(01-13-2021, 10:33 PM)Derek Hardballs Wrote: We are such an apathetic country, we seem to be accepting an appalling record on the handling of this pandemic with a shrug of our shoulders. Not to mention the arseholes who won’t stick to the rules and similar who want everything back to normal many of which sit on the Tory benches.

Ossian Wrote:The infection numbers - at least those detected - seem to be plateauing, albeit from a very high level. If that trend wasn't showing by now we would really be up against the wall (even more so than we are already). If it continues the government had better not be so bloody stupid as to contemplate relaxing restrictions earlier than suggested; if anything, if it doesn't continue downwards, things will need to be locked down even tighter.

The last thing we need is for Boris to have another of his 'Look, I told you it's going to be okay' outbursts, followed by some ill-advised tinkering.

(01-14-2021, 03:02 PM)Tom Joad Wrote:

Ossian Wrote:The infection numbers - at least those detected - seem to be plateauing, albeit from a very high level. If that trend wasn't showing by now we would really be up against the wall (even more so than we are already). If it continues the government had better not be so bloody stupid as to contemplate relaxing restrictions earlier than suggested; if anything, if it doesn't continue downwards, things will need to be locked down even tighter.

The last thing we need is for Boris to have another of his 'Look, I told you it's going to be okay' outbursts, followed by some ill-advised tinkering.

When you think, this is on the back of lockdowns, tiers and another lockdown. It just shows how this thing spreads.

Derek Hardballs Wrote:

Tom Joad Wrote:

Ossian Wrote:The infection numbers - at least those detected - seem to be plateauing, albeit from a very high level. If that trend wasn't showing by now we would really be up against the wall (even more so than we are already). If it continues the government had better not be so bloody stupid as to contemplate relaxing restrictions earlier than suggested; if anything, if it doesn't continue downwards, things will need to be locked down even tighter.

The last thing we need is for Boris to have another of his 'Look, I told you it's going to be okay' outbursts, followed by some ill-advised tinkering.

When you think, this is on the back of lockdowns, tiers and another lockdown. It just shows how this thing spreads.

Lockdown? 

Since September...

Schools were open until late Dec - around 30% of kids still going to school as 'key workers' 
Uni's open to late Dec (well halls of residence)
Takeaway food outlets open
Manufacturers of all sorts many of which aren't vital at this time still open
Construction sites still open
Colleges open to late Dec
Nurseries - still open - no testing
Airports, Tunnel, Ferries open with some restrictions - still faffing about closing routes to Brazil and South Africa
Elite team sports still running, hugging, kissing and cuddling each other when they celebrate a goal / win etc

The idea we have had a tough lockdown is nonsense (I know you didn't say we were TJ) and one of the reasons we are 'World Beating' at spreading the virus, deaths from virus and have a struggling economy. Unpopular decisions were needed but this government of Populists and libertarians have to be dragged by public opinion to make difficult decisions.

(01-15-2021, 08:51 AM)baggy1 Wrote: 16th Sept - 929
23rd Sept - 1,439 (1.55 x previous week)
30th Sept - 2,036 (1.41 x pw)
7th Oct - 3,066 (1.51 x pw)
14th Oct - 4,313 (1.41 x pw)
21st Oct - 6,271 (1.45 x pw)
28th Oct - 9,070 (1.45 x pw)
4th Nov - 11,037 (1.22 x pw)
11th Nov - 12,730 (1.15 x pw)
18th Nov - 14,490 (1.14 x pw)
25th Nov - 14,240 (0.98 x pw)
2nd Dec - 13,212 (0.93 x pw)
9th Dec -  13,467 (1.02 x pw)
16th Dec - 15,465 (1.15 x pw)
23rd Dec - 17,834 (1.15 x pw)
30th Dec - 22,713 (1.27 x pw)
6th Jan - 27,727 (1.22 x pw)
13th Jan - 32,689 (1.18 x pw)

Another 5k added to the number in hospital this week but the 'good' news is that the % increase is slowing down however it is now at the rate that we had just before Christmas so the recent higher rates could have been due to the Christmas get togethers.



I've attached a picture of the Aston Expressway yesterday, in the Highways Agency command centre in Quinton they had 4,000 logs (incidents) on the motorways and they had to open up the managed sections of the M42. If we are in lockdown then there must be an immense number of key workers travelling around.

Added to that there was also the wonderful MP Steve Baker who sent out a letter to all conservative MPs calling for action after the cabinet and covid strategy 'hammers freedom, hammers the private sector, hammers small business owners and hammers the poor' where the 'Government has adopted a strategy devoid of any commitment to our liberty' and basically asking for Boris' head. 

The covid deniers have changed their names to 'lockdown skeptics' now and their new tack is that we have herd immunity and cases peaked before the lockdown. The reason we are so fucked in this country is mainly due to the absolute fuck up of a government who didn't act swiftly enough at any stage and those that didn't like the restrictions on their 'liberties' constantly pissing in the ear of MPs and spouting their 'undeniable facts' on twitter en masse.

Add to that the news that indication is that immunity from having had covid only lasts about 6 months means that herd immunity is only ever a short lived thing it's been a pretty crappy week overall.

To end on a positive note, and to give the government some credit, the vaccine roll out is moving well. There are some glitches, old people being asked to travel miles, some strange reasons for people getting the vaccine ahead of others, and some vaccines being thrown away, but this is a massive operation and there will be problems. We seem to be leading the way on it - I really hope this works because we are fucked without it based on the way the population and govt have reacted to the crisis.