Interesting read as one possible way out, whether the government actually follow this path and whether things actually pan out this way, well who knows!
Restrictions on vulnerable people and over 70s for up to a year and a half 
and I don’t think many will be happy that pubs will only be allowed to open after summer.
Here’s the non-mobile version of the article if someone wants it:
2 Likes
Those who are working at home, have any of you been working outside in the sun recently?
I can’t seem to do it 
I sneaked out of home on Friday as I had a craving for some Pepsi Max so got a bit of sun then, luckily no one else was in the petrol station seen as though I’m supposed to be shielding
Haha, I bet forbidden pepsi max tastes better 
I meant taking your laptop outside and working in the garden. For me I struggled with the following:
- I have 3 screens normally so being outside I’m down to the 1.
- Too much glare on the screen or the sun being too bright in my eyes.
- If I move into the shade it was too cold
- My back started to hurt as it’s not like my comfy office chair.
All first world problems of course but I feel bad sat inside working when the sun is out and we have a nice garden I don’t think I’m making the most of it.
The glare is enough to make working in the garden impossible for me. Hard enough indoors where I have to close the blinds a lot of the time to be able to see the screen.
Best way to make use of the garden would be to build in some non-working breaks to your day so you can spend a little time relaxing in the garden. Have breakfast, lunch, or an afternoon repast out there, say (mention all three as best time to use it could depend on which direction your garden is facing).
My reading of this is “We’ve made a plan because Starmer keeps asking us for one and because our hawks are getting antsy. So here it is. But we’ve built enough conditions in to it that it’s sure to be changed and delayed anyway.”
The strategy will depend heavily on significant improvements in infection rate data over the next three weeks, Britain dramatically increasing its testing and contact tracing capacity, tens of millions of people downloading a new NHS app, the efficacy of antiviral drugs at reducing symptoms of COVID-19
I’m not convinced we’ll see a significant enough improvement as some clearly hope, and on current form it’ll still take ages yet to get our testing sorted - never mind the contact tracing. So I feel confident now saying that the timelines will slip already.
(Now to wait for this post to age badly 
)
1 Like
I think the problem with the stages, is that people will take it too far. They’ll take stage 1 as stage 3 or whatever.
“Some shops open, please try to limit your visits” etc.
Those shops will be like Black Friday on acid. And who decides which shops? Sports Direct tried to cling on to being essential, so everyone will want to be open ASAP.
The pent up demand for shops, restaurants, bars, pubs etc will be crazy.
Yeah that’s a good idea, the fresh air will certainly help too.
I just imagine loving life outside in the sun with my laptop and a pitcher full of ice and orange juice but in reality it’s really difficult lol.
Didn’t know if I was missing a trick or anything 
1 Like
I wouldn’t dream of working outdoors with my laptop, work is for the home office and it doesn’t leave that area, keeps it out of my non work life that way
Do you not look outside the window and see how nice it is and feel sad?
If I was at work in their office there’s obviously not much I can do about it but when working at home I feel I could be making more out of a bad situation.
I do look out the window but it’s about keeping work separate from home life and making sure the 2 don’t cross over
2 Likes
I can’t really work outside but I’m satisfied with what I’ve got. I’ve built a makeshift desk from an IKEA shelf I never got around to putting up, and I’ve managed to set it all up in front of a window.
Only issue is there’s a 1 hour period each morning (around now) where I have to keep the blinds barely open because the direct sunlight on the aluminium MacBook body makes it sound like a 747 about to take off.
It also means I have great lighting for the five million Zoom calls I need to be on each day.
5 Likes
It depends on how many people will have any money left to spend in them.
Many people will be better off, as they are currently NOT spending money whilst their income remains the same.
2 Likes
Some people for sure, but I’d question “many”.
1 Like
Why would you question ‘many’? It is simple logic.
1 Like
I’m one of the some/many that are saving a lot 
- No petrol for commuting
- No expensive lunches out
- No vending machine trips
Then at weekends we usually had activities/days out planned. So again, petrol, food, [activity] cost, temptation to buy things we’d seen etc.
It’s easily over £100 a week I’d say.
4 Likes
Pubs will be the very last things to open no doubt so I reckon back end of this year in all fairness, can’t imagine restaurants being allowed either given you can’t stay 2 metres away from your server
We’re saving a little with not having to pay nursery and eating at home but have also lost income, and will continue to do so for most of the next year (salary sacrifice) so I think net/net we will come out about even, or a little under.
1 Like