Cabinet Infighting

I'm glad I didn't offend JenniferEccles.

I agree with your assessment about scientists having very different estimates, but it was the word "inaccurate" that I would take issue with. Scientists use different models to try to predict what is going to happen. They may or may not turn out to be correct, but "inaccurate" suggests sloppiness or lack of expertise, and I don't believe that's the case.

I do believe that they - government and scientists - are using the worst case figures to frighten us into complying. It worked with the first lockdown, but is probably working less well now.

I didn’t think it was rude Alegrias2 but the fact remains that scientists have varied widely in their estimations of possible deaths and the PM has chosen to follow the more extreme predictions to justify this latest lockdown.

Of course the decision was rushed after the leak to the Press gave Boris very little time to consider his options.

I thought about asking to have my last post deleted as its rude and I didn't mean it to be. What I meant is that people who are not used to getting bombarded with figures do not have the experience to assess them. A person can be very well educated, clever, but just not equipped to make head or tail of the stats.

I've got to say, Boris comes to mind!

I'm sorry if I offended anyone.

They don't call me Eagle Eye for nothing

Hmmm - seeing as you ask me the question JE, no, I don't think there are so many wildly inaccurate figures around . I think people aren't generally able to make educated assessments of what they are being told.

(Tin hat on)

Sorry Alegrias2 ! So you did. And you were the first to comment!!

The trouble is there are so many wildly inaccurate figures/predictions/guesstimates going on even from the scientists aren’t there?

JenniferEccles

quizqueen interesting that it went unnoticed!

My post 21:05. I noticed.

Are my posts invisible?

quizqueen interesting that it went unnoticed!

I expect there's plenty for Boris to be getting on with in isolation. After lots of other people are working from home via Zoom etc

Oldbat1

News just given. Boris Johnson is having to self isolate after contact with a member of staff who has tested positive.

Interesting.
If someone has had COVID do they then have to self-isolate if they have been in contact with someone who has it?

Are there any virologists on here?

I had to laugh at a comment on another forum I frequent. There was a poll asking if people would be happy to have the Pfizer vaccine and someone said they were more than happy to sign up for the Pfizer jab but, as Matt Hancock was going to be in charge he would probably be offered a pizza job and that wouldn’t be for several years.

I agree that this self-isolation could not have come at a better time for Johnson.

I just wonder if he is ducking out ‘cos he can’t find a fridge?

How convenient for Johnson. It means he doesn't have to face MP's in the House next week nor Keir Starmer at PMQ's.

The scientists haven't definitively said how long immunity last. There was talk of 5 month, which is maybe how long ago Boris had it.

Boris is self-isolating, not yet infected as far as we know. It will be interesting to see whether he catches it again or has acquired immunity. He’s probably more use as a test case than as a PM.

I don't think 500,000+ have died in the UK because of covid!!!!

Doesn’t immunity exclude you?

I suppose you could be immune but still a carrier?

Anyone know?

There is a Labour MP in hospital with covid pneumonia.

Vaccine can’t come quick enough!

The government may be incompetent but even so they are not presiding over half a million deaths. 50,000 is the number.

Hope the MP isn’t too bad.

The Ashfield MP.

It was an MP not a member of staff.The news says he was contacted by test and trace so will self isolate but keep working at home in Downing St.

To the OP.... Work is still being done on the Covid front, despite Cummings and Cain leaving, there should be no effect on anything to do with the vaccine because of that.

Which MP has covid?

Do you mean the in-fighting in No.10 Curlygirl?

There may well be in-fighting in the Cabinet too but the latest shenanigans we are hearing about is about the sacking of one person (Lee Cain) which led to his mate Dominic Cummings threatening to go and then being photographed leaving No.10 on Friday evening.

I'm afraid that there are a lot of big egos at work here. Some of the advisers appointed by the PM probably thought that they could control him and everything he does because that is what they had been allowed to do for so long.

Even if the deckchairs in No.10 are re-shuffled I doubt if it will result in any noticeable changes in policy direction. And judging by their failure so far to make timely decisions about controlling the virus I don't expect a sudden improvement in this Government's ability to administer the delivery of the vaccine either.

Apparently, it was an MP.