Coronavirus precautions: Has the world gone mad?

[Journeyman]

I can arrange for a pro-lockdownivist to give your ears a good bashing, if that would help?

Just make sure they stand to my right! Given that they'll be more than 2 metres away, I'll be able to tune them out completely!

 

[45107]

No, that sounds like we are doing very well to me. 1295 new cases in 66 000 000? I wonder how many cancer cases we are missing at the moment.. or things that are not fatal but life-enhancing like hip-replacements?

France - 641 cases with a comparable population.
Germany - 375 with a population approx 25% greater.

But as noted a minutely small number of the population. We have a larger population than most countries in Europe and some high population densities in some cities do would expect it to be higher. When numbers are this small then will get fluctuations and some showing higher than others.

Yes, the UK is more densely populated than most European countries.
Looking at figures (through various Wikipedia pages), it looks like London is 21st in the people/sq km in Europe with Manchester and the West Midlands coming in the mid 30s.

I accept that there are fluctuations, but our numbers are consistently higher than the rest of Europe and in some cases, higher than the total for the EU on somedays.

 

[Richard Scott]

France - 641 cases with a comparable population.
Germany - 375 with a population approx 25% greater.



Yes, the UK is more densely populated than most European countries.
Looking at figures (through various Wikipedia pages), it looks like London is 21st in the people/sq km in Europe with Manchester and the West Midlands coming in the mid 30s.

I accept that there are fluctuations, but our numbers are consistently higher than the rest of Europe and in some cases, higher than the total for the EU on somedays.

Yes, they are but as I said numbers are so small that isn't really surprising especially as we started from a higher number in the first place. Our figures are likely to take longer to get out of the 1000 range into the hundreds.

 

[yorkie]

France - 641 cases with a comparable population.

But what happens when you compare like with like, e.g. London with Paris? Isn't France more rural - on average - than the UK?

Germany - 375 with a population approx 25% greater.

Is there a possibility that Germans have a greater pre-existing level of immunity to the virus than us? I don't think the possibility can be ruled out.

 

[johnnychips]

France - 641 cases with a comparable population.
Germany - 375 with a population approx 25% greater.



Yes, the UK is more densely populated than most European countries.
Looking at figures (through various Wikipedia pages), it looks like London is 21st in the people/sq km in Europe with Manchester and the West Midlands coming in the mid 30s.

I accept that there are fluctuations, but our numbers are consistently higher than the rest of Europe and in some cases, higher than the total for the EU on somedays.

France - 641 cases with a comparable population.
Germany - 375 with a population approx 25% greater.

Yes, the percentage of all cases compared with population is still peanuts.

 

[LAX54]

Yes, the percentage of all cases compared with population is still peanuts.

Numbers all sound so big, but when you look at the figures locally, into Towns / Counties, they show a more reasonable rate, and as others have said, very small overall. In my circle of friends I know one person who had it, so stayed indoors, and about 6 at work, who 'thought' they had it, and stayed off work for 7 days. Wife came under vulnerable, so stayed indors for 12 weeks, but then did not go out that much in the first place, and for years when using ATM's / touched things in shops and door handles, always had a bottle of gel available for a quick squirt, always siad there are millions of nasties just waiting to be picked up !

 

[Bantamzen]

I finally snapped at someone yesterday. I feel bad about it now, but whilst shopping in my local Co-op I noticed a young woman dithering behind me. When I turned fully around she sheepishly asked if she could go past (I had my trolley as close to the shelves as possible), I said sure and turned back to my shopping but she didn't pass me. So I gestured again but she simply wouldn't go past me, making timid steps forward before retreating. So with a bit of a sigh (well a big sigh and a swear word) I moved to the end of the isle and she literally sprinted past me, leaving me shaking my head. I then backtracked down the isle to where I was previously only for some other random woman screech at my that I was going the wrong way, and that because of people like me others were literally dying. I promptly told her in quite certain terms where she could go, and how she should get there.

As I say afterwards I felt bad for sighing & swearing at the young woman, although quite honestly if she fears being anywhere near to people then maybe she ought to be staying at home and getting help from family or friends. She literally looked terrified to be anywhere near to other shoppers. I don't feel bad about shouting at the other woman, I just hope she took my advice....

I was so glad to get home and pour a glass of wine, I hate shopping at the best of times but when you're trying to account for neurotics and maniacs it gets a bit stressful.

 

[Solent&Wessex]

Has the world gone mad? Yes.

It now seems we need instructions on using the WC. They are of course sensible instructions at all times, but I note this now keeps us safe during the pandemic.

Oh, and don't forget. Be safe. Be patient. Be kind. Perhaps that will be the new See it, Say it, Sorted?

Spoiler

Photo shows picture of sign saying "Please remember to close the lid before flushing. Please help keep yourselves and your colleagues safe during this pandemic"

 

[Bikeman78]

My next door neighbours have scarcely left the house since lockdown. They're under 40, with two kiddies, aged 7 and 4. Intelligent people (husband in finance, wife a solicitor). Both working from home. She makes an occasional foray to the shops, he barely leaves the house. Kiddies, I think have gone out twice in that time. They scarcely even venture into the back garden. Speaking to them (from a distance over the garden fence) they believe "it would be safer if they stayed in" and worry about us oldies going out and about. I've ventured to suggest that their strategy is possibly ill-advised but they seem to have made up their minds. I've no idea if or when they will emerge. Very disturbing.

My neighbours are all in their late 60s or mid 70s. They have had various family members round to visit, even at the height of lockdown. They're all still alive and well.

 

[talldave]

Has the world gone mad? Yes.

It now seems we need instructions on using the WC. They are of course sensible instructions at all times, but I note this now keeps us safe during the pandemic.

Oh, and don't forget. Be safe. Be patient. Be kind. Perhaps that will be the new See it, Say it, Sorted?

View attachment 79791

Spoiler

Photo shows picture of sign saying "Please remember to close the lid before flushing. Please help keep yourselves and your colleagues safe during this pandemic"

Does the person creating signs like this ever stop to think what this meaningless twaddle is actually saying? "Be safe" ffs, what does it mean? We're in for a deluge of condescending, patronising and meaningless signage.

 

[yorkie]

My neighbours are all in their late 60s or mid 70s. They have had various family members round to visit, even at the height of lockdown. They're all still alive and well.

Everyone is different.

Does the person creating signs like this ever stop to think what this meaningless twaddle is actually saying?

Probably not; some of this is a tick box exercise for some people, especially in the rail industry.

In order to 'reduce' the spread of the virus at Leeds station, passengers interchanging between certain platforms now have to take 4 lifts instead of 2 lifts, and in 2 of the lifts you will be accompanied by a member of staff. The walking distance can also increase to around 600 metres.

 

[talldave]

In order to 'reduce' the spread of the virus at Leeds station, passengers interchanging between certain platforms now have to take 4 lifts instead of 2 lifts, and in 2 of the lifts you will be accompanied by a member of staff. The walking distance can also increase to around 600 metres.

That's insane but they get away with it

 

[Bletchleyite]

Has the world gone mad? Yes.

It now seems we need instructions on using the WC. They are of course sensible instructions at all times, but I note this now keeps us safe during the pandemic.

The virus has been found in faeces (this, together with it being aerosolised during flush, is one reason for the paranoia about public toilets), so this is probably quite sensible, though many train toilets are designed such that you have to close the lid to flush because the button is behind it, the reason for this is to stop you flushing while seated as this could cause serious injury if you were unfortunate enough to make a decent seal with your backside.

(If only they did this on the regular bogs at Euston where a "bidet service" is provided multiple times during each sitting!)

 

[Bletchleyite]

Does the person creating signs like this ever stop to think what this meaningless twaddle is actually saying? "Be safe" ffs, what does it mean? We're in for a deluge of condescending, patronising and meaningless signage.

Do yourself a favour, don't ever go to China. There is signage everywhere banning all manner of things that you would never in a million years consider sensible.

 

[Bikeman78]

Has the world gone mad? Yes.

It now seems we need instructions on using the WC. They are of course sensible instructions at all times, but I note this now keeps us safe during the pandemic.

Oh, and don't forget. Be safe. Be patient. Be kind. Perhaps that will be the new See it, Say it, Sorted?

View attachment 79791

Spoiler

Photo shows picture of sign saying "Please remember to close the lid before flushing. Please help keep yourselves and your colleagues safe during this pandemic"

A lot of station toilets don't have lids so good luck with that! Is this sign at a station or in an office?

 

[northernchris]

I finally snapped at someone yesterday. I feel bad about it now, but whilst shopping in my local Co-op I noticed a young woman dithering behind me. When I turned fully around she sheepishly asked if she could go past (I had my trolley as close to the shelves as possible), I said sure and turned back to my shopping but she didn't pass me. So I gestured again but she simply wouldn't go past me, making timid steps forward before retreating. So with a bit of a sigh (well a big sigh and a swear word) I moved to the end of the isle and she literally sprinted past me, leaving me shaking my head. I then backtracked down the isle to where I was previously only for some other random woman screech at my that I was going the wrong way, and that because of people like me others were literally dying. I promptly told her in quite certain terms where she could go, and how she should get there.

As I say afterwards I felt bad for sighing & swearing at the young woman, although quite honestly if she fears being anywhere near to people then maybe she ought to be staying at home and getting help from family or friends. She literally looked terrified to be anywhere near to other shoppers. I don't feel bad about shouting at the other woman, I just hope she took my advice....

I was so glad to get home and pour a glass of wine, I hate shopping at the best of times but when you're trying to account for neurotics and maniacs it gets a bit stressful.

Think I would have done the same! I get some people are genuinely scared for their wellbeing but if that's the case don't expect everyone else to have to adapt from perfectly safe ways of going about their daily lives to accommodate their fears. I saw my dad yesterday, he works in the local shop and he was saying there's some customers who won't go in if other people are in (they are limiting it to a maximum of 3 at the moment anyway). He lives in a village, and was saying how in the last couple of weeks the council have painted arrows on the pavements to now make them one way through the main road. There's 2 elderly person complexes in the area, so for them to visit the shops they now have to cross the main road twice whereas before it was just a straight walk down the pavement. Bradford Council will never be member of Mensa, but even by their standards this is a barmy decision, surely the risk of being knocked down outweighs contracting the virus by briefly passing on the pavement

In order to 'reduce' the spread of the virus at Leeds station, passengers interchanging between certain platforms now have to take 4 lifts instead of 2 lifts, and in 2 of the lifts you will be accompanied by a member of staff. The walking distance can also increase to around 600 metres.

Navigating Leeds station is now a whole day out in itself! Minimum connection times are now completely unachievable!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Think I would have done the same!

I'd turn to face the shelves if the aisle was under 2m wide as it is in most Co-op type shops, it doesn't come out of the back of my head, it comes out of my nose and mouth.

It's about being nice to people, really. Yes, the person concerned was being a bit paranoid (but how do you know she doesn't live with her 80 year old Nan who has heart disease, COPD and diabetes and pretty much would die if it got in the home?) but fundamentally shouting and swearing isn't going to change their mind, it has more of a chance of turning her agoraphobic, as some people seem to be, which would be a bad thing. The only people who will be able to undo the fear is the people who put it there to start with - the Government.

 

[Bantamzen]

I'd turn to face the shelves if the aisle was under 2m wide as it is in most Co-op type shops, it doesn't come out of the back of my head, it comes out of my nose and mouth.[/quote

It's about being nice to people, really. Yes, the person concerned was being a bit paranoid (but how do you know she doesn't live with her 80 year old Nan who has heart disease, COPD and diabetes and pretty much would die if it got in the home?) but fundamentally shouting and swearing isn't going to change their mind, it has more of a chance of turning her agoraphobic, as some people seem to be, which would be a bad thing. The only people who will be able to undo the fear is the people who put it there to start with - the Government.

Whilst I agree the government do need to undue the fear messaging, at the same time people need to start taking some responsibility for their own lives and decision making again. If this lass was a carer for a relative for example, there are still good support networks in the area that are available to help out with the sort of things that might cause anxiety. I'm afraid at the end of the day we can't all go around jumping out of people's way all the time the way this lass clearly wanted me to do. We've had months of being mollycoddled by the government, but with the expected relaxations in the coming weeks people are going to have to accept that we are moving back to something that resembles normality.

 

[adc82140]

How about "paranoia hours" in the supermarkets? Then everyone's happy.

 

[ChrisC]

My neighbours are all in their late 60s or mid 70s. They have had various family members round to visit, even at the height of lockdown. They're all still alive and well.

My neighbour is a bit younger than that and has 3 grown up children plus one teenage boy who lives at home. At the beginning of the lockdown they did, as far as I know follow the rules, but have not done so recently. Various family members are in and out of the house all day long and are all travelling in each other’s cars. There is no-one in the house at the moment, as for the last few weekends they go away somewhere for the weekend, from Friday afternoon until Sunday evening. So much for not staying anywhere overnight.
They are all alive and seem well but it does make me wonder just how many people throughout the country are visiting others and staying overnight. It seems so unfair when those who are following the rules have not even seen members of their own family if they live some distance away and can’t drive there and back in one day.

 

[Enthusiast]

... but it does make me wonder just how many people throughout the country are visiting others and staying overnight. It seems so unfair when those who are following the rules have not even seen members of their own family if they live some distance away and can’t drive there and back in one day.

It's called assessing the risk and making a judgement. It's what people do all the time. It's like when you scamper across the road whilst there's a gap in the traffic. Yes, there's a chance you may trip over and get flattened. But your judgement tells you that you almost certainly won't.

The government needs to move away from telling people what to do and move towards explaining the risks, particularly explaining the likelihood of those risks being realised and allowing people to decide what they want to do. The problem at the moment is that the coronaphobics are holding sway. What they want perpetuated seems to be determining most of government's decisions. Those who want to remain isolated (like my neighbours) can continue to do so (so long as I don't have to pay their wages). Those of us who don't should not have to.

 

[Skimpot flyer]

I finally snapped at someone yesterday. I feel bad about it now, but whilst shopping in my local Co-op I noticed a young woman dithering behind me. When I turned fully around she sheepishly asked if she could go past (I had my trolley as close to the shelves as possible), I said sure and turned back to my shopping but she didn't pass me. So I gestured again but she simply wouldn't go past me, making timid steps forward before retreating. So with a bit of a sigh (well a big sigh and a swear word) I moved to the end of the isle and she literally sprinted past me, leaving me shaking my head. I then backtracked down the isle to where I was previously only for some other random woman screech at my that I was going the wrong way, and that because of people like me others were literally dying. I promptly told her in quite certain terms where she could go, and how she should get there.

As I say afterwards I felt bad for sighing & swearing at the young woman, although quite honestly if she fears being anywhere near to people then maybe she ought to be staying at home and getting help from family or friends. She literally looked terrified to be anywhere near to other shoppers. I don't feel bad about shouting at the other woman, I just hope she took my advice....

I was so glad to get home and pour a glass of wine, I hate shopping at the best of times but when you're trying to account for neurotics and maniacs it gets a bit stressful.

I have a work colleague who is also paranoid about the 2m rule.
Recently he was holding a mail container whilst stood more than 2m away from a colleague (also holding a mail container), having a chat. A female colleague needed to take her mail container somewhere beyond where they were chatting, and had little room to get around either of them. So she walked between the two of them, causing the paranoid person to start a forceful lecture about the need to maintain social distancing. I told him that he was being a touch pedantic, given that she was only less than two metres for what, two seconds? I explained that when all this stark messaging all started, government made a great thing of not being within 2m for more than 15 minutes, but the time element of the message seems to have mysteriously disappeared. What did he think was going to happen, that the virus (assuming she had it) was suddenly going to leap onto him as she passed? But no, he wasn't placated. 'Yes but did you know that the virus can survive on hard surfaces for up to 72 hours?', he shouted. Exasperated, I said that given the container he was holding had arrived from another distribution centre , it must have been touched by at least
the person who filled it with packets
the person who wheeled it to the despatch lane
the person who loaded it onto the lorry
the person who unloaded it from the lorry and
the person who moved it to the area you took it from
In 72 hours, that container will have been re-used multiple times, and any one of those people could have inadvertently released a viral load onto it!!!

Honestly, if people are really THAT scared, then in my opinion, they should not be at work at all.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Has the world gone mad? Yes.

It now seems we need instructions on using the WC. They are of course sensible instructions at all times, but I note this now keeps us safe during the pandemic.

Oh, and don't forget. Be safe. Be patient. Be kind. Perhaps that will be the new See it, Say it, Sorted?

View attachment 79791

Spoiler

Photo shows picture of sign saying "Please remember to close the lid before flushing. Please help keep yourselves and your colleagues safe during this pandemic"

Seen similar signage in a hospital toilet cubicle, and that was pre-COVID19. As Bletchleyite points out, it's apparently to try to prevent contaminated (not necessarily COVID19 contaminated) aerosol-type droplets circulating in the immediate area when the loo flush is activated.

 

[Gadget88]

Anybody agree in general things are over the top everywhere? Especially in places with low infection rates

 

[Journeyman]

Anybody agree in general things are over the top everywhere? Especially in places with low infection rates

Absolutely. It's complete nonsense.

 

[DB]

Anybody agree in general things are over the top everywhere? Especially in places with low infection rates

Yep!

In any town or city, go for a wander and see how many dictatorial signs and posters you can spot containing the phrase 'keep you safe' or a variation - it will be a lot!

That and the 2m distancing signs. The for 15 minutes bit which goes with this seems to have been forgotten now.

 

[Scotrail12]

Another thing that makes me think the world has gone mad is that dental treatment and other hospital treatments aren't available. It seems batsh*t crazy to view any virus as more important than cancer, strokes, heart attacks or any dental issues which can lead to further health problems let alone one that poses very little risk to most of the population. It seriously looks crazy when looking at the death rates for the majority of the population. For those that think we need to make sacrifices, a young person with cancer may be unable to get treatment because of sone virus that they are highly unlikely to succumb to whereas the death rate with cancer is much higher. Have a think about that.

My dad is a dentist and whilst the Scottish leader is allowing them to open tomorrow, they can actually barely do anything and won't be back to normal for a while. Absolutely crazy! People have had no dental healthcare for 3 months, in what modern and civilised world is this acceptable?

 

[MikeWM]

Anybody agree in general things are over the top everywhere? Especially in places with low infection rates

Yes. In 10 years time (hopefully less) historians will be calling 2020 'the year the world went mad', and be trying to work out what on earth happened that almost every country of the world totally lost its sense of proportion (simultaneously).

 

[kylemore]

Indeed. Or people will just realise that they might as well just shop online. The final nail in the coffin of the high street?!

It’s almost laughable, but then you remember we’re heading into the worst recession for three hundred years...

I don't give a toss for the corporate High St stores - Boots and Primark can go to the wall for all I care.

However when I see Mad Rail managers writing their own suicide notes by eagerly acquiescing in this patent lunacy I despair.

 

[Journeyman]

I don't give a toss for the corporate High St stores - Boots and Primark can go to the wall for all I care.

However when I see Mad Rail managers writing their own suicide notes by eagerly acquiescing in this patent lunacy I despair.

I certainly feel for anyone who runs a small business right now - they'll go to the wall in droves. Like you, as someone who works in the industry, I'm very concerned about the railway's determination to destroy itself.