Brexit, for once some facts.

sjpt

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Jun 8, 2018
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I've given up watching, there doesn't seem be any point any more
I've relied on BBC or Guardian news online, or this thread. I knew from the first I wouldn't be able to stomach watching.

If I want to watch something related that might make sense I try 'Have I got news for you'
 

oyster

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 7, 2017
10,422
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Are some people waking up?

Revolt over easing of lockdown spreads as poll slump hits PM

Manchester mayor unleashes fury at Johnson plan, while public approval for government strategy plummets

Boris Johnson was hit by a growing revolt over his strategy for easing Covid-19 lockdown last night as council leaders across the north of England joined unions in vowing to resist plans to re-open schools on 1 June.

Signs of disunity spread as a new opinion poll for the Observer showed approval ratings for the government over its handling of the crisis had plummeted since the prime minister dropped the “stay at home” message and eased restrictions a week ago.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/may/16/revolt-over-easing-lockdown-spreads-as-poll-slump-hits-prime-minister
 

vfr400

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Jun 12, 2011
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Still scraping around at the bottom of the barrel looking for scum?. The only reason Pres. Trump remains in office is that the GoP did not have the bottle to even call one witness last January.
The reason Mr Mueller looked shell shocked was because the DoJ had made a decision that the current President could not be tried.
The only salient fact is that 90,000 USA citizens will have died by Saturday night due to CV19. ,And that 1.5M have the infection. With a 10% mortality rate that would give 150k deaths within the next three weeks,and that is before the great opening up commences . Note the USA is already 60% there.
You're going to look very silly shortly. I'm bookmarking this so that I can remind you what you said and laugh my head off.
 

Danidl

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Sep 29, 2016
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You're going to look very silly shortly. I'm bookmarking this so that I can remind you what you said and laugh my head off.
If my sillyness means that less people die, then its a folly I would gladly accept. Unfortunately my track record has been depressingly accurate. As of tonight the USA has 16K in the serious critical category, and half of those or 8k ,are likely to survive. ..and of course the surge expected from anti lockdown hasn't started yet. Note that the 90K deaths will have occurred by now. Additionally it is always the case that in rising numbers at the early stages of an epidemic, the numbers are underreported.
So regrettably the USA is on track for upwards of 150K deaths over the next 3 weeks
 
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jonathan.agnew

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Dec 27, 2018
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I've relied on BBC or Guardian news online, or this thread. I knew from the first I wouldn't be able to stomach watching.

If I want to watch something related that might make sense I try 'Have I got news for you'
Same here. I'm stumped by the paradox of being in a country with a worse death rate than italy or Spain, but somehow none of the emotions of loss or trauma or bereavement or shock ( or, more to the point, proper quarantine). Instead there's the banal lies of every govt briefing and hypocritical clapping (the same clappers will again vote to freeze nhs salaries, reducing it in real terms, and really would rather see Tory tax cuts than proper ppe or testing). I don't know what to make of it, I've just enough English heritage to try to be generous and label it denial in an atomised community ( as opposed to self obsessed narcisism). But it makes the news seem irrelevant commentary.
 
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oyster

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Nov 7, 2017
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We have lots of llamas around - saw three on Friday!

'Llamas are the real unicorns': why they could be our secret weapon against coronavirus

Researchers hope llama antibodies could help protect humans who have not been infected

The solution to the coronavirus may have been staring us in the face this whole time, lazily chewing on a carrot. All we need, it seems, is llamas.

A study published last week in the journal Cell found that antibodies in llamas’ blood could offer a defense against the coronavirus. In addition to larger antibodies like ours, llamas have small ones that can sneak into spaces on viral proteins that are too tiny for human antibodies, helping them to fend off the threat. The hope is that the llama antibodies could help protect humans who have not been infected.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/16/llama-coronavirus-antibodies-study-benefits
 

oyster

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Nov 7, 2017
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Danidl

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Barack Obama attacks Trump administration's response to coronavirus pandemic
Former president breaks tradition of refraining from criticism of successor, while also highlighting the high-profile killing of Ahmaud Arbery
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/16/barack-obama-coronavirus-donald-trump-criticism-speech-covid-19
That Obama has restrained himself against responding against the daily attacks for 4 years shows incredible self control. Everything he says is true.
 

oyster

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Nov 7, 2017
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Gove is telling councils to look to their responsibilities and therefore open schools.

Afraid that he needs to look to his own responsibilities. If he is wrong, and re-opening schools causes a surge in cases, will he resign, never to be seen again? Of course not. He'd come up with more words about what others must/should do and stay as long as he can.

The Eton/Harrow/etc. counter is just going to be ignored by the government. They'll say they are private and must make up their own minds. (Maybe excuses about having children from many countries?)

Maybe we should introduce him to that ancient Japanese word: seppuku.
 

Barry Shittpeas

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Jan 1, 2020
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The contact track & trace is rapidly descending into another debacle. I’ve just read that SERCO are a major player in it and possibly Group 4. FFS, don’t these idiots ever learn? Group 4 were ripping the country off by charging for tagging & monitoring offenders who didn’t exist or had left the country, not so long ago. How TF are they being considered for this? SERCO are another clusterfuck company. They provide services to the armed forces. I’ve come across them numerous times when calling in for refuelling at RAF bases. The forces hate them, the people who work for SERCO hate them and I’ve not been impressed. The fuelling rigs reek of neglect and underfunding. The guys do their best, but SERCO just exists to kick the arse out of the contract, with the only consideration being profit.

It’s estimated we need 100000 tracers for the full benefits of the App to work properly. The government aimed for 18000 by mid May and so far they have recruited 1500. New recruits are receiving just one day of training. Jesus Christ, this is a skilled job and the tracers will be handling personal and sensitive data. They will need at least a day to make sure they understand GDPR and that’s before the vetting and training. This is going to go tits up and become another scandal delivered by incompetents.

What a fuckup.
 

oyster

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 7, 2017
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West West Wales
The contact track & trace is rapidly descending into another debacle. I’ve just read that SERCO are a major player in it and possibly Group 4. FFS, don’t these idiots ever learn? Group 4 were ripping the country off by charging for tagging & monitoring offenders who didn’t exist or had left the country, not so long ago. How TF are they being considered for this? SERCO are another clusterfuck company. They provide services to the armed forces. I’ve come across them numerous times when calling in for refuelling at RAF bases. The forces hate them, the people who work for SERCO hate them and I’ve not been impressed. The fuelling rigs reek of neglect and underfunding. The guys do their best, but SERCO just exists to kick the arse out of the contract, with the only consideration being profit.

It’s estimated we need 100000 tracers for the full benefits of the App to work properly. The government aimed for 18000 by mid May and so far they have recruited 1500. New recruits are receiving just one day of training. Jesus Christ, this is a skilled job and the tracers will be handling personal and sensitive data. They will need at least a day to make sure they understand GDPR and that’s before the vetting and training. This is going to go tits up and become another scandal delivered by incompetents.

What a fuckup.
I just read they have now recruited 17,000. But to get from 1500 to 17,000 over a weekend clearly shows lack of anything approaching vetting for skills, security, or anything else. Or training.

In Scotland, it appears, none have been recruited.

Are they expected to use their own computers? Or will they, as should be the case, have suitably locked-down secure machines supplied? Another reason for delay.
 
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oyster

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Nov 7, 2017
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I'd like to propose an emergency bill, applicable to the whole UK, to be passed as an emergency measure.

The pseudo-word "staycation" must not be used in any context whatsoever. Fixed penalty notices may be issued for individual use of the term. Hefty fines for summary convictions. Unlimited fines and prison for repeat offenders in crown courts.
 
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Barry Shittpeas

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Jan 1, 2020
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I just read they have now recruited 17,000. But to get from 1500 to 17,000 over a weekend clearly shows lack of anything approaching vetting for skills, security, or anything else. Or training.

In Scotland, it appears, none have been recruited.

Are they expected to use their own computers? Or will they, as should be the case, have suitably locked-down secure machines supplied? Another reason for delay.
To have recruited at that rate, the vetting must have been poor. These people will have access to sensitive personal data. It’s a major disincentive for me to use the App.
 

Barry Shittpeas

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Jan 1, 2020
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I'd like to propose an emergency bill, applicable to the whole UK, to be passed as an emeregncy measure.

The pseudo-word "staycation" must not be used in any context whatsoever. Fixed penalty notices may be issued for individual use of the term. Hefty fines for summary convictions. Unlimited fines and prison for repeat offenders in crown courts.
I agree. I have a cottage booked in Cornwall during September and have paid £1000 deposit. £2000 balance is due in August. I don’t think I should go and I probably won’t. The letting company are totally non-cooperative regarding discussing options.

It won’t be the end of the world if I lose the money, but I will not see them profit from the virus situation. They will regret trying any “funny business” others have tried and I have spent more than the actual debt value purchasing “justice” and I don’t mean via the courts.

However, whilst businesses are allowed to operate in this way, people will travel rather than lose their money completely. The government need to step in and halt this practice by letting companies and tour operators.
 

Danidl

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Sep 29, 2016
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I agree. I have a cottage booked in Cornwall during September and have paid £1000 deposit. £2000 balance is due in August. I don’t think I should go and I probably won’t. The letting company are totally non-cooperative regarding discussing options.

It won’t be the end of the world if I lose the money, but I will not see them profit from the virus situation. They will regret trying any “funny business” others have tried and I have spent more than the actual debt value purchasing “justice” and I don’t mean via the courts.

However, whilst businesses are allowed to operate in this way, people will travel rather than lose their money completely. The government need to step in and halt this practice by letting companies and tour operators.
Is this not a buyer beware situation?. When the State instructs it people to stay at home, then that is a "force majeure ", situation and monies paid before the date of the order should be refunded. However, if one then at a later date speculates that curfew will be lifted , it is done in fuller knowledge ,and the person needs to take the consequences for their own decision.
 

RossG

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Feb 12, 2019
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I was watching a report on CNN about methods used to control the covid outbreak. It was said unsurprisingly that spraying the streets & people themselves did more harm than good, because of the chemical laden vapour it spread around which in turn was breathed in.
The report also talked of the time span the virus particles could be suspended in still air, they reckoned at least 8 min. So if you use a lift or walk into a small shop that someone occupied a few min earlier there's still a big risk to yourself. It also mentioned the use of disinfectant etc to sanitize items and went on to explain that the way to look at it was, if the virus gets to you it takes time to take a hold so if you clean something that in turn takes time to kill the virus too. In other words if you spray a bottle of milk or a can of beans, you should leave the sanitizing spray be it disinfectant or whatever on the article and not immediately wipe it off, give it time to do it's job.
The stated 99.9% is probably true but not in an instant.
I've always found the scientific & medical advice given by the people on CNN News far better and more succinct than the info given here in the UK by our own so called " experts".
 
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RossG

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Feb 12, 2019
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Barry..you probably already have checked but if not take a look at the latest advice in places like cornwall.gov.uk regarding travel bookings. It's tricky, been in the same position myself a few years back .
Of course September is a long way off yet and if your hols consist of walking around the countryside, hills etc I can't see it being too much of a problem going. If the area you're staying in is a busy place it would be harder to avoid others. You would have to check also any places you were thinking of visiting like Castles etc to make sure they are still in action and have not decided to put the lid on it for this year.
 

Barry Shittpeas

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Jan 1, 2020
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Is this not a buyer beware situation?. When the State instructs it people to stay at home, then that is a "force majeure ", situation and monies paid before the date of the order should be refunded. However, if one then at a later date speculates that curfew will be lifted , it is done in fuller knowledge ,and the person needs to take the consequences for their own decision.
If the state lifts the travel / U.K. holiday ban, then that’s fair enough. If I decide not to travel, which I will, because September is too close, then I’ll absorb the £1K loss, I don’t mind doing that.

It’s if the travel ban is still in place that their problems will start.
 
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Barry Shittpeas

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Jan 1, 2020
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Barry..you probably already have checked but if not take a look at the latest advice in places like cornwall.gov.uk regarding travel bookings. It's tricky, been in the same position myself a few years back .
Of course September is a long way off yet and if your hols consist of walking around the countryside, hills etc I can't see it being too much of a problem going. If the area you're staying in is a busy place it would be harder to avoid others. You would have to check also any places you were thinking of visiting like Castles etc to make sure they are still in action and have not decided to put the lid on it for this year.
Yes, the holiday will be mainly walking & cycling. I’m not keen on going, the cottage May be contaminated and I don’t have any knowledge of who has cleaned it and how thoroughly. I think the risk is too high and I believe people should stay local to their homes this year. I’ve had enough of visitors and newdoers in my area, most of who don’t know how to conduct themselves in the outdoors, so I’m sure Cornish people won’t want me in their area either.

I’ll swallow the £1K if the government lifts the ban, but I’ll get £1K out of them either in cash or hide if the ban isn’t lifted.

I’ll take a look at that website thank you.
 

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