Coronavirus

[Jazzrook]

Interview with Prof. Frank Snowden, author of 'Epidemics & Society':

https://www.rt.com/shows/going-underground/490220-coronavirus-pandemic-global-influence/

JR

[Dave2002]

A subsequent ONS study dated 28th May also arrived at the same 1 in 400 ratio: 0.24% (95% confidence interval: 0.11% to 0.46%). Presumably it is this study that Dave was referring to.

I'm very surprised that it has only declined from 0.27% to 0.24% in 14 days. But of course there is a significant margin of error - so who knows what is actually going on.

I was referring to a figure stated by Jenny Harries recently. I didn't chase back to her source.

[Count Boso]

Interview with Prof. Frank Snowden, author of 'Epidemics & Society':

https://www.rt.com/shows/going-underground/490220-coronavirus-pandemic-global-influence/

JR

Do they have anyone on explaining why Russia has had so many infections and so few deaths? That would be interesting.

[Count Boso]

Chairman of the National Statistics Authority said were two main purposes for the testing statistics - to help understand the epidemic and to support the management of the testing programme. Sir David Norgrove said, "The [government] aim seems to be to show the largest possible number of tests, even at the expense of understanding. It is also hard to believe the statistics work to support the testing programme itself. The statistics and analysis serve neither purpose well."

[oddoneout]

Just been looking at some of the coverage of the new improved voting system at Westminster. Words fail me...
The Karen Bradley amendment to extend the current hybrid set-up until 7th July(is that when they bugger off for their hols?) was defeated 242 to 185.
I must have missed something - or is this why the last minute announcement about shielding and vulnerable individuals now being free to get out and about - MPs in that position can't use that as a reason not to vote in person?

[zola]

Plateau ?

BBC comment...the UK is still seeing a significant impact from coronavirus. There were 1,600 new cases confirmed, over 400 admissions to hospital and over 300 deaths. Health Secretary Matt Hancock says it is clear there is “still some way to go”. Worryingly, these figures are higher than countries like Spain and Italy are reporting. Both of those have been badly affected by the pandemic like the UK. They are a week or two ahead of us in terms of the trajectory on their outbreaks. But it still begs the question why our rates of infection are not lower.

Too right it bloody does.

[Count Boso]

Just been looking at some of the coverage of the new improved voting system at Westminster. Words fail me...
The Karen Bradley amendment to extend the current hybrid set-up until 7th July(is that when they bugger off for their hols?) was defeated 242 to 185.
I must have missed something - or is this why the last minute announcement about shielding and vulnerable individuals now being free to get out and about - MPs in that position can't use that as a reason not to vote in person?

I wonder if I've fully understood this, or whether I've got it entirely the wrong way round? MPs can turn up in person at the House, spend the entire debate in the tearoom or one of the bars, chatting with each other, playing pool, down in the gym, and return to the Chamber when the division bell sounds and will then be allowed to vote. And those who have been following the debate remotely, including participating by asking questions, will not be allowed to vote. This in the interests of scrutiny and holding the government to account.

[oddoneout]

I wonder if I've fully understood this, or whether I've got it entirely the wrong way round? MPs can turn up in person at the House, spend the entire debate in the tearoom or one of the bars, chatting with each other, playing pool, down in the gym, and return to the Chamber when the division bell sounds and will then be allowed to vote. And those who have been following the debate remotely, including participating by asking questions, will not be allowed to vote. This in the interests of scrutiny and holding the government to account.

In order to vote they have to join a socially distanced queue - which is rather long - this from a tweet by Alex Cunningham

The queue to vote isn't just in Westminster Hall. It's now on the other side of the road and snaking through Portcullis House.

and so obviously takes rather a long time. The virus version of filibustering?

[Count Boso]

In order to vote they have to join a socially distanced queue - which is rather long - this from a tweet by Alex Cunningham

The queue to vote isn't just in Westminster Hall. It's now on the other side of the road and snaking through Portcullis House.

and so obviously takes rather a long time. The virus version of filibustering?

So if they have been in the gym, they'll be able to take a shower, change and still join the end of the queue?

[teamsaint]

Plateau ?

BBC comment...the UK is still seeing a significant impact from coronavirus. There were 1,600 new cases confirmed, over 400 admissions to hospital and over 300 deaths. Health Secretary Matt Hancock says it is clear there is “still some way to go”. Worryingly, these figures are higher than countries like Spain and Italy are reporting. Both of those have been badly affected by the pandemic like the UK. They are a week or two ahead of us in terms of the trajectory on their outbreaks. But it still begs the question why our rates of infection are not lower.

Too right it bloody does.

As somebody pointed out, double the number of deaths ( reported) today that gReece has had in the entire epidemic.

[Count Boso]

As somebody pointed out, double the number of deaths ( reported) today that gReece has had in the entire epidemic.

I've been doing a comparison with the cases/deaths between Italy and the UK. When I started over a week ago, we had a comparable number of cases but we had about 1,500 more deaths (can't remember the exact number of cases, but a similar number). With each day the difference in deaths has been increasing, currently just over 5,500 more and 43,000 more cases. So we're some way behind Italy in terms of the progress of the virus, so we should be some way behind in lockdown relaxation.

[Frances_iom]

So if they have been in the gym, they'll be able to take a shower, change and still join the end of the queue?

since they have a working electronic system why not issue each MP with a mobile device that allows them to vote from their benches (or even from elsewhere in the building) if physical presence is required - my own take is that DC has suggested to his puppet that parliament should be restricted in causing problems and that Johnson really needs a braying mass of asses to avoid being skewered by a capable leader of opposition (+ any side benefit of keeping the bolshie Scots far away is also to be desired - Durham has been proven as drivable even with dodgy eyesight so the young newbies in old red wall areas can manage)

[DracoM]

Spot on.

[zola]

Doing the right thing at the right time....

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/health/uk-coronavirus-affected-more-than-expected-neil-ferguson-a4457341.html

[johnb]

Professor Neil Ferguson told a Lord's committee today:

“I suspect that under any scenario, the level of transmission and number of cases will remain relatively flat between now and September, short of very big policy changes or behaviour changes in the community”

This is very, very depressing although it comes as little surprise.

In English hospitals the decline in the number of daily deaths has slowed markedly over the last couple of weeks.

I'll post a chart later.