Len

The Queen's message (Aired 8.00pm tonight) Len

I agree ref the touching of your own face. I'd never thought about it before - I made a delivery the other day, I put the goods outside, pressed the door bell and got inside my van. The store-man moaned (as they usually do)......"What you couldn't be bothered to bring the bits inside?"......I told him that my Mrs had been in London a while back, so I didn't want to risk other people - That's when his attitude suddenly changed. After he put the items inside, I noticed that he immediately touched his face. Although lots of people are taking this seriously, some still aren't - I rang the painters, asked them to put my goods outside and shut the door, he said....."Bit extreme init Len?"........I said the same thing about my Mrs having been in London etc - Again, his attitude also suddenly changed once I'd said that. Len

I have 7 masks here at work, which I was going to donate to a care home or somewhere. Turns out that my sister (a cancer nurse) is going back to work to help next week, so I have told her to take them with her. I'm with the comments above - These few masks will be better used on the front line, rather than by me going shopping for more crisps for the kids. Len

'cause it's obviously a 'keeper' Len

We're all witnesing this which is brilliant - Social distancing was bound to take a little while to sink in with people. At work (alone) what deliveries do arrive are left outside, and the drivers don't requier a signature anymore. And it's good to see people queueing outside the supermarkets 2 meters away from each other. It doesn't feel natural of course, but people now fully understand and smile when passing each other at the requiered distance. I just hope the Mexican president takes it seriously soon https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/25/coronavirus-advice-from-mexicos-president-live-life-as-usual Len

The same in our street - A kind of serious, loud, very appreciative round of applause (If that makes sense) My sister (Mary) told me that on her estate, although she couldn't actually see any of her neighbors because of the way her house is situated on a corner, after their applause she felt impelled to shout "Hip hip!", then "Hooray!" echoed back all around her (x 3) Also very moving. Another day to get through guys - Keep those spirits up for each other. Len

I hope so, and for anyone else out there - Just to keep all our doors open long enough so we can start to build again. Funnily enough, I'm sitting here at work having just sent an email to my accountant with the lads overtime hours etc. It is so quiet on this Industrial Estate, I'm the only one about - It's gonna hit home when I pull the roller shutter door down in a minute. Still, we're all in this together. Len

A lot of my customers are now shutting today. Last night I was just going to send our young lad home until further notice, but have now decided to send my skilled man home too. It would be good if I was allowed to come to work on my own to do as much as I can to earn a bit towards this testing time, but if we are told not to I will respect that. Best of luck to all. Len

I'm afraid those were my thoughts exactly - I 'make metal things', that's not 'essential', but if carry on 'making metal things', my staff can pay their mortgage and feed their new born baby. A bit dramatic maybe, but I do have a member of staff with a new baby, and I feel somewhat responsible. I've just told our young lad (who lives at home with his parents) that I will probably send him home until further notice after tomorrow, but will pay him as long as I possibly can - My thinking is with him gone, it leaves just two of us which is within the government's advise of no more than two people gatherings. To me, the thing to focus on here is to minimize the risk of exposure as much as you possibly can. Len P.s - Steve (WoodButcher) This is a serious business, but 'shiny-arse using a laptop' has just put me right off!

One of our local places is taking take away orders, but you have to stay in your cars outside, and they bring you your meal. Nina suggested we go to the peak district for a picnic at the weekend, we didn't bother in the end, and after watching the news of other people doing this type of thing - Thank god we didn't! I like to think all those crowds of people going to various places was just a case of everyone having the same 'good' idea - Just unfortunate. Len

Yes I saw that, but people sit in and eat at McDonalds and Nandos, whereas there is no contact with takeaway places making deliveries - Not sure if these two companies will be paying anyone on zero hours contracts though. It's such a shame for those people. I spoke to our young hair dresser yesterday, and her shop has just been closed - She's worried sick bless her. I told her that there are loads of people in the same boat, and to speak to her accountant as there has to be ways of getting through this, including her rent etc. Len

I believe takeaways, as in no one sitting in the actual restaurant is ok - Let's hope for their sake that this stays the case. It's good to hear that lots of pubs are managing to adjust things by now doing take out meals. In fact, people I know are making an extra effort to use their local pub's new service to support them. Len

Hi guys, As Mike says, let's keep this respectful and sensitive - Goes without saying, that all our hearts not only go out to each other, but also to those suffering in other countries. Also no more about UK politics talk (Unless want to open another thread) Although not as important as the actual virus and the suffering that it is bringing, another part of this subject is those who had holidays booked and paid for, even through package holiday companies. I am one of those people (Meant to be going to America next week) I could do with my holiday fully refunded as I may well need that money to help keep my small business open a while longer. But I said to the wife (Nina) last night, if we all insist on our money back, it would be similar to a run on the banks - These companies simply can't afford it. I read in The Independent that the government may well override this, so we are only entitled to holiday vouchers to be used up within two years. If not used, then we can insist on a full refund - This will be backed by a government guarantee. I understand this thinking, and although not ideal, I can live with it - But I expect some won't be happy at all. Anyone else think this is sensible to help save those package holiday companies, or do you think people should have their money back full stop? Len

I also nipped over to my mum's and left her card and pressy outside. So sad to see her from a distance, especially being on her own now Dad has passed away. My wife and kids waved to her from the car. This has only just started, and will need some strength to keep all our spirits up - But we will! I can't imagine how it was to struggle during war time when they had the additional burden of food rationing. We seem to be eating more than usual in this house due to people panic buying (Not a food shortage) I think they call it 'squirreling' I swapped 12 cans of Pepsi for 6 rolls of Toilet roll with my sister. I was the one handing over the toilet rolls, so she now owes me big time! Cigarettes I can understand if you're shall we say 'on lock down', but who'd have thought toilet rolls would ever be a currency! Len

Yes please - Why thank you kindly (The Whisky needs a break) Len

Most is pre-recorded in case of technical issues. That said, things may change as it looks like we have a few months to fill - I'll do lots of DJ Banter, to the point of someone shouting..."Get on with it!"...That (and lots of other abuse) has happened to me in the past Len

I think pay the tax man (you have to regardless) Then your mortgage, then your staff as long as you possibly can - Not particularly a charity gesture, although I like to think some people do care, but to keep those staff of whom you value. There's always something to do - We will sort out our steel rack, then our bolt stores for a start (We have nuts as well!) Making 'Stock' is a worthy gamble if that is something you can do - What is your business btw? Jeeeze, it's gone 3.00am - I'm not sad, I'm up tuning in to 'The Bury Virtual All-nighter' Len

Pm me if anyone needs Simon's home address - That is where we're all going isn't it? Len

I've just watched this again, this time with the wife (Nina) Very moving. Not least as it looks just like our daughter Tabitha's School (All Saints Primary) It reminded us of when it was our Son Bailey's last day there when they all had a good sing song. Sadly it seems that last day for Tabitha won't happen being as she's going to secondary school next year. A lovely thought getting the kids to do that for the older folk. Thanks for posting. Len

Same here - Apart from the massive job to instigate this, as you say, the job of policing it will be huge. Well done for still paying your staff - Loads are not, mainly because they are unable to. I'm in the same boat as you, I can ride this for a little while, hoping at least some orders trickle in so I can 'eek' things out for even longer, and I'm grateful that I only have two staff to pay. I'm also making stock items of jobs that sometimes repeat, in the hope that I will get orders for them at a later date. Again like you, paying out, and the making of stock items is completely based on uncertainty (I run a small Sheet Metal business) Although what has happened is colossal, what has struck me, is this has shown how fragile business is. Yes we had the recession back in 2008, which took aprox 8 years to somewhat recover from, and to be fair lots of us are still paying off that debt. But I hope that some businesses have managed to accumulate some funds to ride this, paying their staff for a while - Good staff are worth hanging on to for as long as possible. The vat being differed another 3 months will help cash flow, but that still has to be paid at some point, as does personal tax which they have also differed. I've been advised to hang on to any money until it has to be paid, but I fear if my orders completely dry up, I will then spend that money on trying to keep open, then when it's time to pay that will be the end of the road - So I'm thinking it sensible to pay my taxes whilst I can (If that makes sense) Best of luck to you, your staff, and your business. Len

The economy side of this is too huge for me and many others to fully understand. I know the government's 80% pay out of wages is being done to keep money moving, rents paid etc, and that doesn't need to be paid back by the individuals who receive it. I was wondering if they could just press 'pause' on the economy, as in, 'this is the year that didn't happen' (Which would include those taking exams) No one gets paid / no one has to pay for anything / Food fairly rationed. Then when it passes, just press 'play' again. Too complicated for me I have to say. Len

It was very sad to witness my 11 year old daughter (Tabitha) upset this evening after it hit home to her because of the Schools closing. On top of this, if she doesn't go back to School until after the summer she won't be seeing lots of her friends again because next year she goes up to secondary School. She is now watching a film after we discussed how many Den's she can build with all that time, laughing as I insisted that I will not be packing them away for her! We have to keep each other's spirits up through this Len

What this is going to do to the worlds economy will be beyond comprehension (Let alone the lives lost of course) Let's hope some good comes out of it somehow. Pollution's down for a start. Len

Sounds a bit like Jo Armstead. Len

I know Pierce Morgan rants on about Boris etc not doing interviews on his morning program (Can't say I blame him to be honest) But it seems that Donald Trump (Love him or loath him) and his team of experts are addressing the American people every day over this. Surely Boris Johnson should be doing the same for us - I know Matt Hancock (Health Secretary) is doing his best, but he's a bit of a 'wet lettuce'. We need our leader not only to up-date us, but to also reassure us every day. I also agree with what Alison stated ref the news should also be telling us any positive stories about those who have recovered. I didn't share this in my earlier post as I know I can 'go on' a bit. But at Morrison's there was a woman right behind me who was coughing and sneezing, I looked round, and honestly, she looked so ill, her face was wet with sweat - Her going out shopping in that state was highly irresponsible. Len