O/T Prince Charles Tests Positive

[ramAnag]

S

RA it seems that at the moment 50% of those that go into critical care are surviving and they are mostly over 70, there is anecdotal evidence that quite a few fit people in their 70's and over are just having mild symptoms and why would you not expect Charles who after all has had very good medical on hand all his life and is in good health not to be OK?

The Police question is interesting, in that examples have been given where they have acted beyond the legislation and government advice - so for instance a force attempted to stop a corner shop selling easter eggs on the basis they werent essential - no such advice or instruction has been given by the government. Nor has the government said people cannot drive to somehwere for their exercise and neither does the legislation prohibit this, Derbyshire Police seem to be very heavy handed. Some Police forces have issued a lot of summons, 100's in one case, Bedfordshire Police have issued none, West Yorkshire are having road blocks and issuing tickets, The Met aren't.

So we have inconsistency of approach and some forces who seem to enjoy their ability to be jobsworths - after all its easier to do this than hard police work isn't it? We police by consent in this country and having seen how some other police forces around the world police I'm glad we do, so yes it is a concern, there needs to be proportionality applied and the Police need to work with the public and tackle flagrant abuses - parties large gatherings rather than people who are observing social distancing but not in a manner interpreted by an specific police force.

We don't actually need to stay indoors, we need to avoid contact with others who are not of the same household, its not the same thing!

I wouldn’t expect him not to be okay...it was just a simple point that I found it reassuring that a 71 year old appeared to have recovered so quickly. The whole pensioner/over 70 thing appears a bit random to me anyway. I know people aged between 60-75 who appear to have been on their last legs for years while others, hopefully including myself, are fitter than some in their 40’s.

Yes, I agree that the police need to work with the public but it is a difficult task they’ve been given. Going for a drive to a normally relatively deserted location and then going for a walk seems utterly harmless, indeed I can see the High Peak Trail in the distance from my garden and my ‘walking buddy’ has suggested that we meet up there and go for a walk. Seems harmless enough doesn’t it? But if we can do it, so can anyone else at which point it defeats the whole object.

Doubtless there have been some ‘jobsworths’ who, now there are no speeding cars to deal with, will be heavy handed but, imo, we need the police to enforce the rules about staying in/social distancing and the reaction to the police stopping the middle aged and middle class in a way they’re totally unfamiliar with has been a little hysterical.

The Peak District...where most of the criticism stems from...is a difficult one. It acts as the ‘rural lungs’ for so many urban areas...Derby, Manchester, Stoke, Sheffield and Nottingham...in particular. Last weekend was bitterly cold so there would have been fewer visitors anyway but with Easter and the, hopefully, warmer weather approaching there could be a real problem and the message needs to get through now.

[Geoff Parkstone]

S

I wouldn’t expect him not to be okay...it was just a simple point that I found it reassuring that a 71 year old appeared to have recovered so quickly. The whole pensioner/over 70 thing appears a bit random to me anyway. I know people aged between 60-75 who appear to have been on their last legs for years while others, hopefully including myself, are fitter than some in their 40’s.

Yes, I agree that the police need to work with the public but it is a difficult task they’ve been given. Going for a drive to a normally relatively deserted location and then going for a walk seems utterly harmless, indeed I can see the High Peak Trail in the distance from my garden and my ‘walking buddy’ has suggested that we meet up there and go for a walk. Seems harmless enough doesn’t it? But if we can do it, so can anyone else at which point it defeats the whole object.

Doubtless there have been some ‘jobsworths’ who, now there are no speeding cars to deal with, will be heavy handed but, imo, we need the police to enforce the rules about staying in/social distancing and the reaction to the police stopping the middle aged and middle class in a way they’re totally unfamiliar with has been a little hysterical.

The Peak District...where most of the criticism stems from...is a difficult one. It acts as the ‘rural lungs’ for so many urban areas...Derby, Manchester, Stoke, Sheffield and Nottingham...in particular. Last weekend was bitterly cold so there would have been fewer visitors anyway but with Easter and the, hopefully, warmer weather approaching there could be a real problem and the message needs to get through now.

Rural lungs of those places I agree, but not Ipswich!

[swaledale]

S

I wouldn’t expect him not to be okay...it was just a simple point that I found it reassuring that a 71 year old appeared to have recovered so quickly. The whole pensioner/over 70 thing appears a bit random to me anyway. I know people aged between 60-75 who appear to have been on their last legs for years while others, hopefully including myself, are fitter than some in their 40’s.

Yes, I agree that the police need to work with the public but it is a difficult task they’ve been given. Going for a drive to a normally relatively deserted location and then going for a walk seems utterly harmless, indeed I can see the High Peak Trail in the distance from my garden and my ‘walking buddy’ has suggested that we meet up there and go for a walk. Seems harmless enough doesn’t it? But if we can do it, so can anyone else at which point it defeats the whole object.

Doubtless there have been some ‘jobsworths’ who, now there are no speeding cars to deal with, will be heavy handed but, imo, we need the police to enforce the rules about staying in/social distancing and the reaction to the police stopping the middle aged and middle class in a way they’re totally unfamiliar with has been a little hysterical.

The Peak District...where most of the criticism stems from...is a difficult one. It acts as the ‘rural lungs’ for so many urban areas...Derby, Manchester, Stoke, Sheffield and Nottingham...in particular. Last weekend was bitterly cold so there would have been fewer visitors anyway but with Easter and the, hopefully, warmer weather approaching there could be a real problem and the message needs to get through now.

RA you can walk to the High peak trail? Yes you can go and yes your supposed to get out and exercise, however meeting up with your walking buddy would be a no no! The guidance does say only people from the same household can be together.

Ah but e whole Police thing is not middle class hysteria, its a recognition that actually we are not a Police state and the Police need to stay within the legislation and guidance. Even senior Police Chiefs have been saying that some of the actions of certain forces have been over the top!

One only has to look at how the Hungarian president has taken executive powers with no check to understand that its a slippery slope little freedoms get eroded and before you know it your in a police state where you do what your told for your own good! Its not that they have a difficult job, its that give some Brit a uniform and power and they love exercising it and not generally in a good way.

The irony of Brexit and not taking rules was that the UK was a proposer of many of the rules that became directives and then one of the most enthusiastic in enforcing them in a way other EU countries never did.

For me the governments communication has been appalling, confused and not concise enough and not on all the channels that people use.

[MadAmster]

1. The irony of Brexit and not taking rules was that the UK was a proposer of many of the rules that became directives and then one of the most enthusiastic in enforcing them in a way other EU countries never did.

2. For me the governments communication has been appalling, confused and not concise enough and not on all the channels that people use.

1. This has always been one of the reasons I don't like the EU. The UK follows the rules that are there and opts out of those they don't like. The rest simply agree to everything and then continue to do what the hell they like.

2. Totally agree. Too little too late. His bumbling mumbling about still shaking hands in a hospital typifies his ineptitude.

[ramAnag]

RA you can walk to the High peak trail? Yes you can go and yes your supposed to get out and exercise, however meeting up with your walking buddy would be a no no! The guidance does say only people from the same household can be together.

Ah but e whole Police thing is not middle class hysteria, its a recognition that actually we are not a Police state and the Police need to stay within the legislation and guidance. Even senior Police Chiefs have been saying that some of the actions of certain forces have been over the top!

One only has to look at how the Hungarian president has taken executive powers with no check to understand that its a slippery slope little freedoms get eroded and before you know it your in a police state where you do what your told for your own good! Its not that they have a difficult job, its that give some Brit a uniform and power and they love exercising it and not generally in a good way.

The irony of Brexit and not taking rules was that the UK was a proposer of many of the rules that became directives and then one of the most enthusiastic in enforcing them in a way other EU countries never did.

For me the governments communication has been appalling, confused and not concise enough and not on all the channels that people use.

Yes...Swale...I can see the High Peak Trail from my house and garden and I understand that I’m allowed to walk to it but not with someone from another household.

This though is where common sense, individual situation and government guidelines/instructions are in conflict.

I would have to walk for two and a bit miles - about twenty five minutes - to get to it and obviously the same back which would use up most of my allotted hour - if indeed there is such a thing. I would also have to walk through the whole of the next, more populated, village to do so which kind of defeats the object of taking part in a relatively isolated activity.

Far better then to drive to the trail, about five minutes, and have the majority of my hour on the trail, but then I run the risk of being demonised on the national news, which isn’t a particular concern, or setting a bad example whereby the car parks rapidly fill up as people follow the example and we’re back to the situation of the weekend before last when parts of the Peak District looked like an August bank holiday.

Such are the minor quandaries and conflicts we have to deal with these days and I completely agree with your final sentence and MA’s too about ‘bumbling, mumbling’ Government advice.

Unfortunately this, imo, is exactly why the police have the problem they have. In any normal situation I’d be the first up alongside you embracing the spirit of the great Kinder trespass, but this is not a normal situation and Lord Sumption - who seems to me to be a latter day Lord Longford (full of ill thought through good intention) - has only made the situation more difficult.

P.S. Never seen so many smug looking dog walkers...or knackered looking dogs. Sure they’re being rented out. Bottom seems to have fallen out of the ‘dogging’ practice though...if you’ll excuse the expression.

[swaledale]

Yes...Swale...I can see the High Peak Trail from my house and garden and I understand that I’m allowed to walk to it but not with someone from another household.

This though is where common sense, individual situation and government guidelines/instructions are in conflict.

I would have to walk for two and a bit miles - about twenty five minutes - to get to it and obviously the same back which would use up most of my allotted hour - if indeed there is such a thing. I would also have to walk through the whole of the next, more populated, village to do so which kind of defeats the object of taking part in a relatively isolated activity.

Far better then to drive to the trail, about five minutes, and have the majority of my hour on the trail, but then I run the risk of being demonised on the national news, which isn’t a particular concern, or setting a bad example whereby the car parks rapidly fill up as people follow the example and we’re back to the situation of the weekend before last when parts of the Peak District looked like an August bank holiday.

Such are the minor quandaries and conflicts we have to deal with these days and I completely agree with your final sentence and MA’s too about ‘bumbling, mumbling’ Government advice.

Unfortunately this, imo, is exactly why the police have the problem they have. In any normal situation I’d be the first up alongside you embracing the spirit of the great Kinder trespass, but this is not a normal situation and Lord Sumption - who seems to me to be a latter day Lord Longford (full of ill thought through good intention) - has only made the situation more difficult.

P.S. Never seen so many smug looking dog walkers...or knackered looking dogs. Sure they’re being rented out. Bottom seems to have fallen out of the ‘dogging’ practice though...if you’ll excuse the expression.

RA whats this allotted hour? It isn't a rule, I go out and walk around 8 miles hardly see another sole, takes about 2.5 hours and if I feel like it I pop out for another hour in the evening, keeping clear of people isn't an issue. As long as you apply common sense, I wouldn't drive somewhere, but again if people do an use their common then not an issue.

But then we have become a nation whereby we are incapable of thinking for ourselves. Cannot see this lock down being maintained for 3 months myself, its both social and economic suicide.

[ramAnag]

RA whats this allotted hour? It isn't a rule, I go out and walk around 8 miles hardly see another sole, takes about 2.5 hours and if I feel like it I pop out for another hour in the evening, keeping clear of people isn't an issue. As long as you apply common sense, I wouldn't drive somewhere, but again if people do an use their common then not an issue.

But then we have become a nation whereby we are incapable of thinking for ourselves. Cannot see this lock down being maintained for 3 months myself, its both social and economic suicide.

I am thinking for myself...that’s the whole point...possibly over thinking I accept...and I also completely accept your point about social and economic suicide but if the medics are right it’s what we have to do.

As for the ‘one hour rule’...that too represents the muddled thinking that’s going on and the inadequate directives that are being given out. There has certainly been talk of being allowed out for one hour a day, but yet again it’s been shockingly unclear.

Now I’m not actually very good at all at upholding stupid and unnecessary rules and laws but, in this instance I don’t know how important the social distancing rules are and I have to trust those who do...the medics not the politicians.

Common sense is a wonderful thing but actually not that common.

As a matter of interest...why wouldn’t you drive anywhere? Like me there may not be the necessity to be able to travel somewhere to walk somewhere pleasant, but beyond that what harm can you, sitting alone or with a member of your household in your car, possibly do?

[Geoff Parkstone]

RA whats this allotted hour? It isn't a rule, I go out and walk around 8 miles hardly see another sole, takes about 2.5 hours and if I feel like it I pop out for another hour in the evening, keeping clear of people isn't an issue.

I imagine that people used to socially distance themselves from you even before the COVID lockdown anyway.

Also, unless you are walking along the English Channel, near Dover, you are hardly likely to see another "sole"