The controversies over the women in Derbyshire being fined for going for a walk (Derbyshire police withdraw two women’s £200 fines for lockdown walk, 11 January) and of Boris Johnson going for a bike ride seven miles from home (Boris Johnson under pressure over bike ride seven miles from No 10, 11 January) illustrate just how absurd the rules for exercising during lockdown have become. I can cycle all day in the countryside without coming close to anyone. The same applies to walking in the hills or on rural footpaths. But on a walk in my local urban area, I cannot avoid coming close to many people. The exercise is also less demanding and thus less beneficial to health.
Cycling and walking are great ways to counter the mental health consequences of lockdown, but some people seem to recoil at the idea that anyone should gain some solace or enjoyment at this difficult time.
As someone who is over 70, I do not need reminding about the need to socially distance. But worse than catching the virus is that I might die from it. NHS advice for people of my age is that to minimise risk I should keep exercising. Lockdown rules should not restrict the amount or location of exercise, but concentrate on the much more important matter of keeping away from other people.
John Franklin
Cheltenham
• Michael Weedy says he is fed up with joggers running inches away from his face (Letters, 10 January). As a runner, I am fed up of people always getting angry at runners. I am constantly having to avoid groups of people (clearly ignoring the outdoor meeting rules) walking four or more abreast, forcing me to run into the road or on muddy, slippy paths. Consideration works both ways.
Running also has mental health benefits. I am a frontline doctor who has suffered with depression and burnout. Running helps me get through work and the stress of home schooling my three small children after work.
At this time of high mental stress, maybe we need to be less judgmental and more considerate.
Dr Anastasia Chew
Haematology consultant, West Middlesex university hospital
