OK, this isn't funny any more. Where's the army?

[Orangejuicemarathoner]

One quarter of staff and students late to school this morning, and 10% didn't get there at all. It has been announced that, excepting physical disability, any student within 4 miles or adult within 6 miles will be expected to walk in, but Its expected to be worse tomorrow with a good chance we will be closed by Wednesday.

AA reporting over 100 "incidents" on the road within a 10 mile radius of the school - mostly roads blocked, and mostly by queues outside petrol stations.

I struggled to get home by bike, because of the chaos on the roads - I got off my bike and walked several miles of it.

I called in at a supermarket on the way home. The shelves were more than three quarters empty. No bread or milk. So I'm sitting here drinking black tea planning rice for dinner instead of cheese on toast.

I know its not a catastrophe that I spent an extra hour getting home, and dont have milk in my tea, but what is that saying about the state we are in?

AIBU to say the army should be called in. What have we got an army for? Surely, an organisation of thousands of fit, capable, organised individuals, with vehicles and capacity and skills in logistics is exactly what we need to be utilised in this situation right here right now.

PS, is it ok to feed dog food to cats? does anyone know?

[CorrBlimeyGG]

Queen, perhaps you could point us to where you are? There are definitely problems across Manchester and Merseyside.

[QueenoftheKarens]

Please stop blaming Brexit.

It's down to covid as well. DVLA need to get their arses into gear and fast!

[Lex345]

Where are you OP? If you are local, I would be happy to share some milk and cheese. I cannot help with the petrol, we have put off putting our usual £20 in this weekend, although when we passed the petrol station it was busy on the forecourt but nothing like on the news.
I think it will probably get better towards the end of the week, small comfort now I know

[TheReluctantPhoenix]

@VanGoghsDog,

The army is there to help out in emergencies and have lots of qualified drivers. Who do you think refuels army vehicles?

We are in a bit of a pickle now with at least 50% of garages having no fuel left.

The army are like an insurance policy. We pay them to use in times of war and other emergencies. Time to make a claim.

[Echobelly]

It sounds as though things have been a bit calmer in open stations today. We don't need the car much so I'm going to wait until we need as I don't want to add any pressure.

Not sure army's going to make much difference - honestly, if people who don't actually really need their car that much just calm the hell down and realise they don't need all the petrol in the world right this minute it'll be sorted long before any other intervention could make a difference.

[bizboz]

@QueenoftheKarens

Please stop blaming Brexit.

It's down to covid as well. DVLA need to get their arses into gear and fast!

Why are no other European countries having supply issues (including supermarkets, not just fuel)?

[TheFairyCaravan]

DS1 is a soldier. He’s done the floods, helped build the Nightingale hospitals, been to testing centres and helped out at the vaccination centres. He’s not got an HGV license like many others in the military so what exactly do you want him to do in the next 12 days before he flies off for 3 months?

Honestly I’m pig sick of all this “bring in the army” I’ve seen these past few days. How about saying “stop being a dick”?

[cardibach]

@QueenoftheKarens

Please stop blaming Brexit.

It's down to covid as well. DVLA need to get their arses into gear and fast!

The rest of the world has covid. We are the on,y ones with this issue…

[MintJulia]

Where are you op?

Our supermarkets have plenty of food and both Sainsbury & Tesco had fuel deliveries today. Things seem to be easing here - Hampshire

[Mamamia7962]

There were a few local garages where I am that had no fuel but I went early this morning and got some, no queue. Also no food shortages.

With regards to walking I used to have a 3 mile walk to school, so did 6 miles every day. I just think children are so used to going everywhere by car that even having to walk a short distance fills some of them with horror.

[IvySneezes]

I don’t know where you live but petrol stations are stocked here and shops too. Is this scaremongering just as bad as the fake news that started the run on petrol?

[iloveeverykindofcat]

Just to answer the one part I have some knowledge on - I'm afraid dog food is a very different nutritional formulation to cat food. It won't hurt them if they eat a little but it doesn't have what they need. For a meal or two you'd better off feeding some dark poultry meat if you have any - it has the taurine they need for their eyes and heart. If you don't have any, see bowwowinsurance.com.au/pet-community/pet-talk/human-foods-for-cats/ for other human foods cats can eat in an emergency

[CheeseCrackersAndChutney]

Dog food is less nutritious (for cats) than cat food I believe - not as high meat content. Might be ok for a one off

[cardibach]

It wasn’t fake news @IvySneezes There were shortages round here for a good week before it broke in the news.

[DanglingMod]

Those saying there are no petrol shortage aren't accurate at a local level are they? There's no petrol in my city and no diesel either. Caused by panic buying, yes, but still a fact. Some will be restocked tomorrow many won't.

I hope all the roads have pavements on that the school is expecting staff and students to walk 6/4 miles along. My route to work is not walkable as no footpaths. The safe detour is several miles longer.

[FOJN]

The army may be able provide drivers for fuel tankers. A fuel tanker driver needs to have a class 1 licence and additional qualifications to transport fuel because of the safety issues. I believe the government have been considering bringing them in for this purpose.

[bizboz]

The usual MN response of the problem not existing because individual posters haven't experienced it 🙄.

[GreatPotato]

Your school has put out a directive insisting staff need to walk six miles each way?

That's just so unlikely I wonder if there's a little exaggeration in this story?

We've suggested staff car share where possible this week.

[VanGoghsDog]

[quote TheReluctantPhoenix]@VanGoghsDog,

The army is there to help out in emergencies and have lots of qualified drivers. Who do you think refuels army vehicles?

We are in a bit of a pickle now with at least 50% of garages having no fuel left.

The army are like an insurance policy. We pay them to use in times of war and other emergencies. Time to make a claim.[/quote]
Don't be ridiculous.

[BatshitCrazyWoman]

I'm on the south east London/Kent border, and Next Door are listing all the petrol stations that have no fuel - most of them! I haven't got enough to drive around on the off chance I'll get some so I am walking or using trains. But yes, it's bad here if you need fuel.

[mpsw]

This. What are the army going to do?

They have large numbers ofqualifued HGVdrivers who are also qualified for hazardous loads, and many of whom are already experienced with fuel handling.

If the shortage of drivers really is a main cause, thus could have been solved days ago.

They also have their own tankers that could be used to augment the civvie fleet

[IvySneezes]

@cardibach

It wasn’t fake news *@IvySneezes* There were shortages round here for a good week before it broke in the news.

But not everywhere like the media made out. There were no shortages her in the weeks prior.

[waybill]

@VanGoghsDog

What have we got an army for?

Well, not to bring you a pint of milk, that's for sure.

And not to plug the gap in this chaotic government's shambles of a policy.

I think you could probably do with calming down just a tad.

Talking of milk... they could drive the milk tankers while the more expert milk tanker drivers are redeployed to drive fuel tankers. They could take the place of other HGV drivers with previous tanker driving experience so they can drive tankers instead.

They could manhandle the Insulate Britain numbskulls off the roads and free up the police for more important matters, like solving murders.

They could stand outside petrol stations and turn away anyone who still has more than half a tank of fuel.

[User5827372728]

Huh? My whole school in; apart from the 40’with covid! No issues with traffic and supermarkets fine!

[LowlandLucky]

You do realise that very few Army personnel can drive tankers