On the subject of "to work or not to work" Vladimir Putin has ordered a "non-working week" 

"Russians are not in lockdown, they're just not working

The Kremlin's spokesman has insisted that Russia has "de facto no epidemic" and yet President Vladimir Putin has ordered a "non-working week" starting on Saturday. Latest reports suggest a rise of 228 new cases in the past 24 hours, so that means 1,264 reported cases and at least three deaths. What exactly does a "non-working week" mean? "

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-52061381

I have also see people getting abuse in public which is uncalled for. Last weekend: 

1. I observed a mum park up directly outside a butchers and pop inside for no more than 45 seconds. She left her toddler in the car but was no more than 3 metres from the car which was in plain site of her.  When she came out another lady shouted at her for leaving a toddler in the car.


2.  The next day in another shop a man made a snide comment about a women who had brought a baby into the shop with her.

You cannot win.

It does seem to be the case that everyone has suddenly become an expert on what everyone else should be doing.

We're staying in the house, going out only for solitary exercise at quiet times and observing the distance rules. I do wish that people would take this a bit more seriously.

On the upside, I successfully ran our friday night quiz over facebook for the second week at 9pm last night. It worked really well.

You're missing the point I am making. There are some people working out there in "non-essential" jobs who feel pressured to work when they are fearful of getting infected. This isn't all about social distancing either, it's about surface contact transfer and taht message appears to be being lost on some that I have come across

A question on many people's minds is how long until a vaccine for coronavirus can be developed.

Prof Sarah Gilbert, who is leading a team developing a UK vaccine at the University of Oxford, says they are looking at ways to speed up the process, which usually takes 12-18 months.

She has told the BBC they are trying to "go much faster than that" by overlapping phases of the trials, but adds: "It’s very important to know that the vaccine is both safe and that it really does work before we start planning to roll it out on a wider scale.”

"Unfortunately vaccine development does take some time. With this pandemic, vaccine development is going faster than it ever has before but we can’t miss steps out," she said.

The university is also looking at expanding its ability “to make large quantities of the vaccine” when it becomes available.

For clarity Dave my reply was in no way connected to your point it was a general observation (similar to Tim’s) based on observations elsewhere. Ideally no-one should be going out to work as normal unless it is vital/there are no alternative. Re. collecting a new car, If precautions are followed the risk is probably at worst negligible and certainly less than going to the supermarket.

Valid point Dave

I have just sent a invite to the MD and HR for a Skype meeting , we are in manufacturing and do supply to the construction industry , if we shut our competitors Dulux / Crown / Remmer's etc will start supplying our customer base and you can imagine the damage that will do ?

BUT several members of staff are now concerned about coming into work - rock and a hard place 

My view as a non-expert is:
The tougher the lockdown is the sooner restrictions can be relaxed. We can then attempt to return to contact tracing. Tightening the screw now will save money in the long run and may prevent the daily death total rising above 300 in the UK.

The government's approach:
Having just finished reading The Times I understand the government expects UK deaths to peak at 250 per day. If that is what happens we will have done "well" compared to some other countries. The government could reasonably argue they pitched the lockdown at the right level and made the best of a bad situation. 

Cheers Michael

Today is a strange day for me as I don't work weekends so I have to make a brief shopping trip and other than that it will be a long walk in the late evening.

I might have to do some gardening 

An interesting one. I'm not saying you are wrong and I am right, but I would postpone collection.

I wager it gets above that after what yesterdays numbers were 

It’s a case of individual risk assessment which should be done by employers.  Although I suspect there will be a few industrial tribunals arising from this and possibly a return to trades unionism. 

I agree. There seems to have been some optimism pumped into the some of the media overnight from government sources. I am all for positive news, but  we also need more realistic messaging.

I fear you will be correct. I can’t see death numbers peaking at a max of 250. I fear it will be significantly more based on yesterday’s numbers and the number of new cases we have reported in the last three days alone.

We cannot completely trash the economy and wreck millions of lives.Doing so makes the cure worse than the disease!!

Indeed I did call the dealer yesterday and I got the impression they are doing all they can to adhere to 2m isolation. When I suggested the collection was non essential she got genuinely emotional - I think many areas of business are really feeling the pinch and my approach is to try to carry on as normally as possible within the strict guidelines and this particular transaction can adhere to those guidelines. I won’t stop at any services - I’m not sure they’re open anyway?

Read my post above. I expect the economic costs of an extended but less strict lockdown to be greater than a shorter but more stringent one. Like other posters here I am offering an opinion and nothing more.

And that's a fair shout 

Surely a short(er) sharp shock to the economy is better than a long drawn out moderate one ?

All shelves looked well stocked, even loo rolls, which I don’t need and haven’t bought at all during the panic frenzy.  I generally buy such items in bulk and already had enough.  There were quite a few reduced items in the fresh food isles as well.  Wine was restricted to 3 bottles, so I got 3 bottles of Rioja.  Although at the checkout, the woman said the restriction has now been lifted. 

A pleasing choice if I may say so. 

Interesting piece from Aljazeera

Coronavirus: Why are deaths rising so quickly in Spain?

Experts say large elderly population, social behaviour and weak healthcare system have contributed to high fatalities.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/coronavirus-deaths-rising-quickly-spain-200327181759832.html

Indeed! I did my weekly shop last night and everyone was very respectful. It got a little busier during my shop but they were controlling the numbers with a queue outside that was being respected by everyone, and at a safe distance, too.

Inside it was a similar picture with a reasonable amount of stock, except for pasta. Directional arrows on the floor were well observed and people were kept at a safe distance from tills. At the checkout, the woman that served me loved the system and said it was working really well, I had a lovely chat with her when packing my food.

Quality 

Just back from  my permitted exercise  for the day.  I extended my perambulation somewhat to a tad under  7KM (circa 4.3 Miles)

After yesterdays debacle  I purposely chose a  route  that didn't involve going anyway near the centre of the village.    I met 3 blokes (2 with  dogs) and a couple.   Everyone  was  observing social distancing well.  A part of my route was on a minor road that  I usually avoid  as it's a death trap for walkers and cyclists.  I saw 2 vehicles on  my 1 mile walk along it and one of those was a Royal Mail delivery van.

A much more satisfactory experience  all round than yesterday but I'm assuming there is still Muppetry occurring  closer in to the village !