University life for freshers (2019/20) - we're hopping towards Easter with a pandemic to avoid **Title edited by MNHQ**

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

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I grew up on Air Force bases with level of threat of nuclear attack displayed each time you drove on base and regular exercises in case of missile strike. But that was a theoretical rather than an actual risk - it was scary but not imminent in the way this is.

Our local supermarket has stopped click-and-collect shopping for a few days because a) they can't actually get their carts round the supermarket past all the shoppers and b) so many items have to be substituted that it's just not worth doing.

@bigTillyMint
Dd said there were several c

Sorry, cases of mumps at Durham that she knew of.
I would check with your GP.

Kitty Your recipe of hot drinks, booze Netflix and puzzles gave me a lovely warm glowey feeling. have also been reflecting on the fact that our generation has experienced little hardship which makes this current scenario so difficult to deal with.

@Jano69: glad to help. Chocolate and hot water bottles helping at the moment too!

I don't think the ridiculous greed of a too large number of people was factored into the contingency plans. The supermarkets are saying that they have enough but not if people are stockpiling. Why on earth would anyone buy so many loo rolls?

I may need to stock up on chocolate and wine, on the other hand...

Kitty you sound like a fabulous host! Sorry you've been feeling unwell and hope you're past the worst of it.

It's all kicking off on our local Facebook page. The local (not very large) Tesco has been mayhem with customers abusing the staff, making them cry. One girl wouldn't go to work today because of it.

I nipped into the Co-p to get some milk, and it was an oasis of calm with fully stocked shelves, except for Paracetamol and hand gel.

@piggywaspushed I've also bought some puzzles and some paint so that I can crack on with a DIY project.
I feel lucky that we have a number of local farm shops nearby, the stories coming out of our local Tescos are unbelievable and I intend to stay well
Away!
DD has arrived home from uni (UEA) where a flat in her halls was in isolation. All lectures for next week have moved online and their field trip to Devon has been cancelled. It will be interesting to see what they decide to do for next term but for now I won't be paying the next accommodation instalment until the picture is more clear.

Is it May that the next instalment is due?

minesawine NTU have a statement on their website, doesn't say much but it does say they are keeping students informed via their portal (not visible to the public). I think things will move quickly this week. I'm really hoping they'll at least cancel the open days next weekend as DD is a Student Ambassador and is supposed to be showing people around.

It's all so unsettling.

The next Durham DIrect Debit is due to be taken on the 11th May. I'm thinking about cancelling and making a manual payment nearer the time.

Interesting to hear others are thinking of waiting and seeing about accommodation payments. DS is adamant we shouldn’t pay, and says mates who’s fathers/mothers are lawyers have said not to,

We went to B&Q to buy paint yesterday

Fancying a jigsaw now. I'm going to see if there are any in our local charity shop.

Uea next payment is due on 17 April, before the next term starts.

Hmmm, I don't think anyone should be paying next term's rent until there is a clear steer as to whether they're going back to 'live' learning or doing it virtually (which is what I suspect will happen given that the peak won't happen until end of May/June) for the rest of this academic year.

When I was in Waterstones yesterday, I noticed lots of games on sale but didn't see a great uptake. It will come though.

DS phoned last night said he would come home for the day on mothers day, two train journeys. So sweet of him. We said absolutely not he will be home on 4th April. I really do not want him on trains now.

Am watching the rental advice with interest we are due to pay in April as well.

I wouldn't have thought normal contract rules would apply if it's the universities making the decision to close to live learning to promote social distancing/self-isolation practices.

You are wise to advise your DS not to be travelling more than is necessary @justasking111.

Our Spring Term payment is due April 1st - the college say they are focusing on getting students through exams and home first, but they are also discussing whether we should have to pay room and board.

I don't actually mind paying for her room, given that she's leaving a lot of stuff there, but I do mind paying for her meal plan of 21 meals a week.

@HoldMyLobster given the option Id happily help her move her things out and not pay if there is to be no further teaching this year. DD is self catered but Surely they'd be hard pushed to charge you for a meal plan

When Dd came home last Friday the trains were packed. Apparently they are very empty at the moment. Maybe worth coming back when there is a lull?

Gosh I have missed loads! I went to collect DD1 from Cambridge as her term finished this week. I made really good time and was there surprisingly quickly. As her stuff didn't take up much space, I rang DD2 in Leicester. All her remaining labs & lectures have been cancelled or put online. I asked her how long it would take for her to pack and she reckoned 2 hours, so DD1 and I headed that way. By 1.30pm, DD2's stuff was also loaded and so we all came home. 8 hours of driving and 500 miles covered - good job I don't have an electric car or I'd probably still be out there

Having heard the news on Friday and yesterday, I wanted to bring my dad here. He's 85 but fit and healthy. He has the converted barn next to our house as a holiday home and would have come sooner had Flybe not collapsed. So this morning I went on another epic road trip to collect him and bring him to Devon. We live in a tiny hamlet and have a big garden with a summerhouse that he likes sitting out in. The DDs and I can shop/cook for him, so we thought he'd be better off here. He had thoughtfully stocked up on vodka so there are now 6 litres next door! I'm just hoping it was the right decision - he seems very happy but I think he's planning on staying a couple of weeks maximum. I am now shattered from driving 1000 miles over the last 3 days and am back teaching tomorrow. Thank goodness it's just recording kids' work and nothing too mentally draining. I really hope school shuts this week so I can re-charge.