Coronavirus - The Thread :(

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Coronavirus - The Thread :(

Its ok I just found this morning there was a leak behind a false wall and the floor boards behind the toilet are rotten, found the leak and slowed it now have plastic containers to catch the drips, the rest is going to be a major job!

First job, rig up a safety harness to wear while using the toilet, just in case it falls through the floor.
Although a choice needs to be made, do you go with it, or dangle from the harness with your trousers around your ankles.

There's a picture that will not go away for a while, sorry.

More sensibly, good luck with the repairs.
 
Rather than spread these all about (no pun intended..), let's keep one central thread here.

As some of you may know, I'm out in Taiwan, where they were very early on the ball (to the point where a lot of people, including me, thought they were being ridiculous) to stop the spread and infection.

To give you an idea of what it's like here - we've had 2 deaths TOTAL - and when the second poor soul died at the weekend, there was mass hysteria on the news... for ONE death. People would go insane if we had the Europe levels!!?

We don't have lock down here and life goes on pretty much as normal except for a few changes - if you want to go into a public building (so hospitals, clinics, government office, airline office - I guess *office*) you need to:

1) Wear a face mask (which I'm going to say 30-40% of the population did before the outbreak anyway) < this one is now also required on public transport too.
2) Have a head temperature scan.
3) Wash your hands at the door with alcohol cleanser.

And that's it.

Everyone who travelled abroad since March 4 had to go into 14 day self quarantine, with a £25,000 fine if you broke it (which someone did get this weekend by going to a nightclub). They track you by phone. If you leave it at home and go out, they will sense it's not moving and send a text - if you don't reply, they send someone to your house.

I was due to fly back to the UK in 2 weeks - but after looking at what happened over the weekend, I can't believe it. Boris asked for everyone to social distance, and what did they all do...? Go out to the park and the beach :eek:

I understand this kind of thing has not happened in the west before, but it's more serious than people are understanding. The only reason we have kept it under control here (and places like Singapore and South Korea - who originally had a massive outbreak, but totally got their numbers back down) is because people follow the rules.

Unfortunately the social distancing is required - unless everyone masks up (to stop coughing and sneezing sending the particles everywhere, plus you can't touch your nose and mouth wearing them) which just can't happen as the UK doesn't have the capacity.

So please people, be safe. It doesn't have to get as bad as Italy, numbers in South Korea (for example) were able to peak at just two weeks, with a decline since, so it is possible - but people need to be vigilant.

I'd love to know what everyone is feeling back home now - my parents don't seem too bothered, which worries me, as they ain't no spring chickens!!
I'm no spring chicken either Ben, and my kids worry about my wife (nearer spring than me) and I.
Rest assured, although I don't look "bovvered" we take all the precautions possible, but have a problem with a lack of vital information regarding P.P.E. specifications and availability.
Living in Scotland we are lucky that our First Minister is far less of a comedian than some in the south of England.
I think our biggest threat comes from a sudden influx of tourists as witnessed by loads of caravans, motorhomes and strangers in a small town. The high numbers are surely due to the decline of foreign holidays. It is also very noticeable how few wear masks in shops, supposedly a legal requirement but not enforced, something I put down to them knowing they're in a fairly low risk area and letting their guard down. That's people for you!
I'm sure your parents are doing the best they can and just trying not to worry you, after all they didn't reach their present age by being too silly. Good luck to them.
 
I think our biggest threat comes from a sudden influx of tourists as witnessed by loads of caravans, motorhomes and strangers in a small town.

A long time ago, there was a guy called Hadrian, had an idea how to 'manage' those tourists.

Do you think that's where Trump got the idea for a wall at the Mexican border?
 
Scotland has just got another wake up call, Aberdeen is back in lockdown again. The pubs cafes and restaurants are all closed again. Where this came from who knows but it spread like wild fire, but as I say North and South of the border there are pockets of people who disregard procedures. Scotland has been relatively lucky in the fact that the virus did not turn into many cases as initially thought.

Regarding southerners coming up here with their camper vans, there is very little facilities and there is more anger about litter left and even worse excrement. According to locals around the NC500 there have been stories of people defecating in gardens, parking in front of entrances and play parks and even graveyards. Let’s face it, if this happened to you, it certainly would not be welcomed at all.

This situation stating the obvious, has brought out both the good and the bad in people.
 
more anger about litter left and even worse excrement. According to locals around the NC500 there have been stories of people defecating in gardens, parking in front of entrances and play parks and even graveyards. .
.
Jimboy, this is what we on the south-coast and southwest have had to deal with since the 'travel as far as you like' idiotic call was made. The behavior of these people is absolutely disgusting it is only just starting to improve.
I can only guess that these are the animals who would normally be abroad.
The Aberdeen lockdown could have started with a travelling rig worker, but unless a rig is quarantined we will never know!

Stay Safe
 
Jimboy, this is what we on the south-coast and southwest have had to deal with since the 'travel as far as you like' idiotic call was made. The behavior of these people is absolutely disgusting it is only just starting to improve.
I can only guess that these are the animals who would normally be abroad.
The Aberdeen lockdown could have started with a travelling rig worker, but unless a rig is quarantined we will never know!

Stay Safe

Aye Johno, sad as it sounds it tends to be the senior fraternity in camper vans and caravans. I’m eight miles North of Inverness and we have some lovely single track roads. The passing places at this time of the year are taken up by these vans, staying overnight as well. It’s not uncommon to turn a corner and find one of these people stopped in the middle of the road complete with a map taking up the windscreen, peeping my horn letting them know I’m here has mixed reactions. :rolleyes:
 
I’m eight miles North of Inverness

It's a long time since I was last up there, I had to look at a map. My first thought was that due north of Inverness was sea, but I see now you'd have to go east a little before you drowned.

Memories of that area.
The best Indian restaurant I've ever experienced, next to the river in Inverness.
Cawdor castle. Ever been there. The most enjoyable stately home ever.
https://www.cawdorcastle.com/
And driving the length of the loch, on the A82 southbound, and averaging just over 50mph. That was 1984 I think, in dad's Triumph Stag.
 
yesterday they banned wild camping on Dartmoor, the only area in the south where wild camping is normally allowed (tents only). this is due to those same issues of rubbish and excrement being left by the disgusting human animals.
They don't get the 'if you bring it, take it home' rules of wild camping. the park rangers who were given legal jurisdiction over fines for speeding and other bylaws last year, are going to police it.
 
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Aye Johno, sad as it sounds it tends to be the senior fraternity in camper vans and caravans. I’m eight miles North of Inverness and we have some lovely single track roads. The passing places at this time of the year are taken up by these vans, staying overnight as well. It’s not uncommon to turn a corner and find one of these people stopped in the middle of the road complete with a map taking up the windscreen, peeping my horn letting them know I’m here has mixed reactions. :rolleyes:
We were last up that way probably around 30 or so years ago. We would always take the kids away somewhere for the October break and it was usually somewhere up the East coast - even went to Wick one year, not a lot to do in Wick on a wet and windswept October weekend! Then Mrs J's sister and her husband went to live and work in Cyprus so as long as we could scrape together the air fare we could have a lovely holiday in the sun - Mrs J was a bit of a sun worshiper in those days - virtually for free.

One week we do remember very well though was when we took a caravan at "Grannie's Heilan' Hame": https://visitdornoch.com/stay-in-dornoch/location/grannies-heilan-hame/ We had good weather and we all had a wonderful time. Very fond memories of your part of the country Jim.
 
I was going to mention Dornoch too

We stayed up there @15 years ago..

Walking on the beaches in the half.light approaching midnight
Only 'dark' for a few hours..

Lovely trip :)

I do wonder how all the 'tourist' facilities are being run..

Months with no trade.. then big restrictions on their opening

Im sure prices will soon rocket to compensate
 
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Due to various circumstances I have decided to retire early. When all this nonsense leaves us, if at all, I plan to visit all the scenic places I’ve not yet been able to, Around Scotland.

In my view, the West coast has it all. There are some hidden gems that are just breath taking. If I sound like an advertisement, look up hidden gems of Scotland and make your choice, you will not be disappointed. For all you genuine petrol heads out there, it’s a must for the roads alone. Hopefully there will be some lovely places to stay left. For all you romantics, there are some lovely places. Take in a Munro, Ive still to do Ben Nevis, but it’s on my bucket list....:)
 
I was looking at using a rail travel voucher..

Looked on the site..
A vast number of 'wayside halt' places are now closed due to 'social distancing'..

So the trip nas been put off..again

Voucher has now expired

Local news say that all the 'heritage railways' are in for a hard time..

Closed for 3 months.. and are now limited in passenger capacity due to distancing

I think it'll be while yet Jim

I got a pile of Pension stuff in the post recently..
An old private policy matures at Xmas..
My 55th.. the world was a different place in 1996.
 
Hope you make it up here V, I’m 65 and officially retire at 66. My private pension info came through the post a wee while ago and I was staggered what’s in the pot. I’ve been paying into this for a long time, all through my oil yard years, I could afford putting away a significant sum. On a purely selfish choice, it’s my time now. Obviously I’ve discussed this with my lovely wife, and it was she who recommended retirement.

As You say V, the world was a different place back when. My generation worked hard and more or less had jobs for long periods. I fear things will NEVER be back to any normality, things have changed for ever. I consider myself lucky that I’ve tasted good bits of life, I do wonder what’s in store for the up and coming young team.
 
Sitting here watching the news, doom and gloom about the virus, America and Brazil have huge numbers, both of cases and deaths says I pointing out the obvious, but, on my own having too much time to think, let’s just say the whole of Britain eventually became virus free, these other countries with very high numbers will not find it easy to break free from this horrible place. We would still be at risk from any country that still has the virus especially so from the ones who numbers are rising all the time.

Too much time to think, going a bit stir crazy, loosing the plot a bit, but it’s not looking good.(n)

Sorry, letting off steam.
 
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Sitting here watching the news, doom and gloom about the virus, America and Brazil have huge numbers, both of cases and deaths says I pointing out the obvious, but, on my own having too much time to think, let’s just say the whole of Britain eventually became virus free, these other countries with very high numbers will not find it easy to break free from this horrible place. We would still be at risk from any country that still has the virus especially so from the ones who numbers are rising all the time.

Too much time to think, going a bit stir crazy, loosing the plot a bit, but it’s not looking good.(n)

Sorry, letting off steam.

some of these countries have large number of thicko's who still think the virus either don't exist or is just like flu, if you point them in the direction of any facts they say its all conspiracy and choose to instead only look at videos on youtube from other idiots. they refuse to social distance and wear masks.

Worse still its spreading, there are large numbers of them in the uk now too.

There is a comedy film called idiocracy, The film tells the story of an unexceptional man (Wilson) who finds himself put in deep-freeze and thawed out 500 years too late, in a future where the dumbest people alive have taken over the world–and he’s suddenly the smartest man alive, if only by default. It’s a pretty funny concept, but mostly, Idiocracy endures because a movie about how the world keeps getting dumber seems to resonates with people more and more as time goes on.
 
I saw that film :D This is where the web although a clever means of communication and what have you, is used to it’s worst. At the very top of the nasty pile, some have committed suicide, yes way off topic but it shows how bad the web can be at times. I will stop now. Bad times right enough.
 
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some of these countries have large number of thicko's who still think the virus either don't exist or is just like flu, if you point them in the direction of any facts they say its all conspiracy and choose to instead only look at videos on youtube from other idiots. they refuse to social distance and wear masks.

Worse still its spreading, there are large numbers of them in the uk now too.

There is a comedy film called idiocracy, The film tells the story of an unexceptional man (Wilson) who finds himself put in deep-freeze and thawed out 500 years too late, in a future where the dumbest people alive have taken over the world–and he’s suddenly the smartest man alive, if only by default. It’s a pretty funny concept, but mostly, Idiocracy endures because a movie about how the world keeps getting dumber seems to resonates with people more and more as time goes on.

You’re describing the United States today. It’s pathetic what’s happening here.
 
Is greggs exempt from customers having to wear a face covering? forgot to take a lunch today and went to a greggs on the outskirts of boston for a vegan stakebake ( i not vegan and it was yuck) and a coffee. i wore a face shield, 1 other guy had a mask. while i sat in car park out side 4 other blokes went in with no masks and got served, 2 out of the same car.
 
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