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As to regards to scams on track and trace, the answer is the same as with all these scams where they contact you in the first instance claiming to represent an institution.

Hang up, look up the correct number yourself and call back. Preferably from a different line if feasible.

As far as i know, there's no tech out there that'll fool that system.

 Azreal13 wrote:
As to regards to scams on track and trace, the answer is the same as with all these scams where they contact you in the first instance claiming to represent an institution.

Hang up, look up the correct number yourself and call back. Preferably from a different line if feasible.

As far as i know, there's no tech out there that'll fool that system.

The issue is that doing so doesn't appear to be an option. They calls are being made by folks at home via a computer system that a huge number of them don't really know how to work and you're not going to be able to phone Track and Trace back and speak to anyone useful.

Additionally, in my experience, trying to tell government officials who call you about something important and require that you identify yourself that you want them to prove who they are does not go well (whether because they're incensed at your cheek or because they genuinely have no idea how to facilitate it).

 Azreal13 wrote:
As to regards to scams on track and trace, the answer is the same as with all these scams where they contact you in the first instance claiming to represent an institution.

Hang up, look up the correct number yourself and call back. Preferably from a different line if feasible.

As far as i know, there's no tech out there that'll fool that system.

This doesn't work very well if the number you were called on is not the same as the available customer service lines. Doubly so if you cannot call the number back upon confirming it is real because it directs external lines to an institutional front desk. Lots of institutions do this to stop the direct lines from being inundated, and make them go through a central line to vet them. These don't always allow access to the department that actually called the person.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

nfe wrote:

 Azreal13 wrote:
As to regards to scams on track and trace, the answer is the same as with all these scams where they contact you in the first instance claiming to represent an institution.

Hang up, look up the correct number yourself and call back. Preferably from a different line if feasible.

As far as i know, there's no tech out there that'll fool that system.

The issue is that doing so doesn't appear to be an option. They calls are being made by folks at home via a computer system that a huge number of them don't really know how to work and you're not going to be able to phone Track and Trace back and speak to anyone useful.

Additionally, in my experience, trying to tell government officials who call you about something important and require that you identify yourself that you want them to prove who they are does not go well (whether because they're incensed at your cheek or because they genuinely have no idea how to facilitate it).

It is a fair issue- how do you show your ID badge down a phone?

Maybe this is a sign that people should be finding out what their NHS numbers are and keeping them at the ready in case?

Being prepared goes a long way. Or you could just keep throwing your hands up in the air and saying "WELL I DON'T KNOW IT SO WHAT NOW"

 queen_annes_revenge wrote:
so, nothing feasible then. cool. You just going to stay cooped up in your house until you die of old age?

 queen_annes_revenge wrote:
Nobody's forced me to stay inside. Sure they brought in some iffy rules, but it seems like that was just window dressing.

The media fear factory did most of the work for them.

Just wanted to post these two great and quality quotes. BUT MAH FREEDUM!

I've got my NHS card to hand in a drawer with my other ID docs such as my marriage certificate and passport.

It's unlikely that someone will ring me up because I can work very effectively from home and will be doing so until at least September.

If they do, and they can't authenticate themself to me, I'll quit the call.

 Kilkrazy wrote:
I've got my NHS card to hand in a drawer with my other ID docs such as my marriage certificate and passport.

It's unlikely that someone will ring me up because I can work very effectively from home and will be doing so until at least September.

If they do, and they can't authenticate themself to me, I'll quit the call.

How do you get an NHS card? I only found out my number when I got admitted to hospital and copied it off my wristband...

Some humor.

Plus... monkeys : https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-monkeys-escape-with-covid-19-samples-after-attacking-lab-assistant-11996752


New monthly budget: Gas $0 Entertainment $0 Clothes $0 Groceries $2,799.
••••••••••••••••••
When this quarantine is over, let's not tell some people.
•••••••••••••••••
I stepped on my scale this morning. It said: "Please practice social distancing. Only one person at a time on scale."
///////////////////////
Not to brag, but I haven't been late to anything in over 6 weeks.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
It may take a village to raise a child but I swear its going to take a vineyard to home school one.
••••••••••••••
I wanted zombies and anarchy. Instead we got working from home and toilet paper shortages.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Worst. Apocalypse. Ever.
~~~~~~~~~~~
You know those car commercials where there's only one vehicle on the road - doesn't seem so unrealistic these days.
—————————-
They can open things up next month, I'm staying in until July to see what happens to all of you first.
———————————
Day 37: The garbage man placed an AA flyer on my recycling bin. ��
••••••••••••••••
The spread of Covid-19 is based on two things:
1. How dense the population is.
2. How dense the population
||||||||||||||||||||
People keep asking: "Is coronavirus REALLY all that serious?" Listen all: the churches and casinos are closed. When heaven and hell agree on the same thing it's probably pretty serious.
•••••••••••••••••
Never in a million years could I have imagined I would go up to a bank teller wearing a mask and ask for money.
+++++++++++++
Home school Day 1: I'm trying to figure out how I can get this kid transferred out of my class.
::::::::::::::::::::::::
Putting a drink in each room of my house today and calling it a pub crawl.
——————-——-
Okay, the schools are closed. So do we drop the kids off at the teacher's house or what?
******************
For the second part of this quarantine do we have to stay with the same family or will they relocate us? Asking for myself. . . .
/////////////////////////////
Coronavirus has turned us all into dogs. We wander around the house looking for food. We get told "No" if we get too close to strangers and we get really excited about going for walks and car rides.
“”””””””””””””””
The dumbest thing I've ever bought was a 2020 planner.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Enjoy your day. You don't have anything else to do.

Serious question about covid. No politics, no snark, no insults. If you can't manage that i don't want to see your reply.

I've heard that sneezes and coughs can spread covid like a bad internet meme due to the droplets carrying it.

Accepting this as a proven fact, what about vaping? I'm willing to see how smoking might actually kill covid viruses in it, lord know it does a number of people's lung cells.

But vaping s basically fine water mist? Could it spread covid further than a normal exhalation? I'm going to bing this but since there seem to be a lot of informed people here I wanted to float it for reasonable discussion.

EDIT: Bing'ed it, basically got "Expert says, expert says" situation. The clearest thing I saw is there is no evidence yet that it does spread covid more than normal respiration, which means it's not proven yet either way yet.

 Matt Swain wrote:
Serious question about covid. No politics, no snark, no insults. If you can't manage that i don't want to see your reply.

I've heard that sneezes and coughs can spread covid like a bad internet meme due to the droplets carrying it.

Accepting this as a proven fact, what about vaping? I'm willing to see how smoking might actually kill covid viruses in it, lord know it does a number of people's lung cells.

But vaping s basically fine water mist? Could it spread covid further than a normal exhalation? I'm going to bing this but since there seem to be a lot of informed people here I wanted to float it for reasonable discussion.

EDIT: Bing'ed it, basically got "Expert says, expert says" situation. The clearest thing I saw is there is no evidence yet that it does spread covid more than normal respiration, which means it's not proven yet either way yet.

I cannot give you a conclusive answer on that. I would advise on the side of caution, however.

That's a good answer.

So there’s a list of uk professions that are under exemption from having to self quarantine on travelling back to the uk from being abroad.
Looks like if i did manage to get away abroad I’d be back to work straight away while the family would have to stay home and quarantine for 14 days. Oh I’m sure the wife would love that.

 Haighus wrote:

 Kilkrazy wrote:
I've got my NHS card to hand in a drawer with my other ID docs such as my marriage certificate and passport.

It's unlikely that someone will ring me up because I can work very effectively from home and will be doing so until at least September.

If they do, and they can't authenticate themself to me, I'll quit the call.

How do you get an NHS card? I only found out my number when I got admitted to hospital and copied it off my wristband...

The GP gave it to my mother shortly after I was born. It looks like something from WW2, a dull brown piece of cardboard, with that kind of typewritery printing, and the gaps filled in in biro.

Dreadwinter wrote:Maybe this is a sign that people should be finding out what their NHS numbers are and keeping them at the ready in case?

Being prepared goes a long way. Or you could just keep throwing your hands up in the air and saying "WELL I DON'T KNOW IT SO WHAT NOW"

There's almost no context where a British passport holder needs to know their NHS number. I've had a lot of hospital procedures and moved around the country and reasonable amount so registered with lots of different doctors and I've never been asked for it, ever.

Haighus wrote:

 Kilkrazy wrote:
I've got my NHS card to hand in a drawer with my other ID docs such as my marriage certificate and passport.

It's unlikely that someone will ring me up because I can work very effectively from home and will be doing so until at least September.

If they do, and they can't authenticate themself to me, I'll quit the call.

How do you get an NHS card? I only found out my number when I got admitted to hospital and copied it off my wristband...

Insofar as I'm aware, you aren't even given it when you first enter the system if it's when you're a child. I've no idea what my son's is, and, can't recall ever having seen it. We have a folder with all his NHS documents and I've gone and checked and it isn't on any of them. Several have a CHI number (no idea what the initialism stands for), which we've been asked for before when rebooking vaccinations.

My girlfriend has her NHS number written down, but she arrived here as an adult and was here for a decade as an immigrant before naturalising. She thinks she was maybe given it when she first registered with a doctor as an overseas student.

I guess you only ever need it if you need to demonstrate eligibility?

https://uk.mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUKKBN2370OQ?__twitter_impression=true

Virus is weakening according to Italian doc.

The quote sounds more like he's saying that the spread is low in Italy right now and that some of the swabs taken are showing a lower viral load than he's seen in the past.

But its not really clear what is being said in terms of if he's referring to infection rates reducing; or if its more talking about the virus itself having locally mutated into a less "lethal" strain.

Turkey has essentially ended all lockdown now. It has had consistently low death rates (relative to other countries) for a while but its levels of infection remain very high. They've had quite unusual rules throughout, too, with full lockdown of under 20s and over 65s and curfews in place, including a complete one over the weekend.

Getting very mixed pictures from relatives and friends. Talk of busy cafes but everyone spaced out in the car parks. Ankara streets being back to normal but Istanbul suburbs remaining very quiet.

 Matt Swain wrote:
Serious question about covid. No politics, no snark, no insults. If you can't manage that i don't want to see your reply.

I've heard that sneezes and coughs can spread covid like a bad internet meme due to the droplets carrying it.

Accepting this as a proven fact, what about vaping? I'm willing to see how smoking might actually kill covid viruses in it, lord know it does a number of people's lung cells.

But vaping s basically fine water mist? Could it spread covid further than a normal exhalation? I'm going to bing this but since there seem to be a lot of informed people here I wanted to float it for reasonable discussion.

EDIT: Bing'ed it, basically got "Expert says, expert says" situation. The clearest thing I saw is there is no evidence yet that it does spread covid more than normal respiration, which means it's not proven yet either way yet.

This is actually a very interesting question that I'm surprised hasn't received more coverage.

I couldn't find any guidance on this, but a quick literature search has thrown up some preliminary articles basically suggesting both vaping and smoking are highly likely to increase transmission of COVID, as well as the severity of symptoms for those infected.

There do not seem to be any direct studies on the matter, but the inferences are clear- both smoking and vaping produce an aerosol that contacts your lungs through normal use; both also increase the amount people cough and sneeze; the aerosol particles produced are larger than the virus particles on average-allowing the virus to be carried by the aerosol; and this aerosol is apparently known to spread from 23 to 27 feet from the source. There is also evidence from a previous epidemic of a different virus (a hantavirus) that suggests smoking/vaping was an important vector (having looked at the original articles for this, they only suggest it is possible, so that isn't really proven and would be quite hard to prove- basically an informed guess). Homemade or surgical masks would also be much less effective at stopping aerosol transmission as well- you need FFP2 or better masks to adequately protect from aerosols.

Not to mention that smoking and vaping provide a nice bridge from a person's fingers to their mouth when we should be avoiding touching our faces.

http://www.pjms.org.pk/index.php/pjms/article/view/2739/535
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7179740/

nfe wrote:

Getting very mixed pictures from relatives and friends. Talk of busy cafes but everyone spaced out in the car parks. Ankara streets being back to normal but Istanbul suburbs remaining very quiet.

People aren't sure how to behave and when no one corrects them they easily slip back into old habits. So everyone might line up outside the supermarket with 3m between them; but inside they'll line up with only 1.5m between them or even crowd around each other. Same with beaches and the like; they'll be all distant at one end but then crowding around at another. Part of it is that maintaining social distance requires a degree of vigilance and confidence and most going to relax or enjoy themsleves don't really want to entertain high vigilance.

Coronavirus: Sex during lockdown with someone outside your household is illegal from today

I'm going to pre-empt QAR and go ahead and say that this is fething stupid and the British government has fething lost it.

No sarcasm, this is absurd. I respect the desire to limit the spread of the virus, etc. but this is going far too far.

chaos0xomega wrote:
Coronavirus: Sex during lockdown with someone outside your household is illegal from today

I'm going to pre-empt QAR and go ahead and say that this is fething stupid and the British government has fething lost it.

No sarcasm, this is absurd. I respect the desire to limit the spread of the virus, etc. but this is going far too far.

I'm the last to defend hurried and ill-considered legislation, but it's a side effect of enforcing social distancing rather than explicitly prohibiting sex with people you don't live with, and should really be reported clearly. Would you advocate specifically exempting people from laws because they want to pump?

Of suggest we sold have always been allowing couples living apart to operate as one household anyway, but if you think it's appropriate to mandate distancing between households, then it's difficult to argue that there should be conjugal visits.

At the same time the concept - avoiding people not from your own household - maintaining social distancing etc.., is exactly what the lockdown has been about. It's not like you can say "no you can't do sports or play warhammer games, but its ok to go have sex". I mean of the rafter of activities that you can do with another person sex is going to be pretty near the top of "ways to exchange disease with each other".


It's not legislation against sex, its legislation against any close contact activities.


In theory if you're keeping to the lockdown policies you wouldn't be having sex with those outside of your household anyway. This is legislation that is just being shifted into gear to be enforced rather than just advised.


Though the timing seems rather odd considering that on other fronts government is relaxing lockdowns. I'm not really sure how you can open the beaches and stores and basically allow people to mingle and - well - not expect them to mingle closer than 2m apart.

Is the 2m distance legally enforced when gathering in gardens? Baecause if not, then it is technically currently legal to have sex in a garden so long as it is sufficiently secluded, but not in a house.

Which would be... odd.

 Haighus wrote:
Is the 2m distance legally enforced when gathering in gardens? Baecause if not, then it is technically currently legal to have sex in a garden so long as it is sufficiently secluded, but not in a house.

Which would be... odd.

Difficult to tell as the phrase they quote doesn't actually appear in the document they link to, so it's unclear whether outs duplicated for outdoors gatherings..

I saw that this morning. It made me laugh and in the few minutes I had before the walk to work weren't enough time for me to check it wasn't some sort of joke.

Completely pointless legislation. Worth even less than the paper it's written on. Might as well legislate to stop the tides, or the wind from blowing.

I honestly thought the government had given up introducing natural rights and liberty infringing laws, but apparently not.

Plus, even if you agree with this sort of nonsense, it seems a little late.

 queen_annes_revenge wrote:
I saw that this morning. It made me laugh and in the few minutes I had before the walk to work weren't enough time for me to check it wasn't some sort of joke.

Completely pointless legislation. Worth even less than the paper it's written on. Might as well legislate to stop the tides, or the wind from blowing.

I honestly thought the government had given up introducing natural rights and liberty infringing laws, but apparently not.

Plus, even if you agree with this sort of nonsense, it seems a little late.

Again though, this isn't legislation aimed specifically at preventing two consenting adults having sex. It's just the logical outcome of legislation that says two people from different households can't meet indoors yet due to social distancing. That's not really a surprise to anyone is it? As others have mentioned, you could equally well have framed it as saying two people can't meet inside to play 40k, or Hungry Hungry Hippos but that doesn't quite attract the same attention on Twitter I guess.

Finnish Sisu showing it's strength. Another death reported but total deaths decreased! Can't keep finnish dead stay dead!

(on more serious note again miscalculation. 2nd time so far)

Tough old birds those Finnish chappies.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
To be fair, there is more osculation involved in sex than a game of 40K.

Slipspace wrote:

 queen_annes_revenge wrote:
I saw that this morning. It made me laugh and in the few minutes I had before the walk to work weren't enough time for me to check it wasn't some sort of joke.

Completely pointless legislation. Worth even less than the paper it's written on. Might as well legislate to stop the tides, or the wind from blowing.

I honestly thought the government had given up introducing natural rights and liberty infringing laws, but apparently not.

Plus, even if you agree with this sort of nonsense, it seems a little late.

Again though, this isn't legislation aimed specifically at preventing two consenting adults having sex. It's just the logical outcome of legislation that says two people from different households can't meet indoors yet due to social distancing. That's not really a surprise to anyone is it? As others have mentioned, you could equally well have framed it as saying two people can't meet inside to play 40k, or Hungry Hungry Hippos but that doesn't quite attract the same attention on Twitter I guess.

Yeah I know that. But still, how are police going to enforce it? Just watch for people leaving houses then question them?

I doubt the police are going to do anymore to enforce it than they do for the current guidelines, my guess would be that they've signed it into law because people are more likely to pay attention to that than a "guideline". They clearly should have done it a few weeks back when that was where lockdown got relaxed to, but it's not the entirely stupid thing that clickbait article makes it out to be.

That's my assumption too.