Current Affairs

[Gill W]

My area is currently 2nd highest for infection rates and the next door council area is the highest, and infection rates are still rising sharply.

Gill

Since you are "on the spot" what reason do you attribute to the large increase in infections in your area

The answer is - ‘I don’t know’.

Nobody else seems to know either, and I have been trying to get some sort of response from anybody vaguely in charge.

Back in April, the main outbreak here was in care homes. In the community, there wasn’t any large outbreak, and infections were as flat as a pancake all through the summer.

In September, when the schools went back, in common with most areas, our infections began to rise, but were still lower than many other areas.

We went into the second lockdown in tier 1, then around 11th November infections really began to explode, and have continued to balloon every since. We came out of lockdown in tier 3 and infections are still rising. On the current trajectory infections will be over 800 per 100k within a couple of days.

Nobody seems able to pinpoint what went wrong. Some are saying, oh, it’s the schools. The schools are badly affected - last week attendance was down to 53%. But I don’t think this is the full story, as infections are almost as high in the over 60s as they are for under 60s. Others suggest social deprivation, as north Kent is not a prosperous area. But I’m not sure if that’s the answer either, as, if that was the case, we might have expected an infection pattern in line with poorer areas of the north.

It has been suggested there is a different strain of the virus in SE England. If this is the case, it may be super infectious - Nobody knows.

My gut feeling is there was a catalyst for all this in November, but really, it seems a mystery.

We have asymptomatic testing happening in the area. Out of the first 10000 people tested, only 100 infected people were found, so not clear if asymptomatic people are the caused fall this.

Local council leadership very poor, so there is no rallying point for people to feel as if we are working together.

In short, no one knows why it’s happened, there’s no joined up plan to get us out of the situation and it’s going to get worse.

I mostly stay at home, but on my rare outings, people are following the rules, so I’m not willing to blame ‘the people’

It’s all a mystery

[Onelife]

Keefie, to use a horse racing analogy, you appear to be riding your nag facing backwards ...

If he were to follow this course of action wouldn't he disappear up his own backside ?

And I’m in no doubt there are a few on here who would love to give me that extra push

[Gill W]

My area is currently 2nd highest for infection rates and the next door council area is the highest, and infection rates are still rising sharply.

Gill

Since you are "on the spot" what reason do you attribute to the large increase in infections in your area

Could it be that Boris didn't listen to that fount of all knowledge who sits opposite him in the commons, definitely wouldn't be the unwashed masses fault though.

If you want to criticise my reply, it’s normal practice to wait until after I had written it

[Onelife]

Could it be that Boris didn't listen to that fount of all knowledge who sits opposite him in the commons, definitely wouldn't be the unwashed masses fault though.

This Goverment has had amply opportunities to thwat the spread of this virus but have opted for a balanced approach, an approach which has seen far more deaths than would have been the case had they locked down earlier and not lifted to soon. That being said they are not totally to blame, as much of the blame lies with Chris Whitty (CMO) who has advised but has has failed to criticise the Governments decisions, decisions that his field of expertise would otherwise have advised against.

Its not good enough to say "we advise they make the decisions".....If you know what they are doing is wrong then you either speak out or walk away.

Keefie, to use a horse racing analogy, you appear to be riding your nag facing backwards.
Now while this might give you a great view of the back of the field, you really have no idea about what's going on up front.
Using only hindsight and supposition you can never be wrong, David points out that there is no way to validate what the outcome would have been if the govt had taken your suggested steps, but equally there is no way to quantify whether in fact faced with the same information any other govt, even one containing you, would have made your favoured choice.

With hindsight comes forward thinking....but will the listen?

Dame Donna Kinnair, chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing, said relaxing the measures would "undoubtedly lead to more cases, more pressure on NHS and care services, and more deaths"
.
Dr Martin Kelly, a consultant respiratory physician in Londonderry, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Right in the mouth of Christmas we're seeing a significant further surge in numbers which is already putting the service under significant pressure."

Dr Nick Lyons, a health board medical director in south Wales, said things were similar in his region, were non-urgent procedures have been cancelled. The intensive care units "were basically full with Covid patients" while the field hospital was "roughly at half its total capacity", he told Today.

In England, Dr Ganesh Suntharalingam, outgoing chair of the Intensive Care Society, said some hospitals were already operating at capacity - or slightly over - and the prospect of adding a third spike on top of that was "a serious concern"

[Mervyn and Trish]

As do I. Maybe the reason the forum was quiet on the issue is you were quicker than most of us to see the news.

However the reason I, for one, was ready to criticise Kay Burley was her sheer hypocrisy. She was one of the media baying for Cumming's head on a plate. And while she held a party for ten he only had his family in the car for his ill advised journey.

But not ready to criticise Tobias Ellwood !

I would add to my previous post that at the time this news was emerging and I was negligent in not criticising Ellwood within a timescale acceptable to you I was otherwise engaged in an appointment with my cancer consultant. Is that a reasonable excuse or do I need him to send you a letter?

[david63]

And, Keefie, to counter that there was a report only the other day saying that even with reduced capacity there are more empty hospital beds in England now than there were this time last year.

Everyone from the top down has said all along that there will be an increase after Christmas no matter what was/was not done - although based on Thanksgiving in the USA the spike has not been as bad as was predicted.

[Stephen]

As do I. Maybe the reason the forum was quiet on the issue is you were quicker than most of us to see the news.

However the reason I, for one, was ready to criticise Kay Burley was her sheer hypocrisy. She was one of the media baying for Cumming's head on a plate. And while she held a party for ten he only had his family in the car for his ill advised journey.

But not ready to criticise Tobias Ellwood !

I would add to my previous post that at the time this news was emerging and I was negligent in not criticising Ellwood within a timescale acceptable to you I was otherwise engaged in an appointment with my cancer consultant. Is that a reasonable excuse or do I need him to send you a letter?

Sorry to hear that Merv. All under control I hope.

[Mervyn and Trish]

But not ready to criticise Tobias Ellwood !

I would add to my previous post that at the time this news was emerging and I was negligent in not criticising Ellwood within a timescale acceptable to you I was otherwise engaged in an appointment with my cancer consultant. Is that a reasonable excuse or do I need him to send you a letter?

Sorry to hear that Merv. All under control I hope.

It is thank you. Delayed by my other issue this year but still fixable. Nonetheless I felt it was more important to attend the clinic than wait for a passing MP to criticise!

[Stephen]

.

[Onelife]

And, Keefie, to counter that there was a report only the other day saying that even with reduced capacity there are more empty hospital beds in England now than there were this time last year.

Everyone from the top down has said all along that there will be an increase after Christmas no matter what was/was not done - although based on Thanksgiving in the USA the spike has not been as bad as was predicted.

Did the report also mention that there are more front line staff going off sick due to workload?

[Manoverboard]

There is always a surge in ' sickness ' within the NHS at Christmas time ... just saying

[Onelife]

There is always a surge in ' sickness ' within the NHS at Christmas time ... just saying

Even more reason to stop this ludicrous three household Christmas get together

[oldbluefox]

Hypothetical question....................

If the government had placed us in lockdown for the Christmas period I wonder what would have happened for all of those who have sons and daughters in university or working away from home? I wonder if you would have been happy for them to spend Christmas on their own or would you have fetched them or got them home irrespective of the rules and regulations?
It is easy to say what the government should have done but the reality is often very different and I'm sure the anti Boris brigade would do the opposite of anything the government said anyway just to be contrary and not caring they might be passing the virus on.

[screwy]

To be honest..I’m past caring, some people will do what they want regardless! Personally I’m just going to try and stay safe as best I can,only being a youngster (69) I will have a good while before I get the vaccine .

[david63]

Even more reason to stop this ludicrous three household Christmas get together

But two households is fine - just saying!

[Manoverboard]

There is always a surge in ' sickness ' within the NHS at Christmas time ... just saying

Even more reason to stop this ludicrous three household Christmas get together

Couldn't agree more, it's a big mistake

[Gill W]

As do I. Maybe the reason the forum was quiet on the issue is you were quicker than most of us to see the news.

However the reason I, for one, was ready to criticise Kay Burley was her sheer hypocrisy. She was one of the media baying for Cumming's head on a plate. And while she held a party for ten he only had his family in the car for his ill advised journey.

But not ready to criticise Tobias Ellwood !

I would add to my previous post that at the time this news was emerging and I was negligent in not criticising Ellwood within a timescale acceptable to you I was otherwise engaged in an appointment with my cancer consultant. Is that a reasonable excuse or do I need him to send you a letter?

Don’t be waspish Mervyn, how am I meant to know about your appointments?

I hope your appointment went well

[Onelife]

Even more reason to stop this ludicrous three household Christmas get together

But two households is fine - just saying!

Two households of Mom and dad + daughter or two household of mom, dad ten kids + Gran's and Grandads?

[Mervyn and Trish]

But not ready to criticise Tobias Ellwood !

I would add to my previous post that at the time this news was emerging and I was negligent in not criticising Ellwood within a timescale acceptable to you I was otherwise engaged in an appointment with my cancer consultant. Is that a reasonable excuse or do I need him to send you a letter?

Don’t be waspish Mervyn, how am I meant to know about your appointments?

I hope your appointment went well

You weren't. But you were quick enough to make assumptions about my opinions and assumed I was available to be glued to the news. I don't mind that we disagree but I do mind when you try to tell me what I should be thinking. Maybe consider that some of us have other things on our minds more important than an MP making a speech at a dinner.

[barney]

Hypothetical question....................

If the government had placed us in lockdown for the Christmas period I wonder what would have happened for all of those who have sons and daughters in university or working away from home? I wonder if you would have been happy for them to spend Christmas on their own or would you have fetched them or got them home irrespective of the rules and regulations?
It is easy to say what the government should have done but the reality is often very different and I'm sure the anti Boris brigade would do the opposite of anything the government said anyway just to be contrary and not caring they might be passing the virus on.

One of Mrs B’s customers told her this morning that both of her sons were coming to stay for Xmas.
Aren’t they both in Tier 3 areas she asked?
Yep, came the reply but we’ll keep it a secret.

Well, you’ve just told me said Mrs B.

Oh, whatever, the lady replied.
We’ve all had enough of it all.

Isn’t your husband Bernard just finishing his Chemo treatment, Mrs B asked?

He should be ok came the reply !!!

I swear to God that actually happened.

How can the government or anyone else be responsible for idiots ?

[Manoverboard]

My own Chemo treatment many years ago wiped out my entire immunity system, good luck Bernard

[Mervyn and Trish]

Tragically people like that would probably go ahead whatever the government said.

I heard a retailer from Ireland this morning complaining they'd spent a fortune to make their premises "Covid Safe" but were still being forced to shut after Christmas. I really think the expression "Covid Safe" was a bad choice. It should be "Covid Safer". Nothing is 100% but some people think that once they have their mask on (round their chin often) they're immortal.

[david63]

Two households of Mom and dad + daughter or two household of mom, dad ten kids + Gran's and Grandads?

Makes no difference - if it is still two households.

You can't have it both ways.

And for the record we have not seen any of our family for the last 12 months and are unlikely to see any of them until at least the end of next year - if we are lucky.

[Jan Rosser]

Two households of Mom and dad + daughter or two household of mom, dad ten kids + Gran's and Grandads?

Makes no difference - if it is still two households.

You can't have it both ways.

And for the record we have not seen any of our family for the last 12 months and are unlikely to see any of them until at least the end of next year - if we are lucky.

David I know your family are on the other side of the world but with the restrictions in Luxembourg mine may as well be. I last saw my son and family last Christmas - he couldn't come over for his grandmother's funeral last week which would have taken place in the middle of his 14 day quarantine and goodness knows when I'll see them again. Same situation with my son who lives in the north-west. Both he and his wife are teachers so exposed daily to infection - I'd cheerfully throttle some of the kids who on the one hand are concerned about their exams but still meet up outside school - the little monsters

[Stephen]

Hypothetical question....................

If the government had placed us in lockdown for the Christmas period I wonder what would have happened for all of those who have sons and daughters in university or working away from home? I wonder if you would have been happy for them to spend Christmas on their own or would you have fetched them or got them home irrespective of the rules and regulations?
It is easy to say what the government should have done but the reality is often very different and I'm sure the anti Boris brigade would do the opposite of anything the government said anyway just to be contrary and not caring they might be passing the virus on.

One of Mrs B’s customers told her this morning that both of her sons were coming to stay for Xmas.
Aren’t they both in Tier 3 areas she asked?
Yep, came the reply but we’ll keep it a secret.

Well, you’ve just told me said Mrs B.

Oh, whatever, the lady replied.
We’ve all had enough of it all.

Isn’t your husband Bernard just finishing his Chemo treatment, Mrs B asked?

He should be ok came the reply !!!

I swear to God that actually happened.

How can the government or anyone else be responsible for idiots ?

I would say she and her family deserve all they get, but unfortunately it probably won’t be them but some other poor bu99er they’ve been in contact with. Beyond selfish

Rest assured, we’ve all had enough of it, but COVID hasn’t!