You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
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Corona Chat
That is silly places are closing down aisles in shops. I understand about shutting down non-essentials, we did here, and that sometimes someone's essential is not others and vice versa. But I agree, if a shop is open, it's open.Here online shopping went through the roof. My food processor died in our shutdown, Margo, but I got one online. I guess the argument is also there are options for you in the short term (a pot and stove for a kettle, a knife for the food processor), so not essential to have people milling around physical shops for 40 mins trying to work out whether you should spend $50 more to get a kettle that matches the kitchen or not... or maybe that's just me...
The argument here about clothes shops was - You're at home. No one should be seeing you.I'm still spending 5 days a week in trackies, no bra and ugg boots. I'm all for 2020 fashion trends.
Sandra wrote: "Cases are going up in 47 states in the US and also is the mortality rate. A person in California tested positive for both, influenza and covid. They are calling it a "twindemic". Scary."
Oh yuk...
I sympathise Esther. Thank god I only do digital books lolThis morning supermarket was full of xmas decorations. Essensial or non essential 🤔
Margo wrote: "I sympathise Esther. Thank god I only do digital books lolThis morning supermarket was full of xmas decorations. Essensial or non essential 🤔"
I do both and in that library closing down their physical part did not bother me to much. But my mother does not. And judging by this, she is not the only one.
I have been trying to get my mom to try digital for a few years now. Arguing that she could get the text as big as she want. She almost cave in but it never lasted long enough. to tell me to buy her a a tablet. So I am picking up her books and getting them to her.
Some people just never to the digital formats. I'm the only one in my bookclub of 9 that always uses audio. Two listen while they commute. They don't do ebooks at all.
We have a press conference at 5pm and it's looking like national lockdown here. So we'll see how far they go with the restrictions this time. Our numbers have surpassed the worst case scenario forecasts from the scientific advisors which is not good so the government have had no choice but to act now.
Yep. National Lockdown from Thursday. All non essential shops to close. Hospitality to close unless they offer takeaway. Stay at home except for education, food shopping, medical needs, and exercise. Schools remain open although the unions are campaigning for them to close too. No socialising indoors or outdoors although can exercise with a person outside of household. They aren't bringing the full shielding program back but advising minimal contact for those who are clinically vulnerable. Aparently lockdown is only for November then it will revert to the tier system but who knows. Sooo, round 2 here we go.
Wow, this is crazy, every time I think it can’t possibly get any worse, good old 2020 comes up with some new and fabulous way to screw with us 😞 I keep thinking that eventually we will come out the other side, and things will go back to “normal”. But, I don’t even know if that is possible any more 😷 Life is turning into a bad sci-fi movie 🤦♀️Stay safe out there Sarah, my thoughts are with you.
Ugh... so sorry, Sarah, but at least they are trying to deal with the issue. I hope you're able to open up again soon. I wonder how everything is going to go around here with the holidays and such. They didn't cancel trick-or-treating so kids are now going door to door collecting candy from strangers. Then we have Thanksgiving where people will all gather in groups indoors to eat a bunch of food, then Christmas and New Years... The scientists are telling people not to get together or to air out homes and wear face masks indoors. No one is listening anymore because they are tired of dealing with this long term.
Thanks guys. I hope people comply and it works. Although I think while schools are open, it won't totally do what we need it to.You're right Kristie. People are fed up now and aren't following the basic rules. Christmas was looking bleak with the rule of 6 at best but now we have no mixing of households. That might change but it might not. It might have to be a zoom christmas!
My mom keeps asking me if I'm going to come for Christmas this year. She lives over 12 hours away (usually takes us about 14 hours with stops unless we fly). I have no idea what the situation will look like in 2 months. I keep telling her I don't know and likely won't know until sometime in December. We might have to skip this year. Even if we could still go, I don't think it would be safe to go from house to house visiting. My nephew's mom passed away recently and they are having a service for her in Massachusetts. I would need to fly to get there and land in a major airport in Boston. Plus, knowing some of the people there, there will be few if any masks worn. I'm not sure I want to do that, but feel terrible skipping. This is my brother's son. He lost both his parents within one year and he's only 32.
That is sad, Kristie. He is so young. But I understand. These are difficult times to make these kind of decisions.
My son texted tonight and said that 6 people in his workplace have tested positive. For now, the plant isn't shut down.
Wow, that is terrifying Janice, I am so sorry ☹️
Sorry to hear about your nephew's son Kristie. Funerals here are limited to 15 people, or at least theybwere. No idea how many can attend now. We're not allowed to travel outside our area now. I guess more detail will be announced in thee coming days.That's rubbish about your son's workplace Janice. Hopefully he hasn't had any contact with those who tested positive.
Janice, is your son going to be tested?
Sorry to hear about your nephew, and your sister in law, Kristie. So sorry to hear that you're in that position too :(Hope you're son is all okay, Janice. Hopefully he can get tested and cleared quickly!
Sad to hear about you family news Kristie. I don't think I'd attend the funeral under those circumstances. Like Sarah, we're limited to 15 or something like that for funerals and we're not allowed to travel outside of our 5k area for them anyway.@Sarah, I was quite relieved to see UK going into lockdown. All my inlaws live there plus lots of friends and about 50% of my own family. The numbers are scary. I hope it will make you all safer. Our numbers have come down quite dramatically in 1.5 weeks. Our r number is now less than 6, it was around 15.
@Janice, that is worrying. There was one case in Petes workplace about 2 months ago but it didn't spread. Businesses are good at cleaning etc. Here they all have to have protocols in place. Hopefully your son will be fine. Did his workplace arrange testing?
Yeah I'm pleased it has happened Margo and i hope it makes a difference to the cases and death predictions. They were pretty harrowing.
Oh no, Janice. Hopefully your son remains negative. Too bad they didn't close for at least a couple of days to do testing and clean. One of the girls my daughter works with had her husband test positive. She had to get tested and was out of work pending results. If she came back positive the whole place would close for two weeks. My daughter was worried she'd be out of work again. She's had to quarantine 3 times now, but has be negative each time.
My son works at an OSB manufacturing plant. They don't even shut down for Christmas. The ironic thing is they did shut down for major cleaning and maintenance just a few weeks ago. He is the only worker in his area so has limited contact. He was on days off the last few days and goes on night shift starting tomorrow. Currently, he's not showing any symptoms. I don't think you can get tested here unless you have symptoms. He plans on self-isolating because he doesn't want to risk passing it on. He says he doesn't care if he gets it himself.
Worrisome. *sigh*
Esther wrote: "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 announce..."
That's funny, but I understand. It's the only thing you can still do during a lockdown. In France the bookstores are closed, but here in Belgium the bookstores are seen as essential and can stay open. Even the libraries when everythng other cultural is closed.
I'm so sorry to hear the sad news, Kristie. These situations are making it hard to say goodbye to loved ones.
Janice wrote: "My son works at an OSB manufacturing plant. They don't even shut down for Christmas. The ironic thing is they did shut down for major cleaning and maintenance just a few weeks ago. He is the only..."
That's worrying, but it's proof of where the priorities are, sadly: economy must stay on. Good from your son to self - isolate.
Saar The Book owl wrote: "That's worrying, but it's proof of where the priorities are, sadly: economy must stay on. Good from your son to self - isolate.."My son said the staff received an email from management saying that they sent 15 people home to quarantine and to get tested. These 15 workers were all in contact with the 6 that have Covid. All 15 have been tested and all are negative.
I think it's really hard for a large manufacturing plant to shut down. It sounds like they are doing their best to deal with the situation. They have a cleaning crew coming in 4 times a day to wipe everything down. After the 6 employees came down with Covid, they fumed the place. My son said he felt like a bug exterminator came in and he was the bug.
Ha! It's good that these procedures kicked into place Janice. The negative test results are reassuring.
Margo wrote: "Ha! It's good that these procedures kicked into place Janice. The negative test results are reassuring."That's what I said and my son reminded me that we have a long way to go yet.
Janice wrote: "Saar The Book owl wrote: "That's worrying, but it's proof of where the priorities are, sadly: economy must stay on. Good from your son to self - isolate.."My son said the staff received an email ..."
It must be a big relief for your son and his collegues that the tests were negative.
That must be a horrible feeling. It's hard to shut down, but as long that the staff is taking the neccesary precautions, they can stay open. But sadly, not every plant does that.
Next Friday I have to get a covid test done so I can drive during the weekend to Massachusetts to get my daughter. Because of the holidays coming new measures are in place and mobility is being limited even more. I totally support these new measures, but I'd rather drive and get her than make her get in a bus and then in a plane, specially when more people than usual is doing the same. So I will finally know what is that about the swap touching your brain and stuff. Yippee!
I read this article and found it interesting. Memory loss is something that I am noticing for sure. Lockdown has affected our memory.
The article sounds interesting! Thanks for posting it.
Sandra wrote: "Next Friday I have to get a covid test done so I can drive during the weekend to Massachusetts to get my daughter. Because of the holidays coming new measures are in place and mobility is being lim..."Ha ha! Welcome to the swabbed brain club. We're quite an elite organisation 😎
Sandra wrote: "I read this article and found it interesting. Memory loss is something that I am noticing for sure. Lockdown has affected our memory."
Thanks for sharing! Very interesting. I just shared it with some friends.
Wow, that was an interesting article, Sandra!
Sandra wrote: "I read this article and found it interesting. Memory loss is something that I am noticing for sure. Lockdown has affected our memory."
I finally got around to this article. It really sums up whats happening to us all. Thanks for sharing Sandra, sometimes understanding WHY we feel the way we do is half the battle.
We're nearing the end of our national lockdown next week. Today they announced we would go back to our tiered local lockdowns afterwards. The tier system is stricter than it was prior to lockdown 2.0. We've been placed in tier 2 here in Wiltshire. It doesn't really matter what the rules are to me all that much, I'll still continue as I have been during national lockdown. But lots of businesses cannot open and there is no mixing of households inside, rule of 6 outside. Pretty much most of the country has been placed in tiers 2 and 3. I think only 3 regions were placed in tier 1. I'm guessing this is why they've announced their harebrained Christmas bubble scheme. Which I think is absolutely madness. Basically up to 3 households can mix without social distancing for 5 days over Christmas regardless of what tier you fall in! Here comes killing off your grandparents and lockdown 3.0 in January. I won't be going anywhere or seeing anyone that's for sure.
We are in tier 2 too Sarah. My husband's parents are adamant that they want to get together on Christmas Day now that we aren't flying to Canada to be with my family. I am not keen on the idea but I think we will, along with my husband's sister and her husband - 3 households, 6 people in total. We shall see.....
I think for some people, christmas celebrations can work and with little risk. Especially if you have a big house to allow more space to move. Also, if there are no vulnerable people involved. Of the family members I usually spend Christmas with, 2 are over 65, 1 of which as COPD, 2 are significantly overweight, and 3 have asthma (including me). Sounds like a recipe for disaster if you ask me.
We are starting a lockdown tomorrow. School is out until after the New Year. No guests in your homes. Limited numbers of people in the stores. Ten people max for funerals and weddings (including bride/groom and attendants). Restaurants are open but a max of immediate family only. People who live alone can have 2 people designated as "family", but they have to be the same two people. But still - no provincial mask mandate! Unbelievable. My friend is my massage therapist and we had decided a month ago to go out for supper on Saturday night. We just had a conversation and have decided that she will be one of my "family". We're still going out on Saturday. She can come to the house and we'll play backgammon and order in mid month so that we can have in person contact. She has a roommate, but calls herself as living alone.
I'm doing yoga virtually now. The studio was allowed to have classes with 4 people in attendance, so they started virtual classes. I did one the other night and will do another tonight.
How long is your lockdown for Janice? That's great that you have been able to form a bubble with your friend to continue having in person contact.
Sarah, I am in the same provincial area as Janice, and there is no defined end date at this time (that I’ve been able to find). My City had already brought in mask bylaws that would only take effect “if” we crossed over the 50 active cases line, and would stay in effect for 30 days at which time they would reassess - 30 days ago we crossed 50, unfortunately we are now over 200 😞 at least I made myself pretty masks . . .
Yikes, Jenn! I think school is scheduled to go back somewhere in the second week of Janaury. But I haven't found an end date either. Did you get the emergency alert on your cell phone today? It scared the snot out of me. The province has declared a state of emergency because of Covid and sent a notice over the public alert system.My city instigated a mask mandate after both the City and the County combined went over 100. Once it drops below that, the mandate will cease after 2 weeks. We're still over 100 combined.
We all had a text message from the government in the first lockdown, but we've had nothing since. It is a little freaky.
What is a 'tier'?We've had another press conferation:
the stores, musea and public swimming pools are re - opening under strict regulation on December 2th, but that's it.
For the holidays:
- on the 24th OR 25th December you can have 1 person over, but they need to be gone by midnight.
- New Year's Eve and New Year: nothing. You spend it a home and no guests.
- the evening clock is still on.
- people who live alone can have max. 2 contacts.
The AAA (American Automobile Association) calculates 50 million of Americans traveled due to Thanksgiving (only by car). Last year it was 55 millions, so it was like a normal year. The CDC warns that 60,000 people might die in the next 3 weeks as a consequence. Some days I am so exhausted of human stupidity.
Wow Sandra, that is terrifying 🤯And, yes Janice, all four of us (the entire office lol) were together when it went off, we were having a safety meeting discussing our upgraded COVID safety measures lol
Sandra wrote: "The AAA (American Automobile Association) calculates 50 million of Americans traveled due to Thanksgiving (only by car). Last year it was 55 millions, so it was like a normal year. The CDC warns that 60,000 people might die in the next 3 weeks as a consequence. Some days I am so exhausted of human stupidity."This is how I feel too. I don't understand why people can't just follow the guidelines. They really aren't that difficult.
edit: I'm referring to the no big holiday gatherings, wear a mask, and physical distancing here. I do know that many other parts of this are very difficult.
I think I'm more frustrated than usual because several of my close friends and family members have either had covid or been exposed to it in the past couple of weeks. Some are awaiting testing now. It's really frustrating when you know that if one person did what they were supposed to a few others wouldn't be in this situation right now.
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)
A person in California tested positive for both, influenza and covid. They are calling it a "twindemic". Scary.