Gyms, family

Gyms should be opened as soon as possible. People could have their tempreature checked prior to opening, could only be open to those of lower risk, eg, under 70s, have frequent cleaning, require people to wear face masks and gloves, with frequent hand washing. People should be allowed to visit their family; there should not be a limit on the number of family members avaliable. Limiting it could disproprtionately impact those in t he south asian and african communities who have extended families. Private family gatherings, providing they are fewer than 20 people for instance, should be permitted.

Why the contribution is important

Gyms are important for mental health, which is suffering greatly in this pandemic. They help improve people's self confidence and give them something to aspire to. Not only this, they obviously improve physical health ,particuarly in reducing obesity, a factor which makes people more likely to die of COVID-19. Furthermore families also improve mental health.

by qwertyK on May 09, 2020 at 10:55AM

Current Rating

Average rating: 2.1
Based on: 9 votes

Comments

  • Posted by Iona May 09, 2020 at 11:04

    I think if they maintained outdoor areas then exercise would be much safer out in the open air. I don't think they can extend the restrictions to allow for more visitors until they know how the limit of just adding 1 or 2 family members work. It is so frustrating, my family are on Skye so even when they allow extra visiting within certain areas...I still will not be able to or would choose to travel and put more rural areas at risk. Little stepping stones will give more ideas to how it impacts the spread of this disease as ultimately it is likely we all could get it but just can't all get it at the same time or else there will be no healthcare system to assist in a manageable way.

  • Posted by Johnjul May 09, 2020 at 11:06

    Gyms are not vital for mental health. Outdoor exercise is. If gyms were opened then why not bowling alleys, cinemas, arcades, soft play etc places which make people happy on a rainy day.

  • Posted by qwertyK May 09, 2020 at 11:13

    Only outdoor exercise is walking and running; people with financial constraints as myself cannot be buying weights for £200+. I understand there are risks associated with gyms, but given that the demographic of gyms is generally younger anyway, the risk of serious illness remains low. Strength building builds up the immune system.

  • Posted by qwertyK May 09, 2020 at 11:15

    Also, Italy is allowing people to visit any family or loved ones such as partners. Let's see how it goes there. Realistically, how will limiting the number of people can visit be enforced?

  • Posted by SteveR57 May 09, 2020 at 11:43

    The two topics are quite distinct. Gyms should remain closed for a while. They are fairly intimate contact places where increases in heart rate and breathing rates are the norm. There is little chance that these could be kept sufficiently socially distanced and safe to allow reopening. On family I think that a smalll relaxation and interactions should be allowed. People care about their families, children and grandchildren and will take much less risks than with strangers. If people feel unwell then they will avoid contact. Asymptomatic individuals are a problem to be considered, of course

  • Posted by Shannonxo May 09, 2020 at 11:58

    I don't know if I agree with the gym side of things. Yes, excercise is vital for maintaining mental health but I think it would make more sense for this to be outdoor based at first as being in a confined space would probably promote bacteria growth and increase the spread again. However, I do think we should be allowed to socialize with our families again.

  • Posted by Callendar May 09, 2020 at 12:05

    Agree to gyms but if everyone was allowed access to the test we could have qr codes that get scanned with our status of infection. Not everyone who has had the virus has a temp. I think relying on that alone will increase risk of carrying virus about.

  • Posted by Feeonah May 09, 2020 at 14:58

    I think gyms should be opened for key workers initially. Limitations could be in place however using the gym would help to reduce stress, etc. Key workers should need to provide proof of their key worker status. Time limitations could also be put in place providing a max time limit to allow others in. Non key workers could continue to exercise outdoors or if in gym, outwith peak times based on actual key workers usage.

  • Posted by daz7067 May 09, 2020 at 15:22

    Gyms should ben opened immediately. I have trained for years as it benefits my mental health - I am mentally now in a very bad place as cannot go to the gym. I am isolated on my own at home and have no family so feel very lonely. My gym was successfully socially distancing before the lockdown so should be able to open
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