Current Affairs

[Onelife]

Some actually brag about stockpiling as if they are somehow superior.

Look no further than Foxy, Barney…he was on here a couple of days ago saying he was going out to buy 200 toilet rolls.

Btw…I don’t suppose you would be interested in an assortment of tinned produce… the wife seems to have over ordered by three boxes last year.

[towny44]

On a different supermarket topic, when I popped in this week the one way system had gone as had the staff member monitoring the door. However mask wearing was still 99%. In fact the only non wearer I saw was young with an arrogant air of sod off I'll do what I like. May be misjudging but that's what the body language said.

Our local sainsbury's supermarket has also done the same Merv, but there are signs and announcements requesting that customers continue to wear masks, and most people are doing so, and many are still trying to social distance.as well.

[oldbluefox]

Look no further than Foxy, Barney…he was on here a couple of days ago saying he was going out to buy 200 toilet rolls.

Btw…I don’t suppose you would be interested in an assortment of tinned produce… the wife seems to have over ordered by three boxes last year.

I'll swap you some out of date loo rolls left over from the first lockdown.

Seriously that first lockdown was disgraceful as an example of total greed. We went to the supermarket and saw one woman take her arm and sweep all the baked beans into her already overflowing shopping trolley. I suppose after all of those beans she would need the loo rolls to go with them. The way some people behaved was a disgrace.

[Kendhni]

We were lucky to miss out on all the greed having to cope with relaxing on the decks of Azura, stuck of the coast of Barbados for 7 days - the horrors I am expected to endure. In fact the panic buying, especially toilet rolls, was a subject of many jokes from the comedians and the cruise director onboard.


Keith, if it is any help I have some toilet rolls that, looking at the eBay classifications, could fit into the 'hardly used' or 'slightly soiled' categories.

[Onelife]

Seriously that first lockdown was disgraceful as an example of total greed. We went to the supermarket and saw one woman take her arm and sweep all the baked beans into her already overflowing shopping trolley. I suppose after all of those beans she would need the loo rolls to go with them. The way some people behaved was a disgrace.

I thought this was the most powerful reminder why taking more than your fair share is unexpectable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmSPOSGpAYs

Buying a little extra each week has kept us well provided for…it just take a bit of forward planning.

[Quizzical Bob]

France and Italy have both introduced covid passports to gain access to venues.

So have we - it is now on the NHS app.

The app is useful but it does need to be renewed after 30 days. You can also request a letter to be sent to you which is more permanent and useful if your phone ever goes flaky. You can ask for a copy in any language which might be useful if you're going anywhere exotic.

https://www.covid-status-letter.service ... nhs-number

[Onelife]

Keith, if it is any help I have some toilet rolls that, looking at the eBay classifications, could fit into the 'hardly used' or 'slightly soiled' categories.

I’ll have the lot if you throw in a packet of wet wipes

[Ray B]

We were lucky to miss out on all the greed having to cope with relaxing on the decks of Azura, stuck of the coast of Barbados for 7 days - the horrors I am expected to endure. In fact the panic buying, especially toilet rolls, was a subject of many jokes from the comedians and the cruise director onboard.


Ken, I still have nightmares of it, the beach a few hundred metres from us, the hot sun relentlessly beating down, the waiters bringing cold beverages to the sun bed, the swimming pool for a bit of relief but we endured.

[Ray B]

Who makes up stupid words? It must be a qualification to work for a red top.
I cringe every time a reporter mentions the latest made for idiots word, 'pingdemic'

[Mervyn and Trish]

Our friendly young Student barman re: previous post claims it’s against his ‘ Human rights’ to be denied entry or travel without a Covid passport.

Does he not think it might be against your human rights to be forced to share air and space with someone who might be infected?

[oldbluefox]

I presume he is quite happy to show a passport when he travels abroad.

[Kendhni]

Ken, I still have nightmares of it, the beach a few hundred metres from us, the hot sun relentlessly beating down, the waiters bringing cold beverages to the sun bed, the swimming pool for a bit of relief but we endured.

I forgot you were on that cruise as well. I still love the fact we got a one week all inclusive holiday in (or just off) Barbados for free.

Do you remember what 'Boots and cats' means?

[Manoverboard]

Who makes up stupid words? It must be a qualification to work for a red top.
I cringe every time a reporter mentions the latest made for idiots word, 'pingdemic'

Quite ... did you know that Great Yarmouth won last weeks Ping - Pong contest

[Gill W]

Not sure where your shopping Gill but up here I’ve not noticed any empty shelves in Tesco,Sainsbury’s or Morrison’s over the last few months and I’ve been doing all the shopping since last year, maybe we’re just fortunate up here.?

See my post #11360. It's not immediately apparent, but there are subtle changes - less choice, products being spread more widely on shelves. I've been told if you go at the 'wrong time', like after work, stuff like salad, veg and fruit can be very sparse. That's not necessarily local to me, could be anywhere in the UK, it varies.

On a different supermarket topic, when I popped in this week the one way system had gone as had the staff member monitoring the door. However mask wearing was still 99%. In fact the only non wearer I saw was young with an arrogant air of sod off I'll do what I like. May be misjudging but that's what the body language said.

I've only been to the shopping centre once since 'Freedom Day'. The vast majority were still wearing masks, but amongst the non maskers it was 50/50 between old and young.

[screwy]

Cases on the way down or just a blip.?
36,329 and 64 deaths.

[Onelife]

Good news if you’re not one of the 64…. I rather suspect in another seven days we’ll start seeing a significant increase in hospital admissions.

Whilst I would have liked to see face masks made compulsory, I can see why the government are avoiding doing this as they want those eligible for the jab to either have it or get infected…either works for herd immunity.

[Gill W]

It time for Towny's Weekly Covid Round Up

The ONS estimate that 1 in 75 people in England had COVID week ending 17th July ( up from 1 in 95 the previous week)

Info from the UK Government website

36389 cases reported 23-7-2021 ( 48553 cases reported 15th July)

Growth over last 7 days still shows an increase of 11.4% - but growth seems to have decelerated.

870 admitted to hospital on 19th July (582 admitted 11th July) Total admitted over the week up 28%

5001 in hospital as at 22 July (3786 as at 14th July)

64 deaths reported 23rd July - deaths up 45% for the week



It's a relief to see that new cases aren't climbing at their previous fast pace. I think that the football infections have peaked, and the schools have now broken up for the holidays so that will help.

However, Freedom day has now happened - most people still wearing masks and being careful - but will this counteract all the people who have thrown caution to the wind.

I also wonder how many have deleted the app and don't know that they should get a test

I remember that the previous wave dropped back for a while before gathering a fresh head of steam.

All in all a mixed picture, and difficult to draw any firm conclusions yet. If cases are dropping back, we should see hospitalisations decrease in in about two weeks time, so we may be able to get a better idea then

[oldbluefox]

Whilst I would have liked to see face masks made compulsory, I can see why the government are avoiding doing this as they want those eligible for the jab to either have it or get infected…either works for herd immunity.

The government wouldn't admit it but I don't think you are far wrong.

[Ray B]

Who makes up stupid words? It must be a qualification to work for a red top.
I cringe every time a reporter mentions the latest made for idiots word, 'pingdemic'

Quite ... did you know that Great Yarmouth won last weeks Ping - Pong contest

Must have one of the highest outbreaks in the country this week.To close for comfort.
We are at 13 per hundred thousand, which in real terms means we we have just a few amongst our 4000 or so population

[Ray B]

Ken, I still have nightmares of it, the beach a few hundred metres from us, the hot sun relentlessly beating down, the waiters bringing cold beverages to the sun bed, the swimming pool for a bit of relief but we endured.

Do you remember what 'Boots and cats' means?

No, haven't a clue, obviously not the music term I assume.

[towny44]

Not sure where your shopping Gill but up here I’ve not noticed any empty shelves in Tesco,Sainsbury’s or Morrison’s over the last few months and I’ve been doing all the shopping since last year, maybe we’re just fortunate up here.?

See my post #11360. It's not immediately apparent, but there are subtle changes - less choice, products being spread more widely on shelves. I've been told if you go at the 'wrong time', like after work, stuff like salad, veg and fruit can be very sparse. That's not necessarily local to me, could be anywhere in the UK, it varies.

On a different supermarket topic, when I popped in this week the one way system had gone as had the staff member monitoring the door. However mask wearing was still 99%. In fact the only non wearer I saw was young with an arrogant air of sod off I'll do what I like. May be misjudging but that's what the body language said.

I've only been to the shopping centre once since 'Freedom Day'. The vast majority were still wearing masks, but amongst the non maskers it was 50/50 between old and young.

Gill I think you will find that perishable produce is deliberately under ordered in hot weather, so you would certainly expect there to be shortages late in the day. Like other northerners on here have said, we have seen no significant shortages in any local supermarkets. And on a separate topic we ordered a new hall sideboard today and delivery will be made on 4th August, so no shortages there either.

[david63]

I think you will find that perishable produce is deliberately under ordered in hot weather

Not necessarily. I saw a programme on TV a while back where the production is controlled by the weather forecast, amongst other criteria, and if there is a peak in the weather the forecasted production cannot be met, or if it is the other way then there is an excess of production.

[david63]

Gill - you have missed from your weekly stats that the R rate has not increased.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Curious that people in Japan opposed to the Olympics on safety grounds have been demonstrating in large numbers, many of them without masks. Ironic.

[Gill W]

Gill - you have missed from your weekly stats that the R rate has not increased.

I can add that as well

England’s R is estimated at 1.2 - 1.4. That tells us that the wave is still growing, but the rate of growth is not accelerating, which is positive.

I’ve never used Zoe, so I’m not including that, but I understand that their figures are now going up, after a period of going down. Which seems at odds with the other information

And on a separate topic we ordered a new hall sideboard today and delivery will be made on 4th August, so no shortages there either.

Conversely, in March I ordered a nice set of rattan table and chairs from an online specialist for delivery In 6 weeks. In April I was told there’d be a delay due to ‘Brexit, Covid and the Suez Canal’. They still hadn’t received their stocks a couple of weeks ago, so I reluctantly cancelled and they refunded me. Fortunately, I found a bistro set in Wayfair that was in stock, and it was delivered with 2 days.

These things are happening all over the place.