Coronavirus: social, economic and other changes as a result of the pandemic

[Cockney Sparrow]

As to the above - I have seen a GP nurse several times since April. And I've been called for a hospital scan on a mass screening programme triggered by my age.

Secondly:
Very interesting interview with Prof Spiegelhalter on "Today" , Radio 4 this morning (at 2hrs 35mins on Sounds /iplayer).

He's published a document to help with appreciation of risk by age, also discusses testing at airports and very interestingly on the substantial disruption which might result from false positives should the (Cummings/Boris fantasy island) Moonshot testing ever come to pass before the Pandemic ends. He says there is no sign this effect has been considered.

(I've also posted this on the other Coronavirus thread).

[teamsaint]

The whole idea of health "passports" , daily testing and any other digital controls ( not to mention testing to access events, work, transport) need opposing without condition. It will end very badly for us all.

[Frances_iom]

The whole idea of health "passports" , daily testing and any other digital controls ( not to mention testing to access events, work, transport) need opposing without condition. It will end very badly for us all.

we have under BJ who is known to be incapable of handling details about to engineer a surveillance society worse than East Germany - I note that New Zealand uses genomic information to link clusters - I wonder just how much is due to returnees from certain Greek Islands where the nightlife appears to revolve around alcohol + fights

[Constantbee]

This is a really significant statement from parkrun.

For those who are unaware, parkrun is a weekly free 5k run, 9.00 saturday, which is designed to get people exercising together in an inclusive manner. I really do recommend reading this, as it speaks to physical and mental wellbeing issues . Hundreds of thousands of people take part each week.

https://blog.parkrun.com/uk/2020/09/...to-act-is-now/

Thanks for heading his up, TS There's been no news about the parkruns for ages. A comprehensive and detailed, but arguably over-cautious Covid-19 Framework appeared on the Volunteer Hub Website this week:

https://volunteer.parkrun.com/principles/open-with-covid-19-management-system

Recommended reading, but we probably shouldn't get our hopes up just yet.

[Dave2002]

The whole idea of health "passports" , daily testing and any other digital controls ( not to mention testing to access events, work, transport) need opposing without condition. It will end very badly for us all.

I tend to agree, even though I feel that somethings do need to be done to manage the pandemic. So much reliance is now placed on mobile phones - without due consideration to the privacy issues which are tied up with those - and linking all the information about health etc. is just not a good thing to do.

Several "warnings" from history. Use of encrypted data - the Russians messed up on that over a 100 years ago, although they were using less good encryption than is available today. Some countries managed to keep so much fairly accurate data on their citizens that when they were invaded, the invaders knew very quickly which people to round up and deal with. Don't think it couldn't happen again.

[Bryn]

On FB, this has led to an outpouring of fear and ill-informed, panicked messaging:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-54116939

Today's figures for infection, just announced, are the highest since May.

With the Government, and official opposition, rapidly losing what semblance of credibility they had with some, we may be facing troubled social times ahead. I feel it important that positivity and support for each medical advance against COVID-19 be our watchwords.

[LMcD]

The young lady behind the till in one of our local charity shops, who has special needs and is herself benefiting from its good work, was loudly abused by a young man when she asked him to produce a mask before entering the shop. Sadly, I also have to report that social distancing is definitely not being observed to the same extent in our high street as it was even a couple of weeks ago. I fear there may be trouble ahead.

[oddoneout]

The young lady behind the till in one of our local charity shops, who has special needs and is herself benefiting from its good work, was loudly abused by a young man when she asked him to produce a mask before entering the shop. Sadly, I also have to report that social distancing is definitely not being observed to the same extent in our high street as it was even a couple of weeks ago. I fear there may be trouble ahead.

It has been remarked on that the wearing of masks seems to be viewed by many as a substitute for distancing, regardless of location(ie whether inside and wearing or outside and not), rather than an addition.

[Serial_Apologist]

The young lady behind the till in one of our local charity shops, who has special needs and is herself benefiting from its good work, was loudly abused by a young man when she asked him to produce a mask before entering the shop. Sadly, I also have to report that social distancing is definitely not being observed to the same extent in our high street as it was even a couple of weeks ago. I fear there may be trouble ahead.

So it's not only in London then. When out I'm finding myself constantly zig-zagging across streets to try my best to keep out of the way of oncoming groups taking up entire pavements. Most, if not all, seem however to be observing the masking rule and floor markings inside shops, in this part of the world.

[LHC]

Some good news about the LSO’s return to performing:

DnaNudge, developer of the pioneering rapid, lab-free CovidNudge test, is pleased to announce a special partnership with the London Symphony Orchestra – delivering regular COVID-19 testing to the orchestra’s 120 musicians and enabling London’s oldest symphony orchestra to make a much-welcomed return to live performance. DnaNudge is performing the testing – which delivers results in just over an hour – exclusively for the LSO as sponsors, to help support the UK arts and cultural sector’s safe re-opening and return to work.

The entire orchestra completed CovidNudge testing prior to beginning its first group rehearsal sessions at LSO St Luke’s, held in preparation for the LSO’s 2020 BBC Prom concert broadcast live on August 30th 2020. Regular testing will continue for the rest of the year to support the LSO’s ambitious and innovative programme of events announced for the Autumn season.

Commenting on DnaNudge’s support for the LSO, Professor Chris Toumazou FRS, FREng, FMedSci, CEO and co-founder of DnaNudge and founder of the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at Imperial College London said: “The UK arts industry across the board has been severely challenged by COVID-19, and it’s been a great sadness to so many people to see our much-loved orchestras fall silent as we deal with this unprecedented pandemic. The DnaNudge team was keen to help the LSO – one of this country’s greatest cultural institutions – get back to making music again, and we are extremely proud that our CovidNudge test is supporting the return of live orchestral music that provides so much joy to people from all walks of life, all around the world.”

https://www.dnanudge.com/press/79/DnaNudge’s+Rapid+COVID-19+Test+Supports+London+Symphony+Orchestra’s+Return+To+Live+Performance

[Bryn]

More BS he(a)rd:

[DracoM]

I wonder what Trump would do / say of a programme like BBC R4's 'More or less' which weekly called him out as quietly and dignifiedly as this prog does to the UK govt?

[Frances_iom]

I wonder what Trump would do / say of a programme like BBC R4's 'More or less' which weekly called him out as quietly and dignifiedly as this prog does to the UK govt?

Trump would twatter " Fake news!" - the UK Gov takes a more nuanced view + longer term view - shoot the messenger by denying the BBC money to produce such programs

[oddoneout]

Wasn't sure where best to post this as it isn't solely about choirs

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/sep/20/unholy-row-as-leading-london-church-axes-musicians-using-covid-as-a-cover

However they are presented, there is no doubt that Covid-19 will be used as a reason to bring forward or formulate plans to change, reduce, cease previous activities, as in the article. While much of this is understandable and may be inevitable, one can't help wondering how much is seizing an opportunity to push through changes quickly and without opposition, which otherwise would be subject to lengthy consultations, discussions, negotiations, delays and defeat of some sort?

[Cockney Sparrow]

Shame on St Martin in the Fields. This is a stain on their reputation. Time to fire off an indignant email folks?

Have to say I sent one on the Friday before the National Trust chief executive came out on a media round to explain what they were considering (closing / "repurposing" many of the buildings in their care) and why. I presume the reaction of members and (in) the media caused them to pay attention to the gathering storm.

Lets hope there will be a storm of emails or letters (or both) and it will cause the church to reflect on the implications of what its doing..... Contact details here:

https://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/contact/

I appreciate, though, that St Martins is probably only one institution using this disruption to force through changes.