Coronavirus (Covid19) Corner

[Tizer]

I never thought I'd hear the AA supporting less driving!
`Coronavirus will transform UK work and travel, says AA' LINK

[PanBiker]

Did a top up shop at Aldi this morning, Scottish security guy on the door still entertaining the socially distanced queue. Trolleys are no longer locked so you don't need your quid. Floor is all marked out at the tills and they are regularly opening more tills to keep the queues down and moving smoothly. Till operatives now have perspex screens with only the POS payment terminal accessible.

Most stuff in stock, got my entire list apart from flour (none of any type) and prunes but including cat litter which was out last week. still the odd shopper who seemed to be going the opposite way to everyone else and gaily darting about without a care. Excluding the idiot, a smooth operation and well managed.

[Big Kev]

Did a top up shop at Aldi this morning, Scottish security guy on the door still entertaining the socially distanced queue. Trolleys are no longer locked so you don't need your quid. Floor is all marked out at the tills and they are regularly opening more tills to keep the queues down and moving smoothly. Till operatives now have perspex screens with only the POS payment terminal accessible.

Most stuff in stock, got my entire list apart from flour (none of any type) and prunes but including cat litter which was out last week. still the odd shopper who seemed to be going the opposite way to everyone else and gaily darting about without a care. Excluding the idiot, a smooth operation and well managed.

Similar experience for me too Ian, the security guard convinced me I needed a pack of hot cross buns on my way in

[Big Kev]

Did a top up shop at Aldi this morning, Scottish security guy on the door still entertaining the socially distanced queue. Trolleys are no longer locked so you don't need your quid. Floor is all marked out at the tills and they are regularly opening more tills to keep the queues down and moving smoothly. Till operatives now have perspex screens with only the POS payment terminal accessible.

Most stuff in stock, got my entire list apart from flour (none of any type) and prunes but including cat litter which was out last week. still the odd shopper who seemed to be going the opposite way to everyone else and gaily darting about without a care. Excluding the idiot, a smooth operation and well managed.

Similar experience for me too Ian, the security guard convinced me I needed a pack of hot cross buns on my way in

Brioche Hot Cross Bun with a brew, oh my word. That is all...

[PanBiker]

[Tizer]

Watch out for scams...
`Coronavirus scam: Thieves raid elderly woman's Oldham home' LINK
`Thieves tricked a 92-year-old woman into believing her neighbour had died of coronavirus so they could raid her home. They knocked on her door in Oldham, Greater Manchester, lied about the death and offered to clean the house. They presented themselves as a "helping hand" police said, but they stole a purse, money and jewellery...'.

`Coronavirus conman barges in on 83-year-old woman' LINK
`A coronavirus conman barged into the home of an 83-year-old woman claiming he was "from health and safety" and needed to check her property. The potential thief demanded £220 from the lady, who has dementia and was following guidance to stay at home amid the outbreak. He left empty-handed after she told him she only had 20p in cash with her. Trading standards officers say this is an example of how con artists are exploiting the current crisis. Years-old doorstep crimes and frauds are being revised to steal from people left alone and vulnerable by the coronavirus restrictions...'.

[Marilyn]

We have on-the-spot $1000 fines for people caught not social distancing.
I do wish they would drive down my street today as they would get quite a haul.
We walked past one house (occupied by school teachers who should know better !), and noticed 5 or 6 cars parked on their front lawn. (Oooo...having a social gathering are we?). Next moment, the front door gets flung open and about 18 school aged children burst out, all giggling and in high spirits, and are now playing in the street in one big group.
The parents are all sat inside, enjoying their get together.
They ought to be hauled away in handcuffs...honestly...this is appalling.
(School teachers too! Absolutely disgraceful.)

[Stanley]

Ian, Thanks and thank Sally for me. I'll Paypal the BF website....
Tiz, that surprised me as well, just shows what stratagem times we live in!
If you are a 'vulnerable person' the biggest problem at the moment is avoiding help when you don't need it! They assume that anyone over 70 is helpless and the only way you can avoid them interfering in your world is ignore the registration process. No such thing as a dead simple "No thanks, I am managing very well and will let you know when this changes."

[Wendyf]

I'm sure it's not that people think you are helpless Stanley, more that all over 70s have been asked to stay at home and not go shopping!

[Stanley]

I know that Wendy but you haven't seen the registration form. It gives you no choices. What I am saying is that it would be nice if you could let them know you didn't need help because you have your own arrangements in place. That way they can concentrate on the cases of real need. The only way you can avoid taking up services you don't need is not to fill the registration form in.

[plaques]

Stanley, I think you know the best way of helping yourself and helping the NHS is not to catch the bloody virus. Its people who carry the virus so keep away from them. You have already said that neighbours have offered assistance so take them up on it. I agree 'official' help can be a nuisance and can be seen as an interference to your independence so quietly decline their offer but don't be a martyr.

[Marilyn]

They aren’t going to suddenly call in at 2am, insisting on washing your bum, Stanley.
Nor should they be wanting your bank account details...

[Tizer]

Especially if they haven't washed it to your satisfaction!

Next moment, the front door gets flung open and about 18 school aged children burst out, all giggling and in high spirits, and are now playing in the street in one big group.

Perhaps they're anti-vaxers, Maz, who believe in the old mumps/measles parties. They don't mind if a couple of the kids die as long as theirs get immunity.

[Stanley]

Had a word with the nice lady at the pharmacy and as I thought, she can deliver my meds on Tuesday Morning.
P, yes of course I know that. I am making arrangements but don't want to put anything in place before I know what Susan and Mick's status is. At the moment they are both very poorly at home but according to Jess she says that she thinks they are over the worst.
Later, Ian turned up with two beautifully made dace masks. Isn't OG wonderful.....

[Marilyn]

Susan and Mick will have to continue self isolation for 2 full weeks after they recover...so I would suggest you make your own arrangements that suit yourself, Stanley.
You can’t help them and they can’t help you for the foreseeable. It’s the nature of the beast I am afraid.

(Actually, I think you lot only give it a week over there...I am thinking of Prince Charles coming out of isolation a week after his symptoms abated. We do a fortnight over here.)

[Stanley]

Well, everything is done better in Australia of course.
It's not a matter of self isolation Maz, it's a matter of how well and quickly they recover. That will be much longer than a fortnight.

[Marilyn]

I did say “after they recover”...and yes, that process may take a while, so one can not speculate.

[Marilyn]

Data suggests the disease lasts approx 2 weeks for mild cases, and 3 - 6 weeks for those with severe or critical cases.
(And yes...we do quarantine for 2 weeks post recovery from symptoms).
One of the more lingering symptoms is fatigue.

[Marilyn]

Yeeha! We have only 2 new cases in South Australia today and no deaths recorded.
Do a victory punch for TESTING, TRACKING and ISOLATION techniques...( and fining those not following personal space rules)
Yeeha!
Now...tell us we are talking shit, Stanley!

[Tizer]

I hope you're right to be pleased but don't count your chickens before they're hatched, Maz. That day is just one data point on the curve. Give it a few days before making the assumption that it's on the way out. I don't want you to be disappointed tomorrow or the day after!

`5G is not accelerating the spread of the new coronavirus' LINK
We've now had three phone masts in the UK attacked with fires because social media is spreading at least two false stories about the virus being spread by 5G phone technology. This is the rebuttal from the Full Fact web site. There are many other useful articles on the site.

[Big Kev]

There could be quite a few more depending on where the 600 cruise passengers have been...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/world-australia-52171181

[PanBiker]

Just heard on the news that 3000 selfish moronic folk gathered in one of the parks in London yesterday and were congregating in large groups etc. I would do a "Joules" on such folk, (not empty a .45 into them) but spray them with some kind of indelible marker. When they turn up in hospital gasping for breath they should be sent home.

[Marilyn]

Cruise passengers are unlikely to belong to us, but if they are they will be bagged and tagged as per our strict code.
( which...up until this point...you have to admit...has been stricter than yours) they will be tested, tracked, isolated...

I am just so sick of the snide remarks. ( when I read on other topics that you question the choices your government has made and the struggles your NHS has)
Aren’t we “all in this together?”

Perhaps not. I honestly can’t tell. You seem quite hostile.

[Tripps]

Masks.
My understanding is that they may protect others from you, by catching your exhalation, but are of no value to protect you from the tiny virus particles that may be heading in your direction. A used mask from an infected person may be a dangerous source of infection to others if not handled and disposed of correctly. Current Government policy does not recommend their use.

This is from Andrew Neil's site. He is normally very good at fact checking and usually reliable. That said - I don't know if it's true.

Professor Lee for Spectator:
“Imagine a birthday balloon. A virus is smaller than this by roughly the same amount that the balloon is smaller than the earth. Just think about that for a moment: balloon, earth; virus, balloon.”
No wonder some think face masks marginal.

[Marilyn]

Trippy...if it is a machine made fabric mask that you wear for 30 mins a week to pop out to the shops, then wash it, you are totally safe my friend.