Coronavirus

[Bryn]

Do you carry a mobile phone with you when walking in the woods? Seriously.

Not one, but two. One on "3" and the other on Virgin Mobile, plus a 20AH pocket charger, so possibly over-kill.

[Pulcinella]

Great to see HM etc doing their bit. Queen and Phillip are in Windsor Castle. Me and MrsBBM are self isolating too.

Meanwhile, according to the Star, BoJo has had a lorry-load of posh loo-roll delivered to Number 10.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-51969418

[oddoneout]

There are some people, somewhat surprisingly, who may not be able to survive well because they don't know how to do simple things, such as boiling an egg, making an omelette, making porridge - just very basic cooking things. I'm not claiming to be a cook, or even that interested in cooking - being more of a consumer than a producer - but I do know how to do some basic cooking or even some more elaborate meals if I really have to. I have been surprised that some of our friends seem really phased by the current situation, in which they would have to buy in supplies of food, and then cook it - rather than simply ordering a take .

There is a great raft of people who didn't acquire basic cooking skills due to a combination of (proper) cookery not being on the school curriculum and not picking up/being taught in the home. There are ways available to many/most of those people rectify that lack if so motivated thanks to the likes of Youtube.
Much more of a problem is those whose circumstances mean that cooking opportunities, even if the knowledge is there, are severely restricted or non-existent. Nowhere to store fresh food even if it can be afforded and being unable to pay for gas or electricity restricts options.
Another instance of the way in which the gap between those who have and those who don't isn't going to get any narrower in the current crisis, in fact quite the reverse unless the current administration effectively addresses the issue of those out of work due to the corona virus shutting down businesses.

[LHC]

Yes, and she was clearly very distressed. I think this "stockpiling is bad" business is incorrect though - different people behave differently. Stockpiling is bad when it deprives others of the means to support themselves. Clearly many people in cities live with only one or two days supplies of most things - which is very efficient if supplies are plentiful and continuous. People who live in more rural areas may be used to buying in bulk, and storing things for at least a month at a time in order to reduce travel. What is wrong with that?

One view might be that people who manage to plan ahead and at least keep more reserves/supplies are actually the more prudent ones, rather than those who expect everything to be available at the flick of a finger.

There should be protocols for people like the nurse to ensure that they do get the essentials they need.

The idea of having special opening hours for older people - at first sight seems a good thing but isn't it actually only going to ensure that a whole bunch of people who may have problems all get them together collectively?

There are some people, somewhat surprisingly, who may not be able to survive well because they don't know how to do simple things, such as boiling an egg, making an omelette, making porridge - just very basic cooking things. I'm not claiming to be a cook, or even that interested in cooking - being more of a consumer than a producer - but I do know how to do some basic cooking or even some more elaborate meals if I really have to. I have been surprised that some of our friends seem really phased by the current situation, in which they would have to buy in supplies of food, and then cook it - rather than simply ordering a take away, or going out to a restaurant.

Restaurants are probably going to be hit by this crisis, though in some areas they are now starting to offer a take away delivery service. That wouldn't ensure complete social isolation, but could go some way towards it, and would hopefully reduce the likelihood of a viable business being suddenly hit by a collapse of revenue.

There is a difference between buying in bulk as part of your normal shopping routine (monthly rather than daily or weekly), and irrational panic-buying of items you don't need simply because they are there. If the 'stockpiling' was rational and the result of people moving from a daily to a weekly or monthly shop, the period of readjustment would be relatively short, and it would stop once the stockpilers had amassed their month's supply of loo roll and other goods. Sadly that doesn't seem to be the case here, and people appear to be continuing to buy far more than they could ever use or need, simply because it is there, and they are panicking.

At least toilet rolls and tinned goods won't go off, but if people are now panic-buying fresh food and fruit and veg, there is going to be a dreadful amount of food wasted.

My experience with on-line deliveries is that there are no real shortages, and no need to stockpile. The deliveries I have had since this began have all been fully stocked as normal.

Thankfully, the supermarkets are now taking action to control this and are restricting sales of items. Morrisons and the Co-op are also taking on more staff to cope with the increased demand (and the co-op are also seeking to recruit people who have been laid off from hospitality as a result of the current restrictions on social activity, which is good news).

[MrGongGong]

Indeed, as that is their raison d'etre, but social media is surely now an equal partner in that undesirable situation? .

My social media is full of online gigs, art collaborations and music

[Bryn]

Great to see HM etc doing their bit. Queen and Phillip are in Windsor Castle. Me and MrsBBM are self isolating too.

Re my earlier post about the Windsor changing of the guard spectacle, to be upped to daily during the Windsors' stay, why risk the regular gathering of spectators and the close marching of the guard and band? Have the guard walk from Victoria Barracks to the castle, out of uniform and at least 2 metres apart for H&S.

[oddoneout]

My social media is full of online gigs, art collaborations and music

There is much that is good out there and the virtual community will be a blessing for many in the absence of the physical one - that is why I didn't make a blanket 'social media is bad' comment. As always, it isn't the existence of something per se that is bad, what matters is the use to which it is put.

[LHC]

Meanwhile, according to the Star, BoJo has had a lorry-load of posh loo-roll delivered to Number 10.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-51969418

There are a lot of staff who work at No. 10, and I imagine this loo roll is for them and has been ordered by the Civil Service as part of its normal supply chain, rather than being Boris's personal supply. As with the constant photos of empty shelves, this type of reporting is simply adding to the panic, and is really unhelpful.

[oddoneout]

There are a lot of staff who work at No. 10, and I imagine this loo roll is for them and has been ordered by the Civil Service as part of its normal supply chain, rather than being Boris's personal supply.

I hope they do get to use it, and that Izal is supplied to the PM..."I'm sorry Sir, the soft tissue was unavailable this week"

[ucanseetheend]

anyone looking for some classical documentary I discovered this one on Arthur Schnabel. In german with English subs. https://mixdrop.co/e/wpm0w8ngl5

[MrGongGong]

There is much that is good out there and the virtual community will be a blessing for many in the absence of the physical one - that is why I didn't make a blanket 'social media is bad' comment. As always, it isn't the existence of something per se that is bad, what matters is the use to which it is put.

Exactly

Which is why I tend to leap to it's defence
So many folks bang on (and I don't mean you) about the "evils" of Facebook when my FB is full of really interesting and stimulating things from people all over the world.

[Pulcinella]

There are a lot of staff who work at No. 10, and I imagine this loo roll is for them and has been ordered by the Civil Service as part of its normal supply chain, rather than being Boris's personal supply. As with the constant photos of empty shelves, this type of reporting is simply adding to the panic, and is really unhelpful.

Good to know that they only order the best quality, though, that we, the taxpayer, are stumping up for.
It would be interesting to know when the order went in.
Normal supply chain?

[MrGongGong]

[teamsaint]

Good to know that they only order the best quality, though, that we, the taxpayer, are stumping up for.
It would be interesting to know when the order went in.
Normal supply chain?

trying to beat the cistern ?

is it possible that some members of the cabinet might be three sheets to the wind?.......

[kernelbogey]

This morning I telephoned the local pharmacist for advice on over-the-counter meds for self-protection.

We concluded thus:

Ph: ...So not worth coming out for, Sir: the shop is rammed and you're better off staying at home.

I: Thank you for your time.

Ph: You're welcome, Sir. I'll see you on the other side.

I: What???

Ph: Er....I meant the other side of this situation!

[Loud laughter from her colleagues in the background]

I: Perhaps you should think about that phrase for next time...!


[We were by now both creased up with laughter.]

Ph: Thank you Sir. Good bye.

I: Goodbye Madam!