Current Affairs

[david63]

I wonder just how much better off we might be if the govt were to provide a guide path to relaxing the lockdown , especially when it would need to be subject to constant review.
I realise that as we are retired we are not affected in the same way as those working, but I still don't know how these very tentative proposals would ease the concerns of everyone, in fact it is likely to create extra tension between different groups of workers, particularly those at the end of the queue.

The problem would be that every five minutes the question, in form or another, would be "When will phase one happen? When will phase two happen?" And if any phase was a day late then the Government will have and certain political parties will demand answers.

Starmer was on tonight saying that we to have a debate about how we exit lockdown - when will he, and other politicians, get it into their heads that there is no definitive answer because nobody knows when or how.

[Onelife]

I wonder just how much better off we might be if the govt were to provide a guide path to relaxing the lockdown , especially when it would need to be subject to constant review.
I realise that as we are retired we are not affected in the same way as those working, but I still don't know how these very tentative proposals would ease the concerns of everyone, in fact it is likely to create extra tension between different groups of workers, particularly those at the end of the queue.

I agree John, the mere mention of relaxing the lockdown (at this point in time) will serve no purpose other than to feed the media another angle in which to frustrate the general public.

[Mervyn and Trish]

I wonder just how much better off we might be if the govt were to provide a guide path to relaxing the lockdown , especially when it would need to be subject to constant review.
I realise that as we are retired we are not affected in the same way as those working, but I still don't know how these very tentative proposals would ease the concerns of everyone, in fact it is likely to create extra tension between different groups of workers, particularly those at the end of the queue.

The problem would be that every five minutes the question, in form or another, would be "When will phase one happen? When will phase two happen?" And if any phase was a day late then the Government will have and certain political parties will demand answers.

Starmer was on tonight saying that we to have a debate about how we exit lockdown - when will he, and other politicians, get it into their heads that there is no definitive answer because nobody knows when or how.

Starmer should be ringing Boris to say how can we help? We have some ideas to suggest . In private. Not agitating in public in preparation for the 2024 election.

[towny44]

I wonder just how much better off we might be if the govt were to provide a guide path to relaxing the lockdown , especially when it would need to be subject to constant review.
I realise that as we are retired we are not affected in the same way as those working, but I still don't know how these very tentative proposals would ease the concerns of everyone, in fact it is likely to create extra tension between different groups of workers, particularly those at the end of the queue.

The problem would be that every five minutes the question, in form or another, would be "When will phase one happen? When will phase two happen?" And if any phase was a day late then the Government will have and certain political parties will demand answers.

Starmer was on tonight saying that we to have a debate about how we exit lockdown - when will he, and other politicians, get it into their heads that there is no definitive answer because nobody knows when or how.

I think the question is too hard for the common herd to grasp David, it's only super intelligent beings that can comprehend such complex answers.

[oldbluefox]

I thought it a bit of a master stroke by Boris to say he would be involving other political parties in the post lockdown negotiations. If they are involved in the decision making process it will make it much harder to be critical of decisions made which they have been part of.
Take the lockdown off and run the risk of a second wave of the virus, keep it on and the economy suffers. There is no easy answer other than to play safe until the time is right.

[Frank Manning]

Take the lockdown off and run the risk of a second wave of the virus, keep it on and the economy suffers. There is no easy answer other than to play safe until the time is right.

Spot on ÒBF.

[oldbluefox]

I'm getting worried Frank. You and I are agreeing with each other too much!!!
Hope you and Sue are staying safe and well.

[Manoverboard]

Take the lockdown off and run the risk of a second wave of the virus, keep it on and the economy suffers. There is no easy answer other than to play safe until the time is right.

Spot on ÒBF.

It is spot on for me too but we do need to be aware that we could all be paying an extra 2p in the pound on Income sources for years after the pandemic is under control. That's ok by me.

[towny44]

Take the lockdown off and run the risk of a second wave of the virus, keep it on and the economy suffers. There is no easy answer other than to play safe until the time is right.

Spot on ÒBF.

It is spot on for me too but we do need to be aware that we could all be paying an extra 2p in the pound on Income sources for years after the pandemic is under control. That's ok by me.

If we get away with only a 2p increase in income tax I will be amazed.

[Manoverboard]

If we get away with only a 2p increase in income tax I will be amazed.

I was trying to be optimistic

[Ray B]

It took 60 years to pay off WW2.

[Onelife]

I'll be shedding no tears for you old pensioners cos unless you are mean tested you will be shielded from tax increases.

[Jan Rosser]

I'll be shedding no tears for you old pensioners cos unless you are mean tested you will be shielded from tax increases.

How? Wish I knew how to "shield" myself from paying tax - I pay a significant amount admittedly I do receive three pensions but still resent paying - rant over.

The Welsh government have their own tax powers now as well so goodness knows what will happen in the next few years

[david63]

Trump 'can't imagine why' US disinfectant calls spiked And neither can I

[Manoverboard]

I'll be shedding no tears for you old pensioners cos unless you are mean tested you will be shielded from tax increases.

I am in receipt of the old age pension and it is possible that this particular benefit will be shielded to some extent.

However in my case the sum received is taxed / clawed back as are any other pensions that I have paid for with my taxed earnings during my working lifetime.

Just saying

[Onelife]

I'll be shedding no tears for you old pensioners cos unless you are mean tested you will be shielded from tax increases.

How? Wish I knew how to "shield" myself from paying tax - I pay a significant amount admittedly I do receive three pensions but still resent paying - rant over.

The Welsh government have their own tax powers now as well so goodness knows what will happen in the next few years

Hi Jan, l was referring to OAPensions being shielded...as for those with indervidual private pensions then we will still be better off than most... after tax

[Jan Rosser]

I'll be shedding no tears for you old pensioners cos unless you are mean tested you will be shielded from tax increases.

How? Wish I knew how to "shield" myself from paying tax - I pay a significant amount admittedly I do receive three pensions but still resent paying - rant over.

The Welsh government have their own tax powers now as well so goodness knows what will happen in the next few years

Hi Jan, l was referring to OAPensions being shielded...as for those with indervidual private pensions then we will still be better off than most... after tax

Oh I see now what you mean - I'll send you some chocolate as an apology for misinterpreting your comment - I'll have to save up first though

[Onelife]

I love chocolates .....just make sure you use a better delivery service than wot l use

[Frank Manning]

I'm getting worried Frank. You and I are agreeing with each other too much!!!
Hope you and Sue are staying safe and well.

Yes thanks. Almost total lockdown here, luckily I have plenty to occupy the time. As you can imagine Sue is keeping me on my toes. All the best to you and Robina.

[screwy]

So, that seemed like the Sky reporter was put in his place.

[Ray B]

Maybe a bit of a hot potato this, but.........
The Sun newspaper is calling its readers to support a campaign to award NHS workers the George Cross.
I have the utmost praise for what those on the front line, fighting to save the lives of of covid sufferers have done, and some form of recognition from the country should be bestowed upon them. Maybe a special medal as such.
To award the Gorge Cross is a step to far. We have already seen the down grading of other gongs in the new year honors list.
The George Cross is awarded "for acts of the greatest heroism or for most conspicuous courage in circumstance of extreme danger"
To me, this award should remain only for those that show extreme bravery in the immediate face of death.
To those in the NHS you have the praise of the nation to which we thank you.

[Frank Manning]

Many of you will not have seen it, but our local TV news carried a report from Bournemouth airport, where a fully loaded aircraft bearing the large logo Thank You NHS, landed this morning bearing 120,000 pieces of PPE equipment for the UK. It is the first of eight consignments. One of the chartered praised the government saying that although there has been a lot of unfair criticism from the media, Ministers have worked tirelessly making themselves available 24 hours a day to help make it happen. I wait to see if mainstream news will report it. I want hold my breath.

[oldbluefox]

Maybe a bit of a hot potato this, but.........
The Sun newspaper is calling its readers to support a campaign to award NHS workers the George Cross.
I have the utmost praise for what those on the front line, fighting to save the lives of of covid sufferers have done, and some form of recognition from the country should be bestowed upon them. Maybe a special medal as such.
To award the Gorge Cross is a step to far. We have already seen the down grading of other gongs in the new year honors list.
The George Cross is awarded "for acts of the greatest heroism or for most conspicuous courage in circumstance of extreme danger"
To me, this award should remain only for those that show extreme bravery in the immediate face of death.
To those in the NHS you have the praise of the nation to which we thank you.

I would agree and that does not diminish my admiration for the job they do and are doing. However if we are awarding George Crosses to the medical profession we may say what about the cleaners, porters, cooks, admin staff, care workers, postal workers, delivery drivers, bin men, shop workers and all others who have contributed not just to our care but in keeping the world spinning whilst the rest of us are in lockdown.
And now for more flack......... Much as I appreciate what Captain Tom has achieved all talk of a knighthood etc is OTT. What has really struck me is the overall generosity of people from around the world who have contributed so generously to his initiative. By all means make a fuss of him but a knighthood? No.

[towny44]

Many of you will not have seen it, but our local TV news carried a report from Bournemouth airport, where a fully loaded aircraft bearing the large logo Thank You NHS, landed this morning bearing 120,000 pieces of PPE equipment for the UK. It is the first of eight consignments. One of the chartered praised the government saying that although there has been a lot of unfair criticism from the media, Ministers have worked tirelessly making themselves available 24 hours a day to help make it happen. I wait to see if mainstream news will report it. I want hold my breath.

Not unless you want to suffocate there isn't.
Unfortunately the media see nowhere near as much mileage in good news as there is in bad.

[oldbluefox]

There was somebody on 5Live tonight talking about Wellness and yhe problems some people are having in getting a good night's sleep. One of the contributing factors was the amount of bad news we are getting. Unfortunately even when there is good news our media friends have to look for the negative so little wonder some people are getting depressed. How often do they report how many people get better after Covid 19, the fact the NHS did not run short on critical care beds, the fact we had plenty of ventilators or indeed anything positive. Thank goodness we didn't have the likes of Kuennsberg, Peston, Rigby & Co during WW2. They would have had Hitler on our doorstep !!! I sensed Hancock must be getting pretty hacked off with their negativity judging by some of the answers he gave, in fact, he seemed quite relieved to get a more measured question from the New Scientist reporter.
By all means we need to know the progress of this pandemic but we also need to take positives since whilst there are tragic stories to be told there are a good many positives. To some extent we have seen the worst of society but they are a significant minority. The great British Public have largely pulled together and have looked out for each other, especially those who are more vulnerable. There are better stories to be told. I wonder the impact the negative reporting has on mental health and I wonder if the 'Magnificent Three' ever consider their contribution to the mental health of their viewers and listeners?
(Can I add Emma Barnett of 5Live to my blacklist as well!!)