Anti-dementors riding the roller coasters

[Waleshasgonecompletelycrazy]

And going to pubs, restaurants and zoos!

@orangeblosdom - yes that’s true. I don’t know why I was resisting the idea. Thank you. Sometimes it’s good to have people to remind you that there’s good other options and that sounds really sensible.

From the BBC article: But with hundreds of thousands of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK, shopping will not be like it was before 23 March.

Grrr that makes it sound like there are virus victims on every corner rather than the current infection rate of 0.06% ... yes there have been 100s of thousands of cases since the outbreak started but it’s a bit misleading ... and just feeds into the general atmosphere of unnecessary fear.

I don’t think I’ll be rushing back to shops any time soon ... it sounds miserable(and I’d probably end up ranting and embarrassing dd 😬)

I feel really sorry for the shops. I’m not a big shopper but used to enjoy browsing and getting something nice, but this experience sounds way too functional. I want to browse and have lunch in a restaurant, not queue alone. I guess if we could go together and they managed to make it an experience for dd, like fun stuff going on while you waited I could be persuaded. Cardiff castle is looking how they can use their space for pop up stands and tables. That sounds fun but I’d like to be able to book so I knew I could get a seat. Maybe they could help the cinemas with showings in the evenings? I’m not saying things can’t be made nice but it needs a lot of redesign.

I don't think I'll bother going shopping. What's the point if you can't just potter round and browse?

I fear this will be the death of the high street, and for what?

@SirSamuelVimesBlackboardMonito

Yeah I have zero interest in going shopping in an atmosphere of misery, restriction and suspicion.

Me either. I love shopping. I love spending money on things I don’t need. I won’t be going in any shops while all these restrictions are in place. It sounds miserable. It’s not their fault and I know we should be supporting our high street... but no, not for me.

The Times write today that "If scientists are wrong about Covid, they must be held to account"

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/f74e18ba-acc1-11ea-adef-7962e28cd764

Good article, can't cut and paste though as MN will tell me off unfortunately. Mainly about Ferguson and his doomsday predictions etc

There's a school thread now where people are questioning whether some people are genuine keyworkers/should be using the provision. Leaving aside the question of whether schools should be open to all (they should), this pandemic really has brought out the judging, busy bodies. Plus people turning against each other is horrible.

love spending money on things I don’t need

Me too and we're still doing up our house and I love browsing tk maxx for ornaments we don't need for rooms that aren't ready yet but I don't want to do that under pressure!

[quote Orangeblossom78]The Times write today that "If scientists are wrong about Covid, they must be held to account"

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/f74e18ba-acc1-11ea-adef-7962e28cd764[/quote]
They bloody should. Personally I will be absolutely furious if they find conclusive evidence that children don't spread it because we will have locked them up for no reason.

Neil whatshisface wants locking up imo. We already know he was bloody wrong. Tosser.

Do you think schools will be open full time ever again?

Our M&S clothes section (Edinburgh Gyle Centre) is almost fully open. When I went yesterday the shop assistant at the door was encouraging people to browse and take their time. No one was stopping you from touching items or holding them up against you as can't try on in the fitting rooms. Ditto in Next although only the household section open at the minute.

The retailers know what a nonsense this all is. If you're in a vulnerable category and worried about the impact of catching coronavirus then don't go to the shops . There were lots of elderly ladies having a good old wander round M&S and good on them.

Amazing that the shops can figure a way round this - particularly in puritanical Scotland where we're still meant to be wearing porridge oat hessian bags if we run out of clothes - but schools or those running them appear to have no drive to push forward. A change to 1metre social distancing would make all the difference to capacity and numbers and we all know it's coming to England, so why not say that yes for schools opening in August one metre is enough ( I'd prefer no social distancing) .

The DC have three months worth of pocket money burning a hole in their pocket, guess they will have to save it up for a little longer.

Another good article about the pressure on care homes to take patients even with a positive test for covid from hospital

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/86c6f396-aa55-11ea-8500-5aff29860cf1

I used to think the Times where somehow in the right wing side of things but they do a great job of criticising things!

I’m not a big shopper but the dds are desperate to go to Primark. I’ll have a trip out one evening I think.

Can Dc not shop then, are they officially banned? As I think teens round here will be the main ones out in the shops

If that is to me Orange they aren’t old enough to go on their own. I’m not aware teens are banned from shopping alone

also that

Summer camps will offer arts, sport and support on wellbeing rather than reading, writing and maths.

to be announced next week

www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/camps-for-pupils-aim-to-give-parents-a-summer-break-lg3dxbkvr

@chocolatesweets yes I think schools will reopen fully again. I’m going to go out on a limb and say I think come September we’ll be back full time and the unions will have pushed too far. I think partly the scientific evidence shows children aren’t a massive spreading risk and the economy relies on schools being open.

Just found you all. Been busy with work and kids.

I am getting so frustrated. Lots of countries, NZ, Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Australia all reducing or removed sd yet we are still talking about the 'new normal' as if it will never change. As if this is the best we will ever get!

I am so down about this. Why can't we look at others and send messages of hope? Eg we can't fully reopen now but are planning to in September or whatever. Why are we saying it's gonna be forever?!

The BBC article was talking about groups not being allowed in shops. No benches, no cafes, no browsing and trying things on, doesn't sound very appealing for teenagers.

Amazing that the shops can figure a way round this - particularly in puritanical Scotland where we're still meant to be wearing porridge oat hessian bags if we run out of clothes - but schools or those running them appear to have no drive to push forward.

Isn't it just? Almost as if school leaders will continue to get paid regardless...

My old headteacher was on 80k. That's a very comfortable amount of money that's not about to disappear in a puff of smoke if they don't open up in September.

Wales I really really hope you're right. We've still got 2.5 months until September.

I think they did say they want all kids back in school in September but whether that means ft or ten hours a week who bloody knows.

I started another thread about how pt school in sept will affect people and it makes for really depressing reading. Even those who won't have massive financial or logistical issues are dreading and and hanging on by a thread as it is

Oh and the boss of Waterstones on bbc confirming all the stuff for kids like tables and sharing had been removed. Once again let's demonise kids 😢😢

Matthew Parris has written some good stuff through this nonsense.

I don't think 'we' should rush to denounce scientists as a group though (we, meaning society as a whole - the women on this thread are far too sensible!) I fear that when if it does turn out the Imperial model was bullshit and it comes to light, there will be such appalled outrage, that mistrust of science will get even worse than it is already. What's really at fault is government and press interpretation and presentation of "science", which is not a set of answers.