Coronavirus - how is it/has it affected you?

SwingsitlikeHogan said:
This is true if, when you earn, you earn enough to live OK and at the same time put a bit aside and build up a pot of savings. But many working in the gig and zero hours economies especially - do not earn enough to build up a backup pot of money to tide them through - they simply earn enough to live on. It's all very well saying that they should, but it is not always possible given what they are paid.

BTW - as far as relying on the nanny state - my son was told yesterday that under UC he and his partner will jointly get benefits to the princely sum of £250 - a month...
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Each to their own. Your son chose his career path, and I'm sure he's well aware of the limitations in terms of earning. As for the govt subsidising him... I wonder where they get that money from? Ah yes, those that pay more tax. Its not just the bank of mum and dad, its the bank of every tax payer.

Some people do need support. They struggle to get a job or a job that pays enough but those that are self-employed chose their own job. I don't agree with UC for the self-employed.
 
hovis said:
i think you need to stop being so sensitive and stop trying to read between the lines to start a stupid argument. his first post was clear
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Not starting anything and his first post wasn’t clear, as shown by others also questioning it!
 
ColchesterFC said:
Just seen on Sky News that the Government Health Minister, Nadine Dorries, has tested positive for Coronavirus.........

https://news.sky.com/story/nadine-dorries-health-minister-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-11954928
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Apparently in the last week or so she was at a #10 International Women's Day event at which the PM was present. What the heck does he do? The advice is I believe that he should self-isolate - as perhaps everyone at that event should do. Difficult.
 
Hobbit said:
Each to their own. Your son chose his career path, and I'm sure he's well aware of the limitations in terms of earning. As for the govt subsidising him... I wonder where they get that money from? Ah yes, those that pay more tax. Its not just the bank of mum and dad, its the bank of every tax payer.

Some people do need support. They struggle to get a job or a job that pays enough but those that are self-employed chose their own job. I don't agree with UC for the self-employed.
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Don't worry - he'll soon lose it when his income goes up a little. BTW - the PM has advised all self-employed to register for UC.

And do you consider those who work in the gig economy as self-employed...what about those on zero hours contracts...those who are 'employed' at the whim of their 'employer'. Self-employed or zero hours is not always a choice option - it is often the only option. If you call that subsidising well it is I suggest more the 'employer' who is getting subsidised and not the employee. We are a civilised wealthy country - with values supposedly based upon Christian values - where those with more support those with much less.
 
I'm shipping two pallets to Italian customers today. Interesting to see if they make it all the way there or if during transit the freight system there grinds to a halt.

On the virus itself, if it is a contagious as it seems, if it were to rifle through the world as is being suggested, how long until we came out of the other side? If the bulk of people have had it, recovered and have a level of immunity that means it is relatively harmless, herd immunity I think it is called?
 
SwingsitlikeHogan said:
Don't worry - he'll soon lose it when his income goes up a little. BTW - the PM has advised all self-employed to register for UC.

And do you consider those who work in the gig economy as self-employed...what about those on zero hours contracts...those who are 'employed' at the whim of their 'employer'. Self-employed or zero hours is not always a choice option - it is often the only option. If you call that subsidising well it is I suggest more the 'employer' who is getting subsidised and not the employee. We are a civilised wealthy country - with values supposedly based upon Christian values - where those with more support those with much less.
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"Christian Values"?

You have to be very picky if you tie these in with "those with more support those with much less". There are probably many Christian values over time that have very much contradicted this. I'd say that this is more to do with being a more civilised society, rather than being a Christian society. Of course, that is an entirely different debate to this one.
 
I've just seen a viral thread going round facebook (excuse the pun), supposedly written by a young medical researcher posted in Wuhan. Amongst other things, the post say:

  • Consuming hot drinks like tea will neutralise the virus
  • Regular face masks will stop it
  • To test if you have it, hold your breath for more than 10 seconds. If you do this without coughing, without discomfort or a sense of oppression then this shows there is no fibrosis in the lungs, indicating essentially no infection.
There you go. That's is for the people that will happily believe absolutely anything they read.

Although, I do have to admit, I've done the hold my breath test. I passed :)
 
SwingsitlikeHogan said:
Don't worry - he'll soon lose it when his income goes up a little. BTW - the PM has advised all self-employed to register for UC.

And do you consider those who work in the gig economy as self-employed...what about those on zero hours contracts...those who are 'employed' at the whim of their 'employer'. Self-employed or zero hours is not always a choice option - it is often the only option. If you call that subsidising well it is I suggest more the 'employer' who is getting subsidised and not the employee. We are a civilised wealthy country - with values supposedly based upon Christian values - where those with more support those with much less.
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Why should I be worried? I made my point. Those that chose to be self employed should make their own provisions.

My middle daughter was part of the gig economy. At one point she had 6 jobs. And she was also fitting in night classes. She, like her siblings, grafted to improve her lot and now has a great job, as they all do. It wasn't handed to them, nor did they go looking for handouts.

Some people need help, and some people need to look at their life choices and chose a path, if they can, that makes them self sufficient... and maybe your son should consider a 2nd job to supplement his income.

Christian society? I have no problem paying tax, and more tax if neccessary to help those that need help. That doesn't include those that are capable of helping themselves but chose an easy option.
 
Finally had confirmation from my sons school his Skiing trip at Easter half term to Italy is cancelled and full refund is coming.

As for the comments so far about self employed people I find that to be a very woe is me attitude, being self employed is choice people make I don't believe that should entitle them to additional government assistance. If you're self employed you have a responsibility to yourself to make suitable provisions and put money aside for times of sickness, holiday or potential loss of hours. I have been in that exact position myself as was my father before me, if things got tight the money put aside got dipped into because its your own responsibility to cover these things.

If you have people still on a low income and no ability to put a little away each month whilst being self employed then I'd argue they've either made a poor career choice, need to have a 2nd income to subsidise their own life choice or change career to a full time employed role.

Coronavirus or anything else isn't at fault for them struggling, their career choices are. That maybe harsh but its factually true.
 
We’ve just been told we’ll be issued chlorinated wipes every day and must clean our keyboards, mice and desk phones with them.
 
Hobbit said:
Why should I be worried? I made my point. Those that chose to be self employed should make their own provisions.

My middle daughter was part of the gig economy. At one point she had 6 jobs. And she was also fitting in night classes. She, like her siblings, grafted to improve her lot and now has a great job, as they all do. It wasn't handed to them, nor did they go looking for handouts.

Some people need help, and some people need to look at their life choices and chose a path, if they can, that makes them self sufficient... and maybe your son should consider a 2nd job to supplement his income.

Christian society? I have no problem paying tax, and more tax if neccessary to help those that need help. That doesn't include those that are capable of helping themselves but chose an easy option.
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Careful Bri, you don’t want to be accused of being too sensitive.;)
 
Swango1980 said:
I've just seen a viral thread going round facebook (excuse the pun), supposedly written by a young medical researcher posted in Wuhan. Amongst other things, the post say:

  • Consuming hot drinks like tea will neutralise the virus
  • Regular face masks will stop it
  • To test if you have it, hold your breath for more than 10 seconds. If you do this without coughing, without discomfort or a sense of oppression then this shows there is no fibrosis in the lungs, indicating essentially no infection.
There you go. That's is for the people that will happily believe absolutely anything they read.

Although, I do have to admit, I've done the hold my breath test. I passed :)
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Held my breath too, made it to 45 seconds, didn't start coughing..... but I did pass out... :ROFLMAO:
 
bobmac said:
:censored:
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I am regularly told that whilst the values of UK society and government might well have been grounded back in the day in Christian values - that was then 100s of years ago - and this is now. I also still hear many talk of the UK as a Christian country even although most do not hold any Christian beliefs. Maybe things have changed in the last few years and we no longer consider UK a Christian country - but that the core values remain and we can all live them with or without a faith.
 
Hobbit said:
Why should I be worried? I made my point. Those that chose to be self employed should make their own provisions.

My middle daughter was part of the gig economy. At one point she had 6 jobs. And she was also fitting in night classes. She, like her siblings, grafted to improve her lot and now has a great job, as they all do. It wasn't handed to them, nor did they go looking for handouts.

Some people need help, and some people need to look at their life choices and chose a path, if they can, that makes them self sufficient... and maybe your son should consider a 2nd job to supplement his income.

Christian society? I have no problem paying tax, and more tax if neccessary to help those that need help. That doesn't include those that are capable of helping themselves but chose an easy option.
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The easy option being doing nothing and the state funding their lifestyle...some would have 'lavish' lifestyle...

But we are not talking of them - we are talking of those who do jobs providing services that we might all use but which the employers choose to employ on such as zero hours contract basis; who pay as little as possible and/or with no guaranteed work. These folk cannot put money aside for the lean times - when work dries up or is simply given to someone else as the boss doesn't like your face. If we want these services then effectively we indirectly subsidise the employers to provide them - and in the current coronavirus outbreak these workers could lose all their income and will be relying upon UC. They will be able to report loss of income but an increase in UC will not be immediate.

You mention your daughter - I get it - My son works his backside off - often leaving home at 8am and getting home from work at 4am next day. He has for years eschewed claiming any benefits he has been due as he was striving to make his own way - but in doing so has built up significant debts and has eventually signed on for UC - mostly due to risk to his income brought about through the coronavirus. We have little doubt that he will succeed in his ambitions and will most likely do rather well for himself - but it takes time to build up the experience and the network. But it will come. He is no longer at the bottom - he is on the upward curve - but it does not pay great at first and it takes time.
 
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need_my_wedge said:
Held my breath too, made it to 45 seconds, didn't start coughing..... but I did pass out... :ROFLMAO:
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After the dump someone had here this morning, everyone needed to hold their breath for more than 10 seconds. On the positive side, no-one has the virus.
 
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