Prepping for Pandemic... 14

[FuckThisWind]

OK folks, we have been prepping for a Pandemic for 13 threads now. And a Pandemic we now have.

I think we all know this has gone beyond prepping now. And most of us agree that the UK Government has not really stepped up to the mark. We have had shared advice here from our Italian residents and those in other countries who have taken much more stringent measures.

So this thread continues to be about us being prepared. But it is more than that. It is about support, sharing of information and advice. It is now a community. A community who acknowledged a long time ago that this was always 'Not Just The Flu'

I thank you one and all for being here. We have tough times ahead. But we are all still here. Please share, rant, whatever. The great thing about these threads is that they have always been supportive and non judgemental. I like to think it's a safe space for all of us who are concerned. And trying to do our best. For ourselves. For our loved ones. And for our community and beyond.

[itsnotjustflu]

Sorry I should have added that I'm just including EU/European countries and Italy I've excluded as well that's sadly obvious

[MoonlightMistletoe]

People are irritating me so much and it's hard to ignore it.

-Already heard people saying "nobody can tell me what to do" (lockdowns)

-Do people realise that getting sick is nothing compared to the Economy crashing?

So what is going to happen if our country runs out of money, will we all be poor or what?

[Michaelbaubles]

Well Belgium are shutting schools too from tomorrow!

[Sprayitall]

@peachgreen yes that’s what I wanted to convey.. even I am bad at numbers but what we all need is that tiny dose of optimism - if this gives a struggling person a little comfort I will sleep a little better x

@itsnotjustfllu - I did- I have ignored the bullshit and keeping her home (she isn’t well) . I don’t want to send her next week either - Me and dh want to put family’s health and dd’s mental health before all this. It’s with her best interest at heart. Come what may we have decided we will face it Xx

[peachgreen]

@beargryllshasabigrope I would 100% get them done. I'd be far more worried about her developing a childhood illness and not being able to access medical care than I would about the potential temporary impact on her immune system making her more susseptible to coronavirus.

[itsnotjustflu]

Not according to this - they're taking a Boris stance www.brusselstimes.com/all-news/belgium-all-news/100056/closing-all-schools-is-out-of-the-question-says-flemish-education-minister/

[FazakAli]

Boris wants us to catch covid-19 in order to build our immunity, that's the reason why he's not issued lock down orders. He's following herd immunity theory Also for a government that's hammered its population with austerity, universal credit & general cuts, Covid-19 is a useful tool. The people who will suffer the most will be the most vulnerable & the ones who cost the government the most. So BoJo & his cronies probably think this is a perfect time to trim the welfare & social care expenditure.

[Sprayitall]

I find Austria’s measure appealing - teaching suspended but schools will be open for kids whose parents need to work

[aliasname]

veneto thanks for answering my questions, and for all your updates from Italy. I hope you're doing okay over there.

Can I ask what things you are struggling with at the moment? Is there anything obvious that we haven't thought of which the supermarkets run out of quickly?

[Sprayitall]

This made me smile - May be I am the first kind but I am happy I haven’t gone out of mind 😅

[Sprayitall]

Attaching again

[Michaelbaubles]

Belgium closes school, bars and restaurants: www.politico.eu/article/belgium-closes-schools-bars-and-restaurants/

[Michaelbaubles]

I saw on Twitter Estonia has closed schools from Monday too.

[Moodykat]

According to BBC Portugal are closing schools as well.

[misscockerspaniel]

SwimBikeRunMummy Like SideOrderOfChips, I am in Jersey - our "government" is telling people to continue as normal including going on holiday From what I have seen, the cargo boats are full of containers with stock for the supermarkets. Hope it doesn't get windy again and stop the boats from sailing.

ofwarren thank you for the kitten photos, it is what we all need.

Virtual hugs to everyone, posters and lurkers alike.

[SeaToSki]

So I was going to name change to post this, but I have had a glass of wine, and just fuck it

I strongly believe that you should be able to do what is right for you and your family and not be told what to do by the government (aside from sensible things like to not kill people etc)

If you want to keep your dc off school but you are worried about fines, their school places etc

Call in and say you have been told to isolate by the GP. No one can access your health records to disprove you, and that gives you 14 days of wiggle room, by which time the school may have been closed anyway.

Unintended consequences - the school may get worried and close for cleaning (probably a good thing for the dc still there) or for a while (I think most of us believe that more social isolation is a good thing even if it is very hard for some people who will struggle for income)

But you shouldnt lose your school place and they shouldnt fine you.

But for full disclosure, I live in the USA and my kids are privately schooled.

[QueSera]

The province of Ontario in Canada has a standard week off next week (similar to a half-term) but has now declared an extra two weeks of no school after that, taking them to early April.

[Whatthefoxgoingon]

I will pull my kids out of school when I decide it is time. Not following government advice (they’re in private school too)

[wheresmymojo]

I don't have DC but if I did I would also agree with this I will pull my kids out of school when I decide it is time

[Neome]

It’s so nice to read and catch up with this thread. I feel very sad about what is passing away but also hopeful and determined to make the best of things and find silver linings.

Could anyone remind me what the right daily dose of zinc is? I’ve got a rather weird one from local health food store I want to use until my online order turns up.

[QueSera]

I should add, that the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, is in self-isolation as his wife is being tested for coronavirus after coming down with symptoms following a trip to the UK!

Also, the leader of another party (NDP) and several MPs from the Liberal party (including Natural Resource Minister and International Trade Minister) are also in self-isolation.

And the province of Alberta has just banned large gatherings.

[tryingtoprep]

Just checking in. Thank you @FuckThisWind for the new thread and such a beautiful OP. This little community has been invaluable.

I'm another one numb after today's non developments. Poor DP had me ranting on and on about BJ earlier. It's the helplessness that makes me so stressed. I've done all that I can but the government isn't doing all that it can. It's very hard to have to sit and watch as other countries take action whilst ours does sod all.

Thank you for the kittens. We definitely need lots of stress busting cute animal pics. I've started taking ashwaganda for stress. Whether it works or not I don't yet know but I thought it's worth a try.

[Whatthefoxgoingon]

Boris claims he is following scientific advice regarding not closing schools now.

Well, other governments have taken their own scientific advice and have shut schools with fewer cases than us.

What evidence is there that Boris is right and other countries’ leaders are wrong?

[Whatthefoxgoingon]

Oooh now I’m distracted by @ofwarren and her lovely kitten. Sweet!

[Moodykat]

Someone on another thread asked if we (UK) were part of some experiment... as we hear of more and more countries closing schools etc I am thinking perhaps we are...