The Covid19 thread

[Bibio]

expect another lockdown in Scotland sometime soon. Covid19 running rampant again and the Scottish Gov and media are not reporting it. some schools being closed due to it.

[Ruffy]

Some interesting and quite astounding stuff coming out of Cummings at the MP inquiry session today!

Controversy that's probably not going to go away too easily (even allowing for the somewhat compromised credibility of the individual offering it up).

[Seeker]

Originally Posted by Ruffy

Some interesting and quite astounding stuff coming out of Cummings at the MP inquiry session today!

Controversy that's probably not going to go away too easily (even allowing for the somewhat compromised credibility of the individual offering it up).

"Naturally, I wrote to my MP under the headline:
"Cummings versus Johnson"

"Now this is a difficult one because BoZo (and some members of the Cabinet) have a track record of lying and Cummings' Barnard Castle visit and associated story reduces his credibility.

Still, lockdown was too slow, Boris did say he would continue shaking hands, the covid messaging has usually been confusing (and continues to be so), Hancock/Truss have indulged in cronyism. BoZo won't hold an inquiry until he thinks its results will surface after the next election."

I would say that Cummings is the more believable out of the two.

My MP (Martin Vickers) never responds any more but since I've sent him in the region of 80 emails since the beginning of March, I understand. Still, I feel he needs to understand what (one member of) his constituency is thinking. He always votes the party line irrespective of his beliefs, his moral compass long since broken.

______

On another covid related note, I didn't know that to travel you needed a PCR test from a private provider. One NHS worker who is tested regularly (by the NHS) found that it wasn't sufficient and was refused boarding. More jobs for Tory friends, perhaps?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57243205

[Seeker]

another winner from Larry and Paul.

https://youtu.be/IEzvDvIGVPM

[Dave20046]

Originally Posted by Seeker

"Naturally, I wrote to my MP under the headline:
"Cummings versus Johnson"

"Now this is a difficult one because BoZo (and some members of the Cabinet) have a track record of lying and Cummings' Barnard Castle visit and associated story reduces his credibility.

Still, lockdown was too slow, Boris did say he would continue shaking hands, the covid messaging has usually been confusing (and continues to be so), Hancock/Truss have indulged in cronyism. BoZo won't hold an inquiry until he thinks its results will surface after the next election."

I would say that Cummings is the more believable out of the two.

My MP (Martin Vickers) never responds any more but since I've sent him in the region of 80 emails since the beginning of March, I understand. Still, I feel he needs to understand what (one member of) his constituency is thinking. He always votes the party line irrespective of his beliefs, his moral compass long since broken.

______

On another covid related note, I didn't know that to travel you needed a PCR test from a private provider. One NHS worker who is tested regularly (by the NHS) found that it wasn't sufficient and was refused boarding. More jobs for Tory friends, perhaps?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57243205

I actually think the scene he's setting explains the Barnard Castle debarkle a bit more. If your boss is saying it's all pish, and isn't even attending the meetings (because it's more productive for him not to be there) and others are all on their jollies skiing - why wouldn't you think feck it and nip to a historic castle to visit your fellow ghouls?

[DJ123]

Cummings has nothing to lose, and really nothing to gain from slating off those in power simply for the sake of it. He's highlighted nothing we didn't already think true of the inept planning/response & last minute decisions throughout.
He's not perfect/immune of criticism himself, but was also not responsible as the MP's are for guiding the Country and making the decisions. He's only an advisor to Johnson who's political career has been made following what people want and jumping on the bandwagon.

[Dave20046]

Originally Posted by DJ123

Cummings has nothing to lose, and really nothing to gain from slating off those in power simply for the sake of it. He's highlighted nothing we didn't already think true of the inept planning/response & last minute decisions throughout.
He's not perfect/immune of criticism himself, but was also not responsible as the MP's are for guiding the Country and making the decisions. He's only an advisor to Johnson who's political career has been made following what people want and jumping on the bandwagon.

Agreed, it's all very believable

[redtrummy]

My two penny worth. From what DC is saying sounds pretty plausible (not sure about the Durham trip) I kept saying to the wife why have the airports not been closed. Bo Jo eventually stated that the small number coming into the country would not make much difference. He was probably paying homage to his cronies and paymasters.
He visited a local school with his minders close to were I live, one week later there was a covid outbreak.
But people still vote for him.

[Ruffy]

Originally Posted by DJ123

Cummings has nothing to lose, and really nothing to gain from slating off those in power simply for the sake of it. He's highlighted nothing we didn't already think true of the inept planning/response & last minute decisions throughout.

I actually think he had virtually nothing to gain if correct but something significant to lose if proven wrong (e.g. reputation, employability). Classic whistleblower's dilemma.

Originally Posted by Dave20046

Agreed, it's all very believable

Originally Posted by redtrummy

... what DC is saying sounds pretty plausible (not sure about the Durham trip)

So I tend to subscribe to this view too. I admit I had a dim view of him previously, based on the Durham fiasco and a bit of (blind) faith that the system couldn't be that bad in reality despite what the naysayers proclaim. But it does appear that his personal integrity is fairly reasonable after all.

I do wholeheartedly agree with his observation that the governmental system is unfit for purpose - IMHO, Politics is way too polarised, over simplistic and based on individuals' populist persona & ideology rather than the actual issues and policies, with only a limited selection for electorate to pick from - You can never please everybody so it's about time they stop pretending to always have the perfect answer, all of 'em - 'best of a bad bunch' isn't really good 'choice'.

The saddest thing for me is that my cynicism means I don't believe for a second that this'll lead to proper reflection, honest review and, if necessary, radical regime overhaul, despite this being potentially one of the most scandalous event sets in recent political history.

[Seeker]

Anyone keeping a variant tally?

1) Original Chinese
2) UK (B.1.1.7 aka Alpha)
3) South African (B.1.351 aka Beta)
4) Indian (B.1.617 and B.1.617.2 aka Delta)
5) Brazilian (P1 ? aka Gamma)

and now #6 - the Nepal variant https://uk.news.yahoo.com/uk-sees-mo...201125581.html

just make it stop, please.