Coronavirus

[Dave2002]

PP is an absolute abomination.

Just spotted the wording PP used “Sorry if staff feel there were PPE failings ....”

That is absolutely appalling. Trying to turn things round to excuse failings in the systems put in place, and put the blame on the staff trying to overcome very real problem while treating potentially very ill patients. I think many people do understand the difficulties, and would be prepared to accept a straight and very sincere apology for failings up to now, coupled with a clear intent and drive to improve things, but using weasel words like that is a complete disgrace.

[LMcD]

While trying to find out more about the Jenrick issue I saw part of his birdsquawk thing - and wish I hadn't. There are people saying Priti Patel is PM material, that she handled the press thingy brilliantly, etc. How can people be so disconnected from reality? Anyway I have now decided that Jenrick is guilty of 'do as I say not as I do' exceptionalism but that in the scheme of things, given the cesspit operation at Westminster it isn't that important, and it's certainly not unique. Either his buddies will keep him on or he'll be ditched, but it will make not a jot of difference to anything that matters in the real world in which the rest of us are trying to survive.

You're right, I'm afraid - even now, they don't get it, do they? And let's not forget that they will almost certainly be spending at least some of their their time jockeying for post-crisis positions.

[oddoneout]

Just spotted the wording PP used “Sorry if staff feel there were PPE failings ....”

That is absolutely appalling. Trying to turn things round to excuse failings in the systems put in place, and put the blame on the staff trying to overcome very real problem while treating potentially very ill patients. I think many people do understand the difficulties, and would be prepared to accept a straight and very sincere apology for failings up to now, coupled with a clear intent and drive to improve things, but using weasel words like that is a complete disgrace.

Well we know the government isn't going to accept any responsibility, but this was a particularly blatant bit of insurance-style phrasing to duck liability.

[MrGongGong]

Well we know the government isn't going to accept any responsibility, but this was a particularly blatant bit of insurance-style phrasing to duck liability.

Time for folks to stop treating these people with faux respect
it's how they get away with the abuse they heap

It's a shame that the "experts" who appear with the likes of PP don't call her out on live radio
a quick "stop LYING" would do the trick IMV

One (of many) sad things is that those responsible for needless deaths won't be prosecuted, same as it ever was.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/apr/11/matt-hancock-reveals-deaths-of-19-nhs-workers-amid-ppe-row

Boris Johnson is personally responsible for the imprisonment of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe but now he is being reinvented as some kind of hero figure rather than the pathological liar that he is.

Wasn't he supposed to rise this morning ? or maybe i'm getting him mixed up with Lynda Snell

[Dave2002]

Well we know the government isn't going to accept any responsibility, but this was a particularly blatant bit of insurance-style phrasing to duck liability.

I think some in government are more careful, and may be trying harder. I don't feel bad about Matt Hancock - I do think he is really trying to get things under control, though if we get too much more of this -

"I'm sure I'll take you with pleasure!" the Queen said. "Two pence a week, and jam every other day."
Alice couldn't help laughing, as she said, "I don't want you to hire me – and I don't care for jam."
"It's very good jam," said the Queen.
"Well, I don't want any to-day, at any rate."
"You couldn't have it if you did want it," the Queen said. "The rule is, jam to-morrow and jam yesterday – but never jam to-day."
"It must come sometimes to 'jam to-day'," Alice objected.
"No, it can't," said the Queen. "It's jam every other day: to-day isn't any other day, you know."
"I don't understand you," said Alice. "It's dreadfully confusing!"

re PPE I may revise my opinion.

[Count Boso]

I think some in government are more careful, and may be trying harder. I don't feel bad about Matt Hancock - I do think he is really trying to get things under control

Hancock is a weak man with the right instincts - pro-remain (turncoat), anti-prorogation "Proroguing Parliament undermines parliamentary democracy…I rule it out and call on all candidates to do the same") but when push comes to Johnsonian shove he caves in. Not the best recommendation for the hot potato role of Health Secretary.

But, I agree with Bill. "Very few countries will get an A-grade on coronavirus." The best most of us can do at this moment is to support all those trying to control the awful situation and, in whatever way we can, all those who stand to suffer more than us. And then work flat out for retribution.

[Pulcinella]

Apparently, the government has a plan:

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/apr/12/coronavirus-ministers-must-get-ppe-to-nhs-frontline-says-business-secretary

Let's all hope it's better than one of Baldrick's.

[johnb]

Apparently, the government has a plan:

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/apr/12/coronavirus-ministers-must-get-ppe-to-nhs-frontline-says-business-secretary

Let's all hope it's better than one of Baldrick's.

The government definitely has a plan - to make it up as they go along. They have been consistent in adhering to their plan and they are fully on track.

[oddoneout]

Apparently, the government has a plan:

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/apr/12/coronavirus-ministers-must-get-ppe-to-nhs-frontline-says-business-secretary

Let's all hope it's better than one of Baldrick's.

Anyone can have a plan - it's the action that matters. So far 'one of Baldrick's' would be an improvement. Sensible comment by Keir Starmer at the end of that article.

[burning dog]

The introduction of Lock-downs were a judgement call. Sweden still don't have a full lock-down. I even understood the reluctance to go for a full lock-down at the time, but it would appear we responded too slowly in that regard.


BUT

There is NO doubt IMO that the Gov't were neglectful in accessing or producing more PPE, Ventilators, Hand-Sanitisers, even providing new Emergency Hospitals (though when these were finally given the go-ahead the NHS and Armed Forces were incredibly efficient). This was necessary whatever the situation regard lock-downs etc.

I say this because the campaign to prevent the spread of the virus, specifically hand washing and using tissues, began on the 3RD OF FEBRUARY !!

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-public-information-campaign-launched-across-the-uk

"The UK is extremely well prepared for any potential outbreak of an infectious disease – we are one of the first countries in the world to have developed a test for the new virus."

It seemed they stopped "preparing" for a few weeks after that statement

[MrGongGong]

Does he really think we are so stupid ?

He said the country was mourning “every day those who are taken from us in such numbers, and the struggle is by no means over” but he argued progress was being made “because the British public formed a human shield around this country’s greatest national asset – our NHS”.

The ramblings of a pathological liar who has blood on his hands.


How about apologising ?
Not much chance of that really ......

aaah well ... the sheep is in the oven and the wine is open
Happy Easter folks and stay safe

[Dave2002]

In my youth, my father would object to the use of "strong language". Not so much the words used as the term "strong" being applied to them. He opted for "weak". That held until, returning on leave after attending an Army Outward Bound course, I let slip the "f" word. The immediate shock was followed by much easing of vocabulary restrictions at home.

A quick reprise of this for light relief.

Typical parent-teacher meeting in some schools in the UK:

P: What was it you wanted to talk to me about?
T: It's your boy, John, he's upsetting others in his class, some of the teachers, and some other parents have complained.
P: Oh sh**. What has he been doing.
T: He swears - quite a lot really.
P: The little b****d.
T: It isn't really very nice.
P: You're f*****g telling me. I deal with the little b*****r when I get home.
T: I don't think you need to overdo it.
P: MMMm. I'll think about that. I don't know where he gets that from. Thank you for letting me know. Nobody b****y swears in our house.

[teamsaint]

This article was linked from the Guardian today.
I thought it presented its contents really clearly, and was a useful read for those of us wondering how this disease can have brought the world's health services to the brink, and our economies to their knees.

https://medium.com/wintoncentre/how-much-normal-risk-does-covid-represent-4539118e1196

[Bryn]

This article was linked from the Guardian today.
I thought it presented its contents really clearly, and was a useful read for those of us wondering how this disease can have brought the world's health services to the brink, and our economies to their knees.

https://medium.com/wintoncentre/how-...t-4539118e1196

Thanks for linking to the Cambridge report. Was this published verbatim by The Guardian?

[teamsaint]

Thanks for linking to the Cambridge report. Was this published verbatim by The Guardian?

No, it was just linked, I think.