Current Affairs

[Onelife]

Here’s onelife's latest prediction… we might just as well go straight for tier 3 because tiers 1 and 2 will leave us no further forward

[david63]

Here’s onelife's latest prediction… we might just as well go straight for tier 3 because tiers 1 and 2 will leave us no further forward

You do realise that in tier three that betting shops will be shut

[Kendhni]

[
The news this morning is that the hospitals are already full and that the nightingale hospitals will be reopening ... and that is to handle what has already happened. So things are likely to get much worse for the next 3 weeks]
Ken , that's untrue only a limited number of hospitals are filling up, and I am hoping that the Nightingales will become the major covid centres, leaving the normal hospitals open for non covid admissions.

I should have maybe clarified that headline was local, but I have also read reports from other hospital teams across the UK claiming they have reached or are close to capacity. The deputy CMO says there are already more patients in hospital now than in March (I haven't seen/read the qualification of that though) - and the likelihood is that this is just going to get worse over the next few weeks or longer (depending on what measures Johnson announces).

I hope you are right about the nightingale hospitals, that makes more sense (maybe a lesson learned from the panic reaction back in March). It hopefully will help, but it only takes one undiagnosed patient to infect many more, especially in a hospital environment.

Sadly I see that the deputy CMO has also said "deaths are ‘baked in’ following increased infections' based on what people did 3 weeks ago. I wonder how many of those that showed total disregard for the rules are now going to spend rest of their lives wondering if it was them that took it home to their parents/grandparents and other relatives.

[Kendhni]

Here’s onelife's latest prediction… we might just as well go straight for tier 3 because tiers 1 and 2 will leave us no further forward

You do realise that in tier three that betting shops will be shut

My mate from Warsaw wants to know if the Pole dancing clubs will still be open.

[Stephen]

Here’s onelife's latest prediction… we might just as well go straight for tier 3 because tiers 1 and 2 will leave us no further forward

You do realise that in tier three that betting shops will be shut

My mate from Warsaw wants to know if the Pole dancing clubs will still be open.

Yes......Ooops

[Onelife]

Here’s onelife's latest prediction… we might just as well go straight for tier 3 because tiers 1 and 2 will leave us no further forward

You do realise that in tier three that betting shops will be shut

I’m looking to consolidate recent winnings… bring it on

[Onelife]

You do realise that in tier three that betting shops will be shut

My mate from Warsaw wants to know if the Pole dancing clubs will still be open.

Yes......Ooops

It’s not an area I have much knowledge about…but Stephen will know

[Stephen]

My mate from Warsaw wants to know if the Pole dancing clubs will still be open.

Yes......Ooops

It’s not an area I have much knowledge about…but Stephen will know

I wish.

[Gill W]

Here’s onelife's latest prediction… we might just as well go straight for tier 3 because tiers 1 and 2 will leave us no further forward

I think you are right - but I don’t think tier 3 will be enough either.

By employing hindsight, I note that it took three months to get the infections down to a point where we could have some freedom - by utilising a lockdown and with a population who were mostly compliant.

Now, many areas are back to March levels of infection, and we are to have less restrictions and many in the population are less supportive and will not be so likely to follow the instructions.

Employing foresight - things are going to get worse.

[Stephen]

If people don't follow the rules then they only have themselves to blame when they get locked down.
The government themselves are no better. I noticed when Boris was giving his speech, several people were huddled around the entrance to the chamber and not wearing masks.

Hypocrites the lot of them.

[Kendhni]

Another missed opportunity by this government.
Johnson keeps swiping at the ball but he never seems to connect.

[barney]

For my tuppence worth.
Local lockdown.
No unnecessary travel.
Stay in as much as possible if you are vulnerable.

I can’t for the life of me see what’s to be gained by another national lockdown.
We have had very few cases. I mean minuscule.
Why should we have to close our business because of irresponsible behaviour of others in different regions.

One of Mrs B’s customers , on holiday from the Midlands said to her a few weeks back “of course you’ve been quite lucky down here “

Luck had little to do with it, replied Mrs B.
The vast majority have been sensible and followed the instructions.

[screwy]

A friend of mine from Liverpool told me last night that Scousers are booking weekends in Blackpool.! Make of it what you will.
Personally I wouldn’t go near the place, I think it’s a S...Hole.

[screwy]

It looks like the greedy premier league are quite happy to see the fall of the lower league teams.

[towny44]

Another missed opportunity by this government.
Johnson keeps swiping at the ball but he never seems to connect.

What do you recommend then Ken, a full lockdown like we had in March with all but essential parts of the economy shut down? If not please do tell us instead of doing an impersonation of feeble Keir Starmer.

[barney]

Another missed opportunity by this government.
Johnson keeps swiping at the ball but he never seems to connect.

What do you recommend then Ken, a full lockdown like we had in March with all but essential parts of the economy shut down? If not please do tell us instead of doing an impersonation of feeble Keir Starmer.

I must admit, I’m very disappointed in Sir K.
This is the perfect opportunity to lay out the difference between Labour and the Tories and he’s blowing it at every opportunity.
He doesn’t seem to be able to get out of the QC mode.
So far, criticism 100%
Alternative 0%

[Stephen]

For my tuppence worth.
Local lockdown.
No unnecessary travel.
Stay in as much as possible if you are vulnerable.

I can’t for the life of me see what’s to be gained by another national lockdown.
We have had very few cases. I mean minuscule.
Why should we have to close our business because of irresponsible behaviour of others in different regions.

One of Mrs B’s customers , on holiday from the Midlands said to her a few weeks back “of course you’ve been quite lucky down here “

Luck had little to do with it, replied Mrs B.
The vast majority have been sensible and followed the instructions.

It isn't helped with Asian families all living together ten at a time in a two up two down property and youngsters come Northeners who think they can do what they like. They've had their fun and are now facing the consequences. Will they ever learn, I doubt it.

[david63]

Another missed opportunity by this government.
Johnson keeps swiping at the ball but he never seems to connect.

It is very easy for those of us who not in the position of having to make the decisions to criticise what the Government are doing/have done.

None of us, including Boris, know one way or the other what impact these, or any other, measures will have as there is no benchmark. You can say that doing A in country B made a difference but no two countries are the same.

There is a vast difference between the scientific/medical approach and the political/economic approach. The scientific approach would be a total lockdown for three months with nobody going out, but that is neither possible nor feasible - so there has to be a compromise. Whether the current compromise is enough only time will tell. Just glad that I am not the one who has to make these decisions.

What I would have liked to have seen added is the wearing of face coverings in all outdoor places by everyone and stronger enforcement of the current rules.

[david63]

youngsters come Northeners who think they can do what they like.

Not fair on singling out northerners as all areas are as bad as one another. There was a report yesterday that three students in Anglia have been fined £10k each for holding a house party of 100.

And there was also a video posted where there were larger groups in London that there were in Liverpool - although I will accept that it may be due to selective reporting.

[Stephen]

I agree David, and as bad as they are they are mainly one off's, whereas it does appear to be predominately our Northern cousins that consistently flout the rules, hence the lockdowns in those areas.

[Kendhni]

Another missed opportunity by this government.
Johnson keeps swiping at the ball but he never seems to connect.

It is very easy for those of us who not in the position of having to make the decisions to criticise what the Government are doing/have done.

None of us, including Boris, know one way or the other what impact these, or any other, measures will have as there is no benchmark. You can say that doing A in country B made a difference but no two countries are the same.

There is a vast difference between the scientific/medical approach and the political/economic approach. The scientific approach would be a total lockdown for three months with nobody going out, but that is neither possible nor feasible - so there has to be a compromise. Whether the current compromise is enough only time will tell. Just glad that I am not the one who has to make these decisions.

What I would have liked to have seen added is the wearing of face coverings in all outdoor places by everyone and stronger enforcement of the current rules.

Three weeks ago the SAGE group suggested a much tighter lockdown for a short period of time (2-3 weeks) to avoid what they were predicting was going to happen (exactly what we are seeing now). This clown we have leading the country talks about following advice but he never does - he botched it up in March and he is doing the same now. The only pan that Johnson has is to 'wing it' in the hope it turns out OK and if not, just blame someone else (that has been his strategy for everything in his life).

In 3 weeks time I suspect his inability to take action that is needed is likely to see things a lot worse.

[screwy]

Listening to LBC yesterday, Shielagh Fogarty, she was asked if she would swap places with Boris. Her reply was No. ..No because you would have to make decisions and not just question/ criticise from behind a microphone.
What about you Ken.Would you.?

[Onelife]

Whilst it may seem unfair to put restrictions on areas less affected by Covid l think you have to look at the bigger picture, especially with regard to the mindset of how people react to lockdowns. It's like fighting a campaign ( if the cause is deemed to be fair you have a better chance of taking people with you, if it isn't deemed fair you lose their support).

When you start imposing rules that only affect certain areas of the country you cause resentment, especially from those who are less vulnerable to the effects of Covid (under thirties) this ultamitly will lead to less compliance within those areas.

As the saying goes "we are all in this together" and if we want to get on top of this pandemic we need to move as one and stop going round in circles....A bit here a bit there will eventually lead us into anorchy if we are not careful.

As an aside, I'm sure most of us are now seeing similarities between Trump and Boris.....Both being full of bullsh*t! !

[Kendhni]

Listening to LBC yesterday, Shielagh Fogarty, she was asked if she would swap places with Boris. Her reply was No. ..No because you would have to make decisions and not just question/ criticise from behind a microphone.
What about you Ken.Would you.?

It's a bit of a silly argument there are loads of jobs I wouldn't want or do, cleaning sewers, flight controller, child minder, teacher, call centre worker, bin man, animal artificial inseminator, prostitute etc. etc. etc. ... the list almost endless, some because they are not in my skillset, some because I would have to lose 50% of my IQ to tolerate them and some I just don't want to do.

What we do know is that 3 weeks ago the group that he is meant to be taking advice from asked for a short (2-3 week lockdown), our PM, instead of taking this advice, blustered and prevaricated, possibly in the hope that problem would magically disappear (something he has relied on in the past. So 3 weeks of inaction/incompetence from Johnson now means we need stronger action, but yet again he has barely paid lip service to what he was being advised to do. He will keep this pattern up until we possibly reach the point of a full lockdown leading up to Christmas which could do untold damage to the economy.

Trump and Johnson two peas from the same pod of delusion and incompetence. Sadly however it has become obvious that the public are willing to sell out both their principles and standards as long as they are told what they want to hear.

[barney]

With the greatest respect keefy, that’s a load of nonsense.
If the only way to keep on top of the virus is a national lockdown, then what happens when the lockdown comes to an end.
Unless you are happy to live in a state of permanent lockdown until the vaccine is rolled out, then you’re just kicking the can down the road again.

As soon as the country reopens, it all starts again.
This is not unique to us.
If you read european press, it’s pretty much the same all over the continent.
The moans in the U.K. are exactly the same moans in France, Spain etc.
Comments in the Times of Malta today were asking why their government is not following the U.K. method of tiered stages?

Nothing short of a total lockdown and closure of the external border will eliminate this virus, as New Zealand have done.
Do you think that the U.K. population will put up with that?