the most over the top restrictions introduced

[trainophile]

I'm not even sure i've been in a chippy up here that claims the chips are suitable for vegetarians.

We generally ask what oil they are cooked in, obviously lard would be a no-no (my OH is veggie, I'm not).

 

[Bletchleyite]

As somebody that used to work in a chippy, you’d be surprised how much of a challenge it is to keep on top of chips in stock. You can’t keep that many portions (relatively speaking) in your chip box, and it only takes one or two large orders to sweep the stock clean. There’s no way of predicting that coming

I suppose that depends on the location. In the case of my local chippy, which is in the middle of a housing estate, it's mostly going to be locals who come at roughly the same time and same day each week. A town centre one is probably less predictable.

 

[kylemore]

Yep. I’m really struggling to see what massive change happens with the virus at places like Gretna and Berwick - seems to be remarkable.
(I suppose the same happens at the Welsh border but I don’t any places around there so can’t make a similar, slightly sarcastic comment )

And also isn't it remarkable that the wee coronaviruses know they've not to hang about your table in pubs but instead pounce on you on the way to the toilets?

 

[Bletchleyite]

And also isn't it remarkable that the wee coronaviruses know they've not to hang about your table in pubs but instead pounce on you on the way to the toilets?

Another false premise.

The restrictions are not based on zeroing spread, as the only restriction that will do that is "everyone stays at home with the food and water they have and even if they need something to stay alive they can't get it. That might work in communist China but won't anywhere else.

What we do is apply restrictions that will reduce spread.

When at a table in a pub you are eating and/or drinking. That's a bit hard with a mask on, and constantly donning and doffing between bites will cause spread through hand contact. So the choice is between masks off at the table, or the pub being closed.

You can walk around with a mask on, or use the toilet (though I did have to get out of the habit of spitting in the urinal!) - therefore it is sensible to apply the relevant measure at that point because it is practical.

 

[Howardh]

I laughed at this at first, then thought it makes absolute sense. If Covid is prevalent amongst the young, say u45's, then couldn't we have an aparthied system where bars/cafe's are eithey "young" or "old" or within them, if large enough, have seperate areas? Same for buses, trains etc. That way us oldies can congregate with masks/distancing etc and the kids can carry on as normal amongst themselves?

In the past we did that with smoking, seperate areas etc.

Doesn't help where they may be served by someone older - but in schools you have 1500 super-spreaders and 150 adults looking after them. So if covid isn't killing off the young, then have herd immunity that way and at some point the whole lot of them will have had it, be immune and can't pass it on??

 

[kylemore]

Another false premise.

Actually it was ridicule.

 

[DB]

but in schools you have 1500 super-spreaders and 150 adults looking after them.

Got any evidence for all kids being "super-spreaders", assuming that's what you are implying?

Anyway, back to the subject of over the top restrictions, the local Oxfam bookshop has a sign in the window saying that they are only open for buyers Wednesday-Saturday (OK, fair enough), but nobody is allowed to donate books on those days. If they want to do that, they can only do it on a Sunday, and have to phone in advance and book a slot. Why? Wonder how long before they run short of books because people can't be bothered with the hassle? Meanwhile, the increasing number of shops which have closed permanently includes two charity shops...

 

[Howardh]

Got any evidence for all kids being "super-spreaders", assuming that's what you are implying?

Children may be silent super spreaders of Covid-19 because they have high viral loads, a study has claimed.
Youngsters were shown to carry large amounts of the coronavirus in their nose, which scientists say may suggest they have an increased ability to transmit the virus to others.
Infected children with mild symptoms even had bigger viral loads than adults who had been hospitalised by the life-threatening disease.

Children are 'silent super spreaders' of Covid-19, scientists claim

Youngsters can carry larger amounts of the virus than adults, which confers with increased ability to transmit the virus to others, scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital claim.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Underline's "claim" and "may".

 

[DB]

Children are 'silent super spreaders' of Covid-19, scientists claim

Youngsters can carry larger amounts of the virus than adults, which confers with increased ability to transmit the virus to others, scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital claim.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Underline's "claim" and "may".

If this was actually the case, there would have logically by now been a lot of clusters associated with places where kids and adults gather together (e.g. schools). This hasn't happened.

 

[Westcountryman]

I laughed at this at first, then thought it makes absolute sense. If Covid is prevalent amongst the young, say u45's, then couldn't we have an apartheid system where bars/cafe's are either "young" or "old" or within them, if large enough, have seperate areas? Same for buses, trains etc. That way us oldies can congregate with masks/distancing etc and the kids can carry on as normal amongst themselves?

In the past we did that with smoking, separate areas etc.

Doesn't help where they may be served by someone older - but in schools you have 1500 super-spreaders and 150 adults looking after them. So if covid isn't killing off the young, then have herd immunity that way and at some point the whole lot of them will have had it, be immune and can't pass it on??

All very well until the 'young' get the virus, then take it home to their over 45 parents, who then spread it through the older generation. This will only work if there is complete segregation with a clearly defined age boundary.boundary.

 

[Howardh]

If this was actually the case, there would have logically by now been a lot of clusters associated with places where kids and adults gather together (e.g. schools). This hasn't happened.

Schools have been shut (more-or-less) for 6 months, so it's difficult to prove either way. But if cases (continue to) rise now schools have gone back, would that prove it?

 

[DB]

Schools have been shut (more-or-less) for 6 months, so it's difficult to prove either way. But if cases (continue to) rise now schools have gone back, would that prove it?

There hasn't been a load of cases associated with schools though, which there would be if kids were such a risk - and schools in Scotland have been back a month now.

 

[Howardh]

There hasn't been a load of cases associated with schools though, which there would be if kids were such a risk - and schools in Scotland have been back a month now.

In Scotland cases are rising. Schools have been back for a month.

 

[AdamWW]

Schools have been shut (more-or-less) for 6 months, so it's difficult to prove either way. But if cases (continue to) rise now schools have gone back, would that prove it?

No.

If we find that a much larger of teachers are getting Covid-19 than - say - office workers, that would be stronger evidence.

 

[Howardh]

Note that Israel has gone back into full ockdown, but a glance at their graph shows the number dying of/with Covid daily has remained stable for months at less than 22 (worst day*) and and around the mid-teens. *Admittedly there was an one-day spike of 79, think that may be down to accounting as it's such an one-off (anyone?).

No.

If we find that a much larger of teachers are getting Covid-19 than - say - office workers, that would be stronger evidence.

Teachers could have it, be unsymptomatic and pass it on to their older relatives and friends within their "bubble". Anyway, that remains to be seen, but I understood office workers are returning to covid-secure environments (supposedly) and in far fewer numbers, so they shouldn't be at risk? Of course that may be the case, but many would be using public transport to and from work where I suppose the risk is greater.

 

[Bletchleyite]

In Scotland cases are rising. Schools have been back for a month.

In England cases are rising at the same sort of rate and they've only been back for a couple of weeks which is too soon, really. I think we can be clear from that that schools are a minor contributor.

 

[Howardh]

In England cases are rising at the same sort of rate and they've only been back for a couple of weeks which is too soon, really. I think we can be clear from that that schools are a minor contributor.

I hope that's the case, I want kids in schools out of the way and their parents working and contributing to my pension! But I understood pupils are supposed to wear their masks all day at school, therefore someone must think there's a risk or that wouldn't be the case? Am I correct?

 

[DB]

But I understood pupils are supposed to wear their masks all day at school, therefore someone must think there's a risk or that wouldn't be the case? Am I correct?

No, that's not correct.

 

[185143]

I'm in 'Spoons in Sittingbourne. There's a manager on the door asking everyone on entry for a name and number. When you order, you are then asked to do a test and trace form. I explained that I'd already given my details outside but was told I still needed to do T&T anyway. The one I went in in Canterbury had someone on the door taking a name+number, but that was it.

Though the 'Spoons in Margate are quarantining the pencils used for T&T! The barman agreed it was ridiculous when I asked if he was being serious or not... (I usually ask if they want the pencil back, some do whereas others aren't bothered)

 

[MattA7]

On Friday I had the council call to let me know that the house is due for a electrical safety inspection and the woman must of spent a least a full 5 minutes going over the “covid secure” measures that the contractors will be taking and was told I must evacuate the home whilst they are in the building to avoid the risk of them catching the virus.

 

[takno]

On Friday I had the council call to let me know that the house is due for a electrical safety inspection and the woman must of spent a least a full 5 minutes going over the “covid secure” measures that the contractors will be taking and was told I must evacuate the home whilst they are in the building to avoid the risk of them catching the virus.

Double points because the electrical inspections are pointless safety theatre to start with

 

[MattA7]

Double points because the electrical inspections are pointless safety theatre to start with

I’m not sure if Electrical safety inspections are effective at reducing the risk of fire or electrocution if not then I assume they are only doing them for liability/insurance reasons

 

[Bletchleyite]

I’m not sure if Electrical safety inspections are effective at reducing the risk of fire or electrocution if not then I assume they are only doing them for liability/insurance reasons

In rented property they serve two purposes - preventing unscrupulous landlords fobbing people off with dangerous installations, and ensuring that any damage done by the tenant is properly rectified, which they would if they owned it but as they don't they often don't care.

For owned property they would probably have little value and as such are not required.

 

[MikeWM]

For owned property they would probably have little value and as such are not required.

When buying my current house, my solicitor required the sellers to have one done as part of the process (though it isn't a legal requirement). I wasn't aware she'd requested/required it until after it had been done!

Still, no harm in having one I suppose. They're apparently valid for 10 years at a time (?).

 

[Hadders]

At Manchester Piccadilly station today.

Gents toilets, half of the urinals and been put out of use by using rather decent covers. Fair enough.

Hand driers, which are even closer together than the urinals - all of them still in use.

I do wonder sometimes.....

 

[185143]

At Manchester Piccadilly station today.

Gents toilets, half of the urinals and been put out of use by using rather decent covers. Fair enough.

Hand driers, which are even closer together than the urinals - all of them still in use.

I do wonder sometimes.....

DON'T GIVE THEM IDEAS!

Let's look at Leeds when I was there a couple of weeks back. I was asked to wait by one of the security staff, one of whom I understand is deployed to control access to the toilets full time (though presumably not the same person). They then told me that they're only allowed to let in 2 at a time, one for the (SIX) urinals and one for the (three) cubicles. I was tempted to ask if I had to declare what I was going in for...

That said, in fairness, as soon as I was asked to wait I was told that there were portaloos outside the station.

 

[AdamWW]

I was tempted to ask if I had to declare what I was going in for...

You may joke, but that used to be a thing in Eastern Europe. You declared what you were intending to do, paid the corresponding fee, and were issued with your ration of toilet paper or not depending...

 

[MattA7]

I have noticed that a judge in the US had ruled Pennsylvania’s covid restrictions are unconstitutional. A decision that has been applauded by Trump. Perhaps we may see a trend starting and things hopefully returning to normality

 

[py_megapixel]

I have noticed that a judge in the US had ruled Pennsylvania’s covid restrictions are unconstitutional. A decision that has been applauded by Trump. Perhaps we may see a trend starting and things hopefully returning to normality

A judge in the US could rule absolutely anything that sounded vaguely patriotic, and it would be applauded by Trump...

 

[Skimpot flyer]

Sign on the door of the only cubicle in use in the Men’s loos at Clapham Junction warns ‘only one person per toilet!’