For the avoidance of doubt, when reading the rest of this: My mum is approaching her 79th birthday. In good health, but… If I get infected, the likelihood is she will. I will not do anything whatsoever to risk my own health from this thing, let alone hers.
There are many inherent contradictions in current government policy- not surprising as they're making it up as they go along, but nonetheless they make too little room for some aspects of life, and too much latitude in others. As an RM employee, I've been designated as a key worker. So my need to go to a workplace, and work there, is tolerated, perhaps even applauded. Working from home would be impossible. But apparently I don't need to be fed at the workplace, as the canteen should legally be closed. Workplace canteens were specifically mentioned in the legislation that was implemented as of Monday. No exemptions for 'key workers'. There is nowhere to buy food in the vicinity of the sorting office. Thanks Boris. And I'm reasonably sure I am at more danger on the sorting office floor (350, well it was 350 before they started dropping like flies, colleagues between the three shifts, social distancing often difficult if not impossible) than in the canteen.
Now, to the exercise in question. Portsmouth is (relatively speaking) a virus hotspot. If I go down to the seafront, say, there might be more people out and about, so I'm more not less likely to encounter a virus carrier (the risks of transmission might well be minimal to non-existent, but....) So, I don't really want to go anywhere near people. If it's countryside, that's four or five miles north or east. Plenty of nice quiet roads. Might even find them very near me in the city, and just go back and forth along the same streets fifty times. But how much time can I spend on these roads? If I dare to spend, say, eight hours, out, and ride, say, one hundred miles, that, according to some, makes me A Bad Person. No matter where, or how, I ride. Even though no time or distance was mentioned in the speech or available documentation. I have no doubt there will be people waiting to (metaphorically) foam at the mouth if they find out about this irresponsible behaviour. I could quite easily go all day without even being in transmission distance of a single person, let alone a carrier. Perhaps not even see a single pedestrian or cyclist all day. Go nowhere I can't walk back from if I get a mechanical, so no risk of public transport (if trains are even running). Take no risks with touching anything other than my bike and food and drink I've brought along. But this is irresponsible and dangerous. Whereas, going to work and sharing space with hundreds of potential virus carriers is important and worthwhile. Far more likely to infect me with Covid-19 than a frivolous, unnecessary, irresponsible bike ride. Even a long one…
So: My suggestion. Either we call a halt to the challenge, and perhaps give ourselves credit for the months' rides in hand for next year- the restrictions, I have no doubt, will be extended- or, say 'until and unless we're actually banned from riding, carry on if you so wish (those choosing to stop get three or four months free for next year, if they want them). But be very, very, careful'.
