Seems we are not unlocking.

The infection rate growing exponentially as a direct consequence of the failure by the Government to manage flights from India when the variant was identified as being of concern. Not only did they delay, they gave notice that it was going to happen from a date in the future, and allowed additional plane loads of people back into the UK in the interim period without insisting on hotel quarantine. This was inevitable from that point. We now have the highest daily infection rate in the whole of Europe again, so it’s not taken off elsewhere like it has in the UK. A few more weeks of low numbers would have made a massive difference to the vaccination status and we wouldn’t be in this position.

Susan Michie that’s the lady I was referring to. Thanks rosie.

The conspiracy theorists will need to find some more conspiracies, as all their conspiracies are coming true.

“extending the furlough scheme to September”

The clue has always been there, I just didn’t want to believe it.
I’m off to me bed.

Casdon, you are 100% correct, in my opinion. The delay in imposing hotel quarantine on flights from India is what has caused this situation. It’s a shame because we were really getting on top of things. A couple more months would have allowed many more people to be fully vaccinated.

Re the lady in SAGE named Susan Mitchie, I forget where I heard it, but I do believe that she is indeed, or was indeed , a member of the Communist Party. But why would that translate into her wishing to continue lockdown? A I being naive here?

extending the furlough scheme to September

Yes, I remember wondering about that at the time when Richie Sunak announced it.

Doodledog

Biscuitmuncher

It amazes me that anyone fell for the government's crap in the first place! Control, that's what this is all about. They know they can tell us to do anything and we will do it

Why do you think the government, and other governments across the world, with different world views and outlooks have all got together to ask populations to stay indoors (or limit social behaviour)?

What is to be gained?

I am far from a supporter of Johnson and his team of fools, but I just can't see why people are prepared to believe that this is some sort of social control for the sake of it.

More to the point, it amazes me that anybody thinks all the governments in the world could get together and agree on anything.

rosie1959

Urmstongran

The Marxist I referred to is the SAGE lady. Can’t remember her name. She said yesterday we ought to wear masks forever. She is a fully paid up member of the Communist party.

That was I believe Susan Michie
I know what she can do with her idea and the sun doesn't shine there

Maybe you could explain why somebody who is a member of the Communist Party of Britain should want everybody to wear masks and "be controlled". Are you suggesting that her academic background is bogus?

I believe the government wants to unlock so I’m not buying that they don’t. But the Susan Mitchie person, I have no idea about, maybe as a communist or ex communist she wants social control. But I don’t think the government do.

growstuff not all governments had the same ideas, not all countries had lockdowns

Many people were just fine with “Marxist” Michie when she was heading public health nudge campaigns to tell people in poverty how their cancer and diabetes was all their own fault because they wouldn't put down the Mars bars.

Funny how her interventions are much less acceptable when targeted at the lower middle classes.

It’s probably them darned lizards again….

I get really annoyed when the first line of defence is a person's political affiliation or background.

Kate Bingham has just been made a dame. She's a Conservative and is married to a Conservative MP. She's had plenty of abuse for being yet another crony appointment. I'm sure I would disagree with her on many issues is we were ever to have a face-to-face conversation.

Nevertheless, I think her honour is deserved. She's a successful woman, who has made it in a man's world. She's a scientist and venture capitalist, both professions dominated by males. Role models like her are needed.

Moreover, she knows what she's doing and it was her decision to buy in stocks of vaccines which enabled the UK's successful vaccination programme.

I'm sure she has many flaws, but I'm giving her as an example of a person who could easily be "smeared" but has done good work. Maybe people should judge what Susan Michie says rather than what her political beliefs are in a tabloid-style smear. Professionals are able to separate the two.

Who said , those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety. It amazes me how willing you are to do as you're all told, unquestionably

muffinthemoo

Many people were just fine with “Marxist” Michie when she was heading public health nudge campaigns to tell people in poverty how their cancer and diabetes was all their own fault because they wouldn't put down the Mars bars.

Funny how her interventions are much less acceptable when targeted at the lower middle classes.

I'm a bit puzzled. Did you mean more acceptable?

Biscuitmuncher

Who said , those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety. It amazes me how willing you are to do as you're all told, unquestionably

Don't be amazed! I question most things and have rarely done as I'm told. I don't even know what the current guidelines are because I don't watch the news or read much mainstream media.

What I do is read the science - the genuine article, not the cooked up tripe from conspiracy theorists. I have made (and continue to make) decisions about my own life based on the best scientific evidence, not what a clown government tells me to do. It so happens that some of the government's guidelines coincide with actions I've already decided to take.

PS. I steer well clear of rabbit holes!

growstuff so you've got your own personal scientists? Ok then

Biscuitmuncher

growstuff so you've got your own personal scientists? Ok then

Actually I do, but that's not really relevant. Anybody has access to sensible scientific articles and data.

In any case, in what meaningful sense are the majority of us currently "locked down"? I've just looked up the Stage 3 guidelines and there is nothing in them which stops me from doing what I want/need to do.

I can see there are still some restrictions on large indoor gatherings, but there aren't many. Supporting those people and businesses who still can't operate normally should be manageable.

I shall continue wearing a mask indoors for the foreseeable future because it seems a sensible thing to do. I shall avoid anywhere which is not well-ventilated. We now know that the biggest risk for transmission is prolonged contact with infected people via airborne transmission. The aerosol effect means that infected particles can linger in the air for some time and the risk increases in overcrowded poorly ventilated indoor spaces, such as schools, private houses, some offices and pubs. Not surprisingly, that's where most transmission is happening.

An announcement is due to be made on Monday and any speculation at the moment is premature, although probably not unexpected.

Biscuitmuncher you have implied that you are against lockdowns, restrictions and vaccinations. I’ve yet to hear how you would suggest dealing with Covid ??

Biscuitmuncher

growstuff not all governments had the same ideas, not all countries had lockdowns

Could you give an example of a country where there were no restrictions and where Covid outbreaks were avoided?

We can’t unlock under the government’s 4 tests.

We don’t meet them.

Simple as that.

Johnson should have never given dates

He can’t win! Journalists and businesses were demanding a timeframe, they wouldn’t let it rest without a date.

MayBee70 ?

I know imagine doing as you are told biscuitmuncher. Like wearing seat belts in a car, not stealing from Tescos, stopping at red lights, hopefully you dont do any of those things.