Off Topic The Goodhand Arms

Just went into Sainsburys in Newport...shelves all stacked. No one is going to starve.

 

Not saying this isn't serious and governments have to take things seriously, but when you get to my age you learn that everything passes....and then another problem comes along and you forget the earlier one.

It has occurred to me though that we may have lived through the golden age of travel...the threat of pandemics and the need to take action to protect the climate and the environment may mean that in 50-100 years time people will largely stay where they are and will no more think of going to Thailand or the like from Europe than we think of going to the moon.

 

On a happier note, my first (and probably only) grandchild is coming out of his incubator today. He's objecting strongly to all the tubes and wires, so is on the mend.

 

Well, I'm self employed, if I don't work I don't get paid.
Its not just the illness causing trouble here, its the pending doom.
There will be a lot in the same boat as me.

 

What industry you in mate?


It's the wider affect on an already strained nhs which worries me tbh.

 

Tourism & leisure.

I don't know what the answer is for the hospitals. Be handy to have some buildings ready and prepped for a big out break, but I imagine we'll just wait for crisis point to hit before chucking out everyone who hasn't got it. Boris, that weekly £350m would be useful right about now.

 

Ouch, not the greatest industry to be in!

 

Crap winter with constant storms, its been a tough six months. I just want reassurance this is getting handled well, but I haven't got much faith in our government. More reactive than proactive.

 

From the BBC:

UK hospital staff member tests positive
A healthcare professional at University Hospital Southampton, UK has tested positive for coronavirus. They are now in isolation at home.

The staff member worked a single nightshift in the surgical high dependency unit on 6 March.

Patients and staff who came into contact with the staff member have been informed and will be isolated, the hospital said.

The high dependency unit has been closed to new admissions.

The hospital said all other services are operating normally.

 

This isn’t good.
Having to close beds down at a time when hospitals are pretty much at full capacity will lead to more spread of the virus and potentially more deaths, through lack of treatment when people are sent home to recover by themselves.

 

People where I work are already confirming that they will continue to work, if infected, because they can’t afford to go for two weeks on SSP.
I really think that the government should force companies to copy Greggs and pay full contract hours for self isolating, and then underwrite the cost.
It would be abused, but the alternative would be a quicker and wider spread of the virus, which could cost even more, both in lives and finance.

 

Which will mean cancellations of procedures etc. whilst it would also be an area that would also potentially take coronavirus patients.

What I alluded to earlier about the wider implications.

I was supposed to be visiting there this week!

 

. I know it's easy for me to say but keep your chin up HR. Your health is the most important thing.

I'm not sure what more the government can do other than close down travel and public events, stopping people working is not a practical option. There's a fair chance most of us will be exposed to it at some time, hopefully the effect will be minimal.

 

It is being assumed that the flu can't be stopped entirely...the government are just trying to delay its spread so that the health service isn't swamped over a short period. A balance has to be achieved by doing what is necessary and possible...without going over the top.

 

RIP

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-51803195

 

The voice of reason:

 

Me too as a contract worker. The company I'm at also advise those who don't get sick pay to take leave, unpaid if necessary, instead.

 

I've just had to ring the RSPCA.

I said, "I've just found four Badgers in a suitcase lying by the side of the road".

The operator asked "Are they moving?"
I said "I never thought of that. That would explain the suitcase".

 

I'm down 5 grand on the stock market but its pretty fun to be honest. The bounce back is gonna be mad and some wiley folks will make bank off all this.

Sadly thats not me though.

 

We all know who the people are that will make money from this. They are already rubbing their hands with glee.