Looking forward....

[aristomatic]

Lockdown is it over? Well almost. Noble efforts from NHS and key workers too. Seems a long time ago auctions cancelled, but they say elephants never forget? Expect a stampede, craning of necks and shooting from the hip and or chests. No Captain/Major Tom, nor Donald but if I heard right, friends Zippy & Bungle? Anne & Shay for sure and extend an invitation for Alfie. Mind over Matter or is it David v Goliath? It's fun just working it out... Haway the Lads! as Football resumes.

[malcymal]

Well, lockdown over, it is and it isn't. I guess it depends on your mindset and risk to yourself and others about whether you take the plunge and think it's back to normal. So it's your decision if it's really over; my mum is shielding and she's been advised in a few weeks time she can go out. She has no immunity, nothing has really changed, the virus is out there. A little bit of virus, a lot of virus, makes no difference, it's how it all started with a little bit.

I went to work yesterday. I do two shifts at a special needs school and the other days work from home. I get coughed on, sneezed on, once in a while jumped on. The conditions of children with autism means some have no concept of danger, so I'm in a risky environment. As a key worker I returned to work two weeks after lockdown, having been very ill two weeks before, with all the symptoms; of course they wouldn't test me, I had to isolate. Having got swine flu in 2009 confirmed, this was what I would describe as a heavy man flu experience. Having whatever I got in March was something I have never experienced and wouldn't want to go through what was a very frightening thing and debilitating. I haven't written about it on here before but I want to share it as it really impacted my mental state at the time, so apologies if it depresses. Having asthma and hypertension issues I am a bit vulnerable. So my mindset is, I will venture into shops if it's essential to what I need. So this has been things like decorating materials to do house, medicines etc. I've done everything online where possible, buying scooter parts to do my upgrade etc. and some bits for one slot too. Yesterday lunchtime out of curiosity, I ventured into Chichester. Hardly any traffic on the roads, car parks empty spaces (this place is normally packed at 12.30). Walking into town there was hardly any activity and, to my surprise, the shoppers who were out were senior citizens, wearing masks, as couples. It was like an early Sunday morning shop out, quiet. Confidence to resume normal life is going to take a very long time. Although I haven't had an antibody test, my doctor is convinced that I had it, and due to my past experience of being ill so am I. So as to auctions, I think this is one area where in our community, pennyslots, it could be done safely. If numbers were established of who would attend then one could space out the auction room to distance. Ventilation of windows doors left open. Machines could be wiped down after inspection of touching. Maybe proxy bids already put in? Internet?

Having gone through what I have, I'd be prepared to go into an auction room - you got to start living at some point and balance what you do, where you go according to your own assessment of the situation.

[brigham]

I'm booked to view the Noble's auction at Gateshead (as mentioned hereon) this afternoon.
Does anyone want me to look at anything while I'm there?

[aristomatic]

Thanks for your post Malc,
Interesting to see your viewpoint and insight to your selfless positive efforts during the crisis.
However...... I had opened this thread, as a cryptic observation of an event, discussed in a subsequent thread opened by BP. His thread title alluded to the same event, in that "we mustn't talk about"

https://www.pennymachines.co.uk/Forum/v ... 270#p58265

My thread was about me talking about it/highlighting it... without actually mentioning it.....

[treefrog]

Crikey all too cryptic for me, nice offer there Brigham, mind you always a challenge if you both want the same machine.

Interesting as to whether everyone would have the confidence to stand in a packed auction room, when and if that will happen. I have no idea what this auction are doing, but most I have seen opening are limiting by appointment viewings, drop offs and collections and leaving commission bids, phone or internet. Maybe it would be great if the online services reduced their rates, but a number of auction Houses are now offering their own free online bidding services, probably the way to go.

I have heard of some people who have had terrible experiences from the virus with ongoing issues. My niece got it who is a front line Covid doctor and hardly noticed, but had to follow guide lines and was back on front line immediately after isolation.....I suspect a number of us old chaps fall into risky categories.

[malcymal]

I'd rather be in an auction room with all you guys on here because there is a trust and mutual respect of each other. We are all sensible rationale people. It's far better than being bumped into by ignorant selfish strangers in supermarkets who don't follow the floor markings and don't give a flying fig for anybody. Aristomatic, my apologies for hijacking your thread.

[aristomatic]

Cool Malc

[malcymal]

Cool Malc

Thanks for your kind words earlier Aristomatic. I'd certainly like to know more about the curious auction too! I notice that green shield stamp paying machines were mentioned. I remember playing on of them on the Isle of Wight. A very high standing machine where the stamps came out of the top. If you won a whole book you got about 50p in trade value. Would love to see a picture of that.

[john t peterson]

As a key worker I returned to work two weeks after lockdown, having been very ill two weeks before, with all the symptoms; of course they wouldn't test me, I had to isolate.

Goodness, Malcymal. What a horrible experience. I cannot understand why your Doctor could not get you tested for the virus? Your work puts you very close to the category of "essential workers" here in the States. You deserved better treatment.

I'm happy to hear you're feeling better now, having weathered the storm. Hopefully, you now have the virus antibodies that will inoculate you from the Second Wave of this monster scheduled to appear this Fall.

J Peterson
Hiding in America

[malcymal]

As a key worker I returned to work two weeks after lockdown, having been very ill two weeks before, with all the symptoms; of course they wouldn't test me, I had to isolate.

Goodness, Malcymal. What a horrible experience. I cannot understand why your Doctor could not get you tested for the virus? Your work puts you very close to the category of "essential workers" here in the States. You deserved better treatment.

I'm happy to hear you're feeling better now, having weathered the storm. Hopefully, you now have the virus antibodies that will inoculate you from the Second Wave of this monster scheduled to appear this Fall.

J Peterson
Hiding in America

In the early days you could get tested but you were only getting tested if you ended up in hospital; our government and NHS just not prepared for it. I was told by the doctor to simply isolate and to call 999 if i had difficulty breathing as that became the process at the time. I wasnt gasping for breath but short of breath, couldnt climb stairs and no energy; the rigors of boiling hot then freezing cold and BP off the scale probably warranted me calling ambulance. I had to stay/sleep in a single room in the house avoiding my family for 7 days and they had to stay in for 14 days. A test really doesnt help the affected, the fact is you are either gonna feel no symptoms, slight, severe etc. Also the test has a very short window in the five day infection period to be confirmed. For example, my friend was diagnosed with covid at one hospital, she got worse, ended up in another hospital and when tested, she was then negative. It was her body's immune reaction that caused the worse bit when she was no longer infectious. Im hoping when its freely available to get the anti body test. Thanks for your kind words.