sadoldgit

Just been to see my GP. He is the heart respiratory specialist in the surgery. Said it is crazy that schools went back after half term as they are “a breeding ground for the virus.” Not nearly enough respirators. Doesn’t matter how many more they make as they require 1-1 care and not enough staff. I have been upgraded to 70 plus at risk because of heart condition. Future consultations will by phone. Temperature and basic health question check on way into surgery, which makes sense. Tough decisions will be made about those given hospital beds.

Not that I was around I’m 1939/40, but this is very much the phoney war stage of the virus. In a week or two, when fatalities increase many fold, perhaps they will realise, as Kopp said himself, there are more important things than sport.

You would think so wouldn’t you? Yet somehow, if you point out that this is no different to any other large gathering and should be subject to the same considerations, you get singled out for derision. Go figure.

Every year we close schools down for 6 weeks in the summer yet somehow we manage to muddle through.

As you have turned this into a Covid-19 discussion, I will ask the same question. How is it countries in Europe and now New York City have managed to close their schools but still operate their hospitals and other services? They can cope with school closures, so why do you think we cannot? On the news last night they reported that many head teachers are worried about how they are going to keep there schools open anyway as a number have teachers who are self isolating. Instead of using this to have a dig at me, perhaps you should be asking yourself why we are not doing what others are doing to try and combat this virus, especially given the possible projected mortality rate. It is highly likely that the schools will have to close eventually, it is just a matter of time. Given your scenario then the country will grind to a complete halt and nothing will get done because everyone will be at home looking after their kids.

I did say operating as in open and working. I didn’t say coping.

Sick, dead. My point is surely finding childcare is not as bad as the possible alternatives. Stop being so sensitive. I’m not going to apologise for going out to get food for my wife and I. As one of the more mobile oldies I am also on the list of people in the village who can go and get provisions for others. We have a couple up the road who have just come back from Italy and are self isolating. I expect I will be shopping for them later in the week. But yeah, I’m selfish. Still, at 66 with a heart condition, you might not have to worry about me in a few weeks time.

Ok. Enough.

I was saying it was inconvenient, but far preferable than having more people getting sick. How is that selfish? You need to calm down.

No I wasn’t. It is all in your head.

Garage.

My local has cut the price of its draught beer to £3.50 in an effort to keep its custom. Fortunately it is privately owned so hopefully they will ride it out. Too many pubs around here have closed already.

You are over reacting. Why M I being selfish? Because I went to a supermarket? Because I don’t think stockpiling is a good thing? I think you will find that a great many people have been less than impressed with the way that the government have dealt with the situation so far, but just pin it on me eh?

Still looking for a fight? Really, give it a rest. If you weren’t so eager to have an argument you would realise I was saying they have closed their schools and are still operating a health service so to that extent they have coped with closing the schools. How you have turned this into a statement about them coping with the virus only you will know.

Perhaps it is time to stop *****ing at one another. There is a good chance that some of us might not make it through.

I didn’t say it would be easy but as I keep saying, they are managing in other countries.

I don’t think you can make an exception for one club.

Let’s move past the whole Tories thing shall we. God knows we could spend hours talking about how the underfunding has effected the NHS and local social cares ability to deal with this. Irrespective of politics, we are talking now about the people in charge who are making life and death decisions.

My point was Fry that having a go at me because I went out to get food. One bloke. Yet he has no problem with tens of thousands of people crammed together all day, 5 days a week. No, it isn’t easy. But I am sure it isn’t easy around Europe and in New York City either. I am not the only person on the planet asking the question about schools.

Look, I have nothing against schools, but if they are being shut down in order to saves lives elsewhere, it is worth asking the question why aren’t we doing it. Clearly childcare is a problem but a problem that is not impossible to solve elsewhere - so we can manage here. If people start getting sick and dying on an industrial scale, we won’t even think about this exchange.

So how are all the hospitals all round Europe and in NYC operating?

We have a part finished boat in a neighbours garage. I guess it will finally get finished.

Yes, it is inconvenient having to find child care. More so having to be hooked up to a respirator in a hospital corridor (if they can find you one). Even more so being dead. They cope in other countries don’t they?

It seems he is more worried about sorting out childcare.

Weston - how many countries who have closed schools have also closed supermarkets? Why do you think that is. If we don’t eat we will die. I don’t think anyone has died for the lack of a GCSE.