Coronavirus (OLD)

[jfman]

Originally Posted by nomadking

Wouldn't we be buying and/or manufacturing them in order to be distributed at the whim of the EU? Otherwise we would just be "stealing" from other EU countries that can't produce any of their resources, IE we would have our own resources and some from the EU. Can't see that being the case. We will have already had plans underway.

Can't see why people can't treat it like very bad weather and only go out reluctantly. They wouldn't go out jogging with several inches of snow or chucking it down with rain.

No, it’s a procurement exercise and it’s not even clear who the suppliers will be. Nothing to stop the UK Government putting its own orders in now and join the exercise for more later.

Stealing is wholly the incorrect word here. Private companies can sell to whomever they wish - anywhere in the world. Our membership of any such scheme is irrelevant.

Originally Posted by pip08456

I agree Hugh and that's why I think a concrete order for 10,000 ventilators is better than concrete offers.

If you mean the Dyson ones, they haven’t been built or approved yet, so they’re "jam tomorrow".

Apparently, the EU offer "got lost in the post’.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-52052694

UK government spokesperson said: "Owing to an initial communication problem, the UK did not receive an invitation in time to join in four joint procurements in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

"As the (European) Commission has confirmed, we are eligible to participate in joint procurements during the transition period, following our departure from the EU earlier this year.

"As those four initial procurement schemes had already gone out to tender we were unable to take part in these, but we will consider participating in future procurement schemes on the basis of public health requirements at the time."

The EU has said the UK can take part in the project, which will use the EU's buying power to purchase more stock, even though it is no longer a member of the bloc.

Earlier on Thursday, Downing Street said the UK would not be joining the scheme because "we are no longer members of the EU".

Obviously, two different spokesmen...

[Mr K]

Originally Posted by Hugh

If you mean the Dyson ones, they haven’t been built or approved yet, so they’re "jam tomorrow".

Apparently, the EU offer "got lost in the post’.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-52052694

Obviously, two different spokesmen...

Who? Arse and Elbow ? Do they know each other?

[pip08456]

Originally Posted by Mr K

Who? Arse and Elbow ? Do they know each other?

GTech will be making some too.

The real reason for the drop in the death rate and the sudden climb back up. Informing relatives only played a small part.

[Hom3r]

WOW.

People outsite clapping and cheering, an amulance is driving around and giving a thank you blast from its siren.

#ThankYouNHS

[RichardCoulter]

It was very moving hearing people showing their support for NHS staff and carers.

Originally Posted by Hugh

There are those who think anything being done by the EU must be bad, and we must be able to do better ourselves.

I believe there is a major difference between "being offered help" and "running back to Brussels" - we should be doing what’s right for the NHS and those affected by the pandemic.

There is indeed a great difference, however my argument is that the claim that we ought to be participating in the EU scheme for no better reasons than 1. It exists, and 2. It’s the EU, suggests to me that the claim - such as it is - is rooted in running, not choosing.

It appears HMG has now opted to join the joint purchasing program on this occasion. Fair enough. I am content with our ability to choose what works best for us, and I have no ideological need for us not to work with other European countries, with or without facilitation through the EU.

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

It was very moving hearing people showing their support for NHS staff and carers.

It cost my daughter her phone.
Somehow she managed to drop it out of the bedroom window while clapping.

As well as clapping etc, we had some 8pm fireworks round here as well.

[Angua]

Originally Posted by jfman

The problem is deaths will always remain low while demand for NHS treatment is within supply. Meanwhile the virus could be spreading further and we are only saving up our problems for later.

A lot can happen in as little as two and a half weeks:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...ponse-analysis

Of those NHS staff who have been tested, the majority were asymptomatic at the time. This is the problem with this particular virus, so many people have no symptoms at all, yet can infect many.

It’s all very well clapping but it’s now time to ensure they get a decent wage increase.

[denphone]

Originally Posted by Maggy

It’s all very well clapping but it’s now time to ensure they get a decent wage increase.

And also given the right tools to safely do their job...

[jfman]

Originally Posted by Maggy

It’s all very well clapping but it’s now time to ensure they get a decent wage increase.

Exactly. I don't think NHS staff feel under appreciated by the public. It's the politicians.

[Mr K]

Originally Posted by jfman

Exactly. I don't think NHS staff feel under appreciated by the public. It's the politicians.

Agreed but the public are a bit fickle. Ask them to vote for tax increases to pay for it and they won't. They need to show their appreciation by paying more tax.

Boris has tested positive, and is experiencing mild symptoms, say No. 10.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52060791

[Mr K]

Originally Posted by Hugh

Boris has tested positive, and is experiencing mild symptoms, say No. 10.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52060791

Shame, but is he in hospital? How did he meet the criteria to be tested?