| Good evening It’s a word that a month ago, most of us had never heard, yet is now an everyday phrase. ‘Pingdemic’- a made-up word that no doubt will be on the list of new entrants for the Oxford Dictionary next year - has swept the nation as the Government-led app lets people know they have been in contact with a person with a positive Covid case and advises them to isolate. You know the drill. It has the best of intentions (saving lives) yet is causing chaos in many industries, as workers are forced home. From bin collections to supermarket deliveries the knock on impact has been widespread, not least as people pointlessly panic-buy. Of course, it’s not the lack of goods that’s an issue (unless the factory itself has been pinged) it’s simply the logistics for delivery when lorry drivers can't, well, drive lorries. So when something is missing off a shelf in bulk it’s usually because that particular lorry is held up, not because the product is scarce. It says something about our natural survival instincts, perhaps, that makes us stockpile in a panic items which we will probably never need. Have an enjoyable evening and check out the website for all the latest news - it's been a busy one! Regards, Nicola Editor Blackpool Gazette, Associate Editor Lancashire Post If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 for your first month. Try us today by clicking here and viewing our offers. Here are some of today's top stories ... | 
