Boris Johnson tests positive for Covid-19

[TopCat]

People can be on ventilators for 2-3 weeks before they recover or die, we are behind the curve of Italy & Spain, that are reporting around the 50/50 chance of recovery

really, it's 50 50?

 

[little_legs]

I hope he survives.

This could be a political Road To Damascus moment.

If he passes then they can argue the NHS isn't fit for purpose. Ergo, I hope he pulls through and sees the error of his ways and starts paying all "essential workers" a decent wage.

It's not impossible.

who is they?

 

[two sheds]

I'm not sure how much I believe the planning for herd immunity shit, though, in the sense that I'm far from convinced that was ever really Johnson's plan. Perhaps Cummings really believed it. I think Johnson just thought of it as something to say to justify inaction, and that the thing just wouldn't happen here. We'd somehow avoid it. Much the same was thought in Spain. So he finally about-faced when he realised no, it is going to happen here and I would have to actually do the mass-death thing, and no, I can't do that.

Still reflects incredibly badly on him.

So he finally about-faced when he realised no, it is going to happen here and I would have to actually do the mass-death thing, and no, I can't do that.

I was with you until that point [/quote]

 

[andysays]

I hope he survives.

This could be a political Road To Damascus moment.

If he passes then they can argue the NHS isn't fit for purpose. Ergo, I hope he pulls through and sees the error of his ways and starts paying all "essential workers" a decent wage.

It's not impossible.

Johnson isn't going to "see the error of his ways"

If we want things to change as a result of coronavirus, if we want all workers to be paid a decent wage, and for zero hours contracts and reliance on agency workers to be done away with, we are going to have to fight for it.

Any gains won't come about through the generosity of the ruling class, they will come about because we recognise our collective power and exert it for our collective benefit.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

I was with you until that point

[/QUOTE]
You don't have to frame it in terms of him being a nice man. You can frame it in terms of not changing tack being a political disaster that would have seen him hounded from office.

 

[BristolEcho]

I hope he survives.

This could be a political Road To Damascus moment.

If he passes then they can argue the NHS isn't fit for purpose. Ergo, I hope he pulls through and sees the error of his ways and starts paying all "essential workers" a decent wage.

It's not impossible.

I'm sorry but one of them becoming Ill is not going to make them change their ways. Nor will this pandemic.

They know what the money is like at the bottom. Their funds come directly from the people and organisations that have profited from our labour. They aren't going to give all that up as everything their power is built upon will not allow it.

The only way to change that is for people to push back up. Not blindly hope they will see the error of their ways and suddenly allow workers more rights, reduced rents, etc.

 

[ViolentPanda]

really, it's 50 50?

Given his booze intake (supposedly a case of claret a week, at least), and the effect that will have had on his liver and his waistline, less than 50/50.

 

[ViolentPanda]

I'm sorry but one of them becoming Ill is not going to make them change their ways. Nor will this pandemic.

They know what the money is like at the bottom. Their funds come directly from the people and organisations that have profited from our labour. They aren't going to give all that up as everything their power is built upon will not allow it.

The only way to change that is for people to push back up. Not blindly hope they will see the error of their ways and suddenly allow workers more rights, reduced rents, etc.

The only thing that might bring change, is if they pass away in the Commons (and in the Conservative Associations) with the same prevalence as in the community (or greater), private healthcare or not.

Here's hoping.

 

[Serge Forward]

Johnson isn't going to "see the error of his ways"

If we want things to change as a result of coronavirus, if we want all workers to be paid a decent wage, and for zero hours contracts and reliance on agency workers to be done away with, we are going to have to fight for it.

Any gains won't come about through the generosity of the ruling class, they will come about because we recognise our collective power and exert it for our collective benefit.

Close the thread. Nailed it.

 

[andysays]

I'm sorry but one of them becoming Ill is not going to make them change their ways. Nor will this pandemic.

They know what the money is like at the bottom. Their funds come directly from the people and organisations that have profited from our labour. They aren't going to give all that up as everything their power is built upon will not allow it.

The only way to change that is for people to push back up. Not blindly hope they will see the error of their ways and suddenly allow workers more rights, reduced rents, etc.

And my experience over recent days is that some people who haven't particularly spoken like that before are beginning to do so now

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Given his booze intake (supposedly a case of claret a week, at least), and the effect that will have had on his liver and his waistline, less than 50/50.

He's relatively young, though, by c19 terms, and they should have caught it early because, unlike others self-isolating with symptoms, he will have been monitored by doctors the whole time.

 

[BristolEcho]

And my experience over recent days is that some people who haven't particularly spoken like that before are beginning to do so now

There is definitely groundwork being laid.
(Or stuff being built on the groundwork that was already there.)

 

[little_legs]

 

[lizzieloo]

He's relatively young, though, by c19 terms, and they should have caught it early because, unlike others self-isolating with symptoms, he will have been monitored by doctors the whole time.

He probably doesn't have covid 19 any more, it'll be his own immune system trying to kill him now

The Coronavirus Patients Betrayed by Their Own Immune Systems (Published 2020)

A “cytokine storm” becomes an all-too-frequent phenomenon, particularly among the young. But treatments are being tested.

www.nytimes.com

 

[MrSki]

It's all about whether he has a glass chin isn't it?

 

[keybored]

Worth it for the comments alone.

 

[editor]

Hard to disagree with this summary

 

[AverageJoe]

Well. My optimistic post went well there didn't it.

Im not very good at politix. Soz.

 

[lefteri]

really, it's 50 50?

it’s slightly worse odds than that in his age bracket

what i’m not sure of is how many of those who recover from the extreme form are left with permanent damage like pulmonary fibrosis - my dad died from this and the average life expectancy after contracting it is 3-4 years

 

[pesh]

Trump has announced America is sending thoughts and prayers so maybe that will balance it back out.

 

[Wilf]

I get what you mean. But he wasn't an MP during the austerity shit Cameron and Osborne brought in (or am I wrong?)

yes, you are. He's been an mp, mayor, cabinet minister and PM since 2001. Mayor of London and then more senior posts since 2008 and so in the top 3 or 4 Tories from before austerity.

 

[Wilf]

That killing people was preferable to placing restrictions on economic activity. His stupidity (and that of the cabinet) is that there wasn't really a choice about restricting the economy, because the pandemic would have done it anyway. His moral failing was his disregard for life.

This.

 

[Petcha]

yes, you are. He's been an mp, mayor, cabinet minister and PM since 2001. Mayor of London and then more senior posts since 2008 and so in the top 3 or 4 Tories from before austerity.

He's definitely had a fairly mixed career, jumping in and out of parliament, so I think in some ways we're both right. Like myself he keeps getting sacked or 'moved on'.

This time for good by the looks.

 

[Detroit City]

i hope he loses a couple of pounds and gets a decent haircut while in hospital

 

[AnnO'Neemus]

I have no wish to shuffle off just yet, but I'm under no illusions as to what would happen if it was a toss up between me and a 30 year old for the last ventilator.

A lot of experience of barrier nursing back in the day has come in handy now.

Do you have any tips to share, Sas, above and above wash your hands for 20 seconds in the correct manner?

 

[Wilf]

So what else can we let him/the government off with both now and in the future? They can surely just shrug and go we "we followed the advice of the experts" for everything if you allow that to wash. "Economy problems? What do I know I'm just a journalist?"

I mean he couldn't even follow the advice not to shake people's hands which was pretty basic.

I think it's pretty clear they didn't take it that seriously to begin with and wanted to ensure the flow of capital. That some people would die along the way which was acceptable collateral and they thought they could get away with that politically. When it was clear this wouldn't work and would be a disaster they fell in line and then started to blame the general public.

It again all feeds into that belief that they are untouchable. It won't happen to them.

I think you're letting the government off to easily.

Yes, this is absolutely about Johnson et al keeping uk capital flowing, risk taking neoliberalism and some kind of continuity Brexit bullishness.

 

[Streathamite]

I don’t think anyone’s necessarily prioritising them Jez, but there’s no need to put them beyond comment either. As you suggest, we are living in depressing times indeed and having the bad news delivered by robots with the screen appeal of Lurch is a source of mild ironic amusement to many. Reprimanding people who comment on suchlike is a uniquely hypocritical U75 phenomena indulged in by certain posters to certain posters, but overlooked when it's done by posters they otherwise approve of.

Totally fair comment -all you say taken in board.
Mind, her own stupidity has done for her as CMO!

 

[lefteri]

i hope he loses a couple of pounds and gets a decent haircut while in hospital

there is a hairdressers, on the ground floor next to phlebotomy

 

[Sprocket.]

Trump has announced America is sending thoughts and prayers so maybe that will balance it back out.

Only if Kenneth Copeland is leading the righteous rant.

 

[Pickman's model]

He's relatively young, though, by c19 terms, and they should have caught it early because, unlike others self-isolating with symptoms, he will have been monitored by doctors the whole time.

As you've pointed out above I think, there's no actual treatment for cv so catching it early not that handy