Current Affairs

[Gill W]

... I want to feel confident that my leaders have a plan for the way forward. at this point I do not have this confidence.

You seem to be looking for a comfort blanket

No, I always face up to difficulties. I never hide away, - I face problems head on.

I prefer to know the truth of any situation, no matter how difficult it is.

[Frank Manning]

Regarding the exit strategy, it is like asking A C M Dowding, at the worst moment of the air battle, when the RAF are struggling to protect airfields, why aren't you publishing your strategy for fighter sweeps across Europe.

Let's get to the point where we really think we are winning, then start to confer and plan an exit strategy. At that point 80 majority or not, other parties must be included and as far as possible 'on side' with an exit strategy. But please dont ask that twerp Peston for his opinion, it could take for ever.

Anyway when you are up to your backside in alligators, it is difficult to remember that the original intention was to drain the swamp.

[towny44]

Regarding the exit strategy, it is like asking A C M Dowding, at the worst moment of the air battle, when the RAF are struggling to protect airfields, why aren't you publishing your strategy for fighter sweeps across Europe.

Let's get to the point where we really think we are winning, then start to confer and plan an exit strategy. At that point 80 majority or not, other parties must be included and as far as possible 'on side' with an exit strategy. But please dont ask that twerp Peston for his opinion, it could take for ever.

Anyway when you are up to your backside in alligators, it is difficult to remember that the original intention was to drain the swamp.

Well said Frank, I totally agree with you.

[Gill W]

So far Starmer's contributiuon appears to be to demand an exit strategy be published now.

Since we have yet passed the peak that is incredibly hard to do and would be meaningless. Presumably he is only asking in the hope that he can later say "you promised it would be over by (insert random date), you lied".

It's definitely too early to be talking about dates, but I think it's reasonable to be asking about what the strategy might be.

This government is reactive. People have been talking about care homes for several days, and it's only today that some action has been taken. I believe there should be some sort of narrative about how we'll eventually ease the lockdown as government are currently reacting to events, and don't appear to be proactively planning ahead. It's possible they may be doing this behind the scenes, but it would give people some confidence if they knew that a proper plan was in existence.

Gill, if the govt announced a plan to ease the lockdown, you can be sure that it would immediately be criticised and just lead to even more demands from the media to think again. So they may as well say nothing since at least the criticism is specific to one issue, rather than every single item on the plan being mailed over.

In other words we sit here like mushrooms!

[towny44]

Gill, if the govt announced a plan to ease the lockdown, you can be sure that it would immediately be criticised and just lead to even more demands from the media to think again. So they may as well say nothing since at least the criticism is specific to one issue, rather than every single item on the plan being mailed over.

In other words we sit here like mushrooms!

Of what benefit will it be to you to know a timetable, unless, like me, you're desparate to know when hairdressers will reopen.

[david63]

There is an exit plan, in fact there are several exit plans but at this point in time nobody knows what the best option will be.

The Government along with all of their advisors will be looking at how other countries are doing with their exit plans and whether they are working or not and will then tailor ours to be the best that it can at the time.

There is little to no point in publishing an exit plan only to have to change it later - can you imaging how the media and opposition parties would treat that?

[screwy]

Seems like we’re going round in circles here,just like on the Brexit pages. If some people think they have all the right answers then let’s hear them,otherwise stop worrying and get on with it.

[Mervyn and Trish]

In other words we sit here like mushrooms!

It's hard to see how that statement can be justified. We all know it means kept in the dark and fed bullsh*t.

Firstly they are holding a daily press conference at which they tell us the facts they have, the actions they have taken so far and are planning to take. So we are not in the dark.

Secondly they are not giving us information on plans that are not yet made nor can reasonably be made yet. They are not pretending things are better than they are nor pretending the way out is clear. They are saying honestly that it is too soon for that.

If they did as Sir Know-it-all is demanding that would be bullsh*t.

[oldbluefox]

Anyone’s remember the Leave campaign promise to spend £350 million a week on the NHS.
This government need to be really careful with their words.
They are often twisted to suit a particular agenda

but if one side or the other drives around in an attention seeking bus with a big vote winning slogan on the side, people have a reasonable expectation that when that side wins it will be delivered.

Just to correct you. The slogan on the side of the bus did not say £350 million a week on the NHS. It actually said 'we send the EU £350 million a week, let's fund our NHS instead'. Nowhere does it say £350 million a week to the NHS. That was just the Remain campaign twisting the facts.

Brexit bus.jpg

Now we've cleared that one up let's get back to CV19.

[screwy]

Ok please don’t get me wrong, I think Nurses ( my daughter is a nurse and midwife) very clever unlike her dad, Doctors,Carers etc are all amazing and deserve all the protection going but have you heard anyone complaining from the one section of society who have to work in what are breeding grounds for all kinds of diseases, assaults etc without having the right PPE, yep Prison Officers, now they truly are the ‘Forgotten Ones’ Not a word,just getting on with it..!

[oldbluefox]

At a time when playing politics would benefit nobody, when the health of the nation is the main priority and the sooner we get it sorted the better for all concerned I would have thought it would be of more benefit to the nation for all MPs to put their weight and expertise behind helping to resolve the issues rather than standing on the sidelines making pointless statements.
The truth is until we have the admissions and deaths from Coronavirus under control there is no point in revealing what the next step will be, despite what the media are pushing for. I have no doubt that plans are already in place but now is not the time to reveal them so all this talk about lack of planning is pure poppycock.

[Frank Manning]

I am not going to join the bandwagon pillorying Matt Hancock. It seems that the Chinese prevaricated, the global spread is further and faster than anyone expected, and we cannot afford to have stocks of specialist equipment in store on the off chance that a global pandemic might occur. They are being reactive, but it's easy to level that criticism when you dont have that responsibility yourself. Now we know more as a nation people want the specialist equipment immediately. Resource investigators and logistics planners now need to do their work in an atmosphere free from hysteria whipped up in the media by attention seekers such as Peston and that well known genius Piers Morgan. Being reactive in a situation is the only way, because it isn't and never will be a static situation.

[Gill W]

Of what benefit will it be to you to know a timetable, unless, like me, you're desparate to know when hairdressers will reopen.

Things are getting desperate here, I might have to get my husband to cut my hair!

(But it’s not about me, it’s about all of us)

Unfortunately, throughout all of this, the government has had to be put under pressure to act. Closing the schools, cancelling events, lockdown, testing, care homes - the government had to be pressured to action rather than leading the way. I wish it wasn’t like this, but it is.

[towny44]

Of what benefit will it be to you to know a timetable, unless, like me, you're desparate to know when hairdressers will reopen.

Things are getting desperate here, I might have to get my husband to cut my hair!

(But it’s not about me, it’s about all of us)

Unfortunately, throughout all of this, the government has had to be put under pressure to act. Closing the schools, cancelling events, lockdown, testing, care homes - the government had to be pressured to action rather than leading the way. I wish it wasn’t like this, but it is.

Gill, you and I will never see eye to eye on this govt, for me the govt have throughout taken the advice of the experts, they resisted closing schools because the experts view was that children would not spread the virus as readily as adults, and it was important to keep them in school to enable parents to continue working as long as possible. The same with all the other issues, and so far they seem to be proving as valid as most other European countries. Testing and PPE delays have been due to the massively increased demand, and with the exception of Germany and South Korea, testing has not so far improved infection rates, ICU needs or mortality rates. Now if your twitter friends are stating otherwise, then I truly believe they are bending the facts to suit their own political positions.

[Jan Rosser]

I'm avoiding reading a lot of the posts on the forum at the moment - it is getting like the dreaded B word arguments all over again and honestly I can't handle it so please be kind xxx

[Manoverboard]

Unfortunately, throughout all of this, the government has had to be put under pressure to act. Closing the schools, cancelling events, lockdown, testing, care homes - the government had to be pressured to action rather than leading the way. I wish it wasn’t like this, but it is.

Sorry but that is simply not the case.

These actions were already in hand but a handful of egotistical media hounds decided to add pressure in a vain attempt to take the credit for any actions that followed. The timings of such things are best based on the advice of experts rather than two bit attention seekers.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Seems like we’re going round in circles here,just like on the Brexit pages. If some people think they have all the right answers then let’s hear them,otherwise stop worrying and get on with it.

I think you're right mate. I'm with you. It's clear this issue is dividing on pretty much Brexit lines with many of those who hated Boris for that unwilling to see any good in him now. I'd hoped a common cause in this virus might unite people. It has most but not all. So I'm going to shut up.

[screwy]

I for one would rather take advice from medical/scientific experts than any two bit hack. Apparently Mat Hancock snapped at Nick Robinson on the radio this morning when asked when the restrictions would be lifted,the bbc presenter on tv tried to justify the journalist job to ask these questions,correct but not every time with the same question, accept the answer and move on to some more dirt dishing.Good on yer Mat.
While I’m on, why are Care home staff suddenly wonderful.? Before this started we we’re getting quite regular reports of horrendous behaviour by some staff..not all I may add. Rant over.

[towny44]

Seems like we’re going round in circles here,just like on the Brexit pages. If some people think they have all the right answers then let’s hear them,otherwise stop worrying and get on with it.

I think you're right mate. I'm with you. It's clear this issue is dividing on pretty much Brexit lines with many of those who hated Boris for that unwilling to see any good in him now. I'd hoped a common cause in this virus might unite people. It has most but not all. So I'm going to shut up.

I doubt that promise will last.

[screwy]

I hope not,carry on Merv.

[oldbluefox]

I would think the pandemic and the rate at which it develops and where would determine what action needs to be taken and that is where the advice of the experts is paramount. The government did try appealing to the British public to self isolate but since a sizable minority seemed incapable of doing it for themselves a formal lockdown had to be put in place. And even now there are those who flout it.
There was a day when reporters did just that. Nowadays they are more interested in promoting their inflated egos by trying to lead the news, call politicians to book and determining the agenda.
This morning that wet nelly Jonathan Ashworth was on BBC telling us all what should be done. It may be more helpful and beneficial to the nation if he did something positive to help and I would respect him more.
Having said that mistakes have been made and there are gaps but this is such a massive operation it is little wonder things would not be perfect from the outset. All I can say is thank goodness it's not Corbyn in charge.

[Manoverboard]

.... or indeed that long since forgotten Joe Swansong

[towny44]

Or even sweet Theresa!!!!

[Mervyn and Trish]

It is just so frustrating.

Last night we heard that hospital patient numbers were down and that there was still headroom in the NHS. It had not been overwhelmed as some suggested it would be. As Italy was. We built a new 4,000 bed hospital in 9 days with others under way. That was a huge achievement when the Chinese did similar. When our government did it they're being reactive and only do stuff under pressure.

We may reach 20,000 death which will be awful. At the start the prediction was 500,000. But keeping it to less than a twentieth of that is a failure.

We "might" be among the worst in Europe. Except at the moment, despite having one of the largest populations in Europe, we are still doing better than Spain, France and Italy. The only large nation doing better is Germany. I see that as a huge success for Germany, not a failure for us. But apparently I'm wrong and it a failure because our government is reactive and only acts under pressure.

Oh and our government's biggest failure? Not halting a few Stereophonics concerts. God only knows why they were singled out among the other public events continuing at the time!

So there is no point some making any further arguments. I know what I believe. I know what others believe. I'll stick to what I eventually did on Brexit and only comment on facts, not opinions or speculation.

[screwy]

I applaud you Sir Merv..