Covid-19

[Garry]

( Not a political thread please )

Just wondering how you are all coping ?

Are you all well ?

Have any of you had to go into self quarantine ?

Are you all managing to get food ?

For me. None of my family, or anyone I know has had or has Covid-19 None of us have had to self quarantine.

Work has gone very quiet. But that was to be expected. Means I can do some much needed work at home.

The shops here are crazy. People queuing for what seems miles, in order to go into supermarkets and find the daily essentials are not on the shelves.

Good thing that the major supermarkets have now put limits on purchases. This will give others a chance to get some supplies

We are waiting to see if our holiday will be cancelled in June. I tend to think there will be no holidays this summer, for anyone.

Has anyone had hardship from the situation ?

What are your experiences so far.

[mikew]

Today was our weekly shop day and its the first time for a while we got everything we wanted, could be a fluke but ime hoping the restrictions on purchasing left stuff on the shelves for us, apart from shopping my wife and i have self distanced (better than calling it self isolation IMO) for over a week and don't care how long we have to do it.

[Garry]

Pleased to hear you are both dong well, and are keeping your distances.

[Rodbender]

Yes this is worrying time for the likes of me with heart and lung problems. Trying to stay away from people but finding it difficult as you still need to shop and even more difficult having to visit several stores to get essentials. Panic buying is more to do with the advice to stay home for 4 weeks. How can you not try to shop for enough food to last that long without going out. Supermarket deliveries are hard to book and most orders can't be delivered due to shortages. I do believe some we thought were nice people have shown their true colours and are not so nice as first thought.
Just got a Tesco delivery which we made 4 days ago. 16 items not available plus two substitutes. All items were available last night when I checked our order. So much for the restrictions to combat shortages. I do hope things improve otherwise staying home will not be possible and the need to shop around will become more important.
Maybe those that have emptied the shelves will still be eating out of date food next Christmas.

[Garry]

I agree, Ron. We shouldn't panic buy, and as you say. How can you help not when you may be isolated for 4 weeks.

To be honest. If you see items you want. You will purchase them just in case.

It is not nice out there. I am so pleased that the major companies have now set limits.

I heard from my neighbour who shops online, that things were bad too. I have never used online shopping.

Edit.

I hope you avoid this virus, with your heart and lung problems. Stay safe.

[Rodbender]

Tried to book a delivery for end next week. No chance no dates showing for three weeks, then it is only for click and collect. Them bloody pigeons had better look out.

[Garry]

Tried to book a delivery for end next week. No chance no dates showing for three weeks, then it is only for click and collect. Them bloody pigeons had better look out.

My neighbour tells me the soonest she can get a delivery is 5 weeks. What good is three weeks click and collect or 5 weeks delivery ?

It means people like yourself and my neighbours have to stand have to choose between going hungry, or standing among the crowds. Not good is it .

[Thai-Mike]

We had to close our business, my wife was shopping yesterday. Nothing special there not too much people and shelves are full so she told me. One of my students boss got COVIT-19 now the company closed,. This is now a good thing we closed our School. A mother of a parent was so kind and disinfected our entirely school for free.

Schools are not able to tutoring the students who are seeking a secondary school place so they started online lessons.

Luckily our daughter passed the test 2 weeks ago as the only one in her class. No we help her friends to step up and can pass too.

But almost and foremost we are prying and having faith in our LORD Jesus.

[patmoore]

The freezer is stocked up. We may be here for the long haul. Maybe time to learn to speak German and play the piano....

[Garry]

We had to close our business, my wife was shopping yesterday. Nothing special there not too much people and shelves are full so she told me. One of my students boss got COVIT-19 now the company closed,. This is now a good thing we closed our School. A mother of a parent was so kind and disinfected our entirely school for free.

Schools are not able to tutoring the students who are seeking a secondary school place so they started online lessons.

Luckily our daughter passed the test 2 weeks ago as the only one in her class. No we help her friends to step up and can pass too.

But almost and foremost we are prying and having faith in our LORD Jesus.

Sorry to hear you had to close your business, Mike.

I think this will happen to a lot of businesses throughout the world.

Just heard my neighbour has been laid off work. Sign of the times and very worrying.

Lets hope the cursed virus goes as soon as it came.

[Garry]

The freezer is stocked up. We may be here for the long haul. Maybe time to learn to speak German and play the piano....

I agree. Think we are in for the long haul. Not sure about learning German though

[Caz]

In my spare time, I'm a parish councillor in our small village of 200 houses/population around 500.

When we had our monthly meeting a couple of weeks ago, we broke one of the cardinal rules of councils and discussed something that wasn't on the agenda: COVID.

We've now set up a volunteer network of 30 (and counting) people who are willing to contact (not visit) our elderly population to check whether they're ok, and also to shop for them if necessary. Our closest Co-Op is 2 miles, our nearest town is 10 and there is no public transport unless you are pre-registered for the community bus.

As for me, still working but as from Tuesday (I work 4 days a week) I shall be working from home. Having been told on Wednesday at 12.30 that our offices would definitely not be closing, I got back from a late lunch to be told that I was being classified as vulnerable and being sent home. We'd already had to provide details of our computers/laptops and what antivirus programme (if any) that we use. Having checked with HR, it turned out that I wasn't vulnerable - it was because I have the typical pro photographer's pc.. a beast - IT said that they were jealous of the spec, even though it's now around 3 years old.

By Thursday, things were beginning to change and when it was announced that the schools would be closing from Friday then it became obvious that our small office would have to close: our receptionist had already been sent home as she's 5 months pregnant, and two of the 4 remaining staff have school age children, none of whom are old enough to be left on their own and all with grandparents who are self-isolating due to age/pre-existing medical conditions. So our final office day was Friday, although as I'd previously booked the day off (to cover a now cancelled concert) I wasn't there.

I've also been coming under pressure from my children, who are both on lockdown in France and Spain. Not because they consider me to be at risk, but because they'd be unable to travel if anything did happen to me.

As regards shopping, I booked a slot for Thursday just gone about 10 days ago and was able to edit my order up until Tuesday night when Ocado closed the site. Perhaps because they'd had my order for so long, I only had one substitution (heaven knows how long a huge jar of mayonnaise will last with only 2 of us!)

Once the announcement was made yesterday that pubs and clubs would be closing, I was so annoyed to see my local rock bar (about 20 miles) saying that they'd be throwing a final party. I have no idea how many people went but, having seen pictures this morning of other music pubs that were packed, I do hope that they won't live to regret that if they then go on to infect older members of their family. We cancelled all gig coverage over 2 weeks ago, not wanting to take the risk as my partner is prone to chronic chest infections - although it was me who had to put my foot down.

I see that there has been a suggestion on social media this morning that the UK joins the Italians and Spanish by applauding the health workers - I wonder how many will open their doors and join in?

[Garry]

It has always struck me that you are a very efficient and responsible person Caz, and your explanation of what has been going on in your life tends to prove that.

Sounds like you live in a very thoughtful community. I hope all goes well for you all and that the contact between the 30+ network of volunteers and the elderly and those in need is successful.

Stay safe.

[Caz]

Thank you Garry. Whilst I'm on the list, I've asked to be a reserve as my partner does have a tendency to get severe chest infections so trying to stay in as much as possible.

[Garry]

I popped out this morning. ( I was starting to get a bit stir crazy ) So took a drive just to see how busy the roads were and how manic the car parks were at Tesco and Sainsburys.

To my amazement. The car parks were only half full They had been cram jammed all week long.

So decided to call in at Tesco to pick up some sugar. On entering the store, I could see why the car park was only half full. The shelves were also only half full.

Did manage to get a bag of sugar and a bag of potatoes though

Also took a stroll along the sea front this afternoon. Very quiet, with all the bars and cafes closed.

[mikew]

Just had my daughter in law on the phone, she runs a starbucks near an army barracks, she had some soldiers in complaining they should be on leave. She ask why they are not and they said next week they are going on lockdown duty on the streets and will be taking people home and issuing fines for breaking whatever rules come in.