Still impressed by BJ?

Sir Chenjin

You do not understand the context and you keep proving that point.

Some compassion from a Dr for those of us feeling a bit wobbly about these uncertain times. I'm not sure about the context of BJ's 'take it on the chin' remark, and I did not appreciate his prediction that many families would lose loved ones 'before their time'.

www.msn.com/en-gb/news/newsliverpool/coronavirus-doctor-writes-beautiful-letter-to-older-people-worried-about-covid-19-virus/ar-BB11bv86?ocid=spartandhp&pfr=1

Yes I do POGS - and it doesn’t matter how many times you type “context” or “politicising”.

Callistemon - he didn’t say ‘not’

Sir Chenjin

I will do it again.

From fullfact:-

' Many people have shared a video of Prime Minister Boris Johnson appearing on This Morning on Thursday 5 March, claiming it shows he advocates allowing the new coronavirus to spread through the population and that the country should “take it on the chin.”

This clipped video segment has been taken out of context. '

POGS - we will agree to disagree.

Sir Chenjin

Well we do actually agree on that

Indeed.

I can see the reason to keep healthy children at school to keep parents who are needed in and around the NHS, however no thought is given to the teachers especially those who are not in prime health or age

Very sad regarding the new born and mother

France, restaurants plus shops to close except for food, chemists and banks. Versailles is nearly empty.

I see lots of references to how well China has done locking down etc. So bearing this in mind that the virus originated from China all their steps did not stop the virus spreading across the globe. I am tired of the arm chair experts, the government bashing, if people expended their energy in following the guidelines, stop panic buying and looked pit for each other we will get through this

Matt Hancock on Sophy Ridge saying the over 70s will be asked to self-isolate for up to 4 months.

He also says we are doing more testing than many other countries - which I must admit is not what I had understood.

I am very happy with the way the government and BJ are acting, taking the advice from some of the very best scientific brains. Be a bit patient, there is much sense in what is being done.

Tooting29 well said

mokryna, I am very happy for the mother and new born. The baby will have immunity from birth and mum will have immunity so will not worry. They are primed with lots of T cells, us over 60s have very few if any, left

Craftyone, I am not sure if that was aimed at me or generally. I have been and am being patient and compliant. However, there are "some of the very best scientific brains" now wanting more clarification and disputing some of what is being said.

Personally, I am quite prepared to follow what they are saying as long as it is all transparent. I don't believe that is a lot to ask when my death might be the alternative.

I haven't seen much "government bashing" at all on here at all. I and I would assume others, need to understand better why the government is taking a different path to other countries. I am prepared to believe this is what we should do. I am not prepared to switch off my ability to reason.

I am not setting one way of doing things against another I just want to understand what is behind their thinking.

merlotgran If the schools close, grandparents are likely to be more in the firing line, at least in my family. And what will we do with children who have possibly an extended period at home in semi- or total social isolation?

SirChenjin So, somebody catches a new virus in China and those who do not share you political opinions are to blame for the consequences. OK, believe that you are amongst the holy and the far-sighted if you must but please change the record and move on.

He is probably doing his best over Corona Virus but as regards Brexit he is still not to be trusted. As a confirmed Remainer I yet to be convinced of any benefits to Brexit. Looking till just before the ill conceived referendum BJ wrote 2 articles one pro Leave and the other pro Remain. He only opted for leave because he though it would gave him a better chance of being PM. He has avoided serious scrutiny from his own party, the opposition and the media.

He is simply untrustworthy and not fit as a leader in the best interests of the country.

Cunco I’ll share any political views I wish to on here along as with everyone else and none of us need to change our records.

Cunco, I can see both sides of the argument re closing schools but I think if children, who have not been infected, are kept out of school (even if looked after by grandparents) they are less likely to become infected as they won't be mixing with large numbers of children who could be spreading the virus.

Keeping isolated children amused will be tricky of course.

So much ranting and blame on the internet. It really doesn’t matter who the government is, they will follow advice from experts in pandemics. Will it be perfect? No. Will people die? Of course. Should the NHS have more money? Yes. Do people want to pay an extra 10% of their wages in tax for the NHS? No. Do people use the NHS unnecessarily? All the time.

Let’s all get a “wartime” mentality on this. We will have to pull together. Yes there will probably be food and health rationing. Let’s work together. Let’s accept no government has a cure, they can only work on advice of medical experts. Opinion will vary. But all the blame going on, like there is a fix to this! Like we should double beds available in case we have a once in a lifetime event like this.

Exactly merlot - it’s all part of social distancing. My elder 2 have just heard that their universities have been closed which is concerning as they’re both due to graduate this year - nothing as yet about how that will be managed but I’m sure the university will put contingency measures in place.

SirChenjin Don't worry. Here in Italy university course are proceeding smoothly online from home. Probably exams will be moved forward to late July, even August. A pain but it's for the best all round.

Definitely the right thing to do - I agree. They’ve got online learning in place so the DCs will work on that but my DD is a nursing student so she’s waiting to hear about her practicals and her placement - I imagine they’ll be waived but I don’t know.

merlotgran The problem is more acute if schools are closed and those of us grandparents over 70 are self-isolating. If we all keep ourselves to ourselves, we may stay clear of the virus for now but with what impact on jobs, businesses, the way we live and sustain ourselves, now and for the medium term? To some degree, we do need to keep calm and carry on.

If universities are closed, the problem of caring for children at home is less but getting students to work from home might be tricky, especially if their friends are all home too.

Reading the latest updates the government is planning for engineering companies to manufacture more ventilators and use hotels as holding hospitals.