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General => The Stay Safe Board => Topic started by: trystan on Saturday 09 May 20 13:03 BST (UK)
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Hi all,
The VE Day celebrations yesterday to commemorate 75 years of Victory in Europe was a welcome tonic and morale boost for many people during these tough times we also find ourselves.
Many people will have celebrated it sensibly, and with consideration to the safety and wellbeing of others.
We observed here, in Bury in Lancashire people passing cans and bottles of drink to neighbours, balloons being handed out, promptly being blown up with willing pursed lips, and even tables straddling low walls and neighbours sharing a table. Bunting being passed from neighbour to neighbour. Footballs being kicked around, children from different families playing with each other. Mothers standing next to each other enjoying each others company. Celebrations carried on with some people until after it went dark, by this time people had been drinking from early afternoon were dancing around with each other. A joyful time for many people here. How lovely for them. I'm sure they will remember the day for many years to come.
I dread to think though, will they remember the day quite differently in about ten days' time?
Trystan
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One hopes not. I guess they think that because they’ve all been in isolation and all are well at the moment no harm to be done. Neighbours in the flats near us have been socialising from the very start of all this.
Very quiet in and around our village, no street parties, very few people had flags or bunting out. Although those with children had made an effort, I did wonder if it was part of their home schooling?
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But a lot of people haven't been isolating, they had to get that food and the balloons etc. from somewhere i.e. they have been in shops.
Our local shop isn't enforcing distancing ( I haven't done shopping for two months now to protect my husband who is 82) and I don't know how other shops are, but from what I can see a lot of people are still visiting and children are playing with others.
rayard.
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There was a street party in my road, (in Hertfordshire) yesterday. It was meant to be people just staying in their own front gardens, drives, etc. We didn't join in, - have been isolating, - but from what I could see, people certainly weren't staying in their own front gardens! It went on from early afternoon until dark, with lots of drinking and conviviality, - but it does make you wonder if there'll be a spike in cases here too:-(
Romilly.
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I dread to think though, will they remember the day quite differently in about ten days' time?
Trystan
There are a great many people who are incapable of learning from the experience of others - they must make their own mistakes before they learn.
Regards
Chas
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I dread to think though, will they remember the day quite differently in about ten days' time?
Trystan
There are a great many people who are incapable of learning from the experience of others - they must make their own mistakes before they learn.
Regards
Chas
Or they may have assessed the risk and decided it was worth it.
Either way the results in ten days time will confirm or deny the current thinking.
If you personally follow the rules you should be okay, that is a personal choice.
Mike
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On their own heads be it if they have been partying and not following the rules. The problem being they may infect innocent people with this dreadful virus and put more pressure on the NHS.
No street parties here yesterday but I think we Scots tend to shy away from these sort of celebrations. However we commemorate in our own way.
Yesterday the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay laid a wreath at the War Memorial on the Balmoral Estate and Scotland observed the two minutes silence led by our First Minister Nicola Sturgeon outside St Andrew's House in Edinburgh.
Dorrie
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I've just seen this.
https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-police-chief-warning-over-uk-lockdown-split-as-britain-bakes-11985648
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Oh ye fools!.
:)
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Oh ye fools!.
:)
And they'll expect our precious NHS to look after them.
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My near neighbours had a street party yesterday evening, it's a cul-de-sac so no through traffic. I wasn't well so didn't join in but I'm not sure that I would have anyway, I'm being ultra cautious. It started off with everyone sitting outside their own properties but as time went on and people were drinking more they were getting closer together. It was still going on when I went to bed and when I looked out of the upstairs front window I could see that chairs had been moved so they were all sitting together and were dancing and moving about as if it was a normal time. A lot of that involved many of the younger people but it wasn't just them. I wouldn't have liked it if I had been there. Am I being over cautious? I don't know but I'd rather be that way than be reckless.
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I dread to think though, will they remember the day quite differently in about ten days' time?
Perhaps the best question all day!
Those I could just see, were all sat together around a small patio table several rows deep by 10pm. I hear today that music, partying and then dancing went on until 2am.
Perhaps if they saw someone collapse and die (where the virus directly infects the heart and causes thickening/swelling of the heart muscle) they might have had second thoughts.
https://hms.harvard.edu/news/coronavirus-heart
"If the heart muscle is inflamed and damaged by the virus, the heart can't function,"
Keep safe everyone
Mark
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I must say that I was appalled by all the partying and celebrations regarding VE Day, and felt that BBC's coverage just legitimised people ignoring social distancing and condoning such behaviour. As has been said by others on this thread, it will be interesting to see whether or not the infection/death figures spike over the next couple of weeks. In my opinion the VE Day celebrations should have been postponed until VJ Day, when the actual end of WW2 could be celebrated, rather than just the end of the war in Europe. But to encourage people to go out and party at a time of national crisis is appalling; we already have had more people die in the UK of CV than died in the blitz and we're well on our way to topping the total number of British civilians who died in the whole of WW2. This is not something to be proud of, not something to go and conga down the road about, and then go and infect a dozen other people. I do begin to wonder if people really understand the enormity of the situation we are faced with.
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I noticed that "our" side of our road was quiet and peaceful, not a bit of bunting in sight. The opposite side was festooned with it, huge flags, balloons and posters too, apparently people had even draped with bunting the one house on that side that, mainly for reasons of age, was not taking part.
As Trystan said, what may well have started off on their own front drives, isolated, most surely didn't stay that way! We had a quiet evening, at the rear of our house, and a nice early night.
Greensleeves, I agree totally.
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It seems a bad idea to have gone ahead with any VE Day celebrations. Our Anzac Day on April 25th was cancelled (no marches or gatherings) and we have far fewer cases of the virus than the UK.
Since when have street parties for VE Day been a thing in the UK anyway - they never happened when I lived there ....
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I agree Ruskie - I remember street parties back in the 1950s to celebrate the coronation and I think they were resurrected in the 70s for the Queen's jubilee. But they certainly belong to history rather than the twenty-first century. Unfortunately, there seems to be some curious idea that an overdose of jingoism will drive the virus back to whence it came. That's Britain today for you....
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We decorated our front bay window with bunting and WW2 memorabilia that we use for an annual 1940s weekend that we usually attend in July in Woodhall Spa, but it has been cancelled. We volunteers of our Local and Family History Centre were asked to do this and take photos to post to our chairlady to compile a monthly newsletter which is emailed to each of us to share how we celebrated V.E. Day.
We took a walk around the village and saw many houses decorated and people sat in their own gardens having a tea and cakes. Everyone waved to each and spoke across the gardens to each other. We then went home and had a cream tea provided by our neighbour who we have been supporting, on our return, left on the doorstep was a tray with scones, jam, cream and two small bottles of wine and a thank you card!
We all sat in our back gardens and we enjoyed the cream tea on our own, but we're able to shout across to out neighbours. After the Queens speech, we all sang "We'll Meet Again" on our doorsteps.
We enjoyed our day, but also reflected on those who had lost their lives in both wars and also the victims of Covid-19. Yesterday's celebrations will stay with us all for a long time to come, for all the wrong reasons.
There will always be the foolish minority who think they are invincible without considering the implications of their actions not only for themselves but for others too from whom they may need care if they become ill. There won't have been any partying for them yesterday!
Take Care.
Carol
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It seems a bad idea to have gone ahead with any VE Day celebrations. Our Anzac Day on April 25th was cancelled (no marches or gatherings) and we have far fewer cases of the virus than the UK.
Since when have street parties for VE Day been a thing in the UK anyway - they never happened when I lived there ....
Because it was the 75th Anniversary Ruskie and yes, you are right, as GS said, it could have been delayed until V.J. DaY.
Carol
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VE Day is celebrated every five years?
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That's news to me ???
Carol
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That's news to me ???
Carol
I mean, was it celebrated on the 55th, 60th, 65th, 70th, as well as this year, the 75th anniversary? :)
(I am wondering if there is a special significance to this being the 75th year. I know that 100 years after an event is usually cause for celebration, but did not know that the 75th year was)
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In a small way it is celebrated every year.
Regards
Chas
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In a small way it is celebrated every year.
Regards
Chas
:)
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That's news to me ???
Carol
I mean, was it celebrated on the 55th, 60th, 65th, 70th, as well as this year, the 75th anniversary? :)
(I am wondering if there is a special significance to this being the 75th year. I know that 100 years after an event is usually cause for celebration, but did not know that the 75th year was)
Perhaps it was because there are still people living who took part in the war
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Yes that may be the case Rosie.
I was just wondering if or how I missed out on any commemorations in years past .... nor do I remember my in laws taking part in anything VE Day related (and they lived through WW2). :-\
I was just curious ... and wondering if there has more interest in war related commemorations possibly since the WW1 centenary? :)
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I heard that Blackpool was heaving today so I dread to think what's going to happen if any restrictions are eased. The death toll is still far too high for my liking and with the 10-14 day incubation period for this virus I think another 2 weeks of restrictions would not be that unreasonable.
My neighbour was in shock on Thursday. He is an engineer and his workplace have been staggering shifts to ensure distancing. A colleague was sent home sick last Saturday, he was on a ventilator by Monday and died Wednesday. Confirmed Coronavirus as cause of death
In some cases Covid-19 is directly attacking the heart and inflaming the heart muscle and killing them at home.
https://hms.harvard.edu/news/coronavirus-heart
The VE Day Celebrations should all of been cancelled for Public Health and Safety.
We are not through this yet to celebrate anything and from a distance, I saw and heard that there was often no Social Distancing.
Even if the Virus deaths do now begin to decrease, we've got to keep everyone:- safe, well, housed, fed and watered through likely the worst economic collapse in living memory.
Mark
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In my opinion the VE Day celebrations should have been postponed until VJ Day, when the actual end of WW2 could be celebrated, rather than just the end of the war in Europe. But to encourage people to go out and party at a time of national crisis is appalling; we already have had more people die in the UK of CV than died in the blitz and we're well on our way to topping the total number of British civilians who died in the whole of WW2. This is not something to be proud of, not something to go and conga down the road about, and then go and infect a dozen other people. I do begin to wonder if people really understand the enormity of the situation we are faced with.
I completely agree. i remember a big thing being made about the 20th anniversary of VE day in 1965. My father had been in the Royal Navy in WW2 and refused to celebrate VE day. His reason: While everyone in Britain had been partying and thinking that was the end of it all, he was in a submarine in the sea of Japan sinking enemy ships. The war was far from over for him and his comrades, and neither did they know then that the end would only be a few months later.
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Unfortunately we will always have people the who just do the opposite to what is required of them with total disregard of what has been put in place for their own and everyone else's safety.
The coming weeks will answer in one way or another?
These people picnicking, are they people just getting out from living ( being ) trapped in Hi-rise flats?
BUT There are some people who really just seem to have no care for themselves or for anybody else's health whist we still are in lockdown.
To me V.E day celebrations should have been delayed.
IF an increase of the virus cases occurs it can only mean a return to or more in the lockdown procedure, depending on what Mr. Johnson has instore for us later today.
The next few weeks will be on what has happened to the letting of the going ahead of the 75th V.E day Celebrations.
IF we spike. )
IF we don't spike,) Only time in passing will be telling us the answer.
Stay safe, Regards JUST J
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While my immediate neighbours were having a jolly good loud VE day celebration in their back garden with their friends my son was nursing Covid-19 patients. I was, and still am, angry and upset. Of course they'll be out on Thursday clapping so that makes it ok.
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While my immediate neighbours were having a jolly good loud VE day celebration in their back garden with their friends my son was nursing Covid-19 patients. I was, and still am, angry and upset. Of course they'll be out on Thursday clapping so that makes it ok.
I don't go out clapping on a Thursday though I do watch it on the TV most weeks - my dog gets stressed by all the noise being created by one next door neighbour, horns & saucepans etc, anything to make a lot of noise. That same neighbour has had workmen into their house to fit blinds to the windows and family round for long periods including VE day and I suspect that they are also out visiting the family. I wonder how many others think that by clapping their support means they can then carry on as usual.
I also have family working for the NHS - a GP - a nurse in my local hospital and another nurse who is out in the community doing home visits.
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I was going to say much the same about the clapping. Round here, the VE Day bash was actually fairly restrained, although there probably was some chipping away at social distancing. At other times, though, it seems to be perfectly acceptable to mix with other households, have lengthy conversations at well under 2m distance, or do DIY jobs that require help from non-household members or climbing on roofs.
However, a minute's clapping on a Thursday evening apparently protects you and your community from the perils of all such behaviour. As there isn't yet a vaccine against the virus, maybe we need to make this more widely known.
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That's how I felt too, it certainly puts it into perspective more.
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Ten days after VE day, should see the spike starting soon.
And another one in Yorkshire in another couple of weeks
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-52704317
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I'd read that, what idiots ::)
I really hope there isn't another spike but sadly I think the way some people have been behaving it's quite likely.
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I'd read that, what idiots ::)
I really hope there isn't another spike but sadly I think the way some people have been behaving it's quite likely.
You are always going to get a number of people who think the virus won't affect them - until it does! Its human nature, I'm afraid - the same mentality as someone who gets behind the wheel after a few drinks: 'oh, I'll be alright'.
Personally, being quite antisocial myself, I'd be quite happy for social distancing to continue ad infinitum though, of course I don't wish any harm to anyone albeit I came close to it the other Friday when my neighbours decided to play Vera Lynn at full blast in the court for most of the day. I always make sure my windows and doors are shut before I put my Led Zepp on but apparently, if you're celebrating VE Day you can do what you like. if there's one song I just cannot bear its Whalemeat Again.
Okay, got that off my chest - back to people flouting the 'rules'. It might have helped if the government spokesmen and women had attempted to speak to us as if we were adults rather than repeat the stay safe mantra over and over again and show us those ridiculous graphs every day until we were heartily fed up with the whole thing. I stopped watching those so called updates weeks ago - I mean, if they'd attempted to tell us what the options were and how they were thinking of tackling coming out of the lockdown situation, they might have kept people with them. Instead, I think they lost most people along the way and lots decided to go back to normal as much as they could. I know plenty of families with split homes who have 'annexed' each other's houses and travel between them. Not often, but often enough for people who live alone not to be climbing the walls (present company excepted. I love it!)
To me, if its going to come, the biggest spike will come in London in about 3 weeks time when the effects of everyone going back to work and travelling on the tube will take effect. Most were left with little alternative.
Or, of course, as some predicted, it may just have run its course - like flu epidemics do - and (to quote The Who) fff fade away.
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I suspect that there will not be any obvious spike as most European nations have come much further out of lockdown without any sign of the second wave which seems to so worry UK politicians. It was always hoped that seasonality would be a feature of this virus and that would certainly explain the European figures. I have also read that the virus had lost much of its virulence.
Even if its with fingers a little bit crossed I think it is time to be moving more boldly out of lockdown.
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Although there can be some comparisons with other European countries the demographics of the countries may be different and thus have an influence on the effects of easing the lockdown.
I'm afraid I won't be one of those bold people, it still terrifies me.
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And me! I expect more than one secondary spike. Indeed I believe England should have stiffened lockdown on 8th May to hopefully see the thing off before the next review on 29th May.But what can you expect? Money before people every time.
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Looks like it's starting
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-52715571
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Did anyone watch the BBC2 Horizon Covid Special programme last night about the virus?
I don't usually tune into these programmes which seem to be dotted around the schedules at the moment and seem to be aimed at the mentally deficient among us. Horizon programmes are usually of a much more 'educational' level.
It was extremely informative about what the virus can do and what's being done to try to deal with it (honestly and intelligently delivered). It was so good to be spoken to like a proper, grown up (me? mostly!) adult. I'm sure it'll be on catch up for a while - see what you think.
Incidentally, speaking of tv schedules, wouldn't you think - with most people still pretty much under lockdown - they could find some decent stuff for us to watch? With a few exceptions (and, no, I don't mean the repetitive and now rather boring Killing Eve), its utter bilge!
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Yep,I quite agree.It seems to be a load of rubbish or repeats of repeats.
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I didn't watch it jillruss, I stopped watching most of the programmes some weeks ago as it was affecting me badly. The only one I did watch was a few weeks ago when a group of eminent scientists were answering sensible questions and giving straightforward and informative answers. They obviously weren't TV people and not as eloquent as the presenters but it was good to get proper information without any political bias. It sounds like the Horizon programme is worth a watch, I'll look for it on iPlayer. Thanks for the heads up.