Frump to Fab - A Whole New World.

savingfortomorrow

Maman I never thought of the limited financial resources being a consideration but when you said it was obvious.  There will need to be some sort of ration of cupboard stable foods for families in need, it is unprecedented. Many families rely upon subsidized meals and food banks in the UK.  I guess places where there is no free food in schools closing them is less of a consideration.

It's a new reality. Self isolation and distancing will reduce the spread. All schools are closed in Ireland. All pubs and nightclubs are closed for 2 weeks and people urged to remain working from home if possible. There is limited chances to prevent spread, the health services of any nation can not handle the burden upon them. Resources are finite and terrible shortages of staff and ventilators. Despite all the situation, I feel a bit more confident in the government in Ireland now as the leader is a trained medical doctor, he has a better background to analyze information. 

I have to work tomorrow. If you told me it would be closed, honestly I would be relieved. It will be difficult to o adjust to the new reality, everyone is fearful for family members and friends.  It feels like last week we worried about minor things. 

Nobody can truly prevent the storm, but we can help limit the speed of the impact. Our immunity is nil,  many have serious pre-existing conditions and are at greater risk. Doing all things possible to slow down the onset allows additional time for therapies to be developed, equipment sourced and isolation spaces created. I read every action before virus comes feels like over reaction but afterwards feels completely inadequate. I'm staying in as much as possible, stopping the gym, going to buy on line only and use the gloves and sanitizer as much as possible. 

helensbiggestfan

Sorry if my remarks about taking personal responsibility gave offence.

 Of course we need government guidelines but the problem is no two governments agree, neither do the science bods. They are all at odds with one another.  They are like headless chickens.  

What was needed was a coherent world wide plan from the get go.  But all we've had is posturing and scaremongering instead of action. All we have is confusion, so I'm afraid I do feel that we are somewhat alone and out on a limb.  

What infuriates me is that it this is all so unnecessary. Steps should have taken decades ago to ban live markets and to put a stop to the trade in exotic meats.  We've known for long enough that viruses  can cross species.  It's not rocket science.  

If the WHO had been quicker off the mark and if the world leaders had immediately pulled together and stepped up to plate then we wouldn't be in this sorry mess. The virus could have been contained. They knew what to do, they had experience of both SARS and Swine Flu but they were too arrogant and too dilatory. Too concerned with playing politics and not "losing face".  They had a small window but they blew it. And now we are paying the price.

Hubris......it always gets us in the end.  

This afternoon I have made a start on some Swedish Death Cleaning, making sure my affairs are in order and sorting through paperwork.  I don't want to leave my sons in a "guddle" should I succumb.  

I know it sounds morbid but I actually feel better knowing that everything is ship shape and organised for them. I've done all I can.  Prepared for the worst, whilst hoping for the best.  

Of course we all have to die sometime but Hopefully .....in the words of "Gladiator"......

Not yet, not yet. 🤣


   

maman

I don't think you caused any offence LL. I think you're right about taking personal responsibility. I also think a large dose of common sense is needed. I'm currently listening to a programme on Radio 5 Live (you could get it on BBC Sounds App) where they have a GP answering questions in a very pragmatic fashion. For example he recommended that a family (lack of symptoms permitting) had a meal at home with elderly relatives on Mothers Day rather than go to a restaurant.

On the fabbing front, I did hear that there would soon be panic buying of hair colour so that people could pass themselves off for under 70.😉😁

helensbiggestfan

Hair colour.....😂🤣.  Whatever next. 

Wednesday2000

maman said:

On the fabbing front, I did hear that there would soon be panic buying of hair colour so that people could pass themselves off for under 70.😉😁

I just thought I would check this again before I shut down my laptop. Thanks for the laugh!

savingfortomorrow

As we are all locked in for the foreseeable and my gym classes cancelled. I saw an article on online yoga and keep fit classes. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/mar/15/from-yoga-to-crossfit-the-10-best-online-home-workouts
As usual the best information is in the comments. I downloaded a few apps on yoga and Pilates. Nike has a good app with a load of free workouts. 

Has anyone ever used the Fitbit coach ... My fear on a minor level is that the carb rich diet will not be great on the weight control.  

candygirl

maman said:

I don't think you caused any offence LL. I think you're right about taking personal responsibility. I also think a large dose of common sense is needed. I'm currently listening to a programme on Radio 5 Live (you could get it on BBC Sounds App) where they have a GP answering questions in a very pragmatic fashion. For example he recommended that a family (lack of symptoms permitting) had a meal at home with elderly relatives on Mothers Day rather than go to a restaurant.

On the fabbing front, I did hear that there would soon be panic buying of hair colour so that people could pass themselves off for under 70.😉😁

Mum's always told She looks much younger than 76, n was joking today about buying a dark wig, to look even younger

chanie

Helen you didn’t cause offence.  You have always come across as a really considerate person and always up for a lively discussion.  I didn’t totally disagree with the personal responsibility it’s just I feel that it isn’t always straightforward.  For example, I commute to Central London for work.  I can’t get into work any earlier, as I have to take the children to their breakfast club at school.  I can’t change my commute either.  I could refuse to go to work, but even if I self isolate for the next two weeks, this situation is going to last for months.  At the moment, I don’t have many choices and it’s difficult to know what to do for the best.  For what it’s worth, I’m  following the government guidelines and am otherwise getting on with my life.   It’s nice to be able to discuss these matters with the lovely fab ladies on this thread.

I’m now trying to think of the positives of the situation;

- company’s will see that they can function perfectly well if they allow staff to work from home and will be more open to it going forward.

- it’s good to force people to ‘slow down’, as many people have hectic lives.

- people will think more about their spending habits and stop being so wasteful.

maman

Yes, you're right chanie. I enjoyed the programme last year where they were showing people how to make meals from stuff they'd normally throw away. Then there was the 'Eat well for less' programme when people had packed fridges but kept top up shopping. Maybe now that food isn't so easy to come by people will think carefully about being wasteful. 
Couldn’t agree more, this is a lovely thread.😁👍

helensbiggestfan

I am hoping that our current woes will see a shift in behaviour and more kindness to our fellow humans, a return to a more considered lifestyle, less waste, less profligacy, less consumerism.  I would also like to see more kindness to animals and our planet but maybe I fear I'm wishing for the moon. Our cavalier attitude to other species and our beautiful world is coming back to haunt us, here's hoping it's not too late.  

I would like to see a "Dunkirk Spirit" where people pull together but I fear society has changed since WW2 and not always for the better.  I am doubtful. There is just so much greed and a prevalence of the "I'm All Right Jack" attitude. 

What I fear most is what I call a Mad Max scenario.......break down of law and order, where the strong and aggressive ones triumph, where greed and self interest come to the fore.  We've seen that with toilet rolls and hand sanitisers......

We have only got to look at Katrina to see what could easily happen, looting, violence etc. I shudder to think what would happen if food and medicines become scarce, 

My children have only ever known comfort and ease......my fault perhaps for overprotecting them.  I was so determined that they wouldn't have to know the hardships I had endured. Sure, they have seen poverty when we took them travelling but they have never had to struggle.  I just hope they won't be too soft to cope,  

My big worry is my eldest sons asthma. Although it's under control these days he was very sick as a baby, it was only steroids which kept him going. Who knows what damage his lungs have suffered.  He does struggle sometimes with allergies and then he really needs his inhaler.  

Oh well.....just going to watch Last Tango in Halifax for a little light relief.