Covid - news and views

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  • JillwithaJay
    JillwithaJay Club Member Posts: 2,484 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #32

    Hubby and I booked our vaccinations online simultaneously so we had the best chance of having appointments for the same time.  We were also able to do the same for the second vaccination. 

    Hopefully, if we manage to get away for our planned trip in April, we'll be back in time for our second vaccinations.

  • allanandjean
    allanandjean Forum Participant Posts: 2,401
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    edited February 2021 #33

    Looking at this thread and noted comments re second vaccination.

    My wife had letter from NHS last week with details of how to book and both vaccinations are booked at the same time with lots of availability  both day and times.

    She could have had the next day if she had wanted it.

  • Freddy55
    Freddy55 Club Member Posts: 1,809 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #34

    I get my jab this coming Friday. I received a text and just followed the links to book a slot. My understanding is that I’ll be contacted again nearer the time regarding my second jab. At this moment, I’m keeping May free (nothing planned/booked) until I know when my second jab will take place. At this moment the wife (same age) hasn’t been contacted but I’m hopeful that she’ll get her jab soon, and that we won’t be too out of sync. I do have Cirencester Park booked around mid April, so hopefully that’ll go ahead🤞

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited February 2021 #35
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  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,402 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #36

    Well well! Just 10 minutes ago a text came through inviting me for my first jab. smile

    Saturday morning, doctors surgery 10 minutes walk along there - but, like Freddy, no date for second jab, just a note on the confirmation text to say about 12 weeks time and I'd be contacted nearer the time.

    Mrs M (who is a mere youngster compared to me) is now in a massive sulk! laughing

  • Goldie146
    Goldie146 Club Member Posts: 2,448 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #37

    We did the same - PC and Ipad at the same time.

    But are not considering going away before the second dose 12 weeks on (2nd May) - nor relaxing the "keeping ourselves to ourselves" regime. Holidays can wait until later in the year (if at all!)

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited February 2021 #38

    WN wrote "I'm sure there will be objections but I'm looking on the bright side. Lower high season site fees"

    I suspect you mean 'shorter' high season fees. Good luck with that one.

    Whilst the vaccine roll-out has been impressive, I'm not sure everywhere else is going to catch up, so it will make foreign travel a bit bother than it's worth.

  • Rufs
    Rufs Club Member Posts: 4,072 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #39

    "Whilst the vaccine roll-out has been impressive, I'm not sure everywhere else is going to catch up, so it will make foreign travel a bit bother than it's worth."

    I expect your right but as i have BF flexi tickets will just keep booking ferrys and see what happens, big article in the FT re how Spain is hurting due to lack of tourists, so they are going to be very obliging one would have thought, although i see they now have the SA variantundecided

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,426 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #40

    well I could suggest full social distancing between you two? After all you could still pass it on to hersmile

     

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,402 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #41

    Social distancing is the only way we've managed to get this far without killing each other! laughing

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited February 2021 #42

    laughingI think that goes for many at these times, good job some of us have essential dog walkingsurprised

    Or possibly a daily cycle ridecool

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #43

    Had our jabs late this morning, went in together, no queue, sat side by side...freezing cold, light snow. Told to sit in the car for 15 mins, maybe not the best idea if one of us was taken ill but we were ok. AstraZ. Slight arm ache afterwards. 

    Our neighbours are marshalling at the vaccination centre tomorrow, have to say that it was very well organised but very cold for those working outisde so appreciate all the effort involved. I would imagine new volunteers will be needed to keep this up for the months ahead.

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,586 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #44

    I like the Quote of the Day in the newspaper on Monday :-

    Happiness is having a large, loving, close-knit family, in another country.

    George Burns.😂

     

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,426 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #45

    sorry just seen this, no it isn't I would say a volunteer can be paid or unpaid as per the definition. RAF aircrew and the RN silent service are all volunteers yet they receive (significant) extra pay for example.

    I suppose the un-official meaning of volunteer must have changed down the years or nowadays? If so I'll change it to overtime/extra payments? I can only go by what I experienced and in schools I remember being asked and asking for volunteers to do Saturday mornings or summer classes and it was always well paid. 

  • LLM
    LLM Forum Participant Posts: 1,555 ✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #46

    The legal definition of a volunteer:

    An individual who performs hours of service for a public agency for civic, charitable, or humanitarian reasons, without promise, expectation or receipt of compensation for services rendered, is considered to be a volunteer during such hours.

    I've been volunteering at a jabbing centre located in a carpark in two joined party tents without heat.  The only payment is seeing the smiling faces leaving smile.

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,426 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #47

    And well done you, though I didn't know you had, I must have missed the seven times you've mentioned it beforesmile.

    So the RAF and RN are wrong in asking for and paying volunteers? No matter, it's OT.

    Back on topic. Either way, one will need paid or unpaid volunteers if one wants those extra classes/schools.

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #48

    Currently waiting to be invited (or in Scotlands case told) for my jab. 

    Both of us are at the upper end of the over 65s. We have a few friends and neighbours also in this group who are younger than us but have already received their jab. 

    Doesn't seem to be any consistancy at the moment, as some are contacted by their GP but asked to attend the mass clinic, others have received their call direct from the NHS to attend same clinic. No one I've spoken to have received a letter. 

    Again no one I know has been given a date for their second jab. 

    This week Scotland have finally started to get their numbers up, only to be told today (by FM) that as of the middle of this month we will see a reduction in numbers getting their first jab, as they will be starting doing the second jabs.

    According to the figures they have been doing second jabs all along but I guess they will have to concentrate on getting all those in the homes and NHS and social and care workers done which out numbers the over 80s, 70s and 65s.

    Here's hoping we get our first jab before they start doing the second ones.

    We have booked a few sites/CLs for April not sure yet if that will haappen or not, so will have to start on May, can't be to far away though as we will have to be close enough to pop back for our second jab at some point.

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,402 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #49

    I'm not sure where that "legal definition" of volunteering comes from - maybe you could provide a link?

    Surely the important fact is that of volunteering?  Whether it's paid, unpaid or expenses paid is irrelevant? 

    I've been a Cinnamon Trust dog walker for coming on 10 years now; it's not a paid "job", I do it in all weathers, most weekday mornings and for the last 2 years I'm often the only person the elderly lady sees from one day to the next. I do get the occasional "gift" of a packet of pooh bags though! laughing

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,586 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #50

    I do get the occasional "gift" of a packet of pooh bags though!

    Empty I hope.😂

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,426 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #51

    Can't be anywhere near your number of how you've not been to get away this year and lastsmile 

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,426 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #52

    Well it sadly looks as over there in any mode of transport is not going to happen soon. I'm hoping for late summer but even then I'm doubtful?

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited February 2021 #53
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  • LLM
    LLM Forum Participant Posts: 1,555 ✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #54

    Not been invited to participate in any selfies but not really surprised 😄😄.

  • SeasideBill
    SeasideBill Forum Participant Posts: 2,112
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    edited February 2021 #55

    No, but good on him. 

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #56

    I did, saw it this morning. Have to say I thought he was looking very smart and younger looking, has he lost weight?

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,033 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #57

    I always think he is a bit of a chameleon TG, he often looks a lot younger, and slimmer in some roles. He certainly looked to be having a grand time helping out.

    I think the word “volunteer” can be used several ways. Yes, it’s usually someone unpaid (except for perhaps expenses) but I know we used to use the term “volunteer” when looking for staff to carry out particular duties, for example, working over Christmas period. If no one volunteered, then it was rota enforced. I took “voluntary redundancy” from work, as another example. (Very well paid by the time I had done negotiating🤣) 

     

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,426 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #58

    We're binge watching midsomer murders and he was in one from 2003 I think where he looked really young. There's a lot of now established actors in the earlier ones.

    Yes I suppose one can volunteer to get paidsmile

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited February 2021 #59

    Our second jab appointment date and time was advised when our First date and time was given to us

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,665 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #60

    Really fed up, still no vaccine appointment.

    Rang the helpline, gave them my CHI number, they do not have me on the system so cannot arrange an appointment for me. They told me to ring my GP.

    Rang my GP, held on through all the recorded "go elsewhere" messages, held on for the receptionist, then got cut off, so gave up.

    Now going to e mail John Beattie on BBC Scotland Drivetime, those in Scotland will know who I mean.  Maybe he can get some information.

    As it happens, he lives straight across the  street from DD and I have had a few chats with him in the last 2 years.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #61

    Oh dear KJ, I think I'd persevere with the GP, someome must be there tomorrow morning? Our GP has a huge long recorded message system just now, we have to be really patient to get through and finally press the right number!