ADs head off to The Three Bellends and discuss luxury duvets and stationery

[BogRollBOGOF]

(Socially distanced of course and in strictest obedience of all localised lockdowns and 3 or 5 tiers and whatever illogic the powers that be can dream up next)

The original digital discussion continues...

My thoughts about closing shops prior to Christmas are that it isn't helpful.

Keep shops open now & people will spread out their Christmas shopping over the next 2 months, picking bits up now & again (including grabbing the odd bag of chocolate coins & roll of wrapping paper during the weekly shop, eh Mr. Drakeford).

Shut them & reopen in late November/December & there will be panic-buying, & people flocking to shops. Hardly good for avoiding mass spreading of a virus. But don't ask a normal person's advice, ask an Expert for advice, Boris, 'cos what do I know?

I know there are organised people who have got Christmas licked online already, & good on 'em. But a lot of people don't /can't do it that way. (To be honest, I can't think about it right now).

Orange, I feel that's really good advice.
I have a slowly building mental list of places that feel ok, including parks and other outdoor spaces, where you just wouldn't know the rest of the country has lost its mind.
I was impressed enough with the restaurant yesterday that I emailed them to thank them for keeping things as stress free as possible.

In a way, yesterday felt better than my few shopping forays prior to masks. I think everyone is more used to things and not so angsty about doing everything right, so it felt more relaxed. ( It might have helped that I found a can of gin and tonic in the car on the way down and had a cocktail with my lunch).
If I was an ardent believer in masks for keeping me safe I might feel otherwise, as people were just too droopy and hot and tired at the end of the day to do anything other than tick a box by having one about their person somewhere.

Next shopping trip will be to market town type places rather than a big indoor shopping centre. While it was lovely to see everyone going about their business, I prefer shops that open onto fresh air, for now.

Also good advice from Bogroll that the majority of people there will be focusing on trying to get some enjoyment out, so it's less likely that we'll come across a dementor.

I'm glad it was helpful. I felt afterward, Oh no, as I remembered things are different on some areas and thing mich not be allowed / open, and might be grating to read.

@Orangeblossom7777

I'm glad it was helpful. I felt afterward, Oh no, as I remembered things are different on some areas and thing mich not be allowed / open, and might be grating to read.

Yes, lots of empathy for those of us who have very narrow choices, on greeting about a tier 4 this morning, my anxiety levels are straight back up.

Thanks everyone. I have just ordered Cluedo so DD1 and I can play, and my lovely DH has just bought me Series 1-3 of Yonderland. So things could be worse.

And again, I am really really grateful to you all. Every time I post like that, it gets the feelings out and helps me get on. You are all some of the kindest, most compassionate and empathetic people I have ever had the pleasure to know.

We're fucked

Also good advice from Bogroll that the majority of people there will be focusing on trying to get some enjoyment out, so it's less likely that we'll come across a dementor.

Keep a monkey tapping away at her phone long enough and she'll make some sense eventually. Laws of probability and all that

We've started Christmas shopping. In DH's case that was exactly 2 months early.
As well as some stuff for the DCs, he got some fairy lights for the back garden too.

The one thing I reckon will be at least as good as normal about Christmas this year, is that I suspect that many people will put extra effort into decorating for the cheer-up factor and more time at home.
I love the lights and feel glum in January when they switch off. On that note. I think RED January is going to launch very soon organised by Mind to get peiple throughthe winter blues by being active.

RED January sounds good. Hopefully it means they won't be locking parks and closing loos again. Try dementoring against a charity encouraging people being active for mental health.

@justasking111 omfg they are actually crazed

Hello @Respectabitch. Have you finished writing fiction for the moment? Book done?

And lots of 💐 🍰 🍷 for all those having a crap time today

@Orangeblossom7777

I'm glad it was helpful. I felt afterward, Oh no, as I remembered things are different on some areas and thing mich not be allowed / open, and might be grating to read.

I like seeing your posts @Orangeblossom7777 .

I remember you from very early in lockdown (think your user name slightly different) when you spoke of outings with your children . I find you very positive and encouraging. Although I do take your point as to people with so many different levels of restrictions now.

@justasking111 If that's true, they can expect compliance to drop like a stone I'd imagine. (I have a feeling the reason we haven't been told what the new restrictions will be on the 9th is because that would also cause compliance to plummet.)

I'll explain the positivity- I had CBT after having a diagnosis of something which flares up and can be life threatening. Quite rare and out of the blue a few years ago, Treatment is very unpleasant, involves morphine IV and NG tube...anyway due to that had to learn to deal with risk and mortality in a way I never had before.

It's helped me focus on keeping things in proportion and focusing on day to day and that some things are outwith our control

Still get cross and grumpy though but maybe have a few tools in the bag from the past to deal. DH has crohns and flare ups with that too, so we have quite a bit to deal with prior to covid.

@Evenstar

I have just seen something on a local Facebook page I cannot believe and I am so angry. A woman posted a picture of a child killed in Auschwitz with the graphic details of what happened to her and said we should all save the picture on our phones and look at it when we were unhappy to give ourselves “a sense of proportion” I am sure that will really help all those struggling with their mental health alone as no NHS resources are available to them, invalidating their feelings and making them feel they should be grateful for what they have 😡

You need to post a link to the babies that have just died in Australia because their hospital didn't have the equipment and they couldn't be transferred to a hospital that could treat them just because of Covid stupid fucking government rules.

I bet their parents have a sense of proportion about the restrictions.

That is one I just couldn't ignore and block - they would really get a fucking mouthful.

@WouldBeGood

Hello *@Respectabitch*. Have you finished writing fiction for the moment? Book done?

Nope. All been short stories, still working on 'em, but I had the urge to drop back in. I'm also studying, so between the two it's really cut into my MN time.

Never written a full length novel. May some day.

OH SHIT!! oh has just fallen out with the neighbours. The neighbours drove to Wythenshawe this week to see family when we were in county lockdown. But today our son came here to pick up a strimmer and the wife had a go. OH let fly. Now our son self employed has seen his business decimated, the neighbours are on gold plated pensions from the NHS.

Has anyone else seen this
VIPs don't need to quarantine? Why?

@dingit

Has anyone else seen this VIPs don't need to quarantine? Why?

this maybe

It really is one rule for them and another for us

It is really annoying about the “VIPS” but I would take that if it means seven days for everyone not fourteen as o think it will really help compliance

Can someone tell me if we in Wales were in a tier which one would it be. In complete lockdown stay home except for essential shopping (not candles, clothes etc.) having endured 3 weeks of county lockdown. Where do we come on the tier list???

We had a power cut in parts of Wales last night and this morning, no idea what is going on, but candles might just be handy tonight.

Local paper suggesting that generally self-isolation could reduce to 7-10 days to improve complience. I can see the logic in getting more people to comply with something more managable than something more effective but intimidating/ financially hazardous.

@justasking111 it would be tier 4 in the Scottish plan, I think. Nuclear

7 days would make a hell of a difference to uni students