[RobUK]

There is a lot of doom and gloom information circulating at the moment so I thought I would take a moment to share some more positive things around keeping going during the current situation.

Official Government page(s)
Even if you think they a bunch of muppets, better start first with the official Govt page on what you should do: https://www.gov.uk/government/topica...nment-response

Here is the govt page on Social Distancing: https://www.gov.uk/government/public...nerable-adults

(20/Mar) The 2020 Coronavirus Bill: https://www.gov.uk/government/public...s-bill-will-do

(21/mar) Measures to protect wages, self-employed workers and benefits: https://www.which.co.uk/news/2020/03...efit-claimants

(26/Mar) To register with the govt as a vulnerable person (you will need one of the medical conditions listed during the questionnaire), start here: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable

Fact checking
The guys over at Full Facts (a good fact checking website) have published 'Five tips to help end confusion about the new coronavirus': https://mailchi.mp/fullfact/good-hea...-ever-1056501? . We all might be well informed but you could still share it with that friend who thinks this is a cover up for problems caused by 5G.

Which Magazine
(1/Apr) The consumer magazine Which now has a 'hub' page for all their advice aroundthe Covid-19 outbreak: https://www.which.co.uk/news/coronavirus/

Update: Have tried to rearrange these posts into separate categories to make them easier to follow and have added content. By all means add more, I certainly shall if I find anything useful.

[RobUK]

Loo Roll
If you're still lusting after the soft white stuff to polish your nethers with then aside from your regular outlets, keep an eye on 'Who Gives A Crap'. An online retailer who just sells loo roll (at sensible prices) and while they are sold out right now, you can at least sign up for an email alert when they next have stock to alleviate some stress

https://uk.whogivesacrap.org/

(1/Apr) Seems after the initial panic a lot of supermarkets now have stocks of loo roll, so the nation's bums can now unclench!

[Sennen]

Just bought a couple of acorn fed Iberico Salamis on Amazon which should keep well if things get really crazy.

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by Sennen

Just bought a couple of acorn fed Iberico Salamis on Amazon which should keep well if things get really crazy.

Thought this was going down the 'last meal' post for a moment!

[RobUK]

SCAMS

Sadly a crisis like Covid-19 is just another opportunity for low-life criminals to try and prey on the vulnerable.

A fake WHO email is circulating with a link to a PDF file, claiming to offer advice on how to combat Coronavirus. Most people will scoff at the bad grammar and know that the likes of the WHO, CDC and NHS won’t be emailing individuals, but some less savvy friends and relatives might still get fooled. More details here: https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/202...phishing-scam/

There are other emails claiming that the government is hiding information and giving links to more information on websites that contain malware. Here’s an example of one circulating in Italy: https://news.sophos.com/en-us/2020/0...aly/?cmp=30728

Apparently over 1,400 domains linked to Covid-19 have been registered in the past 3 months and while many are legitimate there are likely to be fakes too.

Snopes is a good fact checking website for checking out claims circulating on social media: https://www.snopes.com/ There is also Fullfact: https://fullfact.org/

If you know someone who’s been scammed, it can be reported on the Action Fraud website: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

(1/Apr) Take Five now have a page up with useful info on different scams: https://takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/ad...eneral-advice/

(1/Apr) Watch out for a text message scam claiming you owe a fine for breaking lockdown rules: https://www.which.co.uk/news/2020/03...own-fine-texts

Finally in another scam, criminals are knocking on the doors of elderly people offering to take their temperature. Obviously once they get into the house, residents get robbed. Seems this has been happening in Kent and Kent Police have been issuing warnings about it, but could spread to other parts

[RobUK]

Mental Health

Aside from the physical issues being caused by this outbreak, it can also cause a lot of stress particularly if you're cooped up at home. The following may help.

The BBC has published an article on protecting your mental health: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-51873799

The Mental Health Foundation has also published some help with mental problems being caused by Covid-19: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publ...virus-outbreak

The Samaritans also have a page aimed at those finding it difficult to cope: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-ca...yourself-cope/

(19/Mar) Huffington Post has an article on tackling loneliness during the outbreak - https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/ent...b?guccounter=1

(21/Mar) Another page from the Samaritans on ways to cope: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-ca...irus-outbreak/

[RobUK]

Advice for travellers and UK transport rights

Which Magazine have set up a page giving advice to UK travellers amid the lockdowns: https://www.which.co.uk/news/2020/03...rance-coaches/ Covers stuff like commuting, season tickets, car insurance etc., and ignore the bit about cancelling your car insurance!

Another Which Magazine page with advice for travellers. It was put up just before BoJo's latest announcement on 16/Mar but Which do tend to update their info regularly: https://www.which.co.uk/news/2020/03...or-travellers/

[GBR1]

Originally Posted by RobUK

UK Transport Rights

Which Magazine have set up a page giving advice to UK travellers amid the lockdowns: https://www.which.co.uk/news/2020/03/coronavirus-transport-train-tickets-car-insurance-coaches/ Covers stuff like commuting, season tickets, car insurance etc.

I am surprised at the advice on the car insurance in there. Yes car insurance is mostly there in case of a crash, which clearly won't happen parked on the drive but it's also there in case the car gets stolen.

If you cancel the policy and it gets stolen you would be looking pretty stupid unless I am missing something?

[RobUK]

Originally Posted by GBR1

I am surprised at the advice on the car insurance in there. Yes car insurance is mostly there in case of a crash, which clearly won't happen parked on the drive but it's also there in case the car gets stolen.

If you cancel the policy and it gets stolen you would be looking pretty stupid unless I am missing something?

Yeah I personally wouldn't cancel my insurance even with it locked in the garage, that sentence does seem a bit odd.

[Rudz]

With hand sanitisers out of stock

An alternate option is to buy colognes such as 4711 from amazon (plenty in stock) and as main content is alcohol 90%+ by vol, serves the same purpose, end up smelling good too

[nickcuprar]

Originally Posted by GBR1

I am surprised at the advice on the car insurance in there. Yes car insurance is mostly there in case of a crash, which clearly won't happen parked on the drive but it's also there in case the car gets stolen.

If you cancel the policy and it gets stolen you would be looking pretty stupid unless I am missing something?

You're not wrong!

[RobUK]

Yep I think we can put the advice to cancel your insurance while not driving your car down to over-enthusiasm on the part of Which Magazine. You might be able to get the commuting cover taken out so it's only social, domestic and pleasure, but even in those cases you might find the insurance company charges you an admin fee which negates any saving, that's even if they'll do it.

[RobUK]

Working at home

(1/Apr) Adobe has posted some tips on working from home here: https://www.adobe.com/uk/creativeclo...-remotely.html

Forbes Magazine, 9 Tips To Be Productive When Working At Home During COVID-19: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanro.../#577ccfc25a38

Apple have put together a list of apps for working and staying at home here: https://apps.apple.com/story/id1502490676

Not used to working from home? There's a free book you can download called 'Take Control of Working from Home Temporarily'. Unfortunately you have to provide an email address to download it but you can opt for no spam. You'll get an email allowing you to download the book in a variety of formats (e.g. pdf, epub, mobi). I won't attach the book here as I'll probably be in breach of copyright. Here's the link: https://www.takecontrolbooks.com/working-from-home/

For iOS users, Apple has posted a page of apps that might help those staying/working at home: https://apps.apple.com/story/id1502490676

[DB118D]

Big shout out to the British Army who have been seen massing on every street corner in the UK

[RobUK]

Relatives in care homes

If you have a relative in a care home right now, Which has posted a page which may help - https://www.which.co.uk/news/2020/03...n-a-care-home/

[RobUK]

Distractions (when staying at home)

Alto’s Odyssey game is free for the next week from 17/Mar. http://www.altosodyssey.com/ (iOS, macOS, Google Play).

Fancy a free online game that’s infuriatingly easy and difficult at the same time? https://www.freeriderhd.com/

A 'Best free Android games' list: https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/be...-android-games

Nature Relaxation Films is a YouTube channel that features relaxing outdoor scenes that run for an hour or more. Nice to have on in the background so you can pretend https://www.youtube.com/user/dhuting

A few recommendations from Disney, HBO and the like: https://apps.apple.com/us/story/id1497808132


Sorry for any Apple/iOS bias with the apps, it’s simply because I have an iPad and iPhone 6. If I see non-Apple apps, will post.

[RobUK]

Coronavirus on parcels, packages and other surfaces

How the SARS-CoV-2 virus remains viable outside the human body has been something of interest for me because it probably represents a significant transmission vector that's not been very well publicised. I have read varying reports that say it can exist on hard surfaces for just a few hours to as much as 9 days, so cleaning your hands after touching something becomes even more important. Go out for a walk in the fresh air, keep 2 metres away from everyone, open that latch gate that someone with Covid-19 touched 5 minutes ago after coughing into their hand...

Anyway, with more people at home and more home deliveries, the Huffington Post has published this article, How To Open And Clean Delivery Packages During The Coronavirus Pandemic: https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/...f?guccounter=1

If you want to read some of the science behind SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces, this is a good article to start with because it has links to medical journal reports and provides a summary. Here’s how long the coronavirus will last on surfaces, and how to disinfect those surfaces: https://www.livescience.com/how-long...-surfaces.html

(added 25/Mar) Here's another article about SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/2...st-on-surfaces

For what it's worth Which Magazine has published an article about cleaning your home. Most here probably know all this but will link anyway in case: https://www.which.co.uk/news/2020/03...me-effectively

[RobUK]

Helping the NHS

Following Hancock's call for 250,000 volunteers to help the NHS (with things like medicine/food deliveries, hospital transport, staying in touch etc.) you can find more details here: https://www.goodsamapp.org/NHS

(Appreciate using your car as an NHS volunteer may have insurance implications).

There's also a petition for NHS staff not to be charged for using staff car parks at hospitals (if not forever, then at least during this outbreak): https://www.change.org/p/rishi-sunak...omote_or_share - Glad to see this has been implemented now.

[RobUK]

Statistics

The BBC has a web page where you can enter your postcode to see how many confirmed cases there are in your county (N Ireland excluded): https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51768274

[ZedsRedBaby]

The most important thing when confined at home, whether working or not, is to resist the temptation to roll out of bed and stay unwashed, unshaven and undressed all day.

Like most of my advice, I follow this around 20% of the time.

[RobUK]

Samaritans published this from the https://www.actionforhappiness.org/ website:

(You can subscribe to get monthly updates here: https://www.actionforhappiness.org/coping-calendar)

[ZedsRedBaby]

Originally Posted by RobUK

Samaritans published this from the https://www.actionforhappiness.org/ website:

(You can subscribe to get monthly updates here: https://www.actionforhappiness.org/coping-calendar)

I love the Viktor Frankl (mis)quote, it's stood me in good stead over the years, or as my mum used to say "Don't let the buggers grind you down".