It appears that coronavirus will see those of us who enjoy running and jogging as the new enemy of the people. I nearly choked on my porridge last week when I read an article excoriating those of us who take some pride in looking after ourselves by getting out for a short run.

The piece was peppered with dramatic language and imagery; women and children diving for cover from joggers on the loose terrorising us all, spreading disease. As a runner myself, I would argue against the suggestion that joggers pose such a major health risk to others in public as was illustrated in the article. The piece sadly seems to reflect the views of some, that this “repulsive” jogging in these exceptional times is – wait for it – “bordering on criminal”.

It must have been the decision by Parisian authorities to ban daytime jogging in the city that’s given rise to this new found intolerance. Needless to say the online mob chimed in with their “expert” anti-runner opinions too.

Now let’s get one thing straight here. If you brazenly break social distancing rules and blatantly exhale, spit, cough or sneeze in somebody’s direction whether running, jogging, walking, cycling or just standing on the street at any time, then yes you are bang to rights. But that is simply not the case with everybody who goes out for a run. I like to run as much as I can and have the privilege of the Phoenix Park being within 2km of my home, where there’s plenty of room away from anybody.

And when I do come into the path of another runner or walker, I give them a wide berth to the point of mock exaggeration and more so now. In my experience, other runners also observe this practice. But is that about to change now we’ve all become self-appointed police officers?

I’m not seeking to make the Tokyo Olympics or anything like that. I just run easy in an effort to keep fit and maybe offset the one too many treats from the weekend. I believe it’s beneficial for mind and body and always feel the better of it as well as hoping it’s moving me another step away from the doctor’s door. Most experts agree and getting exercise is still advised despite the restrictions.

But as I argue against judging all runners the same which is the ire of my fury, I will opine broadly that the most likely reason any relatively young non-debilitated, non-disabled otherwise healthy person doesn’t walk, run or exercise is because they are lazy. Not being able to jog for more than a few minutes without heaving must be terribly frustrating. I exclude older citizens of course from this. One day I’ll not be able to run but at least I can say I did when I was fit to.

Undoubtedly there are runners who are arrogant and enjoy a false sense of entitlement in the same way that there are arrogant motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

However, the common theme here is that they are just arrogant people in general.

Unfortunately there will be feckless individuals who break the rules. Those of us who enjoy running, jogging or briskly walking, observing the rules and minding our own business as we do so, are breaking none. Let’s get real and concentrate on the bigger challenges ahead. Jogging isn’t one of them.