Coronavirus in the UK - news, lockdown and discussion

[MrSki]

Hopefully it is settling down. Just heard a Dr from the NW on 5Live saying they have only had one Covid-19 admission today which is a good sign but is only one person's pov. & only from one part of the country. I have been trying to socially isolate but have had five nurses, four paramedics & one doctor round my gaff in the last 24 hours. I am waiting for the partridge in the non existant pear tree!

 

[krtek a houby]

Whilst internet fora undoubtedly provides some intellectual discussion and occasional erudite wit, unfortunately, it also provides a platform to a number of insignificant people who in the real world wouldn't even give one a second glance, never mind confront them with derogatory remarks. These people (I'm being kind in using the word ''people'') spend their entire waking lives flitting between so called ''social media'' sites, hiding behind the cloaks of anonymity for the sole purpose of scribing at best, one liner puerile insults aimed primarily at those who don't happen to concur with their narrow minded beliefs. In some cases, there doesn't even have to be a reason for this type of behaviour pattern, it may be as simple as having being bullied at school, or being an underachiever et al.

Then of course there are the ''Politically Correct'' apparatchiks who police the internet in the vain hope they might find some form of minor indiscretion which they can capitalise on to forward their Orwellian agendas. A typical example falling foul of the aforementioned being the ex Essex cricketer, Don Topley, who was dismissed from the BBC commentary team for reciting a harmless cricketing ode at a ''private'' college after dinner speech. Apparently he had incurred the wrath of some feminist drudge, no man would afford a second glance to, who seized upon the opportunity to grab her 15 mins. of fame by walking out and complaining on Twitter, or some other such media platform.

If its any consolation, I think you're right, I should and will fuck off, if for no other reason, I don't subscribe to Mutual Admiration Societies.

Boredom and pseuds. The pandemic has a lot to answer for.

 

[Spandex]

Aaarrrggh. I'm sick of hearing the phrase Following Scientific Advice. It's the new Get Brexit Done, a seemingly meaningful form of words that a few seconds thought reveal to be meaningless. We'll continue hearing it endlessly as it's used by everyone in government to dodge all responsibility for everything that's gone wrong. And I suspect it'll be quite effective. What hope do we have? Sir Keir's forensic brain? I'm not putting any hope in that.

 

[Mrs Miggins]

I noticed last week the buses were busier and I think they are running fewer buses. Prior to last week it seemed like there were loads of buses all with 0 1 2 or 3 people on them. Last week it was more like between 5 and 10 people on each. Would you say the are fewer buses?

I don't think so. There are certainly fewer buses than normal but I don't think the frequency has changed since the start of the lockdown. I'm waiting the same amount of time for the 133 as I was 3 weeks ago which is around 10-15 mins rather than 5-6. There are just more people out.

Traffic on Brixton Hill this morning is almost at pre-lockdown levels. Big queue of cars stretching all the way up and down the hill.

 

[purenarcotic]

Not go to work. This is fucked. I hadn’t realised that people were still using public transport as it seems impossible to practice social distancing on it

In Birmingham it’s easy. In the mornings most of the time there’s only four or five people on. In the afternoons maybe 10 on a really busy day. Sometimes I have been the only one on a bus. I wear gloves so I’m not directly touching any surfaces, wash my hands when I get into work and shower as soon as I get home.

 

[peterkro]

I don't think so. There are certainly fewer buses than normal but I don't think the frequency has changed since the start of the lockdown. I'm waiting the same amount of time for the 133 as I was 3 weeks ago which is around 10-15 mins rather than 5-6. There are just more people out.

Traffic on Brixton Hill this morning is almost at pre-lockdown levels. Big queue of cars stretching all the way up and down the hill.

Traffic on The Embankment considerably heavier than recently as well.

 

[quimcunx]

Traffic on Brixton Hill this morning is almost at pre-lockdown levels. Big queue of cars stretching all the way up and down the hill.

This concerns me. Lockdown advice hasn't changed so who are all these people? Its rush hour so more likely to be work related than visiting elderly relatives. Maybe its middle management who think it's only me in the office but I must go in!

Maybe the police should be checking on this demographic rather concentrating on people sat on a bench.

 

[ash]

This concerns me. Lockdown advice hasn't changed so who are all these people? Its rush hour so more likely to be work related than visiting elderly relatives. Maybe its middle management who think it's only me in the office but I must go in!

Maybe the police should be checking on this demographic rather concentrating on people sat on a bench.

And on the ‘daily briefing’ we are big told that public transport numbers are way down on normal !

 

[quimcunx]

And on the ‘daily briefing’ we are big told that public transport numbers are way down on normal !

I suppose it could be people who normally use PT to get to work, then seeing how busy buses are now are using their cars to distance, but I suspect both bus passenger and cars have increased for the same reason. I'd like to know what that reason is.

 

[Cid]

I noticed an increase in traffic in Sheffield too yesterday... At about 14:10, so fuck knows who they all were - Small business stuff probably. Town also not as empty as it was (I popped in to fail to go to the bank, though I live 15 minutes away in any case).

 

[Numbers]

My wife and I had to go to the vet y/day. We were both utterly flabbergasted as to how busy it was, both cars & pedestrians. Whilst some of the shops had queues outside people were no more than a cpl of feet from one another, other shops had multiple people in, groups of people hanging out/talking (and didn’t look like they were from the same household).

This was Canning Town.

 

[Mrs Miggins]

This concerns me. Lockdown advice hasn't changed so who are all these people? Its rush hour so more likely to be work related than visiting elderly relatives. Maybe its middle management who think it's only me in the office but I must go in!

Maybe the police should be checking on this demographic rather concentrating on people sat on a bench.

I don't know and it is extremely concerning. Ive been fine going to work on the bus because the buses were empty. Now I'm uncomfortable. I may have to start walking both ways as it was not possible to properly social distance this morning.

They don't look like middle management. They all look like ordinary people. Most probably going to work - to regular jobs. Maybe a lot of them were walking before but jumping on the bus now it's free. That doesn't explain the increased traffic though.

I'm upset this morning. Very upset. I've had a little weep after picking up my scrubs from the big marquee at the back of the hospital.

 

[Petcha]

My wife and I had to go to the vet y/day. We were both utterly flabbergasted as to how busy it was, both cars & pedestrians. Whilst some of the shops had queues outside people were no more than a cpl of feet from one another, other shops had multiple people in, groups of people hanging out/talking (and didn’t look like they were from the same household).

This was Canning Town.

People have reached breaking point. If the government could figure out how to be, well, a government, and gave us a proper target date I think people would be more compliant.

In saying that, in my area we don't have any of what you describe. Everyone seems to be being good. Although personally I really don't how much longer I can last.

 

[SpookyFrank]

Aaarrrggh. I'm sick of hearing the phrase Following Scientific Advice. It's the new Get Brexit Done, a seemingly meaningful form of words that a few seconds thought reveal to be meaningless. We'll continue hearing it endlessly as it's used by everyone in government to dodge all responsibility for everything that's gone wrong. And I suspect it'll be quite effective. What hope do we have? Sir Keir's forensic brain? I'm not putting any hope in that.

It sounds like they mean, we are doing what the science tells us (science, it's important to note here, is not just a big instruction manual for the universe; it's a process and and one which is designed to continually dismantle orthodoxies, not create them) but they're actually saying, a scientist told us a thing and now we're doing a thing.

 

[Mrs Miggins]

And on the ‘daily briefing’ we are big told that public transport numbers are way down on normal !

Oh they are! Believe me. The buses in the morning are usually rammed. You often have to wait for several absolutely packed buses to go by before you are able to get on one.

Numbers are way, way down but they are creeping up and I'm feeling like I am no longer able to safely use them.

 

[LDC]

Seems to be much busier where I am as well (northern city), I have no idea about public transport, but there's a noticeable increase in car traffic and people on the streets. Noisier and more 'normal' feeling generally.

 

[Numbers]

Seems to be much busier where I am as well (northern city), I have no idea about public transport, but there's a noticeable increase in car traffic and people on the streets. Noisier and more 'normal' feeling generally.

As we were driving my wife said how normal it was too.

 

[quimcunx]

I don't know and it is extremely concerning. Ive been fine going to work on the bus because the buses were empty. Now I'm uncomfortable. I may have to start walking both ways as it was not possible to properly social distance this morning.

They don't look like middle management. They all look like ordinary people. Most probably going to work - to regular jobs. Maybe a lot of them were walking before but jumping on the bus now it's free. That doesn't explain the increased traffic though.

I'm upset this morning. Very upset. I've had a little weep after picking up my scrubs from the big marquee at the back of the hospital.

I meant in the cars. One way or another it looks like there is more pressure to go to work now than two weeks ago. Where are the stark warnings on our TVs and SM about this? The scolding of employers?

Is there anyone you can borrow a bike from? Or could getting an earlier or later bus help?

If I'm up early enough I'll try to monitor bus busyness.

What does brixton tube look like when you pass?

 

[Orang Utan]

People have reached breaking point. If the government could figure out how to be, well, a government, and gave us a proper target date I think people would be more compliant.

In saying that, in my area we don't have any of what you describe. Everyone seems to be being good. Although personally I really don't how much longer I can last.

Why should they give a date? Seems a bit over confident

 

[LDC]

People have reached breaking point. If the government could figure out how to be, well, a government, and gave us a proper target date I think people would be more compliant.

In saying that, in my area we don't have any of what you describe. Everyone seems to be being good. Although personally I really don't how much longer I can last.

It'd be fucking stupid and dishonest to give a date, it depends on how it goes the next few weeks for infection rates, hospitalizations, and deaths.

 

[weltweit]

Government 'ignores' UK textiles firms desperate to make PPE

The government has been too slow to enlist British textile firms to make protective gear for the NHS, according to industry figures, who say they have been desperate to contribute to the “war effort”.
..
“The people who can make this PPE are not well-known names, they are contract manufacturers behind the scenes. They’ve filled in the government’s request forms and heard nothing back.”

A separate source with knowledge of the fashion industry’s efforts said: “You can’t put all your eggs in that one Burberry basket.”

Hills said UK firms had been clamouring to help supply the NHS for more than a month, but that the government had instead focused on brands such as Burberry, as well as sourcing equipment from overseas.

from 16/04/2020 Government 'ignores' UK textiles firms desperate to make PPE

And

'Enormous strain' on protective kit for NHS - Williamson

Gavin Williamson was asked by the BBC why British suppliers offering to make protective kit had not been contacted.
..
The education secretary said "every resource of government" had been deployed to expand supplies of PPE and ventilators.

..
Public Health England changed its advice on Friday to allow the NHS to re-use gowns if stock was running low, saying "some compromise" was needed "in times of extreme shortages".

It asked staff to reuse "(washable) surgical gowns or coveralls or similar suitable clothing (for example, long-sleeved laboratory coat, long-sleeved patient gown or industrial coverall) with a disposable plastic apron for AGPs (aerosol-generating procedures) and high-risk settings with forearm washing once gown or coverall is removed".

from 19/04/2020 'Enormous strain' on protective kit for NHS

If gowns are washable and recyclable - why hasn't this been common practice from the start?

And

Olympics chief brought in to boost PPE production

Lord Deighton will lead the national effort to produce essential personal protective equipment for frontline health and social care staff.
..
Paul Deighton, London 2012 Chief Exec, has been appointed by Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock to lead the national effort to produce essential personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline health and social care staff.

He will coordinate the end-to-end process of design through to manufacture, including streamlining the approvals and procurement process to ensure new domestic PPE supplies are rapidly approved and get to where they are needed. The “make” programme will start to deliver PPE supplies in the next week.

from 19/04/2020 Olympics chief brought in to boost PPE production

 

[Petcha]

It'd be fucking stupid and dishonest to give a date, it depends on how it goes the next few weeks for infection rates, hospitalizations, and deaths.

Give us some idea. Other governments have. This shower seem to have no fucking idea whatsoever.

 

[little_legs]

Loads of people on the street where I live who could care less about distancing.

I suspect the government will simply let people spill out onto the streets like it all happened naturally out of public's own unruly deviant behaviour. And then they'll say oh well, it's too late to reconstitute a lockdown, not our fault that you insist on packing the trains and buses like sardines in a can, if you want to socially distance then figure out by yourselves. Also, if you happen to die, oh well, it's a pandemic, mate, people will die.

 

[Cid]

Give us some idea. Other governments have. This shower seem to have no fucking idea whatsoever.

There is no way of knowing.

There are things in terms of communication they're doing very, very badly (as is quite obvious from this), but putting some time limit on lockdown measures would be daft. Explaining how they might eventually arrive at a point where things can be slackened, probably not so daft.

 

[Orang Utan]

Give us some idea. Other governments have. This shower seem to have no fucking idea whatsoever.

No one knows though.

 

[quimcunx]

There is no way of knowing.

There are things in terms of communication they're doing very, very badly (as is quite obvious from this), but putting some time limit on lockdown measures would be daft. Explaining how they might eventually arrive at a point where things can be slackened, probably not so daft.

This. We know what needs to be done/happen to facilitate easing lockdown, they know what needs to be done, but they're (still) not equipped to do it so they can't communicate that without showing themselves up as ill equipped and exposing their own bullshit/opening themselves up to awkward questions.

 

[Petcha]

No one knows though.

I'm not asking for a specific date. But some kind of rough timeframe. Other governments, governments who have managed this thing far far better (Australia, NZ, Germany) seem to be able to do so. I hope this government is receiving advice from mental health specialists and not just epidemiologists...

I'm lucky, I've got a garden but I cannot imagine what it must be like if say you're in a cramped council flat with a couple of kids. Just give us some idea. They must know... You'd hope the best scientific minds in the country have some clue.

 

[zahir]

Problems with the NHS testing.

Exclusive: NHS using ‘flawed’ COVID-19 test – missing 25% of positives

Hancock under pressure to resign as leaked documents show NHS is using knowingly flawed tests for coronavirus

www.opendemocracy.net

 

[Mrs Miggins]

I meant in the cars. One way or another it looks like there is more pressure to go to work now than two weeks ago. Where are the stark warnings on our TVs and SM about this? The scolding of employers?

Is there anyone you can borrow a bike from? Or could getting an earlier or later bus help?

If I'm up early enough I'll try to monitor bus busyness.

What does brixton tube look like when you pass?

Thanks Quimmy.

I don't even look at the tube - there's absolutely no way I'm getting on the tube at the moment though. Reckon that's probably the highest infection risk place anywhere in London.

And.....I have actually got a bike. It just needs fixing up a bit. I've been reluctant because of traffic and the fact that I'm a natural walker and can listen to podcasts/music while I walk. Cycling would solve the whole problem. I've just been told that Halfords are doing free (or cut price?) servicing for NHS staff. I should take it down there tomorrow....

 

[zahir]

Setting up contact tracing.

Whether it likes it or not, the government will certainly have to re-introduce the abandoned programme of contact tracing. And while secretary of state Hancock is putting his faith in a mobile app, it is extremely unlikely that system proposed will work.

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