Corona Virus Treatment

I would hope we all don collar, tie and jacket before venturing out to the veg patch ! This is GC remember, and we do have standards

 

To put the practicalities into context, while much of the country prepares, reluctantly or otherwise, to enter the new semi-lockdown, my employers are trying to find loopholes that will enable sites to remain open. There has been a relentlessly optimistic "back to normal" narrative since August, at odds with the fact several employees had covid, and one has lost her husband to it. Some people are focusing on individual words in the guidelines and interpreting them creatively. There is no economic reason, as due to the kind of operation we are, we would save thousands by closing through November. Nor is the management's behaviour unjustified - some aspects of our services would be impacted, though others could be replicated from home as they were for several months. It wouldn't be ideal, but it could be done. I stand by my claim that some of the government's wording was vague, there is no distinct definition of "leisure" facilities or "non-essential", and I think many organizations will, rightly or wrongly, be playing by what they can justifiably argue is the letter rather than spirit of the law. Considering the cabinet its self is apparently split on this, I don't think its surprising we are getting increasingly fuzzy messages. In a normal job, anyone under the degree of stress that Johnson, Hancock etc must have been under, now for nearly a year, would have had some respite from it by now and been encouraged to take time out. Its no use people making comparisons with wartime leaders and so on, because in those times the country, not to mention the government, was more united and there were much clearer objectives and known enemies, plus they generally had prior first-hand experience of conflicts.

 

Just been in consultation with management who are equally in the dark at present. Decisions are being made by politicians external to the day to day running of things, and the wording around "essential services" has caused complete confusion. A glance at social media just now revealed this confusion is now nationwide within our sector. Apparently the authorities have requested a statement from the Cabinet Office to clarify things. Seems my struggle with interpretation was not without good cause, after all.

 

We may have a clearer idea of that in the coming hours and days, since as I said above, I understand various organizations and authorities have requested clarity from the Cabinet Office. Those who make the rules and state these conditions should be able to define them to the letter, especially since, like you say, many will choose to twist and reinterpret them at the slightest opportunity.

 

At the very least the restrictions need to be clear, bearing in mind they will be backing it up with fines etc.
It will be leu I believe.

 

Peter Larsen
Not sure if this works

 

I see that the Welsh Government are still thinking about how the hospitality industry will re open on the 9th. I reckon they are trying to work out how to stop people who are in lock down from piling into Welsh pubs/cafes etc. on the border.

 

There is a relentlessly optimistic "back to normal" narrative put forward by many in authority who, safe from the front lines themselves, seem to work on the assumption that because they implemented a specific plan for a defined, finite time period of time, everything should roll back into place once they decide that time period is up. The fact we're heading into the very time of year when respiratory viruses most thrive is inconvenient to them as it spoils the "We did it! Covid is over!" song they are desperate to sing.
The above criticism is completely aside from the very real desperation of many businesses and services to re-open for reasons of survival or altruism. I empathise with them, but not with Pollyanna-ish politicians who want to pretend its all over so they can pat themselves on the back and go back to squabbling about Brexit.

 

Looking at the news tonight I'm getting the same thoughts as me.
Shutting shops and pubs, who are not really spreading the virus, while at the same time leaving those breeding grounds of schools and universities open makes absolutely no sense what so ever.

 

I'm not sure that Boris, Trump, Prince Charles or Prince William would agree.

It will - lockdown does work - it worked in March - it will work again - how long it takes to work depends on how people react. We had our best chance to beat the virus earlier this year - no lock down fatigue, warm weather and people being paid to stay at home. What happened? People packed like sardines on Bournemouth beach. We could have kept on top of it if people had followed the rules. Social distancing, wearing masks and washing hands, it appears for some, is not a price worth paying to reduce transmission. Blame these people first - the blame does not sit solely with the Government.

The coronavirus does not spread itself. People choose to ignore the rules and they spread the virus. It is the selfish few who are making it worse for everyone else.

It's not going away - we will have to live along side it armed with vaccines and effective treatments.

I'm back down the allotment next Monday - being careful as usual - one bloke there was so frustrated at how some were acting he said "let them carry on - they won't be around for long if they do". It's looking like we will have fierce competition for this years Darwin Award.

 

Just received an email from Notcutts garden centre saying they will remain open during the half hearted lockdown.
Seems there are more exceptions than places shutdown.

Which brings me to the point of, how is this fair on small independent businesses.