Current Affairs

[Mervyn and Trish]

They need to be cautious. If they spark a tit for tat some of things needed for production of the Pfizer jab are imported from the UK.

I wonder what all this will do for the confidence of big multinational pharmacy companies. Will they want to make future investments in a bloc that tries to interfere in the conduct of their business and stop them exporting their products?

[david63]

One thing that I find somewhat amusing is the way that the EU keep banging on about how many doses of vaccines they are exporting, and to how many countries, as opposed to how many they are importing.

Well they will be exporting millions of doses because the EU is where the manufacturing plants are - do they not yet understand the basics of trade?

[towny44]

One thing that I find somewhat amusing is the way that the EU keep banging on about how many doses of vaccines they are exporting, and to how many countries, as opposed to how many they are importing.

Well they will be exporting millions of doses because the EU is where the manufacturing plants are - do they not yet understand the basics of trade?

Maybe, but only on their terms of business, which has always been the case.

[Onelife]

I haven't seen any update since the RAF jet crashed yesterday but all reports say there was a big bang but no explosion or fireball. What are the odds it ran out of fuel?

There was a spider in the cockpit which made them jump!

It's interesting that the Red Arrows suspended flying as they have the same type of aircraft. But they have now resumed a day later, basically saying it would be wrong to speculate on the outcome of the investigation but their chain of command have decided it's okay. My uneducated guess is that means they know there's nothing fundamentally wrong with the planes - so human error? Like forgetting to fill up?

Hi Sir Merv, I used to watch a lot of the Aircraft Investigation programs and most crashes came down to human error in one form or another. That being said many crashes which involved human error were the result of confusion between what the auto pilot was indicating and the pilot’s interpretation/reaction to it…. basically, lack of training when something happens out of the ordinary.

[Kendhni]

They need to be cautious. If they spark a tit for tat some of things needed for production of the Pfizer jab are imported from the UK.

That is currently true but (apparently) they now have an alternative supply chain.

I wonder what all this will do for the confidence of big multinational pharmacy companies. Will they want to make future investments in a bloc that tries to interfere in the conduct of their business and stop them exporting their products?

I would say very little, most countries accept that we are in extraordinary times and that the EU is actually exporting doses (unlike other countries). Until everyone is vaccinated nobody is safe and tourism and economies are unlikely to become fully opened. Every country has its terms of business, that is basically what international trade deals are for, and I am sure every country will look to put its own citizens first.

One thing to consider, and it is only a possibility ... we need a booster program to start in the Autumn. The UK may be dependent on other countries to provide these boosters (because AZ will be too busy fulfilling the first vaccination schedule) - those countries may look at how generous the UK was during the first phase of vaccination. We have to be careful and be seen to be doing the right thing (whatever that is).

[towny44]

They need to be cautious. If they spark a tit for tat some of things needed for production of the Pfizer jab are imported from the UK.

That is currently true but (apparently) they now have an alternative supply chain.

I wonder what all this will do for the confidence of big multinational pharmacy companies. Will they want to make future investments in a bloc that tries to interfere in the conduct of their business and stop them exporting their products?

I would say very little, most countries accept that we are in extraordinary times and that the EU is actually exporting doses (unlike other countries). Until everyone is vaccinated nobody is safe and tourism and economies are unlikely to become fully opened. Every country has its terms of business, that is basically what international trade deals are for, and I am sure every country will look to put its own citizens first.

One thing to consider, and it is only a possibility ... we need a booster program to start in the Autumn. The UK may be dependent on other countries to provide these boosters (because AZ will be too busy fulfilling the first vaccination schedule) - those countries may look at how generous the UK was during the first phase of vaccination. We have to be careful and be seen to be doing the right thing (whatever that is).

The latest news is that the UK hope's to supply the booster vaccines from new facilities in the UK, so hopefully we will not be dependant on imports.
It was interesting to note your view that the EU is a country, one of the main drivers for Brexit was the relentless move towards a federal EU, which of course was strenuously denied by all remainers.

[barney]

They need to be cautious. If they spark a tit for tat some of things needed for production of the Pfizer jab are imported from the UK.

That is currently true but (apparently) they now have an alternative supply chain.

I wonder what all this will do for the confidence of big multinational pharmacy companies. Will they want to make future investments in a bloc that tries to interfere in the conduct of their business and stop them exporting their products?

I would say very little, most countries accept that we are in extraordinary times and that the EU is actually exporting doses (unlike other countries). Until everyone is vaccinated nobody is safe and tourism and economies are unlikely to become fully opened. Every country has its terms of business, that is basically what international trade deals are for, and I am sure every country will look to put its own citizens first.

One thing to consider, and it is only a possibility ... we need a booster program to start in the Autumn. The UK may be dependent on other countries to provide these boosters (because AZ will be too busy fulfilling the first vaccination schedule) - those countries may look at how generous the UK was during the first phase of vaccination. We have to be careful and be seen to be doing the right thing (whatever that is).

The latest news is that the UK hope's to supply the booster vaccines from new facilities in the UK, so hopefully we will not be dependant on imports.
It was interesting to note your view that the EU is a country, one of the main drivers for Brexit was the relentless move towards a federal EU, which of course was strenuously denied by all remainers.

The plan clearly is to be as self sufficient , as is possible.
This incident has clearly shown that the institution of the EU are certainly not our friends and would look to turn us over at any and every opportunity.

It’s not been very much mentioned but Gibraltar have not only vaccinated their entire adult population with AZ from the U.K. but also over 15 thousand Spanish workers who rely on the Overseas Territory for employment.

[Stephen]

A slight difference in size of population though barney.

[oldbluefox]

Since the EU tried to discredit Astrazenica as a possible cause of blood clots, have threatened them with legal action over distribution and have tried to blame them for their own mishandling of the pandemic I wonder if they will be keen to deal with the EU in the future and I wonder how other nations will view the EU behaviour in the light of other trade deals.
Thank goodness we are away from this bunch of bureaucratic incompetents.

[david63]

There was a comment on the news the other night from someone (CEO?) from AZ who said that if such a situation was to ever happen again AZ would have nothing to do with it - whether that means a pandemic of negotiating with many different countries for the same product at the same time I cannot say.

[Kendhni]

They need to be cautious. If they spark a tit for tat some of things needed for production of the Pfizer jab are imported from the UK.

That is currently true but (apparently) they now have an alternative supply chain.

I wonder what all this will do for the confidence of big multinational pharmacy companies. Will they want to make future investments in a bloc that tries to interfere in the conduct of their business and stop them exporting their products?

I would say very little, most countries accept that we are in extraordinary times and that the EU is actually exporting doses (unlike other countries). Until everyone is vaccinated nobody is safe and tourism and economies are unlikely to become fully opened. Every country has its terms of business, that is basically what international trade deals are for, and I am sure every country will look to put its own citizens first.

One thing to consider, and it is only a possibility ... we need a booster program to start in the Autumn. The UK may be dependent on other countries to provide these boosters (because AZ will be too busy fulfilling the first vaccination schedule) - those countries may look at how generous the UK was during the first phase of vaccination. We have to be careful and be seen to be doing the right thing (whatever that is).

The latest news is that the UK hope's to supply the booster vaccines from new facilities in the UK, so hopefully we will not be dependant on imports.

I think there are other dependencies, from my reading, but what you say would be no bad thing

It was interesting to note your view that the EU is a country, one of the main drivers for Brexit was the relentless move towards a federal EU, which of course was strenuously denied by all remainers.

Point of order ... not 'all remainers' have denied that, 'strenuously' or otherwise; Similarly not all brexiteers believe it either. Personally I have never denied nor accepted it. Since I already live in what is effectively a federation consisting of 3 countries and 1 region, and the claim and 'relentless' move towards a federal EU has been about for over 40 years now, it really isn't something that I have ever, or intend to, spend sleepless nights worrying about.

[barney]

A slight difference in size of population though barney.

Of course there is Stephen.
I’m not comparing like for like.
Merely pointing out that outside of EU interference, it really doesn’t seem that complicated.
Make vaccine
Distribute vaccine
Set up vaccine centres
Inject vaccine

VDL was a typical EU compromise for President.
Her track record was and is appalling.
It’s coming home to roost.

Meanwhile, this backward little rock, on the edge of civilisation, who many ‘experts’ said was unable to stand on our own two feet, forges ahead with our own agenda.
What I find hilarious is that the Eurofanatics still can’t bring themselves to criticise their beloved institution.
They are looking increasingly pathetic as days go buy.

[Kendhni]

There was a comment on the news the other night from someone (CEO?) from AZ who said that if such a situation was to ever happen again AZ would have nothing to do with it - whether that means a pandemic of negotiating with many different countries for the same product at the same time I cannot say.

I heard that report as well and I really didn't understand the point being made. My take on it (which could be totally wrong) was that they were saying they would stick at what they do best and do the manufacturing while leaving the distribution to be determined by someone else - government?.

[Kendhni]

It’s not been very much mentioned but Gibraltar have not only vaccinated their entire adult population with AZ from the U.K. but also over 15 thousand Spanish workers who rely on the Overseas Territory for employment.

A great effort but one minor correction. Gibraltar mostly used the Pfizer/BioNtech vaccine not AZ. Only a small number of AZ vaccines were ordered for use on those that had severe allergic reactions.

[Ray B]

The Health Minister has suggested that to get the youngsters to take up the vaccine they are looking at drive thru vacine centre's when their turn comes.
Pampering again to them maybe, I thought, get out of the car and walk to the center like the rest of us have done. A lot of elderly had to endure torid weather conditions, but just got on with it.

[Stephen]

The Health Minister has suggested that to get the youngsters to take up the vaccine they are looking at drive thru vacine centre's when their turn comes.
Pampering again to them maybe, I thought, get out of the car and walk to the center like the rest of us have done. A lot of elderly had to endure torid weather conditions, but just got on with it.

Agree, and if they can’t be bothered to get off their ar*es for the vaccine within the time frame then tough if they miss out. Only themselves to blame.

[david63]

The Health Minister has suggested that to get the youngsters to take up the vaccine they are looking at drive thru vacine centre's when their turn comes.
Pampering again to them maybe, I thought, get out of the car and walk to the center like the rest of us have done. A lot of elderly had to endure torid weather conditions, but just got on with it.

I would not altogether disagree but with the younger cohorts many of those will, hopefully, be working and taking time out from work will be a disincentive to having the jab so anything that makes it quicker and easier has to be an advantage.

[Kendhni]

The Health Minister has suggested that to get the youngsters to take up the vaccine they are looking at drive thru vacine centre's when their turn comes.
Pampering again to them maybe, I thought, get out of the car and walk to the center like the rest of us have done. A lot of elderly had to endure torid weather conditions, but just got on with it.

I am inclined to say that, where possible, ALL vaccinations should have been given through drive through centres (many testing centres seem to be drive through) - some other countries seem to have set up large scale drive throughs (using large marquees).

I got mine using a drive through, which was much preferable to the other half, who had to go to a hospital and queue outside in the rain for about 15-20 minutes (fortunately umbrellas are great for enforcing social distancing).

[Stephen]

The Health Minister has suggested that to get the youngsters to take up the vaccine they are looking at drive thru vacine centre's when their turn comes.
Pampering again to them maybe, I thought, get out of the car and walk to the center like the rest of us have done. A lot of elderly had to endure torid weather conditions, but just got on with it.

I would not altogether disagree but with the younger cohorts many of those will, hopefully, be working and taking time out from work will be a disincentive to having the jab so anything that makes it quicker and easier has to be an advantage.

I don’t agree David. I don’t know if it’s a legal requirement or not, but I would have thought an employer would have to let the employee have the time off to get their vaccine jab.

[Kendhni]

The Health Minister has suggested that to get the youngsters to take up the vaccine they are looking at drive thru vacine centre's when their turn comes.
Pampering again to them maybe, I thought, get out of the car and walk to the center like the rest of us have done. A lot of elderly had to endure torid weather conditions, but just got on with it.

I would not altogether disagree but with the younger cohorts many of those will, hopefully, be working and taking time out from work will be a disincentive to having the jab so anything that makes it quicker and easier has to be an advantage.

I don’t agree David. I don’t know if it’s a legal requirement or not, but I would have thought an employer would have to let the employee have the time off to get their vaccine jab.

I am guessing most firms would give the time off with no impact (ours did); others may follow their procedure for doctors visits (which may not be paid); I am sure though that a small number will be total and utter d**ks about it.

<aybe they should allow vaccination teams to come into the place of work and do all employees together?

[Stephen]

A bit more info here.

https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/time- ... ccination/

[oldbluefox]

Give them a sticker and a lollipop and they will be flocking there.
If they can flock out in their thousands to protest at the drop of a hat surely they can move their backsides to have an injection..... hopefully given by a police officer.

[Chalgrave4]

Give them a sticker and a lollipop and they will be flocking there.
If they can flock out in their thousands to protest at the drop of a hat surely they can move their backsides to have an injection..... hopefully given by a police officer.

With a blunt bent needle & not in the arm

[Onelife]

I personally don’t think there will be a lack of take up in the younger generations…. the reason I think this is that the swing from the older generations catching the virus to that of the younger generations will get more attention in the media and this will be enough to get them standing in line for the vaccine…who of you agree with me?

[Manoverboard]

I personally don’t think there will be a lack of take up in the younger generations…. the reason I think this is that the swing from the older generations catching the virus to that of the younger generations will get more attention in the media and this will be enough to get them standing in line for the vaccine…who of you agree with me?

Can we think about it ?

Two of our grand children are in their early 20s and both of them have had their first jab so it seems that if the young have a medical procedure of any sort they get a complimentary jab.