I will look into that.

That sounds absolutely horrific. The Aktion T4 programme continues apace with a new labyrinth. I expect once you've been assigned your own Reichsmarschall, you'll find they're off sick and you've committed a sanctionable offence that results in being placed back in another queue. If it cheers you up, I hear ice rinks have been commandeered as mortuaries, so you needn't worry about melting before your slot at the crematorium.

Watched a clip about the lockdown in NZ. There's people going on about how quiet and dead it is and I'm here like ''so not much change then?''.

Oh you are wicked.

I thought some of the headlines around Prince Charles have been rather churlish. He is 71, with frail and very elderly parents, and a chain smoking wife. On top of that, he's probably in proximity with hundreds of people on a weekly basis so would have more opportunity than most to spread it around. I think rather than saying Charles shouldn't have been tested, we should focus on the fact that so many others aren't being tested, and the blame for that doesn't lie at his door.

Earlier today I was actually able to pick up my prescription after I rang to check. There was a man in today's crowd shouting that the pharmacy was staffed by 'a*seh*l*s' who had no right to only allow one person in at a time, and that we were all 'snotty f*ck*ng c*nts' for moving away from him when he repeatedly invaded everyone's space. 

Everyone sort of silently agreed it was best to not engage or he'd only have more reason to come right up to people's faces. It was all really quite calm and civilised in the face of provocation.

The prime minister's got it

We're all doomed!

I have just been to the local shops. One of my supermarkets, had a queue outside, the other didn't. I couldn't be bothered to walk all the way to the one that didn't, so I patiently queued at the nearest one.

The queue had three people in it, not counting me, and I was allowed in within five minutes.

There was no wholemeal bread but, otherwise, there was plenty of everything. They were even selling a bunch of loaves for half price because they clearly hadn't been able to get rid of them.

I paid by contactless. I normally pay by chip and pin.

They had toilet rolls.

I went to the Co-op, where there was no queue outside, and there was even toilet rolls!

Then I went on to the Tesco Express just round the corner, where there was a queue outside, but I only had to wait a few minutes. The inside had been neatly marked off into 2m squares with tape. They had lots of tonic water, which was a relief, cos there was only 1 bottle left there on Wednesday.

I wonder how busy Smoker's Junction is?

Actually, I went by there on the 31 bus yesterday and forgot to check.

Free masks given away with every purchase at my local shop. I'm thrilled with mine, it's a sky blue colour.

I'm apprehensive about the survival of some of the fashion houses. We already saw Sonia Rykiel go out of business last year, and the withdrawal of Roberto Cavalli from the North American market, and that was before the virus and looming economic depression.

Really heartbreaking to see that hopes in Italy have been dashed and it continues to go from bad to worse. All those much loved family members gone in their daily hundreds. Nearly 1,000 yesterday alone. 

Also very shocking to read how quickly things have got out of control in New York City. It has been repulsive but unsurprising to see the gloating and 'who cares' towards NYC from the so called 'heartlands'.

Walking back from town today with yet more supplies, I was surprised to find that I felt great. Then I realised it was because I'd been out of the house for a couple of hours.

Fangirl Three wrote:

Walking back from town today with yet more supplies, I was surprised to find that I felt great. Then I realised it was because I'd been out of the house for a couple of hours.

I was really heartened to see an article celebrating our shop workers, bank tellers, and pharmacists, who are all equally essential/at risk/deserving of thanks and respect, but have been a bit of a poor cousin to the doctors and nurses.

Yes, I have been extra friendly to all the ones I've encountered, in recognition of their service.

Don't forget the Posties!!

Indeed, the postmen too, along with the bus drivers, the refuse workers and the cleaners. Along with who staff the banks, chemists, food shops. We'd be in a very sorry state without those people and they don't get enough thanks at the best of times. 

I hope they all get a little more appreciation, and after the danger passes and while the monetary taps are still on, maybe a nice little payment each that would cover a holiday or whatever. Nothing excessive, just enough for a week or two away to say thanks.

Give the 'WASPI' women what they're owed while we're at it. Nobody objects to equality, just the mean spirited and last minute 'go f*** yourselves' message to a demographic that started work pre equal pay and who now face the prospect of retiring in penury.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/27/opinion/coronavirus-trump-testing-shortages.html

Very good oped. In case you didn't know, all virus related coverage by The New York Times is freely available, so no worrying about which of the four/whatever the limit is monthly articles you should read.