Why am I at risk doing outside exercise? - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

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Why am I at risk doing outside exercise?

Photographymad profile image
6 Replies

As a "at risk" person, why can't I go out for exercise in quiet areas of where I live? I have been doing so during the week when the streets are quietest and have gone to several of the many local parks. I've avoided near contact with other people, even walking in the road and across open grass areas to avoid joggers and walkers. I've also avoided making contact with any surface and meticulously wash my hands on returning home. Prior to corvid-19 I went to the gym four times a week for an hour plus each time. I'm generally very active.

Grateful for any advice.

Many thanks

Bernie

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Photographymad
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6 Replies
SpiritoftheFloyd profile image
SpiritoftheFloyd

Please see the advice from the NHS, if you've had a letter from the NHS saying you're extremely vulnerable then the 1st link applies, otherwise under Social Distancing, you can still go out for a walk but need to keep at least 2 metres away from other people.

List of conditions for extremely vulnerable who should be shielded and self isolate for 12 weeks

gov.uk/government/publicati...

Social Distancing

gov.uk/government/publicati...

Photographymad profile image
Photographymad in reply toSpiritoftheFloyd

Thank you. I have seen advice elsewhere, exercise, even if you are a high risk person, is beneficial and acceptable providing you stay clear of others. I live in a part of London where there are lots of parks and open spaces. I have found that there are very few people walking the backstreets and the parks I'm choosing are less popular. My last expedition was 8.71 km for just over 2 hours and I saw maybe a dozen people and then kept more than 2 metres distance by walking in the road; traffic is almost non-existent so it's reasonably safe to do so.

I can't see how I'm likely to contract Corvid-19 in open spaces, away from others. It is air born in water droplets expelled by carriers but surely only for a fairly short distance, hence the 2 metres.

Thank you again for your links. I must, perhaps, reconsider my situation and that of my wife.

NorthantsSteve profile image
NorthantsSteve

Hi. As I understand things if you’re not in the super vulnerable group and in the ‘high risk of complications’ group then you can go out as long as you carry out the precautions you mention. The government has said this can only be once a day because each time you go out there is added risk. They’ve additionally said it should be near to your home and only for up to an hour. If everyone went out multiple times a day then it would be impossible to socially distance and people like you and me would suffer the most.

S11m profile image
S11m

The virus can stay viable in the air for hours, so, I think, you might be at risk anywhere in London.

I am fortunate that I live on the edge of a small town.

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star in reply toS11m

London is empty we're all at home except essential workers.

Stay safe and stay well keep washing your hands and keep your distance 😊

Photographymad profile image
Photographymad in reply toMilkfairy

Thank you for your comment.

I did venture out today as it was cold and uninviting and so thought there would be fewer people about and I was correct. Very few in the back streets, maybe less than ten people and all at a distance. Walked through two large parks and again, very few people; just a couple of joggers, a biker and a handful of walkers, all at a distance. Those that came close maintained more than the prescribed two metres which was easily achieved.

Someone commented that the virus can stay viable in the air for hours. I don't believe that is correct. It is believed to be carried in water droplets which would both disperse and evaporate. It is suspected, as with other virus, to remain viable on hard surfaces for maybe days, on cardboard for maybe just hours. However, Ultraviolet C, which is abundant in the outside environment, kills virus.

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