Second Wave Scaremongering?

Heyy, 

Last week I wrote about the benefits of having to postpone our wedding and cramming in more holidays and living our even better lives, however, after some not-so-good news regarding a new opportunity I write in the same way I always do every week - Trying to look on the positive side of things. 

Week number thirteen and it honestly seems as though this will never end. Facemask for this. Queue for that. Cant go here and not allowed in there. It is getting boring and I am well and truly fed up with it all. Despite how tiresome I and many others are starting to or already finding lockdown and quarantine, I don't think we are near to the end as yet, especially so when figures from the BBC released today (Monday 10 August 2020) confirm that the number of new cases of coronavirus is rising and the death rate, though still in the low number in comparison to previous months, today is more than double last weeks reported nine. 

But is this scaremongering as the papers and media would have us believe or is it all comparative and respectful of one another? If you test more then you find more, ergo meaning the more that you test and trace this horrible virus, the more people will come back with having contracted it or be known to be infected, asymptomatic or not. It is a statistic that the more cases of detected COVID-19 the more deaths there will be as the Government grapple with the science and the research as we learn new things about it day by day and as the months go one we will be sure to learn even more. 

Is a second wave likely to happen? Well if the media outlets and news channels will have you believe, its definitive, and Mr Warehouse agrees. A keyworker himself, Mr Warehouse has some key insider information that makes us a little happier we postponed the wedding, although begrudging that an end is not in sight for no facemasks. BBC News confirms that whilst some countries are still dealing with large epidemics, but even those currently controlling the virus fear "the second wave" and that health experts in the UK are warning ministers to prepare for one following the decision to further ease restrictions in England from early July.

A conversation last weekend with my uncle over a much-needed coffee and break from the house we discussed this and the possibility that, much like the second phase of Spanish flu a century ago, the second wave was far deadlier than the first. 

Seeing a wave is simple - It is a prolonged period that rather than going down, cases and deaths continue to rise, hit a peak and then come down with each cycle being one "wave" of coronavirus. Yet there is no formal definition. "It's not particularly scientific: how you define a wave is arbitrary," Dr Mike Tildesley, from the University of Warwick, told the BBC News. For the scientists and virologists, the answer lies almost entirely with the decisions we make as members of the public and what our Government impose in terms of restrictions or easing thereof, so it could go either way. The potential is clearly there - the virus is still around and it is no less deadly or infectious than at the start of 2020. Only around 5% of people in the UK are thought to have been infected and there is no guarantee they are all immune.

Lifting lockdowns too soon and localised outbreaks not being dealt with in a serious and prompt manner could cause a second wave to start and ultimately if not dealt with swiftly can even help the steep rise in that wave. 

This all being said though, a news article from the express details quite the opposite, and that was released only just today. The risk of a second wave hitting the UK this winter has been quashed by a top doctor as the UK may soon have herd immunity he claims to the express. 

Official data from NHS England points to a huge drop in the number of coronavirus patients being treated in hospitals compared to during the height of the pandemic with one top doctor, Dr Ron Daniels, in Birmingham (one of the country's hardest-hit areas) noted last Thursday there were only three critically ill coronavirus patients across three hospitals which serve half of Birmingham's one million residents. "Comparing this with a couple of months ago, when we had almost 200 patients ventilated at any one given time, and this is a huge downturn," Dr Daniels says positively. 

Stating later on in the article that Britain is "almost reaching herd immunity" it is certainly some better news. And what he speaks makes sense. The pubs and restaurants and shops have been open well over a month now and as such the virus historically from records is that if you contract the virus and you’re going to end up in hospital, it is more than likely that this will happen within 15 days of contracting it initially. The drop of 96% since the peak of the UK's epidemic should ease fears of a deadly second round of the crisis details the express report, with some hospitals last week marking a huge milestone, declaring there was not a single COVID-19 patient on their wards. Hopefully, soon we can have more of that so we can all get back to fucking normal!

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx

Wedding Rings - The worlds smallest handcuffs, or not?

Evening, 

Last week I spoke to you in anticipation of returning to work from being on furlough (or signed off sick - whichever it may be) and whilst we are all somewhat either getting back to or getting used to a "New Normal" it suffices to say from my nearly full week being back that not much has changed, and you can take from that what you will. 

Finally, there is not only a light on my laptop (Yes I bought one of those selfie stick YouTuber ring lights) but hopefully at the end of the tunnel. Week number 14 is opening and so is the UK for business and social activities following this crazy madness we all call lockdown. But things do seem to be looking up. Figures from the BBC released today confirm that the death rate has fallen to pre-lockdown records of just 15 recorded in the last 24 hours. Just 15 people have died today from COVID-19 (Monday 22 June 2020) giving us all hope we are over the worst of it. Unlike Germany whose "R" rate of infection has spiked suddenly in recent days, in the UK deaths and new cases seem to be falling from figures in recent weeks and I am pleased to be hoping for this to come to a steady end very soon. 

This weekend just gone however, Mr Warehouse and I decided to brave the shops as I had spoken of last week in the attempt to purchase his wedding ring and scout out some places for suit hire. I expected, rolling into the CentreMK Carpark for it to be rammed, people scrabbling for spaces and for some of those annoying shoppers to be out, standing in parking spaces holding it for the driver. God I hate those people. But no. Mr Warehouse was driving, getting in some practice for his upcoming (3rd) driving test in mid-July, and we were able to park on the ground floor, something unheard of unless you are disabled and even then it is only if some Audi or BMW driver hasn't taken up a space with their non-disability tank. 

Walking into the CentreMK it was dead. I was expecting, as ever (and don't get me started) on queuing to get in, but no. Welcome on in. Hae some sanitizer, enjoy your day. Making our way through it was eerily quiet and still, no one rushing or pandamonium for the last pair of £1 thongs in Primark. No, all very calm and probably one of the most peaceful and pleasant shopping experiences I have ever had. We headed straight for H Samuels, with a short stop off at Greggs for an all-important cuppa joe and sassy sausage roll. The high street jeweller was far from busy and after a brief stop outside the shop, we were invited in. "I could get used to this," I thought, with all this personal shoppers touch malarkey. 

Glancing firstly at the Gold and Platinum wedding bands there were a few Mr Warehouse took a fancy to, however when they store clerk said about getting a cheaper ring as a "work" one to use for every day my fiance seemed intrigued. Heading to the other side of the store, the H Samuels sales assistant pulled out a drawer with a selection of different styled rings. I selected one I thought my future husband might like. A Tungsten Matt & Polished Groove Ring, it was Modern, stylish, and durable, a popular style choice among men. However, on closer inspection, this sleek band featuring groove detailing set in a matt and polished design was not to "Sirs" tastes and instead lay his eyes upon its ring-cousin if you will - The 7mm Tungsten plain band Ring. After trying it on, he gave me that look. The simple and modern men's ring for perfect for everyday use and it's unfussy style made it a perfect choice for my (mostly) unfussy future hubby. Placing our order in the correct size and paying I felt excited to take another step closer to the big day.

Taking a leisurely stroll to Moss Bros. for our 1pm appointment, we chatted nonsense and arrived at the store by 12.30pm, early strangely for me. Again the store assistant welcomed us in and we started our consultation. Easily the sales clerk put Mr. Warehouse's concerns to bed and narrowed down the indecisive hunka-chunka-burning-love to a hired grey morning suit for him and his two best men and my Dad as the father of the bride. The Moss Bros. collection 1851 Grey Twill Tails was perfect. This wool-stretch-blend version offers the natural drape of wool with added flexibility to move, while its classic twill weave is understated but elegant. The clean-cut tailored fit is designed to define shoulders and chests adding a taper slightly through the midsection. 

Originally, tail suits were originally daywear back in times of old, but today they're worn to bring a sense of occasion to formal celebrations and the option to customise the outfit with a wide range of accessories (although we had already purchased the cravats and pocket hankies) to get the right look for the theme of the day was exactly what we were hoping to get a sense of. Coupled with the Ivory Brocade Morning Waistcoat for the groom (the name ‘brocade’ is Italian for ‘embossed cloth’), this luxurious fabric has intricate patterns woven into the surface and this ivory created version is a classic but distinct wedding-party look. The perfect neutral colour means it can be worn with any of our formal suits or accessories. Since it is cut in a regular fit it offers room to move with a smooth fit through the chest, while there’s an adjustable strap for a closer fit at the lower back.

Pairing the light cloud grey suits with an array of different coloured pocket squares and cravats was helpful and gave us some new ideas for how we can dress some of the male members of the wedding party. We walked away from the appointment an hour or so later with much more of an idea on what Mr Warehouse was looking for and what kind of look and style he wanted to achieve. I was proud and happy for him that he had got some confidence from it. I just couldn't wait for our big day now less than 4-months away ... 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx

Dropping before your Shopping

Afternoon everyone, 

13th week of this madness we all call lockdown in the UK. At this moment in time I write to you as being only a few hours left being on furlough (or signed off sick - whichever it may be). Whilst I spoke last week and in previous weeks that the time off has been helping with my mental well-being and stress levels, although I must say I am looking back to getting back to a "New Normal" as this last week has been difficult to occupy my time since all my projects and errands had been completed, mostly anyway. 

And so things do seem to be looking up. Figures from the BBC have confirmed that just 38 people have died today from COVID-19 (Monday 15 June 2020). With the "R" rate and new cases falling in recent weeks I am pleased and hoping for this to come to a steady end very soon. I spoke last week on the comparison to other countries such as New Zealand where they had fully opened up the country due to no new cases, something which I can only hope for soon and not yet experienced an unsettlingly high spike in deaths or new cases. 

In a report from Sky News, today, Monday 15 June 2020 saw demand across England's High Streets surge as some non-essential shops reopened for the first time after a three-month lockdown. The well-known news outlet confirmed that high streets, retail parks and Malls were bustling with shoppers again as the shutters are lifted after months of uncertainty and inactivity. Gone are the posters about Easter and Mothering Sunday and with no use for the spring posters and advertisements with pictures of lambs and chicks. Oh no, we were in Summer now baby! 

Whilst the rules of shopping and etiquette have changed it apparently hadn't put off swarms of shoppers lining the streets and as shops welcomed back customers for the first time in 12 weeks I did have to consider how I would spend my last day in furlough with little responsibilities of the normal 9-5. Sky News confirmed that the footfall on high streets, retail parks and shopping centres in England was up over 40% in comparison with last week, according to a survey by retail experts Springboard this morning. I had considered popping out to the shops today, although I use that term in the loosest of ways as you can never just "pop" somewhere now, its more of a "pooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooop" - and yes with the poop emoji in there for good measure because let's be honest this is all shit. 

Despite all this, however, one customer spoke to outside (oh what a surprise a queue) the Apple Store in London had said that whilst she was happy and pleased about shops reopening, she was not so keen on all the queuing and that it made her think twice about whether she needs something from that shop - something which I think many, many people can relate to. I certainly know I can. 

I think as time goes on, however, I am still irritated with all of this Corona-queueing. I hate queuing at the best of times. I can be (only sometimes) a grumpy and impatient old lady and standing there wasting my precious time and life by queueing. There are plenty of things I want to occupy my last few months of being in my twenties doing such as travelling and enjoying life before kids and bigger mortgages. Queuing outside IKEA for a fucking lampshade in the pissing rain is not one of them and neither is any other queue I might add. Queuing for this and queueing for that. I am done with it all. I am bored with it all. Gone. Gone are the days when you could just walk into a shop and buy your crap and get out. No. Now I have to stand in the rain for 40-minutes just to try and take back some T-shirt's which didn't fit my fat-ass because of COVID eating, a trip in-store which took all of about 5-minutes, if that. So yeah, I suppose you could say I am at the end of my tether with it. It is all just so pointless. 

Regardless of this and my ranting, one of the places I considered and was at the top of my shopping hit list was my local shopping-retail-centre-park-thing in Bletchley near Milton Keynes. But on reading online from the MKCitizen I was dissuaded as it seemed the town (and the rest of the bloody county) had gone crazy as shoppers wait for up to two hours just to get into Primark with a staggering 200 people at least in the queues that stretched the length of the car-park. And Bedford wasn't any better being a smaller town centre the wait there was over the 120-minute mark.

Scrolling through my news feed, I was shocked that people were tweeting and looking down their noses at people queuing for non-essential clothing stores. With meme's popping up all over Insta and Facebook, I thought about how privileged these people must be, the keyboard warriors shaming people of where they shop, or more importantly, where they can maybe only afford to shop. The MKCitizen reported one cynic as saying that Lockdown has been going on for 84-days, which, in the grand scheme of things isn't a long time and in his words "you really have to wonder what people need so desperately that they're willing to queue for hours and hours for." 

A fair and valid comment, this got me thinking to myself and about me and my life during lockdown, but also about others I knew - People with children or who are pregnant and with a growing family. Maybe standing in those queues, should I have found myself in one of those situations, I would have thought it would be worth it. In the space of three-months children have grown out of everything and why spend a fortune in other shops on clothes they will barely get a few wears out of before having to size-up again. I myself have put on the pounds, pretty much returning to the weight I was before doing Slimming World at the back end of last year and earlier this year. For me, some new clothes would be nice. I suppose like most people I am looking for a boost of confidence, especially so and very much needed when there isn't much to be confident about in the media at the moment ...  

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx

Uncertain Times

Heyy, 

What a different world in which I report to you this afternoon. Since last weeks frolic's in cocktail bars and fancy restaurants things have certainly not been the same. Here in the UK we have just had a public address from our Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, stating a national emergency against what can only be described as Pandemic upon unfathomable proportions. 

Several weeks ago we heard whisperings from the East regarding COVID-19 - A new illness that can affect your lungs and airways caused by a virus called Coronavirus. However, Coronavirus isn't by itself a new thing as MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) and SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) which, having killed more than 1,500 people between them since 2002 is slowly being caught up by its new cousin on the block, COVID-19. 

The source of the COVID-19 coronavirus is believed to be a food market in Wuhan, China which sold both dead and live animals including fish and birds. The risk of viruses and cross-contamination from animals to humans is more likely in places such as this because hygiene standards are difficult to maintain as well as them being typically densely packed. Whilst there is speculation that the original host is thought to be bats who may have infected live chickens or other animals sold there, the animal source of the latest outbreak has not yet been identified. That being said, Bats are host to a wide range of zoonotic viruses including Ebola, HIV and rabies, which seems unfair given how cute they are! 

Quickly spreading across China the first European country to be affected was Italy. Hitting the headlines every day with its mounting death count suddenly it went from a bit of a laugh about how someone should let Ozzy Osbourne know, to now being a little more worried that it was getting closer to our doorstep. Soon enough the UK government announced some advice, although not at all helpful considering that it is typically cold and flu season. The NHS website states that a high temperature whereby you feel hot to touch on your chest or back and a new, continuous cough (coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours). The Italians seemed OK though, they were still out partying (literally), getting their hair done and visiting restaurants and cinemas, everything was fine apart from a few small northern villages. But things got worse ... 

Early last week things started to move and move quickly. On Tuesday 17 March, moneysavingexpert.com explained easily how banks had agreed with the Chancellor that they will offer 'forbearance' (tolerance and help) on mortgages. This means they all should offer those struggling a three-month 'holiday', allowing customers a temporary break from having to make mortgage payments during this time. Something which helped when Mr Warehouse called me from the bus home explaining he was being sent home sick because he coughed when asking about sick-pay during this period of uncertainty. For us, keeping up with bills and putting food on the table was never really a challenge - until my Fiance's salary went from £300 per week to £70. 

Realistically it should help and maybe get us out of what could have been a very tight hole in the next few weeks and months. Although after spending four-and-a-half hours on hold to our mortgage company on Thursday and then a further 3-hours on Friday morning I was finally able to speak with someone. Feeling embarrassed I mumbled my way through the phone call with a lovely women who explained that there was nothing to be embarrassed by and that everyone is in the same boat and to not worry or panic. And so, for the next three months, we won't pay anything, then when our mortgage repayments resume, the total we owe would be spread over the following remain years on our term, realistically seeing a very small uplift in future payments.

Several days later, the UK Government announced a continuity of the COVID-19 Coronavirus package to help people affected by the pandemic which including a sweeping pledge to pay 80% of employees' wages if they are not working due to illness. Boris and the Chancellor said that they will make sure there are measures in place to cover 80% of the wages of 'retained' employees (Retained being those who would otherwise have been laid off due to the knock-on effects of the coronavirus pandemic). Obviously, there is a limit to the amount paid will be capped at a maximum of £2,500 per month / per employee, all to be issued through grants which can be paid out to any employer.  moneysavingexpert.com confirms that the Chancellor says the scheme will be open “before the end of April”, and wages will be paid backdated to 1 March. Hopefully, this will help many people who would have otherwise lost their jobs. 

Although it seems that these measures did not go far enough as soon enough Boris and his Pals in Parliament had announced that as of Friday 20 March, all schools will be closed, though they'll remain open for the children of 'key workers' – for example, NHS staff, police and delivery drivers – as well as the most vulnerable children. Then came the entertainment cull - Tens of thousands of pubs, bars, nightclubs, cinemas, theatres and restaurants across the UK shut their doors for the final time as after Boris Johnson imposed a nationwide lockdown from Friday evening. 

What with all the panic and pandemonium I am hardly surprised that the supermarkets and shop shelves were empty. With a huge surge in demand from shoppers, many of them unnecessarily stocking up on essentials and products such as toilet roll, hand gel and paracetamol, it was becoming increasingly hard to get in some places and find just the normal day to day items to feed your family. it quickly became out of hand, to the point of which normally I would be joining Mr and Mrs Jones in buying out 40+ bog rolls and 80 boxes of pasta shells, but I didn't, because I am not a fucking idiot. Sure enough, the stock became less and less to the point of which Mr Warehouse had become aware we had not seen a fresh loaf of bread or toilet tissue in weeks. 

Going back to basics, we thought like our grandparents would have and headed to the local markets and butchers in search of fresh fruit, veg and meat. But there was nothing. Arriving at a local butcher, calling earlier that day and being promised that shelves would be stocked, there was nothing. A pack of sodding bacon and sausages, by which point, when we came to leave, were snapped up by another desperate customer. Heading to Lidl up the road I thought we would chance our luck. Mr Warehouse and I were able to pick up a few little bits to see us through, mainly some meat for meals and that all-important pasta and bog roll. It is sad to think that as a result of peoples lack of empathy and greed that Supermarkets and shops have been forced to bring in significant restrictions. Limiting shoppers to buying a certain number of the same item, restricting opening times and in some cases stopping accepting online orders altogether. But with shops and stores like ASDA and Iceland introducing the "silver hour", a priority shopping time (usually the first hour of the day) for the elderly or vulnerable it certainly does something to restore your faith in humanity. 

The last week has been strange, to say the least, especially working from home - Now that was odd! But with a live televised statement from Downing Street from Boris Johnson stating a new strict curb on life in the UK to tackle the spread of coronavirus, things certainly look like they are going to change even more. As the UK death toll has reached 335 (as of Monday 23 March 2020) the prime minister has announced that from this evening people must stay at home except for shopping for basic necessities, once-daily exercise (as if I did any exercise anyway), any medical need and travelling to and from essential work. Announcements include that all shops selling non-essential goods such as clothing and electronics are being told to shut and gatherings in public of more than two people who do not live together are to be prohibited. And what if people do not follow the rules? The UK police will have the powers to enforce them, including fines and dispersing gatherings. Scary measures when I am less than six-months off being a Mrs ... 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx

Work Hard, Shop Harder!

Heyy, 

"Why am I up so early on a Saturday?!" I thought as I rolled over and tried to turn off my alarms before they woke Mr. Warehouse. Listening to my new addition cry and whine downstairs (and yes the puppy trauma through bedtime routines and trying to keep our little Frankenstein happy in his own company is still an issue) I remembered that today was the day Miss Tweedle-Dee and I visit the worlds biggest Primark in the heart of Birmingham's Bullring shopping centre. 

Primark describes itself on its website as coming a long, long way since they opened back in 1969 under the name Penny's in Dublin (of which in southern Ireland it still operates under that name). Today, Primark operates in more than 330 stores in 11 countries across Europe and America. With the biggest share of the fashion market in the UK, Ireland, Spain and Portugal they are able to stand out from the crowd by offering amazing fashion at an amazing price. Being able to buy in volume from over 700 suppliers in 37 countries gives the store an advantage to bring us all quick and speedy trends in double-time and at rock bottom prices! Primark justifies its low prices with claims it spends nothing on advertising and has tight profit margins thus helping it to improve itself and thrive on an already suffering High Street in Britain. 

Whilst Primark's reputation has not been glittering in recent years with criticism over staff pay as well as the environmental and social impact of so-called "fast fashion" it has stood the test of time as it opens its 187th store in the UK - The biggest one in the world. Set over five floors, the 160,000sq ft space once occupied the entire site of the former Pavilions shopping centre in Birmingham's New Street. The new store features Disney’s first officially licensed cafe located outside of its resorts and cruise ships, a barber shop called Mills x Primark, a beauty studio chain Duck & Dry Xpress, as well as Primark’s standard range of value clothing and accessories. Truly a one-stop-shop for everything to pamper yo'self! 

Store design director Sanjay Dihman had no trouble explaining to retailgazette.co.uk as to why Birmingham was the chosen city for the world’s biggest Primark. With its completion rumouring to have cost around £70 million the store now employs more than 1000 people, 430 of whom were existing employees who have transferred from the former New Street branch. A further 500 brand new jobs were created, plus another 100 for partner-run in-store experiences including chefs, hair stylists and beauticians. 

On arrival, Miss Tweedle-Dee and I headed straight to the top and to the new Disney-themed cafe which is strategically situated on the same level as the cute kidswear range I assume to attract families and keep everyone entertained as they wait in line for their Mickey waffles and pancakes. The cafe features a Mickey-Mouse-shaped entrance and digital tables where children are able to play games while dining in, not to mention TV's with Disney cartoons running all the time!  Although one disappointment was the fact that the tables were jam-packed so tightly together it was very uncomfortable to be sat so close to one another, not to mention getting in and out. I say that our trip to the Disney inspired Cafe was brief, however, it still took well over twenty minutes to get a simple latte for my bestie. Although this was nothing in comparison to the poor lady sat next to us who had been waiting for her Mickey pancakes and waffles for her and her two children for well over 30 minutes before she asked for them a second and even a third time before finally demanding her money back and walking out!

Our experience, as Mr Warehouse put it, was very much like any other Primark shop with all the latest in womenswear, menswear, kidswear, lingerie, beauty and homeware all thrown together with some little added benefits such as free wi-fi and a seating area fitted with phone chargers for men when they get bored! It was massive and after a pit-stop in the Disney cafe to grab some breakfast we headed out to find some bargains. Although the sales and reductions were few and far between it is to be expected when you have just opened a new store with thousands trudging the kiosks and stands each and every day. 

One of the things Miss Tweedle-Dee and I did miss out on and something I certainly missed was the Custom Lab – the bespoke print lab for t-shirts and other items – something which seems to be popping up in an increasing number of its stores which has been growing in popularity. And so it appears I may have to return sometime soon ... 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx