Coronavirus

Our local group now has so many volunteers that the admins are overwhelmed. Apparently groups like this are starting up all over the country to try to plug the gaps in the care system. Our poster has been printed off by local people and distribution to every house has been organised, especially for older people who may not be on FB. Today's post from our admins says;

'More than 150 “mutual aid” groups have been formed across the UK to provide support from shopping, dog walking and picking up prescriptions within communities.
The groups, which number at least 174 and are being coordinated nationally by ‘Covid-19 Mutual Aid UK’, have organised online meetings today and are handing out flyers in streets.
As well as practical support the groups are offering telephone calls with people who are self-isolating due to infection or increased vulnerability.
Anna Vickerstaff, one of the coordinators of the national network, said:
Groups are being set up and run entirely by volunteers - and our hope is that they can help to make sure people who need support get it. With the NHS and public services having been so ruthlessly underfunded in the last decade, we really just want to make sure that people don’t end up suffering alone, or without the basics and support that they need from the outside world.
There’s some pretty big questions about whether or not the government’s response to this crisis has been fit for purpose. So it’s even more important that so many ordinary people across the country are keen to offer solidarity to each other in a moment of need.'

Our daughter, down in Dorset is now feeling a bit rough and self-isolating with the symptoms. However a 2-gallon jar of cider appeared the doorstep yesterday, their share of the communal village apple-pressing last Autumn. Kill or cure, maybe?
 
But what a way to go, Marigold. If anyone wants to leave bottles of gin on my doorstep they’re welcome to do so.
It’s the boredom of isolation that I would find the most difficult aspect of it all. Visitors are integral to my mental health. Getting out into the countryside comes second. Best make sure that Skype is up and running!
But a question. Does self isolation mean staying within four walls or can you step out onto your garden or fields?
 
If anyone wants to leave cider on my doorstep, rather than the bag of dead pigeons yesterday (local gamekeeper got wrong farm, they were for Neil's ferrets next farm down).
Two of our late night drivers have got it, they had been self isolating because they felt a bit rough but have now been tested and one is really ill.
Presume you must be able to go out into fields to tend livestock.
Just been reading the latest on we mustn't visit the over 70's, my parents couldn't lift shopping off the step and put it away, dad needs both of us to get him to bed and change his damp clothing, bedding etc on a daily basis, laundry needs doing for both of them. can't quite see the district nurse doing that on her daily visits, although she fantastic
 
I cant think of any reason why you couldn't go for a walk in the countryside. Just couldn't drop in on the pub on the way round!
 
can't quite see anyone stopping our 76 year old neighbour from tending her livestock, would be like trying to stop a centurion tank in it's tracks. You would end up with a 20K sack of feed being hurled at you. If you got past Charlie the goose in one piece
 
We are interpreting it as house and garden and taking dog for normal walks in the countryside and exchanging greetings at a safe distance with people we meet, as we would do normally.
 
Laughed at a mental image of you walking with a foghorn. “Ahoy there, have you any Longlife Milk or digestive biscuits?” Or “Rex, heel for your spray down with Dettox”.
But good news re reasonable access to ones land. I heard on Andrew Marr that the government are about to pass emergency legislation to enable them to use the Army to ensure civil order and to enforce compliance with their emergency regulations.
 
Bit of a dilemma here - vet recommends Poppy has a dental scale and polish plus an X-ray to determine the extent of her recently-diagnosed heart murmer. She's booked in for tomorrow week, the 23rd. She has to arrive at 8-45 and be collected at teatime after the anaesthetic has worn off - so a day there for her and two visits to the clinic for me, including discussion with the vet afterwards.

This appointment is necessary but not an emergency. OH says I should cancel it as by then we over-70s will be officially told to self-isolate. and anyway Poppy's best interests lie in us staying well. Vet clinic is in the next town and I don't feel I can ask anyone else to take her. I'm also wondering if you have a long-haired dog, like ours, and somebody with the virus strokes or handles her for some time, (eg the vet and vet nurses) could the virus remain on her coat and be picked up by the next person to handle her?
Any advice?
 
Well I’ve read that unlike flu this virus can live for days on inanimate surfaces.
My own view is that the situation is ridiculous now. I intend to contract it as soon as possible and hang the consequences. Life is for living, not hiding away like a frightened rabbit.
 
We spoke to a friend who works at the equine centre at Newmarket, and she said that they had discussed the possibility of it being transferred to a horses coat, then passed on to the next person who may happen to touch, but the answer seemed to be no really knew how long it could remain viable on an animals coat, other than a cat would probably groom it off quickly.
Interesting question, no doubt someone will know the answer.

It's a plan Hen- Gen, you will be keeping topped up with gin for the duration then
 
Just wondering after reading the news and on this forum about over 70'S having to self isolate, how I will get on. The OH is 74 and I am 55 and I work. Bet there's loads of people in a similar situation. Hmm I am thinking what would be worse...having corona virus or having to be with the OH 24/7 for a few weeks ?. Pass the cider AND the gin please ?
 
I wouldn't worry too much about going to take care of your dad bym. After all, the State won't have the resources to do it! I think though that maybe it would be good to keep either a light coat, apron, or even a large shirt, at your parents' house, and before going to your dad, leave your outdoor clothes inside the door, sanitise or wash your hands, and put the apron or shirt on over what you are wearing.
Here, all pubs and closed have been ordered to close and we're to maintain "social distance" from each other (roughly 1 1/2 to 2 metres). Many had already voluntarily shut their doors, but in Dublin, video emerged of a pub absolutely jam packed on Saturday night, and hen or stag revellers in crowded streets, wearing fancy dress "hazmat suits" and masks. So, Govt. told all pubs to close, as it felt there was an element needing some "help" in behaving responsibly! St. patrick's Day celebrations have been cancelled, and people have been pleaded with not to have house parties.
 
Update from the organiser of our local community help group;

'3 days. 3 flipping days! In 3 days we’ve got nearly 600 members, leaflets being printed and delivered, we know who our DBS cleared residents are, we’re linked in with the surgery and other care groups, we have a dedicated phone number and so much information shared and help offered. WHITCHURCH - give yourself a bloody great pat on the back - this is community in action in the most beautiful way. Stay safe, look after yourselves, those you love and let’s continue to keep an eye on those who might need a little extra help ?
I have never been more proud to live in this town. I hope you feel the same.'
 
What a wonderful place to live, unlike Thurrock where I drive the bus, people are already moaning because Morrisons are having a dedicated over 60's only shopping hour and our boss has offered a couple of free minibuses so they can take larger packs of toilet rolls etc home if they don't have transport, and we are making up little gifts packs for them of hand wash, chocolates, tea, biscuits, long life milk
The old boy in his 90's who comes out shopping and did a D day parachute jump last year said
"Hitler didn't stop me, nor cancer, and neither is no "B****y Virus".
 
Rumours are flying here on social media that Ireland is about to go into full lockdown. personally, I believe that no Government want to do a full, Italy style, lockdown. It would be quite expensive, because, after all, the patrols would need paying, they'd need extra vehicles, uniforms, ppe, etc. Now, as well as pubs & clubs, most cafes and restaurants and a lot of "unnecessary" shops have voluntarily closed. The Tesco I went to for mum this morning had staff enforcing the "social distancing". They'd put strips of tape on the floor, and you weren't allowed cross "your" strip until the person in front had moved on to the area beyond their strip. At the checkouts, nobody was allowed put their stuff on the conveyor belt until the person in front had finished, paid and moved off.
I went to the chemist to collect my prescription. There is a large sort of courtyard at this chemist, as it's attached to the doctor's surgery, and there's a cafe there too. Cafe is closed, of course. Anyway, outside the chemist, there was a security guy. They were allowing just blocks of 3 in at a time. Three out, three in. And the security was directing the queue, advising customers to use the hand sanitiser (on a table outside the door) on entering and leaving, and on maintaining social distance, 1 1/2 to 2 metres between each person in the queue. Nobody complained. Everyone was totally in favour of these measures.

I really do believe that we can, if we all do our bit and act responsibly, "flatten the curve". I did, however, buy an extra sack of chicken feed and extra cat food. There's only one place that does organic pellets, and they don't know if they can stay open in the event of a lockdown. And one of the cats is on special food, which this same place produces themselves. And it's not like it will go to waste, if we don't have to escalate to full lockdown.
 
Its just not possible LadyA - and would be out of proportion even if it was. We have just been told that no-one is to come into the office but is to work remotely by logging in to the net server. So tomorrow morning the LA server is going to break (I might even see the smoke from 20 miles away!) and someone will have to have a change of plan (or buy a super server that only Amazon would use at eye watering expense.) Its not possible! However, we were saying earlier (in silver lining mode) - what a result! Huge drop in CO2 emissions (Lanzarote is probably off, hello hill walking) , sever local rewiring of support systems and supply chains, remodelling of what 'growth' means - its like a radical manifesto!
 
Yes rick it’s interesting to see all the effects this has on modern life. I’ve no doubt there will be some positives like communities rallying and reduced CO2 emissions but also some negatives.
I am concerned about the ongoing supplies of animal feed. If the situation got critical I would have to consider euthenasia.
 
Waitrose online site was down all day yesterday. I got on briefly at 8.20 today and booked the first available delivery - 31 March, 2 weeks time. Site kept crashing within the 2 hours you are allowed to take your order and checkout, so I had to keep trying or I would have lost it. Finally managed to checkout.
I'm beginning to wish I had bought those pullets, after all, although there were good reasons for holding back.
 
I'm always complaining that things don't come in small packages, to suit those living in one or two person households, and you end up with enough to feed an army! I'm not complaining now! I've enough rice and stuff to do quite a while, because a 1 kilo pack will last one person a long time, whereas my daughter uses 1kg per week.

My sister & niece in Australia have been saying how bad it is there. Shops have introduced the "elderly & vulnurable" shopping slots, as they have here. Already, one elderly lady has been robbed of her groceries in the car park. My niece, who has 2 kids and works as a Home Care Assistant, said she went to 27 shops in 14 days looking for toilet paper, and couldn't get any. My sister said she hasn't been able to get potatoes or onions. And it's not that there are shortages of these supplies as such. It's, literally, panic buying and stockpiling by some that's creating the shortages.

I saw Amazon have shut down the accounts of several who have been profiteering, by buying up huge stocks of toilet paper and cleaners and selling it at a huge mark up.
 
Tesco yesterday looked as though a hurricane had gone through it. They had to shut as the place was cleaned out by 3pm. But I did get two haggis. This morning they and Waitrose, Aldi had run out of eggs, milk and bread by 8am.
The selfishness of people has really come home, we had a young woman in tears at the bus stop, she has to try and get shopping after work and said she hasn't been able to get milk or bread for her and her mother for a week, she said she feels as though she is letting her mother down.
Luckily we had a two pint one in the office which we gave her, and a packet of rolls.
OH said whilst out she went into the local shop which is also the Post Office and the Post Office is open from when they open to when they close, which is great for workers the Indian couple who run it were giving all the elderly a free 2 pack of toilet rolls and a loaf each.
 
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