Coronavirus: General discussion (see opening post for rules)

[Ditto]

It looks like Ageas will not pay out for our cancelled holiday.

Really upset - that's a lot of money.

Yes we could rebook, but for when? And we cant get insurance anyway now

Travel agent have offered a credit note - but will they be in business next year? I doubt it

I know, I know - first world problems - but after the worries about my soon to be born grandson (will we be able to see him?) this is possibly the last straw.

 

The absolute worst thing was getting a automatic email from the insurance company we booked with LAST year (cover has run out) stating that they will pay out for our holiday.

Gutted

When was it cancelled - outside policy cover period? If you have a case to fight, go through formal compliant process and then to Financial Ombudsman Service. Just about to make a claim for my cancelled ski trip - will have to see how it goes.

Edited March 20, 2020 by Ditto

[sonofsanta]

I wonder how many people will glance at the key workers list, see their category and not make it to the third-from-last paragraph (emphasis mine): If workers think they fall within the critical categories above they should confirm with their employer that, based on their business continuity arrangements, their specific role is necessary for the continuation of this essential public service.

 

I'm doing my best to do eveything I can to protect others, I'm washing my hands reguarly for 20 seconds a time. Issue is they don't tell you what to do if you suffer with Eczema and I can get it pretty severly on my hands! Anti Bacterial Soap and Hand Sanitizer is awful on my skin and if you where to see my hands now they look burnt, but there's no advice for this kind of thing. I've been trying to use my own soap which is better but I can only get away with a Dove Bar which is impossible to carry everywhere but even excessive washing with that causes my hands to peel!

 

 

You don't need anti-bac soap, is my understanding--the coronavirus has a greasy outer layer that protects it inside the body, so washing with any soap for 20 seconds is enough to destroy it and kill the virus.

[LeMarchand]

My wife has said at the rate they are going it looks like they will have more pupils in school on Monday than at any other time! Apparently one of the pupils who has been signed up will increase their attendance by 100% just by turning up on Monday...

 

One of mine has a lot of kids whose parents have suddenly found work as a key worker...

I've been trying to use my own soap which is better but I can only get away with a Dove Bar which is impossible to carry everywhere but even excessive washing with that causes my hands to peel!

 

Small, pocketable airtight tin/container and cut bar to fit?

[mikeprice]

One of mine has a lot of kids whose parents have suddenly found work as a key worker...

 

 

Well the parents have to be out all dsy buying toilet roll and pasta - and eggs based on my experience

 

so someone else has to look after their kids

 

can't expect them to do it - it is just not reasonable

 

 

to be serious - some school might have to start checking key worker status - because some people will just take the whatsit

[hardtailstar]

Key Workers list

 

We are under Education as 'support and teaching staff'

[TIOAOA]

Key Workers list

 

We are under Education as 'support and teaching staff'

 

Glad they clarified that as that same page didn't have that on earlier it just mentioned teaching staff

[Bionic]

Glad they clarified that as that same page didn't have that on earlier it just mentioned teaching staff

 

What a surprise; they forgot about the staff who support teachers. Glad they have now updated it!

[Bionic]

We are surely getting to the point where the evolving definition of a key worker is meaning that there are more 'key workers' than 'non key workers'. Schools will still have hundreds of children in if this carries on, this will minimise the effectiveness of this plan won't it? Lots of kids still mingling. Possibly moving the contagion around their family members. Family members who then go to work as a key worker, possibly infecting other key workers. Does this plan risk making things worse?

[ICTDirect_Dave]

Not hundreds hopefully.

 

My wife is a key worker and will continue working as a nursery practitioner, we could send our kids to school if we chose, but I'll be working from home and they'll be staying with me and doing lessons on the dining room table!

 

The aim was to only have 10% of kids still in school I believe.

[Pink_Panda]

the third paragraph says: if children can safely stay at home, they should. This is obviously age depended Edited March 20, 2020 by Pink_Panda

[Seb1780]

We are surely getting to the point where the evolving definition of a key worker is meaning that there are more 'key workers' than 'non key workers'. Schools will still have hundreds of children in if this carries on, this will minimise the effectiveness of this plan won't it? Lots of kids still mingling. Possibly moving the contagion around their family members. Family members who then go to work as a key worker, possibly infecting other key workers. Does this plan risk making things worse?

 

We're surveying our parents and initial responses suggests that even key workers are keeping their offspring at home. Expecting 10-15% coming in.

[hardtailstar]

The aim was to only have 10% of kids still in school I believe.

 

We will have about 80 which is less than 10% for us.

[Theblacksheep]

We are classed as "specialist education professionals" because we are key to the running of schools.

 

It'll be interesting to see how many parents aren't key workers in week 3 as the reality of looking after the kids hits home.

[LeMarchand]

We are surely getting to the point where the evolving definition of a key worker is meaning that there are more 'key workers' than 'non key workers'

 

In a non-Covid context, this is actually quite a good thing. Many people contribute something important to society, and maybe once this is all over people will get more recognition for this. Probably not in terms of financial remuneration, unfortunately .

[FN-GM]

What are the shops like in the UK? For around a week all the shelves have been empty at the supermarkets. There seems to be a huge shortage across the state. It has been really difficult to find items to make a meal from. Meat in particular is a problem. I am not the best cook in the world so not very creative with the ingredients I have.

 

I did manage to make a duck rogan josh and chips (with a jar of sauce). It was actually quite good!

Edited March 20, 2020 by FN-GM

[localzuk]

We have shortages of "essentials" - loo roll, bread, paracetamol, milk, veg, etc...

 

However, the shortages are not actual shortages. There's plenty of stock in the supply chain. Just they don't have the logistics to haul it all out in the volumes people are buying it all! So, what little they do manage to get to the shops is gone almost immediately as people there panic buy.

[CHiLL]

What are the shops like in the UK? For around a week all the shelves have been empty at the supermarkets. There seems to be a huge shortage across the state. It has been really difficult to find items to make a meal from. Meat in particular is a problem. I am not the best cook in the world so not very creative with the ingredients I have.

 

I did manage to make a duck rogan josh and chips (with a jar of sauce). It was actually quite good!

It's pretty much the same here. Meat, especially white meats and beef (except steaks) are hard to come by, as is all forms of pasta, bread, eggs, sauces (pasta and other cooking sauces like curry), pasatta and chopped tomatoes. Also some non-food essentials. Obviously toilet roll, but also nappies, sanitary towels, paracetamol/painkillers, cereals.

[6Foot2]

 

Link: social distancing [Wrong Hands]

 

[Seb1780]

What are the shops like in the UK? For around a week all the shelves have been empty at the supermarkets. There seems to be a huge shortage across the state. It has been really difficult to find items to make a meal from. Meat in particular is a problem. I am not the best cook in the world so not very creative with the ingredients I have.

 

I did manage to make a duck rogan josh and chips (with a jar of sauce). It was actually quite good!

 

As others have said, shelves are often empty.

 

Around here some cafes and restaurants are offering people the chance to buy through them as their supply chains are not affected. It's good business for them and offsets some of the loss of earnings due to the drop in customers.

[Andrew_C]

Several non-typical takeaway offerings in my area. Local gastro-pub offering two mains and a bottle of house wine for £25; which is really good value.

[mikeprice]

Went to th eproper butcher's today and got some diced beef to make Scouse - again (wife loves it"") - and some sausages - no problem with either

 

but someone else asked for Chicken and the butchers said they can't get hold of any - nor eggs

 

weird times

[elsiegee40]

In our area, a number of catering suppliers are now turning to home deliveries. They’re doing both food and household goods like soap, loo rolls and dishwasher tablets.

 

Tonbridge has a pretty active covid-19 support group on facebook which is sharing details of restaurants and shops doing home deliveries and other local businesses with supplies. It’s the place to be to find out where you can get things. It’s also the place to find out which shops are setting aside time for the elderly and vulnerable.

 

Our farm shops are pretty well stocked. They get their supplies locally and seem to be keeping up with demand even if their car parks are struggling.

 

You do need to be flexible in what veg you want. I think this enforced home leave is probably a good opportunity to learn how to cook from scratch if you don’t already; there are plenty of YouTube tutorials. We shall be eating homemade ratatouille as carrots are in short supply.

 

I overheard a conversation suggesting that Sainsbury’s is restocking overnight and then deliberately not restocking again until after lunch to try to give everyone a fair shout.

[FN-GM]

On the plus side everyone has stopped going out. Demand for fuel has dropped so has the price. I managed to get a tank for the equivalent of 49p per litre.

[LeMarchand]

Feels like dealing with a spiv during the war!

 

Not even @mikeprice is old enough to remember doing that!

 

On the plus side everyone has stopped going out. Demand for fuel has dropped so has the price. I managed to get a tank for the equivalent of 49p per litre.

 

How???

[Ditto]

--the coronavirus has a greasy outer layer that protects it inside the body, so washing with any soap for 20 seconds is enough to destroy it and kill the virus.

My 12 year old son told me this yesterday. In fact looking at your profile picture.....could I be Santa

Edited March 20, 2020 by Ditto