Retron 

The experts must think we've got corona virus under lock and key. Personally I'm amazed but obviously they are much better placed and have access to all of the data and models. 

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

But my point is, household groups are allowed to go to the park, provided they stay more than 2 metres apart. So what is to stop one family group sitting down and anther family group sitting 2 metres away from them? That would be allowed if they are not "socialising" but just happen to be there, but suddenly if they know each other they are breaking the rules, even if they stay 2 metres apart?

On the bank holiday Friday, like many people we had a distanced street party, where people sat in their front gardens or at the end of their driveways. We were close enough to chat to the neighbours even though we stayed on our own property or the pavement outside. As far as I know that wasn't breaking the rules, or was it if we happened to be on the pavement while talking to the neighbours, rather than on the driveway?

Originally Posted by: Rob K 

It is no different Rob.  You’re absolutely right.  There’s nothing to stop another family group sitting two metres away from your family group and your street party sounds like every other street party around the country.   As I said, if hubby and I meet another couple when walking, we chat.

It’s about being alert to what’s safe.  The wording could have been better but it means exactly the same.  I suppose we could challenge whether we broke the rules on a technicality but it would be petty and most people can use common sense.  Others need spoon feeding though and I think the rules have to be a little tighter than they need to be to allow for those. 

Originally Posted by: Caz 

Completed my self employed income support application this afternoon - quick and easy and getting more of less what I expected. Should be in my account in a few days. I can drink again 

Originally Posted by: Essan 

Exactly Caz, some people need to just work this out what it really means. It's about being as safe as we can in the circumstances. After this period with the 2m measure, its sort of engrained now wherever or whatever place you find yourself in. That 2m has become your space. Enter it and it feels uncomfortable, it feels wrong. For those where it doesn't either means they haven't been out, or applying.

Just waiting for the new advice to come out now which says it should be 3m, then we'll all be buggered!

Originally Posted by: Phil G