O/T. The Government's handling of Covid

[Andy_Faber]

A quiet part, yes. We are in a part of a resort that, whilst always quiet has never been THIS quiet. We see maybe two people passing per day, I've seen no-one today. We've been super careful, seen no-one for 22 hours of each day, then only really been close to anyone for 90 mins in a restaurant every other day and maybe 15 mins a day in the shops, and we mask up all the time apart from when eating. Shopkeepers/restaurant/bar staff have been very mask-compliant, and there aren't enough folk here to cause crowding on the beaches. It's totally down to your own standards, there's no reason why you can't walk away from situations, which we (led by paranoid Mrs F) have.

[ramAnag]

Thanks...there’s also the issue of getting there too, but what you have described doesn’t sound that dissimilar from our current UK lifestyle...just with better weather.

The worrying thing is that from what you in Spain and MA in Holland have suggested it’s all kicking off again and we in the UK might just, inevitably, be four or five weeks behind again as we were earlier in the year. Strange that Italy still remains the exception. Thoughts?

P.S. Haven’t asked him GP. Don’t think it’s his area of expertise...but should I ever need any guidance with my maritime insurance I’ll know where to come.

[Andy_Faber]

Thanks...there’s also the issue of getting there too, but what you have described doesn’t sound that dissimilar from our current UK lifestyle...just with better weather.

The worrying thing is that from what you in Spain and MA in Holland have suggested it’s all kicking off again and we in the UK might just, inevitably, be four or five weeks behind again as we were earlier in the year. Strange that Italy still remains the exception. Thoughts?

P.S. Haven’t asked him GP. Don’t think it’s his area of expertise...but should I ever need any guidance with my maritime insurance I’ll know where to come.

yes the journey is tricky. We were planning to take a ferry to toulon, drive back through France in a day (I've done it before, actually Barca to home) with a van full of furniture and a big wad of cash but unfortunately our buyer, after shaking hands on a deal last friday, has refused to take our calls and blocked us from messaging apps, so we assume he has changed his mind without having the courtesy to tell us - so we are flying home. NB he was also a Covid denier, proudly refusing to wear a mask, and believes the whole thing is an invention to persuade the world's population to be microchipped.

[ramAnag]

yes the journey is tricky. We were planning to take a ferry to toulon, drive back through France in a day (I've done it before, actually Barca to home) with a van full of furniture and a big wad of cash but unfortunately our buyer, after shaking hands on a deal last friday, has refused to take our calls and blocked us from messaging apps, so we assume he has changed his mind without having the courtesy to tell us - so we are flying home. NB he was also a Covid denier, proudly refusing to wear a mask, and believes the whole thing is an invention to persuade the world's population to be microchipped.

Sorry to hear that. Must be deeply frustrating and upsetting. He sounds like a total d**k but that won’t help.

I’ve driven home from the Spanish/French border in one go before, but it was 16 years ago. Was thinking two carefully chosen hotels, one in central France and one in northern (non Catalan) Spain. They’re booked, but that was before the situation changed. Might come down to a last minute decision. Very annoying but it’s only a holiday.

[Andy_Faber]

Sorry to hear that. Must be deeply frustrating and upsetting. He sounds like a total d**k but that won’t help.

I’ve driven home from the Spanish/French border in one go before, but it was 16 years ago. Was thinking two carefully chosen hotels, one in central France and one in northern (non Catalan) Spain. They’re booked, but that was before the situation changed. Might come down to a last minute decision. Very annoying but it’s only a holiday.

I always use the Formule 1 in Orleans on the way down but that defines the opposite of ‘carefully chosen’

[ramAnag]

I always use the Formule 1 in Orleans on the way down but that defines the opposite of ‘carefully chosen’

Exactly...tbh I’d always avoid them. Europe’s ‘Super 8’ and you know what Jason Isbell says about them!

Tbh I can’t see us going, not after today’s figures and Merkel announcing provision to extend the German Furlough scheme to 24 months. Everything can still be cancelled. We’ll see but I’m not hopeful.

[swaledale]

Thanks...there’s also the issue of getting there too, but what you have described doesn’t sound that dissimilar from our current UK lifestyle...just with better weather.

The worrying thing is that from what you in Spain and MA in Holland have suggested it’s all kicking off again and we in the UK might just, inevitably, be four or five weeks behind again as we were earlier in the year. Strange that Italy still remains the exception. Thoughts?

P.S. Haven’t asked him GP. Don’t think it’s his area of expertise...but should I ever need any guidance with my maritime insurance I’ll know where to come.

rA there is no evidence to say its all kicking off again, other than overhyped media reports. The infection rates now being recorded are due to more extensive testing over more of the population, its suspected that these ahve always been there, but never identified as previously testing was confined to those in hospital, care homes or those who reported symptoms. Excess death rates (that is deaths over and above normal) have declined to virtually normal levels in virtually all countries, hospital admissions are declining. All of which points to the disease circulating but having very little impact. Now if death rates climb and hospital admissions rise then you can worry.

As for masks, well yes wear one by all means but its clear they are only window dressing by governments to make people feel safe, the science says they have very little effect, but Governments ahve to do something to make people feel safe and get them back out on the streets. And yes I do wear one, but have no illusions that it protects me or anyone else, keep washing your hands and avoid close contact in excess of 15 mins with people and you will be fine.

[MadAmster]

rA there is no evidence to say its all kicking off again, other than overhyped media reports. The infection rates now being recorded are due to more extensive testing over more of the population, its suspected that these ahve always been there, but never identified as previously testing was confined to those in hospital, care homes or those who reported symptoms. Excess death rates (that is deaths over and above normal) have declined to virtually normal levels in virtually all countries, hospital admissions are declining. All of which points to the disease circulating but having very little impact. Now if death rates climb and hospital admissions rise then you can worry.

As for masks, well yes wear one by all means but its clear they are only window dressing by governments to make people feel safe, the science says they have very little effect, but Governments ahve to do something to make people feel safe and get them back out on the streets. And yes I do wear one, but have no illusions that it protects me or anyone else, keep washing your hands and avoid close contact in excess of 15 mins with people and you will be fine.

Swale, The past two weeks have seen a decline in test numbers in the Netherlands. The number of positive tests has increased. The opposite of what you wrote. Positive tests per 100 tests has more than doubled.

With regard to your other point about following the rules, I agree. If everybody did so there would be a rapid improvement in the overall situation.

Summary of the Dutch rules

1.5m distance
frequent hand washing
avoid crowds
work from home if at all possible
stay home if you have symptoms (one person in the household with symptoms sees the entire household stays in)
Mask up on public transport

There are, I realise, those who will find those 6 little rules "an invasion of their privacy/freedom". To me it's merely common sense.

[Andy_Faber]

rA there is no evidence to say its all kicking off again, other than overhyped media reports. The infection rates now being recorded are due to more extensive testing over more of the population

In the case of Spain, where I've been commenting, wrong. Testing is pretty consistent at 1 test per thousand of the population per day (Aug 5, 1.01, Aug 18 1.15), yet the infection rate is going up like this /. In the locale where I am, the R rate is climbing daily on a consistent testing sample, currently 1.25. And the local media is pretty level-headed, much more considered that its UK equivalent

[ramAnag]

I agree that more extensive testing is likely to lead to the recording of correspondingly greater infection rates, but on this one I wholly agree with MA.
Ultimately the way out of this will be via a vaccine...in the meantime it’s a case of common sense and social responsibility.