Social Distancing

This morning it was put to an online group that I belong to whether, in the current climate, it was OK for a group of 10 people to meet in a park and do exercises together, maintaining a reasonable distance.

My personal view was no and that would be a social gathering, it might be easy to mistakingly get too close, it might appear that you were ignoring advice and that we need to be responsible.

I'd read alot of opinion this week but one post (shared at the end for anyone interested) had, earlier in the day, resonated with me and stuck in my mind.  It's not just about the more vulnerable, it's not just about virus.

As I drove home from my day working in an empty office, I saw a local tea room, pretty full of people.  I went for a walk when I got home and spied these two.  I think they've got the balance right perhaps.

When I returned home I listened to the prime minister confirm that pubs, restaurants and cafes needed to close.  I was not surprised.

I was not surprised either by the Friday night drinkers that later were being shown on the news.

"I’ve just realised that as an ITU nurse I’m privy to a lot more information than some others about the Corona Virus. I have access to more data.
It’s incredibly frustrating to hear people say ‘Ah, just crack on as normal, all a big fuss over nothing, it will pass soon’. It will pass over but until then, the NHS critical care units have to deal with a huge influx of patients with limited beds. We *will definitely not* be able to treat everyone that gets sick.
The below message is from a consultant in ITU and probably one of the most sensible things I’ve read. This isn’t just going to affect the lives of people with the virus.
Wash your hands, avoid elderly and vulnerable people (if possible) & stop socialising. To help the NHS and prevent infections.
“I’m an intensive care specialist in a small city.
Coronavirus isn’t just like the flu, but it’s only really very dangerous to the elderly or the already unwell. Quite a lot of people in their 80s will die, but most of the rest of us will probably be okay.
If you’re in your 70s and you get Coronavirus, you’ve got a really good chance of survival. If I’ve got a bed for you.
If you’re in your 60s and you have a heart attack, you’ve got a really good chance of survival. If I’ve got a bed for you.
If you’re in your 50s and need bowel cancer surgery, you’ve got a really good chance of survival. If I’ve got a bed for you.
If you’re in your 40s and have a bad car accident, you’ve got a really good chance of survival. If I’ve got a bed for you.
If you’re in your 30s and have terrible pre-eclampsia as a complication of pregnancy, you’ve got a really good chance of survival. If I’ve got a bed for you.
If you’re in your 20s and have a bad reaction to a party drug, you’ve got a really good chance of survival. If I’ve got a bed for you.
I have 7 beds equipped with life support machines. We have a plan to increase to about 25. Getting more isn’t a matter or more equipment or more money, that bit is easy. There are not enough skilled staff, even if we all work double shifts every day for six months (and we probably will).
If 50% of my city gets infected, that’s 75,000 people. If 5% of them need life support (which is the estimate), that’s 3750 people. For 25 beds.
And then I might not have a bed for you.
So it’s up to you to flatten the curve. Wash your hands. Stay home.”