COVID-19: Please stay at home
UPDATE 11th May 2020
PLEASE STAY AT HOME!
The advice from my website Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks - remains the same. Stay at home. Currently there have been around 32,000 deaths. That probably is a big underestimate - unexplained deaths at this time of year are more like 40-50,000.
We just had a bank holiday to commemorate VE day. It is estimated variously that 30-40,000 people died in the Blitz. That means in the last couple of months a comparable, if not more, people died from Covid-19.
We have just passed the peak of deaths. Well that is true for hospitals - but may not be true for care homes. Either way it does strike me that just after the peak of bombing during the blitz we are given advice that it is now pass the peak and safe to return to normal - despite bombs raining down on us. The context here being we have the highest death rate in Europe.
Do you have friends and relatives who could die from this? Maybe they survive and just end up with lifelong problems after infection. How many deaths are acceptable - we have already passed the number from the Blitz.
My website Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks has had a prominent message and link on every page saying "Stay at Home". I'm infuriated with the irresponsible turn by the UK government today and I'm sticking with the advice from the Scottish and Welsh governments and that will remain the advice on my website until June at least.
PLEASE STAY AT HOME!
The offical government advice is here and currently suggests you can go out but you should practise social distancing - keep at least 2 metres away from others.
Guidance on social distancing for everyone in the UK
Today Sunday 22nd March has been a beautiful sunny day and large crowds have been gathering at the beauty spots on Dartmoor as well as on the beaches in Devon. This has to stop!
Please do not travel to Dartmoor or Devon unless you have to. The pubs, restaurants and cafes are closed.
Currently shops are under enormous pressure from panic buying - locals including many who are older could do without this being made worse by visitors clearing the shelves.
In a very short period, a matter of weeks, our hospitals will be overwhelmed by people suffering from extreme pneumonia.
Hospital workers are urging people to stay at home whilst they stay at work fighting this horrendous crisis.
Of course some of us, including the author of this website, need to get out for our physical and mental well being. Fine, just stay well away from others.
The evidence shows that in all countries around the world with over 100 cases that there is a daily 35% increase in the number of cases. This means we can expect a million cases within about 31 days of 100 cases if we continue as normal.
Source for figures:
An interactive visualization of the exponential spread of COVID-19
THIS IS A VERY REAL AND GENUINE CRISIS - PLEASE TAKE IT SERIOUSLY
No one wants to hear bad news like being asked to stop doing what you love doing. Also no one wants to hear the news that their friends or relatives have a life threatening illness.
The advice from the NHS around Covid-19 can be found here:
Mountain Rescue UK have put out the following advice
Mountain Rescue UK: Coronavirus COVID-19
Coronavirus COVID-19 - BMC advice for climbers and hill walkers
- Don't travel unless it’s essential
- Don’t go climbing or hill walking
- Stay local
- Keep a social distance of 2m
- Avoid all but essential contact with anyone
This advice is backed up by a group of 35 leading national outdoor activity, tourism, nature, health and rescue organisations, that have come together to back the Prime Minister’s call for the public to behave responsibly while exercising outside. In a joint statement, the group has offered support to the government and advice to the nation on how to stay active safely during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Ramblers association has issued this advice to walkers (content below from 23/03/20):
Coronavirus - the latest Ramblers advice for supporters, members and volunteers
- We encourage everyone to only walk locally to where you live. This means only walking in places that you can access without the use of a car or public transport. Avoid busy places including popular parks, beauty spots or beaches.
- Ideally walk on your own or with people from your household, unless you are in a household with COVID-19 symptoms when you should self-isolate at home. Those aged 70 or older and those with pre-existing health conditions that put them at increased risk of contracting COVID-19 should also self-isolate at home.
- Keep 2m distance from anyone you meet during your walk.
- Do not walk anywhere that you could get in to trouble and require the emergency services.
- Avoid touching gates, fences etc. If you do, clean your hands with anti-bac and wash your hands as soon as possible. Upon returning home, wash your hands.
Around the country and around Devon a number of mutual aid goups have sprung up to look after neighbours who need support through this crisis. No doubt there are many older and more vulnerable people, especially in remote rural locations across Dartmoor and wider Devon, who would really appreciate support at the moment. The following website gives a listing of national support groups
The advice and views expressed on this page are those of the author of Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks. My name is Dave Parks - I'm just someone who loves Dartmoor and the archaeology. I will update this page with *local* information to support people across Dartmoor if and when I come across it. I can be contacted at info AT dartmoorwalks.org.uk
We need to look after each other and hopefully soon we will get through this crisis. Take care of yourselves and each other.
Page last updated 23/03/20