It is a difficult time of uncertainty, in the outdoor team we are very aware of how not understanding things can apply huge stress.
Nobody performs well under too much stress, if we add to this not being able to get outside or to visit your friends, we need to all consider our mental health.
We thought it would be useful to give, hopefully, an easily understood guide to the virus because there are lots of names being used and loads of misinformation on social media.
What do all the names mean?
There are two main names being used in the media for the pandemic we are currently in: COVID-19 and Corona virus. These can be misleading, COVID-19 and Corona are both the name of the disease. The virus has a proper name designated by the World Health Organisation of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 or SARS-CoV-2 for short.
Why are there different names?
Viruses are named based on their genetic structure by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV).
Diseases are named by the World Health Organisation in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD).
Why is this important?
The virus is named so scientists can develop tests and vaccines. The disease in named to allow people like Doctors in Health Protection, Civil Servants and politicians to think about prevention, spread, transmission, severity and treatment.
Can I go outside?
You can go outside but you must keep physically distanced from anyone who doesn’t live in your house or family group, this is to prevent the spread of the disease.
You can go outside, if there is an outside space around your house as long as you keep 2m away from anyone who isn’t in you household, you can take exercise there or play. If you are lucky enough to have a garden then playing outside is a great idea.
The current Scottish Government guidelines are :
To enforce social distancing, people in Scotland are being asked to only go outside if they have a ‘reasonable excuse’. These include shopping for necessary food, household and medical supplies, travelling to and from work where working from home is not an option, and daily exercise that adheres to social distancing guidance.
This may change as the crisis goes on.
How long is this going to go on for?
There is no simple answer to this, physical distancing may need to go on for several months. The Scottish Government have said they will keep reviewing it.
I feel very stressed, is there anyone I can talk to or get help?
A good place to look is the Young Mind’s web site.
It is also worth watching this video for a idea of how to face the pandemic
We are going to try and post ideas of things to do outside here and on our Instagram.
