Current Affairs Coronavirus Thread - Serious stuff !!!

[NilSatisOptimum]

I understand there was a degree of surprise in government that McDonald’s and so on closed their doors completely.

They had to really the entire model is built round speed and efficiency, the kitchen spaces in these places are so small there is no way they could operate within safe social distancing rules... It also discourages unnecessary travel as in the family day trip in my opinion.

 

[jamieni]

You can’t just go around stating things as fact with no proof.

Their are unconfirmed reports that McDonald’s might open again in late May, and that may not even be for in store purchases.

That hardly means the UK is open for business.

The company I work for has thousands of UK employees and manufacture in the UK and all of our conversations are around a new normal for many months to come, with offices closed and remote working the norm.

We’ve been told it’s highly unlikely we’ll be back in the office before mid-July at the absolute earliest. Even then, September is a more reasonable bet.

Even when our office does open there will be a shift to agile working so I imagine we’ll all be expected to work from home unless we need to attend a meeting.

 

[jamieni]

They had to really the entire model is built round speed and efficiency, the kitchen spaces in these places are so small there is no way they could operate within safe social distancing rules... It also discourages unnecessary travel as in the family day trip in my opinion.

A good point. The only reason I’d be going is to get my wee lad a Happy Meal since he’s been going on about one for weeks! Definitely non-essential travel!

 

[tsubaki]

You can’t just go around stating things as fact with no proof.

Their are unconfirmed reports that McDonald’s might open again in late May, and that may not even be for in store purchases.

That hardly means the UK is open for business.

The company I work for has thousands of UK employees and manufacture in the UK and all of our conversations are around a new normal for many months to come, with offices closed and remote working the norm.

this last bit especially - now that firms know they don't need big office space to function, the expense of providing that space is much more questionable than it was before

 

[Jebus_lives]

You can’t just go around stating things as fact with no proof.

Their are unconfirmed reports that McDonald’s might open again in late May, and that may not even be for in store purchases.

That hardly means the UK is open for business.

The company I work for has thousands of UK employees and manufacture in the UK and all of our conversations are around a new normal for many months to come, with offices closed and remote working the norm.

PHE starting social distancing measures will have to continue for a considerable amount of time. The messaging needs to be very clear once the UK relaxes current measures as the worry is that people go demob-happy and undo a lot of the gains made in lockdown.

The UK will be far from 'open for business' in any normal sense for a long time yet. And I expect a significant amount of disruption even after a 'cure' is found.

 

[ToffeeTim]

Maccies opening in May.

A lot of my clients are returning to work next week... Business is back I’m telling you.

I just wonder what’s changed because new infections are still high, as is the daily death rate.

Takeaway food outlets were never told to shut in the first place. Most just decided to go delivery only.

People might go back to work gradually, but normality is months away. Even a small crowd in a bar or a cinema etc is miles off nevermind 40k at a football match.

 

[LouReedwalkonthewildside]

Thats exactly the words i was looking for "self discipline".

The Asian mentality is so different to that of Europe...when people are told to stay home -- they stay home.

Only going out when they have no food. Theres no exercise allowed or going out without a mask in most countries out here.

From media reports and this thread its vastly different in the west.

Or they 'disappear' if they don't...

 

[davek]

this last bit especially - now that firms know they don't need big office space to function, the expense of providing that space is much more questionable than it was before

I think this is being overplayed. Employees will always want to retain the discipline of their workforce, even if they can do a lot from home. They'll fear the loss of productivity. More likely there'll be a rethink on office layout - going from open plan to closed plan etc.

 

[LouReedwalkonthewildside]

It is. Went for my daily walk this afternoon and both traffic and small groups of people around the place suggested a 'normal' day.

I went out to pick up a bit of stuff yesterday and there was a lot of cars on the road. There was actually a burger van open with people queueing up, observing social distancing like.

 

[LouReedwalkonthewildside]

I could go a rusk...

...dipped in milk, mmmmm...

 

[LouReedwalkonthewildside]

You can’t just go around stating things as fact with no proof.

Their are unconfirmed reports that McDonald’s might open again in late May, and that may not even be for in store purchases.

That hardly means the UK is open for business.

The company I work for has thousands of UK employees and manufacture in the UK and all of our conversations are around a new normal for many months to come, with offices closed and remote working the norm.

I'd read that they were only going to open in certain areas and for delivery only.

 

[tsubaki]

I think this is being overplayed. Employees will always want to retain the discipline of their workforce, even if they can do a lot from home. They'll fear the loss of productivity. More likely there'll be a rethink on office layout - going from open plan to closed plan etc.

Perhaps, though we are talking about an awful lot of money tied up in offices and it would enable a lot of them to do an awful lot of other things - keep "offices" open for longer and reward staff without actually paying them any more (just not having to buy a season ticket for every day could save some people down here thousands every year), for example.

They could even end up employing more staff and improving productivity that way.

 

[davek]

Perhaps, though we are talking about an awful lot of money tied up in offices and it would enable a lot of them to do an awful lot of other things - keep "offices" open for longer and reward staff without actually paying them any more (just not having to buy a season ticket for every day could save some people down here thousands every year), for example.

They could even end up employing more staff and improving productivity that way.

I'm sure the temptation is there - those businesses with a lot of fixed capital will be wary of new start businesses...in much the same wasy as the taxi industry was ambushed by the likes of Uber.

I just feel that capitalism is not just about extracting productivity and profit but also about exerting control. No doubt the crisis will see them finding a way to maintain both elements and downsize.

 

[jamieni]

Perhaps, though we are talking about an awful lot of money tied up in offices and it would enable a lot of them to do an awful lot of other things - keep "offices" open for longer and reward staff without actually paying them any more (just not having to buy a season ticket for every day could save some people down here thousands every year), for example.

They could even end up employing more staff and improving productivity that way.

Even living in a fairly low cost region, I’m paying a combined £350 a month on train/car. Both of which I could live without if working from home.

 

[ForeverBlue92]

No doubt London will open up first - cant have the nations darlings in lockdown for too long can we.