**Thread of little facts & things**....3

[Valkyrie]

That's disgraceful Soapy!  What are they thinking!  Poor children.

 

 

[soapdragon]

We are bombarded by the school with figures about how just one day per month off school impacts their education but, having been a school governor (later chair) it's clear that it's all about OfSTED and getting the attendance as high as possible to meet their targets. On the upside YS is brighter and eating - always a good sign!

However, I am dreading the next Covid pronouncement tomorrow.

 

 

[Patricia W]

We’re both in a low Covid area, Soapy, so hopefully we’ll escape the worst.  In fact, your area is the lowest in the county.  Let’s hope it stays that way!  

[soapdragon]

Oh, I didn't realise that PW! We are very rural and most people in the village who 'walk' do so out over the fields where it's easy to social distance. The main pub here is brilliant at enforcing the rules (one other les so though!) and the only person I've seen in the shop who wasn't wearing a mask was a 'white van man' (sorry to generalise but I don't know how else to put it!) who obviously was just popping in to buy lunch and wasn't local.

It was bound to happen that numbers increased as schools went back - I wonder it unis will have the same effect in a couple of weeks?

[patsylabrador]

I am totally selfish, I accept that. I see three of my kids all the time but we ALL really miss our family in Japan. We're very close and have booked a place in Tokyo next March where we can all be together. We are all so excited to be together but now I can see that is all going to fall apart. I'm usually a strong person but I can feel that choking teary sensation in the back of my throat all the time. It's very unlike me. Thank goodness for video messaging. We were on a bus the other day on our way to Feltham and able to say hello to our grandson which was really fun and amazing from a technology point of view. To see his cute little smile and hear him say hello was incredible when you think of the technology that allowed us to do that from the top of a bus in London. It's almost like magic. 

[patsylabrador]

Forgot to say, 😂 The reason I say I'm selfish is that I moan about Lockdown etc from my point of view and don't really consider other people. I want it to stop now. 100 %. I want to move on. 

[soapdragon]

Jude...March is ages away and we will be looking at a very different situation by then. The whole situation seems to change daily (as does the advice!) and I (who usually stress out at the slightest thing - thanks Asperger's!)) have totally surprised myself (and everyone who knows me well) by being chilled. My take is that there is no point in worrying about the situation beyond next week as it may all have changed by then so I'm not going to waste time in the interim stressing. Living in the moment and making the most of things here and now is very much my attitude. You may very well all be together again in March and its wonderful that you have the technology to stay in touch so closely so that your grandson actually can see you and know Granny (are you granny?)

I, too, feel that we need to try and do as much normal stuff as possible; handwashing, mask wearing and being sensible. What tiddles me off are the photos of the crowded masses in bars etc who think it doesn't matter. They are the reason for the 10pm 'curfew'. I'd bring in water cannon!

Take heart Jude.........XX

[The Dogmother]

[Beantree]

Sums it up very well DM.

Going crazy in France now. A second wave is in no doubt and a new system of risk designation by Departments (Counties) has been started. Coloured nothing, pink, red and black corresponding to the number of infections per 100,000 being <50, <150, <250 or >250. M*****ille (black) has been locked down again amid much protest, having a figure of 499 per 100,000. Hospital facilities there are already stretched. There were again over 13,000 new cases in France yesterday and the number of people in reanimation (intensive care) is now back over 1000, having risen from 3000 and 300 just two weeks ago. There are now about 30 departments in 'red' and even our 'backwater' is pink after a care home was tested and 43 of the 58 residents and 13 of the 30 staff tested positive. I hope the UK has reacted quickly and effectively enough.

[Daphne]

Could you point me to where I can find this colour map info please Beantree?  My MIL is in an infected care home, and we get daily updates.  She is still awaiting the result of her test (no reason to think she is positive, we spoke to her on Tues, looking hale & hearty), and the care home is furious its taking so long to get the results back.  Am I right in surmising that as there are more analytical clinics in France, for general health purposes, that may also be doing covid-19 tests?

When I was in UK 3 weeks ago, it didn't strike me as much different to Portugal in terms of behaviour and life in general.  Since then, obviously, things have got a lot more serious with more restrictions etc.

 

[Beantree]

It was an article covered in the news this morning Daphne, so I can't help with an internet search as it's probably too early to be on there. Slow results seems to be a problem everywhere,  including France, so a bit pointless opening new testing sites I think? Normal health testing is still going on here, so I can't see any evidence of switching to Covid testing, which must need specialist equipment anyway.

Also featured on the news was the UK starting panic buying again, something the French can't understand. The reporter showed a picture of a woman with a shopping trolly filled to overflowing with only toilet roll. They do have regular features here from reporters based in London; John Bercow had a fair bit of coverage as has BoJo.

[soapdragon]

BT......many supermarkets have now brought in restrictions on how many of a specific product can be purchased. Tesco are only allowing 3 packs of loo roll and pasta at a time. There is no restriction on wine though......................................................................................😉

Edited September 25, 2020 by soapdragon
forgetfulness

[Blackrocksrock]

30 minutes ago, soapdragon said:

BT......many supermarkets have now brought in restrictions on how many of a specific product can be purchased. Tesco are only allowing 3 packs of loo roll and pasta at a time. There is no restriction on wine though......................................................................................😉

Only 2 packs of loo rolls in Asda!!   Here we go again.

 

[Valkyrie]

Ocado usually give us 3 slots available but this week they'd reduced it to 2 - OH said I wonder if they know something we don't.  I guess now we know!  Surely the amount of loo rolls that disappeared off the shelves last time haven't all been used up yet?!  Otherwise they are storing for selling at an inflated price at Christmas after everyone is under Military rule and curfews abound.  

[patsylabrador]

It's especially ridiculous when the graph that the two scientists used to scare everyone which showed how terrible it was going to get have so far been wrong. The slope has been going down not up. It may go up it may not, but it's not right now. Doesn't society at some point have to get used to the idea that some people will get ill, some will die and most wont. Just like every other illness I can think of. Meningitis affects university students every year I think and quite a few die from it but most people don't worry about that, just some mums and dads have a terrible worry. It's what life on this planet is. 

People die in Africa all the time with horrible diseases and hardly an eyebrow is risen. Flights aren't stopped, there's no quarantine but those diseases like ebola are real killers. I truly don't know one person who has been diagnosed as having covid. 

That said I really like wearing a face covering on public transport and in public toilets. That, I could happily live with for ever. 

[soapdragon]

I am VERY sceptical about the so called prognosticating experts bombarding us from every angle! For every doom monger there is another 'expert' stating the contrary. IMHO we just need to be sensible, wash hands, wear masks, social distance but, otherwise, get on with it! Rant over...off for a lie down!

[Alis girls]

I am trying not to stress over all this . Soapy your mindset is very good, worry one week ahead only. . I have one son in first year at uni in Surrey who is living on a floor of flats with fairly sensible types. One block had a party of 40 and now have 2 cases and 40 ish in lockdown. The young are stupid but always have been rebels. Let's face it rules for youngsters are made to be broken. 

The ones I see flouting the mask laws are from Eastern Europe.  Not all but many dont believe in Corona.  They have bizarre beliefs. We are in Surrey been to see him. Went for meal , used copious amounts of hand gel. Wore a mask all day. 

Bought extra loo rolls for him as he wont think to buy a large pack in case.  Did buy bread flour as expect that will be next to go. The supermarkets should get firm with people. Anyway stay safe all. Ali xx

[Patricia W]

I’m in the elderly and vulnerable group and would be quite happy to be locked up if it meant younger people could get on with it.  Having said that, my 40+ niece a fitness fanatic has been ill since March with long Covid.  She was not hospitalised and seemed to have it mildly But has never fully recovered and is being investigated for damaged respiratory system and cardio problems.  It is thought that the Covid gets into the brain stem in some of these long Covid cases.  On the other hand, my neighbour who was on a ventilator in a coma for 2 weeks is fighting fit! He is donating blood plasma and taking part in a number of research projects including to identify why he recovered v. Long Covid patients.  So, this is not Flu and not to be taken lightly.  

[Beantree]

Bars and restaurants close from tonight in M*****ille and the owners are still protesting. However a study on the TV this morning showed that you are 2 ½ times more likely to catch Covid in a restaurant and 4 times more likely in a bar; places to be avoided because social distancing is frequently compromised.

Haven't heard of that 'long Covid' Patricia as it hasn't been mentioned here. I do remember a friend had flu and thinking it was just a cold went jogging; that put him in hospital. Sorry to hear about your niece though.

There is a new and hard hitting government advert running at the moment. It shows three youngsters ignoring social distancing and then takes you to grandmothers birthday party where they all give her presents and a hug. Next shot she's in intensive care and the Doctor says she's already on 100% Oxygen, so it looks like she's going to go.

[AndyRoo]

I think the thing that is irritating me most about the whole thing at this point is the number of people flouting the rules and endangering themselves and others. Or going on mass protests - particularly where the protests are centred around *not* taking any safety precautions. It infuriates me because the longer people do that, the longer this is going to go on, and the more punitive the restrictions are going to become. I find it deeply troubling that this whole thing seems to have become a giant IQ test.

Part of the reason I feel so strongly about it is because it looks like I may not be able to finish my degree this year (as several people in my class are facing) because the pandemic has meant we are unable to see clients face-to-face and a lot of us have lost our placements or have not been given any online client hours as an alternative. And having paid £12,000 pounds for an education which has taken 3 years of my life, I feel I have the right to be fuming mad at the fact this whole thing has dragged on longer and longer because so many people have ignored the rules or they have been too lax with them - and too tried too soon to return things to normal. 😡

The worst part about the whole thing is that it only seems to have come as a surprise to those people who are in charge who have been told repeatedly some actions came too late and others too soon. As soon as this whole far-right political nightmare that is fuelling this stupidity is done the better, in my opinion. 🤬 Was it George Carlin who said 'Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers.'?

(end of rant) 

😂 😇

[Alis girls]

Rant away Andy. I am trying not to rant as my blood pressure soars. Am hearing a lot from patients many who have recovered and others who have the long term problems . As a nurse feel I'll equipped on how to advise as it's all so new. Asthma is my speciality but not a covid expert. Wish your niece well Patricia. 

[AndyRoo]

24 minutes ago, Alis girls said:

Rant away Andy. I am trying not to rant as my blood pressure soars. Am hearing a lot from patients many who have recovered and others who have the long term problems . As a nurse feel I'll equipped on how to advise as it's all so new. Asthma is my speciality but not a covid expert. Wish your niece well Patricia. 

I have asthma and a chronic kidney problem, so I have been advised I am high risk. Not sure why the kidney makes me high risk, although I asked my sister (she's a nurse) and supposedly it can have an affect on your other organs(?) so I guess that is why.

3 of my classmates have had it, and my maternal grandmother died from it a few months back. I wish people would take it a little more seriously - even if the majority aren't going to be affected. If people keep acting as they are, it's going to drag on forever - or at least until there's a vaccine.

I hope some good comes out of it and the next time an illness with pandemic potential comes up, there won't be any messing around or debate, it'll just be locked down until it is contaminated and gotten rid of! At least in so far as is possible.

[Cat tails]

I feel we are heading to a new round of measures and I rather have them sooner than later. Had 3000 new cases in the Netherlands today, compaired to around 600 only 3 weeks ago. Pubs can’t accept any new clients after 12 at night and need to close by 1 am, which is a pointless rule. As if all new cases only occur after those hours.

We still only have face mask rules in public transport. And increasingly get the feeling I would like to wear them in shops and even at school. 

On another note, I still planning to go to Germany for a week, but as of 18th of September I need a negative test to be allowed in. Booked the test and chose the extra optional antibody test. For another €35 (test itself is €150...) they’ll tell me if I already had it.

[mullethunter]

On 9/26/2020 at 6:21 PM, patsylabrador said:

FIt's especially ridiculous when the graph that the two scientists used to scare everyone which showed how terrible it was going to get have so far been wrong. The slope has been going down not up. It may go up it may not, but it's not right now. Doesn't society at some point have to get used to the idea that some people will get ill, some will die and most wont. Just like every other illness I can think of. Meningitis affects university students every year I think and quite a few die from it but most people don't worry about that, just some mums and dads have a terrible worry. It's what life on this planet is. 

People die in Africa all the time with horrible diseases and hardly an eyebrow is risen. Flights aren't stopped, there's no quarantine but those diseases like ebola are real killers. I truly don't know one person who has been diagnosed as having covid. 

That said I really like wearing a face covering on public transport and in public toilets. That, I could happily live with for ever. 

The government scientists using the graph on the briefing were very careful to say several times that the forward projection was NOT a prediction but was just a demonstration of how the number of cases COULD increase if they kept going at the current rate. I accept, and said at the time, that this was perhaps not the wisest thing to do as people would ignore their THIS IS NOT A PREDICTION and either use the graph as a stick to beat them with when it didn’t ‘come true’ or as cause to panic. 

Yes meningitis affects university students every year which is why all first year students are offered a vaccination.

Ebola (although having a much higher death rate than COVID) spreads mainly through bodily fluids when the disease is at a fairly late stage and is therefore not as contagious as this coronavirus.

You are right that we can’t live completely wrapped up in cotton wool forever, but hopefully we’ll develop a successful vaccine within the next year and then we can start to get back to normal. 

I have friends with children who have serious underlying health conditions, I have middle aged friends with serious underlying health conditions and I have elderly parents (crikey that makes me sound like a right barrel of laughs) - if we don’t all take precautions now then those people will have to lock themselves away or they will be seriously frightened and genuinely at risk. Surely that’s not right or fair.

[Cat tails]

Well... we are back in partial lockdown. All restaurants, cafes, pubs etc closed again. No more indoor or outdoor teamsports for over 18s (suits me! 😉) and max group size of 30 indoors and only 4 outdoors 🤷🏼‍♀️
But I still get to go to work with 800+ students packed together in classrooms. 
At least we will be getting a face mask rule soon. Now we only have a strong advice to wear one.