Current Affairs

[Onelife]

He’ll probably leave a little red faced but nothing more than when his dad used to tell him off.

[Gill W]

And even if it was nobody has any way of knowing what effect, good or bad, it would have had.

Not for certain no. I generally accept that it is likely to have reduced deaths by slowing the spread earlier but it is academic if it could not practically have been achieved. And hindsight! With perfect hindsight we'd have closed the borders in November. Imagine the outcry if we had.

I cannot remember the exact timing of each bit of the govt advice given, but I do seem to think that those over 65 (or was it 70) and those who were vulnerable, were advised to stay at home earlier than the lockdown. I certainly remember going to the supermarket for 2 or 3 weeks before the lockdown whilst all hell was breaking lose and shelves were ransacked of anything that might be eaten, such actions were certainly not conducive to sensible social distancing and must have speeded up the infection spread.
However I have no memory of a major demand for a lockdown any earlier than it was announced, if there had been I feel certain that the BBC news programmes would have highlighting them.

The over 70's and vulnerable were told to self isolate on 16th March, the announcement about pubs closing came on the 21st March, but we weren't fully locked down until 23rd March. Everyone knew it was coming, that's why people were going crazy in the shops. For the whole week beginning 16th March, I was getting really concerned, as I thought they were dilly dallying with announcing the lockdown - there was a big call or it on social media.

[Gill W]

There is a briefing/news conference today 4.30 BBC1, probably starting at 5.00.
Jon

I think it's to do with the schools

[Manoverboard]

He’ll probably leave a little red faced but nothing more than when his dad used to tell him off.

You refer to Jenrick rather than Foxy I assume ?

[Onelife]

Some who are nameless were probably stockpiling toilet rolls, baked beans and hand sanitiser and storing it in their tin cans. Did you have anybody in mind Mob? You can tell me, I won't tell anybody.

Only one of them has a tin can as far as I know but that person has a new friend that agrees with everything he says ... can't say any more or I'll be letting the dog cat out of the bag

ps ....don't tell anybody else, ok
.

This is getting really intriguing…if it’s Stephen I’ll happily put a bullet in him

[Gill W]

Some who are nameless were probably stockpiling toilet rolls, baked beans and hand sanitiser and storing it in their tin cans. Did you have anybody in mind Mob? You can tell me, I won't tell anybody.

I can honestly say that I made absolutely no panic purchasing of anything during that mad 3 weeks.
That's not to say that we did not have stockpiles of some essential items, however these had all been purchased as and when they were on special offer over the previous months.

As can we John…we did all or ours while most of you were debating Brexit on here …..well we all now know the lie of the land so none of you should run out over winter should the shelves run dry again.

I was pleased to have my supplies as I didn't have to worry about shopping when it was all going crazy.

Now that normality has been more or less restored on the supermarket shelves, I'm gradually restocking by getting a couple of extra bits each week.

It seems sensible, as we don't know what's going to happen with C19 or the other thing that's happening at the end of the year.

We've seen how spooked people get and how quickly panic sets in, so it's only common sense to prepare as best we can

[Onelife]

He’ll probably leave a little red faced but nothing more than when his dad used to tell him off.

You refer to Jenrick rather than Foxy I assume ?

You are correct Mob but the way Foxy is playing up this afternoon he deserves a good spanking as well…come to think of it why don't you both pop round to Stephen...it'll make his day!

[Onelife]

I can honestly say that I made absolutely no panic purchasing of anything during that mad 3 weeks.
That's not to say that we did not have stockpiles of some essential items, however these had all been purchased as and when they were on special offer over the previous months.

As can we John…we did all or ours while most of you were debating Brexit on here …..well we all now know the lie of the land so none of you should run out over winter should the shelves run dry again.

I was pleased to have my supplies as I didn't have to worry about shopping when it was all going crazy.

Now that normality has been more or less restored on the supermarket shelves, I'm gradually restocking by getting a couple of extra bits each week.

It seems sensible, as we don't know what's going to happen with C19 or the other thing that's happening at the end of the year.

We've seen how spooked people get and how quickly panic sets in, so it's only common sense to prepare as best we can

I think it’s the sensible approach Gill…no point in getting caught short

[Manoverboard]

I'm running down our stocks at the moment cos the freezers are icing up so need to defrost them one at the time and once sorted to then build up the stocks again like wot Gill is doing.

ps .... Getting caught short without any toilet rolls would deffo be ... ' A messy business, Officer '

[Mervyn and Trish]

I've been mulling over some Covid numbers. When the media produced their latest analysis of the relative national positions on deaths they included a break down within the UK, that showed that England has a higher death rate (i.e. per head of population) than the other home nations. What they didn't include is confirmed cases. And oddly a little research shows that the infection rate (again per head) in England is lower than Scotland, a lot lower than Wales and only a little higher than Northern Ireland.

So the English have been less prone to get it, more prone to die. I'm wondering why.

[Jonty S1]

Still think it’s all about population density and viral load. Had typed a much longer response but ended up confusing myself.
Jon

[Ray B]

You won't be saying that if the country gets another spike.
No sympathy at all for the idiots all grouping together as if everything is normal. Nearly all Asians as well. Thick as sh........

Totally agree Stephen and it's been said before. It's folk like us who have abided by the rules of the lockdown who gets hurt by the selfish attitude of the protesters.
While I on, I think all this kneeling stuff should now finish. I thought it was just for the restart of the football but they still carry on prior to a game.
Enough is enough, let's move on.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Still think it’s all about population density and viral load. Had typed a much longer response but ended up confusing myself.
Jon

I think you're probably right. England has the biggest cities and highest population density so more likely to get a big hit of virus than meeting one infected person in the Highlands. There are breakdowns by local authority too so I might have a nosy at that. Of course London also hit early while the medics were still on a steep learning curve. I imagine treatment techniques refined with time.

[barney]

I’ve just put my name forward for Gavin Williamsons soon to be vacant job.

Let’s get the kids back to school is the cry …well if they are wanting them back at school, they should start coming up with some sensible workable plans…

The most sensible plan would be to stream children on their ability irrespective of their age and them allocate one class room for each group thereby cutting down on the need to move from one class room to the other. A few teachers roaming the corridors has less risk than hundreds of kids going from one class room to another.

Let me know if you’re willing to give me a reference

Well, to be fair Onelife, you are probably better qualified than Williamson to do the job.

He has no discernable talent other than managing to blag himself jobs.

Your idea , although not new, is obviously workable.

A school in Kent has set up marquees on the playing fields as classrooms. That is the kind of lateral thinking that is needed.
It's a win/win as the Marquee company currently have no customers.

Given that virtually every business has figured out a way to reopen safely while complying with guidelines, it's beyond comprehension that head teachers lack the ability to do similar.

Where there is a will etc.

Marquees might be ok in summer, but when its blowing a gale in autumn or freezing cold in winter, it might be a different story!

Everything will be back to normal by then.
Football will be back with fans and concerts will go ahead.
Kids will be back in school as normal.
If not, the country is economically doomed.
There will be literally millions and millions unemployed, nobody paying taxes and the biggest recession we have ever seen.

That won’t be allowed to happen.

[towny44]

I've been mulling over some Covid numbers. When the media produced their latest analysis of the relative national positions on deaths they included a break down within the UK, that showed that England has a higher death rate (i.e. per head of population) than the other home nations. What they didn't include is confirmed cases. And oddly a little research shows that the infection rate (again per head) in England is lower than Scotland, a lot lower than Wales and only a little higher than Northern Ireland.

So the English have been less prone to get it, more prone to die. I'm wondering why.

Interesting information Merv, I had begun to assume that the UK's far higher obesity levels might account for much of the higher numbers of deaths we have suffered. But why do Scotland and Wales have lower death rates, unless possibly their obesity levels are lower than Englland's, as to why our infection rates are lower than the other home nations is a further mystery.
Sooner or later the statisticians will begin to analyse and correlate all the available data, and I firmly hope and believe that it will begin to shine some light on why our reported deaths are so much higher than the rest of Europe.

[david63]

I don't think that obesity on its own plays a major role in the number of Covid-19 deaths - perhaps in conjunction with some other factors it may.

New Zealand is constantly being held up as being one of the better countries for dealing with Covid-19 and has had relatively few deaths but has one of the highest obesity problems in the world

[Onelife]

We can filter out what we don't want to accept but I do believe the answer to why England has had more deaths lies among theses educated opinions.


https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg ... in-the-uk/

[Mervyn and Trish]

I don't think that obesity on its own plays a major role in the number of Covid-19 deaths - perhaps in conjunction with some other factors it may.

New Zealand is constantly being held up as being one of the better countries for dealing with Covid-19 and has had relatively few deaths but has one of the highest obesity problems in the world

But of course has a very low population density. Even less than Scotland. So maybe the virus load argument is significant.

[towny44]

We can filter out what we don't want to accept but I do believe the answer to why England has had more deaths lies among theses educated opinions.


https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg ... in-the-uk/

Oh please Keefie, spare me from any more comments from that blowhard David King.

[towny44]

I don't think that obesity on its own plays a major role in the number of Covid-19 deaths - perhaps in conjunction with some other factors it may.

New Zealand is constantly being held up as being one of the better countries for dealing with Covid-19 and has had relatively few deaths but has one of the highest obesity problems in the world

But of course has a very low population density. Even less than Scotland. So maybe the virus load argument is significant.

Most of NZs obesity is in the Maori population, and maybe they are not as susceptible to covid as other BAME peoples.

[Gill W]

Everything will be back to normal by then.
Football will be back with fans and concerts will go ahead.
Kids will be back in school as normal.
If not, the country is economically doomed.
There will be literally millions and millions unemployed, nobody paying taxes and the biggest recession we have ever seen.

That won’t be allowed to happen.

The virus will still be in circulation. If restrictions are removed in the autumn like you describe, infections will likely start surging uncontrollably, like they are in America.

What’s best? Recession or even more death.

[david63]

Most of NZs obesity is in the Maori population, and maybe they are not as susceptible to covid as other BAME peoples.

That is true - but that then blows the BAME argument out of the water.

There is one thing for sure - this will keep many people busy for years to come trying to analyse what has happened and most of it will be a waste of time because the next strain of a Coronavirus will behave in a totally different way.

[david63]

What’s best? Recession or even more death.

Fortunately that is not a decision that anyone here has to make.

[Manoverboard]

Such as cheery soul but on a brighter note ... if one is dead one wouldn't need to worry about a recession but if one was in a recession it could drive one into one's grave so everyone's a winner

[screwy]

Black humour,Oops, Dark humour,but Funeral Directors and Florists are rubbing their hands.