CORONAVIRUS

[Jacksparrow]

I have been social distancing today while watching dozens of cars zooming up and down the road that passes the chateau. I know for some people Sunday is the day when they have to get their shopping etc but I can still hear them now long after the shops have shut. I think the time when harsher restrictions are thrust upon us is coming much quicker than many think because the disregard for the risks involved with coronavirus are being ignored.

[Willpar]

Think you could well be right jacksparrow. Some people that have second homes are moving there, much to the dismay of the locals. Went for a walk this morning , a few people around but at a good distance. When I had to go through a gate, I pulled my coat sleeve over my hand and undid the latch that way. Trying to stay safe. And get some exercise into the bargain.

[Kev]

Well that's it. We're now in Lockdown.

- From tonight, people in Britain will be allowed to leave their homes for only “very limited purposes” - shopping for basic necessities; for one form of exercise a day; for any medical need; and to travel to and from work when “absolutely necessary”
- People are warned not to meet friends or family members who they do not live with
- Shopping is only permitted for essentials like food and medicine, and people are advised to do it “as little as you can”
- Police have powers to enforce the rules, including through fines and dispersing gatherings
- All shops selling non-essential goods, such as clothing and electronic stores, are ordered to close
- Libraries, playgrounds, outdoor gyms and places of worship are to close
- All gatherings of more than two people in public - excluding people you live with - are banned
- All social events, including weddings and baptisms are banned
- Funerals are not included in the new restrictions
- Parks will remain open for exercise but gatherings will be dispersed
- Restrictions “under constant review” and will be checked again in three weeks. They will be relaxed “if the evidence shows we are able to”

[Willpar]

Seeing the crowds out at the weekend Kev, it was the only sensible thing to do. I only shop once a week and do a couple of hours walk a day, weather permitting, and generally keep away from people. Bit hard to do at the weekly shop though.

[Placido]

It's been obvious for a fortnight that supermarkets are hotspots of infection transmission.
Most people have access to the internet so why they're not taking advantage of grocery home deliveries I just do not know. The "gather in a herd" mentality seems to be working overtime - the people sitting on the seafront at the weekend was stunningly stupid.

Question: if you can't go out without a very good reason (quite correct), how do you prevent the car battery going flat ?? And is it good for a car to sit inert for, maybe, months ?? Answers on a sterile postcard please.

[Kev]

Most people have access to the internet so why they're not taking advantage of grocery home deliveries I just do not know.

Because there are no slots available.
I just looked at Tesco - no free dates up to April 17th. I doubt even the hoarders have enough food to get to that date.
Sainsburys - no idea because you can't make a new account to find out. They're stopping sign ups at this time.

So you have to physically go to the shop. Per hour the shop can serve hundreds more people than a few vans can. But the risk is higher. Having said that, a friend in Telford said his Co-op is only letting 20 people at a time in the store and they have lines marked outside to keep people in the queue 2m apart.

Question: if you can't go out without a very good reason (quite correct), how do you prevent the car battery going flat ?? And is it good for a car to sit inert for, maybe, months ?? Answers on a sterile postcard please.

Cars should be fine for a couple of weeks (no different to if it had been left at an airport while the person is abroad). There's nothing wrong with going out for a drive, you're not meeting anyone. Even if it was just round the block for 10 mins to warm the car up and charge the battery.

[peregrine]

I agree Kev

We have three Supermarkets here

Morrisons - no home delivery service
ASDA - first available slot 12 April 2020
Tescos - first available slot 13 April 2020

I don't drive so rely on public transport that due to the Corona outbreak the services have been cut so need to rely mainly on taxis. What I save in supermarket deals etc I pay in taxi fares.

[Placido]

My Sainsbury delivery for my neighbour went like clockwork this morning - only 10 minutes late and the driver as cheery as Santa !! . Full marks.

[Kev]

I have to give full marks to Sainsbury's for my mum too.

They are prioritising orders for people over 70 and leaving slots free for them specifically. She'd done an order 2-3 days ago but wasn't sure it had gone through as the delivery was due but no sign of it. I logged in to her account and she'd filled the basket and done the bank details but not actually completed the order. I thought oh no, this is going to be 3 weeks.... but I went to the ordering page and got a slot tomorrow afternoon! So their system seems to be working quite nicely for those that really need it.

[Jacksparrow]

It is difficult to find anything good to say about the current situation but given the need to take exercise and avoid other humans I've resorted to returning to walks out in the countryside where I know the good Mrs JS and myself can stroll without much risk. Today I revisited a site where in high summers is great for wild flowers of every type and insects abound. It looks very different at present but the peace and serenity worked wonders for our mental state. We'll be back, soon I hope.
PS heard my first Chiffchaff of the year too