Coronavirus: General discussion (see opening post for rules)

[6Foot2]

I hope it’s a photoshop [emoji57]

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Difficult to be sure, but maybe not:

 

 

Link: FotoForensics

 

(Above: FotoForensics Error Level Analysis)

[Arthur]

Coronavirus: Schools will be ready for September - minister (BBC)

 

Reopening schools in September is an "absolute priority" for the government and it will be safe, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has said.

 

It comes after teaching unions called for clarity amid a rise in the number of coronavirus cases and the decision to pause lockdown easing in England.

 

"We have to get children back to school in September," said Mr Jenrick.

[stevejp]

Coronavirus: Schools will be ready for September - minister (BBC)

 

Oh well, that’s a relief. I had been rather concerned, but now we’ve been reassured by the Secretary of State for housing and local government (obviously an expert in the field - after all, he must have been to school at some point) I feel so much better.

 

any sarcasm in this post may be purely coincidental...

[Rob_D]

Coronavirus: Pubs 'may need to shut' to allow schools to reopen (BBC)

 

England's chief medical officer, Prof Chris Whitty, warned the nation had "probably reached near the limit or the limits" of what can be done to reopen society, meaning trade-offs may be needed to allow pupils to return to classrooms next month as planned.

 

I wonder how much the idea of closing down other sectors so schools can reopen will erode public support for "getting all students back in September". However this plays out, there's going to be lots of grumpy people. I wouldn't want to be the one having to make these decisions.

[LeMarchand]

Did the weekly shop Friday - 100% masks. Went into same town on Saturday (Mme LeMarchand wanted to go to the library) and, whilst masks aren't needed outside, hardly anyone wearing a mask. Surely it's just as easy to stay masked between shops?. Quite a few big groups of young lads too.

[Norphy]

I went into the big Sainsbury's in Sydenham over the weekend. The vast majority of people were wearing masks but a distressing amount of people weren't wearing them properly. I'd say between 1/6 to 1/5 people in the shop didn't have their noses covered or had masks on over their chins instead of their faces. You may as well not bother putting them on if you're going to do that.

 

If you're gonna wear 'em, wear 'em properly people.

[the_quick]

Went on the train last Saturday for the first time since March, everyone had a mask, but some were covering their throat with it, lots of people didn't have mask on their faces.

 

Shop wise, everyone time I went into one, everyone had their on properly, usually there was shop employee letting people in and they were telling customers to put masks on.

[Rob_D]

Did the weekly shop Friday - 100% masks. Went into same town on Saturday (Mme LeMarchand wanted to go to the library) and, whilst masks aren't needed outside, hardly anyone wearing a mask. Surely it's just as easy to stay masked between shops?. Quite a few big groups of young lads too.

People are doing what's required and nothing more. I think this type of response is what to expect going forward, as the attitude becomes less of a we're in this together and more of a we'll do what the govt asks in the hopes of getting this over with (or maybe I'm just being super cynical).

 

For my own part, I find the mask pretty uncomfortable and irritating to wear for any real length of time (especially while the weather's on the warmer/muggier side) and it's easy enough to take it off once I'm clear of the front of the shop and then stick it in a pocket until I reach the next one. It's not like I'm pulling the thing off as I walk out the door or anything like that.

 

Also some people might not be going into shops, they might be going to restaurants/bars, open air markets, they might have finished their shopping and just going back to the car. (Maybe they wore their masks while they were going into and out of shops, but now they don't plan to go into another shop they've taken it off)

[jthompson]

Still seeing people (and some staff) not covering their face in the supermarkets. Sainsbury's had a PA announcement asking customers to be considerate of others not wearing masks, since there may be a medical reason for it. It got me to wondering what medical reasons these could they be, and how common they are. I can imagine it'd be less than straightforward for someone with autism perhaps, where having something on their face might be distressing or counter-productive, or someone with chronic breathing difficulty, but your average asthma sufferer is not going to have a reason not to wear one. The number of people with a medical reason to not wear one is vanishingly small, surely?

[jthompson]

People are doing what's required and nothing more. I think this type of response is what to expect going forward, as the attitude becomes less of a we're in this together and more of a we'll do what the govt asks in the hopes of getting this over with (or maybe I'm just being super cynical).

 

I think you're right. People entering a second lockdown will be doing so without all of the rainbows, doorstep tributes, chalk dawbings, invocations of WWII etc. that characterised the first one. There'll be plenty of confusion and grumbling about why we can do X but not Y, though.

[Rob_D]

Still seeing people (and some staff) not covering their face in the supermarkets. Sainsbury's had a PA announcement asking customers to be considerate of others not wearing masks, since there may be a medical reason for it. It got me to wondering what medical reasons these could they be, and how common they are. I can imagine it'd be less than straightforward for someone with autism perhaps, where having something on their face might be distressing or counter-productive, or someone with chronic breathing difficulty, but your average asthma sufferer is not going to have a reason not to wear one. The number of people with a medical reason to not wear one is vanishingly small, surely?

 

This is one that really irks me. Staff don't have to wear masks/face coverings in shops, just customers.

 

According to the govt:

You do not need to wear a face covering if you have a legitimate reason not to. This includes (but is not limited to):

 

• young children under the age of 11 (Public Health England do not recommended face coverings for children under the age of 3 for health and safety reasons)
  
• not being able to put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
  
• if putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress
  
• if you are travelling with or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading to communicate
  
• to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others
  
• to avoid injury, or to escape a risk of harm, and you do not have a face covering with you
  

The second one is interesting as it potentially allows people with severe arthritis in the hands/fingers off. Something I hadn't thought of before.

Although, as you say, this should still be a tiny group of people.

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own

[CAM]

I wear a mask indoors but not outside as it isn't necessary. Provided you have plenty of room to social distance, the constant recirculation of air outdoors makes it perfectly safe to walk around without one on. But I'd put one on in a crowded place just to be careful.

 

Indoors is another matter, the virus may hang around so keeping it as contained as you can to a mask is imperative. If you are popping in and out of shops, it is also important to keep it on outdoors as you walk between shops to minimise the handling of the mask.

[mikeprice]

I have been wearing a mask in shops for a while - one of those paper disposable ones

 

But we have just got some re-useable fabric ones - so I wore it when I was showing people round my M.i.L's house the other day

 

I dislike wearing any of them - a lot - but I do it anyway

 

also - the fabric one was very difficult to wear when talking to people - I felt VERY short of breath

But the other ones are OK - I do have to breath harder but not by much - and yes - I do have asthma

 

I did find that the fabric mask was better after a couple of puffs (stop sniggering) of Ventalin

 

 

anyone else find anything like this

 

 

p.s. I am not going to stop using the mask and use this as an excuse - just to be clear!

[elsiegee40]

I wear a fabric mask with a replaceable N95 filter at the wildlife rescue where I volunteer so I am very used to wearing them.

 

I made masks for the family (just cloth no filters) and we all wear them in closed spaces. Son lives in London and uses them on public transport.

 

I made some to sell in aid of the rescue. 200 masks and over £900 raised later... the demand is high!

 

[6Foot2]

Link: Irish Pub BANS Neil Diamond’s ‘Sweet Caroline’ from venue amid coronavirus fears [The Irish Post]

 

...In the early stages of the pandemic, a video surfaced on social media of a large crowd of people ignoring social distancing and other safety measures to gather together in a Dublin pub for a rousing rendition of the Diamond ditty.

 

It was widely condemned and prompted the government into action, with pubs across the country subsequently closed.

 

With lyrics like “touching you, touching me” it’s probably best the song doesn’t get an airing in the bold era of the “new normal” either.

 

Of course, the board warning of the song’s ban should be taken with a health [sic] dollop of salt.

 

The Irish are known for their sense of humour, after all...

 

[paulkerton]

Link: Irish Pub BANS Neil Diamond’s ‘Sweet Caroline’ from venue amid coronavirus fears [The Irish Post]

 

 

 

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Should use the new lyrics, from the man himself.

 

"Hands, washing hands. Reaching out. Don't touch me. I won't touch you...."

 

[witch]

I wear a fabric mask with a replaceable N95 filter at the wildlife rescue where I volunteer so I am very used to wearing them.

 

I made masks for the family (just cloth no filters) and we all wear them in closed spaces. Son lives in London and uses them on public transport.

 

I made some to sell in aid of the rescue. 200 masks and over £900 raised later... the demand is high!

 

[ATTACH]58782[/ATTACH]

 

They are very nice too - mine has owls on, which entertains my two month old grandson no end!

[Norphy]

I have been wearing a mask in shops for a while - one of those paper disposable ones

 

But we have just got some re-useable fabric ones - so I wore it when I was showing people round my M.i.L's house the other day

 

I dislike wearing any of them - a lot - but I do it anyway

 

also - the fabric one was very difficult to wear when talking to people - I felt VERY short of breath

But the other ones are OK - I do have to breath harder but not by much - and yes - I do have asthma

 

I did find that the fabric mask was better after a couple of puffs (stop sniggering) of Ventalin

 

 

anyone else find anything like this

 

 

p.s. I am not going to stop using the mask and use this as an excuse - just to be clear!

 

I think the thing that's annoying me most about them is that I'm having to make sure I shave more often. I'm pretty lazy about shaving (can't blame that on lockdown, to be fair) and when I've let my facial fuzz grow out a bit, the mask starts to get very itchy.

 

Like you, not using this as an excuse not to wear one, just saying why I find them annoying.

[6Foot2]

https://youtu.be/oeAN8Xxz0q4

[keyboards]

I'm still very confused what is going to happen or what I'm meant to be doing 1st September

[6Foot2]

I'm still very confused what is going to happen or what I'm meant to be doing 1st September

 

You're not alone.

 

The Government don't know either!

 

[Rob_D]

I'm still very confused what is going to happen or what I'm meant to be doing 1st September

For us September 1st is still in the summer holidays. So we'll be doing mad, last minute office moves.

 

But the plans for the start of term couldn't be simpler. All the students will be back in school full time and "everything will be fine".

[LeMarchand]

Schools may not be as "safe" as previously thought: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/05/covid-19-may-spread-more-easily-schools-than-thought-report-warns

[paulkerton]

Schools may not be as "safe" as previously thought: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/05/covid-19-may-spread-more-easily-schools-than-thought-report-warns

 

Nice use of the quote marks. I think it's obvious that those who claim it's safe are thinking economically first and foremost.

[keyboards]

Obviously the kids will be back but for us I'm confused about

 

A lot of our offices including IT don't have 2m between people and only one exit and entry point

What are we meant to do if problems in classrooms ie wait till they are empty or been deep cleaned

The government are saying don't travel at busy times so do I got to work early and leave early