The Prepping Thread - A Newer Beginning ;)

Si_Clist

Mind you, it's always been a bit like this.  There's supposed to be some 2000-year old graffiti in Pompeii or some such place which when translated into English says "The world goes fast from bad to worse" ...

elaine241

Well here we go again! Two years of my sons secondary school are home in isolation. My younger son developed a cough, felt "rough" and his sense of taste seemed reduced. He did have a sore throat so I am hoping it is this causing the change in his taste buds. Phoned the school to ask what the procedure is and they helpfully said they don't give advice!! I thought I would see their reaction so I said right ok I will send both boys into school as they did say it was my decision! Que quick panic on the other end of the line and a definite rethink! I was then advised to get youngest son tested and keep elder son home until the results come through. This was what I was going to do but I was being naughty and seeing what was the schools initial reaction.
The next problem came when I wanted a test. No testing facilities in my county, no home tests available, neighbouring 4 counties of Torfaen, Newport, Caerphilly and Blaina Gwent all had testing facilities only open to local residents as they are locked down. I decided to book a test in one of the neighbouring counties as I was going to drive directly to the test centre, stay in the car, and drive home with no stopping. They had 200 spare slots and were empty apart from my car and one other. The alternative was a long drive where I would have stopped, maybe got a coffee/fuel as it was well over 50 miles one way! Looking at the regulations I don't know if I broke guidance/law or not as it says you can go to these counties for medical appointments, grey area perhaps open to interpretation! Now waiting for results.
I booked my flu jab when it was first announced that over 55s could have a free jab; I booked it in a local pharmacy. I am only "just" 55 but thankfully managed to get an appointment. The pharmacist said they are fully booked until Xmas, not taking any more bookings and limiting the appointments to those over 65 with extra health conditions. He was amazed I managed to book a slot. It looks like there is a big uptake in having the flu jabs but also potentially more demand than supply. I was collecting a prescription in another pharmacy and they are not even starting the jabs for another month as they can not get supply. I am thankful I managed to get the jab but feeling somewhat unwell today :-(

euronorris

Oh Elaine, what a nightmare for you! I'm sorry to hear about your boy and I hope the test comes back negative. Hugs x

The rising cases is a worry, and Trump is doing my head in. Just trying to keep my head down and ignore as much as possible, whilst trying to keep anxiety at bay about if/when a case may happen at DDs class/school/swimming.

Greenglockenspiel

Hope it’s just a cold for your son and that he recovers quickly, Elaine!

boultdj

Fingers crossed for the family elaine241

Wraithlady

boultdj said:

How would we cope with less electric kitchen equipment?  How many of us use bread makers, slow cookers, air fryers, toasters, kettles, drip coffee makers.  

When you think about it, we do all use a lot of gadgets. However, if no breadmakers (and presumably no useable ovens) then there's a Jack Monroe recipe for 5 minute flatbreads (can't find it online, apologies) and I have a stock of Lyon's coffee bags (other brands available) for those times when the coffee machine dies (which they do with depressing regularity). The slowcooker, I suppose a large cardboard box and the roll of polar fleece I have in the loft might make a useable haybox if you needed to cook a stew. 

Reading this back, I don't mean to come over as smug - just blessed/cursed with an analytical mind. I'd be p'd off about my freezer contents, though!

nannywindow

Elaine hugs to you and your family, socially distanced of course. Seriously though what a nightmare getting a test when you're only trying to do as asked. Good on you for sorting out the school, they really should've been more on the ball and helpful. I hope you stay well too.

nan

elisamoose

nannywindow said:

Elaine hugs to you and your family, socially distanced of course. Seriously though what a nightmare getting a test when you're only trying to do as asked. Good on you for sorting out the school, they really should've been more on the ball and helpful. I hope you stay well too.

nan

Can I just say we are schools not medics! We are not allowed to give medical advice . In my school I would advise a parent to ring 119 .

nannywindow

Elisamoose I appreciate that school staff are not medics but I didn't say that anyone was, nor was I suggesting that anyone at the school should have given medical advice, but every school should have a policy in place to tell parents what must be done in the case of a " maybe " covid pupil.The school was asked what the procedure was and at the very least they should give out this advice: -

Individuals with symptoms. Sent home and told to self isolate, have test and await results.

Family members of individual who has symptoms but is waiting for test results:- Family members (and members of their support bubble if they have one) should self-isolate until the test result is known.

boultdj

Wraithlady said:

boultdj said:

How would we cope with less electric kitchen equipment?  How many of us use bread makers, slow cookers, air fryers, toasters, kettles, drip coffee makers.  

When you think about it, we do all use a lot of gadgets. However, if no breadmakers (and presumably no useable ovens) then there's a Jack Monroe recipe for 5 minute flatbreads (can't find it online, apologies) and I have a stock of Lyon's coffee bags (other brands available) for those times when the coffee machine dies (which they do with depressing regularity). The slowcooker, I suppose a large cardboard box and the roll of polar fleece I have in the loft might make a useable haybox if you needed to cook a stew. 

Reading this back, I don't mean to come over as smug - just blessed/cursed with an analytical mind. I'd be p'd off about my freezer contents, though!

Not smug at all, after all you've given alternatives I've not thought off, ideas and information are good things to share.