In the news

The fuck are you on about? I've mentioned my original point a few times now, if that much reading comprehension is beyond you then I won't be surprised.

Sixth largest economy in the world, quarter of citizens face being cold this winter

Skyrocketing energy prices mean almost one in four adults in the UK will not switch on the heating at all this winter, according to a poll, with opposition MPs describing the findings as a “national scandal”.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/aug/29/almost-quarter-of-uk-plans-to-go-without-heating-this-winter-energy-price-cap

almost one in four adults in the UK will not switch on the heating at all this winter

Yes they will. I tried it one winter (for environmental reasons) and I couldn't manage it. Even with proper outdoor winter gear

Not sure those savings will add up to the cost of the travel fare to get to work!

My concern is how quickly will people turn their backs on supporting the Ukraine when they get cold this winter.

the Ukraine

It’s just ‘Ukraine’ !

Yes, you're quite right to correct me - I had realised my mistake and had just come back to correct my statement.

Some people already cannot afford petrol and food now ... they won't have a choice.

That's quite the strong anti-WFH vibe there

Yes they will. I tried it one winter (for environmental reasons) and I couldn't manage it. Even with proper outdoor winter gear

I mean, that's a choice lots of people aren't lucky enough to make for environmental reasons.

Quite a definitive statement given you can walk through any town centre and see people living without heating

More 'existing' than 'living', and many of them will spend a lot of time in heated places.

I spent most of a winter without heating when I was living on a boat and trying to toughen up for winter swimming. It was really hard. Can't imagine vulnerable people, old people, families or people in the North managing.

Of course. That's why I specified it was a choice.

Point is it's really hard and there's no way 25% of people will do without. If you're not healthy it could kill you

Luckily the NHS is well resourced, the staff are motivated and it's over-flowing with money and good cheer.

It reads like you're saying "yes they will turn on the heating, I had to" but they may well not be able to and may well die.

I know I have a unique bubble of friends and acquaintances and this probably isnt the sentiment across the UK, but 4 people (2 single mums and 2 families with kids) have told me they've cancelled their DD, gone quarterly billing and are just going to get into debt over winter and have no plan/ability to fully pay it off. Just kick the can further down the road for as long as possible.

Sounds like a plan to me.

I just mean that I thought I could do without, being an outdoorsy person, but in practice it was really horrible, and people probably don't realise how bad it is for your mental and physical health. If you haven't tried it long term it appears that you just have to toughen up and wear a jumper but the reality is much bleaker.

A bleak reality lots of people are going to be forced into.

reality is much bleaker

A friend from the tropics who moved to the UK told me that he didn’t understand how a cold or minor respiratory ailment was a death sentence just a century ago, until he spent a winter here. Without modern conveniences your body is constantly constantly battling off exposure to the cold, and like frankenbike says it takes a big physical and mental toll that not everyone can survive after months non-stop.

A bleak reality lots of people are going to be forced into.

This makes me think: is there something we can do as a somewhat loosely knit forum? Besides the Boss and the Golf Club, I expect most of us aren’t flush with cash atm, but maybe with sheer numbers we can make a difference?

maybe with sheer numbers we can make a difference?

Huddle together?

Never met @hippy in person but from what I’ve read something tells me they’d be warm and soft.

Mylar blankets are £0.087 on Alibaba. Dunno if they’d be useful in practice though.

Mylar blankets are £0.087 on Alibaba. Dunno if they’d be useful in practice though

As cheap body bags?

How cold do your winters get?
Serious question.
Winnipeg sometimes gets minus 30 or worse. It seems lately to be trending milder, minus 20s mostly with a few bad spells.
Do you get lots of snow?