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Coronavirus.
- Thread starter Tilly
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The Hawk
Well-Known Forumite
#SHAKESHEAD#No room at the inn...
staffordjas
Well-Known Forumite
UK coronavirus live: restaurants, pubs and gyms to close tonight; government to pay 80% of wages of those not working
Takeaways can stay open for now but , as maccies have been doing , there's no seating areas to be open.
Son has just gone out on the search for booze , before everyone else has the same idea with the pubs shut and the shelves everywhere else , as well as his local Tesco, are bare!
Takeaways can stay open for now but , as maccies have been doing , there's no seating areas to be open.
Son has just gone out on the search for booze , before everyone else has the same idea with the pubs shut and the shelves everywhere else , as well as his local Tesco, are bare!
Mikinton
Well-Known Forumite
I'll have to see if The Bod are doing carry-outs.
Gramaisc
Forum O. G.
It seems that it was their intention, prior to this.
http://www.staffordforum.com/xf/index.php?threads/coronavirus-and-pubs-restaurants.20211/
staffordjas
Well-Known Forumite
GTech in Worcester has designed and going to be making 30,000 ventilators in as little as 2 weeks.
https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/new...life-saving-ventilators-coronavirus-patients/
https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/new...life-saving-ventilators-coronavirus-patients/
Gramaisc
Forum O. G.
Carole
Well-Known Forumite
I didn’t respond to this for days, but I mentioned it to some people in our village and they were “What?”
I’m so glad to live in a community that cares.
I seriously don’t understand why anyone wouldn’t help a neighbour, or take a parcel in.
Where we live, once someone moves in, we go round with a card and a bottle of wine and say ‘Welcome to our road”
We offer support and friendship.
Most of the people in our area are social distancing so I understand the concerns of hygiene.
What I don’t understand is the “picking and choosing”.
Why would you not take someone’s shopping in for safety reasons but then go to a vape shop yourself?
Why would you not visit your own son, but go to a hairdresser, or the supermarket daily?
I do know that I’ve picked examples from this forum, but I’m hearing stuff daily of why people can’t do stuff but then totally contradict themselves by putting themselves in virus danger and I’m genuinely interested in how they justify it to themselves.
Got a very close friend with lung problems, a daughter who has just been diagnosed with Covid 19, and who is still insisting on having her hair done on Monday. We are all trying to convince her that vanity verses health shouldn’t even be up for discussion.
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Perrier
Banned
Sorry you feel this way @Carole .
I'm not disputing what your opinion is iether.
I'll try and explain my view and if that still makes me a bad person in your eyes I thoroughly understand.
I didn't just have to go to the vape shop , I also needed to call into the vets so made that run at the same time to reduce my contact outside should i already be infected.
Should i have not bothered going to the vape shop , probably.
Should i not give a damn about my dog at the moment ? , no I'm sure you would agree I should make a decision based on my circumstances at that time.
My vaping is probably a contentious issue for some and I respect that.
Its getting me through a bad patch at the moment and that's why I needed to go when i did. But I understand for other people that could be an issue.
Would I normally help a neighbour , yes I've been doing so regularly for about all the time I moved here.
She understands my daughter's asthma problem and understands I cant do most of what I'd normally do for her in this period of time but she knows I'm there when its imperative I should be.
First and foremost, my family comes first and always will .
I know that morally for some my actions are not acceptable to them , but with the greatest respect to you , this forum doesn't portray everyone's lives under a microscope and things can come across a lot different to what they actually are.
Honestly @Carole , I dont expect you to agree , I'm just giving you my reasons.
As an aside, theres a lot going on out there I dont agree with iether but it's not my place to judge them.
Its good you have a close knit community that is happy to stand by you whatever, unfortunately it's not the same in every community and as nice as pie some of them may come across, they would stab you in the back as soon as look at you. I'm aware of those people and try to ignore them , however I could show you at least 10 others on my road alone that know I will help them whenever I can.
I agree , we are all only human , that is why the world is what it is but also what defines us from everything else.
I wish I could be a better person and be everything to everybody but I cant...sorry
I'm not disputing what your opinion is iether.
I'll try and explain my view and if that still makes me a bad person in your eyes I thoroughly understand.
I didn't just have to go to the vape shop , I also needed to call into the vets so made that run at the same time to reduce my contact outside should i already be infected.
Should i have not bothered going to the vape shop , probably.
Should i not give a damn about my dog at the moment ? , no I'm sure you would agree I should make a decision based on my circumstances at that time.
My vaping is probably a contentious issue for some and I respect that.
Its getting me through a bad patch at the moment and that's why I needed to go when i did. But I understand for other people that could be an issue.
Would I normally help a neighbour , yes I've been doing so regularly for about all the time I moved here.
She understands my daughter's asthma problem and understands I cant do most of what I'd normally do for her in this period of time but she knows I'm there when its imperative I should be.
First and foremost, my family comes first and always will .
I know that morally for some my actions are not acceptable to them , but with the greatest respect to you , this forum doesn't portray everyone's lives under a microscope and things can come across a lot different to what they actually are.
Honestly @Carole , I dont expect you to agree , I'm just giving you my reasons.
As an aside, theres a lot going on out there I dont agree with iether but it's not my place to judge them.
Its good you have a close knit community that is happy to stand by you whatever, unfortunately it's not the same in every community and as nice as pie some of them may come across, they would stab you in the back as soon as look at you. I'm aware of those people and try to ignore them , however I could show you at least 10 others on my road alone that know I will help them whenever I can.
I agree , we are all only human , that is why the world is what it is but also what defines us from everything else.
I wish I could be a better person and be everything to everybody but I cant...sorry
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staffordjas
Well-Known Forumite
[Q
I actually drove 120 miles to drop son some supplies off whilst he was out at work the other night , after he was so worried about us that he insisted we didn't go down and catch the virus incase he was a carrier (as well as working with the public, he's been working with students who have been in contact with the virus and presently on lockdown in student digs) . He's worried sick about me & hubby, we are the only family he has got. But I can't see him going without as he's struggling to find milk and food for his tea when he gets home from work with others stripping the supermarket shelves bare. ( He managed to buy a broken box of porridge the other night, and a bottle of squash which a family had already got 3 of and couldn't reach the last bottle . They were annoyed that he didn't hand the last bottle to them!!! )I would have much rather gone when he was there to see him, but waited especially at his request so as not to come into contact should he have the virus and not showing symptoms. I took him stuff out of my own cupboards to make up meals with the items I'd managed to buy him from our Aldi here.
I've only reluctantly been out today to the supermarket (early to avoid the crowds, but hardly anything in at that time) to get fresh stuff , and to the butchers early again to try to get things not available in the Co-op and avoid close contact. Paid a fortune stocking up with fresh fruit and veg at the farm shop last week thinking we'd be ok for a few weeks, but lots has gone mouldy within a few days! Wore a face mask which I already had from Japan, and scarf over it (because I knew damn well people would stare and snigger....had to keep explaining why I was wearing a scarf!)
The parcel thing........ I can take in 20+ parcels each week. Christmas time even more. Some people are actually in and don't answer their door to the delivery driver as "I was busy working , so wasn't going to answer the door" . Some delivery drivers have said "Their car's there, I can see them in , but they aren't answering, can you sign for it?" . Or when I've gone round and knocked several times and they haven't answered , they have finally answered with "Could you hang onto it for a bit, it's a present I don't want daughter to see". Already getting rather pissed off with it, so not putting myself at risk going round to their houses (especially as the one with most of the parcels is a social worker and visiting many people) . I've always taken everyones bins back down, but the couple of times I've been late coming back because of emergency hospital visits etc the rest have taken their own bins back down and mine has still been sitting there at the top of the shared driveway. Decided a few weeks ago not to be such a mug! It's different when someone has an emergency, like the one neighbour was rushed into hospital and a parcel arrived the next day, all too happy to help out then. But most people around here are just taking the p1ss!
I actually drove 120 miles to drop son some supplies off whilst he was out at work the other night , after he was so worried about us that he insisted we didn't go down and catch the virus incase he was a carrier (as well as working with the public, he's been working with students who have been in contact with the virus and presently on lockdown in student digs) . He's worried sick about me & hubby, we are the only family he has got. But I can't see him going without as he's struggling to find milk and food for his tea when he gets home from work with others stripping the supermarket shelves bare. ( He managed to buy a broken box of porridge the other night, and a bottle of squash which a family had already got 3 of and couldn't reach the last bottle . They were annoyed that he didn't hand the last bottle to them!!! )I would have much rather gone when he was there to see him, but waited especially at his request so as not to come into contact should he have the virus and not showing symptoms. I took him stuff out of my own cupboards to make up meals with the items I'd managed to buy him from our Aldi here.
I've only reluctantly been out today to the supermarket (early to avoid the crowds, but hardly anything in at that time) to get fresh stuff , and to the butchers early again to try to get things not available in the Co-op and avoid close contact. Paid a fortune stocking up with fresh fruit and veg at the farm shop last week thinking we'd be ok for a few weeks, but lots has gone mouldy within a few days! Wore a face mask which I already had from Japan, and scarf over it (because I knew damn well people would stare and snigger....had to keep explaining why I was wearing a scarf!)
The parcel thing........ I can take in 20+ parcels each week. Christmas time even more. Some people are actually in and don't answer their door to the delivery driver as "I was busy working , so wasn't going to answer the door" . Some delivery drivers have said "Their car's there, I can see them in , but they aren't answering, can you sign for it?" . Or when I've gone round and knocked several times and they haven't answered , they have finally answered with "Could you hang onto it for a bit, it's a present I don't want daughter to see". Already getting rather pissed off with it, so not putting myself at risk going round to their houses (especially as the one with most of the parcels is a social worker and visiting many people) . I've always taken everyones bins back down, but the couple of times I've been late coming back because of emergency hospital visits etc the rest have taken their own bins back down and mine has still been sitting there at the top of the shared driveway. Decided a few weeks ago not to be such a mug! It's different when someone has an emergency, like the one neighbour was rushed into hospital and a parcel arrived the next day, all too happy to help out then. But most people around here are just taking the p1ss!
Withnail
Well-Known Forumite
I saw this elsewhere a few days ago, posted from someone affected by it.
The redacted name is Alvaro, by the way - and for the avoidance of doubt this chap is not Scottish.
I'd like you to imagine that you were Alvaro for a moment.
You have been working in an hotel in Aviemore - you have a room at the hotel as part of your contracted employment.
Let's say you are from Spain, which given your name is probably the case. You are probably really worried about your relatives, and may be finding it difficult to get accurate information about the situation in your home town. All you know for sure is that it's probably not that great.
Now your employer lays you off and evicts you in one fell swoop.
There are no trains to get you to the airport. There are no planes if you get to the airport. Borders across the EU have been closed, so there is no alternative.
Can you imagine being the person who was so blind to Alvaro's fate that they could write a letter like that?
The beastliness of nature is as nothing in comparison to the inhumanity of man.
Thehooperman
Well-Known Forumite
@Carole I don't need to take a card and a bottle round to offer help and support.
I do engage with my neighbours when our paths cross but as they had an ambulance in attendance with people wearing face masks and me having diabetes I am minimising contact.
We don't even know what a safe distance is to avoid catching the virus so taking their parcel in would have meant closer contact with the delivery driver as well as my neighbours.
If I had my neighbours' numbers I wouldn't hesitate in offering to buy some shopping and dropping it outside their door if I needed to go shopping for myself.
I am being responsible by minimising my journeys and combining trips where possible thus reducing my risk of exposure to the virus. This included a trip to Asda for my prescription, doing a bit of shopping whilst there and taking our dog to the vets. All essential trips that I needed to make.
I don't believe I am contradicting myself by making essential journeys and I certainly do not need to justify anything.
It must be lovely living in your little rural idyll where you can lock your little village down as much as possible but is it not irresponsible to be in contact as much as your "we are a community" words imply?
Carole
Well-Known Forumite
@perry081064
Thanks for explaining, I’m not judging, I was just curious as to why someone wouldn’t take a parcel in for someone else that’s all.
Sorry about your dog, I do understand how much worry that might be especially in these difficult circumstances.
@staffordjas
Again, I understand why you dropped stuff off for your son. I get it.
We’ve got the same issue. We’re social isolating and our son isn’t. We are visiting on Sunday but will be meeting him in a park and keeping 2 metres away.
My question really was this, keeping your distance from your son was understandable in the circumstances because of who he comes into contact with, so why go to a hairdresser who is in very close proximity to lots of people every day and you have no idea who those people are? Any one of those customers could have just flown back from Italy or wherever.I was just curious that’s all.
I do understand about the parcel thing if your neighbours take advantage so thanks for explaining.
Thanks for explaining, I’m not judging, I was just curious as to why someone wouldn’t take a parcel in for someone else that’s all.
Sorry about your dog, I do understand how much worry that might be especially in these difficult circumstances.
@staffordjas
Again, I understand why you dropped stuff off for your son. I get it.
We’ve got the same issue. We’re social isolating and our son isn’t. We are visiting on Sunday but will be meeting him in a park and keeping 2 metres away.
My question really was this, keeping your distance from your son was understandable in the circumstances because of who he comes into contact with, so why go to a hairdresser who is in very close proximity to lots of people every day and you have no idea who those people are? Any one of those customers could have just flown back from Italy or wherever.I was just curious that’s all.
I do understand about the parcel thing if your neighbours take advantage so thanks for explaining.
Carole
Well-Known Forumite
Yes, sorry, we will have to agree to disagree then.
My husband is diabetic which is why we are social isolating but he wouldn’t refuse a parcel for a neighbour even if it meant going round with a bag on his head. Likewise our neighbour opposite who is very vulnerable after having a transplant, he’d still take a parcel in for us.
Also, yes I accept that it may come across as smug but I am counting my blessings at the moment living in a rural area where most people know each other and the support network is in place. I’ve had two offers yesterday of people offering to go to the shops for us if we need anything.
We’re all different on here, we will all have different opinions about things.
I’m sorry if I sounded judgmental, and I can certainly see that it came across that way.
I just get very curious about other people and how they see the world.
It doesn’t mean that I like someone less if they think differently so I hope that that there are no hard feelings for differences of opinion?
Lucy
Well-Known Forumite
@perry081064 I think my Dad lives near you (he's off the Rickerscote Road) and I intend to take him supplies a couple of days a week. If you need anything let me know and I'll drop it over.
Perrier
Banned
@Carole
As far as I'm concerned theres no harm done and you have every right to your opinion and to voice it on this forum.
Someone would really need to betray my trust in real life for me to take offence.
As I've previously said , forums are excellent platforms to discuss our lives , however it is what it is , purely only a snapshot of what we would actually disclose to the world.
These are indeed difficult times and we will all have to rethink how we will continue live in these times.
As far as I'm concerned theres no harm done and you have every right to your opinion and to voice it on this forum.
Someone would really need to betray my trust in real life for me to take offence.
As I've previously said , forums are excellent platforms to discuss our lives , however it is what it is , purely only a snapshot of what we would actually disclose to the world.
These are indeed difficult times and we will all have to rethink how we will continue live in these times.
Thehooperman
Well-Known Forumite
@Carole no need to apologise. We are living in uncertain times with something we don't understand or know how to deal with properly.
As I said if I could get in touch with my neighbours and remain relatively safe I wouldn't hesitate in offering help.
In terms of not taking in their delivery I am concerned that apparently the virus can survive on cardboard for up to 24 hours so why would I want to take the chance of infection just to be neighbourly? Who knows who's handled that box and what it may be harbouring?
This may sound selfish or a bit paranoid but I want us all to get through this as safely as possible.
Perrier
Banned
@Lucy
That is such a lovely offer and I'm touched you thought of me .
I've only lived here a short amount of time so please forgive me when I say I've no idea where rickerscote rd actually is .
I'm mobile enough to manage at the moment even though my hip says otherwise.
I am one of those people that's to damn proud to ask for help but rest assured I will know who I can rely on for it should the need arise.
You are a wonderful person , thank you.
Carole
Well-Known Forumite
I think it’s difficult on social media because in real life it would be just a conversation as in “why are you doing that then” and the other person replies and so on, but on here a simple question can come across as criticism or being judgmental.
Regarding the parcel thing, yes I understand the issue regarding the germs on the cardboard, but surely a thorough hand wash would solve it? Would the same germs be on any shopping you buy?
How many of us are wiping down with a bacterial wipe all of our shopping before we put it away?
I’ve become a bit paranoid myself with the hand washing all the time, my hands are red raw.
Again, I reiterate, I’m not criticising, I’m just having a conversation.