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Thoughts on Welsh govt advice on exercise. 1st, positive. Says "ppl should ... avoid exercising on paths or ... other places they are aware can be busy". Quite right. So @croesoeryri should reopen hills that are important 4 local ppl so they can spread out https://gov.wales/leaving-home-exercise-guidance#section-41069
"The form of exercise is not specified in the regulations" good. But "exercise does not include activities that involve a sig degree of risk for ex. swimming in lakes"
So we have govt/police trying to risk assess from afar? Ppl shld def rein it in, but I'm nervous abt this.
So we have govt/police trying to risk assess from afar? Ppl shld def rein it in, but I'm nervous abt this.
If this is just guidance to the public, maybe. But if this starts being used by Police to decide whether to fine people for taking a dip somewhere they've always swum? Not so good.
"reg 8 provides that it is only reasonable to leave home to exercise once a day". I'm no lawyer, but doesn't reg 8 mean it is reasonable to leave 1x/day. But since the list is non-exhaustive, it could also be reasonable to leave 2x, e.g. if that had no real risk of transmission?
My concern is we seem 2b in this for the long haul, so we need 2b inculcating responsibility in ppl, of weighing up risks (2 others), of adjusting behaviour to reduce risk at acceptable cost. Arbitrary rules r prob useful at start. But long run do ppl need to think 4 themselves?
There's some sensible stuff about ppl with mobility issues driving to exercise and also about cycling ("generally a low-risk activity"), including to work. Which is great
But "with emergency services under pressure, it is important to take steps to manage risk [when cycling] wherever possible". I agree BUT THE RISKS TO CYCLISTS COME FROM CARS! (99% of the time). It's drivers who need to manage the risks.
"Cycling should be local ... ltd to travelling no further than a reasonable walking distance from home." That just seems weird, tbh. What's the virus transmission mechanism that makes cycling on rural roads so dangerous?
So I know exercise isn't the most important thing right now. But to make this work long term we need to get into a mentality where everyone is assessing risks (incl to others) and costs/benefits. Some of this guidance is good in that respect, some is less so.
