To be fed up of hearing 'just get on with it'?

[glitterpaperchain]

This kind of 'just get on with it' RE the heat is all over Facebook. People talking about the heat in 1976 and saying 'we just got on with it' or 'we muddled through' (as if people didn't die as a result of that heatwave)

My issue is - shouldn't we as a society be aiming higher than just getting on with things and muddling through? We should be campaigning for better infrastructure, better working practices.

I just think we have all this technology, we're supposed to be a rich country, let's fight to make things better rather than just managing. What happened to the spirit of the first union workers who demanded better conditions and rights? I want to see that spirit back.

Think I must have blanked out 2022 as I don't remember it at all!

We aren't a rich country. The country is on its knees and giving handouts to illegal immigrants etc. Don't even get me started.

The unions are all too busy trying to destroy womens rights, to care about workers rights anymore

You're so close to getting it

This is another example, though I didn't bring it up as I didn't want to derail and just have a thread with people arguing about schools. But yes, when people say about primary aged children in particular 'they'll manage' - shouldn't we have higher expectations than our children just managing?

I find it depressing, people are so disillusioned they've lost the will to fight for better or forgotten that's an option.

It’s only cheap compared to what it used to be. It doesn’t mean everybody who’s too hot can afford to buy and run it. You know, cost of living crisis etc

This is it 100%. I have a family member who used to work with NEETs and help them get into work or training. That project doesn't exist anymore, funding cut, so my family member and all of their colleagues have stopped that work. And now we have a youth unemployment crisis. But the ones at the top are even richer. And somehow they've convinced us that the poor are the problem...

The OP clearly isn't referring to her own needs. There IS such a thing as society.

It was this hot 4 years ago.
Of the top ten hottest recorded temperatures, 6 are in the last six years.
Dolt.

Oh don't worry, I do not want to get you started

Ive just bought cold food like quiche and salad. I have other food but it is too hot to cook in my first floor flat Cant exactly open the back door to let some of the heat out 🙄

Lots of "they will manage" from parents

Yet us who have chosen to remain child free are told that WE are the ones who hate kids!

I think it is you who is struggling to make it clear what point you are making. Not the 2 PP you have quoted now asking what do you want the government to do.

Your original post you said we are a rich country and government should improve infrastructure. Your post before this 1 you said the government don't have the money to extend air-conditioning to every school class.

It is only in this post you said about setting maximum working temperatures. Which does seem the only reasonable suggestion given the billions it would cost to adapt every building to be able to keep temperatures cool for the very few days that would be needed each year.

The money is not there for that. As much as I'm not a fan of the current government, they do provide funding to someway contribute towards global warming, but they can't fund every building being adapted for every situation.

I agree in principle with a maximum heat for working conditions. However problems with that are emergency services still expected to work. Chefs would pretty much never have a day in work. I was in that role for many years, a heat rash halfway through shift was common (even in winter) with temperatures rising to 45 degrees in the kitchen some days. Can imagine there would be many complaints if max temperatures were insisted upon around no emergency services, no care home staff, food barely being served at restaurants, no pubs open to enjoy the beer garden weather, nothing open in tourist resorts, no shops open to collect the BBQ food or drinks for the garden. Then you have got those working in hot manufacturing conditions which is the main reason this impossible be rolled out.

Whenever people look at situations like this, they only think of their own experiences or the most common to them. You can't have 1 rule for most but for the things you enjoy or need, those workers have to crack on

This weather is for a few days. If you don't like it or can't cope (not denying many cant) then phone in sick if you must, invest in your own air-con unit, keep the curtains slightly closed and it will all be over in a few days

I remember the heatwave of 1976 very well’. It went on for months, but I don’t remember it being the constantly searing heat and humidity we’ve experienced lately. I think posting ‘just get on with it’ via SM is the definition of stupidity when there are red and amber heat warnings everywhere.

Glad about that because I think we’re one step away from posters turning this into yet another benefit bashing thread.

Heat like this isn’t a “minor inconvenience”. It kills people.

TBH, I can’t see human beings getting on top of climate change now. It’s very nearly too late anyway - plus we’re fundamentally selfish and we’re too used to convenience.

I think what will happen is that these 40+ degree temperatures will become more normal over the next decade or two. More people will die. Food prices will continue to increase. Only when these things inconvenience us personally do people tend to take action (even if that action is just to vote differently).

As for the government’s role - yes, some of it is down to them. We’re going to need air con in public buildings and in schools and hospitals at some point. Yes, those will be paid for by local authorities and health trusts, but it’s still money from tax.

Food bank use will increase as prices go up, and so will use of warm banks in winter. I can foresee a time when these need to be subsidised by the government to prevent high numbers of deaths.

I imagine things that we see as ‘essential’ now, like short haul flights and more than one car per household will be very heavily
taxed because of the environmental impact.

Some of it will be down to the individual of course - rich people will be able to afford houses with air con, electric cars, foreign holidays. The rest of us won’t, just as we can’t now.

Yes it has. It was 42 degrees in July 2022. This week is a "mere" 36.

I agree and I don't. My daughters school announced today they are closing tomorrow. I now have to take an unpaid day off work. I am a Nurse in the private sector. Because I am now not going to work, the unit I work in will be short staffed meaning patient care will be affected. I would have been along with my colleagues, working in a uniform so thick it could stand up on its own. Would I have been hot? Yes!!! Do we get in with it? YES!!!!! So it annoys me that schools can't and as a result, our family have a reduced income next month whilst patients I care deeply for are suffering. So should we find a way to function, yes!! Is it hard, Yes!!! But I agree better contingencys beed to be put in place so this level of disruption in heat doesn't happen again. As some families are already stretched to the max financially and the school closures (teachers still being paid might I add) do not help

There is a maximum legal working temperature in Spain. They manage to keep chefs and care staff working.

Your post is exactly an example of what I'm talking about....'oh it's hard/awkward so let's not bother trying to improve things'

I think the poster was speaking generally, as in circa 50 years. I remember 1976, the heatwave was prolonged but it wasn’t nearly as hot as it’s been recently. I think that was the point.

Yes, and immigrants

I do find that we’ve hit a place where a lot of previous generations who suffered seem to now want the next generation to suffer

Can you expand on this please?

And yet the met office is advising that today’s temperatures of 36.5 - in Surrey I believe - broke the record held since 1976.

That happened last night <snort>

I am from a hot country. It’s actually getting hotter there too and they just get on with it I suppose. I am in the UK and because I don’t know any better, I am getting on with it too! The grow egg in my child’s room is saying 31! Husband is away and he didn’t turn the aga down! I think it can go lower. Although it’s breezy in the house, I am running between floors trying to keep said baby and my senior (stubborn) black Labrador cool! Did other practical things this week like put the gazebo out at the side of the house through the garage. Not the best view but very cool for doggy pool and baby to play. Took doggy and baby for a walk at 5.40am before the sun was up! Sorted out food earlier in the week so had watermelon, salad stuff etc on hand so no need to drive anywhere. Thursdays are baby’s only free days so it was just a coincidence we didn’t have to get in the car! I also work - full time but from home so appreciate I had more time to prepare/get on with it!
i really just wanted to say if you feel that strongly take on the challenge to do something about it - that’s how change happens. When you care enough - we will all back you, OP. You already have the makings of a politician! Taking about change yet not wanting to tackle it!