Socially Distant Sports/Activities
Allow people to start playing sports or carrying out activities where social distancing is part of that sport or activity, examples such as;
wild swimming, surfing, hill walking/climbing, golf, tennis (potentially with gloves?), cricket, athletics.
wild swimming, surfing, hill walking/climbing, golf, tennis (potentially with gloves?), cricket, athletics.
Why the contribution is important
Open facilities that can support these activities allowing a section of the economy to get going with social distancing considerations. Carrying out chosen activities will have a major impact on mental health.
by rmackay14 on May 05, 2020 at 02:18PM
Posted by doccy May 05, 2020 at 14:23
Someone needs to realise that the amount of NHS resources taken up dealing with hill walking for example is miniscule in the grand scheme of things.
As long as social distancing and cleaning are in place at fuel pumps / shops - minimal travel for these activities needs to be reopened ASAP.
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Posted by Sue24 May 05, 2020 at 14:24
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Posted by Alasdrum May 05, 2020 at 14:25
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Posted by Jomccolgan May 05, 2020 at 14:28
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Posted by GMac01 May 05, 2020 at 14:35
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Posted by Barbaram May 05, 2020 at 14:36
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Posted by Kerryek05 May 05, 2020 at 14:40
Benefit to mental health /wellbeing
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Posted by Thomas54 May 05, 2020 at 14:54
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Posted by Moonstone88 May 05, 2020 at 15:38
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Posted by Markxd May 05, 2020 at 15:43
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Posted by SconeBurns May 05, 2020 at 16:27
I think in all cases regarding what are considered 'extreme' sports people should perhaps be asked to partake in their sport at levels which are well within their ability and to not 'push the risk' for the sake of substantially reducing the danger to rescue services while the virus transmission risk is high?
Windsurfing should be allowed too! It is very much an individual sport.
Canoeing should also be allowed in the context of a competent individual partaking either on their own or in a socially distanced or family group, the latter being very achievable on sheltered lochs, properly risk assessed.
I do not believe that exercising should be restricted to a local area provided controls are put in place re parking hotspots and people are responsible re social distancing. It has already been stated widely that virus transmission outdoors is vanishingly small compared to indoors and if people follow the precautions they are being asked to take now, I do not see that the risk would be substantially increased re virus transmission.
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Posted by Rachel_T1502 May 05, 2020 at 16:31
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Posted by Stuart1964 May 05, 2020 at 16:46
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Posted by ljk84 May 05, 2020 at 16:59
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Posted by GordonI102 May 05, 2020 at 17:04
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Posted by Benjydawg May 05, 2020 at 17:30
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Posted by costap May 05, 2020 at 17:36
I live in Leith and I would feel safer if I could drive a short distance to a local beach and go out windsurfing where there is plenty of space then go for a run or walk in water of Leith which is always packed with people running, cycling or walking the dogs and is hard to keep distance.
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Posted by CoconutJam May 05, 2020 at 17:44
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Posted by Judeshay May 05, 2020 at 17:50
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Posted by RHanchard May 05, 2020 at 19:49
Social distancing easily practiced both on the beach and water. Low risk sport if users go out in manageable conditions i.e not storms and cold temperatures which wouldn't be applicable in the summer anyway.
Best location in East Lothian / Edinburgh windsurfing is Gullane Beach. Would require a widening of the path down as already only about a foot wide down to the main beach which is bad enough just walking down let alone with windsurfing equipment.
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Posted by MelMel May 05, 2020 at 23:58
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Posted by pkerlaff May 06, 2020 at 08:13
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Posted by andrewtlloyd May 06, 2020 at 13:50
Players would probably need to come dressed for play as the changing rooms would be an issue.
This is just as much about mental well-being (via human interaction/banter/bonding) as it is about physical exercise.
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Posted by Huge May 06, 2020 at 15:59
I think it is important that by identifying safe ways people can recover a degree of normality they are less likely to do things that are higher risk or to break rules that may introduce more risk because they are harder to identify and be caught.
This will reduce police time on policing low risk activities and allow them to focus on other things.
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Posted by shazzaem May 06, 2020 at 21:37
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Posted by AEM May 07, 2020 at 10:07
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Posted by JohnA May 07, 2020 at 13:47
I think the wellbeing benefits would be great and the transmission downsides small.
There is a concern of Mountain Rescue and similar services being under more pressure if this is allowed. You could add some rules that would mitigate this, for example (as with everything in this lockdown, these are mostly self-policed anyway):
- Some guidance that only those with experience should be going outside.
- Not allowing it on days with a poor weather forecast.
- Having a time limit on how long you can go outdoors for.
- Requiring all outdoor activities (hikes etc.) to start before a certain time of day.
- Limiting access to beauty spots and heavily trafficked trails perhaps by using permits available on a website.
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Posted by Simonfielding May 07, 2020 at 15:10
SimonF (member of rescue services)
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Posted by Zurburu May 07, 2020 at 19:05
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Posted by markcou May 08, 2020 at 09:29
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Posted by robbiephillips_ May 08, 2020 at 10:34
Activities in the mountains should be approached with care and respect as to the potential dangers that they can incur. As Mountain Rescue is a non-desirable outcome, any activities in the mountain should be reduced to those that are well within your own abilities and level of experience, and to be allotted the right amount of time so that you can be out and back before dark.
Activities such as Bouldering, Sport Climbing and Top Roping have such a small risk that I'd honestly consider them a more socially responsible activity than cycling or running in the inner city currently. With so much movement of people in the inner city and the obvious lack of experience from new runners and cyclists I've seen on the roads, other activities such as climbing and hill walking are just a much safer alternative.
Saying that, rules still need to be applied and like I said above, I'd allow these activities in the safety of small numbers from singular households, as well as respecting social distancing guidelines, and within a designated distance from your home.
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Posted by klcmunro May 08, 2020 at 15:42
Surely it's more likely the unfit people taking up jogging right now are more risky than people who regularly climb?
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Posted by MarcoC May 08, 2020 at 16:01
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Posted by Swimmersooz May 08, 2020 at 18:09
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Posted by Pjjones May 08, 2020 at 22:36
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Posted by apple4me May 08, 2020 at 23:41
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Posted by CathyO May 09, 2020 at 13:14
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Posted by Scotland_is_flatlining May 10, 2020 at 12:06
There is so much more to support than headline grabbing football and rugby which are a distraction and require hazmat suits to enable social distancing.
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Posted by HilaryQ May 11, 2020 at 10:23
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