General Coronavirus (COVID-19) chat

[ignatious]

* I'm not an accountant * but as I understand it they pay themselves a small wage then take the dividend. I guess they'll get 80 percent of what they declare as their earnings. tbh they should count themselves fortunate if they get that. Presumably it will be at least 80 per cent of minimum wage. Still a lot better than the horrible pittances that are the universal credit and ssp.

or maybe as company owners they get nothing? Dunno.

I’m pretty sure the 80% figure is based on the previous 3 years’ profits rather than whatever salary they pay themselves. I can only assume they‘re taking a post-dividend profit figure, whatever that’s called (retained earnings?)

 

[littlebabyjesus]

I’m pretty sure the 80% figure is based on the previous 3 years’ profits rather than whatever salary they pay themselves. I can only assume they‘re taking a post-dividend profit figure, whatever that’s called (retained earnings?)

Ah Ok, I'm confused then. Fuck it.

 

[killer b]

I’m pretty sure the 80% figure is based on the previous 3 years’ profits rather than whatever salary they pay themselves. I can only assume they‘re taking a post-dividend profit figure, whatever that’s called (retained earnings?)

it's because they aren't self employed - they are a limited company so the only thing they can do is furlough themselves and then pay themselves 80% of their (minimum) wage.

 

[ignatious]

it's because they aren't self employed - they are a limited company so the only thing they can do is furlough themselves and then pay themselves 80% of their (minimum) wage.

Ah, yes, that makes sense.

 

[killer b]

although as a limited company there may be other support available which aren't available to us lowly employees actually - interest free loans, rates relief, that kind of thing.

 

[not-bono-ever]

I thought next door had friends around due to the shouting and egging each other on to do shots. Now I realise they are having a virtual session with their mates through the wonder of the internet. legends

 

[likesfish]

got home yesterday to the Mrs having symptoms so had to tell work and it was fuck 14 days off feel fine myself but rules is rules

 

[littlebabyjesus]

it's because they aren't self employed - they are a limited company so the only thing they can do is furlough themselves and then pay themselves 80% of their (minimum) wage.

So it is what I thought. So they're fine. Sorry, what's the whingeing about? I'm still confused. What on earth do they have to complain about?

 

[killer b]

having drastically less money than they are used to and have budgeted for I guess.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

having drastically less money than they are used to and have budgeted for I guess.

Ok. I will sarcastically say 'boo hoo' feeling no guilt then.

 

[Raheem]

My brother's got it. He had to take my neice into A&E five days ago, so I reckon that's probably where he picked it up.

 

[Teaboy]

Ok. I will sarcastically say 'boo hoo' feeling no guilt then.

Quite. To put some numbers to it. If they furlough themselves they can only claim 80% of what they pay themselves through PAYE which would likely mean taking home something like £600 - £700 a month. This is against a typical salary with dividends of maybe £3500 (take home) per month or more. They're not happy because their dividends cannot be included in their salary for the purposes of furloughing.

Its proper tiny violin time for sure.

 

[Raheem]

My brother's got it. He had to take my neice into A&E five days ago, so I reckon that's probably where he picked it up.

Update: He says he feels like he's over the worst of it already.

 

[likesfish]

feeling fine Mrs is up and about so thats good probably drinking too much though. supermarket had food so fridge and freezer well stocked

 

[Marty1]

Heard on the radio on way bk from work that the authorities are concerned people are going to go out this weekend due to the sunny forecast.

 

[gentlegreen]

Mask usage up near me in Bristol.
I found I actually had an unused full-spec mask..
Learned yesterday that one technology that's used in the N95 mask is basically like an electrostatic precipitator - though they use an electret material - as with electret mics that simulate condenser mics, but with no external bias voltage required.

 

[SheilaNaGig]

Update: He says he feels like he's over the worst of it already.

Beware.... This virus (and other coronaviruses) have an intermittent presentation: feel better, feel bad again, feel better, feel worse. It’s a neat trick, it means that the carrier goes back into the community and spreads the virus around when they feel better.

That thing where you stay home with a cold and then feel better and go back to work and then a week later you come down with another cold...? If’s not a new cold, it’s the same cold. It’s a characteristic of coronaviruses.

 

[HoratioCuthbert]

Beware.... This virus (and other coronaviruses) have an intermittent presentation: feel better, feel bad again, feel better, feel worse. It’s a neat trick, it means that the carrier goes back into the community and spreads the virus around when they feel better.

That thing where you stay home with a cold and then feel better and go back to work and then a week later you come down with another cold...? If’s not a new cold, it’s the same cold. It’s a characteristic of coronaviruses.

I was reading about the typical point that someone was admitted to ICU and it was surprisingly late on after initial symptoms. After reading that I’ll certainly be isolating for 14 days after symptoms, not 7. Taking it super easy.

 

[two sheds]

Yes, particularly before mixing with vulnerable people.

 

[HoratioCuthbert]

Beware.... This virus (and other coronaviruses) have an intermittent presentation: feel better, feel bad again, feel better, feel worse. It’s a neat trick, it means that the carrier goes back into the community and spreads the virus around when they feel better.

That thing where you stay home with a cold and then feel better and go back to work and then a week later you come down with another cold...? If’s not a new cold, it’s the same cold. It’s a characteristic of coronaviruses.

And yeah sufferers in Orkney- not confirmed, only 3 are- spoke of this up and down and up and down in terms of symptoms, one wrote a diary for the whole period she was ill. Totally, as soon as you have symptoms isolate for the duration.

 

[Badgers]

Not specifically COVID-19 news bit a sign of 'savings' to come.

Families hit by lost income from the coronavirus outbreak are facing a “double whammy” after the government quietly axed universal free school meals for primary school infants, children’s charities and trade unions have warned.

Free School Meals Cuts 'Sneaked Out' During Coronavirus Outbreak

Education secretary accused of trying to "sneak out" axeing of universal provision for 5-to-7-year-olds

m.huffingtonpost.co.uk

 

[gentlegreen]

That thing where you stay home with a cold and then feel better and go back to work and then a week later you come down with another cold...? If’s not a new cold, it’s the same cold. It’s a characteristic of coronaviruses.

Indeed.
Hopefully this experience will permanently fix a lot of workplace sickness absence policies. Doctor's note ? WTF ?
In my case, I have always had the requirement to get on my bike and cycle 4 miles to the highest point with a Bristol postcode to determine whether I'm ready for work and that invariably covers the "false dawn".

I hope at some point they'll redefine "cold" and "flu" ... I never have "a cold", I am always laid low by viral infections - sometimes spectacularly and usually with no secondary symptoms beyond a few sneezes.
I imagine at some point there will be home testing kits to identify the specific virus.

 

[weltweit]

Beware.... This virus (and other coronaviruses) have an intermittent presentation: feel better, feel bad again, feel better, feel worse. It’s a neat trick, it means that the carrier goes back into the community and spreads the virus around when they feel better.

That thing where you stay home with a cold and then feel better and go back to work and then a week later you come down with another cold...? If’s not a new cold, it’s the same cold. It’s a characteristic of coronaviruses.

This was mentioned in the South Korea interview on the sensible information thread, they described it as some people seeming to get re-infected after apparently achieving immunity.

 

[Aladdin]

Coronavirus: Twins born during India lockdown named 'Corona and Covid'

The siblings - a girl and a boy - were born in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh during an ongoing nationwide lockdown.

news.sky.com

Coronavirus: Twins born during India lockdown named 'Corona and Covid'

 

[tonysingh]

I'm studying with the OU at moment, doing two 30 credit modules. Had email earlier saying the end of module assignments, which is what stands in for a full exam in some modules are now cancelled because of coronavirus.

Instead they'll work out our average marks over other assignments and allocate them accordingly. I'll pass, that's not in doubt but I wanted to earn my marks.

I know this is a really fucking minor gripe in all this and I get why the OU have done it. I just needed to moan.

 

[t0bytoo]

I'm studying with the OU at moment, doing two 30 credit modules. Had email earlier saying the end of module assignments, which is what stands in for a full exam in some modules are now cancelled because of coronavirus.

Blimey. Just read a message from my tutor saying to look out for emails about changes to assessment. I guess this is what they will say. Wonder why they are cancelling the EMAs. I know lots of folk are finding it hard to get any work done, but I'm sure others are keen to have something to work on. Well, I am, when my personal situation calms down a bit.

 

[tonysingh]

Blimey. Just read a message from my tutor saying to look out for emails about changes to assessment. I guess this is what they will say. Wonder why they are cancelling the EMAs. I know lots of folk are finding it hard to get any work done, but I'm sure others are keen to have something to work on. Well, I am, when my personal situation calms down a bit.

I'm only on level 1 of a path that'll lead to a goal I'm too shy to say so scores aren't counted towards the degree itself. I just want to earn my 80% not be given it. I'm gonna carry on studying like, one of the modules especially is a great help to mental health stuff as a distraction.

 

[t0bytoo]

I'm only on level 1 of a path that'll lead to a goal I'm too shy to say so scores aren't counted towards the degree itself. I just want to earn my 80% not be given it. I'm gonna carry on studying like, one of the modules especially is a great help to mental health stuff as a distraction.

Level 1 is pass/fail, if I remember right. The end result is usually the lesser of the ongoing assessment and the final exam or assessment.

They are usually pretty generous in bumping up the grades. A couple of times I've been given the benefit of some sort of doubt and got a higher grade than I expected.

But many of us are doing it for the learning, so big shame not to complete the course

 

[tonysingh]

Level 1 is pass/fail, if I remember right. The end result is usually the lesser of the ongoing assessment and the final exam or assessment.

They are usually pretty generous in bumping up the grades. A couple of times I've been given the benefit of some sort of doubt and got a higher grade than I expected.

But many of us are doing it for the learning, so big shame not to complete the course

Yeah, level 1 is a pass/fail thing. I've absolutely passed, one module I'm hitting mid 60s but it's a slog. Other one I'm much more into and hitting mid to high 80s so it's fine.

I just really was focused on the EMAs is all. It's feels like being a boxer, psyching yourself up for a big fight and then the opponent pulls out.

Again, i 100% get that it's just one of them things with this crisis but it's still annoying.

 

[Wilf]

. It's feels like being a boxer, psyching yourself up for a big fight and then the opponent pulls out.

Or going ahead with the fight and finding out your opponent is Audley Harrison.