Coronavirus

[hibsbollah]

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This inadvertently might be godsend for the planet. The carbon footprint should drop like a stone.

The recent satellite photos of dark night skies over China and South Korea show one element of the slowing down of human activity. The likelihood of countries getting close to Paris climate change targets is increasing. Less traffic, less pollution, less production.

[overdrive]

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They are fanatical about testing and tracing and quarantining. they have done far more tests than European countries. So their death rate gives a truer picture of how bad the virus is.

Why aren’t we testing more? Is there a shortage of test kits? If so, how have South Korea managed?

[Peevemor]

One of my workmates has just been told by his son (who's a gendarme) that tonight Macron is going to announce a lock down of 45 days- ie. everyone confined to home unless absolutely necessary.

[stokesmessiah]

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One of my workmates has just been told by his son (who's a gendarme) that tonight Macron is going to announce a lock down of 45 days- ie. everyone confined to home unless absolutely necessary.

Macron seems to be putting some distance on that though !?

[Peevemor]

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Macron seems to be putting some distance on that though !?

Yeah, but things are changing very quickly.

Apparently it's going to come into force from Wednesday.

[Billy Whizz]

Just walked through the Gyle shopping centre. I know it was Monday, but don’t think I’ve seen it quieter. Quite depressing when you walk past Barrhead Travel, Tui and the news Hays holiday store in the old Thomas Cook shop
You just wonder, like the airlines, how can these stores survive this

[murray26]

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Why aren’t we testing more? Is there a shortage of test kits? If so, how have South Korea managed?

That’s what I would like to know..this government are as corrupt as they come.

[DH1875]

There is only one company in the whole of the UK that make these air ventilator machines that the government are gonna buy. "If you build it we will buy it". Gonna take them a while to build all the machines we are gonna need.

[Hibrandenburg]

Just crossing the t's and dotting the i's on an agreement that will send home our employees for the foreseeable future on 60 or 67% pay depending on their family status. The German government have put in place a system where the pain is shared by the government, employer and employees. Looks like I'll be wiping my bum on puffins at the Baltic for the next month or 2.

[DH1875]

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Just crossing the t's and dotting the i's on an agreement that will send home our employees for the foreseeable future on 60 or 67% pay depending on their family status. The German government have put in place a system where the pain is shared by the government, employer and employees. Looks like I'll be wiping my bum on puffins at the Baltic for the next month or 2.

What they doing/saying about self employed people?

[Pretty Boy]

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Just walked through the Gyle shopping centre. I know it was Monday, but don’t think I’ve seen it quieter. Quite depressing when you walk past Barrhead Travel, Tui and the news Hays holiday store in the old Thomas Cook shop
You just wonder, like the airlines, how can these stores survive this

They won't all survive. The economic impact of this is going to be devastating.

One of my mates was made redundant on Friday and a temporary member of staff was let go from my work this morning. We haven't even started down the road we are going to have to navigate yet either.

There are all kinds of rumours circulating in my work at the moment and my anxiety is through the roof. If I lose my job or have my hours cut for an extended period of time then my family is ****ed, to put it bluntly, as I'm the main breadwinner.

[alhibby]

Received an email from The Bank of Scotland, part of it is:

Whether your income or travel plans are affected we’re on hand to help. We can explore a range of options with you, including:

• No fees for missed payments on credit cards, loans and mortgages.
• Payment holidays on mortgages and loans with additional support provided when you need it.
• Emergency access to savings in fixed term accounts without charge.
• Deposit limits of up to £500 for mobile banking, so you'll be able to scan and pay in cheques without needing to visit a branch.

[Hibrandenburg]

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What they doing/saying about self employed people?

They're looking to free up €20 billion to assist small businesses.

[Billy Whizz]

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They won't all survive. The economic impact of this is going to be devastating.

One of my mates was made redundant on Friday and a temporary member of staff was let go from my work this morning. We haven't even started down the road we are going to have to navigate yet either.

There are all kinds of rumours circulating in my work at the moment and my anxiety is through the roof. If I lose my job or have my hours cut for an extended period of time then my family is ****ed, to put it bluntly, as I'm the main breadwinner.

Everyone will be in the same boat, I’m hoping help will be at hand

[The 90+2]

World Health Organisation advising everyone country to test as many people as they can who could have the virus. Finally some common sense on the matter.

[Billy Whizz]

Just got sent this, worth a wee read

You have probably heard information regarding statutory sick pay in relation to the coronavirus. Below is some guidance on this matter in the event of one of your employees taking absence from work with coronavirus or self-isolation. I should be advised when the payroll information is given to me what type of absence it is, as this only applies to coronavirus related absence.


What happens when an employee self-isolates?
When someone is told to self-isolate, they should stay at home and avoid going to work, school or other public places. They shouldn’t have visitors to their home either.

Your employee will be unable to work if they’re carrying or have been in contact with an infectious or contagious disease. That means they have a right to statutory sick pay, which is currently £94.25 a week and can be paid for up to 28 weeks. It’s normally paid from the fourth day of sickness. However, the Prime Minister has announced that it will be paid from the first day under emergency legislation.

Fortunately, businesses with fewer than 250 employees can claim refunds for coronavirus-related statutory sick pay lasting up to 14 days.

What’s more, anyone that’s been told to self-isolate is entitled to statutory sick pay and the government is putting a temporary business interruption insurance scheme in place.

You may have to create or adjust a working from home policy, focusing on working hours, legal rights and data protection.

If your employee has been told by a medical professional that they’ve likely been exposed to the virus, then you should carry on with sick pay procedure. Otherwise there’s a risk that employees will come into work because they can’t afford to go without pay.

In the event that an employee’s child has been told to self-isolate or their school has closed, you should make arrangements for them to have a reasonable amount of time off. However, as they are not ill, they are not entitled to statutory sick pay.

Staff staying away from work
Perhaps you want to keep your staff away from the workplace if they’ve recently travelled to a risky area, even if they show no symptoms. As you’re the one telling them to stay away, you’re still obligated to pay them their normal salary at this time. If they can work from home, this is the best option.

When an employee doesn’t want to come into work
In cases where an employee refuses to come into work because of coronavirus concerns, they are not entitled to SSP. If their worries are unfounded (i.e. you’re not in a vulnerable area) and there is strong evidence to prove that they’re just trying to get out of coming to work, it could lead to disciplinary action.

Listen to them if they do have legitimate concerns though. Try and come down on a compromise such as flexible working or working from home.

Closing the workplace temporarily
Protecting your staff is your responsibility and this may involve closing your workplace.

In the event that the coronavirus risk level increases, consider closing down the office and where possible, asking staff to work from home.

Unless an exception is outlined in your contracts, you’ll still need to pay your staff for the time that the workplace is closed.

Having business interruption insurance can help you here. It’ll cover lost income for a designated period of time.

Coronavirus government statutory sick pay – and how to apply for it
UPDATED: The government will meet the cost of coronavirus statutory sick pay (SSP) for small businesses with up to 250 employees for 14 days, providing over £2 billion for up to two million businesses.

SSP will now be available for eligible individuals diagnosed with coronavirus or those who are unable to work because they are self-isolating in line with government advice.

· People who are advised to self-isolate for coronavirus will soon be able to obtain an alternative to the fit note to cover this by contacting NHS 111, rather than visiting a doctor. This can be used by employees where their employers require evidence.
·
· Coronavirus statutory sick pay is expected to be in the form of a refund. The Treasury says that it is “working with employers over the coming months to set up a repayment mechanism as soon as possible for employers reclaiming statutory sick pay”.

[Billy Whizz]

Is there a glimmer of hope in this?

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.f...r-control/amp/

[danhibees1875]

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World Health Organisation advising everyone country to test as many people as they can who could have the virus. Finally some common sense on the matter.

That appears to be the sensible approach.

I'm not sure how easy it is to test people and what sort of scales it can be done to, but evidence seems to suggest mass testing helps curb the spread.

I wonder how they pick people to test.

I know someone who has been ill last week and has a bad cough to go with it. It would seem to make sense she gets tested, but at the same time she's already self isolating so it almost doesn't matter as much.

She was in my house for a dinner party with my girlfriend last Saturday, neither of us have any symptoms but are maybe more in need to be tested since we're the ones commuting to work every day.

[DH1875]

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That appears to be the sensible approach.

I'm not sure how easy it is to test people and what sort of scales it can be done to, but evidence seems to suggest mass testing helps curb the spread.

I wonder how they pick people to test.

I know someone who has been ill last week and has a bad cough to go with it. It would seem to make sense she gets tested, but at the same time she's already self isolating so it almost doesn't matter as much.

She was in my house for a dinner party with my girlfriend last Saturday, neither of us have any symptoms but are maybe more in need to be tested since we're the ones commuting to work every day.

My brother in law, my daughter's boyfriend and my daughter's best pal are now all self isolating. My daughter has phoned her work (works for tesco) and they've said for her to stay at home. Daughter lives at home and we have socialised with the other 3 people I've mentioned in our home. No idea if any of them have or don't have it but would be nice to know so we can be prepared. Both my wife and I both have weak immune systems due to other health issues. I'm also self employed as well so things not looking great at the moment.

[Captain Trips]

How quick can you get a result from a test?

[Smartie]

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How quick can you get a result from a test?

It was 48 hours last week.

[MartinfaePorty]

Just arrived back from Austria via Munich. German police came on the train at Salzburg and checked my passport and boarding pass to ensure we were flying back today. Was over an hour late getting to Munch airport, but made it just in time. Flight looked like a mixture of skiers and folk on a long bevvy weekend.

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[Scouse Hibee]

The economic fall out from this will be devastating to most of us, the majority of us will suffer some form of financial hardship that may take us years to recover from. Contracting the actual virus will be a minor worry compared to the financial one that is looking unavoidable.

[JeMeSouviens]

C4 news have an interview coming with Jason Leitch, the Scottish NHS Clinical Director.

https://twitter.com/C4Ciaran/status/1239561321470996483

[Sir David Gray]

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I wouldn't read too much into that - it is because of the amount they are testing now, rather than the figure actually decreasing.

I understand the number of tests are decreasing however the number of new cases reported yesterday was up by over 30 and today it's just 18.

[Barney McGrew]

BoJo on for his daily news conference just now.

Stop all unnecessary travel. All unnecessary social contact to stop, advising people not to go to pubs, theatres and other social venues. Work from home where at all possible. Anyone who lives with someone with a cough or temperature to stay at home for 14 days now.

School closures ‘may’ happen but only at the right moment.

349 more deaths in Italy in the last 24 hours, with over 3200 new cases.

[Frankhfc]

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The economic fall out from this will be devastating to most of us, the majority of us will suffer some form of financial hardship that may take us years to recover from. Contracting the actual virus will be a minor worry compared to the financial one that is looking unavoidable.

Correct.

Its grim. I'm concerned for the next generations who're going to live through the worst effects of acute global slowdown with borders likely to be put up around the world for quite some time. Who knows what the future holds.

[-Jonesy-]

This conference is a steaming pile of worthless uninformative ****

[Peevemor]

I had an appointment with my dentist tomorrow. He phoned me this morning to cancel. He's been requisitioned. He's been ordered to cancel all his appointments and await further instruction. He doesn't know what he'll be asked to do, but it probably won't have anything to do with teeth.

[Pretty Boy]

Edinburgh College has suspended all classes until 30th April.