Forum Topic

Giuliano - Italian Lacy Road

Back open from last Friday. Please support Bepe and Isabella if you can.Wonderful fresh takeaway pasta and other treats.

Nick Gulliford ● 2232d28 Comments

Sickle cell anaemia is an autosomal recessive disease which mostly affects people of African, Hispanic, Caribbean and Asian descent, with numerous co-morbidities that can affect any organ system in the body and increases with age.  Some Mediterranean groups are also vulnerable,It is particularly relevant to Covid 19 as it severely inhibits the ability of haemoglobin to carry oxygen around the body.  That is why irresponsible journalists should be checking all the background data before trying to find a political (and highly inflammatory) angle in their desperation to dramatise an already frightening situation.  Many of these ethnic groups are on the front-line, and vital to the running of the country,  so one would hope that this increased risk to their wellbeing is taken very seriously.  Michael is right about the legal issue in Sweden, where only time will tell if the herd immunity theory works, and again, one would have to study very carefully the age and comorbidity factors amongst the deceased.Mask wearing should be mandatory in the UK, as it is here in the UAE, and if none are available, a silk or cotton scarf over the face works just as well.

Chantal Blake-Milton ● 2228d

One thing to keep in mind when discussing the action taken in Sweden is it was guided down the route it took by it's constitution:https://www.foreigner.fi/articulo/coronavirus/the-legal-reason-why-sweden-could-not-impose-lockdown/20200426195308005498.htmlTo a large extent it relies on its citizens using common sense and being responsible - and my experience of working with Danes, Swedes and Norwegians (albeit in the 1970s) is they are better than many in the UK at being good, resdponsible citizens. I hope it works out ok for them but compared to their neighbours in Scandinavia it's not looking to be working so well at present: time will tell.  

Michael Ixer ● 2228d

Not sure how sickle cell anaemia has anything to do with Covid-19 or supporting  local businesses during  lockdown, but hey ho ...Statistics for the UK recorded during this pandemic illustrate  that BAME people are most at risk, Chantal. You know, those people who  man our buses, doctors and nursing staff, delivery drivers, all of whom are essential workers etc. Even the Daily Mail reports this!

Lucille Grant ● 2228d

Hi David,The UK has had a higher death rate than the USA despite having a tighter lockdown,  there are clearly many factors involved and it will be some time before more informed analysis can be done.  I also understand the Swedish model allows for more initial deaths but the same over the course of the outbreak.  There is debate with differing opinions from scientists there mush as there is here.I would point out that imperial college whose release of a startling worst case scenario had quite an effect on the government, have already started to change some of the factors and parameters in their model as real data has not backup up their initial case.Regardless this was a thread started by Nick regarding local businesses re-opening for those that wished to support before the selfish accusation above.  Hopefully it can return to that and lockdown discussions can move to Lucille’s new thread.

Mike Warman ● 2228d

"being politicised to imply that ethnic minorities are most at risk, when no one is talking about sickle cell anaemia, an inherited condition prevalent in this group, which inhibits the conduction of oxygen round the body."So are you saying that BAME people are not most at risk?

David Ainsworth ● 2228d

"Sweden has suffered far less casualties than the UK, by securing herd immunity."Sweden has suffered far more deaths per million population than her neighbours. Indeed she has suffered more deaths per million population than Trump's USA has (I hate to add). Of course, present trends may not continue.

David Ainsworth ● 2228d

Andy, Vindeln has had hardly any and schools have been open, as my son works in one. But also strange they still had snow as he's right at the top so has the cold kept it away.

Barbara Stevens ● 2228d

I agree with you Andy. A gradual easing  makes sense. As for you Mike you are just as self righteous in your response as you state I am with  my comment. We are all entitled to our point of view and in mine, until the NHS is no longer over loaded with coronavirus patients (leaving  other sick people eg those with cancer etc at risk because they cannot  be treated) we should stick to the rules of lockdown until the  Government  suggest the easing of it.Meanwhile, we do not have masks!

Lucille Grant ● 2228d

Is Sweden a success. The deaths and infections curve is very erratic suggesting a haphazard data collection. Their new cases are low as their testing is very low less than 100,000 out of a 10milion population to date. Suggests they are playing Russian roulette with their citizens lives. I hope their strategy works but too early to hold it up as the way the rest of us should have gone. Personally I am happy with our approach overall but would like to see a gradual  easing of lockdown if that is possible. I'm no scientist but I am generally impressed with those who we put up front everyday in the bulletins. They are clearly very knowledgeable experts in their field.

Andy Pike ● 2228d

Chantal Can I askAre you making this suggestion from Putney or from a safe house overseas? Secondly with 6000 new infections arising each day on the testing programme how can you claim that the incubation period is over.I agree that a phased and careful route back to 'normal' is required and shiukd be started soon but I dont think we should risk lives by an unplanned rush back to normal.I suspect in years to come the youngsters of lockdown will be the baby boomers of the future. If we insist on labels.

Andy Pike ● 2228d

The lockdown has gone on beyond the incubation period of this virus, and self-righteous baby-boomers should realise that young people are far less susceptible, and need to get back to work, if that is, they still have a job at all.With few, if any post mortems being carried out, the data is vague at best, and being politicised to imply that ethnic minorities are most at risk, when no one is talking about sickle cell anaemia, an inherited condition prevalent in this group, which inhibits the conduction of oxygen round the body.Let's get children back to school, and hard working parents back to work.  As has been said many times, Sweden has suffered far less casualties than the UK, by securing herd immunity.

Chantal Blake-Milton ● 2228d

Well said Mike. Great to see the independents all opening and people sensibly self distancing supporting them and getting on with their lives by having a trip out once a day!

Nick Gulliford ● 2228d

Hi GabrielleYes it is open!  All staff safely behind some new screens they’ve put up and all tables removed.Hi LucilleNot sure why you feel the need to be so self righteous - could come across as a slightly intolerant selfish attitude!  Coffee shops are allowed to be open under government guidelines so long as they are exercising social distancing and for take away only which both these two are.If you feel people shouldn’t be able to use them, then they should be closed.  They have been closed 6 weeks already.  The longer they stay closed the fewer will be able to open.  We are facing a 10-20% hit to gdp at a guess.  May not mean much to you, but to millions of people a ruined economy may mean the difference between getting by and not getting by with all the implications that has on their health, quality of life and life expectancy.  Pret as a national chain had already trialled opening 20 stores, putney is in the next wave.No-one is forcing you to go out, I don’t think it’s your place to force others to stay at home.Calling people selfish is of course probably par for the course on social media, but there are many views on the current situation.  Sweden for example  seems to be doing perfectly well (better than the uk) in managing c19 whilst maintaining sensible measures, and many European countries and US states are relaxing the more onerous restraints.I suggest you avoid Wimbledon village - I cycled through at lunch (on my allowed daily exercise!) and there were people queuing outside both Paul and Gails there and I spotted another couple of cafe/ coffee shops open the philistines!I wouldn’t look to impose my view on you, appreciate the same courtesy in response.

Mike Warman ● 2230d

What part of lockdown do you selfish people not understand? Is it really impossible for you to  live without a takeout coffee? Seriously?Just go out and spread the virus why don't you, instead of waiting a while longer and therefore easing the pressure on NHS staff.

Lucille Grant ● 2230d

Is Pret open!! (yay)

Gabrielle O'Mahoney ● 2230d

And today Pret has re-opened on the high street, so I popped in as one of their first customers.  I thought there were on LRR, but nearer me (I’ll range from pret to blabar/ gails for a morning coffee) they have all been shut but now looking to change.Andy - fair enough - I also enjoy wine/ beer/ g and t at a pub but for me it’s always social, whereas happy to read the paper or a book at a coffee shop.Nothing much but at least starting to see a few.  I think for a pub you’ll have to wait a few more weeks though!

Mike Warman ● 2230d

At least three places to get takeaway coffee and food in Lower Richmond Road

Christine Bryan ● 2230d

So glad they're still there!

Bunny Payne ● 2231d

Change a bitter for a craft pint (or a G&T) and I also agree!

Gabrielle O'Mahoney ● 2231d

I have to say I have never seen the attraction of paying over the odds for a cup of fluffy milk with coffee in it or an expensive cup of tea. But each to his own, I suppose there are many who do not see the attraction of nursing a pint of best bitter in a busy pub whilst watching the world go by. Now i do miss that.

Andy Pike ● 2231d

I dream about those Quooker hot taps (ideally also a sparkling water machine)! We went out and bought a cafetiere. We have a Nespresso machine as well however I'm missing a nice flat white it has to be said! Saving me c. £10 per week though!

Gabrielle O'Mahoney ● 2231d

Kettle?  What’s that Andy?  I must say I’ve certainly been using the Quooker hot water tap a lot more though;-). Yes coffee at home is fine but it is nice to sit in a coffee shop over a book and watch the world go by.  Whilst I will buy a few take away ones to support them as they re-open I’m looking forward to being able to sit in them again.

Mike Warman ● 2231d

With these coffee shops all closed have people rediscovered what the kettle in their kitchen is for.

Andy Pike ● 2231d

Takeaway only.  Only basis on which any cafe is currently allowed.  Wouldn’t hold ones breath - I would guess at least June and more likely July before cafes, coffee shops etc are allowed to have seating inside.

Mike Warman ● 2231d

Does this mean that Giuliano's is open as a restaurant or just open for take-aways?

Caroline Whitehead ● 2231d

Good news!  Hoping some other local small cafes and coffee shops are able to open soon also

Mike Warman ● 2231d

May be worth dropping Positively Putney to get it added to their web list.

Ed Robinson ● 2231d

Thank you for letting us know, Nick.  Giulliano's is absolutely fabulous!

Ivonne Holliday ● 2232d