Current Affairs

[Manoverboard]

The Lancet is now reporting that the Oxford vaccine is safe and produces an immune reaction (or that seems to be the correct interpretation). I have to confess that I've tried to read the report and failed to understand most of it.

Sorry, have tried to post a link but it's not working. Google Lancet and Covid vaccine and that should produce it - perhaps someone more scientific than I can then translate?

Is this the one ?

[anniec]

perhaps someone more scientific than I can then translate?

or try the BBC version - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53469839

Thank you!

[Manoverboard]

perhaps someone more scientific than I can then translate?

or try the BBC version - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53469839

Thank you!

There will doubtless be screams of anguish from the snowflakes about it being ' genetically engineered '

[screwy]

Well we’ve already had the campaigners complaining about data protection with track n trace...

[Gill W]

For those of us who can afford too, a bit extra each week should produce a sizable Christmas hamper which should go some way towards helping alleviate the queues…. although I did say to my wife the other day that the 9 jars of Nescafe were going a bit over the top

I felt vindicated when the shelves at the supermarkets were bare in March, as it shows how easy it is for a panic to start, whether justified or not.

I'm now gradually building my supplies again. There's potential for a perfect storm this winter - a Brexit panic, coupled with a second wave of COVID 19, and add a harsh winter into the mix. It seems sensible to try an protect myself as best as I can from any shortages that may occur.

You can never have enough coffee though - in my case its Kenco Decaf

[Gill W]

Well we’ve already had the campaigners complaining about data protection with track n trace...

I understand that a risk assessment on how the tracing programme affects privacy hasn't been done yet. I further understand this is a legal requirement.

If the assessment wasn't done and people's privacy was compromised, I bet there'd be a lot more people hopping up and down.

[Gill W]

Today we ventured a little further into the world.

We went for lunch at a pub in a village a couple of miles away.

It was a good experience. The pub is run by a chain, so we pre-booked our table by using the app. On arrival, we were shown to our table. We could have sat outside, but opted to sit inside, near an open window. We ordered and paid for our food and drink by the app. The servers all wore face visors, and there was a one way system all round the pub. It was relatively busy for a Monday lunch time, with people of all ages - I think people were keen to try out the new systems. However, proper social distancing was maintained, so it looks as if people are being sensible.

[Manoverboard]

We, on the other hand, drove through a Dorset village where there was a hoard of Golden Oldies in the High Street jostling their way round the luncheon tables, we think it was a Care Home outing to their local Museum ... the area is thought to be safe but social distancing went straight out the window.

[towny44]

Well we’ve already had the campaigners complaining about data protection with track n trace...

I understand that a risk assessment on how the tracing programme affects privacy hasn't been done yet. I further understand this is a legal requirement.

If the assessment wasn't done and people's privacy was compromised, I bet there'd be a lot more people hopping up and down.

What data is at risk, I assume you input your name and possibly it recognizes your phone number, if you have covid or you are a contact of someone who tested positive, presumably that could be hacked, but just how personal and private can any of that be?

[david63]

Well we’ve already had the campaigners complaining about data protection with track n trace...

I understand that a risk assessment on how the tracing programme affects privacy hasn't been done yet. I further understand this is a legal requirement.

If the assessment wasn't done and people's privacy was compromised, I bet there'd be a lot more people hopping up and down.

What data is at risk, I assume you input your name and possibly it recognizes your phone number, if you have covid or you are a contact of someone who tested positive, presumably that could be hacked, but just how personal and private can any of that be?

What annoys me about these people is that our their privacy is more important than peoples lives. OK the Government perhaps "short circuited" the rules but it was a case of "needs must". It's as if they have to try and get one over on the Government all the time.

[Mervyn and Trish]

I understand that a risk assessment on how the tracing programme affects privacy hasn't been done yet. I further understand this is a legal requirement.

If the assessment wasn't done and people's privacy was compromised, I bet there'd be a lot more people hopping up and down.

What data is at risk, I assume you input your name and possibly it recognizes your phone number, if you have covid or you are a contact of someone who tested positive, presumably that could be hacked, but just how personal and private can any of that be?

What annoys me about these people is that our their privacy is more important than peoples lives. OK the Government perhaps "short circuited" the rules but it was a case of "needs must". It's as if they have to try and get one over on the Government all the time.

What annoys me about these people is they're probably the same ones who post every detail of their lives on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc without a second thought.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Never mind all the speculative cobblers about testing, Here's a factual account.

On Saturday evening one of our granddaughters had some symptoms which might have been a dozen minor child ailments or might have been mild Covid. It was pretty important we knew since she and her sister were due to stay with us for a couple of days and nights while their Mum, our daughter, was doing long shifts at work.

So after 11pm pn Saturday night she went on line and successfully booked her a test at 12.30pm on the following day, Sunday, at a drive through centre 10 miles from home.

When she went they tested all three of them.

She got the results by text less than 24 hours after. All negative. Our granddaughter now feels fine and is asleep at our house with us happy in the knowledge we're safe.

Seems like a system that's working well to me.

[Gill W]

What a relief that they are all ok

[towny44]

Good to know your granddaughters are well and that the testing system has your seal of approval.

[Mervyn and Trish]

It's a relief she's okay though if it had been Covid it was mild, as it often is with children. We're also pleased because we're all due to go to a holiday cottage in Anglesey next week. Had she been positive we'd have all been isolating.

[Gill W]

Well.

Government actively avoids investigating Russian interference in UK politics.

[Manoverboard]

Well.

Government actively avoids investigating Russian interference in UK politics.

BBC source for same ..

[barney]

Well.

Government actively avoids investigating Russian interference in UK politics.

There are some things that are best left in the shadows.
The intelligence community has nothing but contempt for the Intelligence Committee.
Many of those MPs are the last people you’d trust with critical and sensitive information.

[screwy]

Show / Tell me a Government,anywhere in the world that has never surppressed/ witheld information from the public.?
Governments are elected to govern,with that comes decisions,you and I sometimes are not going to be privy to.Sometimes,it’s better not to know.

[Mervyn and Trish]

We'll be having a general election in 2024. Can any of the critics please recommend the perfect party I should vote for? I presume from all the jibes there is one out there somewhere.

[towny44]

Well.

Government actively avoids investigating Russian interference in UK politics.

You are of course aware that arch remainer Dominic Grieve chaired this committee, so it was always unlikely its report would be favourable to Boris.

[Gill W]

Well.

Government actively avoids investigating Russian interference in UK politics.

You are of course aware that arch remainer Dominic Grieve chaired this committee, so it was always unlikely its report would be favourable to Boris.

The report is not about 'Boris'.

It's about successive governments failures to investigate Russian involvement in elections going back as far as the 2014 Scottish Indy Referendum.

Dominic Grieve has gone - but the current committee are scathing about what has happened.

It's ironic and astonishing that many of you didn't like the EU 'meddling' in our affairs, yet just shrug your shoulders and seem not to care if Russia are doing it.

[Gill W]

Show / Tell me a Government,anywhere in the world that has never surppressed/ witheld information from the public.?
Governments are elected to govern,with that comes decisions,you and I sometimes are not going to be privy to.Sometimes,it’s better not to know.

The problem is not the government supressing information, it's that the government hasn't even bothered to investigate

[screwy]

Well, were not paying Russia Billions to be told what we can and cant do.

[Gill W]

Well.

Government actively avoids investigating Russian interference in UK politics.

There are some things that are best left in the shadows.
The intelligence community has nothing but contempt for the Intelligence Committee.
Many of those MPs are the last people you’d trust with critical and sensitive information.

So it's ok not to bother to investigate and let the Russians meddle in all future elections if they feel like it ?