Coronavirus in the UK - news, lockdown and discussion

[Buddy Bradley]

not for at least 10-15 years?

Ah, ok - that's probably the last time I was actually regularly in a pub, tbf.

 

[cupid_stunt]

Looks like Scotland is considering the same.

Nicola Sturgeon said she cannot rule out imposing a curfew for pubs and restaurants if the number of Scots testing positive for Covid continues to rise.

UK Government ministers are already considering introducing a 10pm or 11pm curfew on hospitality businesses if local measures are unable to bring the spread of the virus under control in England.

A new poll published yesterday also found a majority of Scots believe pubs should be forced to shut at 9pm in a bid to curb coronavirus case numbers.

Nicola Sturgeon coronavirus update and hint at national lockdown restrictions

All the latest updates as the First Minister takes questions at the Scottish Parliament.

www.dailyrecord.co.uk

 

[killer b]

almost exactly 15 years in fact! Hours were liberalised by the licensing act 2003, which came into force in November 2005.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Don't understand this closing pubs at 10 or 11pm, most do close around then anyway and of those which open later many aren't that busy so late, except town centre ones at weekends. My Spoons closes at midnight and during the week there's never more than 10 or so left.

But right now it looks like it would be best if they were just closed, full stop. I am somewhat doubtful of a full national lockdown, they want/need to keep schools open to keep workers working. But can easily see semi-lockdown coming in; no visiting others either in homes or outside, essential shopping only, no long journeys, fewer people allowed in shops, pubs/restaurants closed and so on.

 

[Teaboy]

Vast majority of pubs round my way still shut at 11pm anyway. In fact several of them are shutting at 9pm anyway at the moment as they've taken the decision to do so during this time.

The more I read the more I suspect things are being taken less seriously elsewhere in the country then they are here.

 

[brogdale]

Don't understand this closing pubs at 10 or 11pm, most do close around then anyway and of those which open later many aren't that busy so late, except town centre ones at weekends. My Spoons closes at midnight and during the week there's never more than 10 or so left.

But right now it looks like it would be best if they were just closed, full stop. I am somewhat doubtful of a full national lockdown, they want/need to keep schools open to keep workers working. But can easily see semi-lockdown coming in; no visiting others either in homes or outside, essential shopping only, no long journeys, fewer people allowed in shops, pubs/restaurants closed and so on.

Yeah more likely is a growing number of regional lockdowns that gradually become a national lockdown of areas where working class people live.

 

[MrSki]

He's corrected himself.

Yes about Chris Whitty but not about the 38000 cases.

 

[StoneRoad]

If this "spike" in infections isn't cut short, then we might end up with very strict local lockdowns extended over wider areas.
I don't think the current "curfew" on pubs would be enough to control the problem without a lot of other measures as well.

I'm tending towards wanting at least another month of a strict lockdown (with a furlough scheme & additional help for hospitality / entertainment / tourism businesses & individuals).

Being a cynic I'm wondering if the lack of such strict measures being imposed is intended to allow enough active infections in the general population so vaccine testing can happen ...

 

[Badgers]

Big 'Rule of Six' news from Hertfordshire:

Dear litter picker,

We hope that you are still keen to take part in our Clean-up on Sunday 18th October. We are still awaiting final confirmation that North Hertfordshire District Council are happy with our arrangements. We hope it won't be long before we can go ahead with the registration process.

The need to comply with the ‘rule of 6’ has implications for organisation – the main one at this stage being that you don’t all need to register your intention to participate. We do, however, need people who are prepared to organize a team of up to 6 (who can legitimately meet under government guidelines at the time of the event) to register. These Team Leaders will also have to collect and return any equipment we supply.

There is no need to reply to this email. We will be in touch as soon as we have heard from NHDC.

Best wishes,

HF Litter pick team

 

[Teaboy]

Being a cynic I'm wondering if the lack of such strict measures being imposed is intended to allow enough active infections in the general population so vaccine testing can happen ...

They don't really need to, there are enough countries out there where the virus is running rampant where they can conduct vaccine tests. Brazil I think is the current favourite.

 

[quimcunx]

Don't understand this closing pubs at 10 or 11pm, most do close around then anyway and of those which open later many aren't that busy so late, except town centre ones at weekends. My Spoons closes at midnight and during the week there's never more than 10 or so left.

But right now it looks like it would be best if they were just closed, full stop. I am somewhat doubtful of a full national lockdown, they want/need to keep schools open to keep workers working. But can easily see semi-lockdown coming in; no visiting others either in homes or outside, essential shopping only, no long journeys, fewer people allowed in shops, pubs/restaurants closed and so on.

When does furlough end? I've not paid much attention to the ins and outs of it. Might want to avoid pressure to be more generous if closing pubs is instructed by the govt.

E2a if prolonged contact is a factor reducing opening hours might help. A bit. A little bit.

 

[Artaxerxes]

When does furlough end? I've not paid much attention to the ins and outs of it. Might want to avoid pressure to be more generous if closing pubs is instructed by the govt.

E2a if prolonged contact is a factor reducing opening hours might help. A bit. A little bit.

October

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

When does furlough end? I've not paid much attention to the ins and outs of it. Might want to avoid pressure to be more generous if closing pubs is instructed by the govt.

E2a if prolonged contact is a factor reducing opening hours might help. A bit. A little bit.

Furlough ends at the of October.

I feel the earlier closing is yet another dig at the yoof, seeing as they are the ones most likely to be out so late...

 

[Teaboy]

When does furlough end? I've not paid much attention to the ins and outs of it. Might want to avoid pressure to be more generous if closing pubs is instructed by the govt.

E2a if prolonged contact is a factor reducing opening hours might help. A bit. A little bit.

Furlough is due to end at the end of October. If measures are going to be brought in again for pubs and all the way to shutting them again its going to be a very bad time to be a pub worker.

 

[killer b]

When does furlough end?

it's winding down this month and next - I think it's 70% this month, and 60% next, then ends at the end of October. There's bound to be some sort of extension though...

 

[Teaboy]

I feel the earlier closing is yet another dig at the yoof, seeing as they are the ones most likely to be out so late...

Is it not about trying to stop people getting drunk because all distancing and stuff goes straight out of the window?

I suppose it could be both.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Looking at UK Covid Tracker, they've finally sorted the Scotland hospitalisation anomaly, it seems. Having been at 200-odd for weeks, it's been reduced to around 50. Something to bear in mind when looking at overall UK numbers. Overall, UK hospitalisation has crept up from just over 700 to 900. But taking account of the Scotland adjustment, the real rise is about double that. It is still only creeping up atm compared to, say, Spain or France, but it's creeping up a bit more quickly than the UK dashboard would have you believe.

 

[Roadkill]

Is it not about trying to stop people getting drunk because all distancing and stuff goes straight out of the window?

Tbh that would make sense. I'm pretty uneasy about enclosed public spaces, but last night I went for a drink with a couple of friends. The plan was to sit outside, but once we'd had a few pints and it started to get chilly we moved inside. I'm not worried since infections are low here atm and the pub is a large, well ventilated space with tables well spread out from one another, but I wouldn't have done it had I not had drink.

I've been sounding a bit overly positive about mask-wearing etc round here, I think. It is good where I am, but I've just had to nip into a large shopping centre in town for the first time in ages, and was startled by how few people are wearing masks. I'd say it was two-thirds at best. What's the point in mandating masks in shops if it's not going to be enforced?

 

[killer b]

Who's going to enforce it? The shops are understandably reluctant for various reasons, and the pigs don't have the resources. I guess this is what the upcoming covid marshalls are going to be for.

 

[cupid_stunt]

Who's going to enforce it? The shops are understandably reluctant for various reasons, and the pigs don't have the resources. I guess this is what the upcoming covid marshalls are going to be for.

If they ever appear.

 

[Teaboy]

Who's going to enforce it? The shops are understandably reluctant for various reasons, and the pigs don't have the resources. I guess this is what the upcoming covid marshalls are going to be for.

It doesn't sound like a great job. By this stage pretty much everyone who is not wearing a mask is making an active decision. Its just going to be argument and threats all day long. I know people need a job but I do feel sorry for them.

Then again I say that but they might just turn out to be a load of roided-up unemployed nightclub bouncers who are frustrated that they've not chinned anyone in months.

 

[cupid_stunt]

Thinking about it, these 'covid marshals' will not even have enforcement powers, they'll only be able to offer advice.

 

[elbows]

Looking at UK Covid Tracker, they've finally sorted the Scotland hospitalisation anomaly, it seems. Having been at 200-odd for weeks, it's been reduced to around 50. Something to bear in mind when looking at overall UK numbers. Overall, UK hospitalisation has crept up from just over 700 to 900. But taking account of the Scotland adjustment, the real rise is about double that. It is still only creeping up atm compared to, say, Spain or France, but it's creeping up a bit more quickly than the UK dashboard would have you believe.

The reason for the change in the Scottish figures is that they've aplied the 28 days thing to their hospital figures recently, and in Scottish documentation the figures now have titles like 'number of people in hospital with recently confirmed COVID-19'.

Here is a description that I got from the Scottish data spreadsheet Coronavirus (COVID-19): trends in daily data - gov.scot

This new Table 2 has replaced the previous table on number of confirmed COVID-19 patients in hospital and ICU, which included people (in larger NHS Boards) who had previously tested positive for COVID-19 but are now in hospital for another reason, or had hospital onset COVID-19 and remain in hospital. The Table 2 presented in previous versions of this daily data update is now provided in an archived worksheet in this excel file. Collection of the data under this definition was stopped after 15 September 2020.

2. This new measure focuses on hospital in-patients with a more recent positive COVID-19 test. This is defined as patients who first tested positive in hospital or in the 14 days before admission. Patients are also no longer included after 28 days in hospital (or 28 days after first testing positive if this is after admission). Further background on this change is provided in this blog Counting people in hospital with COVID-19.

 

[elbows]

Yes about Chris Whitty but not about the 38000 cases.

Oh I dont know, he deleted the entire tweet now.

 

[crossthebreeze]

Big 'Rule of Six' news from Hertfordshire:

Hmmm, not the approach I've taken with stuff I organise at work...

 

[crossthebreeze]

My head done in with having two major changes to what we can do in a week (as I live in Newcastle)

 

[Doodler]

Thinking about it, these 'covid marshals' will not even have enforcement powers, they'll only be able to offer advice.

Meaning they'll find themselves being advised to piss off and worse. People will still apply for these dismal jobs if they ever materialise because needs must.

 

[ska invita]

Good front page yesterday from a rag

.

 

[prunus]

Good front page yesterday from a rag

.
View attachment 230679

How heated do you think the debate over which vowel to substitute in was?

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Is it not about trying to stop people getting drunk because all distancing and stuff goes straight out of the window?

I suppose it could be both.

Now I'm in my late 40's, if I hit the pub at 7 I'm usually well oiled by 10 and ready to do the off anyway. It's the young'uns who don't go out till later, probably to avoid us lot!