Cummings, Johnson and this whole shit show

[James Wood]

Meanwhile in the Netherlands

Covid cases surge eightfold in the Netherlands after nightclubs reopen

Dutch government reimposes restrictions just two weeks after lifting them amid sharp rise in coronavirus infections

www.telegraph.co.uk

Quelle surprise…..

You might’ve thought by now that Johnson and his ilk would have learned that Covid doesn’t care about the economy, politics, people’s lives, their businesses.

Like all viruses and diseases, it spreads at will, without thought, guilt or a plan.

This is why at yet another crucial time we need exactly this. A plan to keep infections, hospitalisations and deaths down.

But this government has just given up. The result will be increasing chaos as tens of thousands people - some of whom will be key workers - will have to self isolate with eff all financial support

But hey-ho eh? As long as some people - no names mentioned - can enjoy their ‘freedom’ from the yoke of the onerous restrictions that have blighted their lives over recent months…,

 

[Knutsfordian]

You know what Knutsfordian, I tend to agree with you. But A complete bonfire of restrictions when daily cases are averaging 30k per day, a level not seen since the end of June?

That's why it's such a difficult call. My experience yesterday of being on a train was that most people are already voting with their feet, so to speak. On a hot summers day they have stopped wearing masks on platforms, with a few replacing masks once on the trains but not the majority by any means.

I think we have also become fixated by the statistics on Covid.

Approximately 500,000 people die every year in the UK - so that equates to what about 1300 per day? Covid deaths are up to a bout 50 per day. We need to get some perspective here. There are probably more old folks dying in care homes from loneliness and despair at not seeing families than there are covid deaths.

 

[Knutsfordian]

Quelle surprise…..

You might’ve thought by now that Johnson and his ilk would have learned that Covid doesn’t care about the economy, politics, people’s lives, their businesses.

Like all viruses and diseases, it spreads at will, without thought, guilt or a plan.

This is why at yet another crucial time we need exactly this. A plan to keep infections, hospitalisations and deaths down.

But this government has just given up. The result will be increasing chaos as tens of thousands people - some of whom will be key workers - will have to self isolate with eff all financial support

But hey-ho eh? As long as some people - no names mentioned - can enjoy their ‘freedom’ from the yoke of the onerous restrictions that have blighted their lives over recent months…,

The number of infections is up to about 50,000 per day, but hospitalisations and deaths are approximately 10% of what they were at a comparative time in the autumn wave of infections.

Either vaccinations are the way out of this cycle of the pandemic - or they are not. The most vulnerable people have been vaccinated, though there are no absolute guarantees. So do we continue to try and protect everyone or do we take a balanced risk to allow life to improve for the majority?

I think automatic quarantining should end, we should stop publishing the stats and focus on personal responsibility and awareness.

 

[James Wood]

That's why it's such a difficult call. My experience yesterday of being on a train was that most people are already voting with their feet, so to speak. On a hot summers day they have stopped wearing masks on platforms, with a few replacing masks once on the trains but not the majority by any means.

I think we have also become fixated by the statistics on Covid.

Approximately 500,000 people die every year in the UK - so that equates to what about 1300 per day? Covid deaths are up to a bout 50 per day. We need to get some perspective here. There are probably more old folks dying in care homes from loneliness and despair at not seeing families than there are covid deaths.

Cases now just under 50k per day and rising.

This will have an inevitable ripple effect on the numbers that will be asked to self isolate - the majority of whom will not be paid while they are away from work - and on businesses, NHS, transport networks, shops, restaurants et al.

All this so Johnson and his Uber rabid right-wing mates can declare 18 July ‘Freedom Day’.

Just try telling that to the tens of thousands that will be forced to stay at home self isolating thanks to yet another genius decision by this complete dickhead.

 

[James Wood]

Another Hancock lie

Another Johnson lie…,.

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[James Wood]

Cases now just under 50k per day and rising.

This will have an inevitable ripple effect on the numbers that will be asked to self isolate - the majority of whom will not be paid while they are away from work - and on businesses, NHS, transport networks, shops, restaurants et al.

All this so Johnson and his Uber rabid right-wing mates can declare 18 July ‘Freedom Day’.

Just try telling that to the tens of thousands that will be forced to stay at home self isolating thanks to yet another genius decision by this complete dickhead.

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[James Wood]

Nice to know that this government has got its priorities right.
“Little kids going hungry? Never mind, let’s crack open a bottle of that cheeky 1967 Chateau Lafayette eh?

 

[James Wood]

Another Johnson lie…,.

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??????

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[James Wood]

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Whatever happened to “following the science”.

Probably the same as other Johnson bull ? such as ‘build back better, ‘levelling up’….

Chris Whitty warns UK could be plunged back into restrictions in just 5 weeks

Speaking ahead of "Freedom Day", the Chief Medical Officer said a spike in hospitalisations could leave the NHS in "trouble again, surprisingly fast"

www.mirror.co.uk

 

[Andy]

Let’s be serious, David Schneider is scared of his own shadow!

The current situation is incomparable with last year. Most adults are now fully vaccinated, and there are vastly improved treatments available.

Cases aren’t really something that should be looked in to any more. Hospitalisations and deaths are what should be looked at.

The UK has recorded fewer Covid deaths in the past 40 days combined than just one day of cancer deaths.

Time to stop tunnel vision about Covid, and stop ignoring the major issues all around.

 

[Knutsfordian]

Cases now just under 50k per day and rising.

This will have an inevitable ripple effect on the numbers that will be asked to self isolate - the majority of whom will not be paid while they are away from work - and on businesses, NHS, transport networks, shops, restaurants et al.

All this so Johnson and his Uber rabid right-wing mates can declare 18 July ‘Freedom Day’.

Just try telling that to the tens of thousands that will be forced to stay at home self isolating thanks to yet another genius decision by this complete dickhead.

If people have been double vaccinated, I don't think people should self isolate unless they actually have covid.

We don't expect people who have come into contact with someone with Flu to self isolate, we need to get to a point where the same should apply with covid

 

[Knutsfordian]

So with the latest news that people returning from France (apparently because the AZ vaccines don't give much protection against the South African variant) will have to quarantine, no matter if they have been double vaccinated, it begs the question as to why peeps think that any foreign travel is safe.

It also begs the question as to whether the vaccines are as effective as we have been led to believe. If the vaccines are not as effective, then the whole rationale on which Freedom Day is predicated comes tumbling down.

So it looks like in around about way we are heading back into lockdown until a new solution or booster jab is delivered. Economic consequences don't bear thinking about..............

 

[James Wood]

If people have been double vaccinated, I don't think people should self isolate unless they actually have covid.

We don't expect people who have come into contact with someone with Flu to self isolate, we need to get to a point where the same should apply with covid

You know what Andy? (and prepare yourself for a shock) - I agree with you!

But it is this incompetent shower that have required people to self isolate even if they have been double jabbed and have a negative test.

And what ‘rights’ or freedoms are being breached by asking people to continue to wear face masks in public places?

Interesting to note that the likes of Tesco and Sainsbury’s will be asking customers and staff to keep wearing them. And I suspect that most restaurants, cafes, bars and other shops will be doing likewise…..

 

[James Wood]

So with the latest news that people returning from France (apparently because the AZ vaccines don't give much protection against the South African variant) will have to quarantine, no matter if they have been double vaccinated, it begs the question as to why peeps think that any foreign travel is safe.

It also begs the question as to whether the vaccines are as effective as we have been led to believe. If the vaccines are not as effective, then the whole rationale on which Freedom Day is predicated comes tumbling down.

So it looks like in around about way we are heading back into lockdown until a new solution or booster jab is delivered. Economic consequences don't bear thinking about..............

Imagine how bizarre it would be if the country with the highest daily covid rates in Europe started putting countries with lower rates back on the quarantine list, acting like those countries are the problem.

Oh wait, that’s reality for us in the U.K. ?

 

[Knutsfordian]

Imagine how bizarre it would be if the country with the highest daily covid rates in Europe started putting countries with lower rates back on the quarantine list, acting like those countries are the problem.

Oh wait, that’s reality for us in the U.K. ?

On the face of it all the Mediterranean countries should be banning UK visitors based on our current infection rates - but are compromised by their need for the £ spend on holidays - all £45 billion of it.

That said, I keep banging on that foreign travel is the curse of virus transmission. That implies inwards too. The big worry about the visitors to and from France is the South African variant which according to latest news is not affected by the AZ vaccines - which many of us have had

There would be an absolute furore if the government just said "no travel", but the reality is that all the messages really amount to encouraging people to stay at home. Just some people are incapable of reading the runes

 

[James Wood]

Monday - Johnson and his acolytes decide that it’s a great idea to ditch all formal restrictions, even though they know that hospitalisations and deaths will increase leading To further delays to elective treatment.
Tuesday - Thinking that they are on a roll, Johnson and his chums see fit cut go back on a election manifesto and reduce the amount of aid we are giving to the most vulnerable in the world, at a time that the pandemic is increasingly existing inequalities.

I wonder what the rest of the week will bring?

Denying underprivileged kids a decent meal during the school holidays?

Ending the £20 a week universal credit top up?

Oh sorry, they’ve already done those haven’t they???


#heartlesstorybastards
#levellingupmyarse

A perfect summary as to why Johnson is completely unsuited to running a jumble sale white elephant stall, never mind this (once) great nation ?

The 9 times there was one rule for Boris Johnson, and another for those he rules

Put a man like this in charge and all you get is chaos, says Fleet Street Fox

www.mirror.co.uk

 

[Andy]

It’s just a game to politicians all over the world. Don’t try and apply reason to their decisions, it’s a game you’ll lose before you even start!

 

[Knutsfordian]

If you listened to Patrick Valance and JVT tonight, what you get is straight forward answer to questions without political spin. What is also apparent is that most of the commentators don't like those answers as what they want is a continuation of the doom and gloom. They are looking at every tick and turn to find fault and twist the story to fit their agenda. None worse than Beth Rigby on Sky News.

The key message for me, was something covered in earlier posts on this thread - if not now then when? People need to take more personal responsibility and accept if they go to crowded places then there is a risk they have to manage, if necessary by walking away. If you get covid it's not the government's fault it can be avoided by standing in a meadow all on your own ad infinitum, as JVT said. But none of us want that. So suggest the bleating stops and people do what they should have done since the outset and manage their own risks !

 

[James Wood]

On the face of it all the Mediterranean countries should be banning UK visitors based on our current infection rates - but are compromised by their need for the £ spend on holidays - all £45 billion of it.

That said, I keep banging on that foreign travel is the curse of virus transmission. That implies inwards too. The big worry about the visitors to and from France is the South African variant which according to latest news is not affected by the AZ vaccines - which many of us have had

There would be an absolute furore if the government just said "no travel", but the reality is that all the messages really amount to encouraging people to stay at home. Just some people are incapable of reading the runes

How can foreign travel be the problem when much of it had effectively been prohibited for the past 18 months?

I think that you need to look much closer to home. We are now on the verge of a third wave and they all have one thing in common. Johnson’s dithering and shambolic ‘management’ of the crisis from day one.

 

[James Wood]

It’s just a game to politicians all over the world. Don’t try and apply reason to their decisions, it’s a game you’ll lose before you even start!

If we don’t challenge politicians we end up going down a very slippery and potentially dangerous slope.

You might call me melodramatic, but we need to learn a lesson from the 1920s and 30s if we are to avoid with ever more populistic, far right governments that erode the freedom of the press, judiciary, free speech, workers rights et al