SueC62

I usually shop during the week when it's fairly quiet and people are wearing masks but I forgot the day and went in a shop on Saturday. From my observations about 25% had already ditched the mask, 25% had them covering their mouth but not their nose, 25% wearing the mask on their chin and just 25% wearing the mask properly over mouth and nose. Even of those who do wear the mask, many touch the front of the mask with their hands when they remove it.

I keep my own analysis of the daily figures reported on Worldometer. We already know that our total cases are very high up on the list but it's now the same with our daily cases. Yesterday we recorded the 3rd highest figure in the world and over the last 5 days we've been 2nd, 3rd, and I did see a bit lower at 5th or 7th but it's pretty obvious it's got totally out of control again in the UK and while the daily death numbers are 'low', they are rising at a dramatic rate. We seem to have learnt nothing.

I had already decided to continue with 'hands, face, space' and am now wondering if I should return to online food shopping and stop having meals out and visiting friends, if caution is going to be abandoned. In the last 2 days, 3 different friends have told me of Covid cases within their own circles. I feel like it's closing in on me!

I'm assuming that due to our demographic, we've all had two doses. Although there are still some restrictions we can, if we wish, go shopping, go to pubs, eat in restaurants. The Delta variant is spreading so easily because of the May easing of restrictions. What about the younger generation who haven't yet been able to get the vaccine yet still have to go to work? My 22 year old grandson has to get the train and bus to work (in an area with a high number of cases) and then has to serve the general public. I would rather wait another month to give him chance to get the vaccine.

I don't think those who are rushing to get abroad, have considered that there will be a lot of restrictions that will still apply. So any holiday won't meet their normal expectation.

I was in Turkey for 7 months during the early 2020 lockdown and wearing a mask in 36° heat was no different than in lower temperatures. You got used to it. I was out walking for 4 hours at a time with my mask on.

If I don't want to drive, I take the bus or train. I enjoy driving and think the skill and attention needed helps to keep my brain active. I wouldn'thave an automatic, either. I have given up my motorbike, initially it was because I was having occasional labrynthitis attacks but then decided, it was better for the long term health of my knees.

In a limited way, yes. I now do my own supermarket shopping instead of click and collect and I've also met friends outside occasionally. I've chanced clothes shopping and been pleasantly surprised at the spacing (except for my local Next where you can hardly squeeze past the rails) and customer behaviour. Not been to a pub or restaurant yet and I'm not sure how soon I'll go when indoor eating is opened up. I've passed a few outdoor pubs and there wasn't much spacing between tables.

I've voted no because I don't believe it should be age related. We should all have to have regular health and ability checks to retain our licences, irrespective of age.

For months I'd 'sensibly' been looking at September to return to Turkey with maybe June being a possibility but with cases being as they are there currently, I'm no longer hopeful for September. Until the whole world is vaccinated, individual countries will continue to have surges if travel is allowed.

I've never been a fan of M&S and this petty spat by them does nothing to change that opinion. Considering all the suoermarkets have similar cakes, why pick on Aldi? The only good thing about It is the number of FB memes being generated, including the one shaming Colin by posting nude photos of him (an undecorated swiss roll).

Fortunately, all the staff at my dad's care home have hadvtge jab. No way would I want someone who hasn't having direct contact with him or other residents or staff. It should be a condition of employment.

After having to clear out my parents' home, I'm mainly a seller, although I think there's a bit of hoarder in all of us. Every now and again I get my 'ruthless' head on and have a clear out. I've just moved house and currently most of my kitchen items are still in boxes and I've realised I don't need most of the 'cooking dishes' I have. Same with clothes so I'm just waiting for the charity shops to re-open to offload.

Is the Malteser part that puts me off. I love chocolate and orange together, though.

I rarely buy blocks of chocolate, although I love the occasional chocolate mousse or cheesecake for dessert, so I'm not going to deny myself some when I feel like it. I have been thinking of treating myself to an Easter Egg this year, as I've not had chocolate since Christmas.

I can't understand why people think it would be discriminatory? It could be an administratively easy and uniform method of providing the proof required by the country or countries you want to visit. I would be quite happy to pay for it. Otherwise I can see that every time we want to go abroad, we'll have to get a letter which, whilst lucrative for the surgery, will take their time away from medical matters.What will be discriminatory, and totally out of our control, is countries requiring proof of vaccination before allowing entry. The chances are that, as with passports and driving permits, countries requiring vaccination proof will also require it to be a common format.

Both me (first time) and my 91 year old dad, for eho I hold poa, got ours quite early on but both payments were wrong. Apparently there has been a system change/upgrade and we sorted it on the phone. My underpayment's been sorted but they haven't yet contacted me re dad's overpayment.

I can hardly say 'no' to this when I quite happily get up in the middle of the night to get 6am flights.

I'm happy to wait for the 2nd jab it if means more people will get some level of protection from the 1st jab. I'm also happy with the real experts' opinions, rather than the Facebook experts, although as their seems to be some concern over delaying the 2nd Pfizer jab, I have wondered why they don't continue with the 2nd jabs for that one. I have read that some doctors' surgeries have done as it would have been less efficient to try cancelling the 2nd appointments than continuing with them.

I'm working on it probably being October; September at the earliest, before I can return to my other home in Turkey.

Standing on your doorstep or, as I've seen others do, gathering with others in the street to clap does absolutely nothing to truly appreciate any of our key workers. Doing everything we can to minimise contact with other, wearing masks when in public and being mindful of hand sanitising is the only way to show our appreciation.

I've voted "no" but in reality, as I've done for some years, I'll send a card with a letter to those I'm not in regular contact with and who aren't on Facebook. What I won't do is aend cards to people that I'm in regular contact with. The money saved is going to charity.

Totally agree. I'm of the view that, if you are sensible and follow the advice, Christmas won't be anywhere near as enjoyable as normal, so why not postpone it until after the vaccine has been rolled out? I have friends who every year used to have a 'Christmas Party' for their friends but because of their then business and family commitments, it never took place until June!

From what I've read, from reliable accredited sources, the rush hasn't been to do with the creation and testing of the vaccine itself but that the wait for funding, that normally takes years, has been removed. I think it was the same article that said the mumps? vaccine only took 12 months.

My adult grandson has sadly been influenced by those who think it's all about control etc. I don't know to what extent he's ignoring restrictions or whether it's a case of following the rules and just sharing stuff on FB. Our family get together is usually quite subdued and he does tend to disappear quickly after dinner to meet his mates. I don't know if the other nana is going to be there as she is a high risk. I'm not sure it's worth the drive to sit in what will be a chilly dining room with the windows open, for a few quiet hours, and then drive home having potentially exposed myself to risk. But I'm also anxious that if I don't go, that will cause upset. Generally my son and daughter-in-law are very laid back. My son's already said I'm welcome but it's my decision....

For the paltry amount it is, when you look at the % of your individual tax (less than 1%), it wouldn't provide any noticeable difference in this country but it will help those a lot less fortunate abroad.

I've voted 'no', thinking of potential disruption to those travelling to see family but personally I don't care whether it does or not as I'll probably be staying home, alone; through personal choice! I want to keep myself safe until I can get the vaccine.

I don't like milk so drink tea black but after trying redbush, I find black tea very bitter. I like lemon and ginger too but drink black coffee in the morning. I also like Turkish tea, çay, which is drunk black with sugar, is low in caffeine and not bitter. I like going against the norm for my age range .

Although the measures for different areas have got confusing, the basic rules of masks, hand sanitising, social distancing, small gatherings are fine. The problem is the complete lack of enforcement. Too many people won't wear masks and I'm sorry the 'can't' doesn't wash with me. If you 'can't' wear a mask, and wear it properly, then don't go to places where you should wear one; it's the best way to protect your own health and I'm sure one way or another you can get your shopping done.I'd like to defend, at least certain elements of, the younger generation. I know we see groups of them together on TV not social distancing but when I see them outside of their peer groups, mingling with other age groups, they do seem to be very aware and considerate of the rules, some even wearing masks outside on the streets. And they do seem to know how to wear them properly, unlike a lot of the older generations!Last week, I was walking along a narrow pavement in the village and coming towards me was a gaggle of four teenage lads, eating the sandwiches I reckon they'd just got from the bakery. I was panicking a bit but whilst more than 3 metres away they all, without speaking, moved to the edge of the pavement in single file and I moved to the wall. On the other hand, whilst walking in a local park along a narrow path next to the boating lake, three 'oldies' came towards me 3 abreast, all walking independently without aid. They made no attempt whatsoever to move to allow us all to pass safely and I was nearly in the lake to get out of their way. I can only assume they thought I was one of those 'entitled young whippersnappers' they like to moan about. The week before, whilst in Morrisons, a lady who looked a bit older than me came on the aisle I was on, no mask, coughing continuously, making zero attempt to cover her face and coughing all over the products on the shelf as she peered at them. Any thoughts of food shopping by me were abandoned and I was out of the shop in record time.

I downloaded it on day 1. The app seems quite good to me. It tells me I'm in a high risk area (which I know I am) and the only heart stopping moment I've had was when I got a momentary notification on my phone saying I'd been in contact with someone etc, etc. After some investigating, I now know that was something to do with Google and a 'test' rather than a real notification which will only come from the app and be visible within the app.

I'm in the greenish area so can't mix with other households. My friend in the village, having been very ill with Covid, is being super cautious so we only chat on video calls. I only go out once a week for my food shop or for solo walks. So despite the FCO travel advice, I'm definitely going back to Turkey in a few weeks (was booked back in January) as at least it is warmer, the walks are more pleasant and I have a fabulous view from my apartment. I've upped my travel insurance cover (was pleasantly surprised at the cost) and now the tourists are leaving, the government are already being more stringent with enforcing the safety measures.

Well the 'test' part isn't working as no one can get one!Whilst it should, I don't believe the track and trace part will work either because too much emphasis in this country is put on individuals' rights to say 'no'. Those who know their 'rights' will just refuse to comply with any requests as they do with the requirement to wear a mask.Interestingly in my observations of mask offences, I see mainly 30s/40s strutting round with smug faces and no masks, older people wearing the masks incorrectly with their noses poking out the top and younger people (teens/20s) wearing the masks correctly.

I wouldn't report them from the point of view that "I'm obeying the rule and they aren't" but if I thought their behaviour was presenting a danger to me or others in the vicinity then I would, but then that's what I'd do with any anti-social behaviour.I do believe that most sensible people are applying a large degree of common sense and caution to their interactions with others. They might not be strictly adhering to the restrictions but they are limiting contact with others, wearing masks, socially distancing and sanitising regularly. I got caught out when I arranged to meet friends for lunch, in a hotel restaurant, outside my current lockdown area. I thought it was allowed but only found out after that it wasn't.I'm more concerned about being around people who don't wear masks for whatever reason and I don't really care what those reasons are; I'm keeping well away from you. A lady slightly older than me came in to the same aisle as myself in Morrisons earlier this week. She was not wearing a mask, was close up to the shelving and openly coughing with no attempt to cover her mouth. I was out of there so quick and just glad I'd only gone in for a cleaning product that I could wash down with bleach when I got home. That's pretty disgusting behaviour even in non-Covid times.

Try a pharmacy. If it works like mine, there are no appointments other than you check beforehand that the pharmacist is in to administer it. I think the problem is that GPs are just setting aside specific dates for 'Flu Clinics'. I've never had to pre-book at a pharmacy.

I've been a member for many years and quite regularly do the competitions (not won yet!) and the polls but this is my first go on the Forum. I've just been on another thread about taking early retirement and put in my story. Oh, and I did try the 'dating' app some years ago but only found an ex lol.

I loved my job and always thought I'd never retire but then I started to find that it was getting in the way of other things that I wanted to do. Most of my friends had already taken full or part retirement and I was missing out on ladies' lunches etc. Then in early 2018, some changes I didn't like were made to our department and I decided it was the right time to go. I was a bit panicky about money, we all read about pensioners unable to survive, but my IFA assured me that I could have a very comfortable existence so I gave 7 months' notice and finished work at the end of September 2018. The following week I went to Cyprus with an already retired friend for 10 days and when I got back it was easy to continue the relaxed life style of no alarms, leisurely breakfasts etc. This was a massive change from my 'work life' where I was travelling all over the country, sometimes having to be up at 5am to catch trains or drive to meetings, getting home late or stopping over sometimes for a number of days.Nearly 2 years on and I do not regret what I did. I've since realised some of my 'future plans' that I thought would probably just remain dreams but the main thing is that I adapted to the complete change from busy work life to relaxed retirement so easily. I guess this was because a) my attitude towards work changed and b) I took a holiday straight after finishing and I think that in particular helped me to adjust.It would be good to know how you feel about your change in two years time.

I ended up, as I did last year, getting in touch with my local pharmacy. I rang last Friday, to be told the vaccines were arriving that afternoon and they'd start jabbing on Saturday, which I couldn't get to so I had mine done Monday whilst friends, who'd booked appointments with their GP surgery weeks earlier, won't be getting theirs until this week.I had mine done last year at the pharmacy after the GP couldn't give me an appointment for 2 weeks, when I was going to be out of the country. My pharmacy is brilliant - both years, other than phoning first to make sure the pharmacist was in, was on a 'same day' basis with no pre-booking.

Can't see why not although, as I found out last year, I can get a quicker appointment at my local pharmacy than through the GP surgery.

I'm pleased that this tradition will be maintained. I think many people just enjoy the spectacle and the rousing music without knowing the background.Whilst I deplore racism, sexism, homophobia and any type of prejudice, I'm concerned that history is not re-written or obliterated. We live in more enlightened times and should use our history to ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated.

I booked my flights to/from Turkey earlier in the year. I go 12th October for 6 weeks. I have my own place there and left things in the freezer, fridge (long life) and cupboards when I came back to the UK mid July. I'm still planning to go but might not stay the full 6 weeks as they have re-introduced curfews for the over 65, although they haven't made it 100%, so far. I'm not concerned about being in Turkey as I can exercise the same caution as in the UK. I'm more worried about the flights out, although they shouldn't be chocca at that time of year.