Coronavirus

[Constantbee]

Any choir members on the forum suspended rehearsals? We are making a decision this evening.

pulcinella's got a concert coming up soon, cloughie. I was hoping to go, actually. Haven't heard anything yet

[LMcD]

From the BBC News website, quoting Matt Hancock's report to MPs.

But he adds the measures were not aimed at the "generality of over 70s who are healthy".
He says the guidance for those over 70 is the same as for people of working age except that the government strongly advises social distancing measures

Couldn't be clearer!

(Note the assumption that nobody aged over 70 works).

[Constantbee]

Just been notified of a Ryedale Spring Festival cancellation. Disappointed as I'd been looking forward to hearing Tim Ridout playing, and it was an afternoon coffee and cake event in a local stately home that doesn't open its doors to the public very often.

I was impressed that the organisers offered us the option to forego the ticket refund and donate to the festival so that they could offer the performers a cancellation fee in recognition of the impending threat of cancelled work due to current conditions Let's hope other event organisers do the same.

[oddoneout]

From the BBC News website, quoting Matt Hancock's report to MPs.

But he adds the measures were not aimed at the "generality of over 70s who are healthy".
He says the guidance for those over 70 is the same as for people of working age except that the government strongly advises social distancing measures

Couldn't be clearer!

(Note the assumption that nobody aged over 70 works).

Two of my colleagues are well over 70, and a new recruit to the team is 70 - whether he'll get a chance to work this season remains to be seen...
I have just been notified that all volunteering ceases from today at my workplace, so I'll not be gardening on Wednesday. However as yet I've not been advised that I'm not to come to(my paid) work which involves close proximity to the public; wearing two hats can prove interesting at times.

[Barbirollians]

From the BBC News website, quoting Matt Hancock's report to MPs.

But he adds the measures were not aimed at the "generality of over 70s who are healthy".
He says the guidance for those over 70 is the same as for people of working age except that the government strongly advises social distancing measures

Couldn't be clearer!

(Note the assumption that nobody aged over 70 works).

One minute one idiot PM says something vague the next the idiot Health Secretary contradicts him . This is utterly shambolic.

[Pulcinella]

pulcinella's got a concert coming up soon, cloughie. I was hoping to go, actually. Haven't heard anything yet

Sadly, we're about to cancel.
Message going out to choir members later tonight.
A shame, as it included a first performance that my partner had commissioned.

We will reschedule at some point.

[cloughie]

As expected no choirs and other singing activities for the next few weeks and need to assess the self isolation scenario for my piano lessons. On the positive side I can do some singing and learning at home, but I will miss the camaraderie and the sound!

[CGR]

One minute one idiot PM says something vague the next the idiot Health Secretary contradicts him . This is utterly shambolic.

I think the Government are managing a very difficult situation rather well.

[Barbirollians]

I think the Government are managing a very difficult situation rather well.

Tell that to all the pubs,clubs and restaurants that will not be able to claim on their insurance as he did not order them to close ? What is particular care for those in at risk groups over social distancing that goes beyond the general advice ?

Why are schools and courts remaining open ?

It is shambolic and people will pay with their lives .

[Joseph K]

https://evolvepolitics.com/boris-johnson-has-just-completely-screwed-over-tens-of-thousands-of-small-business-owners-across-the-uk/

[Pulcinella]

I think the Government are managing a very difficult situation rather well.

I don't.
Once again we are the laughing stock of other countries who are in horror and blank disbelief at our stance.
If things don't change soon we may well be treated as a pariah (and potentially still infected) state long after other countries have dealt with this situation.

[Flay]

Latest guidance. It's very clear.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance

[Pulcinella]

Latest guidance. It's very clear.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

https://www.gov.uk/government/public...-home-guidance

Indeed!
Other countries issue decrees; we provide guidelines!

[mallard fizz]

Indeed!
Other countries issue decrees; we provide guidelines!

That's been our strength through the centuries.

[Anastasius]

... but did Shapps consult Hancock before announcing this seemingly welcome 'take' on the latter's pronouncement yesterday? Surely the sensible thing to do is not believe anything any politician says but form one's own conclusions and act on them - appropriately and responsibly.
(The scientists seem to be contradicting one another, so they're no help - did a member of the present government not say, a while ago, that we'd all had enough of experts? As for the financial authorities' attempts to calm the markets ....)

Precisely.

What three things have I taken away from today's shambles ?

1) What is the point of telling people not to go to pubs if the schools are left open?
2) Which insurance underwriter had a quiet word in BoJo's ear and told him that it wouldn't be a good idea ...nudge..nudge..wink..wink..to order pubs etc to shut
3) At least I can still go to my gym and not have any social contact since when I go at 6am there are no staff and no other patrons. Well, there never are any staff! It's a very basic old-style iron gym.