Austenesque Lovers TBR Challenge 2020 discussion

Hi friends. This is very off topic and not a question but a request, or should I say a plea?

Times are difficult, bewildering and rather scary. We're going to be going through this, at my best guess, until the autumn at the earliest, and that's if we're really lucky. I hate to think what may happen if this drags on into next winter. As someone who's helping to man one of the front lines in this....no two ways about it...war against Covid-19, please can I make a plea on behalf of community pharmacists everywhere in the world? We're doing our best to supply your meds and source items such as hand sanitiser and soap, thermometers and paracetamol (acetaminophen/tylenol). A lot of the time, it seems to us that much mention is made of doctors, paramedics, nurses and care workers and the extra stress they're under, but because we're often perceived as part of the retail sector, folk don't realise that if we fold, they won't get their vitally needed regular prescription meds. We're no less likely than anyone else to catch this ugly virus, or have to go into isolation because someone we love may have it. The same goes for the people we work with. As I mentioned a couple of days ago, within a few hours, the pharmacy I was working at had its staffing levels halved for reasons associated with Covid-19. There was nothing we could do about it on the day, apart from soldier on until closing time. Fortunately, most people who came in for their meds, but discovered they weren't ready yet, were understanding. A few weren't and it was them who made us feel rather unappreciated and like bursting into tears at times.

I know that you, my friends, will understand where I'm coming from. If someone you know makes mention of a problem in a similar situation, please let them know that we're doing our best, as is everyone else, at this very challenging time.

Thank you for listening.

Bless you, Anji, for your service to your community! And thank you for the reminder that we must all try to be kinder to one another.

Anji-we know the pressure you are all under,the huge efforts you are making in this joint effort against the common enemy. We appreciate everything you and your colleagues are doing.

Today I needed to collect some meds and I thought it a clever idea,to prevent unnecessary queues, for the customer to put their phone number on their prescription and wait outside in their cars. When it’s ready,they receive a phone call to pop to the door and collect it. It’s a win-win situation,ticking the social distancing box as well as delivering a fast and efficient service that we are all so reliant on and appreciative of.

Absolutely, Anji!

Everyone out there servicing others is doing their best and we need to not snap out in our fear. :)

Thank you for your part.

I don't currently know anyone in the pharmacy trade, but between the two of us here we certainly deal with frequent enough trips to pick up things. Someone else's bad mood rolls off them and effects everyone within hearing distance, putting those already on edge in a worse frame of mind. It never made sense to me to take it out on anyone serving me in whatever capacity. I just want to commend you and your coworkers, Anji. As soon as they started talking about self-quarantining my immediate thought was, 'wait a minute, how about those who can't do that? Those that have to be at work. My sister is an assistant teacher, so she will now as of today be staying home for the rest of the semester, but I have been worried about her for the past week. My baby sister works in a nursing home, my niece works in a daycare. My best oldest friend just retired from nursing, thank goodness because she and her husband, like we are, are Senior Citizens and have other health issues that COVID-19 could easily be the end of us. My heart and mind go out to everyone that must be out there, on the front lines like you said. Hang in there. Know that even though we are miles away we are rooting for you. I felt so bad when you described it being so stressful.

When I do talk to people I will slip this plea into the conversation, although with the people I know I'll likely be 'preaching to the choir.' Every bit helps. God Bless you, Anji.

My son is a chef in Florida at a private beach club affiliated with high-end condos on the oceanfront in Ponte Vedra. His entire kitchen staff, the hostesses and servers, and beach club employees have been catching "a flu." Since there are no testing kits available, they're not confirmed cases of COVID-19. However, my grandson tested negative for the basic flu when he got sick with it. The obvious conclusion is that this IS COVID-19.

Any restaurant that's still running (even the ones only providing take-out) is having the same problem - their employees aren't able to do "social distancing" at work because of the nature of their jobs, are running on skeleton crews, and missing out on tips money they rely on to meet their bills.

My husband and I now believe we were exposed when we were visiting 2 weeks ago. We had minimal symptoms that we'd thought were seasonal allergies right after we got back home. Been extremely careful and mostly staying home ever since, and we're tipping heavily when we get pizza from our usual shop.

If you can afford to do so, please tip as heavily as you can!

I hope you all and your son's colleagues recover well! And maybe now you have the antibodies.

Many thanks for your kind words, friends. Debbie, hope you and your husband continue to recover well.

We heard from our Prime Minister yesterday that schools are closing for the foreseeable future to most pupils at the end of the day tomorrow. Only the children of those he called "key workers" and those he called either disadvantaged or vulnerable children (can't remember which) will be allowed to attend from next week. The exceptions are to make sure that workers in our NHS and emergency services can carry on working unless they get ill. I just hope that community pharmacy is included in that "key workers" category.

At the moment, our son's wedding is still going ahead on 1st May but we've heard that the overseas guests won't be attending due to quarantine requirements and travel restrictions. My sister and brother-in-law are currently trapped in Panama after going on a bird-watching holiday there at the beginning of the month, before all of this got so serious, so quickly. They should have flown out last Saturday but their flight with KLM got cancelled with very little notice. They're awaiting news as to if they can get home via any route. Most flights connect through the USA apparently and that's now not an option. They're being well looked after at the lodge they were staying at, and which is now closed to incoming visitors. They have good wi-fi, so she's able to keep in touch and keep us updated that way.

My Auntie's care home is in lockdown, so we won't be able to see her until this is all over but at least we can talk to her on the phone.

Stay well, stay safe and keep washing those hands!

If things get difficult for your sister and brother-in-law in Panama, Anji, my brother and sister-in-law live in Panama City and might be able to help. PM me if you need to take me up on this.

Anji wrote: "Hi friends. This is very off topic and not a question but a request, or should I say a plea?

Times are difficult, bewildering and rather scary. We're going to be going through this, at my best gue..."

Anji, my heart goes out to you and I will continue to pray for you. My husband went to pick up a prescription for me and waited 1/2 hour but he was not complaining: he was just amazed at how panicky some people are. We have ordered groceries on line but even there have to wait 3 days to pick up our order as only so many per hour are scheduled. Our store now has hours for "Seniors Only". If they don't fill my complete order my husband may use that time to shop but we are trying to quarantine ourselves as much as possible. I only went out in the past 5 days for an oncologist's appointment and to walk around our neighborhood. I do hope you and the people working there can stay well so I know that they also are at risk. Praying for you, as I said.

Abigail wrote: "If things get difficult for your sister and brother-in-law in Panama, Anji, my brother and sister-in-law live in Panama City and might be able to help. PM me if you need to take me up on this."

Many thanks for that, Abigail. They're currently hoping for a flight out on Saturday, but have to travel via Costa Rica and Paris before arriving at Heathrow. It may take the best part of a couple of days to get home. They're not actually on their own, as they went on holiday with another couple who are their closest friends. Hopefully, the British Embassy would be able to intervene on their behalf, if this journey fails.

If they get stuck, I'll pass your message on to them and send you a PM. Again, many thanks.

Sheila, shops over here are starting to do dedicated shopping hours for seniors and vulnerable people, too. The large supermarkets are closing their in-house cafés, meat, fish and deli counters so that the staff can be used to cover for sick or self-isolating colleagues or help with the replenishment process. Our future daughter-in-law's Mum works for one of supermarket chains and she's told us that some of the staff freed up in this way are being used to help with delivery of online grocery orders, as obviously the number of such things has increased massively. Orders for the over 70s and vulnerable are also being given priority delivery slots, too.

Thanks for your kind words and thoughts. We're in for a long haul, I think.

Hang in there, Anji. Try not to let the unreasonable customers get to you. Some people don't handle stress well and look for somebody to "blame," even when it's just unfortunate circumstances beyond anyone's control. I'm sure there are many more who appreciate your work but don't necessarily think to say anything.

As for the wedding, I feel for you. Lousy timing for a pandemic, for sure! But I hope you and especially your son and his fiancee keep in mind that planning for a perfect wedding isn't nearly as important as planning for a perfect marriage.

Many thanks for those kind words, Debbie. It's been another "interesting" day on the front line. As with the supermarkets, we and our suppliers are struggling to keep some of the most needed items in stock. Fortunately, most people are being more understanding about this than with the supermarkets and the "toilet paper" apocalypse.

As for the wedding, the Church of England of England is currently saying only baptisms, weddings and funerals may go ahead, no other services even at Easter. However, wedding attendance is limited to the minimum legally required i.e. five (vicar, bride, groom and two witnesses). Today, pubs, bars, restaurants and many other leisure facilities are closing their doors for the foreseeable future, so that means no reception. We'll have to see what our son and his fiancée decide.

Oh, Anji, I am so sorry for your son and his fiancée as well as the many others who have or will have to give up events and celebrations.

Hi everyone, a lot of stuff is closing here in Ohio as well. I know most of us are not going out unless we absolutely need to but as a reminder you should still start your cars up for 5 minutes twice a week so the battery keeps it's charge. Last fall my Mum didn't use her car for several weeks after a hospital stay and the car battery ended up needing to be replaced because it couldn't hold a charge. Stay safe everyone!

Abigail wrote: "If things get difficult for your sister and brother-in-law in Panama, Anji, my brother and sister-in-law live in Panama City and might be able to help. PM me if you need to take me up on this."

Just heard that my sister, brother-in-law and their friends have arrived back in the UK, thank goodness. It was an epic journey apparently, but they're going to spend a couple of days of R&R before filling us in on the details.

Latest update on our son's wedding is that it most likely won't be happening on 1st May. After our PM's address to the country last night, amongst other details, churches are closed except for funerals for at least three weeks. Personally, I can't see the current restrictions lasting for anything shorter than six to eight weeks and can only see them getting tighter rather than more liberal.

Finally, I'd like to share part of a letter sent to all members by the founder of the weight loss organisation I belong to.

"We may be apart but we do not have to be alone.
Despite the difficulties we are about to face, we will face them together and, with our combined energy and creativity, determination and compassion, we will all resurface stronger, braver and fitter than ever."

Those words apply equally to the support that this group offers.
💖💖💖💖💖💖

We have a family wedding that will likely get postponed.

That is a lovely message from organization leader. Thanks for sharing it, Anji!

Anji, happy to hear that your sister and brother-in-law and their friends made it home. Sophia and Anji, sorry to hear about the postponing of your weddings. I do hope that the caterers, etc. are forgiving of any debts owed for services, food and drinks now not needed.

Yes, I do hope we are all vocal here as "shut-in" from other communications.

Okay, completely off-topic (intentionally)...

Just something to make you smile (if you enjoy good dancing and Bohemian Rhapsody)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJLem...

Thoughts and prayers are with everyone.

Debbie, that was so cute. Those girls really put a lot of energy in that dance. Thanks for sharing.

The littlest girl had the most active part it seemed to me. Thanks for sharing - amazing talented youngsters.

Sheila wrote: "Anji, happy to hear that your sister and brother-in-law and their friends made it home. Sophia and Anji, sorry to hear about the postponing of your weddings. I do hope that the caterers, etc. are f..."

Sheila, from what our son and his fiancée have told us, the place where they are having their reception has said that they can reschedule at any time in the 12 months following the original date, at no extra cost, thank goodness.

That's good to hear.

We have been getting requests for materials to make masks (any breathable material with no holes is fine) from a local hospital. PLUS a local craft store is giving free material to anyone willing to make a mask - don't care about color, etc. They are also asking for other supplies: wipes, cleansers, etc. Included in the e-mail were two patterns with instructions on how to make the masks.

Many of you here know that I'm a bit of a sci-fi geek. OK, I'll amend that...I'm a huge sci-fi geek in addition to being a Janeite. Google knows this and a lot of sci-fi stuff pops up on my Google feed in addition to the Austen-related items. I'm particularly fond of our home-grown TV series Doctor Who. I came across this message from the Thirteenth Doctor in my feed just now and thought I'd share it with you in these worrying times. Hope the link works.

https://www.gamesradar.com/doctor-who...