It is late (for me) and I am watching the news wondering how we get the unconvinced to understand that it is important that we restrict our movement and give up gathering in groups if we are going to get through this experience safely.
I have already told my nephew's story: they wanted to go sking in France - I assume they had seen the reports about Covid19. But they went, flew to Geneva to find the slopes closed. And hung around with their friends for the Saturday, to have fun, before being jostled in Geneva airport and flying home. Both now have Covid19 symptoms.
Now I'm seeing a nurse who has got home but can't find food after working for 2 days on back to back shifts looking after CV patients. My daughters are both frontline staff, risking their lives while selfish punters, happy to panic buy because everyone else is and go to the pub, contiue in their own sweet way. Because - they say - they're alright, they are young. Except that is changing and young patients are also dying - because there are too many patients needing beds for what is available.
Is this self-preservation? Or just denial? Or sheer stupidity? Or does money talk that loudly?
Sorry - rant over ...
Please these articles heron has collated for us for deeper and wider info.
I agree entirely with your rant!.....it upset me to hear that nurse, tired, distressed....terrible. I am shocked at the selfishness of supermarket shoppers...disgusting.......
Youngsters not listening because they keep saying saying it's dangerous for us.....oh dear....what's to be done.
My friends son is living in Venulzela....you don't argue with the army patrolling those streets!...
Or on the streets of Barcelona where the family live. My grandson is at uni in Granada and he and his flatmates are self isolated in their shared flat.
Rant accepted, I mentioned on this forum about 3 weeks ago that this thing is deadly, did anybody listen. No answer required.
in reply to
Quite of few already knew and tried to warn.. it's hard to accept til it bites you on the bum and you rush out and empty the shelves..
It is absolutely disgusting that people will be drinking and dancing on people's graves ...I don't think they would care if that was literal rather than figuratively either.
I’m frightened of both the virus AND the mob mentality of stockpiling items, and harmful attitudes/behaviour of young people partying during spring break and disregarding protocols.
Would love to enforce measures that would force people to share supplies/food if it’s discovered they have an abundance. Would love to put the young people in a room with the surviving families of virus victims who have died to have a conversation.
Bless our front line workers who are living daily with the fallout of this virus...we could not deal with this pandemic without you!!
It’s going to be a long haul folks, so let’s get on the same page, dig deep and share what we can, help wherever possible.
The hoarders haven't been youngsters here from.tbr pictures I have seen. I think it's good for us to rant as well as try and be positive. It makes you want to shake them.
The hoarders are from all different demographics (except, I suspect, those who are “well resourced to be able to mass buy). The younger folks were recently partying and interviewed in Florida during spring break. Their comments were infuriating for me, and this was totally avoidable as other beaches in Florida were closed.
Yes, indeed, trying to stay positive in the midst of stupidity and selfishness.
Tell yourself ...for every act of selfishness, there's an act of kindness. Even as "small" as my neighbour picking up a pack of my favourite drink without being asked. It brought a tear to my eye. 😪
No it’s not all been youngsters and you just can’t categorise , it’s just shameless, selfish people. When you live hand to mouth week by week especially when sick and only one of you working And that one self employed you can’t stockpile anyhow.
I don’t know the answers to such behaviour , i just find it extremely sad and infuriating and equally heartening that on these h u platforms that there are the like minded unselfish people who also do care about others , not just themselves, 🙏
I have always lived in quite remote places until now. I never shopped more than once a week. People looking in my cupboards may think I am stockpiling but I will always have food for at least 2 weeks in case I can't get out.
We all do things differently. I am now able to share with my friends and family if they run short.
I haven't had the same amount of stuff in cupboard for a couple of years when they build a Tesco express on my way home from the peaks. I just called for fresher salad, fruit, veg and jelly 3 times a week. So my cupboards were pretty bare a month ago. Then I started getting a few tins of pulses and frozen goods my sister said she hDnt seen me so organised. But like you I have been stuck in the house for weeks sometimes and didn't want the cereal and porridge diet again.
Agreed, regarding the type of folks doing the stock piling...they are of all ages and backgrounds, and can afford to do so. I’ve edited one word in my last post to correct what I meant to say. Basically those who are hoarding food and supplies beyond their needs for the next couple of weeks, can afford to do so.
Other folks who are on a fixed budget, who live pay check to pay check, or who are experiencing financial constraint/food scarcity, or work on the front lines and just rarely get the opportunity, are left with just what is left behind. Shame!!
To clarify, there are still groups of people who will not adhere to recommendations. The recent clip of youth partying at a beach in Florida during March Break was particularly maddening for me. Other people of all ages and backgrounds fail to participate in social distancing, etc. Even our step dad was going to head out to shop at a record store recently and we discouraged him, saying not only is the store likely closed, but also did he really want to go and handle all those albums that many others have touched. Needless to say he stayed home, played ping pong and threw the football with hubby in the yard.,
It is an adjustment for us all!!
Now it looks like enforcement of the governmental guidelines will kick in and face fines if the violate the protocols (at least here in Ontario).
We live in a rural area of Ontario. So far so good. Lots of stock in our local grocery store. able to get a months worth of prescriptions. My neighbours are kind. Always volunteering to buy things when they are in town. The majority of people are fabulous.
I too am in rural Ontario. Shelves remain pretty well stocked except for “prized” items. However when hubby went for groceries earlier this week lots of folks handling the produce repeatedly and putting it back. Also no space between customers when lining up to check out.
It’s folks in bigger centres that seem to be facing empty shelves, and videos of moms looking for diapers, and healthcare workers just seeking some basic groceries to no avail that get me riled up and sad. I’m trying to limit that content, instead focusing on feel good stories of people pulling together, reports of relief/help, etc to combat the frenzy.
~We have the same grab mindset mentality here in NZ too - totally shameful and one major supermarket chain has now imposed a limit of 2 items per customer plus opening hours slightly shortened so shelves can be replenished at beginning and end of day.
I've taken to growing more veggies & like minded folk are doing the same which is great to see ~
That’s what we’re seeing in some stores in US. Yesterday I was in a drug store where the toilet paper and paper towel isle was blocked off and manned by an employee asking if he could help me to one package of toilet paper and/or paper towels. I thanked him for his service. Same thing in the isle with cleaning products. Great idea!
If you find the answer let me know because I've been trying to get the seriousness of the situation through to the younger generation most of today. I care for them more than anything, but I can do nothing from here.
Nothing wrong with a rant that is justified. Some have got to get their act together and I think our government needs to be firmer in ordering instead of advising. Good to see pubs etc closing but young people are just meeting up to socialise!
Ty hey can't do that! You go off sick and the gov said you get paid from the 1st day on SSP...unless that changed. Seriously if they send you home. Home it is...
It's a minority in every demographic. A local story: a woman was in line at the supermarket, leaving the requisite space between herself and person ahead of her. A man pushed up behind her. She asked him to step back (there were pieces of tape on the floor to show where people in line should stand to create a safe(r) distance. He promptly pushed right against her (physical assault I'd say even if she wasn't hurt) and said if she felt that way she shouldn't have come to the store. Jerk.
I have found it oddly strange how few people out and about in my neighbourhood are noticing how closely they are about to pass someone else, like me. It's mostly women walking alone (like me) who step far away. Couples, groups, totally oblivious.
The cashier is standing there, looking horrified. The customer completed her purchase quickly and left as it seemed allowing the situation to escalate would have been counterproductive.
Here's the link to our ever expanding list of readings for bored shut-ins who want to learn more than they ever thought they wanted to know about COVID-19:
Oh, good, thanks! Other evenings I'd been here when the new one was posted, but PMRpro is an hour ahead of even the UK so I missed the moment. I'll have to remember there will be four hours difference again after tonight. When we go onto daylight time we have a couple of weeks when my time zone is only three hours behind GMT
Yes understand that Rose. My mum is 94 and went to see her on regular basis. She lives in what they call a retirement village so she does see others during the day. Our relationship now though consists of the nightly phone call where I’m trying to instil positive thoughts. A lot of them don’t really understand everything that’s going on but are quite stressed and disoriented. It’s very hard for them all.
Can relate to this tonight Rose, We're locked in in Panama ans my husband got news today that his 91 year-old Mom, a.k.a. GG to the rest of us has been hospitalized with pneumonia back in Canada.
It is very hard to have to subject our loved ones to this. We are not allowed to visit my 91 year old Mother-in-law in her care home. My husband is really upset; it's hard to be told you can't visit your own mother. At her age these could be the last few months of her life. All time at this end of life is precious. She can't use a screen but we ring her daily.
We're going to ask the staff to take her into the garden and go and sit a few metres away from her.
In my area it is many seniors who need convincing and are refusing to stay home. My father-in-law is one. He got through the war and we have been through stuff before and we’re fine and besides if he gets it he gets it. This is a common complaint here, even with good voluntary networks so people don’t have to leave home, they refuse to be disallowed their shopping trip and coffee meet up because of some over-exaggerated flu. I tried to explain to my F-in-law that it wasn’t just about him and that he is more likely to need a critical care bed which may be needed for someone else who HAD to leave home and isn’t ready to leave this mortal coil. Yesterday a nearby large village, it was business as usual, teeming with very much over 60’s and there is a positive case there too. Anyway, the cafes shut tomorrow, meanwhile I’m going to let my Father-in-law’s tyres down.
Someone was spouting off like that in my corner shop last weekend . I pointed out that we are all amazed at how people survived the war and I hoped he was strong enough but the difference between the blitz and a pandemic was that you got a warning of an attack in the blitz , viruses don't give warnings .
I don't think age has anything to do with it , all groups are being irresponsible.
There is a lot of kindness out there too , I just wish there was more news about it , then maybe the Mob might learn from that example.
Oh yes, I’m well aware that there are transgressors over the age range, it’s just where we live has a high proportion of well heeled retirees. I know what you mean about kindness; it feels like amidst the panic buying and selfishness there is a blooming of good will like flowers in the desert after 50 years without rain. A local farmer has given over some land for the villages here to use as a community veg growing area where volunteer growers will produce veg and everyone who has registered an interest can take the food. He will pay to prepare it.
In the nicest possible way, I really don't care if YOU (in general, not Snazzy personally) want to be selfish/stupid and catch it. But you will then expect MY daughters to look after you, risking their own lives because if they were in any other job they would be being told to self-isolate at home as both are asthmatic and one has hypertension and renal problems - for which she has been waiting for surgery for nearly 9 months and it could only be pushed out to November they said. Last November that is ...
My blood pressure is rising reading these comments....it`s a ME Me Me society in many places....I have been inside practically because of so much pain since January...no choice, it has to be accepted, but until the selfish people actually get it...they think it won`t get them....that`s my rant....
The positive I keep telling myself is, I can walk in my garden, hear the birds, see the flowers, and soon isolate in the summerhouse!....with crosswords and music...
Well said Longtimer...we should all be grateful for our mercies. It's the poor cancer sufferers that I feel for. A friend has been admitted to hospital suffering sickness and diarrhoea and sickness and very swollen eyes. They think it may be sepsis but all the corona virus patients naturally are getting preferential treatment.
Omg..to whole message...but yes it looks like tyres should be burst...never mind let dow. The next thing is the villages will meet for coffee where's X...oh she is in hospital...oh don't you know she's has that flu thing...🤦
What if some country pubs stay open for regulars? Doesn't seem to be a policing system or fines in place. Wondering if there will be. Surely if drinking pubs only choose to stay open for the income, there is nothing to stop them? And soda law, they won't get the virus.
Our local has turned themselves into a bakery and may serve drinks in the carpark with tables about 10ft+ apart. Another pub is now a takeaway through a window. Given that it’s rural here people are having to roam about looking for food. The large out of town supermarkets were totally empty last night. Surely if one can localise food and drink availability it’ll stop so much circulation of bodies over the wider area.
We have at least one shop in many villages - but a lot have disappeared in recent years. No shortages though ... Except face masks and gel - USE SOAP PEOPLE!!!!!!
I think the UK government has waited far too long to take drastic action. Flip flopping. I hope all governments get a report card when this is over. I know we in Ontario aren’t doing enough fast enough but at least had sense to close schools, restaurants, bars, non essential stores before we had thousands of tested cases.
I live in Cornwall which has a reported 10 cases of Covid-19 and is also a mecca for 2nd homes and have noticed many absentee owners suddenly finding it 'essential' to travel to them. There's a travel company touting Cornwall as an Isolation Destination with 'Isolation packages' , would you believe .
Watch the numbers in 1 or 2 weeks zoom upward. Our local MP, the Tourism chief, Councillors and of course us frightened and furious residents are all saying Please Don't Come Now, you'll be very welcome when this is over, but our ONE main hospital just won't be able to cope.
I am still getting sales calls from the USA for timeshares. The one today (I answered just to see what the pitch was) was to tell me lots of people have cancelled so they had lots of rooms to let. Yikes!! I live in Canada. No unnecessary travel allowed to USA.
We also live in a small seaside area 20kms from a regional city in the SW of Western Australia and usually only half the approx 150 houses here are occupied with permanent residents. The rest are 'holiday' homes and we have also observed an increase in traffic and occupancy already here although we are a little 'behind' what is happening in (for example) the UK and USA. This kind of presumably 'evasive relocation' is obviously not good as medical facilities in these areas are often much more limited than in large population areas and would hardly cope with even a small local outbreak. I saw on another platform that in Norway they have directed people not to go to their 'holiday' cottages but apparently some people are still doing this anyway (sigh).
We get 5 million visitors annually , starting about now - 'requests' from the government don't seem to cut much ice with some people. But how to enforce it? I await with dread but am hoping common sense and decency will prevail? Yes, sigh.
Our local government has told second home owners to go home - not sure if they have enforced it but it was made clear. None of ours in this block are here though.
I wish . Very difficult to target specific locations and services without blockading.
One of the doctors at our hospital has made an urgent plea to stay away. We already suffer summer overload but if infection rates go up as a result of isolation tourists I foresee a Celtic uprising - at the specified 6m. distancing.
We have this in Wales too they were putting out pleas for people not to come , but on the local news??!!
To see this request they would have already had to have been in Wales , and they aren't likely to go back then.
I think this request should be put out by the Government in one of their statements to protect very small services in all rural and tourist havens in the UK. None of them have the critical care equipment , beds or adequate staff to deal with an influx of non residential Patients , they get stretched enough in Summer with injuries and sunburn .
Absolutely agree, especially your last paragraph. Evidence suggests the 'requests' are being ignored, our local MP wants a much harder line but how to enforce it? He has never received so many emails about any issue before.
It's a frightening dilemma. And brings out both the best and the worst parts of us.
I fear the same thing is happening in Argyll. I heard yesterday that the ferry to the Isle of Mull was full of "visitors" heading to their holiday homes. And all these people are passing through Oban!
They are getting gone before there will inevitably be total, total lock down...I hope the local refused to share food if they themselves have some at the crunch point.
It's a worry. I went to our local Tesco yesterday to do some shopping for some of our elderly neighbours and many of the shelves were empty. We can't cope with extra people just now. And if many of these bring the virus with them, I suspect our medical resources will struggle to cope. Someone I know saw some visitors leaving Oban on the bus and taking toilet rolls with them!
Fear is definitely ramping up, and anger. Get going, government, no more 'requests' . Total lockdown decision will come too late to stop infection spreading. Small communities have been amazingly altruistic and inventive with help, I can't see it continuing if we are overwhelmed with opportunists.
Yes indeed, and if people need hospitalised from a lot of the remote 'holiday home' areas it will involve a helicopter as well and will take up space in our already overloaded hospital facilities.....
They just interviewed someone from Cornwall about their request people shouldn't come there as a retreat. To be honest I don't understand people choosing Dorset/Devon/Cornwall or Wales to retire to - it is a long way to a major hospital if you have an MI or stroke. 45mins on blue lights is far too long and that is what it means - plus the time the ambo took to get there in the first place.
Fortunately only 10 mins to hospital in my hubby’s case and he made it every time heart-wise - and more times than I wish to recall, but we’d be quite happy not to have to many retirees.
That was what happened here - because they waited a bit too long to pass the legislation and it was leaked to the media so loads from the south who were working in the north fled home. Potentially taking the virus with them to a region with a much weaker healthcare system. People didn't think about WHY it was being done - just how it would affect them. And Italians live very much in the extended family - so it spreads like wildfire. One study has found that cases who got it during family quarantine conditions got it worse than people who seemed to have caught it "in passing" - higher viral load I imagine.
Yes, that may apply to my own family next door, grandson has had the cough for a few days and been at home, now joined by the other 4 family members working from home and victims of school closures. Could be nothing, could be The Thing - the waiting is horrible. We're in the middle of devising a strategy to cope with me in total isolation! Not easy.
And I'd like to say how valuable all this information is and I don't know how you and the other mods have kept it all together - heartfelt thanks x
I agree. I have seen the clip of the critical care nurse 4 times and each time it makes me cry angry tears. I bet she’s inundated with provisions now though. It is denial, that illusion of invincibility the young have and the fear that leads to greed in others. It all feels quite unreal.
thank you for the "rant" you deserve it. I assume everyone has seen the horrors of the young people all over the Florida beaches!!! I wish they could pack them onto a Cruise ship and let them party out at sea. We have our president of course saying it's nothing...for so long.. no wonder they think they are invincible. AND you are living in a country devastated by this disease. AND you are working as moderator and helping all of us. RANT ON. rest though. rest!! ox hug to you. (I think of you backing quickly away from that HUG and smile!)
That is what the head of the lab told us about 3 weeks ago when the first lock downs had been put in place. It was already everywhere but most patients didn't know. Maybe what we need now is an antibody test that can be roled out to everyone - and then those with resistance can be put on the front line to reduce the risks to others.
Today a dance acquaintance of mine posted on Facebook that she was in a particular pub that she had found open, and was celebrating that fact.
She came back from Spain on Monday where she had been at a small dance event for a few days.
I’m pretty dark sure she did nothing to isolate herself this week and probably returned to work. She’s not that young, around 40 I think. Old enough to know better.
I actually felt quite sick at the utter stupidity.
Stupidity is right , the stats from US stated that 29% of the first 2500 cases were aged between 20-44 she's definitely not at any less risk than anyone else if she doesn't protect herself.
More importantly , she could do with being reminded that if any of her close family or pub friends end up in hospital it's probably because of her .
Don't know quite what to say PMRpro to the clear frustration that you, and so many of us feel. The youth of every generation think they're immune and indestructible... until they're not. At least the pubs in the UK are closing down.
As they say: "Wisdom comes with age". I can only hope that my children, yours and the young we love in our loves survive this to appreciate the adage.
Not if you looked at the amount of older people in the UK and Southern Italy still meeting up in groups at cafes and socials even at the beginning of this week. Young or Old , no matter what Country you live in, I think this virus is proving that you show your true worth by your actions not looks , success , or random photos on Facebook.
As Bee says - it was a group of teenagers and the oldies in our village who had the finger pointed at them a week or so ago. The mayor called them out, not by name, on FB but he got a load of abusive replies amongst the "Good on you!" ones.
Behind every young person report there's a few older people thinking thank go the cameras not me. I looked out if the window for a while yesterday. Older people wandering up and down. My neighbour had had to shop as no food etc in. She was basically rushing as fast as possible to get out of the car. The only person who showed urgency.
It is now very serious. I am sorry the news media continues to flood the news with the idea that this is a disease of the old and sick. That idea took hold and has spread the disease to all continents. Here is an interesting article about NYC. They admit it is finally hitting the young. Just an hour ago the number of infected in NY was over 7400.
Totally agree PMRpro - I have just had a 'mini' rant here myself about some Australians (I'm trying not to use derogatory adjectives here) who think it quite 'OK' to do 'whatever' despite all govt advice and some crowded in their droves on Bondi Beach yesterday for their 'usual fun'.
If they aren't interested in their own health - how do we persuade them to be concerned about (especially vulnerable) 'others' - I'm thinking FAT chance with their mentality !!
I couldn't believe that but it is your pub for "a last bevy before the shutdown" which I heard last night from someone in London agreeing it needed to be done but had still gone out anyway. Could be someone's last bevy. Ever.
My Eldest lives in Outer London , she and her friends were all laid off on open contracts until further notice as there's no current filming . They were off but all chose not to go out to pubs or attractions. They said that for a few days London had a Iull , but it was the tourists rather than residents that were filling the local pubs and cafes. People were choosing to do day or non stay trips , from what she heard , to take advantage of the lack of queues!!!
Anybody who wants to know why having a lockdown is important just needs to live in a tourist trap , not just rural ones but cities too.
Our government (NZ) has advised people over 70 with immune and breathing problems to stay at home. But, wisely added 'as often as possible'. So still can go 'up the hill' for my full-cream milk and potato-topped meat pies.
My children (and spouses) immediately said they are very happy to deliver shopping.
Very nice of them and I am very grateful.
I am out of bacon.
When I had GCA, they flocked with packs of home-made cooking.
Think about it. A lot of community sentence programmes supervising people doing unpaid work have had to shut down for the same reasons as other things are closing - social distancing, lack of staff who are ill or self isolating, etc etc....
Likewise the courts are under similar pressures. All services are affected.
And a lot of prisons have prisoners having to self isolate therefore needing a cell of their own causing yet more overcrowding, and have staff off for the same reasons as elsewhere . There have been riots in Italian prisons already.
Some homeless shelters have had to close because of the presence of the virus. And how exactly do the homeless self isolate if they have nowhere to live?
And although it doesn’t affect us directly here just imagine what is happening in refugee camps in e.g. Greece where 150 - 200 people share one shower/toilet....
Boris very slow on the uptake....finally starting to go on lockdown. Grocery stores are having times for oldies and NHS workers to shop. I work in two schools and have to go in on Monday....we'll see how that goes. I have been selfisolating and finish Monday (after a trip to Italy). I hope the students have learned how to wash their hands in the meanwhile. Wish me luck. Stay well everyone.
I went to Venice and it was glorious. Empty but with lots of lovely Venetians and other Italians. I absolutely adore Venice. This is my place. We have been many times. We just rejoiced in the emptiness and sunniness. We just wandered around. Went to our usual haunts. We were smart and cautious. Washing hands, hygiene gel, scarves over mouths and not getting near anyone. Truly there was hardly anyone to run into. One Venetian lady came up to us in the grocery store to thank us for coming.
Anyway I am sure hardly any students will come in - only the very naughty ones that drive their parents nuts anyway. Never a dull moment.
I'm sorry if I sound harsh whitefish but I've just read your description of your holiday to Italy , what you did and the time you took it .
Coupled with your comments about how you usually work between schools and which children you think will attend.
Have you checked with your school about whom will be attending ?
Have you read Pros original post on today's thread ?
I'm all for feeling positive and doing the best we can under restrictions but not without forethought , not just for our own needs but also the needs of others.
I'm sorry , but I feel like you have just displayed the attitude that Pro was originally talking about .
I am not a panicker , nor someone whom reacts in Anger or Anxiety generally , but I read this and think your behaviour of late is just the thing that defies belief.
I'm honestly sorry if my reply upsets you but this behaviour has upset me too.
Please check with your school notices to see exactly what provisions have been put in place and what measures they require from you .
Fair enough Blearyeyed. We have self isolated at home being very careful. I am only going in under direction from my bosses. I work in a room alone, miles away from everyone. School - at the moment only one student is coming in so I bet I will be sent home to work remotely (which is what I have been doing). I am not sure if work will carry on at the homeless shelter. However they are very short staffed. Naturally I won't work if could give something to one of my colleagues or the homeless. Everyone knows that I have been self isolating and where I have been. Plus I drive to work. I had to go on the tube once but I wore a mask and a scarf and showered immediately. Sorry if you think I am flippant. I really am not. This is serious. When we went to Venice no one was sick there.
There are ongoing discussions in relation to how Homeless Shelters will be run , wether they use volunteers , if they open , or if they will only provide food to take away , Health assessments and Medical Checks for clients before they can come into the communal enviroment and use temporary beds , at least this is in progress across the UK . It will be an even more desperate situation for Homeless people but they do need to try and create a system that still gives support without putting the Health of the staff , but also the Homeless , at risk.
If you are able to work from Home in your school role , and have not been requested to take on other School Class or Kitchen / Admin / Cleaning support , many members of Staff from Monday in the UK will eventually be working remotely for certain days of the week. They may require you to have time on a rota system to man classrooms if your role is in teaching or Learning Support during the Easter Break not just during term time as they realise that Staff in Essential Services will require Child Care to be continuous during this time.
Glashow City Mission homeless shelter had to close because of cv cases. This situation will just get worse and is going to affect other shelters soon enough. To state the obvious people can’t self isolate at home if they don’t have a home.
From the sounds of things here , I've been reading all the official bumph for the Head and writing ongoing notices for the last day , if they do want you in , they would not want you to be working in two separate schools and if you had been on holiday to Italy in the last 14 days they would want you to tell them and self isolate until that 14 days were up with no symptoms from you or any family member.
They want Staff in but only those whom do not have to abide by the more rigid Social Distancing recommendations for either themselves or a close family member. If you are in this category or have any symptoms of a cold they just want the NHS isolation note , not a GP note , basically they just need to know your situation to remove you from the Staff list.
The schools are having to open for the children of people in essential services whom cannot find alternative childcare Only , and to provide a collection service for Free School Meals ( until they can work out a voucher system that ensures the food goes to the children themselves). They are making the health of both pupils and staff their top priority and online classes will be done by all , even those in the school.
I'm seriously isolating had to go to a local town in a car but I didnt have to get out of it.
There were about 40 people inside weatherspoons all in the 70 + age group round tables sitting close eating out. They are all insane its not just the young ones . my partners mother is 84 and says shes going out ! goes to her daughter where there are lots of visitors all day long sitting in one room together its like a zoo. My mother is 90 and thinks its OK for her son that lives with her to go out to the betting shop because you cant get CV from there because he s not in there long ( yea right not too many hours ).
one of my daughters about 30 comes to my place but will not come inside or within about 10 ft with a shot gun to shoot rabbits to eat rather than go to the supermarket but then shes a survivalist LOL
us survivalists call all the people that behave insane in a crisis Zombies now you can see why
We have collected over about 2 years months of food for just such a situation
It could have been for snow etc it doesn't matter people thought we were insane maybe we are because it looks to us like its the rest of the world thats insane
PMR GCA etc make use vulnerable and I take that seriously and act accordingly to not tempt fate.
we may get this CV 19 one day in the future but I'm not going to overload the NHS during the crisis . We will not be in a queue at a supper market or any other place so building up a food supply over the years with food growing and a huge wood shed etc now doesnt seem so insane .
I even have enough pred to last for few months
Biggest issue is in a month we will run out of milk and might have to use my mates full millitary NBC suit to go and get some from the suppermarket
I kid you not I will look like something from mars in a space suit but I'm not getting CV19 before the main crisis is over regardless of how long it takes.
I totally get it this is an extreme response and for many totally OTT but this is also protecting society from having to cope with yet another stupid idiot
I would humbly suggest if all of us with PMR / GCA go extreme it will be a good thing for us and society ... its can also be kind of fun ! Imagin me t the checkout 6ft 3 in an Millitary NBC suite in camo hood will make me bout 7ft tall and look about 20 stone ( I'm only 15stone honnest )
So all the best keep safe make it fun shock the world with your safety gear
Believe me...I have scoffed watching doomsday preppers but will keep more dry goods...not ott but enough for s few months. I was sort of envisaging an asteroid or ww3 in which case I am happy to go. I would probably be happy with a score 0f 2 in terms of prep hereafter.
Take me to your leader....would be a good opening line when suited and booted. 🤭
I agree with you. We were all warned to be prepared for emergencies but how many of really did anything and lived day to day, paycheque to paycheque.
It’s not much but I sewed my own mask last night after reading about the best way to make one since we can’t or shouldn’t buy them. Going to make more today. There are 5 of us in my house and if one of us gets it at least there will be a mask for the sick one to wear if we need to be exposed.
I too had a report from my son who passed by the window of Weatherspoons during the week and told me it was full of 60 plus clientele. This is in London. He was shocked. I just read in the Times newspaper that maybe Italians are bolshy and generally uncooperative in normal life but calmer and more well behaved in a crisis and that the British are the opposite - well behaved in normal circumstances but rebellious in a crisis!!??
My daughter did say many of the people in her London area were daytripper tourists coming to London while they could to see the sights because there would be no queues , this is the mentality that they are trying to work with , no wonder they end up being forced to shut things down entirely .
Rant away....................Tears flowed when I was listening and looking at that critical care nurse.
The only way we are going to stop this a harder crack down and for a freedom loving person that is a hard thing to say. I have taken the time to read the whole of this thread as when I came on it was so full.
Now I have read all the posts the PM needs to act now and introduce - Civil Contingencies Act 2004. However there is a fat chance of that, when a statement like this is published in the press.
"Boris Johnson could declare a state of emergency to ensure the UK leaves the EU on October 31, an MP has claimed.
Dominic Grieve says the Prime Minister could use the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 to force through Brexit."
Good God leaving the EU is more important that a pandemic..............we are being driven to hell in a handcart.
And: -
We need a lorry full of necessary goods, parked in every hospital car park and only the people who work in that hospital, and they all have badges could buy essential supplies with a little bit of special treats in.
Those 40 tonner's hold a whole heap of stuff and they can easily become amobile shop exclusively for staff and replenished with the next full lorry.
A Bouncer come Doorkeeper to put a stamp on the back of the hand, which does not wash off for at least 24 hours and then let them in, this would control the purchases and stop second shopping by going out, putting stuff in car - then returning for more.
I have watched my country steadily losing their care and consideration for others becoming more, me first, me second and me last, over the past 30 years...........I never thought it would become this bad.
I am so lucky, people around me are ringing and asking do we need anything, are we OK, can they do anything. Yes there are good people around just not enough.
I wept with Pro and I wept again with you. Discussing with OH earlier we came to same conclusion, there must be supplies put by especially for these workers, where they work.
My postie just told me ( from a very safe distance ) that our local pub is going to keep going ..... Wait for it ..... To do Home Deliveries of hot meals and essentials to Home Isolators , the Elderly, Chronically ill and those in need. Bonus , they are also offering a prepared bottle of your favourite draught . This is the pub that originally asked for me to make some hard hitting posters for their toilets two weeks ago. The sign read , with a rather poignant cartoon, " Not Washing your Hands??!! Well , with any luck it will be someone else's Grandma you're killing!" The Postie is going to swap into his own car at the end of his daily shift to deliver the meals and a free pint.
Our local shop put up signs well before the Supermarkets of , " Be Caring , We are here for Emergencies and those who can't get out , 1 item per Customer and no repeats , we are watching you!!"
We have a signed on group of Neighbour Watchers , healthy souls knocking then chatting at windows to anyone on the village vulnerable list ( we can add to it on FB for others ) not just to see if they need anything , but give some much needed company. They also have two farmers set up for Emergency Hospital Runs . Postie told everyone the number by yesterday.
Local phone trees going on , for the dark of humour, there is a Covid Whispers Game, by phone . The first person rings and whispers the real message then everybody changes it to see what random rumour you have at the end . Yesterday's was , " Children may be Super Spreaders" , it changed to, " Spreading Mayonnaise on the Under 5's is Super to stop them infecting others ." Very British way of coping I know .
I'm getting lots of support from people , even people like yourself , whom already work hard as a Home Carer.
It's good to keep balancing the days World TV News with the Real News out there , and as ever there is still a proper balance between the Very Good , the Bad, and the Downright Ugly.
Living on a island with only one bridge and a part of the UK where people are still a community is good. It is the same for those of us in small villages. We know were to ask for help and it is given freely.
I don't work hard, I just do it at my pace. You would have laughed out loud this morning, when I changed a single duvet cover - it gave me more problems than the double. I ended up sitting down with a coffee and a 'guess what was in it' I loved that duvet cover as I sipped.
Mind if I have to listen to any more rubbish from various sources, I am pleased we stopped hanging people. 🤔
Keep doing what you are doing, just remember you are not 21 anymore - me neither.
We have three cases as far as I know , the first was a child from a local primary school , another had just been abroad to Italy , if that reality didn't hit home and teach people the reality of the situation nothing will. Nobody is immune and just because you have known no cases where you travel doesn't mean that you are not at risk while going out to social places.
I am about to email you , as I hope you have recovered from your battle with your duvet xxxx 😋😂😂😂
Absolutely agree. I remember having special privileges (backed up by a letter from my hospital) to enable me to get petrol supplies during the petrol shortage over a decade ago now.
Super post PMRpro. I'm all too familiar with Geneva airport having spent many hours there. My daughter lives just over the border in France.
As for the supermarkets, we are absolutely disgusted. I realise we can't, but back to rationing would make them think. I wonder how they would cope with that?
Hope your family are all ok in Italy. My brother in law is stuck there now close to Bergamo but still thankfully clear of Covid19.
Oh lord - I wouldn't want to be anywhere near Bergamo! Does he live here? Hope he isn't emerging from the front door. Only the two of us here - the girls are in North Yorkshire and Fife working in the NHS. The only problem I have really is getting through to OH that when I ask is there anything he wants I mean for the next at least 3 days, not just today. He wants to shop every day and won't buy 2 or 3 bottles/packs of the things he uses all the time. Except gin ... Which did make me laugh
He lives in a place called Nembro - up quite a steep hill if I remember rightly. He's staying put except going to get food. Has to take his temperature twice a day. He seems to be quite laid back.
At least your girls are way out of London which should help. I'm a Yorkshireman originally, but from Sedbergh, which is now Cumbria.
Your posts have been very helpful, and really had a good effect on my wife, who was pretending she was 67, not 77!!! She's being more careful now..
My daughter left her place in London two days ago to stay with a friend in Newcastle , just the two of them. Her employment is suspended for the foreseeable as she works in Film , her friends Uni work has stopped.
She had no symptoms but to be absolutely sure because of where they live, both her and her friend , have decided to social distance together until they can be confident that coming home is sensible for their parents.
Both Me and my OH , and Daughters friends Mother , are in at risk groups and they are a few of the young ones who understand how catching any bug can make us very ill generally so they are thinking ahead for us all and do not want to be responsible for bringing anything into the house while managing to protect themselves too.
SICK DAY RULES FOR LONG TERM STEROID USERS ON LOW DOSE PRED. My Rheumatologist advised me to double my Pred dose ( 5 mgs) if I contract Covid 19 symptoms. I have been on Pred for 4 years. This action is to support the Adrenal system when dealing with a new stressor. She didn’t say how long for - the Internet says two days. Please check with your own medical practitioner. I would immediately go to 10 mgs if I began to experience fever and continuous cough. Sickness and Diarrhoea would particularly indicate this action too and for acute illness and fever.
Thanks for the heads up. Trying to keep PMR and ulcerative colitis under control in the best of times is difficult, don’t want a flare up of both and a virus to deal with.
Im in the same boat - have PMR and Ulcerative Colitis. Not a good combination if both flare at same time
Survavalist’s post above prompts me; I live in a rural and isolated area, without neighbours. Suddenly, it’s rather appealing as we have a large garden, so plenty of room to go outside or, just watch wildlife from within. We’ve been feeding a visiting fox over recent evenings. They shoot them round here then hang the carcass on the fence as ‘deterrent’.
I’ve just bought some seeds online, peas, spinach, beans and salad stuff which I’m hoping to start up quickly in the little poly framed greenhouse. A lad comes to cut the grass as I struggled with PMR, so I’m hoping he’ll dig over the veg patch and I can plant up as early as poss. That’ll help in coming months with fresh veg.
We have plastic storage boxes in the garage with basic supplies; extra pasta, a sack of rice, some tinned stuff like baked and kidney beans and tomatoes. It’s been a habit in case we get stuck for transport or something bad happens; and now both have.
In case of power outtages, we have a camping gaz stove, only a single burner and a dozen cylinders, so we have cooking facility for a couple of weeks.
We have wind up torches which are brilliant and work well.
We’ve also got half a dozen portable power packs which will charge tablets, phones, kindle, radio, etc etc. A couple are solar charged and work well. They’re relatively inexpensive and mean we’d have access to info in the event of any prolonged power cut.
We have a stock of water purifying tabs. I’ve never used them, but water would be essential and there’s a water butt in the garden...
We also have camping lanterns which in addition to white light have settings for flashing SOS and it’s visible from a main road some distance. away.
I’ve always felt a little silly trying to think what may be needed in the event if some post apocalyptic scenario, but as days go by I’m a little comforted that we can get by for a while without having to go anywhere. Most of the prepping stuff is available online and cheap. Amazon is reducing their warehouse stock here and in the USA. They’re not allowing sellers to refill their stock at the moment so Amazon can concentrate on being a supply chain for essentials. I got a regular Pantry order on Wed and Pantry closed on Thursday). There are lots of small things we can do to prepare without it costing a fortune and which will prevent loss of things we take for granted.
What an interesting thread, thank you all. It gives such a vivid picture of developments elsewhere.
Just exchanged discussion with 85yrs old friend who is wandering up and down her street. It is often the busiest street there. I know her she will stop and talk...though denies it...wants to stop from stiffening up. I didn't say the obvious.
Her Dr is currently investigated raised markers that have been up for 12 months or more but ignored as she bounced around the surgery drs.
The devastating effect this virus is having around the world is undeniable. Governments need to mandate lockdown for the idiots that won’t listen. Short term pain is the only solution. The problem is they have waited too long because of the economic fallout. Why such a delay closing pubs and restaurants, schools in the UK? I want to scream when I see our provincial government not acting fast enough. We all saw it coming but sat and waited until it was at our front door. Too little too late.
I got in trouble by my husband’s family for refusing to attend a funeral. People still don’t get it.
When I read the story about the 34 year old man who went to Disney for work and contracted the virus and died, it broke my heart. We had a case here in Ontario of a 51 year old man who should have had many years ahead. He went to hospital and was given antibiotics and sent home. Came back, put on a vent and died. I hope people see they aren’t just a statistic it could happen to anyone of us, regardless of age or money.
So many sad stories, my emotions are all over the place. We're getting a very rocky ride with stress and PMR, but there is an upside to all this chaos. I am receiving, and making, many more phone calls, video calls from friends and (oh, gone into italics, can't sort that out yet!) and renewed my Tai Chi practice which does calm me down to face the day.
Also decided to do something I used to love, letter-writing - taking time (and there's lots of it) to really think of the people I love and tell them so; some male long-time friends from youth, always a bit cagy with their inner thoughts, are becoming very open and endearing.
So true. Our world needs to slow down. My daughter’s boyfriend was all set to move out on his own far from where my daughter is. At the last moment he realized the universe is sending him a message, stay home, don’t move out. He didn’t sign a lease. We are playing board games at home, phoning people more, spending more quality time together as a family. Maybe something good can come from this.
I agree with everything you say but as well as the younger people like your daughters who are going to get us through this, there are several local and community groups in my, and I'm sure, other areas who are offering shopping, prescription collection and other vital services to those who are self isolating or otherwise housebound.
I too was nauseated when I saw the loo roll fights and the tragic video of the nurse, working for us who was unable to buy food for her family at the end of a 48 hour shift but I was also encouraged to see the number of offers of help on our local Nextdoor network and other groups and also offers to track down dietary essentials for others (apparently the gluten free shelves had been cleaned out leaving coeliacs and others in need). Let's hope the positive and selfless will win the day.
Can perfectly understand the rant- especially when your two girls and so many others are on the front line and giving their all and mor besides. We witness some terrible behaviour. Peppered in that is some wonderful stories of communities helping and supporting each other. Long may that survive and grow. X
Oh and after I work at the secondary school I then go help prepare food for the homeless. I don't usually seem them or only as I leave (I work in the Chop Shop as we call it).
Just had A pop in visit from our daughter ( to drop of food ) , she told us on leaving work ,in the care sector last evening , A group of youngsters were discussing where they were going to celebrate A birthday and where to meet up , she told them they were being socially disrespectful and irresponsible , they told her they deserved to be able to enjoy themselves after working all week , I really despair !
We have just had a warning from the local whatsapp group that the chief nurse here is advising use the disposable gloves provided at the petrol pumps and to dispose of them in the bin provided because they suspect this is a major point of transfer.
Anything other people have touched surely? Like card payment things - which are being encouraged here - though I suppose it is just a finger as opposed to gripping the holster bit filling up with fuel.
I have sanitised after petrol pumps for several years now, and have used Dettol wipe on the keypad and gloves on the pay at pump bit since this started rumbling a month or more ago.
I only put in 10 when I went cos I knew car would be sat. That's 40 a months saved. Now what can I spend it on?? Nothing ...perhaps I might survive so well I decide it great being shut in...not sure my hound likes it though.
Luckily I went to Austria for diesel (40 cents a litre less there)and English cheese the weekbefore the border was closed. That would usually last for months - but the journeys are all very short ones now. Just hope the battery holds up - better reverse into the garage so we can open the bonnet ...
Re the selfish "I'm alright Jack" self centred good hoarders... In Lidl this morning.... Certain Items were limited... One charming shopper went through the tills three times with the same items!!! ... Cashier was fuming but nothing they can do... It's this kind of selfish shoppers we really need to name and shame... It's only going to get worse...
Imagine now pubs, clubs and restaurants are closed, beer ,wine and spirits will be as scarce as toilet rolls!!!
I'm wondering how Elderly and vulnerable shopping hour in Tesco will work... They're open from 6am so what's going to be left by 9am?...
And I'm pretty sure the younger people shopping at that time will not step back for us willingly.... Sad state of morals...
OTOH in our local area, many younger fit people have offered to get shopping in and also collect prescriptions for us "Elderly'... So all is not lost... We are truly grateful, but at almost 73, I'm not enjoying that "label"... I like to think I'm a recycled teenager 🤣😂
Actually it’s probably more to do with possible civil unrest and folk breaking into the stores if they can’t get access to drink. Also of course if someone is an alcoholic and is deprived of alcohol suddenly it can be extremely dangerous for their health.
I wasn’t thinking that New Yorkers were violent or anything. I was there a couple of months ago. I was wondering what was behind the decision and what they’d do here as things progress. We don’t have liquor stores as such so it’s a bit different.
In New York, you can buy beer in a food store, but not liquor. In a liquor store, you can buy wine and liquor but not beer. Neither place is allowed to serve alcoholic beverages. Usually bars and restaurants cannot sell wine or liquor off premises and drinks must be consumed inside. In an effort supplement their take/out delivery lifeline business, the governor is allowing them to include wine, beer and liquor with take out/delivery orders in unopened bottles and cans.
He's only 20 , clearly learnt early!!! Another properly socially distancing youth , off work from the virus effect on employment with no contract , but offering up his time to walk the dogs of people who are fully self isolated , and emergency child minding service for any NHS workers that need it .
We live on the coast in Wales. There are a lot of caravan parks and second homes here. At the moment there are already visitors staying on the sites and the numbers will increase at Easter and some people want to stay at their holiday homes to self isolate. But there is already problems for locals getting appointments with GP and hospital beds and now shortages of supplies at the shops, mainly down to people being greedy.
All over the uk this is/will happen unless the government orders that all caravan parks close and people have to remain at their main address. In my view, this should be decided now before the inevitable happens
This is a campsite in the very north west highlands...right at the top left point of the British mainland if you prefer. They took the responsible decision to close, to protect the local community including elderly people, but still people kept coming so they eventually had to barricade the site. Yes really. You can sense their anger/upset in this FB post.....
They have just forbidden travel to second homes - it is a no-brainer. Few tourist areas are ready to cope with the tourist masses - North Yorkshire is horrendous.
Dear lord - how irresponsible. At least there won't be a cafe or restaurant for them to get together in.
But I swear - I haven't heard anything about the economy here and our businesses have exactly the same problem. It won't do you any good if you are dead ...
Took five mins to get to end of thread and now I’m here I’ll comment! Shouldn’t think anyone else will do same! It’s mums day tomorrow, can’t see family, ant and dec on after copious terrifying news bites am going to watch rubbish and after four years not drinking I’m on the fiz. Why the heck not? Night all x
Oh, Mothering Sunday in the UK? I used to send a mother's day card to my aunt but now she has passed away. A year or two ago.
Today I am feeling sad that I don't know when I will see my little granddaughter again. Even on Skype we can see she has made some huge developmental strides in the last few weeks. I should be glad we can use Skype, but it is a poor substitute for the real thing!
Just read Barmouth full today with people buying ice cream, flying kites - just like summer! Also Abersoch pub closed but people bought their own drinks and sat outside. I despair!
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Can you edit my brain, too, please... (now that would be scary)
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