COVID - general discussion - Temp Locked

That suggestion that a take away coffee constituted a picnic is symptomatic of the entire farce surrounding the laxness of the current rules.  

So, I could drive to our local canal and sit angling for 4 or 5 hours, presumably taking a flask and some sarnies with me and that's OK - that qualifies as exercise. But if I drive to a nearby village and take the dogs for a long walk, stop half way round for a coffee and a bite of lunch by the village pond - how would that be viewed?  

Still quite a few folks thinking it’s ok to travel to Devon & Cornwall for their exercise. Police called to 250 breaches this weekend accounting for 1/3 of their workload - most incidents relating to second homes. Police numbers heavily depleted due to CV and related issues, so could be doing much better things with their time.

Especially when neighbouring Nottingham says they won't take the same approach as Derbyshire?

I also fully agree with your last paragraph, we have 'policing by consensus' here and as you say I am, and most people are, happy to help and support them.

They more they do of this taking the law into their hands or interpreting the law and silly remarks about a picnic the less that support will be. 

Most folks are using common sense, or attempting to stay within the spirit of doing the right thing. Like many others, we live very close to a County Border, and can easily stroll out of it. Back when case rates were low, we did the odd drive out, picnic in car, walk where we hardly saw a soul, and if we did, it was in the distance. We have Parks and green spaces around us, but far too busy at moment, so we drive to Woods a couple of miles away, linking it with a shop for milk or fresh veg. We don’t see a soul up there, feel a lot safer.

We aren’t even out on our bikes at moment, have deemed this too high a risk, so sorted out up in attic on rollers. Traffic is far heavier this lockdown as well. We will review the situation in a few weeks time, hoping cases come down enough. I fear our rates will rise further here first though. I can’t help thinking that the country is paying for too lenient a Christmas now sadly. At least it wasn’t as lenient as it could have been.

"Still quite a few folks thinking it’s ok to travel to Devon & Cornwall for their exercise."

Not guilty, Bill! In fact we've been in almost constant touch with our neighbours since we came home on December 10th and they've ensured our van is closed down for the February park closure and we don't anticipate being down again before the middle of March at the very earliest!  👍

Initially the Derbyshire police issued a statement to say that the police officers were wrong. I don't know why there should be further discussions amongst the 'leaders' since as far as I was aware driving to exercise is/was allowed in England. As for the ridiculous 'a coffee is a picnic' would they have said 'sorry ladies I see you are carrying small bottled waters and that is not allowed'. 

I found many years ago that if I made a bad decision it was far easier to admit to a bad judgement and that those that did maintained far more credence. 

I can’t help thinking that the country is paying for too lenient a Christmas now sadly."

and who was it told us this would happen if we were not good boys and girls,.....that stalwart of a professor who once again performed admirably on Breakfast tv this  morning, and when asked if the rules on movement should be tightened replied "that is a political decision and i am here to answer medical questions", but went on to say that if we did not abide by the existing rules, and some people were not, then things would only get worse until such time as the vaccine was rolled out to a large percentage of the populations, and it should not be about distance from home, LA etc, it should be about keeping safe, keeping distance and staying at home when ever possible .

It is undoubtedly difficult for the police, as evidenced by the idiots in Dorset yesterday! 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-55609185

Hi Bill, I am aware that in my village there appear to be people staying in properties that are not their main home.

I saw the report re the "250 breaches". The report also said that 50% of the breaches were to investigate reports of people staying in 'holiday homes' so maybe people are getting fed up with others taking the proverbial.

However, it was attributed to one tweet from a D&C Police control room staff member and having seen not other coverage will presume that if the media are so lazy and sensationalism seeking that they need to quote tweets as if there news or fact, I need to take it with a pinch of salt.

I can’t help thinking that the country is paying for too lenient a Christmas now sadly."

No kidding? Yes Ruffs it was pure stupidity. Our leaders knew damn well it was a wrong decision but did not have the nerve to change it.