Coronavirus

[johnb]

I am very pleasantly surprised by how the CV19 deaths have continued to decline despite the easing of lockdown restrictions. (Admittedly the deaths are said to lag the infections by 4 or 5 weeks so who knows what will happen in the weeks ahead.)

The average number of reported deaths in English hospitals over the last 7 days as been 16 per day.

For the seven days prior it was 27 and for the seven days prior to that it was 35.

[Dave2002]

..... enormous amounts of money now needed for taxation purposes to fund non-profitable activities without which civilisation would be over ....

That's a big assumption, and you are assuming everyone will accept that and agree with you.

[french frank]

That's a big assumption, and you are assuming everyone will accept that and agree with you.

I wonder how you define 'civilisation'? (Well, or anyone else, I suppose)

[Serial_Apologist]

That's a big assumption, and you are assuming everyone will accept that and agree with you.

No, you are assuming that!

Like most discussed issues here, no one makes a prior assumptions.

[Serial_Apologist]

I wonder how you define 'civilisation'? (Well, or anyone else, I suppose)

Why would there be any difficulty? Societies by and large made up of civilised people?

Over to you....

[french frank]

Why would there be any difficulty? Societies by and large made up of civilised people?

Over to you....

Others may think differently, but - to go back to your statement, as I understood it - I cannot imagine a 'civilisation' founded on the profit motive. But 'civilised' and 'civilisation' are words which have undergone many changes. I suspect that for most people an essential ingredient is "I approve of it." So in the words of Professor Joad, "It depends what you mean by … "

PS: I go along with this OED definition: "The state or condition of being civilized; human cultural, social, and intellectual development when considered to be advanced and progressive in nature. Also in extended use." (So what do they mean by advanced? progressive?)

[Cockney Sparrow]

Time to split into a new thread? Entitled radical political and economic effects of Covid 19.

[french frank]

Time to split into a new thread? Entitled radical political and economic effects of Covid 19.

Economic, yes, though I don't think Serial was being particularly radical in pointing out that finding these huge amounts of money to support the economy through this crisis is in the interests of all sections of society. TINA.

[Cockney Sparrow]

I have no objection to political standpoints in a thread. Its just that I can see a considerable quantity of posts/text
arising from Covid 19 on the theme outlined.
The political including how we should organise our societies going forward, or how they will change in any case.

It may be that my terminology there is loose or incorrect, but I'm sure that could be rectified during the discussion.

That would leave this thread to deal with the course of the pandemic, treatments, remedies, outcomes, the part played by governments etc. Although, as ever, the thread would no doubt still wonder away from that focus, as they do.

[Dave2002]

No, you are assuming that!

Like most discussed issues here, no one makes a prior assumptions.

OK - but it's a bit like the "unbelievable truth" - trying to sneak past an unchallenged assertion, then basing an argument on that.

[DracoM]

Report: The Impact of Covid-19 on DCMS Sectors: First Report
Covid-19 crisis presents biggest threat to UK's cultural infrastructure, institutions and workforce in a generation, say MPs

Government has consistently failed to recognise scale of challenge facing culture, sport and tourism

The Government has been ‘too slow’ to respond to the needs of the DCMS sectors during the Covid-19 outbreak with many organisations facing an “existential threat” to their survival, say MPs. In a wide-ranging report, the DCMS Committee finds Ministers have consistently failed to recognise the scale of the challenge that Covid-19 presents to culture, sport and tourism.

MPs say the response to the crisis by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has been hampered by the Department’s lack of spending power and a fundamental misunderstanding across Government of the needs, structures and vital social contribution of sectors such as the creative industries. DCMS remains one of the smallest government departments by budget and staffing and has seen one of the highest turn-over of Secretaries of State of any, with Oliver Dowden as ninth in the role since May 2010.

The Report finds the loss of performing arts institutions and cultural workers would put at risk the Government's 'levelling up' agenda and reverse decades of progress in cultural provision, diversity and inclusion.

[LMcD]

Time to split into a new thread? Entitled radical political and economic effects of Covid 19.

I think any thread - however carefully worded its title - that discusses the coronavirus will have a political element because the consequences of Covid 19 will continue to reach into every aspect of everybody's life. In the end, or so they tell us, it's governments that decide, and I don't think we can expect them to completely abandon with their own particular party's beliefs. The consequences of their actions affect the economy, health and social care, the environment, work/life balance, the future of public transport, the arts - you name it, it will be affected.

[Dave2002]

I think any thread - however carefully worded its title - that discusses the coronavirus will have a political element because the consequences of Covid 19 will continue to reach into every aspect of everybody's life.

I'd be happy enough to have a split of this thread into medical/research/development and social/economic/political consequences of Covid 19 if that's what people want.

I obviously underestimated the non medical aspects, though I think it's time to reset some aspects of our "society". I don't think people should be "forced" back to work in cities, so that the rail companies and Pret a Manger can have more customers. I have thought that commuting was/is a largely wasteful and pointless exercise for around half a century.

[oddoneout]

I think any thread - however carefully worded its title - that discusses the coronavirus will have a political element because the consequences of Covid 19 will continue to reach into every aspect of everybody's life. In the end, or so they tell us, it's governments that decide, and I don't think we can expect them to completely abandon with their own particular party's beliefs. The consequences of their actions affect the economy, health and social care, the environment, work/life balance, the future of public transport, the arts - you name it, it will be affected.

No but I do expect that the survival of the country and its people should take priority over party politics and the machinations of individuals and factions.

Meanwhile, the fair has come to town. So now I can go and scream and shout, handle sticky bits of equipment, come into close/actual contact with others doing likewise - but singing with the choir, however we arrange it, is not allowed.

[LMcD]

One of the few people I feel I can trust is Hugh Pym, whose reports and comments are a measured combination of reassurance, a sense of proportion, and an all-too-necessary dose of realism. Full marks also to Fergus Walsh.