JE

If it means getting the vaccine quicker, I will go any time, day or night.

I think that the current rules would be sufficient if the messages were clear, consistent and people were challenged for not following them. However that doesn’t seem to be the case and more people are just doing their own version of the rules. The number of times I have heard people who are doing their own thing say “ ........ but I am being sensible!”. Also in my experience it is not only the younger generation who are not complying and it is often the older age group who are just as guilty particularly in ignoring social distancing, and continuing to have friends and relatives visit them in their homes.

It was a good idea when it started but I agree that it’s had it’s day.. If I was a key worker I don’t think that I would feel any satisfaction in having people clapping, much of which you would be completely unaware of anyway. The key workers need far more recognition than clapping.

Thanks Lionel. My turn for the grumpy head today I think!

I’m sorry I just don’t see how 2 minutes of ringing a bell will make anybody feel less lonely. It’s some sort of personal contact that is needed by whatever means is most appropriate to each individual.

We have been debating about what sort of meat to have this Christmas and agreed that we would prefer a turkey crown (fresh not frozen). However, it is proving difficult to find any that is small enough as those I have seen are to feed 8 to 10 people and there will only be 3 of us. I wouldn’t want to have a chicken as we have that most weeks and want to have something a bit different to our normal fare. If I can’t get a small turkey crown, a pork joint would be our second choice.

Have you got your grumpy head on Lionel? However I must say I agree with you. When I saw the topic, my thoughts were “with everything that’s going on in the world, who cares about a bit of glitter”.

I will be sending only to friends and family who live in other parts of the country and as I always enclose a short letter too, the postage costs don’t seem as high.

Yes Wilf, it’s a really tough time and more people are struggling to get by in this country and across the world. Rishi is between a rock and a hard place and whatever decision he makes will be criticised by some quarters. As for the foreign aid cut, it was stated that it is a temporary measure that will be reinstated when this country’s economy stabilises. As I understand it, this country has also ordered some COVID vaccines for poorer countries, so it’s not as if we are turning our back on them. For those who are disgruntled with this decision, there is always the option of them making personal donations to the various overseas charities. He does seem to have his head screwed on and definitely one of the few cabinet ministers that I feel confident with his judgement.

I agree Wilf. It’s all about ‘cutting our cloth’ and hard decisions have to be made.

The allowance is normally processed throughout November and December so some people will get theirs before others. I have not received a letter about mine but when I got my bank statement last week, it has been credited to my account on 18 November.

Sad to say, but I think you are right. In my experience, even the message ‘We are all in this together’ put out at the start of the pandemic doesn’t seem to have been applied by many people or organisations. A lot of people are only out for what they can do or get for themselves, without any thought for others.

There are more and more people ignoring the existing rules, so irrespective of what the government decide, people will still do their own thing over the Christmas period. From my point of view, irrespective of any relaxations that may be given, we have already decided not to have our usual family gatherings over Christmas and New Year and instead have opted for only individual households and bubbles to get together. There are a couple of vulnerable people in our family and we want to protect them and each other and we have agreed it’s a sacrifice that must be made.

Oops, sorry Dani. I meant to press the thumbs up and touched the wrong option by mistake. I agree with your comment.

Assuming it is cleared as completely safe, yes I will have the vaccine when offered. Although having seen the governments priority list, it could be a while before they get down to me.

I endorse everything that Smudgernan has said. I don’t underestimate how difficult it would be to say No but sometimes you just have to stand firm. It seems that he is being purely selfish in expecting you to just step in when things have gone wrong, without any thought for how it will impact on you. Has to be tough love I am afraid. Stay strong!

Assuming that the vaccine is safe, then everybody has a moral duty to have it and we should not be offering any incentive. If payment is offered, how many people, who would ordinarily agree to the vaccine, would simply hold back until payment is offered in return. Ludicrous suggestion to my mind.

I don’t think it will end its use but there will be much less in circulation. Although I use my card for most purchases I have also been paying for some things in cash, like buying things such as a newspaper only or paying the window cleaner. Also, if I am doing shopping for other people they usually give me cash so I use that to pay. I have been surprised at the number of people who are still paying cash in the supermarkets and shops.

I think it should be an option for those whose illness is terminal and are in unbearable pain. However, there does need to be a clear criteria and legal process laid down to ensure that the system is not open to abuse.

It seems to me that he wants the easy option and leaving you to do the hard work of choosing and buying.. All he has to do then is add his name (or even have you add it!). It would seem strange to me to receive a gift or card from 2 people who are known to be no longer together. Personally, I wouldn’t go along with it and would send cards and gifts as an individual and leave him to sort himself out.

I would like to be optimistic about our chances but realistically I just can not see we will be having our usual family gatherings over Christmas.

You can’t beat a nice cup of tea at any time of day.

If I am going out for a quick visit to such as the local shop then I wear a disposable mask. However like Wilf has said, I do admit to wearing it more than once. However, if I am required to wear a mask for a longer period then I use a reusable one, simply because they are not as stifling as the disposable ones, and I do wash that after each time of wearing.

Well said Lionel, I like a person who calls a spade a spade!

Yes, but lots of people and organisations are ‘behaving’ in areas where the numbers are rising too. Some of this is brought about by people travelling from the higher infected areas so spreading the virus around.. Perhaps the time has now come for a stricter nationwide approach and apply a circuit breaker and lockdown everybody and everything.

I am glad I am not the only one who is confused. My brain is becoming more fuddled and even Boris seems to have got mixed up with what’s going on regarding the restrictions in the north east - or as the media report ‘he has misspoke’. You are correct about different ideas and morals of individuals and it amazes me how different people can misinterpret the rules to the extent they have. (All to their advantage of course!). I have just had a conversation with a neighbour and she said that she is doing her own thing and being her version of ‘sensible‘ but lots of things she is doing are not within the government rules and regulations and are far from my definition of sensible. Anyway, stay safe and keep well.

Oops ! ......marshalls at the door controlling numbers allowed in, security staff patrolling and reminding people to keep their face covering on and their distance from others and all the staff were wearing masks.

Too many people ignoring even the basic rules and thinking only of themselves and doing exactly whatever they want to do without thought of others and the impact on communities. Surely anyone can grasp that we must wash our hands, wear a mask and have minimal contact with others. There needs to be more encouragement, and enforcement if necessary, of existing rules then perhaps more people will do the right thing. Interestingly, I have been to the supermarket this morning and they have reintroduced marshalls at the door c

I don’t know about anybody else but I am getting more confused as time goes on. Although I think the ‘rule of 6’ was meant to clarify things it has raised more questions. Why is there a difference between havIng contact with large numbers of strangers in schools, workplaces, bars and restaurants etc etc but only up to 6 people in your own home, garden or wherever. Also they are likely to be your friends and family who you know a bit more about. It seems that some areas with lockdown measures in place are not even allowed to mingle with anybody outside their own household but can still go to the pub etc. If there is some logic to all this, then perhaps it needs to be explained. As for reporting other people. Realistically, are the police even likely to take action against gatherings of more than 6, unless they are causing a disturbance, damage or physical harm. Therefore there seems little point in reporting them, even if you would want to.

Hello and welcome Misty 1st. I couldn’t agree more. I too like a laugh and try to find something positive even in the current difficult times.

I take your point, but many of these school age children are already out and about in the community now, often mixing with others including vulnerable family members. At least In schools they will be in “bubbles” and with certain Covid measures in place. Same applies to adults who are going out to work now and are also in contact with their more vulnerable family members. It’s not ideal I agree but as it looks like Covid will be with us for some time, we will have to learn to live with it and I believe it’s vital that children continue their education. If they do not go to school how will they get their education? It always has been the case that education is compulsory and parents could be fined for not sending their children to school.

Lots of the coffee shops and cafes taking part but surprisingly, not many of the local pubs and restaurants. Those that are involved are taking bookings only and it’s been difficult to get a date and time that’s convenient. Just managed to get in at a lovely Italian restaurant for 26 th and really looking forward to it.

There should be the option of online, telephone or personal appointments depending on the health issue and the Individuals personal circumstances and preference.

Hi Louise Life seems to have been hard for you recently and it’s not surprising that you need to vent. I hope that you are feeling better having got it off your chest. Perhaps now you need to take some time out to do something for YOU even it is only for a short time each day. Got your hair done, have a pampering session, go out for a coffee or meal, go to the gym, go for a walk or whatever it is that makes you feel good. Or how about doing something silly at work - like a silly walk as John Cleese used to do, or get a Tickling Stick like Ken Dodd used. I am sure the residents and staff would enjoy that too! Also make plans to do something in the future, like a holiday or short break, or what about a Spa weekend? I hope that you stay well and in the words or Sir Tom Moore “tomorrow will be a good day”.

I can understand why this is being considered but I don’t think it is the way forward. There are numerous people, of ALL ages, who have not been following the rules that have already been put in place and it would seem more in the way of enforcement is needed. We need to get tough and move away from the softly, softly approach which clearly hasn’t worked. There will always be people who will push the boundaries and if not penalised, push that bit further. Also there seems to be issues around how information is disseminated and there is some confusion about what the rules actually are at the present time. Not everybody reads the news or has access to the internet and in some cases there are language and cultural issues. In this area there has been no information at all from local councils and perhaps there is a role them here.

I think it should be a personal decision and not forced on anybody.. Once the vaccine has gone through all the testing phases and shown to be effective in combatting the disease, it is probably the best protection we are going to get and I will be opting to have the vaccine.

Several years ago I had a really bad dose of flu and didn’t know what had hit me. Anyone who has had ‘proper’ flu will know how bad it really is. Since then I have always had the flu jab and will continue to do so.

There are so many people out there who disregard social distancing rules, Ignore the markings outside shops and directional signs to keep to the left in shopping centres etc and numerous people are not wearing masks even on public transport. They are not challenged and there are no consequences for non compliance so more people follow their lead and are doing their own thing and just carrying on as they did before the pandemic started. If it becomes compulsory to wear face coverings in shops, then first all staff need to wear them, not just the odd few, and they need to enforce the policy otherwise it becomes another token gesture.

I really don’t know what to say other than the country has gone mad! I think there are several factors contributing to the current situation including cabin fever from lockdown, hot weather, closure of leisure facilities, bars and festivals, no schools open, little chance of holidays this year etc etc. And of course we have our usual groups of idiots we have no respect for the law, other people or property and are hell bent on “enjoying THEMSELVES ” at any cost. I just wonder how many of those involved are still receiving their salaries, are supposed to be working from home or are receiving payment under the furlough scheme to which we are contributing. It would seem that the only way to deal with these crowds is to get tough and round them up and move them on. - like cattle!

Yes it’s funny but I did actually hear this joke twice on the radio over the weekend. Along with another - A driver pulled up, wound down the window and asked a passer by - “Is there a B&Q in Wigan?” The reply was “No, there is only a W, an I ,a G, an A and an N“.