Given the current advice and the likelihood of even tighter restrictions in the near future, is it wise to carry on with group walks at the moment? All the Meetup walks in my neck of the wood have now been postponed until after September. What do others think?

I believe it is safer to be outdoors than indoors providing you have no symptoms. Going out with a small group should pose no problems. UVA light diminishes any presence so surfaces outdoors should have little or no virus on them. If walking in a group then you can spread out further than normal. If we don't get outdoors it will also cause depression.

Should we then be putting tight limits on numbers? Say 6 or 8 max with first come first served?

I will be socially distancing and looking after my physical social and emotional health in many ways but not participating in any group activities, large or small. That works best for me and my family especially my elderly mother, my pregnant daughter and my grandchildren please take care and I look forward to being with you all in person as soon as I feel it is safer to do so. I wish you good health and happiness

My Nordic walking group is still walking but we keep a gap of 2 metres between us all and have small groups only. Amazingly a nearby gym is still open, indoor exercise with all those bodily fluids - no thanks 🤔

The key seems to be "underlying health problems". There's a handy list here:
http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/20040366.article
If you're on that list take things very seriously.

Age is also a factor. The risk of death ofr a 0-10 yr old is 0.002% or 2 in 10,000. For somebody in their 70s its 5.1%. Staying away from aged parents is therefore a must.

If you like stats there interesting modelling from Imperial College as used by the Govnmt here:
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial-college/medicine/sph/ide/gida-fellowships/Imperial-College-COVID19-NPI-modelling-16-03-2020.pdf
Interestingly the modelling shows that if you close schools you just delay the massive peak to later in the year.

Keep schools open and you spread the peak and have a much smaller secondary peak later in the year.

The current govmnt advice is to avoid "large" gatherings. If you have none of the underlying health problems and you're under 60 then your risk is much lower. (See the above Imperial College pdf)

My personal view:
"It's" out there. You'll probably get it at some point anyway. As more people get it and therefore become immune there are fewer carriers in society and the risk groups become safer - provided they've been quarantined effectively in the first place.

I think you just need to be sensible and listen to the experts. I will still be walking and cycling but not with groups. Picnics and flasks on the hills. The more we do now to slow down the spread, the quicker we can get back to normal.

I personally feel that GROUP walks should be cancelled for a while, until we’re through the worst. As I’ve already said to HPM, some won’t like it or agree with it & may feel this is an overreaction. Others will feel this is for the best, all things considered.
You can’t please everyone all of the time.
All anyone can do is go with their heart & do what they feel’s right. Personally, I’d rather all our dear friends & their families remain safe & well during this worrying time.
We can still keep in touch with each other & we can still enjoy our walks, even if it’s in a different way for now.
Take good care everyone & try to look forward to future walks later in the year.
T 🙂 xx

Well said, T. Don't worry though Di, I'll be there tomorrow despite your lack of liquid refreshments!!! I assume that you'll be bringing a flask??!!! 😋🙂 x

I'm in the middle of a self isolation period and aim to keep any virus that replicates within me, away from everybody,including my elderly neighbours!
Please think of others in your decision making.
I've not opened the door to my grocery delivery or my Brother, so I and my work are doing our bit to help others. I will complete my full week before returning to work.
I didn't ask for this virus and I've had chemical on my hands which are far beyond the qualities required. All I did was work with owners of sick pets in close confinement, go to the supermarket and visit the gym, with chemical on my hands.

Take Care and try not to worry!

Lots of very sensible thoughts & suggestions, recognising many diverse views and approaches. What I am also interested in and wonder when will come, are estimates of the short/medium/long-term impact both in terms of human lives and financial strain upon health resources, of the mental & physical downsides (e.g. depression, relationship breakdown, obesity, lack of exercise, etc) to long periods of self-isolation and social deprivation.
I’m in the camp of getting exercise outside and as long as my local leisure centre is open, will continue to swim & gym. But respect others may think differently!

AndyR: I agree with getting on with life, but also understand locals in the Lake District worrying on who might be visiting and walking past their doors at times.
This virus is extremely contagious and some of us are asymptomatic virus shedders. Even I would have shredded virus within a busy work premises before symptoms appeared. Virus can be shed even after the 7 day confinement.
All I would ask is we all give this virus some respect.
It's built to cause massive impact, mostly on our more elderly generation.
I returned home having worked last Saturday and with early signs, could have wandered, unknowingly, into my full village pub.....why it was full....that's another question?

I have been social distancing since unwittingly coming into contact with someone who had just returned from Italy last week and thought being outdoors made it ok! So like Dale, no more group walks for me and no contact except via phone with my elderly but healthy Mother and other vulnerable close relatives. It's hard but we all need to think of the vulnerable and, dare I say it.......most of us will have reduced immunity, despite being super fit, due to age unfortunately. ☹Stay safe, think of others and I look forward to seeing you when the situation is greatly improved.🙂

No group walks for me...I am still walking with pals but just one at a time and 2m distance. UVA doesn’t prevent / contain virus.

Maz and Spring: Excellent to hear. The mountains will still remain.....please take care of our family and friends...who may not.

Andy R: I too intend to get exercise outdoors & I’m sure many of us here will do the same. The important thing is that we do it in a safe & thoughtful manner & to always be considerate of others, especially those who are vulnerable. 🙂

Most people on OD are healthy and so unlikely to be a fatality. Health though, as I found out recently can change in an instant, so with my age I am probably in to the vulnerable group range. OD members enjoy the company of others so isolation is going to be a bit of a trial. Can I request that if you haven't contacted someone for a while, please do so. Social media is full of ways to contact so pop by and say hello every now and then.

Yes, I agree that we as a group are pretty healthy but I'm sure there are people in OD who are vulnerable due to underlying health issues - asthmatic, diabetic, high blood pressure, heart issues, taking immunosuppressants, and most of us have not got the immunity of the robust 25 year olds we once were. The government advice is to stop socialising full stop and reduce your contact with people. As Troton says this is a contagious virus and lots of people are asymptomatic carriers. Let's help the nurses, doctors and this country to get through this. We can find ways to go out and get that fresh air.

Perhaps we need to think of ways of ensuring that members don't feel alone during what is not going to be an easy time for the country. Any ideas to keep the OD spirit going guys?

Maz : Spot on and thanks for your support, those beans must be hitting the spot.
I appreciate everyone needs to support each other and if I can do a video group call to work, whilst in self isolation, you all can (I'm useless with technology)
Just remember that somebody has created the 2m distance!
A different virus, foot and mouth, not 2001, blew 168 miles into a new population, so don't assume.
I don't mean to worry you all, but many are dying, so please, just give the virus respect.
I am fortunate as I'm recovering, but it's been a hard week.🙂

Due to the invitations being cancelled it is disappointing that we won't meet on official walks but from what I read into this thread, we will all still be out walking, if you see me please feel free to wave to me over the valley or other side of the hill.
Stay safe peeps. x

Cancelling all group activity for the foreseeable future is the only responsible thing to do. As someone in an at risk group I wouldn't come anyway. Please do keep in touch with each other. Don't let this plague kill all the friendships we've built over the past few years.

I’ll be out walking in a remote part of Northumberland this Sunday and I guess a few of you will be walking as well. It would be nice if we can't all visit the places we love to have some more stunning photos on the site. Maybe some of the people we are missing seeing as well. So get clicking this weekend!!!!!

Lazlo Woodbine: Tuscany flights cancelled due to CV19 , booked with EasyJet. Pleased to say that received full refund from them today. 🤙🏻