Interesting Links for 25-03-2021

[andrewducker]

Covid: Matt Hancock announces new health agency focusing on preventing future pandemics

(tags:UK pandemic thefuture )

America's gun violence rates, in 16 maps and charts

(tags:guns USA visualisation viaDanielDWilliam )

What is the latest Reddit drama all about

(tags:Child_abuse Reddit transgender censorship wtf )

Multiple Destroyers Were Swarmed By Mysterious 'Drones' Off California Over Numerous Nights

(tags:drone navy usa )

The majority of patients discharged after a Covid infection had not recovered after five months. Younger women got hit the worst

(tags:Pandemic Doom women )

A Letter to the Jewish Community from an Asian American Jew

(tags:Jews asia USA racism )

Study reveals how human brains grow larger than those of other apes

(tags:brain ape )

What Will It Take to Get a Cargo Ship Unstuck From the Suez?

(tags:trade shipping canal epicfail )

Big investors shun Deliveroo over workers' rights

(tags:rights delivery UK investment )

New Alan Turing £50 note design is revealed

(tags:AlanTuring money UK )

Nationwide tells 13,000 staff to 'work anywhere'

(tags:work homes office )

NHS staff in Scotland to be offered 4% pay rise

(tags:Scotland NHS pay )

Comments

Re: Alan Turing Bank Note

[calimac]

In my case, exactly two instances of cash use, totaling $6. That's a lot less than £30.

Re: Alan Turing Bank Note

[andrewducker]

I can't remember what mine were even for now. I just know I had three notes in my wallet, and when they were gone I got two more out of a cash machine, which we haven't needed.

One might have been a taxi to the hospital during the pregnancy. Not sure.

Re: Alan Turing Bank Note

[calimac]

Seven years ago in Boston was my first encounter with a taxi that took credit cards. (Card reader attached to the back of the driver seat.) Considering the amount of fumbling hoping one had appropriate cash for the fee and a tip, I approved of this change. I've used a taxi since then, but I can't remember whether those were also with credit cards.

Re: Alan Turing Bank Note

[andrewducker]

I mostly use a card for it, but using their app (the Edinburgh black cab firm I use has their own app). I hadn't taken a taxi in so long that it had somehow lost my card details. So I quickly grabbed some cash out of my wallet.
I'm fairly sure they do take cards nowadays, but for some reason I've been assuming there's a surcharge. I'll have to remember to look next time!

Re: Alan Turing Bank Note

[calimac]

In our jurisdiction (I'm not sure whether this is a state or federal law), surcharges for card use are prohibited. However, there's nothing preventing the offer of a cash discount, and many do. The only difference is which price is given as the base.

Speaking of Alan Turing and the inconvenience of £50 bank notes, the US has put Ursula K. Le Guin on a postage stamp. It is, however, for an inconvenient value of postage.

Re: Alan Turing Bank Note

[danieldwilliam]

I wonder how many people have gone the whole year without actually using any cash at all.

Re: Alan Turing Bank Note

[alithea]

I think I'm one of them

Re: Alan Turing Bank Note

[movingfinger]

I used cash for tipping delivery drivers and for Christmas tips. I remember I had to go to the bank for the first time since March to get the Christmas cash, I had nothing on hand. I could have given gift cards for the Christmas tips, but those can come with hidden fees and charges and I wanted the full amount to go to the recipients.

For actually buying things, I think I used cash three times, all in 2020 at drive-up windows before contactless payments became standard practice. Indeed, in 2021, no use of cash at all that I can remember, though it's in my wallet just in case.