Government is lying about lack of availability of CV testing chemicals

Absolutely agree Jabberwok - so many people protest about soft targets (Trump, Boris etc.) but won't speak up against the real issues. As far as I'm concerned China is responsible for this because they didn't close their borders as soon as they realised there was a new virus on the loose.

marilla that’s more or less how I approached this crises and I have come to exactly the same conclusion.

Jabberwok it is not wise to criticise China in any way when Gagajo is on the thread.

I'm talking about protesters on the streets, such as when President Trump visited. Why don't these same protesters shout loudly against the appalling injustices in China, particularly concerning Muslims and other minority groups when these come to light? Is it ok for China, are they somehow exempt?! Even JC , so vociferous about islamophobia seems unaware or unconcerned with China's record! Why is this?!

@notanan2 wrote:
"This is life or death of British citizens.
hmm
We all know that.
None of this is gonna get the logistics sorted sooner."

LOL! Have you worked in or close to any gvt executive/policy/strategy/pr role ?

I can assure you that heated public debate and outcry about sketchy performance/misleading information can and often does get things done quicker!!

For gvts, vis a vis the public, it's all about firefighting. And opportunities to garner good press.

I am completely apolitical. I've seen too much politics of all stripes. I've learned too much. From that perspective, I think this gvt has made a shambles of its response and has let the country down. The other side would have done just as badly in their own ways, for similar and different reasons.

When this is all over, whatever post-Covid19 Inquiry/Royal Commission is set up will surprise and even shock with what it uncovers.

Oh fgs JW

Harris I think in this situation there are a lot of "wrong" answers and few if any "correct" answers to be had

I think they're lying. I don't know why.

Reading above I’m more confused than ever. Are we being fed untruths or simply there are shortages. I watch every night and listen to the mps but I tend to believe Jenny the nhs top notch the best she keeps my faith.

More obsession JW. Blimey. You been taking lessons from Greta?

Probably because we cant afford to join a war with china on top of everything else we're dealing with right now Jabberwok

And I hope it stays that way because I wouldnt fancy our chances!

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Oh you mean, like counting theoretical nurses, instead of ACTUAL nurses?

'sort of have it, but we don't really'?

Your friend must be a government minister. That is not logical at all.

If we have the chemicals, just say they're not ready yet.

The government need to see that lying is reducing their credibility. So when they say, 'Stay in. It's not safe.' people ignore them because they lie.

If its no good to us why count it?

Would be like counting actual hospital beds instead of bed capacity

Would have been totally misleading!

I give up - a friend told you . Oh that’s alright then

This is life or death of British citizens.

We all know that.
None of this is gonna get the logistics sorted sooner.

I dont see it as lies. Its exactly in line with what my friend told me over a week ago, that we sort of have it but we dont really. It's not straight forward.

notanan, the quote says there is a shortage. There isn't. IF they're not ready, that isn't shortage, that is not ready.

Of course it isn't the same thing.

Shortage is not having it at all.
Not ready is not ready for use YET.

I don't understand WHY you are defending lies? This isn't party politics. This is life or death of British citizens.

not for goodness sake - which part of a governments responsibility for clear and transparent communication do you not understand? Why are you so determined to make excuses for them? These issues are too important

not I’m finding your posts, which are acting as apologists for at best poor government communication and at worst deliberately misleading, rather tedious. Gove should have said exactly what he meant without people having to translate for / excuse him.

Yes suziewoozie, but even those numbers could be counted several different ways and the gov would still be called liars by those who do not want to unite and help.

notanan, 'Michael Gove said a shortage of the chemical reagents'. There isn't a shortage.

There is! If theyre not yet usable it amounts to the same thing!

not I understand all that - I just wonder if the government do or do they deliberately change what they are talking about when they quote numbers? Basically if you were being honest and transparent you would say here are the ventilator numbers:
Number of ventilators actually physically available now
Number of ventilators which can be staffed now

Iam64, I couldn't agree more. Political differences are out of the window at the moment. I don't care who gets us through this, as long as we do.

notanan, 'Michael Gove said a shortage of the chemical reagents'. There isn't a shortage. The chemicals are there. IF it is that they aren't tested or need processing, say it. Don't lie! I appreciate the proportion of the populace that continued to go out to the pubs/beaches/natural beauty spots after lockdown ARE stupid. But we're not all dim.

Our government need to stop lying. They ALWAYS get caught out and it just makes them look as if they don't know what they're doing. This is not the time for dishonesty, while their citizens are facing possible death in the thousands.

Angela Merkel is being obvious and clear with her country. Our leaders lie and don't take expert advice. They were told to 'test, test, test' by the WHO. They ignored it.