Beetley Update: Yet Another Covid-19 Saturday

~ beetleypete

As this situation drags on, it even seems to be geting to the local dogs. I was awakened early by dogs barking in nearby gardens, and that set off some ‘yappy dogs’ on the street outside. Very soon, there was some kind of ‘Canine Concerto’ happening, and getting back to sleep was impossible.

During the current lockdown, even allowing for the recent ‘easing of restrictions’, waking up early is not advised. With nowhere much to go, it makes a long day feel a whole lot longer. We can of course drive to the coast if we wish, but there are still no cafes or public toilets open, so maybe not a good idea. Not much point going into town to look around the shops, as only the food shops and chemists are open at the moment.

Uncertain weather doesn’t help either. Depending which forecast you look at, we are due to have either a dry humid day up to 24 C, or a 60% chance of thundery showers in the same temperatures. The obvious conclusion is that it is going to feel uncomfortably humid, whatever happens.

Next week, ‘non-essential’ shops are allowed to open. I predict there will be a rush on for hairdressers and barbers, as well as people browsing in gift shops, charity shops, and card shops, just because they can. Not because they actually want to buy anything. The local supermarkets are retaining the same distancing measures and queueing system, and I think that’s a good idea. When Macdonalds reopened last week, the queue for the drive-through brought local traffic to a standstill. Imagine if the restaurant had opened too.

People are craving what they were used to, and will not hesitate to have it once they can. All this talk of the world ‘changing’ becuase of the Coronavirus is just fantasy, I’m afraid. They will jump in their cars, head to the shoppping malls, book holidays abroad on jet planes, pack out any public venues that actually open, and get back to ‘normal’ in a heartbeat, as if nothing had happened.

Don’t believe me? Wait and see.

72 thoughts on “Beetley Update: Yet Another Covid-19 Saturday”

  1. Did your prediction become true, Pete? Here honestly isnt any difference to the lockdown. But its a special village too.Much of the earnings of citizens working outside come from the so-called reimbursement of travel expenses. Here one save by – perhaps not quite legally 😉 – carpooling, but by settled your own trip quite regularly. 😉

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    1. There were large crowds for the shop openings in all big cities, Michael. In London, they didn’t follow the social distancing in some shops, and elsewhere too, people were going ‘buying-crazy’.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  5. Here the hairdressers where one of the first places to open, but had to be prebooked, only one person at a time, wearing a mask… They organised it by phases depending on the number of cases in each region, so here, in Barcelona, we’re still lagging behind, but the actual state of emergency will officially end next Monday. Shops had to implement distancing measures and only allow in a limited number of people depending on the size of the shop, and shopping malls only opened in the second phase, and with restrictions again. Beaches are proving tricky, as they only opened to the public (before it was only for sports professionals and training) last week, and they are checking the numbers with sensors, created a web one could check, and had to close several of them because people kept coming.
    Everybody is tired of restrictions, but it’s a risk for everybody, not only those who don’t follow instructions.
    Take care, Pete.

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    1. Beaches and leisure facilities do seem to be the places where correct social distancing is ignored the most. With tourism opening up in Europe again soon, I fear that the virus might well get out of control once more.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  7. Yes, they will ignore all the risks and do their thing and die and never be concerned until they feel the ventilator being strapped to their face. It is the same here in the USA! Reckless, irresponsible uninformed unfortunates taking their lives in their own hands for the sake of a little instant self gratification.

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  8. I fear your final paragraph summation of people’s response to the easing of restrictions, ‘going forward’, is correct: we seem, as a nation [whatever that actually means], to be immune from learning from our adversities & misfortunes, preferring to be ruled by self-interest. Whether the virus will return to bite us again, figuratively speaking, after this lemming-like rush back to ‘normality’ remains to be seen. Cheers, Jon.

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  10. I think the fatalities need to go up quite a bit more in the second wave to make more people sit up and take it seriously. Then of course the vaccine will be delayed!
    I dont think it will go back to normal anytime soon as the impacts on the economy take a long time to filter through, but when they do sociality will either breakdown or have to come up with something different. Forever the optimist 🙂
    There was a rumour in our nearest town that someone has Covid, the shops emptied, the schools shutdown again and the tattered masks came out of everyone’s pockets.

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    1. The economic impact has yet to really hit. That will likely last for the lifetime of your kids, and force changes in work practices and society that we can only imagine right now.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  11. you called it right. That is the attitude here in the states and we have dramatic increases of cases. i am only socialising with my immediate family members as we are all isolating still. Ordering groceries etc. I am in awe that people are bored with the conditons so much as to risk their health . . .and the health of others. stay safe and well, your fan michele

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  13. I did finally get the hair cut tool you recommended to me months ago. It had been on back order for quite a while. I watched the video “easy hair cut” three times and then did my husband’s hair. It is pretty good for a first try. I still have to get a little better around the ears. Right now one is higher than the other!

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  14. HI Pete. Our Republican governor has Florida opening and cases have begun to spike dramatically here. No one in state government here really gives a rat’s ass so long as hospitals have available beds and are not overwhelmed. Which means that older folks like us are on our own.

    What it comes down to is that we are all responsible for our own health and safety. I currently only go out for groceries or doctor’s appointments. I wear a mask and will continue to do so. Without a vaccine I can take there is no going back. So I won’t be eating out, going to the mall or crowded places or sporting events anytime soon. We will simply have to get used to it. Best from Florida. Stay well.

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  15. Like everyone else, I wish we could go back to the time before the coronavirus. Unfortunately, I don’t think it will be possible, at least not until there is a reliable vaccine that can be mass produced and distributed. In other words, not for a while. The only unknown factor is how many more lives will be lost before the nay-sayers understand that.

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  16. Here lockdown started to brake down a few weeks before the govt gave the green light, the final straw as far as the general well behaving population was concerned was when the PM basically endorsed the mass marches while small – medium business’s were closing or laying off staff. but a happy smiling face saying ‘be kind” works wonders as far as the rest of the world is concerned.

    A live, open to public rugby game was played here last night and it does appear that we are returning to a pre lockdown way of life, oh yes I went to the game. No new normal just the same old same old.

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  17. I get frustrated with human behavior; it is so predictable at times. First, there was the feeling of invincibility as in “this could never happen to me.” Next, there was the predictable “we better take this seriously.” Finally, when people tired of sheltering in place, there is “I’m doing what I want. The government can’t tell me what to do.” Can I please scream? I understand that we can’t stay in a bubble forever, but there is little to suggest this is reaching its end.

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  19. Pete, the state of California has been one of the most aggressive in shutting down, and the easing of restrictions are just now beginning – and yet we had our worst day for new cases since this crisis began – no end in sight, but here in the US we have a number of people who consider it “an acceptable loss”…

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    1. I saw that phrase used today about the situation in Brazil. Where deaths are considered ‘acceptable’ to get the economy up and running again.
      Now we have had BLM demonstrations in cities here, some ministers are blaming the protestors for any ‘second wave’ that appears. It all seems to be falling apart.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  20. oh i totally agree with you, Pete. non-essential stores are now open here and it is shocking to see the number of cars in the parking lot. i saw people wearing masks so that is good but didn’t go in any store. i hope social distancing is enforced. 🥰

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      1. Over here, the first wave isn’t done except in places like NY and NJ. We have no national strategy as twitler wants to reopen the economy as he thinks it is the key to his re-election–death to all who oppose twitter (his actions suggest that is his motto). Warmest regards, Theo

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    1. Even in the small place where I live, I have seen peope jump at the chance to do anything, once they are allowed to. Whether playing sports in groups, or crowding into cars to go to Macdonalds. I can only imagine what that will be like once the populous cities open up fully.
      Thanks, Margie.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  25. Unfortunately, I think you are right, Pete. There may not be a return to the same level of pre-Covid holiday flights just yet but it’ll come – though some European countries are making it clear they don’t the British stag night groups to return!

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    1. I am sure there will be many changes, Mary. But I am equally sure that the all-inclusive family holidays to sunny European countries (and Florida) are not that far off returning.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  26. I’m not so sure about that, Pete. The economic effect of this three month shutdown has only just started to be felt. People are not going to have as much money to throw around as they have in the past. I agree that the change for many people will not be a willing one. The recent changes to the business world may not disappear either, also do to financial constraints. I am not convinced that business travel will ever return to pre-covid levels.

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    1. You are probably right about businesses, Robbie. But I feel sure that most people will still rush to the shops, and go on holiday. Many have actually saved quite a lot during lockdown, unable to spend on leisure pursuits, in pubs or restaurants, or in clothes shops.
      But I would be very happy if I am proved wrong.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  27. The only thing that might deter potential vacationers heading abroad is the cost of airline tickets. That’s still very much up in the air – pun intentional.

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          1. I was thinking about possibly trimming my own hair back in March, I think it was, but then I realised that would be a terrible idea. I know how to clip a schnauzer, but that doesn’t help at all with my won hair! And I’m not sure if my clippers still work, I haven’t had a schnauzer for a few years now.

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