Re:
Maybe not technically self isolating but I am not under self isolation. I also know I am not spreading anything as whilst riding so my destination is my destination whether in a car or riding. No different to riding to work and in fact the UK government is encouraging those that have to be at work to try and walk or ride or run so as to be outside and get fresh air.
At this point it is a moot one anyway as hopefully tomorrow the government when it meets in Westminster will approve full emergency powers which will turn around the vast hoards of campervans fleeing from the cities to the remote Highlands.
The government has asked them not to come, has put articles in papers etc and still they come. I believe it’s a case by case deal, if they are coming like most because they think a getaway in the highlands will protect them or get them quicker treatment then turn them back, if they are heading back great. There are currently three icu incubators in the area north, if the current rate of tourists keep coming they will increase the population by more than a third by next weekend. Not only is the chance of even one them bringing infection likely they will also most likely use the resources that were for locals. This is because the government worked out if everyone stays home then resources are worked out per area. Raigmore Hospital has supposedly already put in place a dnr for anyone over 70!
This camper van situation is a real powder keg on the north and west coast with Skye residents trying to block the bridge, Barra and Canna shutdown for residents only and freight only on the islands, Orkney is looking likely to be locked down after last ferry tonight with freight only. Yesterday Glencoe had over 35 Campervans in their car parks and another on the A9 near Aviemore had 30 told to move on as they wouldn’t fit. So some seriously crazy stuff going on.
For me though, because of Heathers condition, she is in isolation for 12 weeks as if she gets it, she won’t survive and will not even be incubated if there are others needing it. My job though is deemed essential as it’s a disease surveillance lab for veterinary, and while normally I may be off, the fact that they made my colleagues redundant last month means I must be there with the vet.
Precautions I take are when I arrive at work are, I have a clean space, strip, shower then put on scrubs, when I leave, I strip, throw scrubs in washing machine, I shower then put on my gear and ride home, inside my front door, I strip, head for the open shower, shower, then disinfect anything I touched on the way through, then that’s me. During the day is minimal contact with anyone except the vet, with scrubbing and lab coats etc. when moving from room to room, distances kept and usual high precautions anyway. The likely hood is when lockdown comes I may have to just stay at work.
Pain in the arse but a small effort to keep myself, family and others safe.
So while my post sounded blasé and like any other ride both at home and in the bike shop, contact was minimal and big distances were maintained along with the ‘disinfection’ routine on return home, but that sort of kills the post about just another bike ride.
I didn’t mean to make it sound as though I was being thoughtless as I certainly wasn’t but like I said that doesn’t make for a light hearted piece about just another bike ride. This week though the bike ride commute more than yesterday’s ride was just the thing for keeping my mind in perspective with regards all this craziness. By the time I got home all was well.
Jamie
Maybe not technically self isolating but I am not under self isolation. I also know I am not spreading anything as whilst riding so my destination is my destination whether in a car or riding. No different to riding to work and in fact the UK government is encouraging those that have to be at work to try and walk or ride or run so as to be outside and get fresh air.
At this point it is a moot one anyway as hopefully tomorrow the government when it meets in Westminster will approve full emergency powers which will turn around the vast hoards of campervans fleeing from the cities to the remote Highlands.
The government has asked them not to come, has put articles in papers etc and still they come. I believe it’s a case by case deal, if they are coming like most because they think a getaway in the highlands will protect them or get them quicker treatment then turn them back, if they are heading back great. There are currently three icu incubators in the area north, if the current rate of tourists keep coming they will increase the population by more than a third by next weekend. Not only is the chance of even one them bringing infection likely they will also most likely use the resources that were for locals. This is because the government worked out if everyone stays home then resources are worked out per area. Raigmore Hospital has supposedly already put in place a dnr for anyone over 70!
This camper van situation is a real powder keg on the north and west coast with Skye residents trying to block the bridge, Barra and Canna shutdown for residents only and freight only on the islands, Orkney is looking likely to be locked down after last ferry tonight with freight only. Yesterday Glencoe had over 35 Campervans in their car parks and another on the A9 near Aviemore had 30 told to move on as they wouldn’t fit. So some seriously crazy stuff going on.
For me though, because of Heathers condition, she is in isolation for 12 weeks as if she gets it, she won’t survive and will not even be incubated if there are others needing it. My job though is deemed essential as it’s a disease surveillance lab for veterinary, and while normally I may be off, the fact that they made my colleagues redundant last month means I must be there with the vet.
Precautions I take are when I arrive at work are, I have a clean space, strip, shower then put on scrubs, when I leave, I strip, throw scrubs in washing machine, I shower then put on my gear and ride home, inside my front door, I strip, head for the open shower, shower, then disinfect anything I touched on the way through, then that’s me. During the day is minimal contact with anyone except the vet, with scrubbing and lab coats etc. when moving from room to room, distances kept and usual high precautions anyway. The likely hood is when lockdown comes I may have to just stay at work.
Pain in the arse but a small effort to keep myself, family and others safe.
So while my post sounded blasé and like any other ride both at home and in the bike shop, contact was minimal and big distances were maintained along with the ‘disinfection’ routine on return home, but that sort of kills the post about just another bike ride.
I didn’t mean to make it sound as though I was being thoughtless as I certainly wasn’t but like I said that doesn’t make for a light hearted piece about just another bike ride. This week though the bike ride commute more than yesterday’s ride was just the thing for keeping my mind in perspective with regards all this craziness. By the time I got home all was well.
Jamie
