Going for a drive between 23-27 Dec
Discussion
The Tier system is essentially on-hold during the Christmas period. It's something of a geographic free-for-all but there are specific rules in place about families meeting together.
The general advice is 'don't do too much' but it's almost inevitably going to lead to another spike in cases. I think 'going for a drive' would be against the spirit of things if there was absolutely no purpose to it whatsoever. On the other hand, if you're bouncing off the walls and it's a way of retaining a sound mind then I don't think there would be too many raised eyebrows.
The general advice is 'don't do too much' but it's almost inevitably going to lead to another spike in cases. I think 'going for a drive' would be against the spirit of things if there was absolutely no purpose to it whatsoever. On the other hand, if you're bouncing off the walls and it's a way of retaining a sound mind then I don't think there would be too many raised eyebrows.
Thanks everyone. Not planning to be indoors or even stop anywhere except to refuel via Pay at Pump. I suppose critics could point to the risk of an accident thereby taking up precious healthcare resources, but otherwise I can’t anticipate any legal or moral issues. Sitting by yourself in a car has got be a reasonably safe activity, surely.
plenty said:
Thanks everyone. Not planning to be indoors or even stop anywhere except to refuel via Pay at Pump. I suppose critics could point to the risk of an accident thereby taking up precious healthcare resources, but otherwise I can’t anticipate any legal or moral issues. Sitting by yourself in a car has got be a reasonably safe activity, surely.
It just depends on your view. The problem with a self-centred approach is nothing that one person does is particularly "bad". Everyone thinks it's just me, so that's not bad. But when everyone thinks the same and that amount of "badness" is multiplied then that' a different consideration.For me, I probably wouldn't go out for a drive over that period in the way you describe. Will your drive have a material detrimental effect on Covid? Doubt it. Will the group of people who choose to go for a recreational drive have a material effect? Doubt it, but possibly.
YMMV
Bert
BertBert said:
It just depends on your view. The problem with a self-centred approach is nothing that one person does is particularly "bad". Everyone thinks it's just me, so that's not bad. But when everyone thinks the same and that amount of "badness" is multiplied then that' a different consideration.
For me, I probably wouldn't go out for a drive over that period in the way you describe. Will your drive have a material detrimental effect on Covid? Doubt it. Will the group of people who choose to go for a recreational drive have a material effect? Doubt it, but possibly.
YMMV
Bert
I would agree with that if the activity carries an obvious risk of harm, such as not wearing a mask in public places. But it's not clear to me how sitting in a car alone distanced from other people will cause any harm. Unless you are referring to the risk of an accident and using up medical resources, which I acknowledge.For me, I probably wouldn't go out for a drive over that period in the way you describe. Will your drive have a material detrimental effect on Covid? Doubt it. Will the group of people who choose to go for a recreational drive have a material effect? Doubt it, but possibly.
YMMV
Bert
If it is morally acceptable to permit tens of millions of people to travel and visit each other over the period for sake of our mental health and well being, why is going for a drive (minus the actual risk of visiting people) less acceptable?
plenty said:
I would agree with that if the activity carries an obvious risk of harm, such as not wearing a mask in public places. But it's not clear to me how sitting in a car alone distanced from other people will cause any harm. Unless you are referring to the risk of an accident and using up medical resources, which I acknowledge.
If it is morally acceptable to permit tens of millions of people to travel and visit each other over the period for sake of our mental health and well being, why is going for a drive (minus the actual risk of visiting people) less acceptable?
You also expect to fill up with fuel and I assume may need to go to the loo. That adds risk to you and others. I have no idea whether that's material or not. Again if you measure it by the extra risk you personally would be adding versus the whole of Covid then of course it's trivial. But when you multiply whatever the risk factors are by the number of people taking those extra risks, then it might be material. One person flying home for Thanksgiving, not a problem. Lots of merkins doing it, bigger problem!If it is morally acceptable to permit tens of millions of people to travel and visit each other over the period for sake of our mental health and well being, why is going for a drive (minus the actual risk of visiting people) less acceptable?
The point I am making is that the view from an individual point of view differs from a view taken from a population point of view.
Are the Christmas relaxed rules right? Probably not. Is adding to the risk the right thing to do? Dunno. For me the answer would be not to. I'm not saying what you should do, just debating!
Bert
BertBert said:
The point I am making is that the view from an individual point of view differs from a view taken from a population point of view.
I appreciate that if I were indeed to go for a drive during 23-27th, I would be taking advantage of a loophole designed to allow families to see each other at Christmas. And that the government is being forced to relax the rules otherwise people would disobey anyway, jeopardising future credibility and compliance.It is legal to travel and see your bubble on these dates, but actually it would be better for everyone if people didn’t. So already there is a difference between the individual view and the population view within the government’s own rules.
Also just debating here...the input and counterpoints are valuable!
plenty said:
I appreciate that if I were indeed to go for a drive during 23-27th, I would be taking advantage of a loophole designed to allow families to see each other at Christmas. And that the government is being forced to relax the rules otherwise people would disobey anyway, jeopardising future credibility and compliance.
I don't think you are taking advantage of a loophole! I think (although I could be wrong) that going for a drive is perfectly legal. It's just whether you should or not - as you put it, the moral question 
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