ADs won't tut when you're stuck in a rut, we're all too busy pouring Amaretto in our porridge

[BogRollBOGOF]

Welcome into another thread of alternative reality as we try to nagivate through the Coronacoaster of life.

We may be up, down, spinning around (generally in confusion at the next random edict drawn up on the back of a fag packet) but never sucking the joy out of life.

@MercyBooth

DB who has been working as a senior caster for the same company for nearly 24 years has just been told its 3 weeks furlough, then likely redundancy.

FUCK THE TORIES

We do not have tories here in Wales, but our tales are similar a tsunami of redundancies now.

Sorry Im just angry. They lost a big contract with Ford because of all this a while ago . So its not looking good. I dont know if he knows about the extension.

And that if they don't comply they get punishments like detention, things like hoodies confiscated

They've removed black jogging tops from PE uniform- as they dislike all types of hoodies- so the kids have to go in and wear all day their very thin short sleeved PE tops and sit in classrooms with all the windows open all day.

They may try and flog us a logo jogging top later in the year.

Surprisingly our kids aren't that bothered about it yet. Though I wish they'd said few weeks ealier as could have save £20 on DS new one - he instead all his PE kit and some of his uniform all fitted then decided after term started, and only more expensive options in his size were available, that they were too small.

It says something about people who were made redundant after 23 Sep can go on this new scheme which is 80% until next April. only just announced. My brother might meet it but not are as think was before

Courtesy of a meme's article on the Daily Fail - I've been practising the words all afternoon so I can wander around Sainsburys singing it after my isolation ends at midnight on Friday

Hello all,
How's Day 1 going? (For those of you in England?)
I got my shielding letter (well, email) but I am planning to ignore it and carry on as before. I was being careful and I don't believe I'm more at risk today than I was at the start of the week.
DD1 has had a screaming meltdown at school. Apparently they fished DD2 out of class and asked if she could "help calm your sister down". DD2 said (to the very traditional RC Deputy Head) "What the Hell d'you expect me to do about it?" So I suspect they're both in disgrace...

Office for statistics regulation released a statement today. Well worth a read. Live this excerpt:
However, the use of data has not consistently been supported by transparent information being provided in a timely manner. As a result, there is potential to confuse the public and undermine confidence in the statistics

Full statement here:

osr.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/news/osr-statement-regarding-transparency-of-data-related-to-covid-19/

Love not live. Bloody autocorrect

I love the OSR (this is not a new thing, and yes, I am weird).

"where models are referred to publicly, particularly to inform significant policy decisions, the model outputs, methodologies and key assumptions should be published at the same time"

I'm sure they're not thinking of anyone in particular...

I heard the words "virtual nativity play" today and it has sent me into a rage.
DD2 football class and ballet class even cancelled. Both small independent business owners too.
I am in a rage since I heard that from dd1,reception school teacher (not at her, she's lovely)

@RobinHobb that’s so sad

Thank @WouldBeGood
I'm just feeling so frustrated and angry at this treatment of children who don't spread the disease or get sick from it. Playgrounds, playgroups, swimming classes, horse riding, whatever it is, is all being stopped again and it's not right.
As for Xmas, all local events near us are being cancelled. Local fairs, pantos, outdoor ice rink, Xmas circus, Santa's grotto all this kids Xmas stuff isn't happening. But we will get to see grandparents in Xmas which is something I guess (even if lockdown is still going on will ignore).
It's a lot. I'm glad my kids are young so they won't remember how this year was.

Life reasonably normal here.
I suppose normally I should have been at a fitness class although our appointment might have got in the way anyway. I've had a run and done a couple of youtube videos. Playing at ballet again. Badly
But it's felt like a regular day.
The missing school years are returning today and tomorrow.

Had to sign DS1 out immediately. Only supposed to be one person in the small lobby/ reception. I was #1. Audaciously without a mask. With the cold temperatures this morning and being outside for 15-20 mins by that point, I had decided that the visor was a useless gesture because it would fog up instantly and not clear in the 30 seconds it takes to request DS and fill in the sign in/ out book. I stood well back from the slither of window to the receptionist. Behind me are two other families in their masks squished into the small space
This is where it's frustrating that highly visible token gestures do more harm than good. One household at a time in a space that can not be socially distanced in is far more useful at virus control than 1-3 layers of fabric wrapped around the airways. But no, the face rags give that false security.
Yet another reason why I hate the dratted things.

Hello lovelies

Can anyone in Wales confirm that these regs mean no one can holiday In Wales till 19 Feb?

My best friend’s family are meant to be there at Xmas. It was highlighted by Law or Fiction on Twitter but doesn’t seem to be in the news. I don’t want to alarm her unnecessarily

www.legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2020/1219/pdfs/wsi_20201219_en.pdf

@Jourdain11

Hello all, How's Day 1 going? (For those of you in England?) I got my shielding letter (well, email) but I am planning to ignore it and carry on as before. I was being careful and I don't believe I'm more at risk today than I was at the start of the week. DD1 has had a screaming meltdown at school. Apparently they fished DD2 out of class and asked if she could "help calm your sister down". DD2 said (to the very traditional RC Deputy Head) "What the Hell d'you expect me to do about it?" So I suspect they're both in disgrace...

Mine's in disgrace for asking why they were using anti bac wipes against a virus and telling the staff that viruses are different!

Playgrounds specifically state they can stay open, thankfully. Still terrible about the club's etc, but at least there's a small shred of sanity left.

I can happily report the purchase of non-essential items is in full-swing in Asda. The queue for fireworks went right back to the George section, which was well & truely open.

Playgrounds are open but the adult outdoor gym equipment was taped off but adults were using it. I agree that children should have their playgrounds open. I can't see the difference between a parent pushing the playground roundabout & an adult touching the gym equipment though. Can't see the tape lasting long.

The fireworks have begun. Cat is not happy.

Noticed the online registration form for registering covid postal tests has changed this week. They are asking for more information, such as full address rather than just your postcode, & work details so they can T&T contacts at work. I think it's good they are upping their game?

You can opt out of giving this information though. I didnt give my work details. We have a robust internal T&T system at work & are far quicker than them. We don't have to self-isolate if we've been wearing PPE anyway.

I was slightly irked that they autofilled my profession & had spelt it wrong. T&T is part of the NHS & I'm a HCP!

Also feel uneasy about giving personal details online anyway. I'll comply if T&T ever ring me, but I think I might opt out next time.

It's a long time since I have seen so many fireworks from so many different places on bonfire night. I live on a hill and can see for miles. I normally, from my lounge, watch a couple of pub displays and a huge one that I think is Sheffield Don Valley. Plus a few smaller local ones and a fair few bangs from behind the house that I can't see.
Tonight I can see about 15 local ones and, as Sheffield is on 7 hills I can see to the other side of Sheffield during the day, there are loads on the skyline between here and there.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-54831334
Effectively the government lied about the figures and the ONS are seriously pissed off about it.

@Recycledblonde

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-54831334 Effectively the government lied about the figures and the ONS are seriously pissed off about it.

Glad they’re willing to speak up.

Really odd here! More normality than before today! Apart from the pubs and restaurants doing takeaway there are more people out and about! Traffic really busy and seafront full of old folks having a walk, sit down and chit chat! Mask wearing has dropped (according to shop workers) a good 25% overnight! Don't know the reason although everyone I have spoke to said they had just given up being dictated too!! Xx

I've just been to Sainsbury's and it was empty.

There's a big student protest at one of the halls at Manchester Uni, big metal fencing has been put up around the halls to separate the different blocks and fence off the grassy areas. The students are pointing out that they are paying customers and shouldn't be fenced in.

DD's hairdresser has posted that she's starting work again on the 2 December whatever the Govt says, she works for her mental health and to provide for her family and anyone who doesn't like it can unfriend her.

And finally Rishi Sunak still have the 3m excluded nothing in the new announcement as expected .

A local headline... "0 people in Gloucestershire hospital's ITU's with covid" And we've locked down for this? Ridiculous.
I had some social engagements organised next week, but I will have to re-arrange because they involved eating out. Other than that I am going about my business as normal. Seems just the same here, people out and about and groups of children playing out before it got dark. Hoping there are not too many fireworks as my dog hates them.

Tabby what’s the point of that - to stop them standing on the grass and chatting?