Got to the garage (just about) at last.

[Onoff]

They appeared to have fuel at Sainsburys Otford this morning, a small queue and cars at all the pumps. Shell by Sevenoaks station still all taped off.

I've still got 1/4 tank and 20L in the can I use for the mowers. I'll have to share with SWMBO. Thereafter it's dig out that bike I bought from Makro for £69.95 years ago and preapre for a sore ar$e.

 

[Cato]

and preapre for a sore ar$e.

Fair play, 'when needs must'. Although the shortage of HGV drivers may impact that trade too.

 

[Stueeee]

Which leads to the question of what's an "essential worker" in the modern world? I hear the latest brain wave on the news this morning in answer to "How do we calm the situation down and stop panic buying?".
"Lets announce we're going to call in the Army. That should reassure people that all's well."

Essential workers? hmm, that's dependent on who's in power and the political weather on that particular week. We used to be told that it was hedge fund managers, merchant bankers and the like, and if the gubberment increased income tax by a penny on their near obscene level of earnings, these tender plants would all flee the country on their private jets. Then with a staffing crisis during the lockdown it was NHS workers that suddenly became essential, once hospitals were no longer struggling, NHS workers get an insulting pay offer. Now, truck drivers are the this week's essential, and nobody (in government) can understand why there isn't a long queue of potential recruits for a stressful, disruptive to family life long hours job which doesn't pay particularly well.

 

[Cato]

Essential workers? hmm, that's dependent on who's in power and the political weather on that particular week. We used to be told that it was hedge fund managers, merchant bankers and the like, and if the gubberment increased income tax by a penny on their near obscene level of earnings, these tender plants would all flee the country on their private jets. Then with a staffing crisis during the lockdown it was NHS workers that suddenly became essential, once hospitals were no longer struggling, NHS workers get an insulting pay offer. Now, truck drivers are the this week's essential, and nobody (in government) can understand why there isn't a long queue of potential recruits for a stressful, disruptive to family life long hours job which doesn't pay particularly well.

Exactly, and next it will be the warehouse workers who fill the trucks. Then the builders and steel erectors who build the warehouses, teachers who provide 'free childcare', plumbers who keep the heat and hot water running, office workers who administrate everything, HMRC who collect the money which pays for all the services, etc etc.

It's not an exaggeration to say that there is no such thing as a non-essential worker because if they weren't essential no one would be paying them to do whatever they do. So unsurprisingly it comes down to the very simple matter of sorting things out so that everyone can get on with their work.

That sorting is equally shared between the Gov't/civil service and the general population as neither can do anything without the cooperation and support of the other. Unfortunately that's where it all falls apart as neither one has any respect or properly values the other. So we are where we are and no real prospect of moving beyond everyone for themselves and devil take the hindmost.

 

[Munkul]

I would say any job is essential that isn't of the rent-seeking type.

 

[Pete.]

Fair play, 'when needs must'. Although the shortage of HGV drivers may impact that trade too.

The trade in sore arses?

 

[northwest]

I would say any job is essential that isn't of the rent-seeking type.

You are right, the sex trade is not essential I wouldn't have thought.

 

[steveo3002]

isnt every job essential as in no work-no pay , then cant eat or pay the bills etc?

 

[Munkul]

You are right, the sex trade is not essential I wouldn't have thought.

Prostitution isn't rent-seeking. There's an exchange of value.

Pimping, however, is

 

[redlig]

Prostitution isn't rent-seeking. There's an exchange of value.

Pimping, however, is

Are you saying that being a 'manager' is non essential ?

 

[Munkul]

Are you saying that being a 'manager' is non essential ?

Some managers add a lot of value through organisation, planning ahead, strategies, promoting ethics and culture etc. Some, unfortunately, don't.

I'm sure we all know who these people are, in the places we work

 

[JMS1972]

The trade in sore arses?

I think the insinuation was for the "oldest trade".

 

[Onoff]

I think the insinuation was for the "oldest trade".

Erm no, I meant I'll have to ditch the car and bike the 6 miles to the station. The fact I haven't been in a bike on a few years means it'll kill my backside.

 

[dobbslc]

The fact I haven't been in a bike in a few years

Is it to late to edit that?

 

[pressbrake1]

Essential workers? hmm, that's dependent on who's in power and the political weather on that particular week. We used to be told that it was hedge fund managers, merchant bankers and the like, and if the gubberment increased income tax by a penny on their near obscene level of earnings, these tender plants would all flee the country on their private jets. Then with a staffing crisis during the lockdown it was NHS workers that suddenly became essential, once hospitals were no longer struggling, NHS workers get an insulting pay offer. Now, truck drivers are the this week's essential, and nobody (in government) can understand why there isn't a long queue of potential recruits for a stressful, disruptive to family life long hours job which doesn't pay particularly well.

If truck driving paid the same as a underground driver and the same hours there wouldn’t be a shortage

Engineering, we’ve always been considered pos

 

[Onoff]

Tescos at Dovers Corner had diesel a couple of hours ago and like a 10 minute queue a mate said.

 

[sako243]

All seems a bit odd, I can still buy derv in bulk and it all comes from the same place Only thing we need the pumps/forecourts for is the 100lts a week of unleaded for the chainsaws, probably get stabbed for that the way things are going

Bob

Saw someone (can't remember where - probably Faceache) point out that today we have the same number of ADR HGV drivers and fuel at the refineries as we do today - yet we have a "shortage"... Basically pointing out that it's just media hype that has caused people to go out panic buying thus emptying the forecourts.

 

[Windy Miller]

daughter cant go to work tomorrow no fuel in her van to go no garages have any in kent

Whereabouts in Kent does your Daughter live?

 

[pressbrake1]

I’m actively looking for a job
Saw this advert, funny I couldn’t find any big money jobs

 

[Onoff]

SWMBO said she drove past Saisburys at Otford this morning and there were cars on the forecourt / at the pumps. Caught a glimpse of a sign saying "......... ONLY". Wasn't sure if it said diesel only or unleaded only.