Swine Flu - A Personal Dilemma

[Bbbananas]

A close work colleague has just gone off with swine flu... my daughter is just going off to Inverness for a week... I am getting myself stocked up with bottled water & Beechams & Nurofen & Balsam tissues within reach of the bed just in case I get it, & in the event I cannot move).

But, and this is my dilemma, if I am completely alone in my house (because no way will I want visitors), should I leave the door locked & the chain on to deter burglars? Or do I leave the door unlocked so ambulancemen can get in if need be...? (I am an 'at risk' patient).

One has to be prepared and forward-thinking about these things. Do ambulancemen carry crowbars (but then again, burglars do..) Oh decisions decisions - or am I just overreacting?

[sara3]

you may be over-reacting!

can't you leave a spare key with a neighbour, and call them in an emergency? (after calling 999)

[beejay1124]

do ambulancemen carry crowbars- no salla- they carry stretchers

[Bbbananas]

Another dilemma - which neighbour? The white witch opposite, the swingers on the left or the farmer on the right?

I think you're right - I could be overreacting (just another rumination that came to me last night when I woke with a thick throat....)

[lil123]

I think you will get warning before the illness takes hold to give you time to put these plans in place.
You will make yourself ill if you get yourself in a state like this.
You may not even catch it so just take care for now x
Good to have a plan though in place x

[pericat]

I don't like to panic salla but after your last 2 nights wanderings you may be on the verge of the flu. You could always hide a crowbar and tell the ambulance service where it is - do you have a crowbar ?

[sara3]

you could hide a key somewhere outside, ring the ambulance and say "the key is under the flowerpot" ;o)

[daffy654]

Make a bed up on the sofa downstairs and leave the door unlocked.

Just a little story to let you know how daft ambulance folk can be........
5 years ago I suffered a spontaneous pneumothorax (collapsed lung),they sent a first responder as one was nearer than the transport ambulance with paramedic. He arrived and knocked on my (unlocked) front door. I was unable to move or speak by this time. Instead of trying the door to see if it was open he walked away.The transport ambulance arrived as he was doing so,the paramedic came straight to the front door,turned the handle and walked into my house. I could hear the ambulance technician berating the first responder outside.Apparently the man had claimed that when he approached my house I had gotten up,locked my door and refused to let him in.pmsl

[pericat]

Ok hiding a key is easier than hiding a crowbar

[Bbbananas]

Ah Lil, bless ya - I am sort of semi-joking rather than panicking. But it did make me think I ought to have a plan, just in case.

I don't have a crowbar in my garage - just a machete, an airgun and an electric pump. Methinks a key under the palm near the front door is the best solution. The swingers would suss me out for future availability, the white witch would cast a spell and after the last husband, I swore I would never have a farmer in my bedroom again...

[pericat]

Keep the airgun and machete beside you just in case

[Bbbananas]

Thanks peri - you just never know... I live in a nice area, but infiltration by scum can happen. I need to be prepared against virae, bacteria and muggers. And swingers and white witches.

[mrs.chappie]

Hiya sal.

You could leave a key dangling on a string inside your house, just above your letterbox - like we used to in the good old days. If those ambulancemen need to come in they can just put their hand through your letterbox and grab the string - pull out said key - and Hey Presto! Instant access.

[mrs.chappie]

This thread reminds me of summat that happened several years ago, when Poll Tax was first introduced.

One day I was at home having a bath. The gardener was on the back garden, sorting out my overgrown bush (thought you might like that one, sal .... {:o)

Seriously though, I was in the bath, gardener doing his work on the garden, both front and back doors unlocked.

I got out of the bath to find a letter had been posted through my letterbox, informing me that the bailiffs had tried to gain entry to my premises to retrieve goods to the value of amount of Poll Tax I owed.

Well they certainly hadn't tried very hard to get in!

[pericat]

LOL mrs chappie. Salla will have the machete beside her for when the ambulance mans hand gets stuck in the letterbox

[Bbbananas]

I don't want anyone to damage themselves by trying to gain entry to my box... however it is a bit tight, so I may have to lubricate it. These ambulancepersons are very nice people - I nearly was one myself once. I don't want anyone to lose a finger.

[Bbbananas]

Aah so Vibra - good idea. Lemsip with Brandy, Hot chocolate with whiskey, a nice fleecy blanket and a plentiful supply of tissues..... is that what you were thinking?