Possible new Covid restrictions next week
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Was that designed to be a wind up?
Consider the future if the current trend continues.
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"what party are the mayors who are most vocal?"
It strikes me that is the most pointless comment in all this thread. What does it matter what party the local mayors are? The point is that they are the locally elected representatives in their respective areas. I think it is pretty much universally accepted that their involvement in the decision making process is a good thing. It's a good thing that there is some questioning of the inconsistent handling (I'd say planning but there seems to have been precious little of that) throughout this crisis.
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The solution isn’t going to be easy, no doubt about that at all. And I agree that the political posturing that is going on doesn’t help the situation either.
Underlying the crisis the country is now in, is years of political mismanagement, poorly thought out policies, a tendency to ignore quite obvious strategic planning requirements, putting company and shareholder profits before the lives of human beings, etc... Then there is the other side of the coin where local services, police forces, NHS requirements and staffing, checks on factories and workplaces, badly maintained housing stock, overcrowded dwellings, huge class sizes, etc.. have been cut to the bone, or are practically none existent. I would even add that there is an apathy that has crept in with regard to just how poor, self serving and in effectual those that represent us politically really are. I don’t say this with any relish, and consider it of all political parties, both nationally and local.
I think the first wave if you like, was primarily down to British folk on the whole doing the right thing together, in the main. But once the antics of some people, not just politicians, but the scientists as well, and others who should have known better, started to fragment the “all in it together”, then trust was shaken. The simple fact that in some instances poor decision making and blatantly bad behaviour was defended right at the top of power opened the door for anyone to stop doing the right thing, and get away with it. Trust has gone, meaningful debate amongst those implementing policy is fragmented, those in charge are twirling this way and that like whirling dervishes, depending on who is puppet master for the day. It’s a shambles, and anyone who thinks otherwise needs to take the blinkers off.
The country needs firm decision making, prioritising some essentials before desirables, it also needs proper enforcement of those policies with a zero tolerance for repeat offenders. It needs resources to make sure policies work. It needs someone trustworthy and believable delivering the messages, it needs time restricted emergency powers, it needs a very good testing and tracing system, it needs politicians to work together for everyone rather than scoring political points.
I doubt things will get much better before it gets much worse. All the sensible can do is take care, keep as safe as possible, support family and friends who have to be out there, and finally, hopefully when we emerge the other side, kick those who need a kicking where it hurts at the ballot box, nationally and locally. 😡
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And what are the mayors being vocal about? One of them is, as I see it, is wanting more help for the people who will affected by any further lockdown regulations? Is that bad?
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And from what area is this mayor from? one of the areas that the population it seems are? or were? obliviose to the problems that they were going to cause,
Has any one seen or heard the same mayors shouting at their voters to take a more responsible attitude or tell HMG that it was wrong to open up quickly? ,i seem to remember it was the other way round
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Of course it's part of their "agenda" - they are elected to represent their local communities in exactly the same way that MPs are elected to represent their constituents. Maybe you should stop trying to score petty points by turning this discussion into a party political one - that's been a major part of the problem throughout this crisis. It's about time that all the parties got together and acted as one on this.
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+ 1 to that.
This is no time for party political squabbles (or for point scoring here) but a time for working together and doing the right thing to bring us through this. Nearly 43k people would dearly love to help fight the battle.
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Well, here's a reality check, my nephew's wife, who is a SW city consultant says they now have 40 cases in, 10 in ICU after having a virtually empty section. She is going to be tested twice a week due to contacts with immune compromised patients. On that score testing has improved as during the start of the Covid outbreak she and her family were ill and no tests were available for them and they spent two weeks at home isolating. The medical side of things has improved too and the treatments are better.
So keep your distance and keep well.
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How so very true,about working together , but that will never happen, as they have said in the past ,that what they wanted to do ? and they would if it suited? ,but then as usual they do not have to make any desitions so they as usual, can say what they want, as they always would have a better? way
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Well to quote your own words "what world are you in"? Do you seriously think that the government are the only ones that have to make decisions? That they should just plough ahead without any reference to local politicians? Isn't that precisely why a group of northern government MPs have also got together to "advise" those in charge? And do you seriously think that that is the way to encourage folk to act responsibly? What happened to the much vaunted "all in this together" idea?
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A reality check indeed - as the SW was one of the areas least affected. So a quarter of those 40 ended up in ICU, a sobering thought. Yes, on the upside more is known about the virus than back in March and treatment is better.
We will certainly keep our distance, as we have done since the start, and I for one have a lot of respect for people like your nephew's wife.
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Brue, sincere good wishes to your family, hope things go well.
There are different issues affecting different parts of the country, different reasons why the case rates are climbing. And the impact of any local lockdowns will have different implications.
It’s not unfair of those in more rural areas to complain and be apprehensive about city dwellers and others arriving for holidays. Likewise it’s not fair to point the finger of suspicion at those in cities who would love to be able to afford a holiday, but cope with a precarious day to day living under normal circumstances. Like wise blaming students, or any other age group. To do so just exhibits a lack of overall understanding of just how different parts of the country can be.
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Rural or Town we all end up in the same hospitals (Ina D, I didn't quite make it clear, 40 patients in plus 10 in ICU and we're only two or three weeks down the line from the start of the increase.) Lets hope we can get it under control, no more complaining just conform and keep everyone out of hospital.
Thanks for your kind comments, we love our "girl" and the work she does even in the best of circumstances she works with very poorly patients.
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The mayors are certainly wanting more help but they want it from the the taxpayer to support private enterprise and bolster their own council funds, and dare I say their own pockets.
In common with many I enjoy eating out and a drink. I enjoy certain sports and some theatre but I cannot justify expecting the Government to use money from the public purse to keep these businesses solvent. If the fans and customers are really that keen to see them survive then perhaps they should provide money from their own pockets.
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Guilty as charged here as well, although we didn’t stay around such places.
I think lots of us have just been happy to get a change of scenery, and tried to do so in as safe and thoughtful way as possible, once it became possible to do so.
I agree with your last paragraph. Totally.
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I think that also shows up in the demographics of the users of the forum.
I agree with AD on a number of his observations but it is hard trying to return to a semi normal way of life, for those of us who are trying the hardest, and not become part of the problem. Risk assessment has become heightened during this pandemic and may take some time to seep back to normal when it is over.
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If reports are to be believed then the infection rate in Hillingdon is 4 times as high as those of Bolton and Bury when they were forced to go into local lockdown yet the fair citizens of Hillingdon can continue to go about their business with no restrictions, just guidelines.
Why is it important to highlight Hillingdon? Just happens to be Johnsons constituency.
If true then it once again reinforces the notion that it is one rule for the affluent south and the "elite" areas and another for run down cities in the north. Not going to help unite a country is it. That's without taking into account the differences between the 4 countries of the UK.
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I agree - in less serious situations a bit of finger pointing can be a fun way to let of steam, but there is nothing remotely "fun" about the situation we find ourselves in.
It has been argued by some that the government should not be blamed - no one else would have done any better - it's east to criticise them when you're not in power and don't have to make the decisions. Which is completely besides the point - it is precisely those in power (and currently, have very cunningly manipulated themselves into power) who have to deal with the situation and open themselves up to criticism. (It matters not what particular party that happens to be.) What is noticeable with the current lot is that in this, and the other major "crisis" they are dealing with currently, they have very arrogantly adopted a "we know best" attitude (and only very recently and much too late attempted to bring other views on board. The most recent manifestation of that is the now commonly trotted out line that anyone who dates to suggest an alternative is wanting to "let the virus rip".
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Saw the boffins pointing out the statistics as the warm up to Boris speech later. The facts are sobering and we should all be very aware of how near the brink we are again. On a local issue I hope Boris does not say " Measures coming in , in x number of days" .All it will do is get the Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham second homers make a quick dash here bringing the disease with them.
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+1
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Fair point but my life & stress levels re other people/family/friends would be way less for sure WN☹️. I do however understand your point👍🏻
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