Forum Topic

Kew Gardens Closed

Just received an email saying that Kew Gardens is closed today as they cannot guarantee the social distancing required. Presumably, they were expecting to be very busy as it’s Mother’s Day. What a shame. They said they will monitor the situation and open as soon as possible.

Stewart Jones ● 2419d14 Comments

I visited KG on Thursday and even though there was plenty of room for everyone there were still people well within the 2 metre guide. Strangers seemed good at giving a wide berth but friends seemed oblivious to the need to do so. We all know how far 2 metres is but given it's extreme importance I'd have thought some shop, gardens or council would have put up a 2 metre measure to impress on people how far it actually is. Just saying.

James Petri ● 2419d

Supermarkets in Italy have painted marks outside, and inside near the tills, showing how far apart people need to stand when queueing. A cheap solution not that difficult to copy.

Sue Rowe ● 2419d

Friends out walking close together may well be friends living together.

Michael David Rowe ● 2419d

How sensible. I cannot think of a single reason why we don't do that. Can anyone? We have chevrons on motorways to keep distance at speed so why not where it matters most?

James Petri ● 2419d

Friends living together even more important to stay 2 metres apart, yes?

James Petri ● 2419d

'Friends living together even more important to stay 2 metres apart, yes?'Only if one of them is showing signs of being infected, James. At least, that's my understanding. I back onto a park and can see couples walking together. This is surely reasonable if they are sharing a house and both seem to be well.

Susan Kelly ● 2419d

Maybe I've misunderstood this? I thought the virus can be transmitted during the incubation period, ie while you have it but before it becomes apparant. Healthline says "Although it’s much less common, there’s a possibility that someone who is infected with the coronavirus can transmit the virus even if they’re not showing symptoms." Is "Less common" a risk too far, at this stage? Could we not wait and see, say 3 months or whatever, and then reassess? Surely we shouldn't permit "less common" right at the very start? I bet those who are in the dying category would have liked us to. Just saying.

James Petri ● 2419d

Unless you live in a mansion then it isn't practicable to keep everyone in the household apart. It may not even be possible if one of them falls ill, which is why the whole household has to stay home for 14 days.

Susan Kelly ● 2419d

There's an interesting article in today's Sunday Times by a British writer living in Rome. His says that the Italians are continuing to socialise, however hard the government talks about lockdown, and that little or nothing is being done to stop them. This may account for the trouble they are having handling their outbreak.We Brits are a little better at doing what we're told, with the exception of a handful of expletive-deleteds bellowing on social media about some 'little virus' isn't going to affect their lives.

Susan Kelly ● 2419d

My great nephew and his partner share a flat with another couple, all working in London and aged mid 20ties.  One  couple got the virus which quickly infected my gt.nephew &his partner.  Thankfully all four are now fully recovered having adopted self isolation for the 14 days suggested still had to share bathroom & kitchen.  Are they now immune to further Covid19 virus attack?

Jennifer Selig ● 2419d

People living in the same house should assume that if one shows symptoms then all of them will get it and should isolate immediately.There is no reason for family to observe social distancing from each other if they are already living in close proximity and otherwise isolated - they have to assume they have already infected each other. To do so creates a false impression that they could avoid catching the virus from family.Kew closing appears to be a retrograde step - public parks are quite crowded today and anything that thins out the crowds is helpful. Kew is ideal because the membership means crowds would be minimal. They could also limit entry by limiting the size of the car park.

Paul Corcoran ● 2418d

I had the same thought, Paul: even with the current half price, entry to Kew Gardens would be limited by cost, although many of us locals are members.

Susan Kelly ● 2418d

Jennifer, we don't yet know enough about the virus and immunity. It seems likely that having it and recovering will confer immunity for a time but perhaps not forever, as it does with many other viruses.

Susan Kelly ● 2418d

Also, Jennifer, I'm assuming that the household you refer to weren't tested for the virus, since almost nobody is being tested. It's possible that the nasty symptoms they had were something else entirely.

Susan Kelly ● 2418d