Current Affairs

[screwy]

So because someone Ums & Ahs they’re useless.? Starmer speaks ok because he’s been schooled in it,he was a pretty crap DPP, He failed to make serious decisions on prosecutions,what makes you think he could make important decisions in power.?

Some extremely talented and skilful people talk with ‘ Ums & Ahs. Doesn’t make them buffoons.

[johnds]

Yes Sir Keith Starmer the head of the DPP who declined to prosecute Jimmy Saville

[Manoverboard]

Starmer would be no better ... slimey and held together by the Unions. I do not believe that he would serve the interests of the entire Country but that he would be unduly influenced by minority interest groups.

I'll stick with Man Manger Boris

[Jonty S1]

All political party supporters have a subliminal prejudice, me included, don’t take to Starmer at all, slippery, slimey and a hint of Blair. Maybe my bias is wrong but I’d take Boris and his crew every time, however might give Alok Sharma a charisma transplant.

[Onelife]

I reckon there are two main groups of people in this crisis.

The first, into which I would put most, if not all, the contributors to this forum, are sensible pragmatists. We may disagree on politics but we recognise this is an unprecedented crisis with no right answers. We listen to what the government has to say and interpret it realistically to our own situation. Some of us may be more cautious than others. Some may have different pressures and priorities. But we recognise there can be no universal apply-to-all simple message and we take on board the interpretation right for us. If we had all taken the headline "Stay at Home" literally, without common sense we'd all be dead now, because the supermarket workers and doctors would have done so. It is the same with "Stay Alert". We will interpret as appropriate. In some cases that still means stay at home. But as others are encouraged or feel they can go back to work it means something different for them.

The second group either don't listen to what the government says or do so with the sole object of picking fault and finding a loophole so they can try to justify doing what they want. Hence those who now say that because it no longer says "stay at home" that means they can go to the seaside. Or travel 150 miles to go rock climbing as some were found doing near here last week. Or go to Dorset and have to be rescued after being cut off on the beach by emergency services. Though of course they still can't go to work. That's too dangerous.

I include in this latter category most opposition politicians and most journalists. If Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland had Conservative administrations would they be taking a different tack now? I doubt it. If Boris had said he was extending lockdown for another three weeks they'd be demanding relaxation now. Boris's biggest mistake in my book was not involving the opposition in a cross party group of some sort at an early stage. Then they couldn't be sniping from their trenches now.

Prize chump of the week goes to Mrs Krankie for her quote "I don't know what stay alert means". For God's sake don't let her babysit your grandchildren or drive you on the motorway!

Hi Sir Merv, it never ceases to amaze me how you can say so much in such a concise way.

You are so right, as a general rule of thumb, in any successful campaign you should have done everything possible to bring those of influence around your strategy table, by doing so they are less likely to rock the boat when the waters get choppy.

[Onelife]

I don't think he'll grow into anything except a bigger pair of trousers. He has been lucky recently, he was up against Corbyn and as a result he got a comfortable majority. What can he do with It? Covid 19 has diverted most people's attention. I want the government to be successful, but I just don't trust them under his leadership.

I think Johnson is lazy and inept and COVID19 has exposed him for what he is. What he says has no content, it's just a word salad punctuated by ums and ahs.

He wanted this job, and thought he could wing it, just like everything else he's done in his life. He might even have got away with it, if it hadn't been for COVID19. The 24 hour period from Sunday night to Monday night was the worst of his Premiership so far. He's avoided scrutiny for a long time, but when the spotlight was turned on him, the flaws were clear to see, I didn't see the press briefing yesterday evening, as I literally couldn't take any more.

It's very troubling that, in our worse crisis since WW2, we have to rely on Johnson to led us through it. Most of the Conservatives that I rated are now gone. Sunak shows promise, though.

I think Starmer is good when he's asking the questions - he has a calm, measured way about him, and his question asking style has been described as 'forensic'. Johnson's blustering is shown in even sharper relief when compared to Starmer.

Meanwhile, I intend carrying on as I have done for the last 54 days, since my official social distancing started. There's nothing else that can be done really. I'm just glad that I am at a stage in my life where I can keep my head below the parapet, and not have to worry about work

Hi Gill,

I’m not prepared to close the door on Boris just yet. They say he has Churchillian qualities and if that is the case one can expect great things as was the case with Churchill, alas in Churchills case this wasn’t to last as it soon became apparent that he wasn’t in touch with the people and as a result lost his first none war election. Perhaps it will prove to be the other way round with Boris and he will eventually become a great peace time leader?

I’m not quite ready to don on my hob-nailed boots just yet.

[Manoverboard]

I cannot believe that I am actually posting this ... it's a bl**dy disgrace and a distortion of the Corona-virus death count.

I’ve just been chatting to a chum who had a brother who recently died because he was riddled with cancer and who had also suffered a heart attack following the administration of Chemo. He had returned home but subsequently awoke during the early hours and was taken to his local Hospital where unfortunately he was to pass away. Nothing totally unexpected so far.

For obvious reasons a Death Certificate had to be issued and the reason was shown as being due to COVD19, no mention of the cancer that had been the real cause of his demise. My chum was advised by the Hospital that the cause was ‘ as instructed ‘ but that he could appeal to the Coroners Office. His response was to tell me that there was not a cat in Hells chance of him requesting his brother is chopped up just to prove a point.

Like I said ... it’s a bl**dy disgrace
.

[Gill W]

I cannot believe that I am actually posting this ... it's a bl**dy disgrace and a distortion of the Corona-virus death count.

I’ve just been chatting to a chum who had a brother who recently died because he was riddled with cancer and who had also suffered a heart attack following the administration of Chemo. He had returned home but subsequently awoke during the early hours and was taken to his local Hospital where unfortunately he was to pass away. Nothing totally unexpected so far.

For obvious reasons a Death Certificate had to be issued and the reason was shown as being due to COVD19, no mention of the cancer that had been the real cause of his demise. My chum was advised by the Hospital that the cause was ‘ as instructed ‘ but that he could appeal to the Coroners Office. His response was to tell me that there was not a cat in Hells chance of him requesting his brother is chopped up just to prove a point.

Correction to my spelling error of ' COVD19 '

Like I said ... it’s a bl**dy disgrace

I’m sorry to hear about your friends’s brother.

Sadly, if anything, the official figures may be under reporting the COVD19 deaths.

The ONS figures released today for England and Wales alone show that this year, up until 1st May, nearly 50000 more people than usual have died.

Terrible loss of life
.

[Gill W]

I don't think he'll grow into anything except a bigger pair of trousers. He has been lucky recently, he was up against Corbyn and as a result he got a comfortable majority. What can he do with It? Covid 19 has diverted most people's attention. I want the government to be successful, but I just don't trust them under his leadership.

I think Johnson is lazy and inept and COVID19 has exposed him for what he is. What he says has no content, it's just a word salad punctuated by ums and ahs.

He wanted this job, and thought he could wing it, just like everything else he's done in his life. He might even have got away with it, if it hadn't been for COVID19. The 24 hour period from Sunday night to Monday night was the worst of his Premiership so far. He's avoided scrutiny for a long time, but when the spotlight was turned on him, the flaws were clear to see, I didn't see the press briefing yesterday evening, as I literally couldn't take any more.

It's very troubling that, in our worse crisis since WW2, we have to rely on Johnson to led us through it. Most of the Conservatives that I rated are now gone. Sunak shows promise, though.

I think Starmer is good when he's asking the questions - he has a calm, measured way about him, and his question asking style has been described as 'forensic'. Johnson's blustering is shown in even sharper relief when compared to Starmer.

Meanwhile, I intend carrying on as I have done for the last 54 days, since my official social distancing started. There's nothing else that can be done really. I'm just glad that I am at a stage in my life where I can keep my head below the parapet, and not have to worry about work

Hi Gill,

I’m not prepared to close the door on Boris just yet. They say he has Churchillian qualities and if that is the case one can expect great things as was the case with Churchill, alas in Churchills case this wasn’t to last as it soon became apparent that he wasn’t in touch with the people and as a result lost his first none war election. Perhaps it will prove to be the other way round with Boris and he will eventually become a great peace time leader?

I’m not quite ready to don on my hob-nailed boots just yet.

I think it’s more of a case that Johnson thinks he has Churchillian qualities!

[Gill W]

So because someone Ums & Ahs they’re useless.? Starmer speaks ok because he’s been schooled in it,he was a pretty crap DPP, He failed to make serious decisions on prosecutions,what makes you think he could make important decisions in power.?

Some extremely talented and skilful people talk with ‘ Ums & Ahs. Doesn’t make them buffoons.

Umms and ahs would be fine, if what he was saying wasn’t mostly gibberish.

I made no comment about what Starmer would be like in power.

[Manoverboard]

I’m sorry to hear about your friends’s brother.

Thank you.

Sadly, if anything, the official figures may be under reporting the COVD19 deaths. ...

I have provided just the one example of fake reporting, perhaps somebody could provide real proof of under reporting ?

[screwy]

I know you didn’t mention the snake, I was expressing the difference in the style of both.

[Mervyn and Trish]

I'm sure there is mis-reporting in both directions. And I'm not sure how reliable the excess deaths figures will be in the end either. As I understand it this was a bad flu year even before this new Virus. The deaths are all tragic. They deserve better than to be used as political footballs.

[Gill W]

According to my actuary friend, the peak of the flu season was earlier than normal, in December, rather than the more normal January/February. Up until the end of March, deaths were lower in 2020 than the 5 year average.

The figures are coming from the Office of National Statistics, which are the most accurate we can get

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulatio ... ng1may2020

Just looking at the graphs In the report gives a visualisation of the horror that is happening around us.

[towny44]

I'm sure there is mis-reporting in both directions. And I'm not sure how reliable the excess deaths figures will be in the end either. As I understand it this was a bad flu year even before this new Virus. The deaths are all tragic. They deserve better than to be used as political footballs.

Apparently 2019 winter was also much higher than average for deaths, so a straight comparison of April 2020 with April 2019 would show a much lower level of excess deaths. The Beeb stated 2019 was high but did not elaborate on the effect it would have on the apparent 50,000 higher deaths than the mean average, presumably they prefer to choose the higher level to make their case for the seriousness of the situation.

[towny44]

I assume that Annaliese Dodds was just sticking to the party line when she said that the changes to the furlough extension rules, whereby employers will now have to contribute something. must not allow a spike in the unemployment figures. In order to keep going many firms will need to assess how many employees they really will need in the future, and this is bound to result in some staff being made redundant, they will all be trying to eek out their cash reserves to last as long as possible, so pruning numbers will be inevitable, especially for those still unable to restart.

[Gill W]

I'm sure there is mis-reporting in both directions. And I'm not sure how reliable the excess deaths figures will be in the end either. As I understand it this was a bad flu year even before this new Virus. The deaths are all tragic. They deserve better than to be used as political footballs.

Apparently 2019 winter was also much higher than average for deaths, so a straight comparison of April 2020 with April 2019 would show a much lower level of excess deaths. The Beeb stated 2019 was high but did not elaborate on the effect it would have on the apparent 50,000 higher deaths than the mean average, presumably they prefer to choose the higher level to make their case for the seriousness of the situation.

Look at ONS link, the spike in deaths from April is easy to see.

What’s happening is unprecedented.

[Mervyn and Trish]

I agree it is unprecedented. I repeat those who've died deserve better than to be treated as political footballs. While some are interested in the numbers to help us ease our way put of this others are only interested in using them to batter the government.

[Manoverboard]

My worries are that the Loons will drive in their thousands to Beauty spots in order to get exercise or sunbathe.

.... Or do you all just want to stop them because they might be enjoying themselves more than you?

Well, well, well ...it seems that Towny and his mates from Gods Own County want to raid the beauty spots and beaches of the South West because they are being made to feel unwelcome in their own region

People in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire's coastal communities say an influx of visitors would be a "nightmare"

[towny44]

I'm sure there is mis-reporting in both directions. And I'm not sure how reliable the excess deaths figures will be in the end either. As I understand it this was a bad flu year even before this new Virus. The deaths are all tragic. They deserve better than to be used as political footballs.

Apparently 2019 winter was also much higher than average for deaths, so a straight comparison of April 2020 with April 2019 would show a much lower level of excess deaths. The Beeb stated 2019 was high but did not elaborate on the effect it would have on the apparent 50,000 higher deaths than the mean average, presumably they prefer to choose the higher level to make their case for the seriousness of the situation.

Look at ONS link, the spike in deaths from April is easy to see.

What’s happening is unprecedented.

But that is against the average Gill, the yearly figure fluctuate quite a bit, and apparently 2019 was also a very high year, so not that unprecedented.

[towny44]

My worries are that the Loons will drive in their thousands to Beauty spots in order to get exercise or sunbathe.

.... Or do you all just want to stop them because they might be enjoying themselves more than you?

Well, well, well ...it seems that Towny and his mates from Gods Own County want to raid the beauty spots and beaches of the South West because they are being made to feel unwelcome in their own region

People in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire's coastal communities say an influx of visitors would be a "nightmare"

An influx of visitors anywhere does not unduly concern me, just as long as they observe social distancing. There will be no cafes and bars open, and hopefully no amusement arcades for them to wander through, plus they will need top notch bladder control with no facilities open. That should cut down on the long journeys.

[Onelife]

I fully understand why some counties wish to protect it boundaries…. the Government were wrong imo to introduce unlimited travel, other than for essential services. We’ve been in lockdown for weeks. so having unlimited access to local parks will for most be a massive improvement…there will of course be those who put their wants above that of the wishes of others

[oldbluefox]

I agree the government were wrong to allow unlimited travel as it will only encourage and give a green light to the irresponsible ones who will see it as a carte blanche to take advantage. Travel should have been restricted to local areas which would have allowed those without gardens to have access to the countryside and local parks. As far as we are concerned:

Cumbria.jpg

[kaymar]

In case anyone was wondering

"Go home and stay there"

[oldbluefox]

In case anyone was wondering

"Go home and stay there"