Current Affairs

[Gill W]

Back in April, we managed to pull back from the brink of the NHS being overwhelmed.we did this by full lockdown including the schools being shut. We collectively managed to avert disaster.

Now, at the start of January, in some areas, hospital Covid occupancy is above April levels. The other day, my local hospital didn’t have a single spare bed and they were having to send Covid patients as far away as Leeds and the West Country.

Unlike April, the situation is not going to improve any time soon. Infections still surging, no full lockdown and the schools are reopening. if all this wasn’t enough, the virus has mutated and the new variant is more infectious.

It’s not rocket science to see we are in a very precarious situation and could be even days away from catastrophe.

As a side comment, it’s also interesting that many on the forum put the blame on the ‘people’, whilst simultaneously wanting to put people together in a closed community like the schools.

The government needs to take a firm grip of this escalating situation, immediately, and that includes dealing with people who refuse to comply with the rules.

[Gill W]

Another thought.

This forum routinely bashes Labour and the ‘left’, often apropos of nothing.

If we were in exactly the same situation with a Labour government, you’d all be going completely berserk.

Yet, to read some posts, you could be forgiven for thinking the Conservative government has no accountability at all

[oldbluefox]

The government needs to take a firm grip of this escalating situation, immediately, and that includes dealing with people who refuse to comply with the rules.

They should have done that from the start.

I remember the full lockdown. I also remember the effect it had on business and on society as a whole and what happened when we came out of it.

[Kendhni]

If Yahoo says anything it should also be fact checked.

In that case then it is fortunate that Yahoo didn't say anything.

[Gill W]

Scientists being interviewed on television last night also said schools were safe. Opinion is divided but Boris bashers will choose to knock the government whenever they can.

Next up - university halls of residence. They were safe because they were empty until students started arriving and then Covid cases rose. So where did the virus come from? I presume it must have been hiding under the floorboards unless it was brought in from their own households by the students themselves. The tier system works only if the great unwashed play by the rules.

Unfortunately, everyone is not in the same position as you and me, and others on the forum. We can simply stay at home and wait it out, however long it takes.

Other people are being expected to work and go to school. Therefore, they have no alternative but to put themselves in harm’s way, even if they adhere to all the rules. People catch the virus even if they have been careful. It sounds to me as if you saying that all people who catch the virus are at fault.

[oldbluefox]

This forum routinely bashes Labour and the ‘left’, often apropos of nothing.

Really?

[Gill W]

The government needs to take a firm grip of this escalating situation, immediately, and that includes dealing with people who refuse to comply with the rules.

They should have done that from the start.

I remember the full lockdown. I also remember the effect it had on business and on society as a whole and what happened when we came out of it.

However this plays out, it’s most likely to be worse than last year, both in public health terms and economically

[oldbluefox]

It sounds to me as if you saying that all people who catch the virus are at fault.

I didn't say that at all. My criticism is of those who ignore the rules and spread the virus. That is a totally different kettle of fish.

https://www.espn.co.uk/football/tottenh ... king-rules
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-55385130
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/ ... as-bonanza
https://www.mylondon.news/news/health/l ... s-19547736

[oldbluefox]

The government needs to take a firm grip of this escalating situation, immediately, and that includes dealing with people who refuse to comply with the rules.

They should have done that from the start.

I remember the full lockdown. I also remember the effect it had on business and on society as a whole and what happened when we came out of it.

However this plays out, it’s most likely to be worse than last year, both in public health terms and economically

All the more reason for people to do as they are told.

[towny44]

Back in April, we managed to pull back from the brink of the NHS being overwhelmed.we did this by full lockdown including the schools being shut. We collectively managed to avert disaster.

Now, at the start of January, in some areas, hospital Covid occupancy is above April levels. The other day, my local hospital didn’t have a single spare bed and they were having to send Covid patients as far away as Leeds and the West Country.

Unlike April, the situation is not going to improve any time soon. Infections still surging, no full lockdown and the schools are reopening. if all this wasn’t enough, the virus has mutated and the new variant is more infectious.

It’s not rocket science to see we are in a very precarious situation and could be even days away from catastrophe.

As a side comment, it’s also interesting that many on the forum put the blame on the ‘people’, whilst simultaneously wanting to put people together in a closed community like the schools.

The government needs to take a firm grip of this escalating situation, immediately, and that includes dealing with people who refuse to comply with the rules.

Most of what you say is true Gill, it's just that the country can no longer afford a full lockdown, we have to try and maximise the economy while doing our best to depress infection rates until the effects of the vaccination programme begin to have an impact on the spread of the virus.

[towny44]

Another thought.

This forum routinely bashes Labour and the ‘left’, often apropos of nothing.

If we were in exactly the same situation with a Labour government, you’d all be going completely berserk.

Yet, to read some posts, you could be forgiven for thinking the Conservative government has no accountability at all

That is so far from the truth that I am shocked that you could even think such a thing. If a labour govt was doing what I felt was it's best in difficult circumstances I would give it my full backing.

[Gill W]

Back in April, we managed to pull back from the brink of the NHS being overwhelmed.we did this by full lockdown including the schools being shut. We collectively managed to avert disaster.

Now, at the start of January, in some areas, hospital Covid occupancy is above April levels. The other day, my local hospital didn’t have a single spare bed and they were having to send Covid patients as far away as Leeds and the West Country.

Unlike April, the situation is not going to improve any time soon. Infections still surging, no full lockdown and the schools are reopening. if all this wasn’t enough, the virus has mutated and the new variant is more infectious.

It’s not rocket science to see we are in a very precarious situation and could be even days away from catastrophe.

As a side comment, it’s also interesting that many on the forum put the blame on the ‘people’, whilst simultaneously wanting to put people together in a closed community like the schools.

The government needs to take a firm grip of this escalating situation, immediately, and that includes dealing with people who refuse to comply with the rules.

Most of what you say is true Gill, it's just that the country can no longer afford a full lockdown, we have to try and maximise the economy while doing our best to depress infection rates until the effects of the vaccination programme begin to have an impact on the spread of the virus.

If we wait until the effects of the vaccination programme are felt, that’s months and months away. Much longer than the overpromised Easter.

Tens of thousands will die, and we’ll be in such a bad state that the economy will tank anyway.

We’ve got to such a bad position- and unfortunately, whatever happens next is going to be worse than where we are today.

[Gill W]

Another thought.

This forum routinely bashes Labour and the ‘left’, often apropos of nothing.

If we were in exactly the same situation with a Labour government, you’d all be going completely berserk.

Yet, to read some posts, you could be forgiven for thinking the Conservative government has no accountability at all

That is so far from the truth that I am shocked that you could even think such a thing. If a labour govt was doing what I felt was it's best in difficult circumstances I would give it my full backing.

Oh come on - complaining about Labour is part of your DNA.

[oldbluefox]

Not like you to exaggerate Gill.

[Kendhni]

The government needs to take a firm grip of this escalating situation, immediately, and that includes dealing with people who refuse to comply with the rules.

They should have done that from the start.

I remember the full lockdown. I also remember the effect it had on business and on society as a whole and what happened when we came out of it.

However this plays out, it’s most likely to be worse than last year, both in public health terms and economically

Some reports have described 2020 as the dress rehearsal for 2021.
I hope they are wrong but, the current trend seems to be implying that may be the case. The government has to take control - stop wasting valuable vaccine resources and start prioritising those that cannot work from home - keep the economy going.

We are probably at one of the worst times for this virus. Mental health wise Jan/Feb are usually not good months, even in the best of times. We were lucky to not experience this at this time last year. The health service is under pressure, consider using those on furlough to lighten the load (where possible) - if they are deniers you don't even have to worry about PPE.

[towny44]

Back in April, we managed to pull back from the brink of the NHS being overwhelmed.we did this by full lockdown including the schools being shut. We collectively managed to avert disaster.

Now, at the start of January, in some areas, hospital Covid occupancy is above April levels. The other day, my local hospital didn’t have a single spare bed and they were having to send Covid patients as far away as Leeds and the West Country.

Unlike April, the situation is not going to improve any time soon. Infections still surging, no full lockdown and the schools are reopening. if all this wasn’t enough, the virus has mutated and the new variant is more infectious.

It’s not rocket science to see we are in a very precarious situation and could be even days away from catastrophe.

As a side comment, it’s also interesting that many on the forum put the blame on the ‘people’, whilst simultaneously wanting to put people together in a closed community like the schools.

The government needs to take a firm grip of this escalating situation, immediately, and that includes dealing with people who refuse to comply with the rules.

Most of what you say is true Gill, it's just that the country can no longer afford a full lockdown, we have to try and maximise the economy while doing our best to depress infection rates until the effects of the vaccination programme begin to have an impact on the spread of the virus.

If we wait until the effects of the vaccination programme are felt, that’s months and months away. Much longer than the overpromised Easter.

Tens of thousands will die, and we’ll be in such a bad state that the economy will tank anyway.

We’ve got to such a bad position- and unfortunately, whatever happens next is going to be worse than where we are today.

Gill, if the vaccine works and protects from the worst effects of the virus, then the pressure on the NHS will gradually ease over q1 as more and more vulnerable are vaccinated. So your worst fears should not be encountered.

[towny44]

Another thought.

This forum routinely bashes Labour and the ‘left’, often apropos of nothing.

If we were in exactly the same situation with a Labour government, you’d all be going completely berserk.

Yet, to read some posts, you could be forgiven for thinking the Conservative government has no accountability at all

That is so far from the truth that I am shocked that you could even think such a thing. If a labour govt was doing what I felt was it's best in difficult circumstances I would give it my full backing.

Oh come on - complaining about Labour is part of your DNA.

Complaining about labour's handling of the economy is one thing, supporting them when I think they are doing the right thing is entirely different.

[Gill W]

That is so far from the truth that I am shocked that you could even think such a thing. If a labour govt was doing what I felt was it's best in difficult circumstances I would give it my full backing.

Oh come on - complaining about Labour is part of your DNA.

Complaining about labour's handling of the economy is one thing, supporting them when I think they are doing the right thing is entirely different.

Labour hasn’t handled the economy for 10 years, yet it doesn’t stop you complaining about them, sometimes on a completely random basis

[Manoverboard]

I have complained about Labour, specifically about their extremist Members Corbyn and Abbott ... just saying.

[david63]

If we were in exactly the same situation with a Labour government, you’d all be going completely berserk.

I doubt for one minute that if we had a Government of any persuasion that we would be in any significantly different position than we are now - yes some things may have been done differently and at different times, but you only have to look at other Western countries and they are all in the same, or in some cases worse, situation that we are in.

All Governments around the world have my total sympathy as they are in uncharted waters and basically have to react on a day-to-day basis. I am only thankful that I am not in the position of having to make any of those decisions.

stop wasting valuable vaccine resources and start prioritising those that cannot work from home - keep the economy going.

I am not sure why you are the lone voice in the wilderness with this theory Ken as I cannot recall there being any major dissent from any other quarter about the vaccine roll out plan. Surely even you would acknowledge that the number one priority is to reduce the pressure on the NHS.

I would also content that at this time vaccinating "those that cannot work from home" would actually make any significant difference to the infection rate - or even the economy, and there is a possible argument that it could have a detrimental affect to both.

[Onelife]

Let's face it OL you just don't like Boris.
However whatever Boris says or does it is ultimately our responsibility and the blame lies with those who have partied, thronged the shops, ignored all he warnings of the past nine months then once numbers started to rise they fled and spread it around the rest of the country which had so far been bringing the infection rates down. And now it is they who are trying to dictate what the rest of us should do. Boris didn't do that - they did!!!

You know things are bad in politics when you have one poor government with two others waiting in the wings.

By the way you never did tell us who the two others were. Just saying..............

Hi Foxy…I wouldn’t go as far as saying I don’t like Boris but I feel he has fallen way short of competence while dealing with this pandemic. He is on record as saying he follows scientific advice (Sage) but quite easily disregards it when it conflicts with his balanced approach strategies? I hear all this talk about keeping the economy going and yet his administration has to my mind been a negative effect on the economy mostly due to his /their indecisiveness in creating a stop start, maybe, maybe not approach.

[Gill W]

I have complained about Labour, specifically about their extremist Members Corbyn and Abbott ... just saying.

They are yesterday’s people now. (Fortunately)

However, at least you aren’t complaining about them as a response to the current crisis!

[Gill W]

Not like you to exaggerate Gill.

What’s exaggerated?

[Manoverboard]

I have complained about Labour, specifically about their extremist Members Corbyn and Abbott ... just saying.

They are yesterday’s people now. (Fortunately)

However, at least you aren’t complaining about them as a response to the current crisis!

Indeed not, nor am I complaining about Boris. The collective task for any Party is impossible to solve, they know it and we ought to know it ... they can only say words of comfort to their respective supporters and hope that everything improves after a few months of adjusting rules coupled with the vaccination program.

Meanwhile many are looking to blame somebody, anybody in reality, in an attempt to help them feel better about themselves but can we all loudly proclaim that not one of our family members has, albeit unwittingly, contributed to the overall problem. I cannot say that is the case in our family because some go to work or meet people because of their work while others go personal shopping else meet up with their mates. Masks and social distances are not enough but it's the best we can do.

[towny44]

Oh come on - complaining about Labour is part of your DNA.

Complaining about labour's handling of the economy is one thing, supporting them when I think they are doing the right thing is entirely different.

Labour hasn’t handled the economy for 10 years, yet it doesn’t stop you complaining about them, sometimes on a completely random basis

That's only to remind youngsters like you how poorly Labour chancellors normally perform when the electorate are stupid enough to give them another try.