MrPlinkett

31 minutes ago, G STAR RAM said:

Obviously can only comment on personal experiences but the productivity and efficiency of some of the companies that I deal with has dropped off a cliff.

Example 1 - a Gambling Commission operators licence application usually takes 20 weeks to obtain. We submitted an application in mid December and still not had a response. 

Example 2 - a routine planning query submitted to Kings Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council in October has still not been responded to and nobody ever answers the phone when calling to chase it up, as well as e-mailing a reminder on a near weekly basis. 

Neither process would require face to face contact so there is no excuse for the delays so it must come down to productivity.

 

Of course yes. I guess its personal experience.

I do wonder if lockdown gave some an excuse to 'down tools' as it were, i am positive thats one of the reasons our EFL situation has taken so long.

I see that more as a culture thing within a business or organisation than individuals.

Of course you are going to get some that abuse the position too, but i am confident those within my immediate team at work have not, and i dont think in general people have where i work.

My main concern with home working is the more inexperienced staff who i feel do need more face to face guidance, and i fully expect that will be reflected in the amount of time they have to spend in the office environment, of course that will mean their managers also doing similar.

There are just some things that are harder remote than in the office, for example as part of my job i sometimes have to 'shadow' staff, that means observing them, watching how they work and what they do, not to catch them out or anything but to identify process improvements, and thats hard remotely, i have been using teams for it but you dont see everything else that goes on like the note making, and manual excercises which arent evident on a screen sharing session. So ill be using my time back in the office to do that too.

29 minutes ago, ariotofmyown said:

I hate it when we name our "hurricanes". Makes sense in Americas where their hurricanes are actually "sensational" and cause huge damage and loss of life over a number of days.

Our media sensationalise Hurricane Maureen which batters the South West on a Tuesday night with some bad wind and waves. No sensational names for our real weather problems: days of continual drizzle on the hills that lead to bad flooding.

Similar media rubbish with temperatures, when we see the mercury plummeting to minus 10. On a Scottish mountain. Where no one lives.

There is a weather station at Benson in Oxfordshire which has some weird microclimate that often gives really low temperatures. Better sensational news than giving the warmer temperature in Oxford where people actually live in large numbers.

 

The media like to sensationalise though. I mean years ago 'Breaking News' was breaking news, the challenger, or diana or something like that. Now we have dozens of 'Breaking News' items a day, sorry but 'cat stuck up a tree' doesnt cut it for me with breaking news.

5 minutes ago, EtoileSportiveDeDerby said:

I must say the naming of the variants kind of passed me by a bit...but if Kent was Alpha from back in January and Delta is Indian now in June, I wonder once we get to Omega (Googled it) what will happen. Greek alphabet has got 24 letters (Google again), and our burning rate is quite high. it doesnt worry me but we might have created a bigger issue then what we were trying to solve. And i dont know what we were trying to solve either (didnt Google it)

those times when we cant travel i feel the variants provided a small dose of escapism, chinese, thai, brasilian, kent, indian, i preferred the old system. 

I think we should name them like hurricanes. Variant Doug.

6 minutes ago, Chester40 said:

Obviously there is an element that (missing Albert) the thread remains the same people arguing from the same perspective. 

But I wonder what long term changes will remain, and will they be good. Personally I use Amazon a lot more now which is bad for the local area, jobs etc but I admit I love the ease. I also enjoy table service in pubs. 

When lockdown started at work we were all praised for carrying on, for schooling our children at the same time as working, for working flexibly etc. This week we had a meeting which was in person and 2 colleagues said 'I can't meet after 3 as I have the kids...' before lockdown that would not have been an answer that would have been accepted... 

I love table service at pubs but don't see it being maintained in most places as it no doubt requires more staff. Some might do it, i hope they do.

I think working flexibly is a good one. Where i currently work, working from home was always something that you could do but only if absolutely necessary, but now its going to be maintained, at least partially. I will work from home 3 or 4 days a week even when we start back so thats a good thing me, for my work life balance certainly as i wont have to spend 2 hours a day in the car every day.

I think its forced many businesses to trust their staff, before they perhaps didnt, or felt they couldnt be managed. But now they have seen it can and does work, and productivity has been excellent.

Just now, ariotofmyown said:

There could be a case that people won'r return to those places for a few weeks anyway until they are vaccinated, especially if cases keep rising. Might be better for the businesses to have a few more weeks of furlough than a few bad week of loss making opening.

Maybe, i think there will be a mix of people. Some would probably happily stand shoulder to shoulder in a packed pub right now vaccinated or not.

I wouldn't, i have had both my vaccines, but because of my medical condition its quite possible my levels of protection are lower than the general population, so I would avoid places like that. I would probably feel uncomfortable inside a packed cinema or theatre. Thats probably something i need to get my own head straight on, but i guess id want to see first if fully opening has any big impact on transmission, then hospitals and deaths and so on.

Of course I cant avoid them forever but yes id do it gradually, ease myself back in.

I have enjoyed going out for a beer, but its been outdoors, i have been in a restaurant since re-opening but felt safe as good social distancing was in place.

My biggest concern personally is returning to the work place, ive worked at home throughout and will continue to do so anyway most of the time but the plan is to return to the office partially at the end of this month. I still remain certain the workplace is where i pick up most of my bugs. Office environments are a breeding ground for bugs im quite positive.

If there is an extension i will certainly be asking my employer to refrain from bringing us back until that is over.

One thing I am looking forward to is no longer having day by day analysis of numbers and deaths. We dont do with with other illnesses, such as the flu.

Im sure in some years if daily reports on flu were published they could be quite shocking and make us want to shut out doors to prevent catching it.

I dont see we will be an a covid free zone anytime soon, its going to be something we have to live with. Keep jabbing us each year, or at least the elderly and vulnerable and it will keep it under control and be another bug that sadly some each year will succumb to, just like the flu.

I know some countries are almost covid free, but even the likes of Australia and NZ have to open their borders at some point, they cant keep locking down if a handful of people are reported positive. I think even those countries will have to accept some fatalities each year from it.

On 07/06/2021 at 18:06, angieram said:

Turned down a contract offer from Carlisle to join Barrow instead, apparently.

Wheel surely get a sell on?

took a gamble and moved our Turkey holiday to 2022 and booked crete for beginning of September. 

time will tell, I can wfh so self isolating at home is possible 

You stab someone you intend to kill them,  should never see the outside of a prison again never mind be out in 3 years.

I'm fed up with these puns, oh what a tangled web we weave

1 hour ago, Stive Pesley said:

Indeed - that's why you always have to wait until their 16th birthday and not a day sooner

You say always like it's a regular thing ?

21 minutes ago, FindernRam said:

You are taking it out of context 03'59 Govt says no quarantine you're fine. 04,01 deemed a risk therefore quarantine. Nonsense from a logical point of view. How dangerous you are either side of 04.00 is debateable.  

I guess but if you could say the same with drink driving, if you have 49.99 milligrams you are ok, but 50.01 its drink driving. That 2 mg is negligible but you always have to have some sort of cut off.

16 minutes ago, Tamworthram said:

It not yet “a couple of weeks” since the recent uplift in infections though is it? 10 days ago the daily rates were c3300 compared to more than 5500 for 4 out of the last 5 days. Maybe scaremongering but I heard on the radio this morning fears that rates may rise to 10k a day by the 21st June.

I guess the government want to feel confident that the increase in infections has levelled off and, as you say, the 2 week lag between infections and hospitalisations, doesn’t materialise.

I think they have been gradually going up over the last 3 or 4 weeks. I do get what you are saying.

Thankfully i can have my opinion and it doesnt cost lives, which is why i do understand the difficult position those who make decisions are in though.

30 minutes ago, G STAR RAM said:

It was very clearly explained that the dates were 'no earlier than'.

It was also very clearly explained that there would be 5 weeks between each stage to allow the data to be analysed.

If you've chosen to ignore this, or more likely let the media tell you that the guidance was confusing then more fool you.

The reason people are 'kicking off' (although not sure exactly who is doing this) is because the vital data (hospitalizations and deaths) do not really support the notion that an extension is needed.

If we are going to lockdown everytime a disease hospitalises 1000 people and kills on average 10 people a day then its unlikely that we will ever return to normal.

Hospitilisations fell again for the second week running. Usually you see these a couple of weeks after an uplift in infections but that doesnt seem to be happening this time.

Hopefully the vaccine is indeed working, it appears to be.

I get that people feel it wont make much difference, for a lot of people the notion of sitting in a pub garden being served on is great, and it is i love it, its just like being on holiday, but i guess wont we dont see is the P&L for the Pub etc in question, and especially those that havent opened because they simply cant operate under the current restrictions.

I have been supportive of lockdowns, but feel we need to push on.

My gut feeling though is scientists and experts who dont have an economy to worry about will push for an extension and thats what they will get.

19 hours ago, Foreveram said:

Maybe he can tap up some players for us like mark wright or the bloke from eastenders

Ian Beale ?

1 hour ago, ariotofmyown said:

Well it hasn't worked out with money from Dubai or Spain/Indonesia. Looks like Mel has decided to Go West and try America. 

it's a sin how badly it's all been handled,  I'd have thought it couldn't happen here.

The media can be very damaging. So they will argue they report stories, but its how they sensationalise it with headlines that state something is fact, only for the story to be contradictory.

Yes they could argue the public should be able to read the story to, but we have seen that common sense isnt always applied by the public.

The sensationalist headlines about stockpiling last year unquestionably contributed to people actually going out and stockpiling and caused issues which were well known with people being, or struggling, to get hold of supplies.

Its like the banking crash, I have no doubt the sensationalist headlines contributed to the issue we had, big headlines about Northern Rock, next minute everyone queuing round the block to get their money, next thing bank goes caput.

9 hours ago, Andicis said:

Pretty gross. They have the vaccine uptake amongst the vulnerable, and yet still choose to curtail civil liberties. 

I am still hoping there will be some lifting on the 21st. It is a bit of a misleading headline which as been typical really throughout. The headline suggests its decided yet the article is pretty much just a rehash of everything other article thats been published over the last few weeks which uses the words 'Could'.

The media have been saying that for weeks now.

Lets face it we are in the summer now and chances are weather will stay nice so a good quantity of people will still be outdoors, i think the risks are low although im about as qualified to asses risks as i am to perform brain surgery, but thats my opinion.

Why not go with opening up, but still leave the work from home directive in force for a little while longer if it minimises the risk. Surely its time we can start using our common sense. If i went in a pub and it was packed if probably turn around and find somewhere less so, manage my own risk.

5 minutes ago, Tyler Durden said:

What hissed me off was that after it became apparent he was going to postpone the job or start the work on my head knowing that if the tiles pulled the plaster off he wouldn't be able to repair them and so I would be indefinitely out of use of the bath and shower I then said that really it wasn't my concern that the plasterer had let him down as I still expected the work to be completed.

And that it was totally unacceptable that I had made arrangements for next week and he was texting me at 6 the night before. And expected the work to be done as agreed. Then he said well if that's you're attitude then won't do the work. 

I bought all of the bathroom today at lunchtime to avoid being stuck with it in my house, couldn't have left it any later, am really irate.

Totally agree,  I'd be livid too.

Sounds to me like he doesn't want to do it and is trying to turn it round on you.

3 hours ago, QuitYourJibbaJivin said:

I’m 30 and I’ve been offered the jab but I’ve been finding excuses not to go for the last 2 weeks. Im not “anti-vaxx” I’ve had all my immunisations and my 2 year old is up to date with all of hers. Quite frankly I’m worried about becoming one of the anomaly statistics that die after having the vaccine, when I’ve had mates that have had the virus and been ill for a week or so. I’m self employed also so even any short term side effects would hamper my ability to provide. A friend had his second jab 2 weeks ago and hasn’t been able to lift his arm above his head since, I know these are rare but they have to happen so somebody right?

My Mrs is 7 months pregnant and she won’t be having the vaccine either. They’ve told her it’s safe but I’m fairly certain there wouldn’t have been swathes of pregnant women willing to take part in the trials so how would they know?!

33 minutes ago, Norman said:

Nah, I wouldn't want her to either. Just my opinion, but I don't think it's worth the possible consequences. 

I agree with @Norman I would leave it for now with your Mrs

Just my opinion but as its been proven being vaccinated reduces transmission I would have it if I was you,  just to help prevent you bringing it home.

44 minutes ago, QuitYourJibbaJivin said:

You’re right the virus will always be here. Do you think the government will pay to vaccinate the entire population every year knowing full well most people won’t be severely affected? 

maybe next year they might but see it becoming like the flu jab

7 minutes ago, Tyler Durden said:

Update - had arranged for another plumber to come and do the work tomorrow, have got a the bathroom suite in ready, texts me this evening to say that his plasterer has double booked and the person doing the tiling has hurt his ankle. But he thinks he can do the tiling himself. 

So after a series of increasingly angry texts I asked if he didn't have a plasterer and the tiles don't come off easily from the wall whose going to fill the holes in as need to use the shower and bath in the time being?

Then he said he wasn't going to do the work as it seems like a massive issue for me.

Very angry. 

Nothing about that surprises me. I always hate dealing with people in allied trades.

It always seems ok to let you down by not turning up, or taking twice aslong to do a job. Add in the obligatory 'boss..we have a problem ' that adds money to the original quote. 

Very unlike hamilton, those brakes didnt look good on the restart.

2 hours ago, Steve How Hard? said:

Some low life broke into my car by smashing the passenger door window. I rang my insurance company and they agreed to fix it if I paid the excess to Autoglass. 

Great I thought until they sent someone who quite obviously hadn't much experience at doing the work. After 3 visits and attempts to fix it, he finally leaves me with a new window but no way of opening it. His expert analysis was that glass fragments had got into the motor and this wasn't covered under the insurance. 

I rang Autoglass back obviously not happy at this but after being passed around a couple of times I was still getting the same response. They finally agreed to send someone out to have another look. Don't send the same bloke I insist. We won't, they say, we'll send someone who's a specialist in that job. Why the fook they didn't send him in the 1st place is a mystery.

It turns out the specialist wasn't as clued up either. He turns up and his first question was. Have you any fuses mate? What??, I say, you've turned up to check this and not come equipped. 5 minutes later and after fumbling around he declares the initial work has been done to the required standard.

Bullshizzle. Back on to customer service and they say there is nothing more they can do. I will have to get an independent assessment for them to have anything else to do with this job.

Luckily the mechanic that does the MOT and servicing on my car confirmed my suspicions that I was being fobbed off. He was an absolute diamond and fired off an email to Autoglass confirming the job had been botched and there was no way glass fragments could get into a sealed motor unit. 

Hallelujah, they finally accepted responsibility and agreed to my mechanic rectifying the job. It cost just shy of a grand to rectify. The car wasn't worth much more tbh. The moral of the story is when you know you're right, keep stamping your feet and don't let these corporate heavy weights fob you off. Apologies for the length of that rant.

Good to know you saw right through them ?

Just now, TigerTedd said:

Go on, I’m curious now. Name names.

Nooo.