The Covid-19 community thread

[RDW]

First topic message reminder :

With not much sport going on I want to create a thread for anything to do with the global pandemic.

Feel free to use it however you want.

If you need to release stress or anxiety about what's going on to a bunch of strangers who don't know you then go ahead.

If you're self isolating and want some benign chat then crack on.

If you're struggling and looking for anyone to help with anything then reach out here and see if anyone can help out.


This may not be used or it may kick off and help someone out - either way please be nice. We're literally all in it together!

[tigertattie]

Ahhhh grandad. Your standard quote function fail has brought a smile to my face.

The world is going mad but some things never change.

Ps, I do hope your call your 13 month old grandson “Ragnar”

[Duty281]

Lockdown, near enough. I'm sure the vast majority will adhere to it, but there surely aren't enough coppers to police those who don't follow these rules.

[tigertattie]

Lockdown, near enough. I'm sure the vast majority will adhere to it, but there surely aren't enough coppers to police those who don't follow these rules.

Oh they’ll make it work. Not having to police busy streets will help.

There’s also the army which no one wants to see out there but if folk keep meeting up for group cycles or are arranging play dates with the kids down the road, it may come to it.

Hopefully the vast majority of sensible people stay at home and don’t waste valuable police time.

We police by consent but that consent works both ways.

Stay at home and stay safe people.

[jimbopip]

I can't see the Criminal Element throwing you out. Flounder. Stay where you are. But stay indoors.

[Luke]

Well just been laid off. Minimum pay job and living on my own means money issues. At least I qualify for the government 80% wage thing. Though the lack of information I've been given is slightly worrying.

Biggest worry, not having a Tv (through my own choice), living quite away from my family and not driving. Being diagnosed with depression is to try and not slip back deeply into it. And keep motivated, hopefully will have few dark days and will go out for long walks to keep me going.

[RDW]

Well just been laid off. Minimum pay job and living on my own means money issues. At least I qualify for the government 80% wage thing. Though the lack of information I've been given is slightly worrying.

Biggest worry, not having a Tv (through my own choice), living quite away from my family and not driving. Being diagnosed with depression is to try and not slip back deeply into it. And keep motivated, hopefully will have few dark days and will go out for long walks to keep me going.

That's rubbish Luke - sorry to hear that. Try not to get isolated and keep talking to people - there will always be inane chat on the go here if you need it!

[jimbopip]

Luke, it's three weeks-maybe more. There will always be someone on here to chat to. I always remember the words of my own GP,
"Yes, you have mild depression: but who doesn't!"
That sentence lifted a huge weight off my shoulders, the sense that I wasn't alone or abnormal. Stay positive, Luke, do things that will keep the brain chemicals regulated. PM/reachout anyone on here who sounds like they have time. There are lots of decent folk on here and they'll all be at home for the next three weeks.

[RDW]

Luke, it's three weeks-maybe more. There will always be someone on here to chat to. I always remember the words of my own GP,
"Yes, you have mild depression: but who doesn't!"
That sentence lifted a huge weight off my shoulders, the sense that I wasn't alone or abnormal. Stay positive, Luke, do things that will keep the brain chemicals regulated. PM/reachout anyone on here who sounds like they have time. There are lots of decent folk on here and they'll all be at home for the next three weeks.

This.

[LondonTiger]

Our funder has informed us that if we close down the site today we are in breach of covenant and liable to be sued. All because the Communities Minister said last night that construction sites can stay open.

So for now we have instructed all direct employees who do not live in the local village to stay at home, and while holding a "safe distance" briefing told all others that we are not compelling anyone to stay, but those who do we will ask to follow strict distancing (5m) and only do activities that are one person jobs - primarily to make the site safe and secure so we can shut it down. Many of the guys are self employed and travel up for the week so they want to stay but also want to get home.

I do not want to keep the site open beyond today - in fact we do intend to close and suffer the consequences but I hope that the Construction trade body can get a completely unequivocal response from Govt today so at least our corporate asses are safe from litigation.

[RDW]

I'm staggered construction sites are exempt. I worked on a mega project in London before I left with 1000 people on site, and as far as I know they're still working.

Madness!

My cousin is a joiner and he's messaged today saying his bosses have absolutely no idea what to do and what to ask them to do.

[BigGee]

The construction trade information is still a bit messy and as in a lot of the communication from the government has not been clear. There really should have been a definitive list of who can and can't still go to work published last night following the announcement.

I have got some interest in this as we are in the process of renovating our house and it is currently stripped right back to bear floorboards waiting for a rewire. If construction is allowed to continue, then I presume that the electrician will be able to come and do the job (which to be fair, will be indoors and not mixing with anyone, as we will have to move out). My initial assumption was that it would have to be cancelled, now am not so sure.

I would have to say, having just come back from the local Sainsbury, there are still an awful lot of people in cars going places. Not quite morning rush hour, but not sunday morning either and they were not all going to sainsbo either, as it did not actually seem that busy for once.

I expect the message needs to be refined a lot more before we finally get to were we need to be.

[WELL-PAST-IT]

LT, I was staggered yesterday when I found out that work was still continuing on some construction sites at Heathrow (not Heathrow Airports Ltd sites). I semi-retired at the end of February from my role as a Commercial Manager for a couple of contractors at Heathrow, but yesterday I received a call from an old client asking for a quotation for further work. Once I explained the situation, I found that the site was still operating normally, all the management not based on site were working from home, the site management was pared down to a minimum and basically stayed in their own little isolated work /desk area, the guys on site were being told to carry on as normal, no distancing of individual work areas or anything.

I made a couple of inquiries to find out what was happening and I was told that they didn't even have the usual hand creams and soaps on site as the suppliers had run out. Most of the workers are Eastern European who graft all day without question and who it seems are expendable whilst the management are obviously not.

This site is owned by an airline that i will not name, but I am ashamed to say it flies the flag.

[WELL-PAST-IT]

The construction trade information is still a bit messy and as in a lot of the communication from the government has not been clear. There really should have been a definitive list of who can and can't still go to work published last night following the announcement.

I have got some interest in this as we are in the process of renovating our house and it is currently stripped right back to bear floorboards waiting for a rewire. If construction is allowed to continue, then I presume that the electrician will be able to come and do the job (which to be fair, will be indoors and not mixing with anyone, as we will have to move out). My initial assumption was that it would have to be cancelled, now am not so sure.

I would have to say, having just come back from the local Sainsbury, there are still an awful lot of people in cars going places. Not quite morning rush hour, but not sunday morning either and they were not all going to sainsbo either, as it did not actually seem that busy for once.

I expect the message needs to be refined a lot more before we finally get to were we need to be.

BigGee, major travel problems on both the London bound M1 and M40 this morning, so as you say, a lot of cars going places, possibly due to a lack of public transport.

Would removals companies be exempt do you think, we are supposed to be moving in 4 weeks.

We went shopping yesterday at Sainsburys in the 08:00 to 09:00 slot for the "elderly", when I saw the other people in their, I felt very guilty, although we are of the age to go in; we had to show our "Freedom Pass" as a proof of age, most people were a lot frailer, if that is a word, than us. Still I made myself useful getting TOILET ROLLS and other goodies down off the top shelf for little old ladies and gents. It's amazing what a difference there is in stature between people born in the 40's and those in the 50's.

Everything was very civilised, no long queues, everybody keeping their distance and being very polite to each other. A far cry from what we have found previously where people were behaving like rabid dogs fighting over the last bone.

[RDW]

LT, I was staggered yesterday when I found out that work was still continuing on some construction sites at Heathrow (not Heathrow Airports Ltd sites). I semi-retired at the end of February from my role as a Commercial Manager for a couple of contractors at Heathrow, but yesterday I received a call from an old client asking for a quotation for further work. Once I explained the situation, I found that the site was still operating normally, all the management not based on site were working from home, the site management was pared down to a minimum and basically stayed in their own little isolated work /desk area, the guys on site were being told to carry on as normal, no distancing of individual work areas or anything.

I made a couple of inquiries to find out what was happening and I was told that they didn't even have the usual hand creams and soaps on site as the suppliers had run out. Most of the workers are Eastern European who graft all day without question and who it seems are expendable whilst the management are obviously not.

This site is owned by an airline that i will not name, but I am ashamed to say it flies the flag.

It's like hearing a story from the 1970s. That's awful.

[RDW]

Well remembering that this is a sports forum, Aussie TV are showing Tri nations reruns since there is no live sport on just now (which is a huge, huge deal here - way worse than UK sports being cancelled).

It's fantastic watching games from the early 00s with some legendary players. Just watched Australia beat NZ to win the Tri nations a few months after they beat the Lions in 2001. A hell of a summer they had! John Eales' last ever game too.

[Old Man]

Well South Africa is going into lockdown midnight Thursday for 21 days.

Only public services Police, Military, Medical staff and anyone involved in manufacturing, processing and transporting food will be permitted to travel and leave their houses.

Businesses such as food shops and filling stations will remain open.

Not entirely clear on how you must travel to shops though.

[WELL-PAST-IT]

Panic stations from BoJo, 8:30 PM announcement, "everything stops as of tonight" basically three and a half hours notice to plan and execute for the shut down when everybody has left work. I know we have all been expecting it, but I bet there are a lot of people caught in the wrong place, and others who just did not see the announcement before they went to bed as they were watching Netflix or something rather than the Beeb

[tigertattie]

I thought they said last night that constuction sites were to close?

all very confusing.

Also. Well-past-it, you'll find that the more advanced in years persons in the shop would be far more compassionate and respectful towards thier fellow humanbeings than the feral mongrals that are part of the younger generation.

I'm one the few that can choose to be labelled as a Millenial or Generation X - needless to say I choose to be Gen X as we're just not as inept as millenials.

As for Gen Z - wow, what a bunch of precious things they are

[Pal Joey]

RDW,

They were great times for Australian rugby and sport in general leading up to Sydney 2000... and just beyond.
I was lucky enough to be in the crowd for many of those big games. Seems a lifetime ago now.

Actually, I'm hoping many of us are starting to realise that whilst some of us love our sport it is really not such a huge, huge deal here. Many of us are quickly putting everything into perspective and probably agree that things were getting a little out of hand in recent years. Greyhounds anyone?

After all, sport, whilst very popular here, can also been seen as the ultimate luxury of a relatively well off society enjoying a very high standard of living. One should never make the false assumption that all Australians are fanatical or hysterical about sport - as I have learned - in an slightly embarrassing way. Asked a family from Melbourne "Who do you follow?"... and got blank faces.  

It's probably more accurate to say we have more pragmatic and improvisational characteristics as a nation - due to the fact that we have seen ourselves as physically more isolated from the rest of the world (historically) and have therefore had to "do our own thing" or "make it up yourself". Now the world is closer than ever in 2020 perhaps some of these 'character traits' are less dominant to an outsider at first - but we are continually gaining wisdom/knowledge from other people and cultures - which is a huge benefit to us as a society. I've always seen Australia as a 'mini America' but with less of the bad bits... although of course there are some sad and evil elements here as well... like in any other country one chooses to scrutinise.

So back to Sport in the Age of Coronavirus - people are waking up. Some will need a gentle shove and hopefully not the daisy cutter method of Brazil or Italy (in that twitter video!) but I'm quite sure most of us will respond well and easily adapt to being deprived of sport for a few months or longer. I'm sure it will make a lot of us even better people in the long run. So No Sport? What? Me No Worry. Bugger Bloody Sport!.... for now

[LondonTiger]

I thought they said last night that constuction sites were to close?

https://twitter.com/RobertJenrick/status/1242210351007096836

Advice for the housing, construction & building maintenance industries:
If you can work from home, do so.
If you are working on site, you can continue to do so. But follow Public Health England guidance on social distancing.
Outside of work, remember to #StayHomeSaveLives

[RDW]

https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/coronavirus-in-australia-pm-announces-stage-two-c-760513

Thursday night Australia will implement pretty much UK levels of shutdown. It's been quite the turnaround in 48 hours here - still don't know why they didn't just do it last week!

[LondonTiger]

Meanwhile DJT seems to be suggesting he will try and force individual states to come out of isolation to protect the economy.

[WELL-PAST-IT]

I thought they said last night that constuction sites were to close?

all very confusing.

Also. Well-past-it, you'll find that the more advanced in years persons in the shop would be far more compassionate and respectful towards thier fellow humanbeings than the feral mongrals that are part of the younger generation.

I'm one the few that can choose to be labelled as a Millenial or Generation X - needless to say I choose to be Gen X as we're just not as inept as millenials.

As for Gen Z - wow, what a bunch of precious things they are

Tigertattie, that is sort of what I was getting at, as a mid point "Baby Boomer" I grew up with old fashioned respect and was taught to be courteous to people, especially my elders. Something I have found a lot today's kids have brought back into fashion, especially the ones that have come over here from abroad. I sometimes have to use a stick as my knees are completely crap due to 40 years of playing the great game, plus a couple of serious car accidents that I have had to be cut out of; sometime being built like the proverbial "brick sh!t house" has it's advantages as \i just walked away from both. However I can hardly get on a bus or a tube with my stick before some young gent or lady offers me a seat if it is crowded. The generation before though seems to be completely devoid of these life skills and are only interested in themselves and what is "good for me". Something JoBo seems to radiate. A generality, I know but one that has a lot of personal experience behind it.

[BigGee]

Meanwhile DJT seems to be suggesting he will try and force individual states to come out of isolation to protect the economy.

The American economic and social model (a pretty much non existent welfare state) just is not built to cope with this kind of a situation and Donnie knows the effect of the economy tanking and people (literally) starving will have on his re-election prospects, especially given what a Horlicks he personally has made of trying to manage the situation. I am not sure the Americans as a whole will be quite as stoical about it as the were back in the 1930s.

Just how this does effect the US and if it may maybe wean them off their free market, libertarian obsessions for the future, is one of the more interesting debates around this whole crisis.

[chris_501]

Our funder has informed us that if we close down the site today we are in breach of covenant and liable to be sued. All because the Communities Minister said last night that construction sites can stay open.

So for now we have instructed all direct employees who do not live in the local village to stay at home, and while holding a "safe distance" briefing told all others that we are not compelling anyone to stay, but those who do we will ask to follow strict distancing (5m) and only do activities that are one person jobs - primarily to make the site safe and secure so we can shut it down. Many of the guys are self employed and travel up for the week so they want to stay but also want to get home.

I do not want to keep the site open beyond today - in fact we do intend to close and suffer the consequences but I hope that the Construction trade body can get a completely unequivocal response from Govt today so at least our corporate asses are safe from litigation.

I thought you were talking about 606 for a minute. Then we really would be in trouble!

Life is tough for many, but it's also important to remember that in some way or another we are all affected by this, and that in no way is anyone really alone. I think it's a great job you guys are doing in keeping this forum going.

What I would like to see is the Beeb re-run Grandstand from the mid 90's on loop. With a new baby coming Friday, I will have plenty of time to enjoy a bit of bowls from Hopton-on-Sea, or snooker from the Crucible in the middle of the night with a bottle in my hand (I'll let you guess whether its for baby or me)

[Pal Joey]

Our funder has informed us that if we close down the site today we are in breach of covenant and liable to be sued. All because the Communities Minister said last night that construction sites can stay open.

So for now we have instructed all direct employees who do not live in the local village to stay at home, and while holding a "safe distance" briefing told all others that we are not compelling anyone to stay, but those who do we will ask to follow strict distancing (5m) and only do activities that are one person jobs - primarily to make the site safe and secure so we can shut it down. Many of the guys are self employed and travel up for the week so they want to stay but also want to get home.

I do not want to keep the site open beyond today - in fact we do intend to close and suffer the consequences but I hope that the Construction trade body can get a completely unequivocal response from Govt today so at least our corporate asses are safe from litigation.

I thought you were talking about 606 for a minute. Then we really would be in trouble!

Life is tough for many, but it's also important to remember that in some way or another we are all affected by this, and that in no way is anyone really alone. I think it's a great job you guys are doing in keeping this forum going.

What I would like to see is the Beeb re-run Grandstand from the mid 90's on loop. With a new baby coming Friday, I will have plenty of time to enjoy a bit of bowls from Hopton-on-Sea, or snooker from the Crucible in the middle of the night with a bottle in my hand (I'll let you guess whether its for baby or me)

Congratulations on the new baby this coming Friday, Chris. All the best of health to you, your missus and the bub!

Yes, now is definitely the time for a bit of sporting nostalgia and an honest rethink on many aspects of life in general.
I thought LT was talking about this site too. Thankfully this place keeps on running as usual.

[TRUSSMAN66]

Not a lot to be happy about at the moment for sure....For those that struggle with depression it must be excruciating..

Think of every new day as a day closer to the end of this crap..

[Luke]

Thank you.

[SecretFly]

Meanwhile DJT seems to be suggesting he will try and force individual states to come out of isolation to protect the economy.

If he chooses to do so, it won't be trying. He has Emergency Powers - virtual(or real) wartime footing.

Calm before the Storm, as they allude to now in all media savvy points of focus.

[LondonTiger]

Meanwhile DJT seems to be suggesting he will try and force individual states to come out of isolation to protect the economy.

If he chooses to do so, it won't be trying.  He has Emergency Powers - virtual(or real) wartime footing.

Calm before the Storm, as they allude to now in all media savvy points of focus.

He does, but at the same time Governors can exercise various emergency powers instead. Potential massive bun fight.

[LondonTiger]

In other news, I noticed that they (quietly) announced that Dominic Raab will stand in as acting PM should Boris Johnson be incapacitated.

[Soul Requiem]

The Sun really is a cesspit of a newspaper, headline today; House Arrest.

[Duty281]

In other news, I noticed that they (quietly) announced that Dominic Raab will stand in as acting PM should Boris Johnson be incapacitated.

Sensible to plan for it, though they probably need more than one back-up PM incase Raab gets it!

[lostinwales]

Meanwhile DJT seems to be suggesting he will try and force individual states to come out of isolation to protect the economy.

Can't confirm but there are all kinds of rumors about states being forced to compete against each other for PPE kit etc - with Trump stepping in to help a republican governor up for re election.

If this gets as bad in the US as it might I do wonder if its days as the preeminent world power are numbered.

[LondonTiger]

Olympics postponed to Summer 2021

[demosthenes]

In other news, I noticed that they (quietly) announced that Dominic Raab will stand in as acting PM should Boris Johnson be incapacitated.

Most people will assume that its still Dominic Cumming's words, just out of a different mouth.

[lostinwales]

In other news, I noticed that they (quietly) announced that Dominic Raab will stand in as acting PM should Boris Johnson be incapacitated.

Most people will assume that its still Dominic Cumming's words, just out of a different mouth orifice.

Fixed...

[Duty281]

For any UK posters who like The Simpsons, and haven't yet got tired of it, Disney+ has launched in the UK today and you can get a 7-day free trial and 30 seasons worth of the American classic to binge watch during the lockdown. And, you know, there's other stuff on there too.

[Luke]

Be interesting to see how different sports are going to look once this is over.
Will football still be trying to charge ridiculous prices for the top. How many lower league clubs will survive, will the lower league clubs go part time. Just how decimated will non league be.
Rugby league. Will there still be a game? God I hope so, how many teams.
Same with rugby union (though they will still be going I would imagine).

And even in society, is this the end of cinemas, the lesiure industry is going to be completely decimated, and retail. What will high streets and city centers look like.

Hopefully most will come out okay, and there will be some form of normalcy by 2022, at the earliest

[Soul Requiem]

Be interesting to see how different sports are going to look once this is over.
Will football still be trying to charge ridiculous prices for the top. How many lower league clubs will survive, will the lower league clubs go part time. Just how decimated will non league be.
Rugby league. Will there still be a game? God I hope so, how many teams.
Same with rugby union (though they will still be going I would imagine).

And even in society, is this the end of cinemas, the lesiure industry is going to be completely decimated, and retail. What will high streets and city centers look like.

Hopefully most will come out okay, and there will be some form of normalcy by 2022, at the earliest

Industry will survive we'll just see different names.

[Luke]

Be interesting to see how different sports are going to look once this is over.
Will football still be trying to charge ridiculous prices for the top. How many lower league clubs will survive, will the lower league clubs go part time. Just how decimated will non league be.
Rugby league. Will there still be a game? God I hope so, how many teams.
Same with rugby union (though they will still be going I would imagine).

And even in society, is this the end of cinemas, the lesiure industry is going to be completely decimated, and retail. What will high streets and city centers look like.

Hopefully most will come out okay, and there will be some form of normalcy by 2022, at the earliest

Industry will survive we'll just see different names.

Maybe, I'm not so sure. Retail and lesiure has been on its knees for a while now.

[Duty281]

https://twitter.com/FoleshillWMP/status/1242460673914912770

Morons.

[Samo]

https://twitter.com/FoleshillWMP/status/1242460673914912770

Morons.

Whats it going to take for these people to take this seriously?

[Soul Requiem]

https://twitter.com/FoleshillWMP/status/1242460673914912770

Morons.

Whats it going to take for these people to take this seriously?

I would say a family member dying but the sheer selfishness on display they'd probably feel more inconvenienced than upset.

[mikey_dragon]

For any UK posters who like The Simpsons, and haven't yet got tired of it, Disney+ has launched in the UK today and you can get a 7-day free trial and 30 seasons worth of the American classic to binge watch during the lockdown. And, you know, there's other stuff on there too.

I didn't know there'd be a trial. I might get it and binge-watch The Mandalorian, and then cancel my membership because I don't fund wokeness.

[Soul Requiem]

For any UK posters who like The Simpsons, and haven't yet got tired of it, Disney+ has launched in the UK today and you can get a 7-day free trial and 30 seasons worth of the American classic to binge watch during the lockdown. And, you know, there's other stuff on there too.

I didn't know there'd be a trial. I might get it and binge-watch The Mandalorian, and then cancel my membership because I don't fund wokeness.

They don't upload full series in one go, the first two episodes are available and then next week will be episode three.

[mikey_dragon]

Oh I see. Well these Disney megalomaniacs are smarter than I thought.

[TightHEAD]

I might get it and binge-watch The Mandalorian, and then cancel my membership because I don't fund wokeness.

Good luck with that lol

[tigertattie]

I dont get why the Beeb isnt putting on more sporting re-runs?

I've seen two 1 hour shows showing old highlights of FA cup Q/Fs but with all the channels they have, surely they could be putting on sport at the weekend?

Old replays of cup finals?
repalys of classic 5/6ns games?
Highlights of snooker finals?

Just whack em on BBC 4 or whatever is still around.

I like to watch a bit of news to see whts happening but with a 24 hour news channel, theres no need to put corona virus specials on all the time, or if they do, let me put on BBC 7 to watch even old F1 races that the beeb once showed.

[TightHEAD]

Let's be honest I can't remember what I was watching last season let alone from years past. Apart from 2003! Show more rugby.

[Sponsored content]