Coronavirus in the UK - news, lockdown and discussion

[LDC]

I think vaccine passports is another way they're throwing the responsibility on to us.

I think you're right, places will be shit at checking them as they are with masks, and plenty of people will treat it like the 'check-in' to venues thing we had ages ago, a notice up to be largely ignored or opt in if you want/can be arsed, and that suits the government who want as little inteference in 'business as usual' as they can get away with.

Carry on as normal, wear a mask a bit and flash your phone to someone every so often.

 

[existentialist]

As johnson et al end up twiddling with the regs again, it just reminds you how common sense went out of the window - never even got inside the window - with something as simple as masks. Particularly in light of the latest info on how effective they are in controlling infection, masks are the cheap/just about no downside measure that could have been in place throughout. Aside from those with medical exemptions as well as well as the loons, we could be in a situation now where everybody wears one every time they go out. It would have become a normal, self protective, community minded thing to do. And how many lives would have been saved, along with all those who might have avoided long covid?

We've had discussions about governments ambiguity on masks as an ideological thing. But the failure to normalise mas wearing is just rank bad governance.

I was struck by something this morning, as I walked through a fairly packed waiting room at the GP surgery: for all the numbers of people claiming "exempt" status re mask wearing around supermarkets, etc., only very, very few of those at the surgery were unmasked, and/or claiming exemption. Funny, that, eh?

 

[kabbes]

Fortnightly COVID meeting this morning, which I’m finding a useful way of taking the pulse of how capital is reacting. Highlights:

European offices are mostly WFH again now anyway, so U.K. is where decisions have to be made

Despite mandate to RTO 3/5 days (which in truth had reached a steady 2 or 2.5 in practice), the last week has seen numbers fall off a cliff. People seem to be making their own minds up. Decision not to press on this, but simply let people continue to decide for themselves until the new year and revisit the situation.

The office has lots and lots of social distance so it isn’t seen as a problem for people to be in there, but concerns that people might not be doing the mandated twice-weekly LFTs, so should there be evidence required? Also, should there be a vaccination policy? Also, do we need reminders to wear masks in lifts, that kind of thing? Recognition that the real problem is getting to the office more than being there. All in all, the mood music was way more concerned than it has been since some time in early 2021, but nobody even suggested that should require WFH.

Fortnightly meetings switched to weekly for more rapid assessment of ongoing situation.

 

[kabbes]

Oh, and our data still shows pretty low infection levels in UK, particularly compared with other European offices, but for the first time, doubt was raised as to whether this was just people in the UK not bothering to tell us that they had it

 

[2hats]

Data indicate rising numbers of cases, including omicron, on our campus(es). Work from home (if you can) instruction issued; told to anticipate further guidance from the government within the next 24 hours.

 

[2hats]

6pm Downing Street press conference announced.

 

[cupid_stunt]

Downing Street press conference today with Johnson, time not yet announced, possible introduction of more restrictions.

Finally it's been confirmed for 6pm today.

 

[_Russ_]

I can't even watch him any more, it makes me feel physically ill

 

[Kevbad the Bad]

I can't even watch him any more, it makes me feel physically ill

It makes me feel physically violent.

 

[elbows]

I can still force myself to watch them, by playing read between the lines and spot the bullshit.

 

[elbows]

"The remorseless logic of exponential growth."

 

[elbows]

Oh god, daily tests for contacts instead of isolation.

 

[Steel Icarus]

"Do whatever we can..."
sets out many, many caveats

 

[Balbi]

don't call it a lockdown, it's been here for years

 

[Hollis]

I'm not sure I can keep up with Covid any more..

So are the latest measures about protecting the NHS capacity?

I increasingly get fatalistic that I'm going to get it sooner or later... some to have been a lot of near misses in the last couple weeks - been pinged twice and people from work getting it..

 

[elbows]

So are the latest measures about protecting the NHS capacity?

Yes, they dont tend to act unless there is a very real threat on that front.

 

[elbows]

Paying tribute to Allegra probably scores highly on the tone deaf side of things.

 

[Steel Icarus]

Paying tribute to Allegra probably scores highly on the tone deaf side of things.

Disgusting.

 

[Johnny Doe]

Paying tribute to Allegra probably scores highly on the tone deaf side of things.

Yup, again the brass neck, that he cares so little what normal people think that he's going to send the message they'll look after their own, in that room, today.

 

[Steel Icarus]

No Chris, you are NOT "going early". Early was a week ago.

 

[elbows]

No Chris, you are NOT "going early". Early was a week ago.

Earlier than at the equivalent stage of similar original strain/variant case numbers than with previous waves, but also weaker, and still not as early as it could have been.

 

[Supine]

Looks like i need to work out how quickly I can exit this job and get myself home. I didn’t think wfh would be back today but happy it is. They must be worried.

Good to see the press being hard on the clown. Stupid fucker.

 

[weepiper]

I'll just point out again that nothing he is announcing today isn't anything we haven't already been doing in Scotland all along. How's his Freedom Day looking as a decision now, huh?

Edit, except work from home guidance, although Nicola Sturgeon put that back in formally last week, and it's always been kept in a 'if you can do this then do it' tone of voice here.

 

[elbows]

Yup, again the brass neck, that he cares so little what normal people think that he's going to send the message they'll look after their own, in that room, today.

He's said it again! "We will miss her".

 

[elbows]

I'll just point out again that nothing he is announcing today isn't anything we haven't already been doing in Scotland all along. How's his Freedom Day looking as a decision now, huh?

Edit, except work from home guidance, although Nicola Sturgeon put that back in formally last week, and it's always been kept in a 'if you can do this then do it' tone of voice here.

Work from home guidance clearly got a bit too slack in Scotland though since Sturgeon felt the need to tighten up and re-ephasise that yesterday.

 

[Steel Icarus]

He's said it again! "We will miss her".

And "she did some great things during her time in government"

 

[Steel Icarus]

I actually want to know (cos I'm tired of this party bollocks) if WFH is going to apply to me. My colleagues don't think education will come under the "WFH" umbrella

 

[Supine]

And "she did some great things during her time in government"

She got hired to be government spokesperson and never actually gave a speech before getting moved. Stunning job performance

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

I actually want to know (cos I'm tired of this party bollocks) if WFH is going to apply to me. My colleagues don't think education will come under the "WFH" umbrella

I’ve already had an email from the uni saying they believe education will be exempt and the graduation ceremonies we’ve been doing this week will continue along with everything else

 

[elbows]

Work from home if you can but still go to the Christmas party is going to be ridiculed.