COVID-19 — Coronavirus

[ZenHalfTimeCrock]

A letter from F. Scott Fitzgerald, quarantined in 1920 in the Cote d’Azur during the Spanish flu pandemic:

Dearest Rosemary,

It was a limpid dreary day, hung as in a basket from a single dull star. I thank you for your letter. Outside, I perceive what may be a collection of fallen leaves tussling against a trash can. It rings like jazz to my ears. The streets are that empty. It seems as though the bulk of the city has retreated to their quarters, rightfully so. At this time, it seems very poignant to avoid all public spaces. Even the bars, as I told Hemingway, but to that he punched me in the stomach, to which I asked if he had washed his hands. He hadn’t. He is much the denier, that one. Why, he considers the virus to be just influenza. I’m curious of his sources.

The officials have alerted us to ensure we have a month’s worth of necessities. Zelda and I have stocked up on red wine, whiskey, rum, vermouth, absinthe, white wine, sherry, gin, and lord, if we need it, brandy. Please pray for us.

You should see the square, oh, it is terrible. I weep for the damned eventualities this future brings. The long afternoons rolling forward slowly on the ever-slick bottomless highball. Z. says it’s no excuse to drink, but I just can’t seem to steady my hand. In the distance, from my brooding perch, the shoreline is cloaked in a dull haze where I can discern an unremitting penance that has been heading this way for a long, long while. And yet, amongst the cracked cloudline of an evening’s cast, I focus on a single strain of light, calling me forth to believe in a better morrow.

Faithfully yours,

F. Scott Fitzgerald

Unfortunately, I have since found out that this is not genuine.

https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-fact ... SKBN21733X

This is parody written by American author Nick Farriella for the humor site McSweeney’s earlier this month. The text is clearly identified as such at the bottom of the original online publication and now at the top: “NOTE: This is a work of parody and is not an actual letter written by Fitzgerald.”

Here's a link to the original piece:

https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/thi ... -of-france

Apologies folks but all is not lost as I also found this:

https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/fam ... oronavirus

I suppose an online parlour game might consist of someone guessing the original novel from the parody and I would expect that Bram Stoker, Stephenie Mayer and Charlaine Harris might then feature prominently.

 

[kippax4ever]

I’m in the same boat. Working all over the country in a hotel it’s a lonely existence at the best of times. Even more so now. I’ve just moved hotels from Colchester to Aylesbury and both are empty. With the new rules enforced we can only have room service and can’t use gym. Stuck looking at 4 walls all day but at least I’m getting paid.

Get the porn channel on mate..

 

[bluemoon32]

Gutted that Wetherspoons are all closing, where else can i drink in a place with the atmosphere of a warehouse, alongside all the alkies & local nutters ?

 

[asahartford1]

Gutted that Wetherspoons are all closing, where else can i drink in a place with the atmosphere of a warehouse, alongside all the alkies & local nutters ?

Wetherspoon boys will suffer psychological issues that will require a lot of support and care, hope they can come through it.

 

[Vic]

What does that **** want now ?

Interviewing an epidemiologist saying we've got it horribly wrong. Not impressed with the immunity argument. Sooner you lock down the faster you beat it. Nought for your comfort.

 

[Vic]

This isnt a debate. We have currently got enough ventilators for everyone in hospital with coronavirus tonight.

Therefore having more ventilators is not a point of difference between the UK and germany.

Angels on the head of a pin.

What does it matter if we have enough ventilators now if next week we haven't?

 

[Vic]

Unfortunately, I have since found out that this is not genuine.

https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-fact ... SKBN21733X

This is parody written by American author Nick Farriella for the humor site McSweeney’s earlier this month. The text is clearly identified as such at the bottom of the original online publication and now at the top: “NOTE: This is a work of parody and is not an actual letter written by Fitzgerald.”

Here's a link to the original piece:

https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/thi ... -of-france

Apologies folks but all is not lost as I also found this:

https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/fam ... oronavirus

I suppose an online parlour game might consist of someone guessing the original novel from the parody and I would expect that Bram Stoker, Stephenie Mayer and Charlaine Harris might then feature prominently.

Still worth sharing. Keep our spirits up!

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

So I’m guessing the pubs are packed tonight? I fucking despair. No-one loves the pub more than me (miles better than drinking at home) but the last time I was in one was the day of the Old Trafford derby 2 weekends ago. Seriously, if I can stay out of the pub, anyone can.

Worse still, the other half’s parents arrived home from Australia this morning. Her dad is 70 today and was gutted that he couldn’t go out tonight - she told them they’d have to effectively self isolate for now partly because of their age and partly because they’d arrived home from another country - so she got her dad a crate of John Smiths amongst other things for his birthday to part make up for not being able to go out to celebrate. Anyway, a couple of hours ago she got a phone call off her daughter. She’d gone round to her grandparents after finishing work to drop some things off. Guess what? There was no-one in and they weren’t answering their mobiles. No fucking prizes for guessing where they are.

I’m like you, mate, as you know. Pubs etc have been central to my life for the last 30 years, but I’ve been staying away from busy places for about a month, and keeping my distance - and entirely for about a week. Less restrictive than many folk, I know, but quite a big deal for me!

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

Never mind the economy, presumably the absence of a public health care system means this pandemic could be absolutely catastrophic over there.

I fear it will be.

 

[TCIB]

I’m like you, mate, as you know. Pubs etc have been central to my life for the last 30 years, but I’ve been staying away from busy places for about a month, and keeping my distance - and entirely for about a week. Less restrictive than many folk, I know, but quite a big deal for me!

Never has a more veridical comment been posted on this forum!