I get locked down. Tiers go up again.

[Cismyfatarse]

New Fred.

The Scottish Govt guidance changed to 2 keyworkers ideally out of home - with a letter to providers which had an extra line about best interests. But they might have changed it again. I've given up checking!

Whilst lolloping tit made me smile I must object - both female tits and flying tits are more useful than Boris. Any metaphorical insult I attempt ends up seeming like an insult to the comparator!

I really wish the ice round here would clear so we could get out with the kids. Even the back garden is treacherous - we had snow last Wednesday and it's just frozen utterly solid.

WouldbeGood
Can he not even meet a pal in a nearby park? It really isn't healthy for kids not to see other kids.
My 10 yo is ok he gets out to play with pals round the corner. But my 4 yo really lacks seeing other kids, don't trust big brother with him and I need to fit my own job in so he's being neglected.

Its rotten kids who are further apart can't really invite a pal round for a play in the garden because of weather and the risk they'd need to come into the house while they are there if you know what I mean.

Thanks @NotAnActualSheep I suspect the fact I'm not working and could start immediately had something to do with it, whereas when I was working and desperately trying to leave, I couldn't find anything (had a 3 month notice period to give)

Hospital today for me. Hope I can get all clear to fecking drive again but I doubt it. Been feeling better for months. Masks in the hospital (can't lip read) and no one allowed with me. That will be fun.

@Iwillneverbesatisfied if you need to lipread then you should be allowed someone with you to interpret as the masks will obviously make it impossible for you.

Nope, last time my DM (DH was working - essential) came with me and wasn't allowed past reception. Said receptionist refused to remove her mask or even come anywhere near the desk so even my DM couldn't hear her well. Then i went into the consultation room where it was embarrassing comical miming. This whole pandemic mask situation is extremely stressful for me.

@Iwillneverbesatisfied that's awful, I can't imagine how horrible it must be.
Could you contact pals? 'Essential visitors' are allowed to accompany people and yours would be essential so it sounds like the hospital aren't following guidelines.
I had a hospital paediatrics appointment for baby ds last week and although the letter said only one parent with a child I saw quite a few people who had come en masse.

@WouldBeGood. My eight year old has definite signs of struggling with his mental health in this and the last lockdown. We try really hard to help him, keep him to a schedule (which he likes) make sure he’s out stomping through the woods every day, find ways for him to meet his friends for a walk/park when we can (live in middle of nowhere so he can’t just go out to play) play board games with him etc etc. He’s also got a brother who will play with him sometimes (when they aren’t fighting)
He is absolutely one of the lucky ones and he actually knows this and appreciates it but he’s still struggling. He has more meltdowns, tantrums, crying fits. He’s generally anxious and worried about random stuff. He hates online chats and learning. When he’s is school he’s a different child. I think he needs all the other kids, group learning, group play, teacher input. It’s sad ☹️.

He’s also had his speech therapy cut more and more and now just stopped altogether which is very crap!
At the same time I do understand why they aren’t opening schools, would be nice if there could be outside provisions opened up instead for them.
I just really worry if my son is struggling so much with lots of support and love, how on Earth are the more vulnerable kids getting on. I can hardly stand to think about it

@shouldistop I did contact pals and my MSP who raised the issue months ago and was told staff would be made aware, then it happened again. "health and safety" is a convenient excuse, even though both govts say you can remove your mask for a deaf person.

@Iwillneverbesatisfied that is absolutely rotten for you, so many people are being badly let down. I feel pretty angry on your behalf!!

Yes equality has gone backwards due to covid 19. Disabled people losing their independence, women struggling with childcare and losing their jobs if they can't come in, mental health problems on the increase, BAME more likely to die of the virus apparently.

Checking in

I've no idea how vulnerable kids are coping with all this. But I do know that the Xbox has been a lifeline for DS.
I bought it during the first lockdown. We'd tried him zooming pals but it just didn't really work. Wee boys just don't know how to make small talk. When on with girls they seem to talk a bit better and spend ages introducing each other to millions of soft toys .
But the Xbox has been a godsend. Play and chat even in the dark / cold nights its been a blessing. He asked for one Christmas '19 I put him off the idea, too young, new version due out, just got past his birthday then lockdown happened.

You know the world is truly mucked up when you're grateful that your DC is spending a lot of time on the X-box.

It's just so rubbish for them. DS 14 was actually moving away from gaming when he went back to school last term - too busy with sports training and playing football with his pals at the weekend .

But now the lifeline of the group of 6 teens has been taken away from him, he has no impetus to go out. It's fair enough restrictions are tougher now because of higher numbers, but now they've started going back down, I hope they change that one back again.
Even online schooling would work if he could just get some outdoor time with his pals.

Yip, it's a mucked up world but it's better than the tears of last year, crying at the least wee thing, pushing food around the plate not eating any of it, the head was down, white as a ghost, couldn't get him to venture outside, honestly it was depressing to watch. He'd lost all sense of fun. I just didn't know what to do with him.

I don't know how kids who are in areas without pals nearby are coping.

@goodname it’s so sad.

And @Lockdownbear yes, he does game and chat with pals online so that’s good.

It’s like a frozen ice dystopia here so the park is no fun, I can see that. And he’s not outdoorsy though enjoys knocking about with the kids when out at school

Thinking again about the long term non-Covid health implications of all this. I was on the website for my GP surgery yesterday looking for non-Covid info.

When you arrive on the homepage, there's a massive pop up box about covid. Click away from that and the banner at the top of the page is about Covid. Then a big thing about test and protect. You have to scroll down the page to get to the "welcome to X practice" bit. Then I had to actually go to the practice to pick up a prescription for DH. Hazard tape over the railings. Fluorescent paper signs stuck all over the door. DO NOT ENTER. Ring the buzzer, catch hypothermia standing in the cold waiting for someone to answer. Wait while they bring the prescription out, in a tray which they place on the floor and step back so you can then step forward and remove.

And they REALLY can't see why people are not contacting their GP? Their "body language" is very much stay the fuck away, it's dangerous in here, if it's not Covid don't contact us.

Worrying.

Also just saw a headline (haven't read the story) about a couple waiting for IVF. I wonder if that's another consequence as onvs people getting older and for some they might miss their last chance?

I can't fault the treatment DH has had but he presented initially to A&E and has had follow on treatment from that. DS still waiting (now 4 months) on his appointment with Ear, nose and throat. I'm concerned that his hearing might be deteriorating or it might be as a result of something more serious and I wouldn't have thought that would be an area where they might be stretched due to covid?

Waxon EN&T could be affected purely by social distancing. Not wanting people crowding in the waiting areas. And allowing a wee bit time between patients to wipe chairs down etc.

Purely my guess.

Agree @Lockdownbear but he managed to be seen by the GP, a hearing test in Boots (faster than waiting for NHS) and an initial follow up test with local service. All that happened in the space of a few weeks. Then he had a referral to see a consultant and now well outwith the 12 week period to be offered an appointment from that referral. It's not so much that he hasn't been seen, it's the fact he hasn't even been offered an appointment. Complete radio silence since the report from local service.

back from hospital. Nippy cow receptionist refused point blank to take mask off so I could lip read. Kept shouting at me to stand back and I'm like but I canny HEAR you, I need to stand closer to hear you unless you take the mask off! She rolled her eyes in annoyance which was very rude. I can't help being deaf! She was behind a screen anyway so 2 secs wouldn't have killed her I don't think (I had my mask on). Second receptionist on the way out much nicer though.

I got an email from the Scottish government in response to a question about masks - still the position that any face mask will do but if you can't wear a mask you can wear a visor.

They need to tell that to the fucking shops / doctors / employers etc.

That sounds horrible iwill always lovely when someone rolls their eyes at you.

John swinney is doing the questions today didn’t she say yesterday she was doing it ?

She'll be busy explaining to Peter why and how he is going to carry the can so that the machine cogs can keep turning...

Do you think big announcement on school coming ?