Current Affairs Coronavirus Thread - Serious stuff !!!

[Barnfred 55]

I was being a little flippant with that second comment... BUT I do think we locked too late. Whether we were waiting for the right time as guided by science or whether we forced into it is up for debate. Them not wanting to lockdown is natural- NO government wants to lockdown after all. By no means do I think the government simply planned to let people die though.

My main criticism of them, as I think most reasonable people’s has been, is in this transition from the initial messages to the “stay alert” message which preceded the easing of the lockdown. Naturally some lockdown fatigue will be coming in to play now but the transition from clear, concise messaging and instructions to the stuff they peddle now has been really really unhelpful. The lockdown compliance at the start was there for everyone to see. Now, mixed messages, rules open to interpretation, too many caveats etc... Throw in the Cummings saga and I’m not surprised lockdown compliance is waning. Opening up was always going to be a balancing act, hence why I think this obsession over the R rate is mostly unhelpful to the average member of the public.

They don’t need to go as far as some people in this thread who seem to really enjoy demonising and belittling the general population, but in this situation a return to clear messaging which everyone can follow will do us all some good.

If you haven't read the SAGE meetings minutes that are now available, I fully recommend you do if you have time. They aren't detailed, merely summarising the contents, and where they ask for reports on certain things, such as an investigation into how they can get the daily test numbers up from 1000 to 5000 (seems an age ago now) you don't get to see the report findings. But they do show some interesting snippets and you get a feel for the thinking of the people who are advising the government.

Specifically as regards going into lockdown late, there are a couple of items that you may not be aware of if you haven't read the minutes. Firstly, around mid March, they realised that the infection figures that the statisticians were working on were actually 7 days behind, so we were a lot further along the curve than the scientists thought we were. Secondly, they seemed obsessed with two things, keeping the hospitals from being overwhelmed, and avoiding a second peak, and it was the latter of these two that dominated their thinking on when to shutdown.

One thing that is clear is that the government were following the science at the start of this, from not restricting flights into the country, to testing policy, banning large gatherings, the importance of wearing face masks and timing of shutdown. However like you, I'm not as convinced that the Government are still following the science (the minutes only go up to early May) and certain government officials are certainly not following their own advice.

 

[Joey66]

It could be managed from a position where the curve had been flattened out (it hadn't) and track and trace systems were in place (they aren't).

LBC a person rang in on the isle of Wight remember the Isle of Wight testing it 3 weeks ago no mention -why? = failed as not enough people would accept the Mobile APP.....

 

[davek]

Boris must be struggling now. Normally he can hide behind something until it all blows over but even the most ardent Tory must be able to see the man is a liability and completely incompetent by now. Expect a fake heart attack any day so he can go into hiding again for weeks and look for the sympathy vote again.

I think he sees a couple of hundred deaths per day as a breeze. Politically manageable.

 

[TommyDavo]

Not sure I understand mate. So non BAME folk protesting about the treatment of BAME folk, in a way that might increase the infection rate of a disease that attacks the BAME community more than their own, is in someways, good?

I suppose it depends if you believe there should be no protest at all. Distancing is necessary, but the people protesting in the main are young and know they are about as safe as crossing the road.

 

[zzr45]

This protest is absolutely nothing to do with those issues though. Look, I am not saying it not a just cause, and I am not arguing that this has been handled well.

I am saying that this protest, or more so the nature of it, is irresponsible.

You’re wasting your time mate, unless you’re calling the government murderers and making really vague connections you might as well be Dominic Cummings.

 

[davek]

LBC remember the Isle of White testing it 3 weeks ago no metion -why? = failed as not enough people would accept the Mobile APP.....

It was just another piece of propaganda. File away alongside 'game changing antibody tests from amazon'.

 

[Papa Shango]

We need to start getting back to normal in my opinion.

Normal is crap. It saddens me that people still don't see this.

At first it was nice seeing people helping each other as best they could, less sneering at people, a more laid back pace to life, people being more appreciative of others and what they did have.

Now a lot of people want the hell of normality back exactly the way it was.

 

[roydo]

I suppose it depends if you believe there should be no protest at all. Distancing is necessary, but the people protesting in the main are young and know they are about as safe as crossing the road.

I have no problem with a protest. But like you say, social distancing being observed and not a peep out of me. But if that snap of London earlier is real, it isnt. (SD that is).

 

[Papa Shango]

I have no problem with a protest. But like you say, social distancing being observed and not a peep out of me. But if that snap of London earlier is real, it isnt. (SD that is).

The aerial shots seem to be a lot more grim than the ground level ones...

 

[roydo]

The aerial shots seem to be a lot more grim than the ground level ones...

Hope thats the case.

 

[Tea_drinker]

From the latest private eye:

 

[NilSatisOptimum]

This protest is absolutely nothing to do with those issues though. Look, I am not saying it not a just cause, and I am not arguing that this has been handled well.

I am saying that this protest, or more so the nature of it, is irresponsible.

Its very niave to believe these protests in the UK are just about George Floyd, his death is now a lightening rod for various oppressions around the world.

Been listening to various voices from these UK protests they are absolutely about how oppressions manifest and keep certain people in their place.

 

[davek]

From the latest private eye:
View attachment 89993View attachment 89994

He's a criminal. A murderer.

 

[Tea_drinker]

He's a criminal. A murderer.

Throws a cracking party though.

 

[TommyDavo]

I have no problem with a protest. But like you say, social distancing being observed and not a peep out of me. But if that snap of London earlier is real, it isnt. (SD that is).

As I say the majority are young and invincible.