Sally Eva

Southwark is looking for comments and suggestions on protecting pedestrians and restraining pollution from cars after lockdown. Make your suggestion here: https://www.southwark.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing/public-health/for-the-public/coronavirus/impact-on-council-services/coronavirus-help-us-combat-covid-19-by-suggesting-healthier-streets?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=

what you need is this consultation/request for comment on protecting pedestrians during CV. https://www.southwark.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing/public-health/for-the-public/coronavirus/impact-on-council-services/coronavirus-help-us-combat-covid-19-by-suggesting-healthier-streets?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term= It covers Pros and cons of lockdown from public health POV. "The streets are now quieter and safer with more people choosing to walk and cycle and greater use of local shops and parks. People are more aware of pollution; their health and quality of life issues, and the lockdown seems to have encouraged a new spirit of localism." but "there has been an increase in people driving their cars at excessive speeds. This is dangerous for everyone and deters people from walking and cycling. People are also concerned about using public transport for fear of catching COVID-19. Therefore, as travel restrictions are lifted, we're likely to see more people choosing to drive rather than use the train or bus than before the lockdown. This will greatly increase air pollution (motor vehicles are responsible for more than half of the air pollution in London) which could further impact those recovering from COVID-19." Comments and suggestions here https://www.southwark.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing/public-health/for-the-public/coronavirus/impact-on-council-services/coronavirus-help-us-combat-covid-19-by-suggesting-healthier-streets?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=

Sorry to resurrect this old thread but there was a discussion on here about how airborne CV was. Here is some more info https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-coronavirus-spreads-through-the-air-what-we-know-so-far1/

For anyone thinking of cycling (maybe while the roads are quieter) -- short, safe rides around Southwark. Like this one: "To celebrate our new found freedom to exercise as much as we want, a new route, Camberwell Open Spaces. It starts centrally in Peckham Square next to Peckham Library. 6 miles and not quite flat. A circular route more or less staying in Camberwell. It runs through a series of open spaces, some large like Burgess Park, some very small like Elam Street Open Space and Sceaux Gardens. In between always on quiet streets. Choose a sunny day if you can and enjoy our beautiful parks, large and small. Route map at and detailed navigation guide attached. " If you want to see all the 9 of the lockdown routes, they are here: A bit tangled I know. If too tangled DM me and I will get them sorted out.

Friend of mine in that position rides a tricycle (an adult size one obvs) check out Wheels for Wellbeing pictures here: https://wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk/ NewWave Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Sue Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > NewWave Wrote: > > > -------------------------------------------------- > > > ---- > > > > > > > > > Its a real worry..I dont drive can't ride a > > bike > > > and aged over 60 I dont want to try and learn > > on > > > Londons roads. > > > > > > Obviously they aren't happening at the moment, > but > > you can get free cycling lessons. They are one > to > > one, and they start off in the park (Dulwich > or > > Peckham Rye). I can't remember who runs them. > > > > I was well over 6O when I had them. > > > > Also, there are routes through London which > enable > > you to avoid the busiest main roads and > > interchanges (not sure that's the right word!) > > > I really cannot ride a bike-not only am I scared > to but I have problems with my balance so wobbling > across london is not an option I'm afraid even > though I wish it was

Free cycle lessons are happening now -- currently key workers only but in the longer term (whatever that is) for everyone https://www.cycleconfident.com/ Glad you enjoyed them :) Sue Wrote: > you can get free cycling lessons. They are one to > one, and they start off in the park (Dulwich or > Peckham Rye). I can't remember who runs them. > > I was well over 6O when I had them. > > Also, there are routes through London which enable > you to avoid the busiest main roads and > interchanges (not sure that's the right word!)

If you are seriously considering cycling, do not consider necessarily doing it on the roads you see through the bus window. I commute to Paddington (when I am allowed to) and only about 100m of that journey is on public roads shared with cars (FWIW I mostly walk that bit) for alternative routes which are bike friendly try cycle.travel or DM me and I'll send an alternative route. ED to Central London is an easy, mostly off-road cycle taking me 40 mins (I'm very old and slow). Google Cycleway 7 to see what I'm talking about. The route from ED does contain a hill :( Monkey Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Agree, Gromit. Walking to work would take me two > hours and 30mns according to Google maps. And I?m. > It getting on a bike after the crazy driving I?ve > seen this weekend...

In that spirit Gov.uk today? ?2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking includes? https://www.gov.uk/government/news/2-billion-package-to-create-new-era-for-cycling-and-walking?utm_source=cde539b3-ac15-4d45-8e16-68d2a7ca7db6&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate Fast-tracked statutory guidance, published today and effective immediately, will tell councils to reallocate roadspace for significantly-increased numbers of cyclists and pedestrians. In towns and cities, some streets could become bike and bus-only while others remain available for motorists. More side streets could be closed to through traffic, to create low-traffic neighbourhoods and reduce rat-running while maintaining access for vehicles. Vouchers will be issued for cycle repairs, to encourage people to get their old bikes out of the shed, and plans are being developed for greater provision of bike fixing facilities. Many more will take up the Cycle to Work scheme, which gives employees a discount on a new bike.

This is a Chris Whitty lecture on Covid. Dry but highly informative.

I should inform the police and the park-keepers. I don't want to belittle the pain and trauma for your dog but the Husky may do this to a child.

malumbu Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Watch/listen to the video. It explains it really > well. Cooping people up 24/7 does harm, unless > you are fortunate enough to be in a large house > with extensive grounds. The key message is stay > inside, which is being echoed by those most > closely associated with the crisis. Stay inside > with the exception of essential journeys, for > food, and for health reasons, including exercise. > Once a day. In your essential journeys socially > distance, don't use this as excuse to meet up with > friends, play football in the park, sun bathe etc. > You will not get 100% compliance but it's pretty > good. > > By stressing the stay inside this will discourage > the worst abuses. This is a measured balanced > position by government, recognising that we are > not in a police state, and the resources that > would require which can be much better used (and > the danger of civil unrest if we do have more > draconian restrictions). > > If you want to stay inside 25/7 fine. Please stop > demonising the rest of us. He is the national clinical director of Scotland. This is the first time I have heard anyone say that mental health and domestic violence referrals have already risen -- predictable but surprising to see it so quickly.

This is not to do with cycling so I am continuing to derail my own thread but Jason Leitch, the national clinical director of Scotland, seems to have comms skills that no one in the UK government has. This is him on the "three harms" the damage of coronavirus, the damage to everyone who has cancer, kidney failure and all other ills who may miss treatment and the damage inflicted by lockdown (mental health, economy, domestic violence) It's the BBC Scotland "everything has a cost" video. The whole thing is interesting.

The Healthy Streets approach is to widen the pavements so that pedestrians have more room and wheelchairs can pass safely. This can be combined with build-outs which stop cars from parking on the built out kerb so that people can cross. first mate Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Bagpuss, it is such a shame the Healthy Streets > campaign could not prioritise work on paving so it > can be brought up to standard throughout ED. Many > of the pavements are in a terrible and even > dhangerous state and this is not acceptable for > anyone with a disability or mobility issues. > > Work of this nature is not as politically ?sexy? > as some of the other campaigns but would make a > huge difference to people like you. In terms of > equality and the rights of disabled people to > access and use pavements you wonder how the > council has managed to get away with such poor > upkeep and management of vital infrastructure for > so long? > > Why not lobby your councillor? Ex Councillor Robin > (rch on here) would help you.

Maybe we could agree on this: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do 1. When am I allowed to leave the house? You should only leave the house for very limited purposes: shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible one form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household any medical need, including to donate blood, avoid or escape risk of injury or harm, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person travelling for work purposes, but only where you cannot work from home

https://www.bindmans.com/news/government-guidance-changed-to-permit-people-with-specific-health-needs-to-exercise-outside-more-than-once-a-day-and-to-travel-to-do-so-where-necessary The medical guidance on exercise during lockdown has changed (see above) this won't affect everyone but it will be very important for those it does. It now says: You can leave your home for medical need. If you (or a person in your care) have a specific health condition that requires you to leave the home to maintain your health - including if that involves travel beyond your local area - then you can do so. This could, for example, include where individuals with learning disabilities or autism require specific exercise in an open space two or three times each day - ideally in line with a care plan agreed with a medical professional. Lambeth Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Team (based at SLAM) are providing letters supportive of medical need. I don't know if Southwark has an equivalent. Follows threat of legal action. Any doctor will do (or none)

https://www.bindmans.com/news/government-guidance-changed-to-permit-people-with-specific-health-needs-to-exercise-outside-more-than-once-a-day-and-to-travel-to-do-so-where-necessary It now says You can leave your home for medical need. If you (or a person in your care) have a specific health condition that requires you to leave the home to maintain your health - including if that involves travel beyond your local area - then you can do so. This could, for example, include where individuals with learning disabilities or autism require specific exercise in an open space two or three times each day - ideally in line with a care plan agreed with a medical professional. Lambeth Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Team (based at SLAM) are providing these letters. I don't know if Southwark has an equivalent. Follows threat of legal action.

Thank you my lovely ones. You've made an old woman very happy. Stay safe and look after yourselves (and other people)

In the new world of lockdown, some people are thinking of beginning to cycle. There are many reasons why a person might want to cycle for the first time. If that's you, post here or DM me. I shall not inquire into your personal reasons. I shall try and help you. Key workers (guidance here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision can get free cycle training from cycle confident https://www.cycleconfident.com/ I belong to Southwark Cyclists who are the borough branch of the London Cycling Campaign. Our website is here [southwarkcyclists.org.uk]. Our email address is [email protected]. If we can assist you, just let us know.

The right to take daily exercise is enshrined in law. Only Parliament could change it. The BBC reports that at his daily CV press conference Hancock "raised the possibility of an extension of the lockdown" but dismissed it. He said the government is not looking at tightening the rules on exercising outdoors. ?What we are doing is being absolutely clear that the current rules must be followed,? he said. He said the rules are designed to include exercise to protect people?s physical and mental wellbeing. We can be grateful for that democratically provided protection and the thoughtfulness which, even in a crisis, considered the needs of all (he didn't say that last sentence, I did).

The Healthy Streets option is to widen the pavements -- this gives space to pedestrians to move freely, slows traffic and reduces pollution and road danger. One solution to people parking across drop-kerbs is to contact Apcoa on 0207 708 8587 and describe the problem. I have done this with good results A longer term solution is build-outs with drop-kerbs. Cars cannot park across them without blocking the road. Currently Southwark is installing either build outs or islands wide enough to protect a wheelchair and assistant.

The reduction in traffic congestion (caused by CV lockdown and the recession)is causing increased speed (IMO). Do people think it has got worse since the lockdown? In which case could add stress as a cause?

I think the Healthy Streets option would be to widen the pavements so that elderly and disabled people can go round the other side of the trees/bins/dog mess etc. This would be compatible with traffic, speed and pollution reduction as well as saving both the trees and elderly people's time and patience Pugwash Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Whilst I appreciate that having trees is essential > to our environment and that Southwark does not > like cutting down trees but in some cases trees > are detrimental to some members of society. > > Today I had to push a disabled male relative in a > wheelchair to enable him to get to his barbers. > Tree roots at the top of Barry Road by the Plough > car park had raised the camber of the pavement to > such extent that I could not get the chair over > this section and was forced to go back a few yards > to find a dropped kerb and pushed the wheelchair > in the road facing the incoming traffic. Crossing > at the lights over Lordship lane was a nightmare > and the chair nearly toppled over when a friend > came to my rescue and also a young man on a moped > stopped to assist. On the return journey, I had to > pull the chair backwards across the crossing and > again walk in the road until I found a dropped > kerb. > > The paving stones near this tree are being > uprooted and are dangerous for those with limited > vision and reduced mobility. I have informed > Southwark Highways of this area. > > Looking at Lordship Lane in general, I have > noticed that with cafes using their forecourts > (and beyond) for table as and chairs, there is > limited space on the pavements for wheelchairs. I > watched as several women with buggies, were > standing talking near Farmers and disregarded > elderly folk using their 3 wheeler walkers trying > to pass them. I was too far away on the other side > of the road to suggest to them that they were > obstructing the pavement. > > I have a number of disabled friends, one with > impaired vision, the others with varying degrees > of mobility issues who admit that sometimes just > going to the shops can be a major hurdle - bus > drivers can be impatient if you take too long to > get on and off the bus, street furniture, poorly > maintained forecourts, lack of accessible WCs in > some of the eateries on LL, and sometimes general > lack of consideration by other shoppers/visitors > to the area. > > Southwark wants us to have 'healthy streets' we > need to look beyond having strategically placed > benches, 'green walls' and see how we can make > life easier, safer and better for those who have > various forms of disability and mobility.

And also this one on the psychological problems caused by quarantine https://coronavirusexplained.ukri.org/en/article/pub0002/?utm_source=Govdelivery&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=publichealth&utm_content=UKRI_owned

In the spirit of "walk a mile in my shoes": https://davidallengreen.com/2020/04/what-is-the-bindmans-challenge-to-the-coronavirus-government-guidance-about/

Surely sore throat medicine would be available over the counter? Surgeries generally have email. Don't go to A&E.