I am a bit of a misanthrope at the best of times. Yet, despite this, I work in a service industry – learning and development. I like individual people, I guess, I just don’t much like the herd. This Covid-19 cove has brought out both the best and the worst in people.
I went to do my weekly shop and was reminded just how bovine the herd can be. There is no need to panic shop, yet despite this, the morons have emptied the shelves, leaving nothing for the rest of us. I have a small running stock in the freezer of things like meat and meals I’ve cooked and frozen, but fresh stuff is more problematic. And I couldn’t get any bread.
“Bake your own,” some said.
“Yeah, with what?” For the herd has hoovered up the flour, too.
On the other hand, there are those who are making sure that elderly relatives and neighbours are okay.
My work just took a hit as the DVSA has cancelled tests this week. We have no way of knowing when they will resume, so have to assume that next week will be tests as normal, because if we don’t, the students won’t be ready and the DVSA hasn’t said either way. Still, on a bike social distancing is relatively easy. Much like Brexit, it is the uncertainty that is the problem here.
While I feel that we should take things seriously, I am also of the opinion that the headless chicken approach we are witnessing is over the top. At least we haven’t yet got to the point where we have to print out permits to walk the dog…
Still, looks as if there might be a run on quinine…
Interesting times.
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers . . .
(attrib. George Carlin)
I have a book called ‘Scared to death’ which documents all kinds of health scares in the UK over the last few decades. In every case it was the government’s reaction that did the most harm, far more harm than the original problem. In some cases there wasn’t actually a problem at all, at least this time there actually is one.
Regarding the panic buying, why bog roll of all things?
There is, but the level of hysteria is out of proportion.
As Apocalypses go, this one is less likely to involve the Four Horsemen and more likely the Four Pedestrians (Roller Skaters if really serious) of the Apocalypse. Observing the Lemmings in the shops and knowing a little about food preservation, there will be a lot of rotten veg available for composting very soon.
In my experience this week it’s actually the bloody pensioners who are cleaning the shelves out…
A colleague at work described being trampled by an old dear grabbing a whole case of some product and piling it into her already heaving trolley. Having said that I’m about to become a pensioner myself and I’m not panicking.
Mrs Stonyground is attempting to sort a click and collect trip to Asda and loads of stuff is sold out. We are currently in quaranteen as we have a suspected case in the house so we are avoiding actually going around the store.
@LR
Three months
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/driving-tests-and-mots-for-heavy-vehicles-suspended-for-up-to-3-months-to-help-tackle-spread-of-coronavirus
Yup. So I am temporarily unable to work. Unless I can get some interest in the advanced stuff, but I’m not holding my breath.
I’m due my standards check this summer, too. That could well slip.