Coronavirus

[oddoneout]

Just had a quick look at Amazon Groceries. I do not find their prices competitive enough to consider. Visits on foot (20 minutes) to either of the local Tescos at quiet times, plus slightly longer and more hilly walks to and from either of the two Poundland spores (and Waitrose) a better bet for me, I reckon. For bigger shopping trips I will have to use the car. Local bus service uses quite small buses, so not much distance between passengers.

In passing, I was chatting on the phone to a London bus-driving friend a couple of days ago. Both she and her husband work for Metroline (at different north-west London garages). She reported how drivers concerned that they may be at risk (including one just returned from Italy) had their concerns dismissed by managers and told to assume the were fit for work. She also mentioned she has a new way of stopping passengers from trying to talk to her while she is driving. She simply coughs loudly from within the marginal protection of her cab.

Seems like another reason to steer clear...
The tree pollen season has kicked off with a vengeance so I'm currently troubled by a persistent cough and runny nose. Fortunately(!) there are so many folks with very obvious colds - snotty noses etc - that I didn't attract any unwanted attention doing my errands this morning. Several sufferers didn't seem to have any form of nose wiping equipment and others were doing the usual thing of reusing the horrid bundle of tissue until it starts to self-destruct all over the place.

[gradus]

Sunak sounds like Blair, a very similar public speaking style.

[teamsaint]

I've not had a chance to really look at the support package for businesses and individuals, as we have been very busy gearing up to try to trade our way through it.
Any thoughts ?

[Pulcinella]

Sadly, we're about to cancel.
Message going out to choir members later tonight.
A shame, as it included a first performance that my partner had commissioned.

We will reschedule at some point.

The concert venue for our cancelled concert later this month has offered no-penalty (so not even loss of deposit) rebooking within 12 months, an offer we will be taking up.
I think that's pretty impressive.

Also posted on the Good News thread.

[teamsaint]

The concert venue for our cancelled concert later this month has offered no-penalty (so not even loss of deposit) rebooking within 12 months, an offer we will be taking up.
I think that's pretty impressive.

Also posted on the Good News thread.

We will all have greatly sharpened appetites for the things we enjoy/love/hold dear when we come out of this.

Plus, our gardens will look fabulous !!

( Obviously some peoples do already........)

[Old Grumpy]

Just had a quick look at Amazon Groceries. I do not find their prices competitive enough to consider. Visits on foot (20 minutes) to either of the local Tescos at quiet times, plus slightly longer and more hilly walks to and from either of the two Poundland spores (and Waitrose) a better bet for me, I reckon. For bigger shopping trips I will have to use the car. Local bus service uses quite small buses, so not much distance between passengers.

In passing, I was chatting on the phone to a London bus-driving friend a couple of days ago. Both she and her husband work for Metroline (at different north-west London garages). She reported how drivers concerned that they may be at risk (including one just returned from Italy) had their concerns dismissed by managers and told to assume the were fit for work. She also mentioned she has a new way of stopping passengers from trying to talk to her while she is driving. She simply coughs loudly from within the marginal protection of her cab.

Could they not make all bus journeys flat fare, contactless only, as on TFL - might reduce the amount of talking to drivers. Still not great though, admittedly.

OG

[teamsaint]

Could they not make all bus journeys flat fare, contactless only, as on TFL - might reduce the amount of talking to drivers. Still not great though, admittedly.

OG

Just make all local buses free indefinitely .
Cheap, easy, eco friendly.

[cloughie]

We will all have greatly sharpened appetites for the things we enjoy/love/hold dear when we come out of this.

Plus, our gardens will look fabulous !!

( Obviously some peoples do already........)

...and all the sprucing up, spring-cleaning and decluttering!

[Bryn]

Could they not make all bus journeys flat fare, contactless only, as on TFL - might reduce the amount of talking to drivers. Still not great though, admittedly.

OG

The local bus services here can read contactless cards but the drives still take cash, too. Unlike TfL buses, the cabs are open to the left of the driver, who also has to leave the cab to operate the manual wheelchair ramp, when needed. Not good at all.

[ardcarp]

On a more positive note, the introduction of social distancing might mean that Building a Library twofers are no longer practical, and we can return to having a single reviewer presenting the BAL recommendation

Just seen this...late as usual...but ev'ry cloud has a silver lining.

OTOH if one had to be banged up with only BBC4 for company (ooops, sorry Mrs A) how long could I endure Alice Roberts' vowels? Waldemar Janushatishoo (beg pardon) wobbling along and speaking backwards over his shoulder to camera? Dan Snow trying to disguise his public school education? Lucy Worsely cross-dressing? Not to mention the bloke with an umbrella or the hairy Scot? I'll settle for R3 ...even a BAL twofer...anytime.

[LMcD]

On a more positive note, the introduction of social distancing might mean that Building a Library twofers are no longer practical, and we can return to having a single reviewer presenting the BAL recommendation.

I'm sure it will not have escaped the producer's notice that Sarah Montague hosted The World At One today from her home.

[Serial_Apologist]

If I am to be in virtually complete purdah for the next 2-3 months it will mean catching up on one job which has been outstanding ever since I started blushing every time I thought about it. From the moment I began collecting jazz recordings as a teenager, I have built year-by-year a typed archive, divided between two large ring files: British and non-British jazz; band or leader, album title, personnel. Over the years it has become increasingly defaced as items got crossed out and edited with untidy inserts, up to the point when my old manual typewriter wore out and additions had to be inserted in handwriting that as closely as possible resembled the type font... until most of the chronologically earliest pages have reached a state of only just hanging onto the runners with the help of a lot of now discoloured sellotape.

With advancing years one becomes ever more aware of events one felt almost duty-bound not to miss for fear of losing touch - events which for as long as it takes will now be put on hold. And so, I now have no excuse not to undertake this task.

[greenilex]

Wish I could write like a type font...

[LMcD]

If you google 'Danial Kheirkhah' then scroll down to 'Iran Front Page', you should find an impressive display of high-speed handwashing.

[BBMmk2]

If you google 'Danial Kheirkhah' then scroll down to 'Iran Front Page', you should find an impressive display of high-speed handwashing.

I hear you’re supposed to wash your hands by singing happy birthday twice.