O/T. The Government's handling of Covid

[Andy_Faber]

.... aand now returnees from France have to do 10 days quarantine becuse of the Beta (South African) variant which makes up for less than 10% of Fench case and is in "decline" there.

Macron said a while back that if any country took specific "anti French" measures with regard to Covid, he would reciprocate. He will.

I really think the time has come for a non-governmental department to be set up to advise the govt on Covid decisions, basically to tell them every time they make a decision that its the wrong one. Don't get this France one at all, seems to be designed to piss of the most people for the least effort (or thought)

[ramAnag]

I really think the time has come for a non-governmental department to be set up to advise the govt on Covid decisions, basically to tell them every time they make a decision that its the wrong one. Don't get this France one at all, seems to be designed to piss of the most people for the least effort (or thought)

Maybe it’s just Johnson and Co. trying to ensure they don’t repeat the Delta variant mistake and in so doing compounding their earlier error and pissing folk off all over again.
Entirely agree that it’s time for a non governmental ‘think tank’ to take over as far as advice and decision making is concerned as what we’ve currently got clearly isn’t fit for purpose.
Did you escape the floods, MA? Looks terrible.

[MadAmster]

Maybe it’s just Johnson and Co. trying to ensure they don’t repeat the Delta variant mistake and in so doing compounding their earlier error and pissing folk off all over again.
Entirely agree that it’s time for a non governmental ‘think tank’ to take over as far as advice and decision making is concerned as what we’ve currently got clearly isn’t fit for purpose.
Did you escape the floods, MA? Looks terrible.

Beta variant in decline so it's a weird decision it would seem.

Lucky with the floods, fortunately, Ra, thanks. It's the south east of the country that is suffering. 2 hours drive from here. The death tolls in Belgium and Germany are high though. 20 confirmed in Belgium, more than 125 in Germany with estimates as high as 1300 missing. Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler and Schuld are places I pass through a couple of times a year on my way to visit friends in Rhineland-Pfalz and the landslides have seen houses just disappear ins seconds. Awful.

I know that both Belgium and Holland have declared states of emergency wherein all damage not covered by insurance will be covered by the state. I don't know if Germany has followed suit.

[MadAmster]

I suppose it was only a matter of time......... some Dutch Jodrells posting on antisocial media that the floods are fake news.....

[ramAnag]

I suppose it was only a matter of time......... some Dutch Jodrells posting on antisocial media that the floods are fake news.....

At least your delusional ‘Jodrells’ are just that. Ours appear to be in Government...over 300,000 positive cases in the last week...more cases than there were last February...and it’s still ‘Freedom Day’ when restrictions are eased on Monday. ‘kin madness!

[Andy_Faber]

IMO one thing that comes over loud and clear in a series of interviews on t’t tv this am is that the scientists are significantly more professional, insightful and clear thinking than ANY of the politicians on offer, government OR opposition. It’s been an enlightening session this am

[ramAnag]

IMO one thing that comes over loud and clear in a series of interviews on t’t tv this am is that the scientists are significantly more professional, insightful and clear thinking than ANY of the politicians on offer, government OR opposition. It’s been an enlightening session this am

That’s certainly true about the Government. Not sure how you’d know about the ‘opposition’...all they can do is react to Government action and so long that’s being driven by certain backbenchers and they have the huge majority they have then the thoughts of the opposition are little more than a red herring.
Let’s be honest...the Government MAY have done well with the vaccination programme...everything else has been a shambles and today a dangerous fiasco...imo.

[Trickytreesreds]

That’s certainly true about the Government. Not sure how you’d know about the ‘opposition’...all they can do is react to Government action and so long that’s being driven by certain backbenchers and they have the huge majority they have then the thoughts of the opposition are little more than a red herring.
Let’s be honest...the Government MAY have done well with the vaccination programme...everything else has been a shambles and today a dangerous fiasco...imo.

I'd concur with that.
I feel Andy is trying to put across that the opposition doesn't have any idea either. Exactly what has has ever been proposed?
All they do is take the exact opposite stance of the government.
So no, I wouldn't be any happier with any of them, making decisions.
The scientists though, would do exactly what they want to see happen regarding the pandemic. In no way would they take stock of any consequences of economy/jobs/civil unrest etc.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Can we have a referendum?

[Andy_Faber]

Not sure how you’d know about the ‘opposition’....

. No one ‘knows’ but I’d say my opinion has value because I’m non-partisan

I always like to put it in a football context, so imagine it’s the Kenco Cup game, the forest keeper is HMG, Peschisolido is Labour, the cup is the governments workload, and the all is public opinion

And peschi misses

[ramAnag]

. No one ‘knows’ but I’d say my opinion has value because I’m non-partisan

I always like to put it in a football context, so imagine it’s the Kenco Cup game, the forest keeper is HMG, Peschisolido is Labour, the cup is the governments workload, and the all is public opinion

And peschi misses

Don’t get the football analogy...no idea how you’re any less ‘partisan’ than anyone else.

This isn’t a ‘party political’ issue...the Government has a huge majority and is deciding what happens, only all they’re now saying is...’it’s up to you’ and that has nothing to do with any of the opposition parties.
Today I’ve driven about three hundred miles and visited three food and drink ‘outlets’. There is no consistency...some want masks, others don’t...some say cash only, others say card only.
There is no leadership, people need rules...not least the poor sods who have to enforce them...but there aren’t any, just a complete abdication of responsibility.