ADs dream of 'bum' tomatoes, gin and tonic sorbet and next year's holidays

[RealityExistsInTheHumanMind]

New thread.

previous thread

The one with the phallic aubergines

I agree, @KnobChops and @PourMeADrink. I get very angry with people who are perfectly happy to have delivery drivers, supermarket workers, power station workers, hospital staff, care home workers etc etc etc carry on working and taking risks, but aren't willing to get on with life themselves (or, worse, want to restrict their children's lives - I genuinely can't believe that there are parents of healthy children who don't want to get them back to school and normality).

And I think it's probably the case that journalists have had lots of time to do other things and are projecting onto everyone else in the way that they often do - I've been working full time and trying to take a share in parenting and homeschooling DD, and I'm burnt out. Genuinely dreading the autumn.

The Sunday Times did have a good article about how bad homeschooling has been for parents, though.

I've become faintly cheered by the number of threads pointing out the stupidity of many Covid-related rules, and also complaining about the way in which "Covid" is being used as an excuse for poor service by many companies. People voting with their feet/wallets will make a difference soon, I hope.

I read on one thread (not sure if it was someone from here that posted it) that pointed out in several years time they will laugh at our stupidity that a piece of cloth could stop a tiny virus particle.

And don't get me started on the bbc article with Hancock threatening a national lockdown again.

Yes it makes you wonder how many supporters of endless lockdown will change their minds in the months and years to come when taxes and unemployment rise, or we are made to go through more austerity. And our children are going to be fucked both economically and health wise.

I get very angry with people who are perfectly happy to have delivery drivers, supermarket workers, power station workers, hospital staff, care home workers etc etc etc carry on working and taking risks, but aren't willing to get on with life themselves

I don't think I am the only person going to work who doesn't see it as a massive personal risk or sacrifice? My work complaints are usually related to there being too much of it, & a poor standard of office biscuits (a pandemic hasn't changed anything there).

Going to work, or going anywhere outside of the home, is getting on with life. For a lot of us there is no choice but to get on with it.

Did anyone see this hilarious interview with the AD doctor from a Madrid hospital on Spanish television news? So many highlights, but my favourite moment is at the end when the anchor says 'We've lost control!'

@ProfessorRadcliffeEmerson

I agree, *@KnobChops and @PourMeADrink*. I get very angry with people who are perfectly happy to have delivery drivers, supermarket workers, power station workers, hospital staff, care home workers etc etc etc carry on working and taking risks, but aren't willing to get on with life themselves (or, worse, want to restrict their children's lives - I genuinely can't believe that there are parents of healthy children who don't want to get them back to school and normality).

It feels a bit manipulative I think. All about schools and a certain workforce. I don’t recall many wringing hands on here about the safety of hospital and care home staff, bus drivers, supermarket workers and all those working, commuting and being exposed when there was actually virus circulating in the community and those staff were very likely to be infected (30% in my hospital since tested positive for antibodies). And yet once schools are asked to return now the virus is minimal in most areas we get thread after thread after thread started by the teaching body.

Yes the people that didn't have the privilege of working at home just got on with it.

Those that weren't sat at home on 80-100% wages knowing that their job was safe and they would return also seem very happy to be back at work (hospitality sector).

The uni rep trying to make out universities were the next care homes did it for me. And I suspect many teachers are looking forward to getting back to work but those few that are vocal and pushing for remote teaching I do wonder if they would be so vocal if they thought it might lead to job losses.

@knobchops You're not wrong. I wish we heard even a fraction as much from care home workers as we do from teachers, but I guess the voices of highly articulate unionised professionals are always going to be disproportionately amplified. I just wish the left-wing media would stop carrying on as teachers are some species of oppressed prole deserving of constant uncritical air time. I do hope all this will inspire us to really look at the pay & conditions of those employed in the care home sector - it would be one good thing to come out of this

I do hope all this will inspire us to really look at the pay & conditions of those employed in the care home sector - it would be one good thing to come out of this

Yes to this. Personal care is so important and yet we pay so little.

Oohhh and as an ex-academic don't get me started on the UCU comparing universities to care homes. What a fucking offensive comparison.

DH is a teacher
His mental health has been nearly destroyed by the last six months
He is desperate to get back to work as are most of his colleagues
Please please don't believe all teachers are selfish obstructive fuckwits

Please please don't believe all teachers are selfish obstructive fuckwits

I don't as I am sure there are many that just want to go back. I do think there are a few very vocal opponents of opening schools and they unfortunately get all the airtime.

And unfortunately some parents as well but I don't understand if they object so much why they don't deregister and home school.

I believe you. I think the unions are doing your DH and other teachers a disservice.

@Hobnobswantshernameback

DH is a teacher His mental health has been nearly destroyed by the last six months He is desperate to get back to work as are most of his colleagues Please please don't believe all teachers are selfish obstructive fuckwits

I hear you. There are lots of teachers in our social circle and none are spouting all the stuff you read on this site. They know their personal risk is low and that keeping kids off for months has caused great harm. They also comprehend that online learning is awful for kids and families where both parents work (ie most of us who live in the real world). It’s the same few on here starting thread after thread after thread...

@Hobnobswantshernameback it's definitely the unions I blame, most of the teachers I know are desperate to get back - unlike all the (probably fake) bellend teachers on MN!

What I don't get is why? The damage these unions are causing to the professions they're supposed to represent is appalling. For primary and secondary teachers it is their reputation but for tertiary staff it's potentially their job too. We are now at real risk of some of these establishments failing and the unions don't seem to care? How short sighted of them.

@skeptile that interview is amazing. It should be compulsory viewing. Yes, we do indeed need a vaccination against fear.

@PourMeADrink

I read on one thread (not sure if it was someone from here that posted it) that pointed out in several years time they will laugh at our stupidity that a piece of cloth could stop a tiny virus particle.

And don't get me started on the bbc article with Hancock threatening a national lockdown again.

I think that was me.

I know a number of teachers and they are all eager to get back to work, but worried that their school will be closed at a moment's notice & how to plan for that. Feels more like punishment for allowing a disease vector to cross the threshold rather than a public health precaution to me.

I remember when all the teachers were calling home to find out how we were, and all asked if we had done much school work. I was honest and said none. DH had his work go mental in the early covid days (police) and mine went equally mental once the lockdown roolsz were bought in (Tenancy Enforcement for a Housing Association) because every neighbour & their dog were desperate to dob in the neighbour down the street that they dont particularly like (incidentally these were often the same customers who then moaned that we had cancelled all but emergency repairs due to those same roolsz). The teachers were really kind and understanding. I posted on our school FB page how guilty I felt about it and the headteachers messaged me to say not to worry, they will be getting the kids caught up when they're back and how anyone could expect 2 full time working parents to homeschool she never understood. She was so kind.

@skeptile I have put this on my FB page. so look out for incoming.

SirSamuel I thought 'how true'

Rishis last day reading of three hour long queues to eat, ffs go tomorrow. DH just home from marina the restaurant there meant people parked half a mile away to walk to the restaurant before even starting to queue. Idiots. Hundreds waiting to eat indifferent food at best.

@TheOrchidKiller, sorry, I didn't express that very well (I shouldn't post from my phone, I get bored with typing on a tiny screen). I meant that, in their own dementory terms, people who think it's too dangerous for them to go out to work seem to be quite happy for other people to do it. I agree with you: I'm back in the office a couple of days a week and very happy to be there as a step back towards normality. I work in Westminster, probably about a third of my team (including me) had Covid in February and March. We're all fine now.

I'm trying not to be rude about any particular profession, because I know there are teachers and lecturers who are champing at the bit to get back to normal. But I don't feel that those professions are well served by their unions.

@skeptile that’s fucking brilliant!