O/T:- ⚠️Impressed with the leadership [The UK Party Politics Thread]

[Magpies1959]

Honest question, regardless of which political party is in power. Who thinks we should continue wearing masks, (when covid has worn itself out) to maybe prevent deaths from flu.

[BigFatPie]

BFP the evidence is readily available from stats given by the South African's. This Omicron variant is much milder than previous ones which is what you expect from a virus. There do seem to be people out there happy to revel in lockdowns and restrictions. Drakeford and Sturgeon to name but two.

Yes the evidence suggests its milder, but more contagious, I’ve posted some of the research myself.

That doesn’t mean you let people do what they like or trust ‘personal responsibility’ whatever that means on a night where people tend to drink a lot. As I said, we don’t want a large percentage of our health workers and teachers off work come January.

But you know as well as I do that Johnson isn’t making his decisions based on evidence, he’s making them based on what he thinks will keep him in a job.

[GEZMAN]

Really? What are the medical qualifications of those backbenchers? Has Steve Baker got himself a phd in epidemiology but not told anyone?

The same Steve Baker who was the chief architect of global financing and asset service platforms at Lehman Brothers, 2006–2008, the same Lehman Brothers whose bankruptcy in 2008 is thought to have played a major role in the unfolding of the financial crisis of 2007–2008.

Ideal CV to provide 'expert' advice.......................

[Magpies1959]

BFP I am of the thinking, if Mr Johnson said Notts County play their home games at Meadow Lane you would beg to differ 🤣

[jackal2]

The idea that you can only look after one of the economy or people’s health is a myth.

I couldn't agree more, which is why it makes sense to strongly advise people to take sensible precautions advised by the medical experts, including wearing masks and limiting their social interactions and travelling less than they would normally, but not to legally impose restrictions that cripple businesses only just recovering from the previous lockdown. The original lockdown restrictions were more justifiable because we didn't have the protection of vaccines at that point, but now we’re in a different place.

Yes the evidence suggests its milder, but more contagious, I’ve posted some of the research myself. That doesn’t mean you let people do what they like or trust ‘personal responsibility’.

I simply disagree. Yes, trusting people to exercise personal responsibility is a risk and not all will, but that’s the price of living in a free country as opposed to one where the Government imposes all sorts of restrictions. Right-wing and left-wing authoritarian governments and dictators will always claim that the restrictions they impose are ‘in the public interest’ or ‘protecting the public’, but it doesn’t mean we should believe them or accept it happening here.

[jackal2]

Honest question, regardless of which political party is in power. Who thinks we should continue wearing masks, (when covid has worn itself out) to maybe prevent deaths from flu.

I've worn my mask on public transport and when moving about in particularly busy areas, and I must admit I've gone longer without a cold/cough than I've ever done, so anecdotally it may have benefitted me and I might continue to do so, on public transport at least, but it has to be a personal choice, not a legal requirement.

[magpie_mania]

I've worn my mask on public transport and when moving about in particularly busy areas, and I must admit I've gone longer without a cold/cough than I've ever done, so anecdotally it may have benefitted me and I might continue to do so, on public transport at least, but it has to be a personal choice, not a legal requirement.

Who benefits from masks - the wearers or others nearby? I too have not had a cough for longer than many years, but I think it's not just because I have worn a mask but because others have too.

Regarding Whitty etc., their role has been to advise from a medical point of view. The Govt then have to decide what to do based on their advice. It is clear I think that Boris has decided to take the route which will be best for him. I trust the scientists, I don't the PM.

[Elite_Pie]

I've worn my mask on public transport and when moving about in particularly busy areas, and I must admit I've gone longer without a cold/cough than I've ever done, so anecdotally it may have benefitted me and I might continue to do so, on public transport at least, but it has to be a personal choice, not a legal requirement.

Disagree. If it is proved masks that are effective against containing the virus (pick your own Googled 'proof' either way) then it has to be a legal requirement. I absolutely hate wearing the bloody things, but common sense tells me they can either do good or do nothing. I just don't see how they can have an adverse effect, so as annoying as they are we should take the safe option. I liken it to the wearing of seat belts and obeying speed limits when driving. Since both were made law the number of road fatalities has declined. Do you also think that wearing a seat belt and sticking to the speed limit should be a matter of personal choice?

[BigFatPie]

I couldn't agree more, which is why it makes sense to strongly advise people to take sensible precautions advised by the medical experts, including wearing masks and limiting their social interactions and travelling less than they would normally, but not to legally impose restrictions that cripple businesses only just recovering from the previous lockdown. The original lockdown restrictions were more justifiable because we didn't have the protection of vaccines at that point, but now we’re in a different place.



I simply disagree. Yes, trusting people to exercise personal responsibility is a risk and not all will, but that’s the price of living in a free country as opposed to one where the Government imposes all sorts of restrictions. Right-wing and left-wing authoritarian governments and dictators will always claim that the restrictions they impose are ‘in the public interest’ or ‘protecting the public’, but it doesn’t mean we should believe them or accept it happening here.

It’s nothing to do with dictators it’s a question of do I go to the pub on New Years Eve or not? If so how do I exercise ‘caution’? If lots of people decide to stay at home, who compensates businesses on the loss of trade on the busiest night of the year? What happens if already stretched health and education services have loads of people off work?

To the government, the big difference between advice and shutting places down is that if they do it compulsorily they have to pay out, which I think is probably what a low taxation ideologue like Sunak wants to avoid. Typically short term thinking.

[BigFatPie]

The same Steve Baker who was the chief architect of global financing and asset service platforms at Lehman Brothers, 2006–2008, the same Lehman Brothers whose bankruptcy in 2008 is thought to have played a major role in the unfolding of the financial crisis of 2007–2008.

Ideal CV to provide 'expert' advice.......................

Yep. Generally speaking, if you’re on the same side of an argument as that clown you are struggling.