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Original poster

To think the government should just lockdown and bring furlough back...

136 replies

Riskyrice · 16/12/2021 12:50

.... As right now we might as well be in lockdown? Its like a lockdown by stealth-scaring the shit out of people so they stay at home, but not offering any support to businesses impacted.

I work in retail and this morning I have had 1 customer. This would usually be a busy week with people christmas shopping. It is also usually busy between Xmas and new year, but I imagine it will be tumbleweed. So many pubs are going to be in trouble because everyone has cancelled Xmas party bookings.

The government should just close shops and hospitality now and bring back furlough instead of this ridiculous middle ground.

OP posts:
MorningStarling · 16/12/2021 13:15

I agree that there should be another lockdown but disagree about bringing back furlough. I think we just need to let businesses fail, a good business will have a backup plan to cope with a few more months of no income. Businesses that are surviving hand to mouth can be afforded to let go under. Their better prepared competitors will take over their customer base, and when the pandemic is over there will be an opportunity for new companies to fill any gap in the market.

It's unfortunate for the staff who will be let go of course but there are always casualties. The money spent on furlough is either borrowed or diverted from elsewhere. In either case it means other services will suffer and the people who rely on those services will suffer.

No furlough harms the staff of a failed business but furlough harms society more widely.

ChangeChingyChange · 16/12/2021 13:16

@xxxGirlCrushxxx

can we afford more furlough?
Nope!! Which is why lockdown by stealth and business bearing the brunt of it financially is better for the government.
lazylinguist · 16/12/2021 13:16

YABU. Discouraging Christmas parties and encouraging people to take sensible precautions is a good thing. Another lockdown? No. Not unless Omicron turns out to be more deadly than it currently appears. Life has to go on. As much as I feel for people working in hospitality, it doesn't make sense to lock everything and everyone down again just because business in certain sectors are struggling.

ChangeChingyChange · 16/12/2021 13:17

@MorningStarling

I agree that there should be another lockdown but disagree about bringing back furlough. I think we just need to let businesses fail, a good business will have a backup plan to cope with a few more months of no income. Businesses that are surviving hand to mouth can be afforded to let go under. Their better prepared competitors will take over their customer base, and when the pandemic is over there will be an opportunity for new companies to fill any gap in the market.

It's unfortunate for the staff who will be let go of course but there are always casualties. The money spent on furlough is either borrowed or diverted from elsewhere. In either case it means other services will suffer and the people who rely on those services will suffer.

No furlough harms the staff of a failed business but furlough harms society more widely.

Wow so you're happy for people to suddenly lose income and businesses to close with no support? Do you understand those people will then end up on benefits anyway which comes from the public purse too. You sound exceptionally rich and entitled and not connected to the real world at all.
Getyourarseofffthequattro · 16/12/2021 13:20

@MorningStarling

I agree that there should be another lockdown but disagree about bringing back furlough. I think we just need to let businesses fail, a good business will have a backup plan to cope with a few more months of no income. Businesses that are surviving hand to mouth can be afforded to let go under. Their better prepared competitors will take over their customer base, and when the pandemic is over there will be an opportunity for new companies to fill any gap in the market.

It's unfortunate for the staff who will be let go of course but there are always casualties. The money spent on furlough is either borrowed or diverted from elsewhere. In either case it means other services will suffer and the people who rely on those services will suffer.

No furlough harms the staff of a failed business but furlough harms society more widely.

Jesus Christ. And a merry fucking Christmas.

Presumably you work for the public sector then ?

percythewitch · 16/12/2021 13:20

Well you didn't HAVE to click on this thread. Jesus christ

And you didn't HAVE to post this in AIBU instead of in the dedicated Coronavirus topic. Jesus Christ.

DismantledKing · 16/12/2021 13:21

@percythewitch

Well you didn't HAVE to click on this thread. Jesus christ

And you didn't HAVE to post this in AIBU instead of in the dedicated Coronavirus topic. Jesus Christ.

Yep 👆
icedcoffees · 16/12/2021 13:23

Absolutely fucking not.

RogueV · 16/12/2021 13:25

What so you can go home and sit on your arse?

Righto

MrsFin · 16/12/2021 13:26

And what about people below the poverty line who work in hospitality who will be out of a job when businesses fold?

Throughout the country, there are loads of job opportunities.

Getyourarseofffthequattro · 16/12/2021 13:27

@MrsFin

And what about people below the poverty line who work in hospitality who will be out of a job when businesses fold?

Throughout the country, there are loads of job opportunities.

How are they going to go to work when their kids aren't allowed to go to school?
Original poster
Riskyrice · 16/12/2021 13:29

@MorningStarling

I agree that there should be another lockdown but disagree about bringing back furlough. I think we just need to let businesses fail, a good business will have a backup plan to cope with a few more months of no income. Businesses that are surviving hand to mouth can be afforded to let go under. Their better prepared competitors will take over their customer base, and when the pandemic is over there will be an opportunity for new companies to fill any gap in the market.

It's unfortunate for the staff who will be let go of course but there are always casualties. The money spent on furlough is either borrowed or diverted from elsewhere. In either case it means other services will suffer and the people who rely on those services will suffer.

No furlough harms the staff of a failed business but furlough harms society more widely.

If I am let go because my employer fails, you do know I will be on universal credit unless I can immediately find a new job, and that universal credit will amount to more than what I would get if furloughed?
OP posts:
ToodlePipPop · 16/12/2021 13:30

I have to say I've really not noticed anyone panicking. I went out at the weekend into the city centre nearest me (Manchester) and it was heaving in all the bars and pubs.

Everyone I know thinks this is all a big overreaction and have no intention of going back into a lockdown whether the Govt order one or not.

MrsFin · 16/12/2021 13:30

I doubt schools will close again. But if they do they would remain open for people who need the "childcare", just like last time.

Getyourarseofffthequattro · 16/12/2021 13:32

@MrsFin

I doubt schools will close again. But if they do they would remain open for people who need the "childcare", just like last time.
It's not for people who need it, is it? You cant just elect to send your child because you have to work. If your work remains open but you're not a keyworker, you're fucked.
sparepantsandtoothbrush · 16/12/2021 13:33

Hahaha come on OP. You just fancy more time being paid to sit on your arse at home over Christmas don't you

LittleRoundRobin · 16/12/2021 13:33

YABU. NO more lockdowns.

Lockheart · 16/12/2021 13:35

Pubs and restaurants in London are empty. Or at least, all the many many ones I walk past daily are. They have been very quiet since Monday. I have seen a few simply stop opening, through lack of trade or staff off isolating / sick I don't know.

If there is nothing put in place there will be slot of businesses folding and people left unemployed this Christmas.

Lockheart · 16/12/2021 13:36

@sparepantsandtoothbrush

Hahaha come on OP. You just fancy more time being paid to sit on your arse at home over Christmas don't you
I suspect OP fancies staying in a job and not being sacked at Christmas.
LittleRoundRobin · 16/12/2021 13:36

@MorningStarling

I agree that there should be another lockdown but disagree about bringing back furlough. I think we just need to let businesses fail, a good business will have a backup plan to cope with a few more months of no income. Businesses that are surviving hand to mouth can be afforded to let go under. Their better prepared competitors will take over their customer base, and when the pandemic is over there will be an opportunity for new companies to fill any gap in the market.

It's unfortunate for the staff who will be let go of course but there are always casualties. The money spent on furlough is either borrowed or diverted from elsewhere. In either case it means other services will suffer and the people who rely on those services will suffer.

No furlough harms the staff of a failed business but furlough harms society more widely.

Is this a joke post? You cannae be serious?! Shock
anon12345678901 · 16/12/2021 13:38

@MrsFin

I doubt schools will close again. But if they do they would remain open for people who need the "childcare", just like last time.
Did you pay any attention to the last furlough? Not anyone who needed them could send their kids, only select workers.
MarbleQueen · 16/12/2021 13:41

Ridiculous overreaction.

FreedomFaith · 16/12/2021 13:41

Can't afford it unfortunately. As much as it sucks, businesses will fail and people will be made unemployed.

It's going to be worse than that next year though. We may be in a recession next year if things go downhill as badly as they might, especially in Scotland. So even if businesses don't go under from Christmas, they probably will next year.

I hope those who bought bigger houses during covid calculated what they could afford if things like council tax etc increased. I doubt many did.

Malteser71 · 16/12/2021 13:42

I’m
Sitting in John Lewis cafe. It’s heaving!

Original poster
Riskyrice · 16/12/2021 13:42

@sparepantsandtoothbrush

Hahaha come on OP. You just fancy more time being paid to sit on your arse at home over Christmas don't you
No I want to not be made unemployed at Christmas. What an unpleasant comment.
OP posts: