Re: Coronavirus
 

Not so much lack of manpower, as lack of willingness to take the necessary action.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Exactly.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Didn’t look like they had the manpower in the London 2011 riots - they simply had to stand back and permit civil disobedience and crime for a number of days.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Re: Coronavirus
 

People have already demonstrated they aren't going to follow the guidelines, so what's he waiting for ?

Re: Coronavirus
 

Now received confirmation from our social policy group:

START

Thank you to everyone who took the time to help with this.

The major supermarkets are to prioritise disabled people and those over 70 for online shopping They are doing this by combing the information that they hold about their customers and information held by the Government. For now, you don't need to do anything; they will contact you. It's inevitable that some people will be missed, so please wait until people have been contacted and wait for further information as to what to do.

In addition, the Government intends to give out food parcels to vulnerable people who find themselves unable to obtain food.

Stay safe everybody and feel free to share this to reassure people.

END

Re: Coronavirus
 

I think he's probably waiting to see if you take over the country and do it your way.

Re: Coronavirus
 

I'm surprised he hasn't had a nervous breakdown with all this pressure.

If people who align themselves to the Tory party don't think it's appropriate to form a coalition Government (with the remainder of his term restarted afterwards), how about temporarily jointly governing the country with other former Conservative party leaders to draw uoon their experience?

IMO this is too much for one man alone. He looks exhausted and I don't think he's intelligent ot articulate enough to do it on his own, but he won the election and that must be respected. He does seem to be taking the right advice though; generally speaking.

Re: Parliament. Has this effectively shut down normal Parliamentary business again? I'm assuming it's all hands on deck to deal with the virus.

If this is the case, should we suspend Parliament until this is over? At the very least, MP's should be socially distancing themselves.

Re: Coronavirus
 

I’m not, and have never been, convinced he’s following the right advice but what’s the point of a coalition government? He’s got a majority to govern and even still Labour haven’t pressed votes on emergency legislation instead allowing it through on the nod.

If he’s exhausted, and I’m not convinced he is, then he’s not up to the job. A PM has the support of ministers, advisers and the Civil Service. An opposition party isn’t much added value on top of that.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Generally speaking, Labour say they have been supporting the Government in order not to hinder matters.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Friend of mine goes to a particular pub. It's not (IMO) a nice pub, but he likes it. He came home a couple of weeks ago proudly saying the landlord had offered to let the customers in the side door if the government banned pubs opening.

Re: Coronavirus
 

It pains me to say this but thus so far Nicola Sturgeon has shown the best leadership so far in this crisis.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Apart from the usual "its too little too late" , " only 80% of wages " etc.etc. ad vomitum...... :rolleyes:

Re: Coronavirus
 

Well the Spanish might...

(source: Wikipedia)

Re: Coronavirus
 

One way of looking at it, it will be our kids that end up paying for this.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Well, we paid for essential expenditure that had to be borrowed such as the NHS, the extension of the welfare state, World War II etc.

Re: Coronavirus
 

It sounds logical until otherwise fit, young people also start dying because there wasn’t enough ICU capacity to deal with their road accident, middle aged people die of treatable cancers, and so on.

It’s absolutely correct, in earlier times an epidemic like this would just have killed a lot of people and that would have been that. But for quite a long time now we have developed the expectation that we attempt to treat people when they have a treatable illness. Even in those with underlying conditions, covid-19 is treatable and most sufferers recover.

Re: Coronavirus
 

AFL closed door matches have now been suspended until at least 31/5/20. This will be reviewed at the end of April. This is said to be causing them severe financial problems, but they must follow advice.

Re: Coronavirus
 

The economy is rigged against them anyway.

We are also not funding saving any lives to the tune of billions. We are trying to prop up markets amid declining consumer confidence. Not being seen to act was costing the economy, and would continue to cost the economy longer term.

Re: Coronavirus
 

in the next 2/3 weeks we will be in lockdown, and people like me in none essential job will be forced to stay a home.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Harvey Weinstein has tested positive for it...

Re: Coronavirus
 

What if the essential people decide to stay at home because they haven't been given enough protection?

36 year old nurse fighting for her life this evening.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/news.sk...id-19-11962025
God knows why they bother. This Govt. needs to pull it's finger out pronto.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Hopefully sooner. This was the kind of decisive action we needed ten days ago.

Re: Coronavirus
 

You should be ok in your secret moonbase!

---------- Post added at 21:40 ---------- Previous post was at 21:36 ----------

Or there might not be enough workers available to keep essential services going, due to sickness.

Some councils have already suspended waste collections (ours has warned that they might have to reduce or suspend collections).

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/112176...o-collections/

Re: Coronavirus
 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-h...bed-rationing/

Re: Coronavirus
 

McDonalds are now closing down completely.

I dont see how Drive Thru is an issue, but shops are not. Barmy.

Re: Coronavirus
 

my neighbour will starve if they do,everything she eats comes from Mcd's

Re: Coronavirus
 

Sounds like a nice bloke is running the country...
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics...ensioners-die/

Re: Coronavirus
 

Re: Coronavirus
 

Of course. He also bathes in virgins blood and has lamp shades made from skinned babies.

Re: Coronavirus
 

"Claimed he implied" - so zero actual evidence at all then.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Allegedly...

Re: Coronavirus
 

Take it up with that left wing rag The Torygraph then....

Re: Coronavirus
 

On the DWP FB page.

Also - https://www.understandinguniversalcr...2lOHjsVPPtFgmE

Re: Coronavirus
 

Have to agree with Paul - "claimed he implied" has too many caveats.

They should say what he said, not what they thought he meant to say (and I’m not a big DomCum fan).

Re: Coronavirus
 

The newspaper publishing the article containing the allegation about Cummings was The Sunday Times which is nonetheless a right-wing newspaper controlled by Rupert Murdoch.
The Telegraph just reported the Government's denials.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Here’s the actual bit from the article in the Sunday Times

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/c...ever-spz6sc9vb

Lot of paraphrasing going on there...

Re: Coronavirus
 

It is a disease passed from animal to human to which we have no natural defences.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Army to distribute masks and protective suits to frontline NHS staff.

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavir...staff-11962153

Re: Coronavirus
 

It's ironic that we are advised to stay at home to avoid catching the coronavirus yet hundreds of people have been out panic buying food.

In the 1950's when food was short we were rationed, so people can make their food last longer by eating smaller portions. For some people it will be a good way to lose weight and get fit by doing home exercise since being very over weight is a coronavirus risk factor. Losing weight also improves your blood pressure.

Working from home is beneficial for climate change since the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has dropped considerably because fewer people are driving to work. Maybe after this crisis, the government will continue this.

On a different tack. it's also worth considering that pets can catch the virus and pass it on to family members so maybe some form of pet isolation may be necessary.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Proof?

---------- Post added at 08:24 ---------- Previous post was at 08:23 ----------

Got any links about it being passed to pets?

Re: Coronavirus
 

I think the poster has a responsibility to remove that post as it's spreading misinformation and if it was on Facebook or Twitter, those companies would do just that.
https://fullfact.org/health/can-anim...s-from-humans/

Re: Coronavirus
 

On the other hand.
If an inanimate object such as a door handle can be part of a transmission process, then animal fur can also. Dog fleas may not thrive or reproduce on humans, but they do jump(ie transmit) from dogs to humans, and then possibly back to a different dog where they can thrive and reproduce.

Re: Coronavirus
 

I learnt a new word today from my German colleagues;

Hamsterkauf

From hamster, the small rodent who stores food in its' cheeks and kauf, which means shop/purchase. Hamsterkauf is a panic bulk buyer and hoarder :D

Re: Coronavirus
 

Unbelievable, tubes still packed this morning. Wtf goes through people's heads?? Calling them thick is an insult to thick people. They should be open for health/essential workers only, and be free for them.
London is going to be a disaster zone that needed locking down several days ago. Those who have failed to act should face manslaughter charges.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Yea so i've got you the 500 loo rolls you ordered;)

Re: Coronavirus
 

Reducing the number of trains, increases the number of passengers. So the risk of a driver compared to a full load of passengers all close together. Crazy.

Re: Coronavirus
 

It was staggering the amount of traffic coming into Cleethorpes yesterday,the sun was shining and they were having a day by the sea:shrug:

Re: Coronavirus
 

The rationale for reducing services is that it was assumed there would be less demand. The drivers are essentially protected in their cabs.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Yes, Cleethorpes is unbelievable, Skegness I can understand.... ;)

Maybe it's natural selection of the stupidest.

Re: Coronavirus
 

If only. They'll sadly live. It's people they encounter who won't be lucky.

Re: Coronavirus
 

With all this blatant ignorance of the advice to stay at home - there is going to be an enforced lockdown, it's not a question of "if", but "when?"

And I think London will be first.

Re: Coronavirus
 

I've actually been thinking that he doesn't want to impose separate rules on London. That's the only reason I can think London isn't already locked down.

Metropolitan cities are at worse risk and London is ahead of the curve.

Re: Coronavirus
 

You are right its absolutely inevitable within days or maybe even less then that..

Re: Coronavirus
 

Should have been done already. A little too late seems to be the usual at the mo.

Re: Coronavirus
 

If Sadiq Khan had any bottle he could shut London down, doesn't need Boris to do it though I'm sure he will soon.

Re: Coronavirus
 

l have just seen some of the pictures from the Tube and its complete and utter madness.

Re: Coronavirus
 

The Virus is spread in the form of droplets from a host sneezing or coughing in close proximity to others, hence the "distancing" advice.

It is not airborne.

There is no evidence or official reports (Janet off facebook isn't an official report) that it can be caught by touching anything. but good hygene practices that have been advised from the outset should cover that off anyway.

---------- Post added at 10:32 ---------- Previous post was at 10:29 ----------

Work hasn't ended. people still need to go to work.

Re: Coronavirus
 

I think the situation shows that the real problem is self (or sin). The virus is just what's bringing out from it's lurking place this time - could be terror attacks, alien invasion next time.

You can see this manifested all over :

• people moving to 2nd homes overwhelming the locals - Southwold (we have family there)
• townies flocking to countryside - scenes in Snowdonia and else where. We live on edge of town so a walk to the farm shop is quicker and much shorter than driving - we met a few people out but passing by quickly is now more that passing in supermarket or other "town" space.
• shortages on the shelves for common items and now beers and products normally consumed on-license.
• price gouging - was on things like rice now home fitness stuff is harder to find and more expensive. (some is supply and demand but some is way over the top)
• deliveries and click and collect booked up for weeks.

The problem will come if legislation tries to force legislation because of the thoughtless ones. Exceptions don't work well in our system but what of the more rural people including the outskirts people like us? The permanent residents of "tourist" spots? It seems it's mostly issues in London (and a few other cities) that could spoil things even more for the rest of the population.
I think London is more like Italy than the rest of the UK. We used to host Italian students for a week at a time and while this is a most lived in apartments or in homes with shared open space. Most had short (to us) school days so more time outside to mix and socialise. Families often lived together or very close and mixed more than we do. Many were only children with older parents. Compare that to how many (outside population centres) live in the UK. We live in our own homes with own garden. Our school day is longer and kids then come home and stay home, maybe mix with one or two friends - don't go out in groups for coffee. We are often separated from generations and other family and don't mix as often. We have more children per family and start younger (still). So although mustn't be complacent our dynamic is different to Italy and that needs to be taken into account.

I think shopping habits are generally different too. We tend to do a big shop based on a plan for the week and maybe a few little top ups. Other nations may buy less more often - pick what's fresh that day and use that. This is more how I like to shop/cook at weekend - go down to Waitrose and see what's looks nice (on offer) and base meals around that.
---
Wife just back from Aldi - like a normal Monday morning. She thought she may need to also visit Waitrose next door.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Exactly, so by reducing trains/tube they are actually making matters worse. Which is the main point. The Gov needs to get a grip sooner rather than later.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Getting positively incandescent at the lack of basics in the supermarkets. Also wonder why the lack of the products no one ever bought before such as wholewheat pasta,wholewheat couscous and brown rice which was the one set of products that there was always plenty of which I buy regularly.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Take this with a pinch of salt at this stage but...

https://galaxynewsexpress.com/blog/b...mpression=true

Re: Coronavirus
 

Earlier in this thread, I discussed that I dealt with someone with a confirmed case of Covid-19, sadly that person passed away. R.I.P.

Re: Coronavirus
 

That’s awful news Mick. May they rest in peace.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Sorry to hear that. I hope you have support for your self and other that are seeing higher numbers of patients/clients etc dying.

Re: Coronavirus
 

So sorry to hear that Mick.

May he rest in peace.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Even if it isn’t, the other things in the Article (a test that gives a result in 30 minutes) show why we need to flatten the curve - to give the scientists, etc., time to develop better tests and preventative measures before the Health Services are overwhelmed.

Re: Coronavirus
 

AIR ambulance just landed in the park close to my house,seeing that circling prior to landing focuses your mind to the severity of the situation:(

Re: Coronavirus
 

IF it was just a matter of coughing or sneezing then people could go out, as long as those with coughs or sneezes didn't. That isn't that case.

Link to various government scientific reports

Routes of Transmission of the Influenza Virus
p 13
Just because a pet cannot carry a virus as such, it can still act a contact type source of transmission. Just a human cannot sustain dog fleas, they can act as an intermediary to other humans or dogs.
Impact of Mass Gatherings on an Influenza Pandemic

Re: Coronavirus
 

Journeys are down 70% so no need to run so many trains and put staff on the frontline but the Tubes look mad. :(

Re: Coronavirus
 

They were probably scouring the beach looking for exotic goods (toilet rolls, tins of beans, pork scratchings, Fiat Uno, etc) that had fallen off the back of one of the many passing freighters :D

Interestingly, I was there about a month ago and the beach was completely clear of plastic rubbish . . obviously a much better class of visitor than the seychelles, bermuda etc :Yes:

Re: Coronavirus
 

Very sorry to hear that Mick, and a reminder of what you and your colleagues are putting yourselves through for the sake of the country. Thank you. :clap:

Re: Coronavirus
 

London: road charges suspended to clear routes for critical workers
Congestion charge, ultra-low emission zone and low emission zone will stop from Monday


https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...itical-workers

Re: Coronavirus
 

People can go out.

that is, and has been, the policy

Re: Coronavirus
 

Was reported in the UK press 4 days ago in the Telegraph, 3days ago in the Mail and 2 days ago in the Express.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/12...g-SARS-covd-19

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/202...e-coronavirus/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/a...ught-SARS.html

Re: Coronavirus
 

There was a report a few weeks ago from China of early promise in trials of a SARS vaccine.

Covid-19 and SARS are both caused by coronaviruses so this is not entirely surprising - remember the original vaccine was the use of cowpox virus to provoke an immune response that also provided protection against smallpox. Both those diseases are caused by closely related orthopox viruses.

Re: Coronavirus
 

WTAF!

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/thanet/...tacked-224229/

Re: Coronavirus
 

Ever heard of a thing called work ?

---------- Post added at 14:01 ---------- Previous post was at 14:00 ----------

Ummm, WTAF ? What is that ?

Re: Coronavirus
 

WTAF - What The Actual Flip!

---------- Post added at 14:36 ---------- Previous post was at 14:26 ----------

This came up on my Twitter feed, and I found it amusing...

Re: Coronavirus
 

Yes but have you heard of the Coronavirus challenge doing the rounds... someone shared footage on my twitter feed of a young lad entering a public lavatory and basically licking the toilet bowl. https://twitter.com/stillgray/status...63117505581056 (View at your own risk).

Another video shows someone licking stuff on shelves in a supermarket. https://twitter.com/stillgray/status...73834351550464

There really is no hope for humanity.

Re: Coronavirus
 

They're the same clots from the bottom of the gene pool that think setting fire to yourself and filming it is a good idea. :rolleyes:

Re: Coronavirus
 

Has anyone found out if the rumour that drinking whiskey daily prevents Coronavirus is true? I am keeping up the experiment in the interests of wider society but want to see if anyone else has heard it?

Re: Coronavirus
 

I make my own,a bottle of it down you and it won't be a virus that your worrying about;)

Re: Coronavirus
 

I'm using Brandy, it seems to be working so far . . . hesitant to stop now *hic* ;)

Re: Coronavirus
 

A further 46 people in England have died after testing positive for coronavirus.

This brings the total number of confirmed reported deaths in England to 303, the NHS says.

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavir...id-19-11962396

Re: Coronavirus
 

That is just the England total - UK total is now at 335, up from 281 yesterday.

Re: Coronavirus
 

We are still 2 weeks behind Italy and and given what is happening there now there is much much worse to come sadly.

Re: Coronavirus
 

I have neither whiskey or brandy but not being one to turn down a task in the interests of science I’ll use rum as a control.

We can compare results.

Re: Coronavirus
 

BREAKING: Daily Downing Street press briefing at 5pm suspended until later. Due to PM attending a Cobra meeting.

Total lockdown is coming is my guess for this sudden meeting.

Re: Coronavirus
 

My sons boss just told him to expect to be at home for 3 months on 80% salary after tonight and definitely from next monday if not today.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Dan Hodges, a journalist for the Mail on Sunday and political pundit, just tweeted following:-

He's bang on.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Not necessarily. It will get worse no doubt, but there is no certainty that we will go the same way as Italy.

Direct country to country comparisons are not accurate

Re: Coronavirus
 

I think that the Prime Minister is afraid of doing it because he fears a backlash at the next General Election, but people are crying out for a lockdown!

---------- Post added at 17:00 ---------- Previous post was at 16:58 ----------

I have a recipe for homemade yeast if that's any help for making bread?

Re: Coronavirus
 

My oldest daughter works at Greggs, they are now shut as of tomorrow, she just finished her final shift for a while.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Why they are vacillating over this makes no sense at all. The next election is years away, plenty of time to move out of this midden and end up smelling of roses.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Awful news, i'm so sorry to hear this. It really is time that carers and NHS staff were tested for it, if it's good enough for sports stars and actors who can afford to do it privately, it's good enough for people like yourself and my niece who is a nurse, who are risking their lives & health in order to help others.

Are you having to do extra/prolonged shifts?

Re: Coronavirus
 

it's got sod all, to do with the election. It's a fine balancing act to keep infection down but still try and keep the economy ticking over.

Re: Coronavirus
 

One cannot buy yeast for love or money currently as TOH wanted to make some home made bread.

Re: Coronavirus
 

And if they achieve neither?

Re: Coronavirus
 

First McDonald’s and now Greggs. Maybe the masses will finally start realising the directions about social distancing are meant to be taken seriously.