Finally Debt Free After 34 Years, But Still Need to Live Frugally

HairyHandofDartmoor

I felt tired today so I've done nothing apart from wash and dry some towels. I just sat around and read my book all day. It's been a warm sunny day ☀️ and my towels were bone dry when I brought them in.

I've got school tomorrow and my two WhatsAp groups have been very active since Boris's speech. I'm not sure how reception and year one children could go back safely as social distancing would be very difficult, so I'm a bit concerned about the safety aspect 😱. Also children may not catch it badly, but they may give it to staff or carrry the virus home to their parents 😟. Anyway my head teacher says she won't open the school unless she considers it to be safe, so we'll have to wait and see what happens.

It's also a bit confusing that people have been told to go back to work tomorrow if they can't work at home, but not to use public transport if possible. Not everyone can drive, walk, or cycle to work so that could be tricky! Will people feel safe going back to work? Because the virus is still out there 🤔.

Chrystal

HH re the awning: it's suprising what can be knocked up with a few pieces of wood and an old bedsheet.  

I don't blame your Headmistress for being wary about the children going back!  There certainly needs to be some safety measures in place first. X

greenbee

At my last house I used an old sail, fixed some bolts to the wall of the house  above the windows, and then one to the garden wall at the side (which like yours was lower). I made holes in the sail fabric so I could tie it to the bolts. As it was triangular, it only needed one fixing at the side. It was also a great way to shade the house on hot days. 

[Deleted User]

Even if schools do reopen for some pupils in June (which I doubt will actually happen) I've heard of so many parents who wouldn't risk sending their children back anyway.  There's still a long way to go with this one. Apparently all the trade unions are up in arms about the safety aspects of people in all occupations going back to work so soon.   Boris is going to give a statement in Parliament today (Monday) and he'll come under a lot of scrutiny to clarify what the heck he meant in his announcement.  You'd think with a major announcement that they've had so long to prepare and that the country was agog to hear that the 'advisors'  could have worded it so that there was no ambiguity.

It's not often I agree with Nicola  Sturgeon LOL but she's certainly taking the right approach on this.  Watching both the daily press conferences from Downing Street (whoever is the spokesman of the day) and the Scottish ones which she always fronts herself she impresses me every time with the clarity of her reasoning and her downright common sense.  For goodness sake, in the middle of a global pandemic we should be being TOLD in no uncertain terns what we can and can't do, not being given wishy washy 'guidelines' to enable us to exercise our own judgement on what we think is necessary.  On the one hand Boris said people could travel further afield and on on the other he said the police could impose bigger fines if they flout the rules.  I can just see the beauty spots heaving with visitors from far and wide again(as has been increasingly happening in my area already) and that's exactly what we don't want.  

Rant over, sorry.  This latest development has really unsettled me, that's why I'm still up and anxious at this unearthly hour.  I'm a lark not an owl and am usually up at 6.  Hardly worth going to bed now, I know I won't sleep.

Wishing you a good and safe day at work today, HHOD.  Take care xx

badmemory

I only got a couple of things from that announcement.  One was what on earth does be alert mean - I've been alert since the beginning mostly to avoid people barging into me whilst obviously keeping their 2 metre distance.  The other, we are no longer protecting the NHS, as in drop the subject we don't want to actually have to reward them in any reasonable way so the sooner we let the matter drop the sooner everybody will forget!  Yes I know I am cynical & I really do hope I am proved wrong.

beanielou

So glad that Nicola Sturgeon has been crystal clear on what we need to do. 

Makes it an even more worrying time for my family & friends south of the border. 

[Deleted User]

beanielou said:

So glad that Nicola Sturgeon has been crystal clear on what we need to do. 

Makes it an even more worrying time for my family & friends south of the border. 

Exactly, beanielou.
The Welsh First Minister (whose name I can't remember) and Arlene Foster in N.Ireland also gave clear and positive guidance.  Worrying and confusing days ahead for us in England, I fear.  I see now that Germany has reported some new cases and Wuhan, where it all started, has also had some new cases since their lockdowns have been eased.  This thing just doesn't go away and it's far too soon for Boris to be allowing people to exercise their own judgement about what and what not to do.  I know people are fed up with the lockdown and living such a restricted life but all I can say is ''tough''!!!!!.  There are lives at stake here, barbecues, picnics and trips to the seaside can wait.

Willowtree222

It made no sense last night. All other year groups to go back in September, so what about childcare for those parents who can't work from home? Are they going to be penalised by their employers or not paid anymore? 
What about key workers children if they are not in those year groups? I just don't get it and I don't think many people did. Very confusing times. x

HairyHandofDartmoor

I agree with you Nicnak. It raises more questions than it answers. The government never seem to think things through before they announce them.
What worries me is that the smallest children are the ones who don't understand the social distancing and want to hug everyone around them, and those are two of the year groups that are supposed to be returning to school 😱.

[Deleted User]

HairyHandofDartmoor said:

I agree with you Nicnak. It raises more questions than it answers. The government never seem to think things through before they announce them.
What worries me is that the smallest children are the ones who don't understand the social distancing and want to hug everyone around them, and those are two of the year groups that are supposed to be returning to school 😱.

I agree.  One way they could possibly make it work is for classes to be split into say 3 in 3 separate classrooms as most of the classrooms will be empty. Something like up to 10 children per room. The least staff they'd need is one TA per room though (maybe scope for them offering you some extra work) but how they'd go about using a teacher per room I don't know as perhaps teachers who usually teach Yr 2 wouldn't fancy Reception.  It would be stressful enough without having one teacher dashing about between several different classrooms all day long. It would only be for a few weeks until the summer holidays though so it might just work.  Another way would be for children to attend for half days but they'd still need to be spaced out in small groups in each room.   Even with all that, playtimes would be a nightmare, as would lunch times.  I don't envy you your job, HHOD.  The stress of keeping them apart must be awful.

I still think even if schools do open for the younger ones there won't be much take-up.  Everyone I've heard about with young children would be very worried about sending them back any time soon.