Clubs still allowing sailing

Originally posted by Mozzy   Because, after the other sacrifices we're making, being told by the harbour board, against government guidelines, that we can't practice what is otherwise a perfect social distancing exercise local to our home. Yes, I am going to question that.

Governments (and the UK Government especially) are already treading a careful path to protect civil liberties and our sense of freedom and democracy.   Honestly, the UK is second only to Sweden in terms of 'liberal response' from European countries - many questioning it as a sufficient, suitable response if you dare venture into woke-world of lefty Twitter.

What is clear is that for a truly global crisis, government responses have been very localised - there certainly isn't some edict from Brussels like the Brexitards would have you believe would be the case - quite the contrary in fact, the EU advocate localised response.

Closing harbours in the spring might seem petty, but it's comparative to local authorities closing backcountry access in the Alps and no one is really complaining about that, or questioning it. 

No amount of personal risk assessment can take away from the fact that sailing is to all intents and purposes one form of a floating bathtub with a blanket aloft a set of broom sticks.... often without a secondary means of propulsion when it goes to hell and the crew are injured.

The fact you can literally ride this out is a blessing compared to what a lot of us in our small corner of the globe are permitted to do.  It really shouldn't be a reason for a whataboutism for a niche activity like dinghy sailing.

Like I said to Jim, it's not the government I'm questioning. It's the harbour authorities and MCA who are adding extra to the Governments laws and policy. 

And generally no, I wouldn't expect any granularity in an emergency measure. I don't expect anyone to be distinguishing different forms of exercise. Which is why it is odd that the MCA and Harbour Masters are. 

Either ban exercise outside, or allow exercise outside. 

However, as the lock-down continues I do expect a bit more nuance in the rules. That's why in the first three weeks I wasn't questioning anything asked of me. I could see inconsistencies, but thought, well it's only three weeks we're all in this together etc. etc. Some of what people are asking doesn't make much sense, but best to just pull together. 

However, as time goes by and the dust settles why can't we discuss the merits of how certain rules have been applied or are being supplemented by NGO's and government offices? 

If social distancing rules will apply for the year, then we have time to look in more detail about what is really helping, and what isn't. 

Also, a lot has changed and can change about how we conduct day to day life. The risk people going to the sailing club in March 2020, pre-covid conditioning, versus now, when we've all had social distancing, hand washing and the like hammered in to us by 24 hour news for a month is different.

So yes, until someone can give me a logical reason why going cycling tonight with my wife is okay, but we can't go for a sail because the harbour master has made up a new rule. I am going to ask the harbour master how is their arbitrary rule helping in the fight against Covid.