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Sandra, Moderator
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Oct 22, 2020 05:44AM
I hope it works, Margo.
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Fingers crossed Margo. Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have all committed to circuit break lockdowns, although not as long as yours. And yet here in England, we have this stupid tier system which is not supported by the scientists and isn't doing anything to numbers. The scientists said if nothing changed, we'd be looking at 200 deaths a day by mid November. Two days ago we had 250. And we've not hit the end of October. Not good. Yesterday there were 21000 new cases. It's very worrying.The government removed support for businnesses and workers as restrictions eased. Now theey are renegotiating but are nowhere near comparible to those before and fall short in supporting people through the secondd wave. I'm unlikely to be able to get universal credit after next month so no idea how things are going to pan out there. If i'm lucky, I'm getting a couple hours of work per month! And now we have a no deal brexit looming in the midst of a pandemic. Totally crazy.
There have been two outbreaks of covid on the canal this week, quite a few friends have had to go for tests and my pregnant cousin has tested positive. Really wishing covid would do one now.
Good luck, Margo!! Let us know if there is anything you need
Sarah wrote: "Fingers crossed Margo. Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have all committed to circuit break lockdowns, although not as long as yours. And yet here in England, we have this stupid tier system wh..."I saw an interesting stat the other day that was at the end of July which Melbourne and the UK both had between 700-800 cases per day. Melb locked down and is just coming out now, and is down to 0-5 cases per day. But the UK has gone the other way. Horrifying but interesting experimentally.
That said, I am really worried about you guys in the UK, Sarah. Hope you guys are okay and stay safe. Thinking of your cousin and hope they are okay and stay well.
My cousin outside Leeds is in iso as her daughter went back to Nursery School, and then her teacher tested positive. All the kids and their families now have to isolate for 14 days.
Esther wrote: "Margo wrote: "Ireland has begun a 6 week lockdown today. Hope it does the trick."Hopefully is does better that our "almost lock down" month."
It has to do better than the "do what you want" and "let's just wait to see what happens" attitude here in the US. Every state is different. I understand we are a huge country, but still some guidance and assistance would be nice.
We're a mess here with cases and deaths increasing again. Yet, the kids who have been learning remotely are all starting to head back to schools. We're struggling with trying to reopen the economy right when Covid cases are starting to increase again.
It was handled so poorly here. Praying this election goes well...
Kristie wrote: "Esther wrote: "Margo wrote: "Ireland has begun a 6 week lockdown today. Hope it does the trick."Hopefully is does better that our "almost lock down" month."
It has to do better than the "do what ..."
We have been in, as I called "almost lock down" for October. School and shop are still open but with restrictions. Bars are closed. Restaurants are only on delivery and take out. We are not supposed to visit anyone. And guess what the number are not going down. there are quite a few rebel? covidiot? I am really not proud of Quebec right now.
Our numbers where low. Then it went a bit crazy in early September as colleges opened. This as expected. Thank you college parties. (on do let me start about that "positive" person that went to karaoke while waiting for his test result). So my areas as been a "red zone" for the last 3 weeks. and the number are not really getting better.
I know what you mean about Covidiots. In order to appease them, our municipality passed a resolution that masks wouldn't be required until the city and county combined reach 100 active cases. Makes me shake my head. We're are 67 combined cases now.
Wow Janice, ours passed the mask bylaws for over 50, and I think we were at 36 last time I looked - not that it really affects me as I wear a mask everywhere already.
Masks are obligatory anywhere inside since July. People are getting fancy. We are coordinating masks with clothing now. :)
Sarah wrote: "Fingers crossed Margo. Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have all committed to circuit break lockdowns, although not as long as yours. And yet here in England, we have this stupid tier system wh..."Oh Sarah, those numbers are shocking! Take care of yourself and I hope your cousin is OK.
We are looking at max of 1300 new cases a day, We have 11,000 cases/M and 380 deaths/M population so those numbers aren't terrible BUT we don't have medical recourses to deal with higher numbers. We have 278 ICU beds in the country. This move is to protect our health service.
During the first wave of the virus all of our other treatments were shut down. No cancer treatment, no screening, emergency operations only. Everything stopped and that can't happen again so we need to find a way to keep all those things going safely as well as treating covid patients and preventing more surges.
After reading the comments on the other page I booked my flu shot. As I'll be hanging around hospitals with my uncle the last thing I want to do is be bringing other viruses home to my mum. She's in poor health, her Parkinsons is very advanced and she wouldn't survive either virus. I'm getting on tuesday I hope - I may need to cancel if my needs me to go with him to get results that day but I'd like to have protection before I go back there.
Haha That’s great Esther, lol I’ve been doing coordinated masks since the beginning 😷
Esther wrote: "Masks are obligatory anywhere inside since July. People are getting fancy. We are coordinating masks with clothing now. :)"I did that unintentionally when I went for my optometrist appointment the other day. My friend has been making masks and she gave me a royal blue one that I admired. Turned out, the shirt I was wearing was blue and white, and matched perfectly.
Lord, I'm going to have to get with the mask fashion! At the moment I'm still reusing the throwaway masks I've buit up over my hospital visits/ admision. In the early days they insisted people take off the mask they were wearing and put on the blue paper one they handed out. As I was only ever in the place for less than an hour I held on to them all. Such a waste of paper to dispose of them in the bin provided on the way out.
The numbers are going throught the roof in Belgium. It's worse, but in the south of the country it's even more worse. The governement is almost daily giving new more stricter restrictions. Restaurants and bars are closed (only take - away), schools are still open, but in orange code, universities are code red, we have an evening clock....The most contaminations are between 20 and 30 years old. I don't think that people will take this longer. Now it's for a month, but they are talking that it would be longer to avoid a regional, 'something like a lockdown but not a full lockdown' - thing. We can only have 3 contacts with masks and 1 with no masks. They call that one 'The cuddle - contact that you can kiss and hug'. With the holidays coming, we can't have normal holidays at home. I have no friends, just 2, and now I notice how lonely I am. I only go to work, my horse, nothing else and as long that the schools can stay open, I'm something like relieved, but still. I think I have enough of the whole situation and that goes for a lot of people. The insecurity is huge.
Saar The Book owl wrote: "The numbers are going throught the roof in Belgium. It's worse, but in the south of the country it's even more worse. The governement is almost daily giving new more stricter restrictions. Restaura..."Hang in there. I totally understand. This thing is making you reassess a lot of things.
Working from home and living alone I feel pretty much cut off as well. I can`t wait to spent time with someone face to face. Actually. just going to my usual coffee place alone would be a nice change.
Thank you internet and zoom for existing.
Saar, it is not you, it is this weird new world we live in. We are here for you. I know it's not the same, but hang in to the good things you have right now. This will not last forever.
Big hugs, Saar. Isolation and quarantine can be really hard. As Sandra mentioned, it's temporary.
Thanks, everyone. I try not to listen much to the news or look at the media, but it's hard. Next week it's a week off for the children. Now, yesterday the governement announced that they are extending the week with 2 more days of for the kids, with the excuse that the parents have 2 weeks to reorganise the care for the kids. I mean, I have to work and my husband needs to give training to a new collegue. I've been putting myself double to organise something or to get an extra day off. Now, they are announcing more stricter rules and to stay at home as much possible to avoid a lockdown. Well, maybe it's better to have a lockdown, but I don't want the schools to close.
It's temporary, indeed, but the question is how long. It's something we need to live with, but now we're failing. And also, all those people who are not following the restrictions are making it worse for those who does it.
I'm sorry, I'll try to focus on the positive things.
Esther wrote: "Saar The Book owl wrote: "The numbers are going throught the roof in Belgium. It's worse, but in the south of the country it's even more worse. The governement is almost daily giving new more stric..."Big hug to you, Esther, I understand it's not easy for you too.
Thinking of you all at the moment with the prospect of more lockdowns :(In positive news here, Melbourne has been in a hard lockdown since 7 July. They have been over the past month down to single digit cases each day (with a couple of flare ups), and very very slight restriction eases in the past 2 weeks.
Yesterday there were 0 cases and 0 deaths, and was declared doughnut day. Today was double doughnut day with the same number of cases, and as of tomorrow retail and hospitality will reopen with restrictions and people can visit one house a day within 25kms. There are 5 million very happy people tonight.
This isn't to gloat. Lockdowns absolutely suck, but just some encouragement at what can be achieved. Thinking of you all *hug*
That's a successful lockdown Rusalka! It's good to know it can be done. Our government, unfortunately, tend to lift them before cases and deaths have come down enough. They would never entertain letting a lockdown continuing until we got to zero cases/deaths. It is good to hear of the success stories like you've mentioned and the likes of New Zealand too. I just think we're a long way off that happening.
The Labor state government has been undermined, challenged, and constantly told they were doing the wrong thing by the federal Liberal Government the whole time. Today in Parliament when all of this was announced, there was no acknowledgement of the work well done by the Treasurer, but a complete tantrum about how the Victorian Government had used draconian measures to shutdown the economy.But like I said earlier, the cases in Melb and the UK were comparable and you guys are unfortunately living through the other option.
Our numbers are up. We had 30 new cases over the weekend putting our total active cases at 91. With the county having 15, we are now over the magic number and the mandatory mask mandate has been instigated. Our city council didn't have the backbone to make masks mandatory so picked what they figured would never happen - a combination of 100 active cases between the City and the County. Our boys in blue (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) decided to have a Thanksgiving get together. They represent 14 of our 30 new cases over the weekend. Our firemen also decided to have a Thanksgiving get together, and they have 12 firemen sick.
I'm so proud of our police and firemen, the people sworn to protect and serve, for hosting superspreader events. *heavy sarcasm*.
My heart goes out to people who live alone or in general feel isolated. One of my best friends is in the same situation as Esther - lives alone and works from home. She's struggling too. Her dad is 94 and also lives alone in her hometown in Ireland, she's hoping to be able to spend xmas with him. Under our current rules this means she'll have to spend 2 weeks in isolation when she gets to Ireland with the police checking up on her. She says it will worth it.@Rus, it's great to hear a good news story for as change. Also one that proves following the rules DOES work!
@Janice, we had our own superspreader event about 6 weeks ago. Ours was golf club that broke all the rules about indoor gatherings, and here the rub (sorry, just been doing the Shakespeare challenge :-)) - it was a government golf club! All the people attending were connected to the world of politics from humble *scoff* politicians to high court judges. There was a high court judge, an influential journalist, the list goes on. We had loads of resignations afterwards but noone can budge the judge. They are untouchable it seems :-O
Last Saturday was the first university football game of the season here. No public was allowed in the stadium but at least 3 parties of more of 100 people (students) were reported. Who know how many more weren't reported. We'll see the consequences soon enough
Last Saturday was the first university football game of the season here. No public was allowed in the stadium but at least 3 parties of more of 100 people (students) were reported. Who know how many more weren't reported. We'll see the consequences soon enough
We crosses our magic line of 50 cases over the weekend and are now a mandatory mask zone for the next 30 days minimum
Here in Chicago we are starting to go backwards, They have closed restaurants for in door dining again . Their is a restaurant just up the road from me. It has been in business for over 100 years. The last 40 they have been owned by a friend of my fathers.He was quoted in the Chicago Tribune saying he could not afford to stay closed . So he wouldn't. I called him and gave him a piece of my mind. I told him that if he is putting money ahead of his patron's health. I also asked him if he ignores one health rule how can i trust the integrity of his food. I hope it made him think.
I heard from another friend that he got a warning Next warning i 10000 dollar fine. I don't see how that's cheaper then just doining take out
We have a similar fine system here Renee. I hope it is a deterrent.
Rusalka wrote: "Thinking of you all at the moment with the prospect of more lockdowns :(In positive news here, Melbourne has been in a hard lockdown since 7 July. They have been over the past month down to singl..."
That's a succesfull story, Rusalka, I'm happy that a hard locksown had such a positive outcome. It must be a relief.
We're now the number 1 in Europe. *sighs* More stricter rules starting this Friday. There are more on the way. The cultural sector is also fully closed, except for the libraries. They can stay open.My husband got sick last weekend: sore throat, light fever, muscles and joints pain. He called the doctor on Monday, but it was a check up on the phone, because the doctor is in quarantain and the main rule for all doctors is diagnoses through phone call. He said it was an angina and gave antibiotics. Now, his throat still hurt and the fever is still light. The doctor didn't get him tested and my husband didn't asked. I told him that it isn't better by Friday, he needs to get tested, but he's reluctant...
I'd strongly encourage your husband to get tested asap, Saar. Any one with one of those symptoms here needs to get tested. Even just so you rule it out.There may be a translation issue here. Angina is a heart condition that can be a precursor to heart attacks, but it's not treated by antibiotics. Whatever it is I hope he feels better soon!!
I know and I've told him too, but here you don't get tested right away...Oops, sorry, I know that an angina is something of the heart, but it is also something we called if you have a throat infection. I look it up...
Well, it's called a throat infection, caused by streptoccoccus.
Saar The Book owl wrote: "I know and I've told him too, but here you don't get tested right away...Oops, sorry, I know that an angina is something of the heart, but it is also something we called if you have a throat infe..."
Here you have to take yourself to be tested too.
Ah I see, makes sense. I think the American's call it Strep Throat. We call it a sore throat here in Aus. But it can be really sore. Really do hope he rests up. Whisky! That will help ;)
For some reason in Spanish we also misuse angina as throat infection. It is specially common in older generations. I don't know what that comes from.
He's much better today. The antibiotics are kicking in and the pain in the throat is almost gone, also the fever is gone. I was so mad yesterday at his doctor, that I called mine. She said that every cold needs to be tested and that she doesn't understand why he didn't in the first place. If he relapses, then it's not a throat infection and he'll get tested Monday.I think his doctor is feeling guilty, because he's calling a few times a day to check up.
I'm glad he's feeling better anyway Saar and I hope it is an infection. Here we call it septic throat. It's funny how so many names are used for the same thing!I saw on the news tonight that Belgium still has the highest covid rate in europe. The good news is the measures being tightened her seems to be working. We are only a week into full lockdown but restrictions were tightened about 2.5 weeks ago and those seem have reduced the spread, so I hope the same will happen for you.
I hope so too, Margo, I've been worried myself so much!You're right, sadly. We're now number one in Europe...There are tight measures, but the governement and the virologists won't take the time to wait and see if the numbers are dropping, especially the hospitalisations numbers, so there will be another meeting and probably a full lockdown. Now, it's like in France and Germany, but what can they close even more than now? They'll keep the schools open, because the schoolvacation that starts Saturday is doubled now, but for the rest...Maybe the stores? I don't know.
The health system is crashing at the hospitals. Next week will be the baddest for it, if it goes on like this.
At this moment there's a press conference going on. Still no full lockdown, but stricter measures:- 1 close contact and 1 from a distance for people who are alone.
- 1 close contact per family member
- outside no more than 4 persons together
- autumn holidays are extended for a week. So 2 weeks vacation instead of 1.
- non - essential stores are closed. I wonder what they'll do about bookstores. Previous lockdown they stayed open, because they had newspapers and stuff.
- compagnies are still open.
- work at home is mandatory if possible.
Apparently, the virus is more cantagious now and has changed since it's appearance in China. That's why there are more people sick.
And incoming news: the bird flu is in the Netherlands. Now we need to take measures in Belgium too. I've got 2 chickens, but now I must find a way to cover their place.
On no, bird flu as well! I'm not surprised covid has evolved. There must have thousands (millions? )of generations since it began.
Your government is more generous with close contacts than ours is. We aren't allowed household visitors EXCEPT for the vunerable and those who live alone. They are allowed contact with one other household.
There are big arguments here about what are essential items. Alcohol, sweets, chocolate are all apparently essential to life but but not, clothes (except baby clothes), books, stationery on kitchen ware. Our schools have not closed but stationary, books, shoes and socks are not. The police have been patrolling supermarkets ch3cking up on what's being sold. For the first time I'm getting scared. The government are saying we can still buy these items by click and collect - there are no shops that do that service within my allotted 5K radius. This is madness and people are getting angry.
We're doing click and collect since the first lockdown. I wanted to enter my list, but there's no spot open to collect it tomorrow. It's all full booked, so I need to go into the supermarket. That must give a weird feeling that the police is patrolling to see what's being sold. Normally that will be here too.
It is very weird Saar and makes me very uncomfortable. We have a c&c supermarket but what happens if my kettle brecks down? I know these are first world problems but they never happened before today *sigh*
It's not even like these products a4e not in the shops- we can see them, we just can't buy them!
Now I'm picturing a spiv in a dirty raincoat flashing blackmarket knickere and biros LOLOf course he's wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing 😂😂😂
Haha, I can totally see that in front of me :)
You have a great plot idea there, Margo. Lol
Margo wrote: "It's not even like these products a4e not in the shops- we can see them, we just can't buy them!"This I do not get. If they are open, they are open...
sorry if I repeat myself but I think I forgot to tell his one. I find this really funny. Do not try to take books from readers!!!!As I said previously we are in a partial lockdown. They announced it on September 28 and said it would be effective on October 1st. They gave a few days so restaurants and others could turn around. When they announced that all cultural venues would be closed, museum etc.. they included libraries'. Everyone found this ridiculous. They already had a contact free routine. Reserve online and pick up. Anyway, they finally went back on this decision but not until the last minute.
On Sept. 30, I stopped at my library during lunch to drop some books. The parking was full and there seem to be a line up. I did not have to go in so I did not give it more thoughts. I talked to the librarian the other day and she told me that people were so afraid to get stuck without books like in the spring that they emptied the shelves. There were so many readers in there that day that they lost control of the crowd, so much so that they had to call the cops. :)
Wow, Esther! That's funny! But I can totally relate.
You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
Books mentioned in this topic
Catch-22 (other topics)The Yellow Wallpaper and Other Stories (other topics)
