Current Affairs

[oldbluefox]

Apparently there are people turning up at test centres with a bit of a sniffle demanding a test. There are others booking a test who are just looking for reassurance and don't have symptoms. One chap on the radio this morning was hunting around for a test because he was having 'major' surgery on Friday. The 'major' surgery was having a pacemaker fitted which, in medical terms is a procedure and not considered 'major'. Iwould have thought his test would have been organised by the hospital anyway.
On the other side of the coin there is evidence that people are turning up at the test centre to find none of the operatives doing anything but still they cannot get a test. Seems to me a case of jobsworths sticking by the rules. I also wonder if, in these cases, there is a problem with the software showing the centres are full when, in fact they are not.
Another lady paid £150 for a private test. What do they do which values a test at £150 which, she said, merely put her to the front of the queue? And because she jumps the queue it means others move one place back.
It is all a mixed picture to be honest but how true I do not know.
I had a Covid test before my 'procedure', all organised by the hospital and it was the same swab which went to the back of the throat as went up the nose. Having had the test I am not sure how well administered home tests are conducted. You have to be pretty brave to push the swab as far back in the throat and nose to make it effective.

Hope they swabbed the back of the throat first Foxy

Nice one snotty

Oddly enough they did..........and they weren't re-cycling them!!!

[Onelife]

When the government introduce two-week national lockdowns, I hope they do so in a way that gives people time to prepare.

[Mervyn and Trish]

You mean like they did last time so that the opposition can then say they did it too late?

I'm prepared now on the assumption it could happen any day.

[Onelife]

You mean like they did last time so that the opposition can then say they did it too late?

I'm prepared now on the assumption it could happen any day.

The opposition always have ulterior motives, I said it because that is what they should have done!.....and I didn't say it in hindsight either.

[Gill W]

I reckon we’ll all end up with some sort of lockdown or local restrictions, but it’ll happen area by area, so that it won’t have to be called a national lockdown.

[towny44]

I still wonder if a suggestion I made in jest on another forum might not be worth reconsidering? That is a "cull" of those people who regularly flout the rules and recommendations of the Covid Constabulary.

[barney]

I reckon we’ll all end up with some sort of lockdown or local restrictions, but it’ll happen area by area, so that it won’t have to be called a national lockdown.

I think you are correct Gill.
It’s the only sensible option.
Part of the problem that the country has it that individuals don’t appear to understand their own potential impact on the situation.
I’ll give an example.
We have very good friends who were ‘desperate’ for a holiday so are currently in to their second week in Corfu.
Last night we received a WhatsApp message inviting us dinner a few days after their return.
Obviously we declined and I said that we’d leave it until they have been back a while in case they contracted anything on holiday.
She was a bit peeved to be honest and told us that it’s totally safe out there. Much safer than here, apparently.
No thought for the airport or flight !

Everyone is responsible but so many think they are an exception.

[Stephen]

I'd have done the same as you barney. Stay well clear

Perhaps she thought they would be traveling magic carpet class to get home

[barney]

I'd have done the same as you barney. Stay well clear

Perhaps she thought they would be traveling magic carpet class to get home

They also went to Cheltenham Stephen.
Dodged a bullet there so thought they would have another go ?
We’ll just give them a wide berth for a while and let them know why.

[Manoverboard]

We also have some very good chums who have been taking holidays in France, albeit out in the countryside. They are there right now and they will be looking for a catch-up on their return ... will have to say " Sorry, but ... " hope they understand.

[barney]

I’m actually amazed by the attitudes of some people.
An absolute undisputed fact is that foreign travel was the main driver of the pandemic.
If people stayed in their own area but lived life as normally as possible, while taking all precautions, the numbers would drop.

[Manoverboard]

That would have been ideal for us, we could have moved about freely and without fear of bumping into some selfish grockle who cares only about him or her self. Having said that if we lived in the middle of Dudley rather than Dorset I too would have to escape the grime for the open fields and fresh air. Going abroad makes no sense to me either apart from the nicer lifestyle of course, as earlier one cannot compare Runcorn with Santorini.

[Stephen]

Talking of Italy, have any of you been watching the Ray Winstone series on Sicily. Interesting as well as amusing.

[barney]

Talking of Italy, have any of you been watching the Ray Winstone series on Sicily. Interesting as well as amusing.

What channel is it on Stephen ?

[Stephen]

Monday evenings on Freeview 63

Take a look here barney.

https://www.blaze.tv/series/ray-winstones-sicily

There's been two episodes shown so far which you can see on catch up on Freeview MY5

[barney]

Got it. Ta

[Manoverboard]

Sicily is a great holiday destination with amazing food. We did a coaching tour of the entire Island and not a boring bit to be seen. Agrigento was amusing in that the Greek led renovation of their Temple was complete whereas the Italians were still fighting amongst themselves about what goes where. Haven't seen the prog ... is it sorted out yet ?

[Kendhni]

I reckon we’ll all end up with some sort of lockdown or local restrictions, but it’ll happen area by area, so that it won’t have to be called a national lockdown.

Given that the UK is on exactly the same trajectory as France and Spain (except we run a few weeks behind France, who itself is a few weeks behind Spain), I think you are right. However I would not be surprised if there was a full national lockdown again this winter.

[Kendhni]

I still wonder if a suggestion I made in jest on another forum might not be worth reconsidering? That is a "cull" of those people who regularly flout the rules and recommendations of the Covid Constabulary.

You have no ambition.
Just deny them, and anyone that lives in the same house, access to the NHS ... without presenting the means to pay for their treatment up front - may as well use the self-nominated lab rats to fund the NHS.

[Mervyn and Trish]

So I'll ask my question from the other day again in a different way. Sir Chris Whitty has apparently said we should have a new two week national lockdown now. Of course he only advises on the basis of science and medicine. If I was in his position I'd probably be saying the same.

The Prime Minister of course also has to take into account the impact on jobs and the economy among other things.

So if you were the PM today would you now order an immediate 2 week national lockdown?

Speak up now or don't come back with hindsight recriminations later.

[Manoverboard]

Only in the ' HotSpots ' would be my decision .... but who's asking

[barney]

No I wouldn’t Merv.
Many areas have very very if any cases.
Another national lockdown is unnecessary.
Keep in mind that the first was to relieve pressure on the nhs.
If they’re not prepared now, then the chief executives need their backside kicking.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Interestingly our local major acute hospital doesn't have a single Covid case at present. It is also well prepared for round two having divided itself into three areas. One no admission without a negative test. One no symptoms but not tested. One for Covid proven or suspected patients. And the staff remain in their zone.

[towny44]

I do not want to see another lockdown with only essential workers or working from home. I hope that the current tighter restrictions being imposed in hot spots begins to reverse the upward trend, and think that has to be the way forward. We desperately need to ensure the improvement continues in the economy.

[barney]

Exeter Nightingale Hospital is yet to treat a single case.
A senior manager at North Devon Hospital is a regular customer of Mrs B and told her that they are fully prepared for any situation that they may encounter.
It’s best if it’s left to the professionals instead of government ministers