Tim Hortons Man

Virus is pummeling Europe's eateries — and winter is coming   This is, long term, is the part that worries me (well other than becoming a long hauler), the economic fall out. The Economist called it the 90% economy and it's not pleasant!

  As I said Jeff Bezos is laughing all the way to the bank. Once you get used to ordering more and more online the less you go in the shops.   Note: edited

I LOVE THIS LADY, not surprisling it went virial. Not surpringly policians tut tuted her.    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-south-yorkshire-54668928   Anyone falling the insanity in Wales, seems Jeff Bezos bought off the government. Close down all shops and force people to order from him. No wonder he's the 200 billion dollar man. A few scattered protests here and there but the Welsh like all good sheep everywhere are sticking to the rules, I means what growing kids needs new clothing or underware etc 

This is a goos summary of rhe anti-lockdown arguments. Low deaths high recovery rate etc good arguments overall but to me the big unknown is the long haulers, why do a small number get a super nasty version of the virus. Personally I’m pretty chilled about this but living on the careful side of things till we get an answer to that.   Conrad Black: Coronavirus hysteria will soon come to an end   https://nationalpost.com/opinion/conrad-black-coronavirus-hysteria-will-soon-come-to-an-end/wcm/77cb9461-28e9-41d1-8bbc-a2a85fba0636/amp/    

An interesting column on WFM “SURVEY SAYS” ( theme from Family Fued I believe) most people now hate it   https://www.greaterfool.ca/2020/10/22/wfw/   from the comments section   Garth, WFH flexibility and lockdowns are not one in the same. I’m guessing lockdowns are negatively affecting people’s mental health, but work flexibility isn’t the scourge you’re trying to make it out to be.  The reality is, most people hate their jobs (I’ve seen statistics as high as 85%). Do you really think these underling employees are clamoring to commute daily to stuffy windowless offices with crappy fluorescent lighting so their distrusting micromanaging boss can watch their every move?  “A minority of 16% like WFH” – Wow, could you provide a source for this?

 

Anecdotal but noticing more people are back in the office, few friends mentioned they were pressured into coming back in. Any idea what percentage at back in the office?   Another side effect of Covid is collapsing  rents (condos city centre) In major cities. Haven't heard this happening yet in German major cites.   Toronto but representative of any major city, people are fleeing cities. Condo proces collapsing SFD burbs exploding in price      

I'm sure the business owner who just laid off all his staff and closed shop will feel differently. The internet and Amazon are killing the downtown the pandemic will be the final nail in the coffin. Not just business lost but the jobs and The local tax revenue from them. if hard lockdowns persist it's expected the vast majority (Some 75%) of small business will fail. Give it a couple of years and downtowns be ghost towns.  Rather surprisingly in our city most restaurants seem to be surviving, but we'll see what spring brings.    Seeing this more and more. Doctors say more lockdowns aren't the answer.   https://torontosun.com/news/local-news/doctor-on-covid-front-lines-speaks-out-on-why-more-lockdowns-arent-the-answer?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1603212349   I feel completely comfortable meeting friends outside but the wife not so much, so for the moment we're not seeing anyone.                    

  Stupid is as stupid does, this is nothing but a power grab. Damm the torpedos full speed ahead.    Noticed this today on twitter   Patrick Vallance Covid isn't going away trigger warning Daily Mail article.    As an aside I'm getting used to experts "zooming in" rather than being in the studio when on TV. What most people don't realize is the economic cost of Zoom. That person on TV pontificating, pre-covid, would have driven into the city, paid for parking, probably bought a coffee and a bagel on the way in, maybe grabbed a bite to eat on the way out. Small business that cater to the business traffic in a city are hurting in a major way.

Lost a few friends over politics  on FB so now strickly limit my posts to funny memes. Seems people get upset when you post a point a view they don't agree with.    For you grammar nerds out there, since Germans love to differentiate between male Toytowner and female Toytownerin what do they use for a gender neutral person

Wow that I'm surprised at, still contatless here. You can also leave the package in front of the door yourself, assuming you don't mind running up the stairs

I have the opposite problem I don't want the neighbours taking my packages so if I'm out I simply hang a note on the door and ask them to leave it in front of my door. This way they also run it up the stairs as well. So next time tell the delivery guy to leave it in front of the door. It's all contacless now anyways

  NY Times “Covid fatigue is setting in”. Seeing the explosions in numbers I'd say the same is happening here.   My biggest concern is why a small number get a really really bad infection, aka the long haulers. This is starting to get more traction in the media and is by far my biggest concern. Ot's the reason I put my expat group on hold for the winter.    i suspect that deaths are increasing because Doctors are getting better at treating it and at risk people (like my parents) refuse to leave the house and family is careful.              

Yes this is my big beef.  But it's become very apparent now that Covid isn't going away. Blame the government for screwing up or blame social media (anti maskers etc) For dis-information it really doesn't matter, Covid is here to stay. The real question should be is how do we live with it. The damage down by lockdowns greatly exceed the damage down by covid.    Also my impression is that the death rate isn't increasing I expect that due to at risk people being much more careful.     

Recently took a bank loan at our local sparkasse I knew to be prepared for added extras like insurance and such, but typically you can decline it or it's a small fee. Well the NL@TB said we had to take insurance. OK, rate at 9% was a bit high but I'm planning on paying it out early and that's the point we discussed. She also said and this is important the insurance is pro rated over the life of the contract (no 100% sure on that as my German isn't that good) Got home and took a closer look at the contract and realized they simply added it to the loan, suddenly my loan is 25% larger!   Speaking with my insurance agent (Herr JohnG love that dude) he said they can't force you to take the insurance. Sure I can pay it out early but I'm still stuck paying out 1800€ for some stupid insurance.   So before I head over to take a stripe off of ass is it true they can't force you to take insurance. I also need to confirm with her that the insurance is pro rated   Secondly is it possible to cancel a loan (subject to loads of fees) within a certain period   Thanks   BTW I did apply via payback.de for a loan and they did a nice bait and switch. Advertized interest was 4.9% while the contract was 7.9%