Coronavirus: General discussion (see opening post for rules)

[Theblacksheep]

24 hours after our Italy++ approach suggested we carry on, most mass gatherings have banned themselves because they have deemed themselves they cannot risk the health of sportsmen, actors and musicians. Now the UK might ban mass gatherings that no longer exist.

[elsiegee40]

So, daughter isn’t leaving for Japan this weekend after all. She was more than willing to go despite her employer insisting she would have to work from home for a fortnight on her return. However, the tour company offered to postpone the tour for 12 months for £150 and, with so much closed in Japan, she decided to take them up on it.

 

Meanwhile, son’s employer has told all staff to work from home and has closed their offices. They’re a design company and set up really well for remote working so it won’t make much difference to him apart from not having to commute to central London every day.

 

As for us, having done 3 flights in 48 hours half way round the world, we have decided to minimise contact with the outside world for the next week just in case we have picked up something. Tesco has delivered all my groceries without substitutes so we are fine

 

The plus side is that my in-laws have banned us from visiting them even after the week is up. I am not upset by this prospect! [emoji23] They’re ordering their groceries online and going nowhere. I suspect they’re behind a barricade of toilet rolls

Edited March 14, 2020 by elsiegee40

[LeMarchand]

Link: All the movies and TV shows delayed by Coronavirus – how COVID 19 is impacting the industry [RadioTimes.com]

 

I'm beginning to think that the cast of New Mutants might be on Zimmer frames by the time the movie gets released.

 

In other Corona/movie news, please spare a thought for someone who should have been enjoying yesterday, but decided to "self restrain" instead: Jason Voorhees.

[LeMarchand]

NBA players pledge money to help stadium workers out of work due to the suspension of the basketball season: https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/us-sport/nba-coronavirus-donations-employees-suspension-salaries-zion-williamson-blake-griffin-a9402231.html

[6Foot2]

Link:

[Matt Cartoons Picture Tweet]

 

[6Foot2]

Link: Coronavirus: Northern Ireland schools 'will close for at least 16 weeks' [The Guardian]

 

First minister Arlene Foster confirms schools will close at some point – but not immediately

 

Northern Ireland schools will be closed for at least 16 weeks, but they will not be shutting immediately, the region’s first minister, Arlene Foster, has said after a meeting with Ireland’s caretaker taoiseach, Leo Varadkar.

 

The disclosure gives a glimpse of the scale of coronavirus crisis to come and will lead to questions about whether a four-month schools closure is being planned for the rest of the UK.

 

Foster confirmed that schools in Northern Ireland would close at some point in an effort to stem the spread of the virus, but said it was a matter of timing.

 

“I am taking my advice from the Northern Ireland chief medical officer. He is advising schools should not close yet” but schools and parents should prepare for closure, she said. “I think they will be closed for at least 16 weeks.”...

[mikeprice]

Step-sons's father-in-law has been round to fit a new radiator - the topic of the virus came up

 

if the country shuts down he reckons he will just have to lay off the people who work for him - no way he can afford to keep paying them if he can;t do any work!

 

he is also worried that his son (who runs the company he owns) may not get back from a stag do he is off to tomorrow - and may end up isolated when he comes back - thus leaving his Dad to do most of the work on his own!!

[6Foot2]

Link: Coronavirus: Scientists say UK virus strategy is 'risking lives' [bBC News]

 

Hundreds of scientists have written to the government urging them to introduce tougher measures to tackle the spread of Covid-19.

 

In an open letter, a group of 229 scientists from UK universities say the government's current approach will put the NHS under additional stress and "risk many more lives than necessary".

 

The signatories also criticised comments made by Sir Patrick Vallance, the government's chief scientific adviser, about managing the spread of the infection to make the population immune.

 

The scientists also questioned the government's view that people will become fed up with restrictions if they were imposed too soon.

 

The letter was published on the day it was announced 10 more people in the UK have died after testing positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of deaths to 21.

 

Sir Patrick and the UK's chief medical adviser, Prof Chris Whitty, say they will soon publish the computer models on which their strategy is based...

[6Foot2]

E-Petition:

 

Link: Close Schools/Colleges down for an appropriate amount of time amidst COVID19. [Petition.Parliament.uk]

 

We would like the Government or Parliament to enforce this action due to the growing fear among parents and students that attend school. The ability to focus or concentrate is affected in addition to the growing fears of the Corona-virus. In our view, the government and health officials around the world are more 'reactive' rather than 'proactive'. This will result in more spread as time is given for the virus to do so. We hope to come to an agreement as soon as possible in a timely manner.

 

At the time of posting this petition had 501,695 signatures.

[synaesthesia]

E-Petition:

 

Link: Close Schools/Colleges down for an appropriate amount of time amidst COVID19. [Petition.Parliament.uk]

 

 

 

At the time of posting this petition had 501,695 signatures.

 

500,000 kids and 1,695 peed off teachers?

[6Foot2]

500,000 kids and 1,695 peed off teachers?

No support staff signed up yet, then?

 

[Ditto]

What a tough call this is and we won't know whether the current approach or the proposed alternative, matching other countries, is right. It's a call that could decide the fate of tens of thousands of lives. If the current government advisers are right, and it proves to be the best approach, what a brave decision to go against the alternative. Get it wrong, it will be logged in history forever. At least when the computer models are published, those with the skills can hold the reasoning to account.

[ADMaster]

The governor just ordered schools to be closed for three weeks. No idea what this means for me as SLT is still hashing out who needs to report and who doesn't.

 

I also just bit the head off of someone who came into my office to ask a stupid question and felt the need to touch everything while doing it. sigh....

Same here, governor closed schools here for 3 weeks as well.

I think it is left up to each school if staff is coming in or not.

 

I know a school a few counties away will have no staff. I heard rumors another is shut until next fall.

We are asking staff to report and provide online lessons. I configured google meet / zoom and have been reading up on teams. However we are a google school so I don't think I'll introduce teams.

For the same reason I don't think I'll setup the free webex for general classroom, but may want it for remote support. We want to unify on a few platforms as not to add to the stress of the situation.

Any free remote support tools that allow sharing control?

There has been a google doc shared around by teachers listing resources. Many companies are offering extended free trials or upgrades for existing customers to help everyone through this situation.

Our SLT have discouraged this on grounds this isn't the time to introduce a new system, use what the students are familiar with. On one hand thanks for offering all of the support, but the cynical side says you plan on having new customers next school year.

We are going to accept the upgrades to existing licenses though, such as Adobe at home for students and getting more teachers on board with our various online platforms.

[gh5000]

Any free remote support tools that allow sharing control?

 

We've instructed staff that we'll be using http://Https://remotedesktop.google.com/support

 

In their time of need we will ask them to go there and generate the 12 digit code. The extension has been pushed to all Chromebooks. Other staff with windows at home just have to install a small MSI if necessary

 

Probably use that in conjunction with a telephone call or hangouts meet/chat if they are able

Edited March 14, 2020 by gh5000

[Ditto]

Same here, governor closed schools here for 3 weeks as well.

I think it is left up to each school if staff is coming in or not.

 

I know a school a few counties away will have no staff. I heard rumors another is shut until next fall.

We are asking staff to report and provide online lessons. I configured google meet / zoom and have been reading up on teams. However we are a google school so I don't think I'll introduce teams.

For the same reason I don't think I'll setup the free webex for general classroom, but may want it for remote support. We want to unify on a few platforms as not to add to the stress of the situation.

Any free remote support tools that allow sharing control?

There has been a google doc shared around by teachers listing resources. Many companies are offering extended free trials or upgrades for existing customers to help everyone through this situation.

Our SLT have discouraged this on grounds this isn't the time to introduce a new system, use what the students are familiar with. On one hand thanks for offering all of the support, but the cynical side says you plan on having new customers next school year.

We are going to accept the upgrades to existing licenses though, such as Adobe at home for students and getting more teachers on board with our various online platforms.

This might be of interest for staff - would be interesting to know which apps appear on your school list.

https://twitter.com/scotlandlouise/status/1238222167797620736

[Ditto]

We've instructed staff that we'll be using http://Https://remotedesktop.google.com/support

 

In their time of need we will ask them to go there and generate the 12 digit code. The extension has been pushed to all Chromebooks. Other staff with windows at home just have to install a small MSI if necessary

 

Probably use that in conjunction with a telephone call or hangouts meet/chat if they are able

Have you tested this recently. I used an earlier version and it worked fine. I used this about a month ago and it was so slow it was close to unusable. It could have been local factors, but can not be sure.

[witch]

Holiday in Greece in 3 weeks is going to be so much fun with all the sites we wanted to see closed, and probably most of the restaurants etc as well. We are looking into moving it all into the summer - not ideal as Greece will be very hot at that point and we are both fair and easily burned. And of course coronavirus may well still be a problem at that point

Unless the FCO says we can't go, we can't get a refund EVEN IF GREECE CLOSES ITS BORDERS, leaving us with no way of getting there.

It was an expensive holiday and we cannot afford to lose the money

 

Looks like my Concert Band's next two concerts will be cancelled and probably the Rusties series (where you get to play with members of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra) as well. Both of which I love and are highlights of my year

 

My school apparently sent out an email to all parents re the coronavirus. I have no idea what it said as the staff didnt get a copy.

As an elderly person who has asthma, I'm thinking maybe I should just self-isolate. For long enough to paint the hallway anyway!

 

Other schools seem to be doing different things. The local special school, with many children with highly compromised immune systems, hasnt closed. My daughter-in-laws school has sent vulnerable children home and has decided that if they do close, they will do a phased closure starting with Nursery - no idea why.

 

Ceo of mrwITch's (and son no 2) company has told them to work from home - whereupon son 2's boss told them to come in anyway - hell no was the answer

Son no 1 and daughter both work in design and cannot work from home as they need the specialist sofware. Also daughter's company sells kit to armies and countries and so has to be particularly secure.

Edited March 14, 2020 by witch

[superatticman]

Step-sons's father-in-law has been round to fit a new radiator - the topic of the virus came up

 

if the country shuts down he reckons he will just have to lay off the people who work for him - no way he can afford to keep paying them if he can;t do any work!

 

he is also worried that his son (who runs the company he owns) may not get back from a stag do he is off to tomorrow - and may end up isolated when he comes back - thus leaving his Dad to do most of the work on his own!!

 

Well this is the other big risk. A lot of people seem to be shouting 'close down' 'lock down' etc but they may soon start changing their tune when they start losing their jobs and finding they can't feed their family.

[6Foot2]

No toilet paper? Try cake?

 

 

*Err, no.

[6Foot2]

Link 1: Coronavirus: Postcard bid to help self-isolating neighbours [bBC News]

 

A woman has designed a postcard aimed at helping people to look after their neighbours if they are self-isolating.

 

The print-at-home template is being shared on social media, with those in need able to request shopping, urgent supplies or "a friendly phone call".

 

Becky Wass, from Falmouth, Cornwall, said the idea came to her as she and her husband discussed ways to help.

 

"Because fear has spread so quickly, its really important to try to spread kindness," she said....

 

Link 2: Viralkindness [Presentation: 2-Page PDF]

 

[Jobos]

This whole thing is making me ill, not because I’ve caught it but because I’m not sleeping properly as I wake in the night worrying.

 

I’ve got my 7 year old boy who has a chest complaint which makes him more likely to get pneumonia and so far he has had pneumonia 4 times all requiring a stay in hospital.

 

My wife is a teacher in her late forty’s and is diabetic. She is just starting a phased return to work after a large operation. There still has an infection but doctors used antibiotics for 12 weeks and although it reduced in size it hasn’t cleared completely. Doctors think it will clear on it’s own over time but my wife is ok to return to work on light duty. This advice was given in January at the last meeting with the consultant.

 

Then there’s me in my mid fifty’s and with asthma so if our household gets it we are in trouble.

[jmak]

This whole thing is making me ill, not because I’ve caught it but because I’m not sleeping properly as I wake in the night worrying.

 

I’ve got my 7 year old boy who has a chest complaint which makes him more likely to get pneumonia and so far he has had pneumonia 4 times all requiring a stay in hospital.

 

My wife is a teacher in her late forty’s and is diabetic. She is just starting a phased return to work after a large operation. There still has an infection but doctors used antibiotics for 12 weeks and although it reduced in size it hasn’t cleared completely. Doctors think it will clear on it’s own over time but my wife is ok to return to work on light duty. This advice was given in January at the last meeting with the consultant.

 

Then there’s me in my mid fifty’s and with asthma so if our household gets it we are in trouble.

You're in a really tough position and I wish you all well.

 

My honest opinion? In your situation I would not go to work tomorrow (both you and your wife). It might be an over reaction, but what do you have to lose by being over cautious?

 

As a workforce, we need to do what we can to support the rest of society. Even if you ignore the fact that if you're vulnerable, three of you being seriously ill would not help anyone and it's entirely reasonable in your situation to put yourself and your family first.

 

Our government has taken an outlier position, which may or may not turn out to be right, but if you read between the lines, the message from them is that in a very short time from now, they will ask vulnerable groups to "socially distance" themselves. My guess is that if you start tomorrow, you'll only be a few days ahead of the government instruction anyway.

 

Also, listen to them explaining that social distancing doesn't mean exactly the same as self isolating. It doesn't necessarily mean locking yourself in a room in your house for the next four months. But limiting who you see and where you go is significantly different from exposing yourself to close contact with thousands of people in a school.

 

Just my thoughts....

[LeMarchand]

This whole thing is making me ill, not because I’ve caught it but because I’m not sleeping properly as I wake in the night worrying.

 

Good luck.

 

Received an email from Sainsbury's asking me not to spend too much in store (so everyone has a chance at getting essentials). Strange times indeed.

[witch]

@Jobos

I would contact your wife's doctors and get an updated opinion on what she should do. I can't imagine they will say anything other than don't go to work. Ditto you because of your health and indeed that of your son.

Stay away and hopefully you will feel a bit less worried.

Good luck

[mikeprice]

Just been to Tesco - it is one of those places where the shop is on stilts and the ground level under it is part of the car park

 

normally the underneath part is the main car parking space but today the outside was crowded and there were loads of spaces "underground"

OK it is sunny today - but that was unusual

 

Oh - and also the normal shortages - plus tea - loads of coffee - far less basic tea

decaff was OK though!

Edited March 15, 2020 by elsiegee40