‘Selfish’ joggers ignore Covid-19 risks in Sidmouth

Joggers in Sidmouth who ignore the coronavirus ‘distancing’ rules have been branded ‘disgraceful’ and ‘selfish’ by an elderly resident.

The 82-year-old woman described being verbally abused when she pointed out the risk to people running in the Byes.

She said: “I saw two people running together, and I said, ‘you should be two metres apart’. One of them said, ‘It doesn’t apply to us, it’s only you oldies”.

“Another person said, ‘I’m not getting off the path, it’s you who’s the problem’. It’s disgraceful.”

The woman said she always tries to observe the distancing rule as she walks her dog in the Byes early in the morning, but runners often pass close to her on narrow pathways.

She has stopped using the narrow bridge at the bottom of the Byes after too many incidents of joggers ignoring the two-metre rule there – one of whom ‘glowered’ at her when she asked them not to cross at the same time as her.

She said not all the joggers were at fault, but many are showing a complete lack of consideration for people who are trying to keep their distance.

She said: “They get their headphones on and they’re completely oblivious to everyone around them.

“The virus has brought out the best and the worst in people. Some are totally irresponsible and selfish.”