Coronavirus: UK R number 'between 0.8 and 1'
22/01/2021
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news
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health
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The UK's chief medical adviser warns that "a very small change and it could start taking off again".
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The OAF
22/01/2021 15:08:41
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bbc
Here we go again, how many waves to come?
None if people stick to the scientific advice. But there's ya problem...
We didn't have the vaccine during the previous waves.
I dunno, ten? I would prefer waves rather than a constant upwards trajectory. We are going to be living with this virus for years, decades, maybe even centuries. We haven't got rid of flu have we?
It could be that the entire global population has to be vaccinated annually to keep it under control. Good times for the pharmaceutical companies!
It could be that the entire global population has to be vaccinated annually to keep it under control. Good times for the pharmaceutical companies!
The govt is useless. They need to compensate workers £500 per wk to isolate if they’re infected. Many other countries have this system in place and their death rates and economies are much better than ours. It’s a no brainer .. . Infected people are still working because they can’t afford to stay home. We need an exit strategy & a DECENT Test, Trace & Isolate system. It’ll cost less
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Exactly. The police should have locked every single person there up - maybe a night in the cells would have taught them a lesson! And why was a SCHOOL the venue? Lock the governors up too!!
wall to wall fools
that's it, you swallow the governments narrative of shifting the blame blame for their failures to a tiny minority who don't follow the guidelines. Good job at being Mr Gullible, bet you voted for brexit too.
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There were apparently 400 people at this wedding party & only a handful were fined (plus the organiser) - they knew it was illegal, had blacked over the windows to prevent detection and several tried to run away. I despair at the lack of enforcement from the police - every man, women and child at the party should have been handed a fine and their names taken to enforce 14 day quarantine on them.
At what point are they going to name these mugs ? You get your name and details plastered all over the local rags for traffic offences ! What a shame on their religion, but I’m sure they’ll laugh it off at the next bar mitzvah ?!
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Some good news, it's time for a proper plan out of damaging lockdowns and go back tothe old normal. Look at it this way. Does anybody believe the Chinese have had only 4000 deaths? No. So their lockdown didn't work either. It was a propagana stunt, and we bought it hook line and sinker. They will be laughing themselves to sleep every night at the level to which we have lost the plot!
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Australia has to date less than 1K deaths (the majority - 820 being in Victoria) and they went into very strict lockdown. It certainly worked for Australia
Are you being serious? There is solid scientific evidence from numerous sources that restrictions absolutely do slow down the progress of this virus. Limiting school attendance is particularly effective at slowing it down.
Does anybody believe sage’s figures and advice? Or just the branch covidians out there??
None if the government directions were actually within the scientific advice of Stop The Spread.
There's other factors to consider, and every one of those is a compromise between the economy, education, jobs now, future jobs, and ... of course, being popular / populist.
The fear of unpopularity has been the biggest hindrance to the government doing the right thing. Hence the mexican wave.
There's other factors to consider, and every one of those is a compromise between the economy, education, jobs now, future jobs, and ... of course, being popular / populist.
The fear of unpopularity has been the biggest hindrance to the government doing the right thing. Hence the mexican wave.
Nope
Our problem is this totally useless incompetent corrupt government full of traitors Removed
Our problem is this totally useless incompetent corrupt government full of traitors Removed
It would shrink even faster if the covidiots kept to the rules. 400 people at a wedding - ridiculous stupidity.
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Somehow people think religion is a special excuse. Weird how God doesn't protect them from Covid though!!
Interesting you focus on that and not the millions taking part in 'Eat out to help out' or the freeing up of restrictions for xmas. If people not obeying the rules are covidioits what do we call people such as yourself?
it will be even less now the WHO have changed their view of
PCR testing e.g. false positives
PCR testing e.g. false positives
Please do not use the term covidiots. It is a puerile, social-media inspired buzz word that most people use brainlessly and unconsciously. It is also being used to inspire prejudice against those who cannot wear masks due to health or psychological issues, and is a convenient tool for verbal bullying. Rules, by the way, won't stop the virus!
400 people from Stamford Hill at the wedding and only 5 are issued fines - 395 legged it.
Religion always gets a free pass. "Places of Worship" have been kept open as much as possible, despite being full of science-denying idiots.
Meanwhile, my "places of worship" (pubs) are being forced out of business in their thousands.
Meanwhile, my "places of worship" (pubs) are being forced out of business in their thousands.
What I struggle with is why did the police issue only 5 penalty notices when reports say 400 attended the wedding?
They all should be taken to the nearest hospital ICU's and made to clean the place. Selfish fools
Surely the Rabbi should have said he wouldn't hold the ceremony unless the numbers were reduced? He should have been more responsible in looking after the health of his flock.
It's the downvoters who are the enemy of mankind.
To somehow think 400 people gathering in the middle of the world's worst ever pandemic is 'ok' staggers belief.
To somehow think 400 people gathering in the middle of the world's worst ever pandemic is 'ok' staggers belief.
The property owner should be fined heavily (£100,000) to deter any repeat regardless of religion or culture. Police are too soft on these killers!
Welcome to the pandemic Mexican wave, round and round we go up and down up and down!! More like you put your left arm in lockdown , you take it out, in out in out shake it all about!!!!!!!
The epidemic is decreasing exponentially. Funny how reports with R < 1 never use this language but 1.01 is increasing exponentially.
But with a decrease, the amount of decrease reduces over time, so it doesn’t really have the same significance.
Please forgive me - it's been 20 years since I did GCSE maths but I would have thought an exponential increase would require an R of 2 or above and an exponential decrease would require an R of 0.5 or below.
The use of the word exponential under any other circumstances is just sensationalism.
The use of the word exponential under any other circumstances is just sensationalism.
What do mean when you say the epidemic is decreasing exponentially? That is total nonsense! Did you read this article? It MAY be just below 1 which is not brilliant news as we need it lower still in order to save lives, save the NHS and get out of these restrictions.
I find it so sad that our Tory govt tries to blame their failure to control the pandemic on a tiny minority who disregard the rules
This happens everywhere so why is the UK worst?
They want us to ignore 22bn wasted on Track & trace
Or the fact that Boris "Saviour of Christmas" Johnson dithers when making important decisions & often ignores SAGE scientific advice, often giving us mixed messages
This happens everywhere so why is the UK worst?
They want us to ignore 22bn wasted on Track & trace
Or the fact that Boris "Saviour of Christmas" Johnson dithers when making important decisions & often ignores SAGE scientific advice, often giving us mixed messages
Earlier this year Boris branded himself as the saviour of Christmas
As cases rose in Oct he ignored SAGE & dithered in locking down the nation allowing cases to rise too high
He then opened up too early when cases were still far too high
He then put london in tier 2, putting wealth before health
He changed the 5 day Christmas mixing period to 1 day too late
And the result is what we see now
As cases rose in Oct he ignored SAGE & dithered in locking down the nation allowing cases to rise too high
He then opened up too early when cases were still far too high
He then put london in tier 2, putting wealth before health
He changed the 5 day Christmas mixing period to 1 day too late
And the result is what we see now
Agree with you that there are far too many exemptions within the rules, and it’s this, not rule breaking that has allowed CV19 to spread.
But t&t was a totally doomed concept which could never have worked, no matter how well it was set up due to 1 in 3 asymptomatic. cases.
But t&t was a totally doomed concept which could never have worked, no matter how well it was set up due to 1 in 3 asymptomatic. cases.
It's been almost a year, can we finally start having 'covid deaths' figures that are deaths *caused* by covid, not just deaths within 28 days of a positive test???
tell me, in your own words, how you thnk death certificates work
See goverment web site https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/deaths
That would be very difficult as Covid-19 as with many respiratory diseases can be the cause of death due to its impact on many other underlying health conditions.
You could have something such as diabetes and Covid-19 contributes to your demise.
Covid-19 is only recorded on death certificates if it was a contributory factor.
You could have something such as diabetes and Covid-19 contributes to your demise.
Covid-19 is only recorded on death certificates if it was a contributory factor.
having just spent a week in hospital, I had three negative tests.....Wanted to give me a forth, three times they tried for a forth....
People were landing in the air ambulance and half of them were still on the motorway.....were been recorded as a Covid death???
Im with you !!
People were landing in the air ambulance and half of them were still on the motorway.....were been recorded as a Covid death???
Im with you !!
I'd like to see some voluntary pay cuts for those 'public servants' in cushy jobs pushing lockdown and furlough on the rest of us
People be nice, it's a reasonable question. But as others have pointed out the problem is it can be very difficult to say exactly why someone died. So if they were very ill and caught covid you may well die, but what killed you, the COVID, or the exisiting condition? One set of figures has 'if COVID was mentioned on the death certificate' this at least rules out people who were hit by a bus etc
Do you know what the term Co-Morbidity means?
Multiple causes of death can be cited along with a main cause, and quite often one of those cause will be COVID, it certainly has been for near 100,000 people.
Multiple causes of death can be cited along with a main cause, and quite often one of those cause will be COVID, it certainly has been for near 100,000 people.
Literally any number that's reported on this will be debated. So at least they're using a *well-defined* statistic, to prevent ambiguity.
In answer to your question, the best metric is probably "excess deaths" - which have already been reported extensively for months.
In answer to your question, the best metric is probably "excess deaths" - which have already been reported extensively for months.
Wouldn’t it be great if we have a public national body that collect and publish such a statistic...
Unnecessary and a bad idea. Many cases clear cut, but there will be arguments in many cases that would make the situation for bereaved relatives much worse.
That would be a good idea but time consuming to collect the data on.
Same as trying to put a figure on how many deaths have occurred as an in direct result of Covid 19.
Like, long Ambulance delays, Shortage of hospital staff, unperformed surgery, missed scans, missed treatments, lack of beds in ICU's. etc
Same as trying to put a figure on how many deaths have occurred as an in direct result of Covid 19.
Like, long Ambulance delays, Shortage of hospital staff, unperformed surgery, missed scans, missed treatments, lack of beds in ICU's. etc
That's exactly the purpose of the death certificate, it states the actual cause of death and any contributing conditions
All deaths are as result of heart and breathing ceasing, every entry on death certificate is contributory factors to that, Covid is one of those.
COVID may not have killed you, but it was the guy that opened the door to allow other conditions to kill you. It's the getaway driver that is just as culpable.
People with diabetes may have lived for 10-15 more years, but along comes COVID and helps the diabetes kill you in 2 weeks.
It's a COVID death. Without COVID you'd be alive.
Very few people have died only of COVID.
People with diabetes may have lived for 10-15 more years, but along comes COVID and helps the diabetes kill you in 2 weeks.
It's a COVID death. Without COVID you'd be alive.
Very few people have died only of COVID.
Whilst there will be some deaths within 28 days unrelated to covid, there will also be covid related deaths past 28 days. the excess deaths isn't a total reflection as some of those deaths are as a result of covid lockdown etc as well. so the deaths within 28 days metric is at least a constant benchmark. i don't expect it is far off the truth.
Nobody is seemingly dying from pneumonia at present.
Go figure....
Go figure....
It would be practically impossible with the numbers.
And stop keep adding to the total! We don't do this with flu, it is counted in seasons. They should have started counting from zero back in October or November, like we with flu.
so you want us to use up more preciousNHS resources to investigate whether the person who has had covid actually died from it
You must be living in cloud cuckoo land
You must be living in cloud cuckoo land
Breaking News! People die. If Covid was a contributory factor it isn't a covid death really - it's just brought forward the inevitable. I know two people who have died and been claimed as covid victims. One had end-stage cancer (after 5 years of fighting it) and the other sceptacaemia. Both were hospitalised for the main condition but caught covid whilst there. That's the problem with statistics
At the precise time we should be tightening restrictions, certain MPs and lobby groups are talking about loosening them. Utter madness.
Don't be so selfish. It may seem madness to you but to many of us loosening the restriction is the only way of having a life.
and tighten how? my 28 year old son has lost his job and home because of the restrictions over the last 10 months. he hasn't met a new person for 10 months. Just what else do you expect the likes of him to give up for you?
And they all seem to be Tory MPs. There seems to be a pattern here.
And why exactly would be tightening them - there is absolutely no logic in your statement
It’s not madness, it’s time the vulnerable and old stumped up and shielded for as long as this goes on whilst letting the rest of society gets on with it. The majority of society has sacrificed so much for the sake of the old and Vulnerable already.
So selfish. If your that bothered lock yourself away and stop taking the money that will be paid for by the private sector recovery.
Get rid of the nanny rules that cannot possibly have any effect on transmission.
Meeting other people is the one and only way to transmit it.
People going over 5 miles away ON THEIR OWN cannot transmit it
Someone eating their OWN sandwich in their OWN car cannot transmit it
Meeting other people is the one and only way to transmit it.
People going over 5 miles away ON THEIR OWN cannot transmit it
Someone eating their OWN sandwich in their OWN car cannot transmit it
Are we going to get a lecture again of the Covid experts because they have had it?
They should all be made to quarantine for two weeks. If 1 in 50 or so people currently has it then statistically there would have been a few infected people there. So statistically speaking there is a fair chance all of them are now infected. Lock them in there own homes! Idiots!
Exactly. The trouble is - too many people don’t see it as a crime. It needs to have the same stigma as drink-driving. Both are unnecessary and put the perpetrators and people they don’t know at risk.
Not sure why so many don’t see it that way.
Not sure why so many don’t see it that way.
Bit of a thoughtless rant! Remember, some people don't agree with the 'rules' and can't really see any point in them, that's their choice and won't necessarily have a jot of impact on you (or anyone else). Rules are there for the obedience of fools, but guidance for the intelligent. Oh, and the school was rented out in good faith - not the governors' fault.
Sirrantsalot: I said elsewhere earlier today "Fine every last one of the guests £200, there must be a guest list surely(?), then also fine the organisers each £10000 (ie the husband/wife, parents, school governors for hiring out the facility). Until this sort of draconian response is carried out on the perpetrators then these incidents will continue to occur."
None if people stick to the scientific advice. But there's ya problem...
What is it I don't get? That keeping as far as possible from each other stops the virus spreading? That mask wearing limits the amount of the virus spread? That basic hygiene stops you spreading the virus by contact?
It's not difficult. It's all scientific advice. And it's been proven to work time and time again.
It's not difficult. It's all scientific advice. And it's been proven to work time and time again.
It would shrink even faster if the covidiots kept to the rules. 400 people at a wedding - ridiculous stupidity.
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Yes, tricky to see how an imaginary friend is going to help but hey ho, crack on lads. Let's see what nature makes of things.
God doesn't protect people from being killed in car accidents, from other diseases, from anything, in fact. God is not Father Christmas protecting us from our own choices. The point is that we learn from our mistakes, understand that we are mortal, and put the most important things in life above selfishness.
what's religion got to do with wedding you fool, most have been parties thrown by white English folks don't see commenting on that ya bigot!
*Some* people think religion is a special excuse. Don't label all religious people the same, just because you are not.
It doesn't matter how much things improve ...the Government and SAGE are so scared of being accused by the Covid Sheep of killing people that they are never going to let the rest of us back into a normal life. As a single guy they've prevented me from having anyone in my house for 7 months now. That is not the role of any Government.
Yep, and it’s against the law for a teenager to give their partner a cuddle....and has been for nearly a year
Actually its exactly the role of government.
You were born into an era when the government has not until now had to do something like this.
Would you complain about the government forcing a blackout on you?
Evacuating your house in a flood?
Withdrawing certain items because it is suddenly found they have a 90% chance to cause cancer?
I share your frustrations but insulting others wont help.
You were born into an era when the government has not until now had to do something like this.
Would you complain about the government forcing a blackout on you?
Evacuating your house in a flood?
Withdrawing certain items because it is suddenly found they have a 90% chance to cause cancer?
I share your frustrations but insulting others wont help.
Could you not have formed a bubble with someone? Not having a go, just suggesting.
"the Covid Sheep"
Aha, the classic clue to spotting the tinfoil hat wearer - anyone who disagrees with them must be a sheep!
Aha, the classic clue to spotting the tinfoil hat wearer - anyone who disagrees with them must be a sheep!
Keep this lockdown in place until the R rate is below 0.5. Please do not lift the restrictions too early or we will see another resurgence and a further lockdown
Battered wife syndrome
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Or better still go for a zero covid strategy.
Then you can have herd immunity.
Then you can have herd immunity.
James, it’s a seasonal respiratory disease and infections are reducing naturally and will fade to background levels over the summer, as they did last year. Nothing we gave done has affected things greatly, and to great cost. Disagree? Please explain Sweden.
I suppose we should just wait until everyone is unemployed because of all the businesses are closed. Then everyone can stay at home all the time.
I think the public approval rating for lockdown is about 86%.
If you’re in the 14%, you’re a tiny little minority. Suck it up and pipe down. Removed
If you’re in the 14%, you’re a tiny little minority. Suck it up and pipe down. Removed
I agree we should keep the restrictions in place until the case numbers drop significantly. An R rate of <1 means that cases are dropping, but the R rate itself will remain constant unless the restrictions are tightened even further (or large numbers vaccinated).
Put another way, the length of the restrictions has no bearing on whether the cases will pick up again or not after they are lifted.
Put another way, the length of the restrictions has no bearing on whether the cases will pick up again or not after they are lifted.
What matters is the number of cases in the community. The R rate just tells us if cases are growing (1.0+) or shrinking (Under 1.0).
An R of 0.5 one week followed by an R of 2.0 a week later puts you right back where you started in terms of case count.
An R of 0.5 one week followed by an R of 2.0 a week later puts you right back where you started in terms of case count.
The R rate doesn’t just keep on decreasing unless things change - if vaccinations do stop people spreading it that would decrease the R rate but there’s no feasible lockdown that could reduce the R rate to 0.5, nor is that necessary.
The overwhelming priority has to be vaccinate as many people as possible, as fast as possible as that’s the way out of this.
The overwhelming priority has to be vaccinate as many people as possible, as fast as possible as that’s the way out of this.
A resurgence will ALWAYS happen until mass immunity is achieved either naturally, via vaccine, or both.
Yeah. Let's keep the suicide and domestic abuse rates rising. Let's keep most businesses closed so that they fold and nobody has a job.
Sounds like a great plan.
What worries me most isn't that this is even a suggestion, but that people actually agree with you? This world is insane!!
Sounds like a great plan.
What worries me most isn't that this is even a suggestion, but that people actually agree with you? This world is insane!!
You do realise that the R number has a great degree of subjectivity in it? It is not purely the output of a mathematical formula.
Erm. Just how long do you think the country can exist in the non-life of a lockdown ? Let's boost vaccination and get back to some semblance of life ASAP.
Haven't the government always said the R needs to be below 1. Which it now is. Plus we now have the vaccine, so where's the excuse to continue destroying our economy and people's livelihoods?
Most people shouting for the lockdown to go on forever, like the virus is magically going to vanish, are either:
a) retired so don't have to worry about work
b) the boomer generation who most don't have mortgages as they got into property when it was cheap
c) on benefits so get "paid" either way.
a) retired so don't have to worry about work
b) the boomer generation who most don't have mortgages as they got into property when it was cheap
c) on benefits so get "paid" either way.
Is that scientifically or demographically supported. I don't think so!
The vaccine is the game changer this time an increase in the infection rate won’t lead to hospitalisations as long as the old and vulnerable are vaccinated.
So why are we bothering to vaccinate people then?
Does that mean we can be rid of the party political broadcast by Sturgeon every day, the one that masquerades as a virus update?
no she needs to tell Bunter what he should do 2 weeks later
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There's no politics in Sturgeon's broadcast. Amusing that people even think there is - have they ever watched it?
Yet another case of English exceptionalism unable to accept that England isn't doing the best?
Yet another case of English exceptionalism unable to accept that England isn't doing the best?
You don't have to watch it, I do and find it very informative. More so than what is coming out of Whitehall.
If you are Scottich I hope so but she has played a canny hand as most of the Scots think she's handling it well. They forget all the furlough money and other business support comes from the UK
The R would be at .3 if we didn’t have so many stupid and selfish people.
We wouldn't have the R number of we had all just followed the rules and had the government been proactive rather than reactive.
There wouldn’t be any economy at all if it wasnt for the drive and the energy of those eager to open up lockdown and get back to work.
Wrong. The virus will still spread as long as there are people living on the planet. Lockdown is just a sticking plaster measure designed to reassure people the government is doing something.
Why have you randomly chosen .3, I agree it would be lower, but it could be .2 or .4 or almost anything else
Don't be daft.
It isn't that low anywhere in Europe. Stop blaming people for what is a natural event.
This is what viruses do- they spread.
If you lockdown you force then to mutate. Simple Darwinian evolution.
It isn't that low anywhere in Europe. Stop blaming people for what is a natural event.
This is what viruses do- they spread.
If you lockdown you force then to mutate. Simple Darwinian evolution.
Like the Government - people mostly act responsibly - it is our government that doesn't.
Then it goes straight back up again as soon as lockdown is relaxed. It's like being on a steep hill on a bike, you can break and go no where, or you can go slowly down the hill bit by bit or bomb down the hill in one go, end result is exactly the same, you reach the same point. Herd immunity and a working vaccine (not proved it will work yet though) and an acceptance people do die, life can go on
How is it selfish to want freedom for all the citizens of the UK and not be placed under house arrest for no crime committed
Unfortunately the r-sole number remains subbonly high inside the goverment.
Yes, Johnson, his dad cummings, the royals, celebrities, the wealthy, MPs, government ministers, the list goes on
Good, time to reopen the economy & business. Time to crack on & get ourselves out of the economic mess we are in as a country. People think Covid is bad but the after effects of it economically will be far far worse!
Good, time to re-open the economy and turn that R number positive again. After all, it's only been shrinking for an hour...
People have no idea what's coming. It'll look like Hyper-inflation times in Germany after WW1. That's before we even get into the highest cancer rates and deaths in decades due to late or no diagnosis. Fun times ahead.
Infections may soon go up as a result of house parties of up to 14 people happening so they think they can avoid an £800 fine but catch Covid and claim £500 off the taxpayer because of abysmal Government policy making.
If only it was the government that suggested the £500 you could really slag them off.
Call be a cynic, but I suspect the young would go out and try and get it and have tests every day in the hope they would get it (knowing they are likely to be safe), to get the £500 then wouldnt stay in anyway!
Great news.
Now for another HYS full of people saying we should either:
A) Open up and screw the consequences; or
B) Lock our doors and never go out again until nobody dies of Covid whilst at the same time castigating people who dare venture outside to earn money.
Now for another HYS full of people saying we should either:
A) Open up and screw the consequences; or
B) Lock our doors and never go out again until nobody dies of Covid whilst at the same time castigating people who dare venture outside to earn money.
The answer of course lies somewhere in between those polarised positions
No middle ground then? Do A) and risk 3rd wave, do B) and destroy the Economy. Knowing when to relax is the Million Pound dilemma and will need careful consideration. Don't know any people who castigate essential workers but the selfish fools who do things like attend a 400 guest wedding deserve more than mere castigation.
good. Once this is all over with we should commend the tireless work of Whitty, Johnson and Hancock. They didn't get it 100% right but nobody else would have either and they deserve our thanks for their efforts. Well done.
They've got it wrong repeatedly and should be prosecuted for the fear they have inflicted on people in pursuit of their crusade
Absurd...tireless Johnson and Hancock? I think you might have meant tiresome?!
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Is this the same Witty and Hancock we see doom mongering on the box every few days ? Can’t be obviously ??
Whitty doesn't deserve to has his name mentioned in the same sentence as the other two - he's just about the only voice of reason in all this while Johnson and Hancock are the poster boys of useless
Don't put Whitty in the same group as Boris Trump. Boris, asleep at the wheel, runs the show and it's his complete incompetence has left us with the most deaths and most damaged health service in Europe. Time and time again this failed journalist has acted far too late, leading to tens of thousands of avoidable deaths.
They moved 25,000 old people out of hospitals and put them in to care homes, you do know what happened next? Some of these people should be facing 12 of their peers across a courtroom floor. As a society we should not forget their catastrophic mistakes.
Boris tireless are you mad the lazyiest self centred prime minister of all time and that includes Blair
What planet are you living on
The uk has one of the highest death rates per population of any nation on earth as a direct result of Boris Johnsons complete inability to control the virus
I can only assume you are a tory troll paid to write such BS, otherwise you really need to research the facts and understand what has happened in the last 10 months
The uk has one of the highest death rates per population of any nation on earth as a direct result of Boris Johnsons complete inability to control the virus
I can only assume you are a tory troll paid to write such BS, otherwise you really need to research the facts and understand what has happened in the last 10 months
They have all made an absolute balls up of it from start to finish .All need to be sacked
Comedy gold.
If you want to commend them perhaps first ask why there are 100,000 dead Britons.
If you want to commend them perhaps first ask why there are 100,000 dead Britons.
Are you on a different planet ?
Johnson certainly hasn't got much right - more concerened with the economy than the people - too late with lockdown - no testing on incoming passengers - travellers not given advice on self isolation - can't make timely decisions
He is far too busy making unnecessary journeys for the latest photocall
He should be called to account - he has failed us miserably
Johnson certainly hasn't got much right - more concerened with the economy than the people - too late with lockdown - no testing on incoming passengers - travellers not given advice on self isolation - can't make timely decisions
He is far too busy making unnecessary journeys for the latest photocall
He should be called to account - he has failed us miserably
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Whitty, Vallence and SAGE will be responsible for killing more people than WWII.
And you think that they deserve thanks.
That's sick.
And you think that they deserve thanks.
That's sick.
Whitty yes, Hancock and Johnson no, they got it so wrong at the start, our death rate proves that.
Well you made me smile.
Johnson has managed to lead the country into having one of the highest death rates along with one of the worst economic outcomes
So no
I don’t applaud him
He should be in prison for treason
So no
I don’t applaud him
He should be in prison for treason
Compare our death rates per capita with other countries and their performance doesn't look so good...
Whitty might have done but the other two are cocks, as for pretty useless and drab.
Vote up to keep lockdown restrictions in place until the virus has nearly disappeared or vote down to relax restrictions now and risk a further lockdown?
And don’t bother if you don’t agree with this childish practice of vote up or down
Or vote up here to say that you don't want to vote
The virus will never disappear, it will be around forever. Sadly none of this nightmare will be over until we build up natural immunity to it or those who succumb to it have done so.
A stupid question. We would all like to get things back to normal but what is your definition of nearly disappeared? This virus nearly disappeared in the summer but came back again in September. So do you actually mean gone forever throughout the world?
OR the middle ground. Wait until at least the vaccine has been given to all the over 65's plus 3 weeks.
It's loaded questions like this that will result in a complete breakdown of the economy. How stupid.
Or handle it in a different way? Maybe lift most measures (except masks, screens in shops etc and hand washing for example ) but shield and support properly those that are at risk from Covid. Let the other 85% who are at low risk/no risk get on with rebuilding our economy, society. mental health. The virus isn't going to go away, it will mutate - we need to start living with it not in fear of it.
dude you'll be in lockdown a long time and the economy non existent.
And achieve what? Cripple the economic growth even further in the Uk, here’s an idea or about people listen in the first place.
Negative fool this is excellent news let’s celebrate. Well at home anyway.
Now that the vaccine is rolling out effectively economics will determine when we start the road to normality probably in April. Hopefully back to normal by Summer/Autumn .
Good news
Now that the vaccine is rolling out effectively economics will determine when we start the road to normality probably in April. Hopefully back to normal by Summer/Autumn .
Good news
No lockdown restrictions at all. Why do you believe the country should be under house arrest and for what crime?
Vote up if you think we should end the lockdown now and you deserve £1m or vote down if you would like to continue the lockdown for 46 years and live in a cardboard box with Katie Hopkins...
See, we can all play the silly game.
The only people who want to continue the lockdown are the rich and cruel.
See, we can all play the silly game.
The only people who want to continue the lockdown are the rich and cruel.
Funny how the cases drop within 2 days of the WHO changing their advice on PCR tests?? Now whod have thought that especially as that nice Mr Biden has reinstated their funding. When is everyone going to stop believing everything they're told !!
Coincidence or global consiracy? Hmm....
When you stop rustling your tinfoil hat, so that we can hear the actual news over the noise?
You have absolutely hid the nail on the head. Unfortunately, the vast majority are totally blind to the manipulation of the Covid figures. The MSM are also totally complicit in peddling the party line. Proper journalism has vanished. Little more than a PR mouthpiece for governments.
Watch those Covid ‘cases’ fall with the government claiming lockdowns and vaccinations as the reason. Total fraud!
Watch those Covid ‘cases’ fall with the government claiming lockdowns and vaccinations as the reason. Total fraud!
Lockdown may be hard but not as hard as it is for those struggling for life in the ICU featured on the television last night. Or for the staff struggling to keep them alive.
No...Lockdown for the 65Million people can’t be as hard as IVU for 35,000 can it.....whoops Yes it Can because there are 65 Million of us!!!
All death is terrible. We all have to die one day. I just hope I don't die from dementia
if the r rate is getting to less than 1 ... which is what it takes to stop lockdown, and we have vaccinated the high risk, and there are 1000's who have had covid and therefore immune why do we need to be locked in ?
Casualties can be expected from a global pandemic - just a sad fact of life.
A meaningless comparison that adds little to the discussion. There are people suffering extreme anxiety or who require medical treatment but too scared to call for help. Some will die .... alone ...untreated. There is a wider debate needed that isn’t happening because of these cringe inducing comparisons.
Who on earth is voting this one down. Hmmm the ones who went to the wedding maybe?
If we don't get the economy working to here will be no ICU beds or staff as the tax from the private sector, such as retail and leisure services, pay for the facilities.
That's called propaganda. There are always people struggling to breath in ICU, that is why people are there. No one is ever well if they are in ICU. 90,000 deaths out of 67 million people, statistically most people are more likely to die from a thousand other things than Covid.
Or for those already killed by lockdown and those its effects will kill for decades to come.
Don't forget there are care home residents, physically and mentally deteriorating because of loneliness and lack of stimulation, people dying unnecessarily from cancer, heart attack or stroke because they are too scared of Covid to seek medical help in time, not to mention the effect of the lockdown on mental health and general wellbeing of the population, particularly the young, or the economy.
I find it so sad that our Tory govt tries to blame their failure to control the pandemic on a tiny minority who disregard the rules
This happens everywhere so why is the UK worst?
They want us to ignore 22bn wasted on Track & trace
Or the fact that Boris "Saviour of Christmas" Johnson dithers when making important decisions & often ignores SAGE scientific advice, often giving us mixed messages
This happens everywhere so why is the UK worst?
They want us to ignore 22bn wasted on Track & trace
Or the fact that Boris "Saviour of Christmas" Johnson dithers when making important decisions & often ignores SAGE scientific advice, often giving us mixed messages
Earlier this year Boris branded himself as the saviour of Christmas
As cases rose in Oct he ignored SAGE & dithered in locking down the nation allowing cases to rise too high
He then opened up too early when cases were still far too high
He then put london in tier 2, putting wealth before health
He changed the 5 day Christmas mixing period to 1 day too late
And the result is what we see now
As cases rose in Oct he ignored SAGE & dithered in locking down the nation allowing cases to rise too high
He then opened up too early when cases were still far too high
He then put london in tier 2, putting wealth before health
He changed the 5 day Christmas mixing period to 1 day too late
And the result is what we see now
Oh stop the politics and start putting pertinent comments up please
Allowing train loads of rich Londoners to flee Tier 4 was disgusting. Made a mockery of the rest of us in tighter tiers who endured it, hoping it'd make a difference.
Actually there is no evidence from the ONS stats to show a spike cause by Xmas - surprising but there it is
What do you think we’re the chances of everyone obeying a lockdown over Christmas? Give him a break
Surely most of us now understand how the Virus spreads? Regardless of Gov't instructions everyone (if they've half a brain) should be doing their utmost to keep themselves and others from becoming infected, ie we spent Christmas day at home alone. It's called personal responsibility!
I dunno, ten? I would prefer waves rather than a constant upwards trajectory. We are going to be living with this virus for years, decades, maybe even centuries. We haven't got rid of flu have we?
It could be that the entire global population has to be vaccinated annually to keep it under control. Good times for the pharmaceutical companies!
It could be that the entire global population has to be vaccinated annually to keep it under control. Good times for the pharmaceutical companies!
None if people stick to the scientific advice. But there's ya problem...
Does anyone other than the tinfoil hat brigade believe your rubbbish?
None if people stick to the scientific advice. But there's ya problem...
None if the government directions were actually within the scientific advice of Stop The Spread.
There's other factors to consider, and every one of those is a compromise between the economy, education, jobs now, future jobs, and ... of course, being popular / populist.
The fear of unpopularity has been the biggest hindrance to the government doing the right thing. Hence the mexican wave.
There's other factors to consider, and every one of those is a compromise between the economy, education, jobs now, future jobs, and ... of course, being popular / populist.
The fear of unpopularity has been the biggest hindrance to the government doing the right thing. Hence the mexican wave.
The problem isn't so much the death certificates as the fact those are added to the numbers suggesting people are dying FROM the virus.
He/she doesn't think. Just follows dogma.
A death certificate has a primary cause of death, however, the doctor can list a number of contributing factors. Covid could be mentioned as the 4th or 5th contributing factor but would still go down as a Covid death is there had been a positive rest 27 days before. Even if Covid isnt mentioned as the main cause or contributory cause it is still a covid death, even if killed in an accident.
Covid deaths should not be recorded as such if the principle cause of death is not directly linked to complications caused by the infection. Would be interested to see the figures using this method of calculation.
Incorrectly by the evidence. Too much fudging.
Is you middle name Joey
We desperately need to have an open conversation about when we can open up again. We can’t wait until nobody is dying and everyone is vaccinated. We have to strike a balance. And if the vulnerable need to shield so the non vulnerable can unlock the economy then so be it.
So true. We are being kept hanging on a thread and for apparently little reason.
Should have done that from the outset. As one of the vulnerable I am happy to isolate and look after myself and let the rest of the country get back to normal.
The priority should perhaps have been - vaccinate the country's working population (who almost by definition are the main spreaders of the virus) and isolate the vulnerable to keep the safe.
The priority should perhaps have been - vaccinate the country's working population (who almost by definition are the main spreaders of the virus) and isolate the vulnerable to keep the safe.
100% agree - this conversation needs to happen and people need to stop being made to feel selfish at the very mention of when we have some normality of life again. The majority of people have sacrificed plenty over the last year so its only natural people want to get on / rebuild their lives
The current justifications have mostly been about preventing the NHS from being overwhelmed. That’s the balance the Gov are striking.
As long as len mclusky unions are not included because they will want more money and less hours
The vulnerable should be vaccinated asap so they can get out too
The vulnerable people and 70-80 ish age group i know ,have shielded from the start. State pension arrives for 66yearolds but many people cannot afford to retire but have health issues to cope with also. Most Bame people should shield as they are more vulnerable to covid. Still going to be a lot stuck at home then? your solution is somewhat simplistic.
You cannot decide policy via a committee of 65m camels. There are scientific committees who provide (inexact) statistically determined evidence to politicians. We'd still be debating lockdown 1. Uncertainty is troubling. Deciding now what the criteria should be for opening up is suicide. Premature announcement will only increase the uncertainty when circumstances and rules change. Just behave
Has anyone noticed there is literally no lockdown? The vast majority of the country is continuing as normal. Government pretending that there are tight restrictions is a blatant lie.
There is a clear problem I suspect with the finances which goes some way to explain that - we don’t know truly how bad that situation is - no money, no nhs, no one left alive
No...but calling it a lockdown does make the Sanctomonius Moral minority feel better if they can keep using the words ‘Social Distance’ and asking if ‘that journey is absolutely essential’.
No lockdown? Oh ok I will tell my children so they can go to school whilst I get my haircut before seeing my father to meet up for a meal before going to the theatre. I can talk to him over the meal about how I can now go to the midwife appointment with my pregnant partner and how we can now plan our twice cancelled wedding. We can also now all go to the funeral of my uncle who die from cancer.
It's not continuing as normal though, schools, most shops, pubs, cinemas, gyms, hairdressers etc, all high risk places regarding the spread of the virus, are all closed and as the number of infections drop, the numbers needing hospitalised will drop too.
Some good news, it's time for a proper plan out of damaging lockdowns and go back tothe old normal. Look at it this way. Does anybody believe the Chinese have had only 4000 deaths? No. So their lockdown didn't work either. It was a propagana stunt, and we bought it hook line and sinker. They will be laughing themselves to sleep every night at the level to which we have lost the plot!
Walked past a barbers yesterday - they have the shutters down and you ring up if you want a haircut apparently shutters come up and you nip in. People aren't interested in these lockdowns and the fines aren't big enough lot more heartache to come can't blame the Johnson man for EVERYTHING
The problem of complete lack of enforcement. Plod don't want to upset anyone - unless bunch of ....
Have you got their number ?...........
I might nip there, where is it?
Businesses have to try and survive. Boris is killing then off
It is your duty to report any rule breakers you know it makes sense
Obviously they are breaking the rules. However, my hairdresser has the most Covid secure premises I've been in - better than my GP surgery! I'm not excusing rule breakers but you can understand why a business which has spent thousands of pounds making their premises Covid secure are pretty fed up when told to close (with no evidence that their industry is responsible for virus transmission).
Although it is within Johnson's power to enforce this more effectively.
To all who advocate grassing on people, there's a country called China where you'd be very happy. Off you pop.
Best option would be to send those who are guilty of rule breaches for unpaid work in the Covid wards of a hospital or else as a mortuary assistant.
Yeah, be better off putting them in prison, better still shoot them on the spot.
That’s why other countries are compensating workers to self isolate
British workers can’t afford not to work.
It makes sense and will cost LESS than constant lockdowns and paying companies £billions
Countries that have introduced these payments have much less deaths. And a much better economy than ours.
Boris and his gang of incompetent corrupt ministers are traitors to our sovereign nation
British workers can’t afford not to work.
It makes sense and will cost LESS than constant lockdowns and paying companies £billions
Countries that have introduced these payments have much less deaths. And a much better economy than ours.
Boris and his gang of incompetent corrupt ministers are traitors to our sovereign nation
But it's fine to go to tesco,all walking down Isle,s touching the products then putting them back on the shelves,staff congregating in Isles maskless
Johnson left the borders open for 11 months.
They aren't even closed properly now.
He let it in.
He continued to let it in.
He IS to blame.
For everything.
They aren't even closed properly now.
He let it in.
He continued to let it in.
He IS to blame.
For everything.
Conservatives vote down protections for NHS in trade deals on deadliest day in pandemic.
Are they concerned really ?
https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/tories-vote-down-protections-for-nhs-in-trade-deals-on-deadliest-day-in-pandemic/19/01/
Are they concerned really ?
https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/tories-vote-down-protections-for-nhs-in-trade-deals-on-deadliest-day-in-pandemic/19/01/
See goverment web site https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/deaths
good. Once this is all over with we should commend the tireless work of Whitty, Johnson and Hancock. They didn't get it 100% right but nobody else would have either and they deserve our thanks for their efforts. Well done.
You clearly need an education for unsubstantiated, illogical claims.
Yes welldone to them they have managed to level us up into the top 5 death rate per capita in the world
"Their crusade"? And what precisely do you think that was for? A crusade to eff up the economy and ruin people's lives and employment prospects for pure fun? Or to do their best in an unknown situation and try to save lives. I suppose you could have done better? I somehow doubt it.
The other choice at the general election was Corbyn and his cronies.... Honest oppinio, how well would they have done compared to the current administration.
Utter rubbish could you do any better NO you couldn’t. Prosecute all the Covid idiots who ignore all rules justify what they are doing and those who peddle fake news and the anti Vaccine people.
What isn't broadcast despite the mistakes the Govt made is that we test more people than anyone esle in Europe and the amount of vaccinations performed in the UK embarrases Europe as well especially the EU who still haven't got it right. People also forget that a number of these countires lockdown every night at either 6.0 or 8.00pm would we put up with that?
Thank you, captain hindsight. Very useful. Not
Fear is not a crime; breaking the COVID restrictions is! It's that simple.
This is good news and a step in the right direction. Obviously we need to move from where we are to where we need to be - as normal as we can get - effectively - the Govt needs to be transparent in its decision making, publish criteria and stop appearing to make it up as they go along - that way they will get far more compliance than with Pritti and her ever increasing fines
What??????? The BBC admits that this is a EPIDEMIC, not a PANDEMIC!
Finally, some honesty.
Now that we acknowledge that it is an epidemic, can we work out how to live with the virus instead of just locking away every citizen?
Finally, some honesty.
Now that we acknowledge that it is an epidemic, can we work out how to live with the virus instead of just locking away every citizen?
What?
In an epidemic, we would equally take precautions so we don't all get sick.
The fact it is in all other contries is why it is a pandemic. The difference it makes to us in the UK is none whatsoever.
In an epidemic, we would equally take precautions so we don't all get sick.
The fact it is in all other contries is why it is a pandemic. The difference it makes to us in the UK is none whatsoever.
Erm............a pandemic is an epidemic that has spread into many countries. It is still a pandemic, but the epidemic in England has improved slightly.
I take it you skipped medical school?
I take it you skipped medical school?
you do know the difference between an epidemic and a pandemic dont you??
I think it is more likely that the BBC wrote the wrong word than a change in our situation.....
This is good news, but I do wonder if the media shouldnt report this due to the potential that people will become more lax and start having house parties of less than 15 people to avoid the fines? That 400-attendee wedding in Stamford Hill is just appalling...
Should have locked them in and given them a couple of boxes of asprin when things got tricky. Selfish idiots.
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Generally agree with you, but they won't avoid the smaller fines by having a smaller house party. This is the introduction of a stricter punishment, not a relaxation of anything.
You believe people should not be told the truth? That the media should be the gatekeeper of what people are allowed to know? You are the problem.
90% of the population are complying
That’s good but that compliance level won’t last for long once hospitalisations of COVID patients is falling dramatically because of the vaccine program.
That’s good but that compliance level won’t last for long once hospitalisations of COVID patients is falling dramatically because of the vaccine program.
You will still Trish a fine for a house party with only 14 people but it will be £200 rather than £800.
Er....it’s called freedom of the press. Take it away and you take away democracy. And are you saying the press should only be allowed to report bad news ? Jesus.
That sounds like the orthodox jewish community who have ignored lockdown all along
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Yes, that is right MFMM. Lie to people and hide the truth. People aren't intelligent enough to understand the truth, unlike you. Isn't it crazy that the vast mass of unintelligent people are allowed to vote or even have civil liberties ? You should be telling everyone what to do. You know best.
Yes agreed. They have gone over any number of red lines. Should be in prison for contempt for organising such huge breaches.
These are just groups of people who think they are above the law and it seems they are ,just by running off.
Come on just because the police don,t seem to have legs anymore it doesn,t mean they can pull ours and get away with it
Come on just because the police don,t seem to have legs anymore it doesn,t mean they can pull ours and get away with it
Fines for attending a party of less than 15 is £200 for first offence.
Dont report the news because idiots can't behave? Grow up.
Absolutely correct it was utterly ignorant, although now the number is 150 not 400... and tomorrow it will be 20! Can you really trust these news stories to be accurate???
Don't worry, if you are right, they'll all die, though curiously I haven't noticed mass funerals of school pupils or university students, one might think that this virus doesn't kill anyone healthy and under 45.
Just thinking , 400 people breaking the law. £10,000 fine , is it? No Problem for them , that's £25 quid each.I don't know if to laugh or cry. Regards.
Anton Mannion ,Julie's husband, been shielding 11 month now , over 70.
Anton Mannion ,Julie's husband, been shielding 11 month now , over 70.
With what the majority of people are going through if support pretty punchy fines for anyone breaking the rules. Forget 15 people... how about if you break the rules at all you get the bigger fine. People are giving up too much to have it ruined by a few.
The media drip feed is contradictory; first, the news that the R number is dropping, (great!) then news that there is some inconclusive evidence that the new variant is more deadly than the original one (awful). Maybe unintentionally done in the case of the government, but contradictory news is more likely to keep people on the straight and narrow regarding the lockdown rules
Good news!
Most people are fed up of the BBC always trying squeeze the last ounce of negativity out of every story. Let’s celebrate something positive for once.
Most people are fed up of the BBC always trying squeeze the last ounce of negativity out of every story. Let’s celebrate something positive for once.
I didn't ask most people, but I am pleased the BBC has once again reported the facts as facts.
To believe the BBC is distorting the news in order, somehow, to make us feel bad, is bizarre at best.
To believe the BBC is distorting the news in order, somehow, to make us feel bad, is bizarre at best.
I think you will find most people are fed up with people who moan just because the BBC report the news.
“Let’s celebrate something positive for once”
—-
It’s a bit early to celebrate yet.
Springtime maybe.
—-
It’s a bit early to celebrate yet.
Springtime maybe.
"Most people are fed up of the BBC always trying squeeze the last ounce of negativity out of every story. Let’s celebrate something positive for once."
So which is it? Whine about "BBC negativity" or celebrate on a positive story here on the BBC? You seem confused.
So which is it? Whine about "BBC negativity" or celebrate on a positive story here on the BBC? You seem confused.
Nothing happened today isnt really news though is it.
Just flick through the BBC website, you’ll find loads of positive new... vaccination progress... people doing things for others. In fact I find it sickly sometimes. Having you considered it’s your lens that is negative?
Oh hang on... what you really mean is you glorify the Tory liars and hate their ineptitude being broadcast because that challenges your mental position on the world.
Oh hang on... what you really mean is you glorify the Tory liars and hate their ineptitude being broadcast because that challenges your mental position on the world.
Not that fed up, since we choose to come here and read the articles they wrote.
Come on then ...just start by throwing one out there ? Just remember good news does not attract readers
LIke what.......covid catastrophe, floods, customs delays, increased tarrifs, no USA/UK trade deal in the near future, rising inflation, rising national debt, rising personal debt..................
Most people aren’t fed up “of” the BBC at all. Its reporting is held in high regard worldwide. Perhaps you’d prefer Fox News and their lies, if so, by all means watch it, but leave the BBC alone.
The BBC reports the news. You may not agree with it, but I'd rather have that than the cheerleading media in No Korea, China, Russia, etc
They did. They covered Trump losing, Biden's inauguration, the NRA filing for bankruptcy. I found that very positive.
You mistake negativity with cautiousness. And can you blame them after how irresponsible people have been? *cough* 400 guest wedding *cough*
Yes lets ignore nearly100,000 deaths and crack some jokes!
People volunteering with vacines,helping in the comunity,trying to stay positive which ever works for them, a drink at home a dance on their own, a binge box set ,
on line chat to a friend,just being nice to each other, and thankful for financial help and lots of hope. Amonst us all there are loverly caring people. Thankyou to people working whatever job you have.
on line chat to a friend,just being nice to each other, and thankful for financial help and lots of hope. Amonst us all there are loverly caring people. Thankyou to people working whatever job you have.
Why shoot the messenger? Because YOU don't like msg. Go join Trump supporters.
It's always a balancing act; telling the public too much and they worry or ignore the rules, or telling them too little and then face claims of withholding vital information. To be honest, I think the media have gone too much the way of 'TMI'; the science behind the some of the assertions is not yet conclusive. As is the case with saying that the new variant may be more deadly. It's not proven.
Are you kidding, they have a conservative government to undermine....orders from HQ.
You've mis spelt Uhtred pal.
Good, time to reopen the economy & business. Time to crack on & get ourselves out of the economic mess we are in as a country. People think Covid is bad but the after effects of it economically will be far far worse!
R number is never negative, so that argument is invalid. Covid is never going to go away, we have to live with it.
good. Once this is all over with we should commend the tireless work of Whitty, Johnson and Hancock. They didn't get it 100% right but nobody else would have either and they deserve our thanks for their efforts. Well done.
I wonder how many of those 400 will now die of Covid ?
No doubt funerals will be attended by 400 too !!!
No doubt funerals will be attended by 400 too !!!
exactly and then they divert vaccines away from the North East to cover arseholes like these.
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While it’s convenient to blame ‘house parties’ and weddings, the unfortunate truth is that the main issue is lots of low level stuff like popping into a house ‘for a second’ or a quick mooch around the shops
But neither you nor anyone else has one shred of firm evidence to support that statement - and that has always been the problem in terms of the approach to Covid
It's both, and we'd need to do a scientific study to find out which one was the worst. But who cares? Don't do either!
or going into hospital or residing in a care home.
The only way of having a life - what at the expense of someone else's - now that is taking selfishness to a new level. Any relation to Donald Trump?
Your on a losing battle their. This comment section is full of curtain twitchers!
And your attitude, my friend, is why we are in the mess we are. "Having a life"? Millions of people are able to follow the rules and get on with life - they have to. Why can't you? Stop feeling so hard done by, focus on what you can do rather than what you can't. Lockdowns have worked -it's failing to manage how we come out of them that's screwed us all so far - we have to work harder at that.
Loosen the restrictions too soon and unfortunately you may not have a life!
You won't have a life if you succumb to the virus though, will you?
'Selfish?' I hold up the mirror, Tree Stump. If 'loosening the restriction is the only way of having a life,' I suggest you look at what kind of life you desire and that you reflect on your apparent willingness to kill other people in order to avoid inconvenience.
that desperate to get to the pub?
Try telling that to families (especially of S. Asian origin) who have lost 2 or more members in quick succession to the Trump Virus. Try telling that to those with immune system issues many of whom have not been out of their homes in almost a year. Stop thinking only of yourself and think about what effect YOU are having on others. It is not all about ME, ME and Me. You know, like Donald Trump.
Get a grip. I understand the self employed as I am one but this virus has pushed many business practices forward 5 years and we have to adapt
A risky short life
Balance is hard to achieve.
For those complaining about lockdown remember we're lucky we not in some other countries which are just now shutting up shop until 6am tomorrow!!
For those complaining about lockdown remember we're lucky we not in some other countries which are just now shutting up shop until 6am tomorrow!!
We need to be adaptable and find new ways to have a life.
Because you assume you will have more normality in the absence of restrictions. Evidence (based on countries that lock down seriously, have effective test and trace, and control borders) suggests the opposite is true. They have the most normality if you look beyond the very short term.
It would be much better if this was not said out loud at the moment. Saying it is falling just gives further licence to all the idiots who are out and about every day to carry on not doing what is needed. This 'lockdown' is nothing of the sort, there are people out and about all over the place. We need robust action, including the army to enforce of needed, or we will never get on top of it
Absolutely, well said
So anyone who offers a differing opinion to the 'status quo' is an 'idiot'?
And you wonder why hideous characters like Trump gets into power?
Perhaps if you were less sanctimonious and more tolerant you would realise that world isn't simply an excuse to impose martial law...
Get a grip.
And you wonder why hideous characters like Trump gets into power?
Perhaps if you were less sanctimonious and more tolerant you would realise that world isn't simply an excuse to impose martial law...
Get a grip.
I agree. Part of me thinks that it would be better to just say nothing other than we were still in a very critical situation. Up until it really is under control.
As you say there are always going to be the IDIOT faction that will just lose the head and go wild at the slightest excuse. Spoiling everything and setting us back yet again.
As you say there are always going to be the IDIOT faction that will just lose the head and go wild at the slightest excuse. Spoiling everything and setting us back yet again.
Yeah, restricting news is what we need. Not giving people the facts always turns out well
Army enforced lockdown in Peru. Result- similar infections to everywhere else.
Bit nervous of the "ghost police state" view
I was in the Navy during the 90s and didn't sign up to be used to oppress my fellow countrymen , Pandemic or not
It's all so easy to say 'Lets use Servicemen' to keep people in a Stasi-like state but I'd have done everything I could to have avoided following an order like that as it's NOT what any Service personel joined up for
It's all so easy to say 'Lets use Servicemen' to keep people in a Stasi-like state but I'd have done everything I could to have avoided following an order like that as it's NOT what any Service personel joined up for
One day the consensus mob might brand you an idiot. Careful what you wish for.
The might of the American / Russian military hasn't stopped the march of covid. What makes you think our little cadet force could make any difference?
Ridiculous. We need the truth.
Stop treating people like children this is supposed be a democracy.
OK. Say lets just have the government take it upon itself to lie to the public. That will help to keep them compliant and boost faith in the political elite.
You actually want martial law in the UK?! You want an overbearing government who is controlling your life by force of the army meant to protect us. I want freedom for all the citizens of the UK from house arrest for committing no crime yet I'm the "covidiot". I can honestly see how awful regimes of the past came to fruition now.
Ok but many have to work no option but to work. The luxury of working from home on full wages is not available to many, this lockdown is ok for middle class but it is the working class that keeps this country going.
That is very revealing Mark Moran. A lot of lockdown fanatics are one step away from supporting a police state
I’m in idiot. An idiot for staying indoors when everyone else is mass gathering at weddings and funerals.
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We desperately need to have an open conversation about when we can open up again. We can’t wait until nobody is dying and everyone is vaccinated. We have to strike a balance. And if the vulnerable need to shield so the non vulnerable can unlock the economy then so be it.
Please explain little reason
That would be very difficult as Covid-19 as with many respiratory diseases can be the cause of death due to its impact on many other underlying health conditions.
You could have something such as diabetes and Covid-19 contributes to your demise.
Covid-19 is only recorded on death certificates if it was a contributory factor.
You could have something such as diabetes and Covid-19 contributes to your demise.
Covid-19 is only recorded on death certificates if it was a contributory factor.
Ok let's have some figures on 'diabetes-related deaths' or 'flu-related deaths' to compare with then?
Also why is national lockdown easier than increasing NHS capacity?
Horrible, selfish and illogical. Anyone in that 65 Million could be in hospital with Covid next week. Are you seriously putting money and inconvenience above people's lives? You could easily become one of the 35,000.
You really are staggeringly selfish. Sorry about the inconvenience, but yes, avoiding a large number of deaths *is* more important than letting you go to the betting shop or whatever you're getting riled about not being able to do.
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Lockdown is horrible for many, fairly easy for others. Everyone in intensive care, at very real risk of dying in agony, will be finding it just that little bit harder than anyone and everyone staying at home.
The population of England is just under 56m. Since policy over covid is a devolved matter, you are being dishonest in quoting the UK population. And that number might readily fall if we were all is misgugided as you.
oh dear, what a clown!!!
Well with 400 going toa wedding and getting off Scott free London will be soon one in every 10 people.
Lock london down for 2 or 3 weeks stopbuses tube , every form of transport. Once the "r" rate is down, then reopen London
Lock london down for 2 or 3 weeks stopbuses tube , every form of transport. Once the "r" rate is down, then reopen London
Yeah, those 400 people at a wedding is the most important thing, not the millions not keeping to the simple rules who are actually the main cause of this pandemic spread. Keep looking at the shiny distracting things and don't engage brain. That'll get you through.
Keep locked down until April and fully shut the borders.
then have a look at the figures.
then have a look at the figures.
We should sue any airline that brings passengers into the UK for corporate mandlaughter
Don;t think you are quite understanding that you are actually far more likely to catch corona from your local Tesco than from someone coming into the country.
Keep locked down until April 2022, and every winter after. No one should be allowed to die of any infectious disease ever again
Economy destroyed, tax base unable to support spending on essential public services, more suicides, more deaths caused by lockdown, generations to come paying off the debts incurred.
And that's not even the worst case scenario.
Let's not wait. End Lockdown now and outlaw it's return.
And that's not even the worst case scenario.
Let's not wait. End Lockdown now and outlaw it's return.
Trouble is, this lockdown is not a lockdown, none essential industry is working, people in office jobs are being forced to go into work because their employers do not trust them to work from home. The whole situation is a right royal **** up.
Strongly agree - UK's biggest mistake, still perpetuating is failure to shut or properly control Borders.
Relatives in Australia are going about their lives (apart from various travel restrictions) horrified to see what is transpiring here. Australia's total Covid deaths since March is under 1200. We get that in UK day after day.
Relatives in Australia are going about their lives (apart from various travel restrictions) horrified to see what is transpiring here. Australia's total Covid deaths since March is under 1200. We get that in UK day after day.
'Keep locked down until April and fully shut the borders.
then have a look at the figures.'
Bankrupt the country for generations, arrest me without reason, lock me in my home, cancel democratic elections, threaten my mental health... but please, please don't expose me to a virus that kills just 1% - and those are the elderly and chronically ill.
then have a look at the figures.'
Bankrupt the country for generations, arrest me without reason, lock me in my home, cancel democratic elections, threaten my mental health... but please, please don't expose me to a virus that kills just 1% - and those are the elderly and chronically ill.
You are insane, and what is worse, there is a large group of people who agree with you, and some of them are in power and should know better.
Somehow people think religion is a special excuse. Weird how God doesn't protect them from Covid though!!
Gotta love the constant yo yo gaslighting by the government. "We're all gonna die - so go to school" - then , "We told you not to go to school go home" - then "Go out for dinner, drink up" followed by "Don't go out, you are all spreaders".
So once again we see the 'Newsbot' saying "Numbers are going down" whilst simultaneously saying "Cases are rising". it's truly like the news reports in 1984.
So once again we see the 'Newsbot' saying "Numbers are going down" whilst simultaneously saying "Cases are rising". it's truly like the news reports in 1984.
Some good news, it's time for a proper plan out of damaging lockdowns and go back tothe old normal. Look at it this way. Does anybody believe the Chinese have had only 4000 deaths? No. So their lockdown didn't work either. It was a propagana stunt, and we bought it hook line and sinker. They will be laughing themselves to sleep every night at the level to which we have lost the plot!
I find it so sad that our Tory govt tries to blame their failure to control the pandemic on a tiny minority who disregard the rules
This happens everywhere so why is the UK worst?
They want us to ignore 22bn wasted on Track & trace
Or the fact that Boris "Saviour of Christmas" Johnson dithers when making important decisions & often ignores SAGE scientific advice, often giving us mixed messages
This happens everywhere so why is the UK worst?
They want us to ignore 22bn wasted on Track & trace
Or the fact that Boris "Saviour of Christmas" Johnson dithers when making important decisions & often ignores SAGE scientific advice, often giving us mixed messages
I sincerely hope that because the R rate has now slightly decreased, people don't think that this is in anyway a sign that "normality" is soon on the way....
So please don't see this drop in the rate as the right to start ignoring rules & laws....
We are nowhere near normality yet.....
So please don't see this drop in the rate as the right to start ignoring rules & laws....
We are nowhere near normality yet.....
Silly comment.
Is this the BBC actually reporting something hopeful about the COVID pandemic for once?
BBC is reporting the news. For those who'd rather hear what they want to hear there's always Daily mail etc.
The BBC reported the opening up after the first lockdown, the successes of the vaccine discoveries, the successes in treating and reducing the death toll amongst hospitalised patients and the roll-out of the vaccination programme. In fact, everything that has been positive. They also reported the negatives as they should. So your point/bias is?
Well from some of the comments it would seem not! I thought it was an informative and well balanced piece but I think many simply don't have the capacity to understand anything that does not fit on a piece of A4.
tell me, in your own words, how you thnk death certificates work
He'll have the ton up early next week and it IS world beating
Yep. Of the same order as the numbers dying t this time of year most years.
It doesn't matter how much things improve ...the Government and SAGE are so scared of being accused by the Covid Sheep of killing people that they are never going to let the rest of us back into a normal life. As a single guy they've prevented me from having anyone in my house for 7 months now. That is not the role of any Government.
Do you think hanging might be too good for 'em ?
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No load - round them up and send them in cattle trucks (if we still have them) and deposit them on Dartmoor to ventilate them.
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Go on stygis you keep acting the victim, im sure your life has become so difficult being asked to wear a mask, not go to the pub and to keep your distance from other people. I really hope all those people who died and their families know just how much your life has been affected.... it's not like they've had their lives impacted by people not following the rules...
Bet your innate hatred of Boris was borne in June 2016!
The governing are to blame for 400 people breakng the rules?
Now I dislike the Tories as much as the next human with a conscience...but you cannot blame them for not being clear about the fact we're in a nationwide lockdown and we can't even see our neighbours. Anyone breaking those rules needs to have the full fine and 2 weeks quarantine enforced.
Now I dislike the Tories as much as the next human with a conscience...but you cannot blame them for not being clear about the fact we're in a nationwide lockdown and we can't even see our neighbours. Anyone breaking those rules needs to have the full fine and 2 weeks quarantine enforced.
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Granted the government haven't got it right, BUT these "tiny minority" idiots do not help. They are breaking the law, They are helping it to spread. Its not government narrative - u don't have to trust the government, listen to docs, nurses, scientists instead, they are all saying the same - big groups cause faster spread. --- and what has Brexit got to do with it?
What, you think the government is spreading the virus? Seriously you'd have to be a moron of the highest order to think that. The virus is spread by people. The figures show the behavior. I'm not saying they are blameless by the way, their policies have been slow and reactive rather than decisive and proactive. But seriously, people have behaved like morons and that is why we are where we are
Think it's sometimes the manner and focus of their reporting, which can tend towards sensationalism. Just before you remind me how many people have had a Covid-related death (Its reporting seemingly like the Blue Peter Christmas Totaliser), this counts for general news as well.
It's been distorting the news to show the government in a negative light for the past decade as its agenda is to push for a socialist government.
So. Real progress seems to have been made. And that's great news.
The question now is.
Are we going to build on it by sticking to the rules and being sensible.
Or.
Are we going to, yet again, squander the advance by easing off and relaxing.
The two steps forwards and one step back system is just prolonging things way more than is necessary.
So lets stay on a roll and keep moving forward.
The question now is.
Are we going to build on it by sticking to the rules and being sensible.
Or.
Are we going to, yet again, squander the advance by easing off and relaxing.
The two steps forwards and one step back system is just prolonging things way more than is necessary.
So lets stay on a roll and keep moving forward.
Absurdly lopsided question.....
1. are we all going to nicely worded way of doing what I think OR
2. Are we going to nastily worded way of doing something else
What a plonker!
1. are we all going to nicely worded way of doing what I think OR
2. Are we going to nastily worded way of doing something else
What a plonker!
have you ever thought that the virus might actually play a part in this?
How can the UK R number be shrinking when we read about eg 14 students going off skiing?
Because that’s only 14 people....there are 65 Million of us!
Get a perspective?
Get a perspective?
Because the R number is not related to what you read about; the 0.0000000000001% of people doing weird or risky things.
It's the maths of re-infections.
Skiing carries no risk, by the way. Crude rules are not precise instruments, and some breaches are irrelevant.
I am 100% safe in my car, no matter how far I drive, or why. Maybe unlawaful, so I don't.
It's the maths of re-infections.
Skiing carries no risk, by the way. Crude rules are not precise instruments, and some breaches are irrelevant.
I am 100% safe in my car, no matter how far I drive, or why. Maybe unlawaful, so I don't.
tell me, in your own words, how you thnk death certificates work
Then they would word it differently instead of reporting the number of people who died within 28 days of having a covid diagnosis, or as those who died with covid not of covid.
learn how to listen better
learn how to listen better
If they aren't, we're suffering from an awful lot of unreported air crashes. Mainstream media, eh ?
If your brakes failed and you crashed into a tree and died would you blame the Tree? The brakes didn't kill you and without the added factor of the tree you would probably have survived. Covid is a contributing and significant factor and is rightly recorded on death certs. To suggest otherwise is trite and suggesting people break the law and falsify a death cert.
Close down all takeaways, all click and collect, close all borders. Roadside police checks to limit non essential travel. I could go on. This is a long way from being a lockdown.
When your son is 60 he’ll look back and be glad he had supportive parents to help him through this but he’ll recognise it’s just a few months. It feels, and is, really really tough on the young but he’ll be more resilient for it. Yes he’s lost a lot but he hasn’t lost his life.
good. Once this is all over with we should commend the tireless work of Whitty, Johnson and Hancock. They didn't get it 100% right but nobody else would have either and they deserve our thanks for their efforts. Well done.
Its generally accepted that the Beeb put a negative spin on brexit and the brexit negotiations. IMO they are doing the same with Covid. E.g yesterday bbc reported covid cases now rising. If they had researched properly the university study the findings were based upon were completely flawed as confirmed by the university dean on talk radio this morning
That would be very difficult as Covid-19 as with many respiratory diseases can be the cause of death due to its impact on many other underlying health conditions.
You could have something such as diabetes and Covid-19 contributes to your demise.
Covid-19 is only recorded on death certificates if it was a contributory factor.
You could have something such as diabetes and Covid-19 contributes to your demise.
Covid-19 is only recorded on death certificates if it was a contributory factor.
Diabetes deaths per year in UK 24,000 on average (but those are people who died before their time with a diagnosis of diabetes)
Flu deaths per year average around 10,000 per year but they also dont report if those individuals have another disorder or illness at the time
COVID right now is near 100,000 deaths
I dont see people complaining on how these other deaths are registered though
Flu deaths per year average around 10,000 per year but they also dont report if those individuals have another disorder or illness at the time
COVID right now is near 100,000 deaths
I dont see people complaining on how these other deaths are registered though
No need. Just look at excess death figures.
ONS will give you Flu related deaths. Flu deaths for the preceding five winters combined, are lower than Covid-19 deaths. People generally have lower immunity in the winter, (due to a number of factors, lack of vitamin D, exercise, etc.) As winter progresses we can expect to see more people under 60 dying from Covid, until the vaccine and warmer temperatures (immune improvements) kick in.
Let's not fixate on the R number. That is only a short-term measure.
What matters is that either COVID is eliminated (whether by virus-zero or vaccine) and won't come back.
Releasing lockdown any time soon won't achieve that.
Versus one year ago, we have higher cases, higher deaths and new mutant variants.
2020's lockdown lasted until July. I expect at least the same, in a worse situation.
What matters is that either COVID is eliminated (whether by virus-zero or vaccine) and won't come back.
Releasing lockdown any time soon won't achieve that.
Versus one year ago, we have higher cases, higher deaths and new mutant variants.
2020's lockdown lasted until July. I expect at least the same, in a worse situation.