Penguin68

'Rules' about lock-down - 1. If you are symptomatic, self-isolate at home (quarantine) and don't leave quarantine until 7 days after you first showed symptoms unless you still have symptoms. Stay at home till these pass (assuming you don't become so ill you need medical treatment) [And there are additional rules if you are sharing a living space with others] 2. If you are well, (mainly) stay at home except for the permitted reasons, including an hour's exercise - by limiting your time there will be fewer people out at any one time to possibly infect each other. 3. If you practice social distancing (2 metres) outside you are very unlikely, in the open air, to contract the virus. [What that means is that socially distancing people who sunbathe or sit down are putting no one, themselves or others, at risk. However spending more than an hour out will start to contribute locally to 'over crowding.] 4. Thoroughly wash your hands if you touch anything you have not brought with you when outside. Which includes a seat you might have sat on. If only the asymptomatic go out, and if they socially distance, and hand wash, the virus will not spread. So if people are conforming to this, but not beating themselves about the head to increase their lock-down pain, don't criticise them. The virus is spreading because either people are not following the advice (and we do see them on our streets), or because they are forced, as key workers or people in contact with key workers to 'break' social distancing rules. You can't nurse someone whilst 2 metres away from them. Or serve them in a shop.

Did it originate from a lab in Wuhan? No, the best the CIA can come up with, as speculation, is that there is no evidence it wasn't an escape of a virus specimen from the Wuhan lab. There's no evidence, that you know of, that I'm not a nine-foot alien lizard hacking into this system from my spaceship in geosynchronous orbit over the Sahara, either Is it man made? No Is Covid-19 just a strain of influenza? No, it is a different type of virus, a coronavirus, related to the 'common cold' virus. The symptoms may be similar, the virus isn't What else, that would normally be front page news, is going on in the world that isn't being reported in the mainstream media? Really?! Is 5g a contributing factor? No Was Event 201 (a simulation exercise carried out by Bill Gates and the WHO regarding a global coronavirus pandemic that occurred months before this virus spread) just a coincidence? Yes - but people have been speculating for years that another big pandemic is well over-due Why were there Recent legislation changes to the Control of Disease Act 1984 which came into force on the 27th April 2020, regarding mandatory isolation and vaccination? Why do you think, we're in the middle of a pandemic and need to take precautionary powers - the range of diseases for which quarantine can be mandatory is necessarily and rightly limited

Camberwell Old Cemetery is closed (at least the southern, Langton Rise gate is) for funerals. Although we were notified of this, it would be useful if a sign could be put on the locked gate to that effect, with the proviso - 'the gates will be opened when the funeral(s) is/ are over'. In that way those planning to go into the cemetery and finding the gates locked would know this was only temporary. I've thought, twice this week, that we had moved back to full lock-down of the cemetery and given up on visiting that day. I'm afraid arbitrary actions by Councils have become the norm now, so we begin to think the worst.

If you reduce the trees canopy through pollarding you reduce or inhibit root spread. 'as much below as above' is a useful and not entirely innacurate mantra to describe the situation.

If you reduce the tree's canopy through pollarding you reduce or inhibit root spread. 'as much below as above' is a useful and not entirely innacurate mantra to describe the situation.

My wife and I exercise walk together and frequently walk in single file to allow passage of others. Only parents with young children should be walking together as you've described above. If we all achieved sensitive pavement usage thinking of others that would be good.

Further to the above - Southwark seems to be set on quite expensive alterations to road layouts and rules. Now I recognise this forms part of Southwark Council's avowed war against private vehicles, other than as a source of revenue through parking charges - but it is likely that whatever distortions and half truths your fellow councillors in relevant departments are pretending to act with, all bets must now be off. Although we may anticipate traffic levels in general to start climbing once the Covid-19 crisis is over (perhaps 18 months before there is a new normality?) what that new normality will be is moot. Many companies are finding that working from home works - and we may expect to see a significant reduction in 5 day a week commutes in future - as companies save on office space costs by reducing accommodation and requiring employees to work more from home - additionally commute times will shift as people stagger their commuting far more to avoid crowds. All this will possibly lead to significant reductions in peak road usage, and hence reductions also in congestion and pollution. The council is (obviously) strapped for cash - to spend now on something which may no longer be relevant is just wasteful, and would imply that the Council puts its political biases far above practicality or economy. Efforts should be being put on stimulation of the local economy, and support of those locally hardest hit by the virus, not on conducting a 'hate' against private motorists. We simply don't know now what the impact on 'health' - as regards continued levels of pollution will be, but health as regard mental health (and physical health) being damaged through an economic slump and local losses of employment are only too obvious. There are dragons now at our gate that clearly need slaying. And they're not driving about our streets.

We should be pressing for all 'traffic' based changes to be put on hold now. We do not know what 'normal' is going to look like post Covid-19 - but I suspect that for some time, and perhaps for ever, issues of commuting and rush hours and where people work from will be changing. To make very costly changes to traffic issues right now makes no sense whatsoever.

The government is urging people in lock-down to take Vitamin D supplements - yet the police (and the mavens) are cracking down on those sunbathing (when otherwise socially distanced). I am one of the lucky ones with a garden to sit out in, and I don't object to solitary individuals sunning themselves outside. Chances, in this weather, would be a fine thing. If we can get social distancing right (we're getting better, but still as I'm pounded past by joggers almost brushing me unless I leap out of the way - not that good - but most joggers are now far better at making detours round walkers) - then more people could be out more of the time.

Pedestrians are much more vulnerable to attackers/abductors/muggers/snatchers who approach in a car from behind on the same side of the road as you. If you are facing the oncoming cars, you can be much more aware of what is happening or likely to happen and take evasive action such as running past the car because the car is unlikely to reverse against the flow of traffic 1. I was talking about and responding to what's actually in the Highway Code 2. If you walk on the inside of the pavement (nearest the houses) you are far less likely to be attacked (you can't readily be reached from a passing car or bike) - and if you are not visibly on your mobile phone or swinging your handbag similarly. Most suburban streets are sufficiently parked up that these cars additionally act as a barrier. 3. Suburban streets, particularly at the moment, are surprisingly traffic free - so the option of 'backing up', were that a sensible suggestion, is far more available to criminals than on a busy urban or shopping street.

but the Highway Code suggests the opposite. You are safest if you are walking towards oncoming traffic as you can see the cars coming. The Highway Code is specifically talking here about those walking on (rural) roads, not on suburban pavements - on which it is entirely silent. If you are walking on roads then walking towards and on the same side as oncoming traffic ensures that you see it coming and can step onto the verge if necessary (and they may also be more likely to see you). Wholly irrelevant if you have a pavement to walk on, as cars are generally discouraged from mounting these.

Genius idea Penguin .Think I'll adopt this approach myself . I'm flattered, but I think it'll take a few more than just thee and me to work!

so there is no danger to others. - Because you are all self distancing, wearing masks, not going near anyone vulnerable (including those not blessed with your relative youth, not touching stuff outside)... If you were all genuinely self isolating and only going out to meet in one house, and then going back to a locked-down state... but you're not, are you? You're 'exercising' and shopping and all the other stuff, because, hey, you're 30 and safe. You (and people with your attitude) are the reason why people are still going down with the virus 4 and more weeks after lock-down, and why people will by dying into May and beyond. And why the lock-down will continue. Thanks a bunch! Edited to add - I just hope your moronic post was meant (but failed) to be 'ironic' - like Trump - when he proposed injecting bleach into patients.

I'm not sure what the solution is... so, I'm curious to hear other peoples' ideas, as I'm a full-time pedestrian and can't get anywhere (including to buy food) unless I walk... which is a nightmare. One simple solution to suburban pavement use would be to make pavements one-way - that is that progress along any one pavement would all be in the same direction (so no need to dodge out of the way of incoming traffic). If you always walked so that the houses were on your left that would achieve this - you would actually be walking on the same side of the street as cars drive - so for drivers this would come naturally. Only if you needed to overtake would you then have to move into the road to do so. More difficult to do on shopping streets, of course, where the location of the shop (that you need) is key - but you could cross the road when you need to, I suppose.

I can confirm that Camberwell Old Cemetery was open this morning (26th). With distancing marked at the gate. And proper notices indicating appropriate behaviour.

These LED streetlights emit dangerously high levels of radiation and can be adapted to transmit 5G This is rubbish, and the reference to 5G makes me think it is part of a trolling mythmaking exercise. Why you think a low power source is capable of emitting 'high', indeed 'dangerously high' levels of radiation beats me. The 'lower carbon emission' is because they use less power, which makes them less 'powerful' - or rather power consuming - than sodium lights. The 'radiation' they emit is light, sort-of a necessary requirement for a street light.

There are clearly selfish behaviours (particularly when out walking)- although considering the government is now urging us to take Vitamin D supplements I would not over worry about isolated (and isolating) sunbathing incidents - but we will get through this by tolerating others when they are not actually putting themselves or others at risk, but maybe simply trying to take a little pleasure in the weather (sadly not today). The issue is about maintaining social isolation to avoid catching the thing and then giving it to others. You are not just playing chicken with your own health, and that's the message which hasn't quite got through. But getting annoyed because other people might be enjoying this more than you (so long as they aren't endangering others...) And those who want to leap into a Stasi state of informing on 'transgressors' - make sure you know what laws (as opposed to 'advice') are being broken. And don't leap to conclusions if you hear laughter or see merriment.

I notice Camberwell Old Cemetery is still firmly locked. Clearly assurances from the council and councillors are worth, well, you can fill that in yourself.

Are you using a VPN - I've found this can cause problems, as can browser incompatability. If using Firefox try Chrome or vice versa.

If I was a health worker in this weather coming off a long shift (in overheating PPE) I would welcome an ice-cream on my way home - but apparently that need isn't 'essential' enough for some. By all means choose not to queue for or buy ice-cream yourself, but don't try to take away (see what I did there) something allowed by government and valued by many. Lock-down is about safety, not puritan values.

nor have i updated the PC with anything Your Windows PC should automatically update monthly with security patches (you can delay this, but I'm guessing you don't if you are as non-tech as you suggest) - unless you are running Windows 7 or earlier where the operating system is no longer supported by Microsoft. These automatic updates recently from Microsoft have caused some people real problems.

Have you updated your PC recently? One update had the effect of 'losing' all documents etc. (I believe they weren't actually lost) This is just one link which suggests remedies https://www.fonepaw.com/windows/windows-update-deleted-my-files.html. A recent 2020 issue is noted here https://www.howtogeek.com/658194/windows-10s-new-update-is-deleting-peoples-files-again/ I do hope it works out for you, but I'm sure there is a remedy and it isn't all really lost

I had a delivery from Sainsbury's today (thanks v much) - but quite a lot of my order wasn't available - including semi-skimmed milk - I ordered a specific item/ brand (you have to) but allowed substitutions - apparently they didn't have 'my' semi-skimmed milk or any alternatives. Really?

It is worth remembering that regular mask wearing communities (mainly S.E Asian - China, Korea, Japan etc.) have very different views on normal social distancing and contact - Japanese bow and tend to shake hands only with Westerners, most don't exchange kisses on greeting under any circumstances. Mask wearing (which many will do to protect others if they have colds) is symptomatic of a different social approach, and it may be that (rather than just the physical presence of a mask) which is impacting spread. I also feel that it would be dangerous to think that mask wearing will protect you - it's about protecting others. But, as we are all 'mask virgins', we may just get it wrong and think we are making ourselves safe. Remember that the reason why doctors and nurses normally wear PPE (and change it between patients) is to protect the patient, not themselves. Our own medical and care staff are not used to wearing PPE to protect themselves, except in very special cases - such as Ebola and now Covid-19.

Apologies Applespider if I have traduced you; it is just that, to me, 'people with bikes' who are riding them (anywhere) are 'cyclists'. Whether they have the gear (and indeed whether they have expensive bikes) or not. I accept that there are trail cyclists and mountain bikers and speed/ track bikers (who are specialists) as are BMX aficionados. And for many of them a flat grass surface will not offer their biking experience. But a rose is a rose is a rose.