Government advice discussion

[Techniquest]

I'm assuming you're all ready and set for this afternoon's big announcement then? I'm just waiting to see what they say, not panicking of course and I'm on a self-imposed Facebook ban. Most of my colleagues and friends are glued to it sadly, and the scare-mongering is very real right now.

I spent my morning cleaning the kitchen, the bathrooms can either be done later or tomorrow. I share a house with 4 other people, and I was bored senseless while it's been raining. With the decluttering of my own part of the house too, I now feel cleansed and satisfied at doing something productive with the day.

Naturally, since I'm almost out of soap, that is my next mission. I'm not expecting to run out until the weekend, and I'm sure I can still get some tomorrow, but I have an afternoon to do something with so I might as well head outside and get some exercise. If it's raining, I have an umbrella so it's all good.

During this crisis I've even offered help getting food supplies to my housemates should it be necessary, so I must be feeling generous. It's unusual to feel this socially aware for me! Even so, roll on 5pm when it all gets announced (in theory at least) and I'll be sat at home in the warm ready to go to work for a 4am start...

 

[Howardh]

These are my first few weeks of full retirement; even though I'm not state pension age I've decided to cut and run, take one private pension now and use my savings as balance until my other two pensions come rolling in at 66.

Why finish at 61 and 5 months? So I could use my full health to the full and do a load of touring round Europe in an aim to do every country, knowing I should be financially secure.

And for the next ?? months I've got to stay at home, watch bank rates fall, watch shares collapse.....

I'm gonna turn the biggest room into a beach with kiddies paddling pool (and rig up something to make a wave noise). Put some sand down, sun (yeah, right...) glinting through the window, parasol up, lounger, table for the drinks, and Ibiza Sonica softly playing in the background.

 

[dgl]

Well the company I work for (well known national holiday park and hotel operator) have announced that all sites are to close to guests from midnight until at lease the 16th of April and all guests are to leave tomorrow, staff will still be getting paid, at least where I work, and will still be asked to come in. What work will actually get done is as yet unknown bit could be cleaning the large rubbish bins or even a bit of painting, whatever is require really and that suits me. afaik owners are still allowed to stay in their vans but no-one else. Also any employee over 70 (of which I believe in our department we have two such employees) and anyone who is pregnant is not allowed in to work.

I just hope it all blows over quickly as this year was going to be a good year for us, bookings were up and the restaurant has had a change of staff and is supposedly amazing.

 

[telstarbox]

No significant new restrictions in today's announcement.

 

[ChrisC]

These are my first few weeks of full retirement; even though I'm not state pension age I've decided to cut and run, take one private pension now and use my savings as balance until my other two pensions come rolling in at 66.

Why finish at 61 and 5 months? So I could use my full health to the full and do a load of touring round Europe in an aim to do every country, knowing I should be financially secure.

I did a similar thing nearly 6 years ago now. I finished when I was only 57 years and 10 months. I’ve managed to live quite comfortably on my pension from work and I do have quite significant savings to fall back on. I still won’t be getting my state pension until late in 2022. I just consider myself very fortunate to have been able to do this. I do, however, sometimes feel that I am the only person paying when I board the bus in my village, when everyone else has a bus pass. Since I reached 60 the Senior Railcard had been well used.

I haven’t travelled anywhere outside the UK but have travelled very widely within the U.K. during these past 5 years. I try to take some time each month away from home to explore various parts of the UK usually taking staying in hotels for breaks of between 5 and 8 nights each month. Mostly I travel by train and use public transport whilst away but I do take my car if I’m visiting very remote areas where public transport isn’t available.

I do have hotel bookings for the next few months including North Yorkshire in a weeks time, Cornwall at the end of April, Suffolk in May, and Portsmouth in June. However, I am beginning to think now that none of these are going to happen. Fortunately I live in a rural area and so I am hoping to go out walking at least a couple of days each week.

 

[Techniquest]

Whereas I'm in a pretty urban area, rather close to central Hereford, so going walking or cycling potentially will not be as easy to do for a good while.

Hopefully, fingers crossed, everything will slowly get easier for everyone really soon. It's still very busy in the shops, and my store is struggling very heavily at the moment. Which I suspect is an issue all over the UK, even this afternoon I'm still hearing reports of customers being vile. It's just not on, all over a bit of bloody loo roll primarily.

Why is it the general public feel it is acceptable to be so vile to people?! I do hope the forum's population is not being like that!

 

[507021]

Hopefully, fingers crossed, everything will slowly get easier for everyone really soon. It's still very busy in the shops, and my store is struggling very heavily at the moment. Which I suspect is an issue all over the UK, even this afternoon I'm still hearing reports of customers being vile. It's just not on, all over a bit of bloody loo roll primarily.

Why is it the general public feel it is acceptable to be so vile to people?! I do hope the forum's population is not being like that!

I completely agree, it's not on at all.

Personally, I think anyone who is rude to staff should be ejected and banned from the store.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Whereas I'm in a pretty urban area, rather close to central Hereford, so going walking or cycling potentially will not be as easy to do for a good while.

I'm intrigued how you'd come within 2m of someone else who wasn't in a car when cycling even on a road?

IOW if you want to go for a bike ride on your own go for one, it's near enough zero risk. Just don't fall off.

 

[Mogster]

Just been out and about to buy supplies. Wigan centre seems a bit quiet but there are still plenty of people about, quite a bit of traffic, noticed people sat outside Symposium pub drinking pints in the sunshine. Life seems to be continuing as normal.

Loads of kids about, and old people. Many of the kids are being dragged around by old people as was expected. I still believe the best place for kids at this time, and with the scientific evidence we have, is in school.

 

[CaptainHaddock]

Just been out and about to buy supplies. Wigan centre seems a bit quiet but there are still plenty of people about, quite a bit of traffic, noticed people sat outside Symposium pub drinking pints in the sunshine. Life seems to be continuing as normal.

Loads of kids about, and old people. Many of the kids are being dragged around by old people as was expected. I still believe the best place for kids at this time, and with the scientific evidence we have, is in school.

Yes, even though there's a lot less people about, it's reassuring that most places seem to be open for business as usual.

I had a walk out in Leeds after work yesterday and, on a pleasant spring evening it was good to see lots of joggers and cyclists on the canal path, young people hanging out together in the park and even the pubs enjoying a fair smattering of customers. For those of us unaffected by the virus the lack of crowds is actually making our city centres much more pleasant places than usual right now!

 

[JonathanH]

For those of us unaffected by the virus

Seriously? No one should feel that they are unaffected by the virus.

Do you have absolutely no regard for healthcare professionals?

 

[CaptainHaddock]

Seriously? No one should feel that they are unaffected by the virus.

Do you have absolutely no regard for healthcare professionals?

I'm not sure what you're suggesting here?

I followed the government advice all the time I was out, keeping a couple of metres away from others and washing my hands frequently so there was no chance of me infecting others or others infecting me even if I did have any symptoms.

Interestingly latest figures state "
There are just 15 confirmed cases in Leeds, out of a local population of 789,194".

If there were 15,000 cases in Leeds I might be worried but despite the online hysteria I shan't be joining in the mass panic right now!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Remember that that's 15 in hospital, minor cases aren't being tested.

 

[JonathanH]

I'm not sure what you're suggesting here?

I followed the government advice all the time I was out, keeping a couple of metres away from others and washing my hands frequently so there was no chance of me infecting others or others infecting me even if I did have any symptoms.

Interestingly latest figures state "
There are just 15 confirmed cases in Leeds, out of a local population of 789,194".

If there were 15,000 cases in Leeds I might be worried but despite the online hysteria I shan't be joining in the mass panic right now!

I think it may be simply that you used loose language. Everyone is affected.

I agree that taking a walk in a park, practising social distancing while out and ensuring that hands are washed frequently is low risk but people need to respect official guidance.

Remember that that's 15 in hospital, minor cases aren't being tested.

...and that those 15 are affecting the health and wellbeing of healthcare professionals who will die if the viral load is too much for them.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I think it may be simply that you used loose language. Everyone is affected.

I agree that taking a walk in a park, practising social distancing while out and ensuring that hands are washed frequently is low risk but people need to respect official guidance.

Which doesn't tell you you can't do those things. Indeed, it recommends them to some extent.

 

[Mag_seven]

People should not be basing their decisions on whether to socially distance or not on the data. They should do so on the basis of the government advice.

 

[Kite159]

Cafes, pubs and restaurants must close from Friday night, except for take-away food, to tackle coronavirus, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said.

Night clubs, theatres, cinemas, gyms and leisure centres have also been asked to close "as soon as they reasonably can".

Cue some people having one last night out tonight before the pubs close for the duration

 

[Bletchleyite]

Well, at least Mr Spoons has got a firm whack in the proverbials.

 

[SilentGrade]

even the pubs enjoying a fair smattering of customers.

noticed people sat outside Symposium pub drinking pints in the sunshine. Life seems to be continuing as normal.

Have to say I find it absolutely ridiculous this is being allowed to continue and actually quite selfish. Unnecessary socialising leads to people infecting others even when they don’t know about it because they’re asymptomatic. It could literally Kill.

I saw reports on C4 of one woman saying social distancing ‘gives in to the virus’, like really! Why are we giving these people a platform in these times?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Have to say I find it absolutely ridiculous this is being allowed to continue

It isn't now.

 

[nlogax]

Thankfully now the pubs, cinemas, restaurants, gyms and so forth are no longer a problem in the short term. And a wise decision to keep paying those employees who'd have otherwise lost out through the new retention scheme. About time we saw a response like this.

 

[Ivor]

I work the Southern network & have some shifts next week just come through where they have been very sparse of late & I’ll be at locations I wouldn’t normally cover so it looks apparent that staff shortages through self isolation or illness are kicking in (I’m Agency staff) Today many trains were suffering cancellations due to staff shortages.

GTR have announced from Monday a reduced service being implemented but checking my trains for work timetables have not changed yet even putting in travel times for next week, assume these changes won’t show on the sites that quickly?

 

[Ivor]

Southern site now actually states from Monday a ‘Sunday service timetable’

 

[krus_aragon]

I work the Southern networks & have some shifts next week just come through where they have been very sparse of late & I’ll be at locations I wouldn’t normally cover so it looks apparent that staff shortages through self isolation or illness are kicking in (I’m Agency staff) Today many trains were suffering cancellations due to staff shortages.

GTR have announced from Monday a reduced service being implemented but checking my trains for work timetables have not changed yet even putting in travel times for next week, assume these changes won’t show on the sites that quickly?

A different company, but TfW have put out notices that they're trying to get their revised timetables (for Monday onwards) finalised and online by tomorrow afternoon.

There'll be a lot of planners working frantically this evening.

 

[Ivor]

A different company, but TfW have put out notices that they're trying to get their revised timetables (for Monday onwards) finalised and online by tomorrow afternoon.

There'll be a lot of planners working frantically this evening.

Ah right thanks, I can imagine it’s a big job at short notice.

 

[DarloRich]

People should not be basing their decisions on whether to socially distance or not on the data. They should do so on the basis of the government advice.

Is the correct answer. People not doing so are morally deficient.

 

[Techniquest]

Is the correct answer. People not doing so are morally deficient.

I'm trying to understand what you're saying there. Been a long day, so please do pardon my non-functional brain!

Are you seriously suggesting, as I'm reading your post, NONE of us should be involved in ANY social interactions outside our homes? So I see a fellow human being I've not seen for ages, on my way home from work, I shouldn't even attempt to talk to them?

I might be reading your post incorrectly, of course. I have to interact with a mega-ton of people every day at work, colleagues or otherwise, and as a 'key worker' unless I'm ill I'm not staying at home. No-one in my household is ill either. We are still going about our daily activities as normal, or at least what we can do now half the city is closed or near enough to it.

Personally I can't wait to go for a ride through the city next week, no pubs open so I suspect the only real traffic will be on the usual routes to/from the supermarkets. No student traffic is going to be awesome! Cycling is not only keeping me fit, it's keeping me sane while I deal with the daily nightmare of retail. Without those rides (which thanks to the bikes being numbered and my having a map I mark coverage off on I have a satisfied completionist brain), I'd no doubt be screaming with rage by now.

6 days until the next big wave of retail chaos begins, as then it's end of month pay day weekend. May God have mercy on us, now there's no pubs and people realise it's cheaper to get drunk at home...

 

[cactustwirly]

I'm trying to understand what you're saying there. Been a long day, so please do pardon my non-functional brain!

Are you seriously suggesting, as I'm reading your post, NONE of us should be involved in ANY social interactions outside our homes? So I see a fellow human being I've not seen for ages, on my way home from work, I shouldn't even attempt to talk to them?

I might be reading your post incorrectly, of course. I have to interact with a mega-ton of people every day at work, colleagues or otherwise, and as a 'key worker' unless I'm ill I'm not staying at home. No-one in my household is ill either. We are still going about our daily activities as normal, or at least what we can do now half the city is closed or near enough to it.

Personally I can't wait to go for a ride through the city next week, no pubs open so I suspect the only real traffic will be on the usual routes to/from the supermarkets. No student traffic is going to be awesome! Cycling is not only keeping me fit, it's keeping me sane while I deal with the daily nightmare of retail. Without those rides (which thanks to the bikes being numbered and my having a map I mark coverage off on I have a satisfied completionist brain), I'd no doubt be screaming with rage by now.

6 days until the next big wave of retail chaos begins, as then it's end of month pay day weekend. May God have mercy on us, now there's no pubs and people realise it's cheaper to get drunk at home...

No, no social interactions, they could be a vector for the virus to spread

 

[Bletchleyite]

Are you seriously suggesting, as I'm reading your post, NONE of us should be involved in ANY social interactions outside our homes? So I see a fellow human being I've not seen for ages, on my way home from work, I shouldn't even attempt to talk to them?

That's what the Government are asking you to do, yes. Give them a wave, and perhaps give them a ring when you get home.

If people don't start taking this seriously we are going to get proper lockdown like Italy etc, Army on the streets etc.

The British social contract is important but it's two sided, do your bit.

 

[Siemens Staines]

I have just walked through my local park where there is a small play area. There must have been about 20-30 children in there on the swings, slides & the like with their parents standing watching. What on earth do they think the reason for all schools being closed is? No doubt they will all be off to see Granny for Mothers Day tomorrow.