Current Affairs

[Mervyn and Trish]

Sainsbugs are hiring trained Security Guards to enforce mask wearing and with luck they will refuse entry to those who are exempt. The latter should be doing their food shop online else get a little helper to do it for them.

We had an email from them this morning, re-emphasising the mask and shop alone rules.

But I have one issue, which is they specify mask or visor. And all the research suggests a visor alone is of little use as virus particles in aerosol form waft in or out around the edges exactly as they would with no visor at all. A visor is only any use as a supplement to a mask or in the situation of close face to face contact, such as a hairdresser or dentist, to stop them coughing or sneezing in your eye, or visa versa. It's only other useful function is to discourage the user touching their face.

There was a case of a mass infection at a gathering at a hotel. All those infected had been wearing visors. None of those wearing mask were infected.

The rule needs to be specifically a mask, or no entry.

[Bensham33]

As long as you don't stop for a coffee then you should be okay.

I think that would be fine and makes sense but who knows.

[towny44]

Boris thinks cycling 7 miles is local. So there's the answer. Local is 7 miles from home........I despair.

Not knowing the full facts it's difficult to decide whether Boris broke, bent or just skirted round the rules.
However if he went there because it would be quieter than say one of the London parks, and not interfere with people walking on the cycle paths, then maybe he took the correct course of action.

There is also a security implication. No doubt Boris could exercise by cycling from his front door up and down Whitehall. But a fundamental of personal security for high profile people is not to be predictable and not have fixed routines. So if he did cycle out the door every day, by the end of the week he'd be at serious risk.

I have my own conundrum here. MY normal dog walk is to drive two miles and then walk along a near-deserted canal towpath. Do I still do that now? It is only two miles but it is outside our town boundary. And I can walk the dog from our front door. But the downside of that is I pass far more people than if I stick to my normal routine. So the risk is greater. I genuinely don't know the right answer.

And that is the conundrum that many face, my eldest son has just bought a dog, for the first time. At present he is only 3 months old, so by the time he is tired out they have only walked a few streets there and back, so they occasionally drive out of the village and then walk along little used off road paths, and rarely meet anyone else. So the latter option is by far the best at observing social distancing, but is it within the rules?

[Ray B]

If the photo of a school food pack for £30 is correct, the not only have the recipients been sold short, but the tax payers have been ripped off big time. Who is behind this?

[david63]

Who is behind this?

The media most likely

[Ray B]

Who is behind this?

The media most likely

Do you have more info on the contents David, as on the beeb it did not look much.

[Stephen]

Not knowing the full facts it's difficult to decide whether Boris broke, bent or just skirted round the rules.
However if he went there because it would be quieter than say one of the London parks, and not interfere with people walking on the cycle paths, then maybe he took the correct course of action.

There is also a security implication. No doubt Boris could exercise by cycling from his front door up and down Whitehall. But a fundamental of personal security for high profile people is not to be predictable and not have fixed routines. So if he did cycle out the door every day, by the end of the week he'd be at serious risk.

I have my own conundrum here. MY normal dog walk is to drive two miles and then walk along a near-deserted canal towpath. Do I still do that now? It is only two miles but it is outside our town boundary. And I can walk the dog from our front door. But the downside of that is I pass far more people than if I stick to my normal routine. So the risk is greater. I genuinely don't know the right answer.

And that is the conundrum that many face, my eldest son has just bought a dog, for the first time. At present he is only 3 months old, so by the time he is tired out they have only walked a few streets there and back, so they occasionally drive out of the village and then walk along little used off road paths, and rarely meet anyone else. So the latter option is by far the best at observing social distancing, but is it within the rules?

I would say no.
Why do they need to drive out of the village when the dog is getting more than enough exercise walking just a few streets. Streets you can cross over to avoid people, narrow paths are more difficult.

[Ray B]

No problem with Boris and his bike ride, more concerned with those that drive from Northampton to Norfolk to see the seals at Horsey.

[oldbluefox]

You're right Ray.
My neighbour is a cyclist. He will cycle miles in a day and see hardly anyone. Cycle around town and he will be avoiding people like the plague, literally!!! In all of this you need to keep a sense of perspective although there will always be the Boris bashers who will pick up on any nuance like a flash. Personally I think there are more important issues to worry about and some people need to get a life and that starts with the media.

[oldbluefox]

On the subject of school lunches I think some of the firms set with making them up and delivering are ripping us all off. If the photos are true there is hardly £15 worth of food and considering they will be buying wholesale there should be more than is being delivered.

[Bensham33]

Why does Boris need to cycle 7 miles away from home. He's got 3 parks to choose from on his door step. He sits there and tells us we should only exercise in our local area and then goes to the Olympic Park. 7 miles from his home to do his. By the way the OP is incredibly popular and very busy.

I ain't got a problem with him going for a bike ride but it's the hypocrisy of it.

[Kendhni]

Why does Boris need to cycle 7 miles away from home. He's got 3 parks to choose from on his door step. He sits there and tells us we should only exercise in our local area and then goes to the Olympic Park. 7 miles from his home to do his. By the way the OP is incredibly popular and very busy.

I ain't got a problem with him going for a bike ride but it's the hypocrisy of it.

I have no issue with any cyclist doing 7 miles (even if accompanied by a trainer and several bodyguards) - that's nothing for a cyclist - a friend of mine jogs 10 miles multiple times a week.

It is the lack of consistency and clarity of information that meant two ladies, that met each each other for a walk, got fined. You only have to look at the answers on this one board (from only a few different people) and you can see the lack of clarity and (subtly) differing interpretations.

[oldbluefox]

I believe the situation with the two ladies has been overturned and an apology given.

[screwy]

But is there not a difference in going for a bike ride and getting into a car, drive 5 miles to have a walk.? We walk around the streets local to our house, could they not have done that.?

[towny44]

On the subject of school lunches I think some of the firms set with making them up and delivering are ripping us all off. If the photos are true there is hardly £15 worth of food and considering they will be buying wholesale there should be more than is being delivered.

£15 spent wisely in Aldi and you would need a wheelbarrow to deliver it.

[towny44]

There is also a security implication. No doubt Boris could exercise by cycling from his front door up and down Whitehall. But a fundamental of personal security for high profile people is not to be predictable and not have fixed routines. So if he did cycle out the door every day, by the end of the week he'd be at serious risk.

I have my own conundrum here. MY normal dog walk is to drive two miles and then walk along a near-deserted canal towpath. Do I still do that now? It is only two miles but it is outside our town boundary. And I can walk the dog from our front door. But the downside of that is I pass far more people than if I stick to my normal routine. So the risk is greater. I genuinely don't know the right answer.

And that is the conundrum that many face, my eldest son has just bought a dog, for the first time. At present he is only 3 months old, so by the time he is tired out they have only walked a few streets there and back, so they occasionally drive out of the village and then walk along little used off road paths, and rarely meet anyone else. So the latter option is by far the best at observing social distancing, but is it within the rules?

I would say no.
Why do they need to drive out of the village when the dog is getting more than enough exercise walking just a few streets. Streets you can cross over to avoid people, narrow paths are more difficult.

Dogs are a bit like children Stephen, they need lots of stimulation to prosper. They like lots interesting places to sniff and explore, doing the same short route each day will stunt their development, and may make them vicious and prone to attack people too easily, now where is it you say you live????

[Gill W]

But is there not a difference in going for a bike ride and getting into a car, drive 5 miles to have a walk.? We walk around the streets local to our house, could they not have done that.?

Perhaps they wanted a change of scenery, as it can be a bit boring doing the same walks each day.

If a cyclist can drive to his place of exercise ( it hasn’t been denied that Johnson drove/ was driven to the Olympic park ) then it has to follow that it’s ok to drive to your walking route.

If it’s not ok, then clear guidance needs to be given.

[Mervyn and Trish]

I seem to remember the guidance in the first lockdown was that it was okay to drive to your exercise starting point if the drive was shorter (in time I think) than the exercise. So 10 minute drive to do a 1hour walk okay. But not vice versa.

[towny44]

But is there not a difference in going for a bike ride and getting into a car, drive 5 miles to have a walk.? We walk around the streets local to our house, could they not have done that.?

Perhaps they wanted a change of scenery, as it can be a bit boring doing the same walks each day.

If a cyclist can drive to his place of exercise ( it hasn’t been denied that Johnson drove/ was driven to the Olympic park ) then it has to follow that it’s ok to drive to your walking route.

If it’s not ok, then clear guidance needs to be given.

I would hope that Boris had his close protection officer(s) with him, and that his car had some sort of police escort. You never know the sort of crooks you might spot in the east end.

[Kendhni]

Priti Patel ... the Tory party's answer to Diane Abbott
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/priti-patel-c ... 45771.html

[Stephen]

And that is the conundrum that many face, my eldest son has just bought a dog, for the first time. At present he is only 3 months old, so by the time he is tired out they have only walked a few streets there and back, so they occasionally drive out of the village and then walk along little used off road paths, and rarely meet anyone else. So the latter option is by far the best at observing social distancing, but is it within the rules?

I would say no.
Why do they need to drive out of the village when the dog is getting more than enough exercise walking just a few streets. Streets you can cross over to avoid people, narrow paths are more difficult.

Dogs are a bit like children Stephen, they need lots of stimulation to prosper. They like lots interesting places to sniff and explore, doing the same short route each day will stunt their development, and may make them vicious and prone to attack people too easily, now where is it you say you live????

Don’t they have a garden or local park or green area then.
I live in Maldon where there are plenty of green areas that dog walkers use and with the main park only a few minutes drive away should you wish to take a puppy somewhere different that shouldn’t be walking too far in it’s first few months to protect its paws.

[oldbluefox]

I tend to agree with Stephen. Dogs around here all do the same walks day after day and I don't notice any difference in their temperament. The main point is that when dog walking or exercising we should maintain social distancing.
And in so doing if dog walkers could pick up after their pets it would be appreciated. Since lockdown the amount of litter both general and dog specific has soared. Trees and hedgerows have suddenly started sprouting little green plastic bags along with blue face masks. It's pretty disgraceful.

[Frank Manning]

I tend to agree with Stephen. Dogs around here all do the same walks day after day and I don't notice any difference in their temperament. The main point is that when dog walking or exercising we should maintain social distancing.
And in so doing if dog walkers could pick up after their pets it would be appreciated. Since lockdown the amount of litter both general and dog specific has soared. Trees and hedgerows have suddenly started sprouting little green plastic bags along with blue face masks. It's pretty disgraceful.

I agree Foxy, if they hang doggie poo bags in trees it is a sign of an aggressive don't care nature, and one wonders what their homes are like. At the Risk of upsetting the doggie fraternity Sue and I both think that we should have a national dog license scheme, all dogs should be compulsorily muzzled when in public. Designated areas for dog recreation, and designated doggie poo bins in those areas. The license should have details of the breeder who supplied the dog, and any vaccination certificates confirmed by a vet on the license.

Harsh? No. I love dogs, but its the irresponsible owners that I hate. I confidently expect howls of anguished protestation from the good owners, but I dont see why. If the whole dog scene were regulated it would be in the interests of the responsible owners and would target cowboy dog breeders, and hopefully those people for whom their dog is a symbol of their innate aggression.

The general doggie industry would fight it tooth and nail, in case it reduces market size, but that's the cause of the problem.

[towny44]

My son's pup was already microchipped when they bough him from a reputable breaded, so I guess that could link to his breeder, owner and health history if ever it was needed. As for poop bags I have absolutely no doubt that theirs will be taken home and disposed of responsibly.
As to the variation in walkie areas, I think this is relevant primarily to the puppy stage where like children this period is when they learn the most. So varied walkies helps to produce a well rounded, happy and docile dog, which wont attack the postman because he is bored.

[Kendhni]

Risk of upsetting the doggie fraternity Sue and I both think that we should have a national dog license scheme, all dogs should be compulsorily muzzled when in public. Designated areas for dog recreation, and designated doggie poo bins in those areas. The license should have details of the breeder who supplied the dog, and any vaccination certificates confirmed by a vet on the license.

Harsh?

Yes. Your solution would be a perfect recipe for creating a society of unsocialised, bored and probably more aggressive animals.
Besides that if anyone came near one of my dogs with a muzzle they would end up wearing it where the sun don't shine.
I would also suggest muzzling and handcuffing those who think it is OK to approach any of my dogs without my permission.

However I agree that any owner that does not clean up after their animal, and dispose of it properly, deserves what they get - personally I would suggest making them lick it off the pavement.

[barney]

Devon cops nicked a couple of muppets today in Brixham who had popped down from Wolverhampton for a day out.

[oldbluefox]

According to regional news Northumberland police sent a family home who had travelled 200 miles to their holiday home in Rothbury. Apparently the police were alerted to them by the locals
I hope locals in Cumbria are doing the same.

[screwy]

Brain dead.!

[Stephen]

According to regional news Northumberland police sent a family home who had travelled 200 miles to their holiday home in Rothbury. Apparently the police were alerted to them by the locals
I hope locals in Cumbria are doing the same.

Just sending them home isn’t sending out a strong enough message. Take them to court for breaking the law.

[oldbluefox]

My feelings too.

[david63]

Brain dead.!

Not possible - for that to happen they would need to have a brain in the first place!

[oldbluefox]

I wonder what the level of infection was from those who flocked out of London to beat the lockdown. I suppose we will never know but they should have halted the train and handed out fines to anyone not travelling for good reason. Then they could have been put on a train home again.

[david63]

they should have halted the train and handed out fines to anyone not travelling for good reason

The trouble was that at that point they were not breaking any rules - well not legally, but perhaps morally. But then some do not have any morals and it is all about me, me, me

[Manoverboard]

Brain dead.!

You called ?

[oldbluefox]

they should have halted the train and handed out fines to anyone not travelling for good reason

The trouble was that at that point they were not breaking any rules - well not legally, but perhaps morally. But then some do not have any morals and it is all about me, me, me

That is my qualm about the government all along - just not tough enough on those who flout the rules.

[towny44]

According to regional news Northumberland police sent a family home who had travelled 200 miles to their holiday home in Rothbury. Apparently the police were alerted to them by the locals
I hope locals in Cumbria are doing the same.

Just sending them home isn’t sending out a strong enough message. Take them to court for breaking the law.

I wonder if any of these miscreants actually watch the news or covid briefings on the telly? Maybe compulsory attendance for a days work in a hospital might be a way of educating them.

[screwy]

Bring back the Stocks..

[Mervyn and Trish]

Risk of upsetting the doggie fraternity Sue and I both think that we should have a national dog license scheme, all dogs should be compulsorily muzzled when in public. Designated areas for dog recreation, and designated doggie poo bins in those areas. The license should have details of the breeder who supplied the dog, and any vaccination certificates confirmed by a vet on the license.

Harsh?

Yes. Your solution would be a perfect recipe for creating a society of unsocialised, bored and probably more aggressive animals.
Besides that if anyone came near one of my dogs with a muzzle they would end up wearing it where the sun don't shine.
I would also suggest muzzling and handcuffing those who think it is OK to approach any of my dogs without my permission.

However I agree that any owner that does not clean up after their animal, and dispose of it properly, deserves what they get - personally I would suggest making them lick it off the pavement.

I'm with Ken on this. Anyone who doesn't clean up is unforgiveable. But we don't need a dog licence as microchipping is compulsory. And muzzling is both cruel and unnecessary for the vast majority of dogs. It would put those with responsible owners at risk from the irresponsible. Can you imagine that all owners would conform? And we can all identify the characteristics of those that wouldn't. A muzzled dog would be a sitting duck if it was attacked by an unmuzzled rogue (dog or owner). Would you send your child with hands tied behind their back into the ring with a bare knuckle fighter?

[Bensham33]

I like to think that for every person who is doing the wrong thing breaking the rules without s moments thought to others, then there are millions of people out there who are making hugh sacrifices and doing the right thing. Strange, nobody seems to talk about them.

[david63]

there are millions of people out there who are making hugh sacrifices and doing the right thing. Strange, nobody seems to talk about them.

That's because they are not newsworthy.

In fairness the majority were acknowledged at this week's press conferences

[oldbluefox]

Unfortunately all the hard work put in by the majority is undone by the minority.

[Mervyn and Trish]

As my old boss used to say it's the flies on the cow pats in the field that make the most noise.

Or put another way it only takes one scroat to make life hell for 100 decent people.

[Ray B]

I can not understand why, if having bagged the muck up, they can't just bin it correctly.
In this cold weather, having bagged it, the bonus of carrying it to the bin it could keep their hand warm. Just a thought....

[oldbluefox]

Me neither Ray. I know some do leave the little packages at the side of the path and pick it up on their way back which I don't have an issue with. It's those who decorate the hedgerows or trees, or just don't bother who give dog owners a bad name.

We did catch one culprit in the act though. For weeks we had been bemoaning one particular stretch of grass which was littered with the stuff. My investigative talents concluded it was the same dog but then we found out which dog and its mess was not being cleared up the reason being that it was a farm dog which trotted out of the farm gates, did its business and then trotted back in again!!! Clearly it had chosen this stretch of grass for its daily constitutional!!!

[Kendhni]

There is a little old lady around our way - a lovely old lady who got a dog to give her an excuse to get out and meet people - she loves a good chat.

Her one quirk is that when her dog squeezes one out she lifts it with her bare hands and puts it in her pocket. Turns my stomach every time.

[oldbluefox]

Just don't shake hands with her.

[Stephen]

There is a little old lady around our way - a lovely old lady who got a dog to give her an excuse to get out and meet people - she loves a good chat.

Her one quirk is that when her dog squeezes one out she lifts it with her bare hands and puts it in her pocket. Turns my stomach every time.

You wouldn't want to mug her and rummage through her pockets would you

[Ray B]

As I said, keeps your hand warm

[Kendhni]

Just don't shake hands with her.

Or offer her a boiled sweet

[oldbluefox]

Just don't shake hands with her.

Or offer her a boiled sweet

.................and don't accept one from her!!!!!