Coronavirus

[teamsaint]

It's not all about "irresponsible employers" though

This just posted on FB



If it's too "problematic" to pay people to stop working then they will go to work and spread the virus

Your call mr Sunak but it's clear WHO is responsible

Given the complexity and very real diversity of the self employed, What would your scheme look like ?

I have something in mind......

[MrGongGong]

Given the complexity and very real diversity of the self employed, What would your scheme look like ?

I have something in mind......

It's NOT that hard at all

Pay everyone a basic income which can be taxed if needed

The alternative is that more people will die

Suspend all mortgage, tax, utilities, council tax, pay the rent of those who rent
not a loan BUT an investment in life

[teamsaint]

It's NOT that hard at all

Pay everyone a basic income which can be taxed if needed

The alternative is that more people will die

Suspend all mortgage, tax, utilities, council tax, pay the rent of those who rent
not a loan BUT an investment in life

Actually, I broadly agree with you.
In the absence of UBI, and in the real world of government finance how about

All people paying Class 2 can get a payment of £300 a week for as long as the support for employed lasts. That would be potentially repayable through an enhanced tax rate for those posting profits above , say £20k next tax year( or some other level) to stop abuse by those who really dont need the help.
Those not paying class 2 can register for it and get the payment.

[muzzer]

Coincidentally I’ve been doing some family history research recently, and am interested as part of that to learn all about TB in the late 19th century. Does anyone here have any insights they’d care to share?

[Joseph K]

https://www.ft.com/content/5ff6469a-6dd8-11ea-89df-41bea055720b?shareType=nongift&fbclid=IwAR09hdpaOVatc7l9Q4YDJqfYiben2Op3VLzWzEHnolGfDlLyytssIc1LEVI

[oddoneout]

As the self-employed have to complete self-assessment tax returns HMRC will know what the earnings are and have bank details for most of those individuals, so would it really be that difficult to pay something of more use and relevance than the completely inadequate flat rate sum currently proposed?

[Anastasius]

The number of people using the tube has dropped by about 80%, so most are staying away. However, the tube is now running a Sunday service, so there are a lot less trains running in the rush hour than normal. There are also sadly still lots of employers telling their staff that they are expected to come in, and will only allow them to stay at home when the Govt orders them to close their offices. This includes things like recruitment agencies and accountants even though all their work could easily be done from home.

The combination of fewer trains and irresponsible employers is resulting in the continued overcrowding of the tube at certain times. I doubt very much if the people on the trains this morning would have been there if given the choice.

No, fewer trains is down to that idiot of a Mayor.

[LHC]

No, fewer trains is down to that idiot of a Mayor.

Indeed, I don’t know why Khan thought that would be a good idea. Matt Hancock has commented this evening that the tube should be running a full service.

[Anastasius]

Can I please encourage everyone to join

https://covid.joinzoe.com/

[Bryn]

Can I please encourage everyone to join

https://covid.joinzoe.com/

Had to give up on trying to login. Might try reregistering tomorrow. I see others are also finding it difficult to sign up successfully.

[ardcarp]

As the self-employed have to complete self-assessment tax returns HMRC will know what the earnings are and have bank details for most of those individuals, so would it really be that difficult to pay something of more use and relevance than the completely inadequate flat rate sum currently proposed?

Exactly.

[richardfinegold]

25,000 cases in N..Y.C. I’ve seen 3 confirmed positive cases and goodness knows how many others since testing is so scarce. We are out of PPE, as is the rest of the country. At my wife’s hospital they have abandoned PPE for known MRSA patients in order to conserve it for Covids.
I feel like I’m practicing in the Third World

[johnb]

https://www.ft.com/content/5ff6469a-...lLyytssIc1LEVI

That's a very interesting proposition and mention of the possibility of a wider early circulation of coronavirus in the UK was made on today's (Tuesday's) PM programme.

The estimated deaths for infected cases (as distinct from confirmed cases) is estimated as 0.5% to 1.0% in the recently released SAGE document dated 2nd March.

For 50% of the population to have been infected one would expect at least 150,000 additional deaths for the UK as a whole to show up over a couple of months in the statistics, if the SAGE estimates are correct. This would be very obvious. The January 2020 deaths for England and Wales were 56,706 whereas those for Jan 2019 were 53,910 so the additional deaths don't seem to show up in January (even though the numbers don't include Scotland and N. Ireland). The figures for February haven't yet been published but if, say, the number of deaths for the month had, say, doubled someone would probably have noticed.

So either the theory is wrong, or the number of cases circulating was very low indeed, or the SAGE estimate of 0.5% to 1.0% is out by a significant order of magnitude.

We will only see if the theory is correct if and when there is extensive antibody testing.

[Dave2002]

No, fewer trains is down to that idiot of a Mayor.

Presumably so that people wouldn’t feel tempted to travel. With hindsight it’s a bad idea if essential workers really do need to travel. Employers “telling” their employees that they should still go in - really bad, unless the work is essential.

[Dave2002]

25,000 cases in N..Y.C. I’ve seen 3 confirmed positive cases and goodness knows how many others since testing is so scarce. We are out of PPE, as is the rest of the country. At my wife’s hospital they have abandoned PPE for known MRSA patients in order to conserve it for Covids.
I feel like I’m practicing in the Third World

Sorry to hear that. Keep as safe as you can. I expect you’re very busy. Thanks for finding the time to give us this update.