Corona Virus

[holystove]

11 hours ago, Palfy said:

I haven’t seen anything reported to support that here, but it wouldn’t surprise me that that has happened, this government has been pushing for self isolation before the breakout of the Coronavirus. 

 

[Romey 1878]

Actually can't believe there are people praising Johnson's leadership during all of this. I think he's been a disaster and his 'leadership' will have led to a lot of heartache and loss by the time this virus fully hits.

That's all I'm going to say on it. I'm not getting into it with anyone, so don't reply.

[pete0]

Johnson made out it was only flu and has dawdled over every decision. Very much playing catch up with hesitation as every necessary step shits all over tory policy. NHS funding, low skill workers showing they are the foundation, and most of all the piss-poor social aid. Any other government would have acted faster and more efficiently. Why shut theatres but leave pubs open?! Meanwhile heartless businesses are laying staff off. The government shouldn't have given them the chance and should punish those who did. Look at us compared to any other country and it is telling we are ran for companies, not for the people. 

[MikeO]

11 minutes ago, pete0 said:

Johnson made out it was only flu and has dawdled over every decision. Very much playing catch up with hesitation as every necessary step shits all over tory policy. NHS funding, low skill workers showing they are the foundation, and most of all the piss-poor social aid. Any other government would have acted faster and more efficiently. Why shut theatres but leave pubs open?! Meanwhile heartless businesses are laying staff off. The government shouldn't have given them the chance and should punish those who did. Look at us compared to any other country and it is telling we are ran for companies, not for the people. 

I was commenting purely on the basis of the press briefing I watched yesterday and his demeanour which I thought was in stark contrast to...

1. His normal buffoonery and...

2. The contrast with Trumps' idiocy.

At least he seemed to be listening to the "experts" rather than making nonsensical suggestions. Time will tell whether all decisions made were right or wrong; actually time probably won't tell because we'll never know how things would have turned out had we done things differently

Anyway this is beyond politics now.

[pete0]

2 minutes ago, MikeO said:

I was commenting purely on the basis of the press briefing I watched yesterday and his demeanour which I thought was in stark contrast to...

1. His normal buffoonery and...

2. The contrast with Trumps' idiocy.

At least he seemed to be listening to the "experts" rather than making nonsensical suggestions. Time will tell whether all decisions made were right or wrong; actually time probably won't tell because we'll never know how things would have turned out had we done things differently

Anyway this is beyond politics now.

That's a pretty low bar to start from tbf. 

For anyone stuck at home audible have free books to listen to. 

https://www.radiotimes.com/news/radio/2020-03-20/audible-just-made-hundreds-of-titles-completely-free-to-help-during-coronavirus-crisis/?fbclid=IwAR3YeAY7ECbrIgZWGEoVdTGX4i5BCiXP-635hcXbDGEoGLtMl0G1zYfDLnU

[markjazzbassist]

42 minutes ago, pete0 said:

Look at us compared to any other country and it is telling we are ran for companies, not for the people. 

the above statement is applicable to the bill the republicans just tried to pass to "offer support".  all it was was handouts and free money for corporations leaving the families and middle/poor classes left behind.  it makes me sick that with everything going on certain segments of politicians are still trying to use it to THEIR gain, and not the gain of the people hurting most. 

 

for a balanced view from me though, i would like to note that although i'm usual republican bashing here, my state Ohio has a republican governor who has done exceptional.  we are now the 4th state to shutdown and we don't have it anywhere as bad as the other 3, he has been ahead of the federal government on all things, and really is proactive and not reactive (like trump).  so here i am waxing lyrical about a Republican, lest people think i am some commie left winger stuck in an echo chamber, well done Mike DeWine keep it up and you'll get my vote for re-election.

[MikeO]

41 minutes ago, pete0 said:

That's a pretty low bar to start from tbf.

No argument there.

[Palfy]

11 hours ago, holystove said:

 

That’s incredible and embarrassing I don’t understand or know why this is the case, but I’m guessing 52% would agree with this stance and the other 48% like myself are disappointed and embarrassed that we cannot work with the EU to find a solution to this problem. 

[Cornish Steve]

I'm not a fan of Boris Johnson, but all credit to the government for this lockdown. Not a moment too soon.

People have been pouring into Cornwall and crowding the roads and beaches. I saw pictures yesterday of Tregantle in east Cornwall, and the parking and crowds are ridiculous. If these people get sick, they'll tie up the very limited resources we have in our country. Our only major hospital (Treliske in Truro) has fewer than 1,000 beds.

[Cornish Steve]

2 minutes ago, Cornish Steve said:

I'm not a fan of Boris Johnson, but all credit to the government for this lockdown. Not a moment too soon.

People have been pouring into Cornwall and crowding the roads and beaches. I saw pictures yesterday of Tregantle in east Cornwall, and the parking and crowds are ridiculous. If these people get sick, they'll tie up the very limited resources we have in our country. Our only major hospital (Treliske in Truro) has fewer than 1,000 beds.

In the meantime, President Trump is apparently bored with this virus and wants something else to talk about. His government is seriously thinking to end all current restrictions and encourage everyone to return to work next week. In the words of one conservative, it's just not worth the money and the hit to the economy to save the lives of older or sick people. Frankly, I couldn't believe that when I read it, but it's totally in line with the philosophy of the president's principal financial backer, Bob Mercer.

[Cornish Steve]

23 hours ago, Cornish Steve said:

Trump may have tested negative, but Rand Paul is the first US senator to test positive. This is the guy who voted against the government offering free testing and financial support to those affected.

https://nypost.com/2020/03/23/senators-blast-rand-pauls-irresponsible-behavior-while-awaiting-coronavirus-results/

And guess what is this guy's profession? He's a doctor!

[holystove]

6 hours ago, Cornish Steve said:

In the meantime, President Trump is apparently bored with this virus and wants something else to talk about. His government is seriously thinking to end all current restrictions and encourage everyone to return to work next week. In the words of one conservative, it's just not worth the money and the hit to the economy to save the lives of older or sick people. Frankly, I couldn't believe that when I read it, but it's totally in line with the philosophy of the president's principal financial backer, Bob Mercer.

UK was in the same place only a couple of weeks ago.  (at one private event at the end of February, Cummings outlined then government’s strategy at the time in a way that was summarised by some present as “herd immunity, protect the economy, and if that means some pensioners die, too bad.”)

And now the UK is in semi-lockdown.

US will get there too.. until we find a way to fight this virus, defense is the only option and that means quarantine.

[Matt]

18 hours ago, markjazzbassist said:

the above statement is applicable to the bill the republicans just tried to pass to "offer support".  all it was was handouts and free money for corporations leaving the families and middle/poor classes left behind.  it makes me sick that with everything going on certain segments of politicians are still trying to use it to THEIR gain, and not the gain of the people hurting most. 

 

for a balanced view from me though, i would like to note that although i'm usual republican bashing here, my state Ohio has a republican governor who has done exceptional.  we are now the 4th state to shutdown and we don't have it anywhere as bad as the other 3, he has been ahead of the federal government on all things, and really is proactive and not reactive (like trump).  so here i am waxing lyrical about a Republican, lest people think i am some commie left winger stuck in an echo chamber, well done Mike DeWine keep it up and you'll get my vote for re-election.

How has the flooding effected you?

Another scare in our household but turns out my daughter “only” has strep throat yet again. So she’s on antibiotics for the 3rd time in 4 months. Not slowed her down or affected her in anyway mind you 

[markjazzbassist]

1 hour ago, Matt said:

How has the flooding effected you?

Another scare in our household but turns out my daughter “only” has strep throat yet again. So she’s on antibiotics for the 3rd time in 4 months. Not slowed her down or affected her in anyway mind you 

not affected, it's central and southern ohio, i'm at the north on lake erie.  the only crazy thing that happened here is due to global climate change the lake never froze over for the winter.  the last time it didn't freeze was 1973.  when it freezes it helps the wildlife living in the lake, it stops erosion (some areas now getting 3 feet of erosion a day! due to no ice), and is beneficial to the overall ecology of the lake.  it also gives us a cool spring because the lake is warming but the ice keeps local temps down.  i fear we will have an absolute scorcher of a spring and summer now.

[Palfy]

I have had to close my carpentry business today nearly 70 people laid off 7 of which are PAYE who I will carry on paying 80% of their salaries to through the government scheme. 
It’s the self employed I’m most concerned for as the chancellor still hasn’t come up with a solution for the 1.5 million self employed in this country, we have heard that he will be making an announcement in the next day or so, he needs to get on with it and make it good. 
We have been told this is initially going to be for 3 weeks but we are expecting it to be more like 3 months. 
Personally I’m good with it just a shame I can’t go to Spain for 2-3 months, I’ve got a few things going on out there at the moment and it would have been nice being out there to keep an eye on it. 
But I’m at the moment fit and healthy as I hope this finds you, your family and friends, and that’s all that matters in time’s like this. 

[Chach]

9 hours ago, Palfy said:

I have had to close my carpentry business today nearly 70 people laid off 7 of which are PAYE who I will carry on paying 80% of their salaries to through the government scheme. 
It’s the self employed I’m most concerned for as the chancellor still hasn’t come up with a solution for the 1.5 million self employed in this country, we have heard that he will be making an announcement in the next day or so, he needs to get on with it and make it good. 
We have been told this is initially going to be for 3 weeks but we are expecting it to be more like 3 months. 
Personally I’m good with it just a shame I can’t go to Spain for 2-3 months, I’ve got a few things going on out there at the moment and it would have been nice being out there to keep an eye on it. 
But I’m at the moment fit and healthy as I hope this finds you, your family and friends, and that’s all that matters in time’s like this. 

Is that because construction sites have closed down or were you servicing the general public?

[Palfy]

23 minutes ago, Chach said:

Is that because construction sites have closed down or were you servicing the general public?

2 companies we work for decided to close there operations which amounted to close to 50% of our work, so we took the decision to close based partly on that and it was the right thing to do after the government’s advice, and the fact they said they were going to give help to the self employed comparable to PAYE, if they stuck to the statutory sick pay of around £90.00 a week for them in all honesty we would still be open for business.  

[pete0]

https://cnn.it/2y8cuAr?fbclid=IwAR1Z1xvfyFKxnGZulurnejOSjeK1zuSKbi3IxL5TRrolyj2i7fRNdYsbxlU

[Palfy]

This is a weak government more concerned with not spending than keeping the country safe, still advocating that none essential workers should go to work if they can’t work from home, rather than have to support people to stay at home. 
They talk the talk but can’t walk the walk and people on here have been singing Boris’s praises what for I have know idea. 

[MikeO]

"Safety bench"

[holystove]

27 minutes ago, TallPaul1878 said:

Have you ever seen a Chinese wet market by the way? Or any of the kind of street markets in east Asia where they sell live animals? Due to lack of refrigeration they generally prefer to purchase their food live and have it slaughtered and prepared in front of them. This is often done in very unsanitary conditions and is a massive vector for the transmission  of viruses. This was a time bomb that was bound to go off and as humans encroach more and more into the habitats of wild animals then more and more exotic viruses will show themselves. 

If you're proposing a supra-national type of body that would provide an institutional framework where member-countries could agree common high standards for Food Safety, I'm all for it Paul 

[MikeO]

42 minutes ago, TallPaul1878 said:

Update on my little fella. Ambulance came and took him for observations, wife has gone with. I'm at home with the kids waving at all the curtain twitchers in the street 

Feeling for you mate, sure he'll be OK though; gotta hate those twitchers. We had a thing a few years ago in our cul-de-sac where there'd been a pretty serious "domestic" and the young woman had been thrown out (admittedly very drunk) by her partner and was collapsed in the road with a head wound. We went out and looked after her, nobody else responded though they must have heard, you couldn't not; after a while took her home and told the partner (also very drunk) was not the way to behave. Lass knocked on our door a couple of days later to thank us and said she'd sworn off the booze. Peaceful ever since.

[MikeO]

1 minute ago, TallPaul1878 said:

They're gonna think it is corona chan. I'm gonna play along and make sure I cough extra loud all night.

I had a "thing" nearly twenty years ago when we lived in a different cul-de-sac where the police followed me home due to a hole in my exhaust (works vehicle). I parked up and the guy took my details and got on his radio; was school pick-up time so my wife went to pick up our lad and left the front door open for me to get in. Policeman got reply and turned out I was public enemy number one, three more units turned up with flashing lights; wouldn't even let me shut the front door and took me away in a van. Turned out someone in Norfolk had stolen my identity; was only when the booking sergeant asked me to take my shirt off to verify my tattoos (I had none) they realised the mistake and gave me a lift home.

Never told the neighbours the truth.

[Matt]

EasyJet have cancelled our Easter flights, the first time in 10 years I won’t be home for the holiday. 

[Matt]

5 hours ago, TallPaul1878 said:

Another update. Lucas has been discharged. Diagnosed with bronchiolitis as suspected. Have to keep him warm and fluids up whilst he is fighting it as there is no medication available for it.

Have to say the staff at Whiston hospital were great. A&E was virtually empty as people are finally staying away when there is nothing really wrong with them. 

Glad you got an answer, although it’s weird to be thankful for bronchitis! 

[Matt]

3 minutes ago, TallPaul1878 said:

Bronchiolitis is a different condition. It's caused by a virus. Bronchitis is caused by bacteria. Bronchitis can be cured with anti-biotics but viruses can't be.

My bad, misread. You just have to wait it out then?

[Palfy]

7 hours ago, TallPaul1878 said:

Another update. Lucas has been discharged. Diagnosed with bronchiolitis as suspected. Have to keep him warm and fluids up whilst he is fighting it as there is no medication available for it.

Have to say the staff at Whiston hospital were great. A&E was virtually empty as people are finally staying away when there is nothing really wrong with them. 

Never thought I would be pleased to hear he’s got bronchiolitis, must be a wait off your mind Paul the thought that it could have been Coronavirus must have been frightening mate, I know I would have been in a panic. 
Hopefully he’s better very soon. 

[Palfy]

2 days at being at home with the dog getting a 1.5 hours walk every morning in the farmers fields, my garden is looking really nice spent about 10 hours working on it so far, I never thought I would like gardening but when there’s very little else to do it’s a relief to be doing it, although it will probably piss my mate off he’s been my gardener for the last few years. 

[Formby]

Just been for an hour-long cycle ride with the kids by the Ashton Canal - slightly (very) surreal experience, being able to appreciate the great views and nature going about its business while we fret over jobs, livelihoods, life, and the damned virus. As I saw the sun bathing the hills in red and gold, I was reminded again of what a beautiful country we live in and how lucky we are to live here. There is much that is wrong with it, but there are many great things, too. Simple things like a cycle ride with the kids don't cost anything (okay, maybe a round of ice creams) but the memory will be there forever (which is all that counts). I hope, when this is over, that I will reflect more on such things rather than getting too angry or frustrated trying to occupy my time with nothing at all, and taking the kids to places that they don't really need to go to. Hope everyone is safe and well wherever you are.

[MikeO]

That’s it. I’m giving up drinking for a month.

Oops. That came out wrong.

I’m giving up.

Drinking for a month.

[pete0]

https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertonardelli/owen-paterson-private-coronavirus-tests?fbclid=IwAR3jnW6tVRScMtBDNrA2_yhefcm4EMZFf_aBSRStd8n9WrzQ1ArufPSvO6I

[Palfy]

It’s strange how this topic is starting to descend  into a left and right politics issue, surely you can complain about the governments handling of this, without being accused of being a left sympathiser as the only reason you are not happy, and also being accused of being right because you agree with the government. 
For these fractions to appear so deeply in a global catastrophe, just proves that even in the death of thousands of people, the difference of political persuasion in some and the need for one up man ship and making political gain is a far greater issue than the problem it’s self. 

[Chach]

6 minutes ago, TallPaul1878 said:

BREAKING: Coronavirus has contracted Boris Johnston

Fixed.

[RPG]

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-52058788

I hope we can wish him and everyone else impacted by the virus a speedy recovery. Domestic political posturing should be put to one side while we all come together to deal with this global crisis.

[MikeO]

[Haiku]

On 25/03/2020 at 15:59, TallPaul1878 said:

Herd immunity is pretty much impossible with a coronavirus as they just mutate so much. The virus you become "immune" to will have mutated again in 6 months time. That's why we  need to have flu jabs every year as the influenza virus is similar. 

That is simply a speculation which is most certainly false. Coronaviruses are not mutating as rapidly as influenza. They are known since 1960's and God knows since how long they exist and how many times they jumped on a human population in the past. There is a reason coronaviruses haven't become seasonal so far, and for the same reason chances are Covid-19 won't become seasonal either.

[MikeO]

"The Trump administration’s response to this pandemic has been tactically inept and almost completely lacking in anything like a strategic approach. The prior sentence is not to suggest the Trump administration is alone in its incompetence. The experience of Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom shows that so-called developed countries of many stripes can respond ineffectively to crisis.....

In 2020, go-it-alone political nationalism—in the United States, China, Russia, and other countries around the world—will be a contributing factor in the unnecessary deaths of at least tens of thousands (and perhaps hundreds of thousands or millions) of people in a pandemic that could and should have been greatly limited by effective international cooperation."

https://thebulletin.org/2020/03/coronavirus-overview-how-political-ideology-and-governmental-incompetence-can-kill-you/

[pete0]

19 minutes ago, MikeO said:

The experience of Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom shows that so-called developed countries of many stripes can respond ineffectively to crisis.....

Worst thing is we were purposely ineffective. Our experts would have had all the information and data showing South Korea stagnated it compared to how rapidly Italy were effected. Yet we then chose to go down the Italy route. 

This government needs replacing immediately, they are not fit to govern and should be held accountable for mass murder, at a very minimum treason as they have put corporations before the best interest of the nation for over a decade. 

[RPG]

19 minutes ago, pete0 said:

Worst thing is we were purposely ineffective. Our experts would have had all the information and data showing South Korea stagnated it compared to how rapidly Italy were effected. Yet we then chose to go down the Italy route. 

This government needs replacing immediately, they are not fit to govern and should be held accountable for mass murder, at a very minimum treason as they have put corporations before the best interest of the nation for over a decade. 

http://horoscopoyvida.com/oracion-especial/ora-con-mucha-fe-esta-poderosa-oracion-a-la-mano-poderosa-para-recibir-salud-dinero-trabajo-y-prosperidad/

Translates as '925 cured of Covid-19 in Italy in the last 24 hours.' 

[Palfy]

1 hour ago, TallPaul1878 said:

Hubei police and residents now confronting Jiangxi police and tipping their riot vans over.

Shocking they are clearly not observing the 2 metre rule. 

[MikeO]

45 minutes ago, RPG said:

Translates as '925 cured of Covid-19 in Italy in the last 24 hours.

Not for me. And as there's no known cure seems unlikely the Italians (despite the link being to a Spanish site) discovered one overnight.

[RPG]

I don't think they are saying they have found a silver bullet that will cure everyone by any means. What they are saying is that people are recovering from Covid-19 and that 925 have recovered in the last 24 hours.

People are still dying from it too but there is room for cautious optimism.

[MikeO]

21 minutes ago, TallPaul1878 said:

Orange Man Bad

The article is written from an American perspective so focuses on Trump but the essence of it is that nationalism, which is rife all over the planet, is bad.

Did you read it?

[pete0]

1 hour ago, RPG said:

http://horoscopoyvida.com/oracion-especial/ora-con-mucha-fe-esta-poderosa-oracion-a-la-mano-poderosa-para-recibir-salud-dinero-trabajo-y-prosperidad/

Translates as '925 cured of Covid-19 in Italy in the last 24 hours.' 

What's your point? How does that respond to our government choosing the Italy model over the Korea model. 

https://www.channel4.com/news/how-south-korea-became-the-model-for-beating-the-coronavirus

[pete0]

https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/18339699.worcesters-gtech-told-not-produce-much-needed-ventilators-government-chief-executive-says/?fbclid=IwAR0Yqsqg7kWnWM7kYQwQqoeJVRDQbcVm1jlmbxP-Wo-ko3JHLGmIYDtxd3I

[Palfy]

2 hours ago, RPG said:

http://horoscopoyvida.com/oracion-especial/ora-con-mucha-fe-esta-poderosa-oracion-a-la-mano-poderosa-para-recibir-salud-dinero-trabajo-y-prosperidad/

Translates as '925 cured of Covid-19 in Italy in the last 24 hours.' 

Also nearly 1000 died in the last 24hrs in Italy. 

[RPG]

32 minutes ago, Palfy said:

Also nearly 1000 died in the last 24hrs in Italy. 

Yes, they did. But it is very early stages and already people are recovering. It is, of course, tragic that so many are still dying but the fact that many people have recovered from death's door will allow for extensive research into what worked and what didn't from a medical perspective.

There is still a hell of a long road ahead of us all but each small victory is another small step to beating this virus. The media are only focussing on the headline bad news but there is some positive news out there.

[pete0]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/27/advice-on-protective-gear-for-nhs-staff-was-rejected-owing-to-cost?CMP=fb_gu&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR1G_g9zdw7GmtCtCwoiH7edX6HCrKY87_AoHNRfD-NoW68MfJ_gnFKSL2k#Echobox=1585324334

[Palfy]

2 hours ago, pete0 said:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/27/advice-on-protective-gear-for-nhs-staff-was-rejected-owing-to-cost?CMP=fb_gu&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR1G_g9zdw7GmtCtCwoiH7edX6HCrKY87_AoHNRfD-NoW68MfJ_gnFKSL2k#Echobox=1585324334

The Parliament is closed but when this is over and it can reopen there will be people with some very difficult questions to answer. 
There have undoubtedly been mistakes made and corners cut in the name of money, let’s make sure we seek the truth to the questions we want answered.

Hopefully those in power did everything they could, with the advice and tactics relayed to them by the professionals, and never swept advice under the carpet due to costs or to tough to implement. 

[pete0]

6 minutes ago, Palfy said:

The Parliament is closed but when this is over and it can reopen there will be people with some very difficult questions to answer. 
There have undoubtedly been mistakes made and corners cut in the name of money, let’s make sure we seek the truth to the questions we want answered.

Hopefully those in power did everything they could, with the advice and tactics relayed to them by the professionals, and never swept advice under the carpet due to costs or to tough to implement. 

It'll be same old torybot responses unfortunately. Companies have been done for gross negligence manslaughter for less.

We need a revolution and if we don't revolt it'll be losing world war III that will bring change. May and BJ will have their faces in the history books next to Hitler and the like. 

https://m.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/coronavirus-ventilators-eu-scheme-email_uk_5e7e2df8c5b661492266938f?ncid=fcbklnkukhpmg00000008&fbclid=IwAR0X_rzxrqV6NXUckhps9NafiWSt0J-oG94hYuFA6HfMtQKEsSKES3bTEJk&guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9tLmZhY2Vib29rLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFFU_B_0J-sx3ygyQml6Zg2Y4wGamB8SpUT9i3Rk_7Gvv5VtrbuX87qJ3X14tEteF4ejSXaEJYRtuCFooYNGX6gVS6Ic19GAWWlCcGslvIugFdeIxVSRnDcbwFXcRmlB5q5BLOeovPsaloHPyVBcl0K1sMsoNU4RuDNs5Kiocmkb

[Chach]

6 hours ago, TallPaul1878 said:

SARS and MERS are still doing the rounds. SARS is currently doing the rounds again besides this particular SARS-Cov2 being a pandemic.

There's vaccines at the final hurdle of human testing for SARS1stopped for want of finance and no sense of the danger.

[Chach]

6 hours ago, TallPaul1878 said:

Orange Man Bad

Not an argument.

[Chach]

This is the Prime Minister of New Zealand going live on FB the first night of their lockdown for all those who feel they're not getting the love they need from their Tory politicians.

 

[pete0]

https://m.ednews.net/en/news/politics/421822-coronavirus-prepared-at-the-bio-weapons-laboratory-in-the-us?fbclid=IwAR2abU7UU3awCr76pqW62KFD1JxxaRnN8kU9x3liHiUR36sn-wutgPYTtJI#.Xn5N2Esou2A.facebook

 

[Palfy]

6 hours ago, Chach said:

This is the Prime Minister of New Zealand going live on FB the first night of their lockdown for all those who feel they're not getting the love they need from their Tory politicians.

 

We’ve pretty much heard that from our PM but he is still allowing non essential workers and their companies to operate, thus spreading the virus further that’s not the love we require from any politician Tory or otherwise. 

[Chach]

18 minutes ago, Palfy said:

We’ve pretty much heard that from our PM but he is still allowing non essential workers and their companies to operate, thus spreading the virus further that’s not the love we require from any politician Tory or otherwise. 

The NZ lockdown is nothing like the UK one.

https://covid19.govt.nz/government-actions/covid-19-alert-level/essential-businesses/

 

[Hafnia]

20 hours ago, TallPaul1878 said:

Pandemics have always led to revolutions in sanitation practices. I wonder if this pandemic will see a new shift away from high density populations and mass transport such as the underground.

London only improved sanitation last time round due to a massive outbreak of cholera. We all know that London's sewer systems are at breaking point.

Will we see a shift away from the rat race towards major cities, upgrades in  broadband infrastructure to allow remote working? Do banks and businesses really need to have their offices all located in one city and an army of workers shuffling in and out every day? Will we see more satellite centres springing up in smaller towns to ease congestion and overpopulation in big cities?

I've been saying this for weeks. I travel in to Manchester 3 days a week from the wirral. I get the train which is a petridish of coughs, sneezes, farts.... I look out the window approaching Manchester and see the access roads blocked with cars yet there are skyrises being built all over.

I'm an analyst so 90% of my time is in front of a pc. It can't just be me who gets more work done at home... I'm literally 3x more productive.  

I envisage that remote working is going to be far more common place,  we've been using zoom/blue jeans for conferencing.  Most people will work till they get a job done rather than "best not start this pie e of work now, I've got to leave in 30 minutes" etc. 

The fintech banks will be far less saddled with overheads, the branch networks will be less and less. People go to the banks for a chat and routine which is nice but not essential for most of the people aged below retirement as banks aren't open after working hours.

[Palfy]

13 minutes ago, Hafnia said:

I've been saying this for weeks. I travel in to Manchester 3 days a week from the wirral. I get the train which is a petridish of coughs, sneezes, farts.... I look out the window approaching Manchester and see the access roads blocked with cars yet there are skyrises being built all over.

I'm an analyst so 90% of my time is in front of a pc. It can't just be me who gets more work done at home... I'm literally 3x more productive.  

I envisage that remote working is going to be far more common place,  we've been using zoom/blue jeans for conferencing.  Most people will work till they get a job done rather than "best not start this pie e of work now, I've got to leave in 30 minutes" etc. 

The fintech banks will be far less saddled with overheads, the branch networks will be less and less. People go to the banks for a chat and routine which is nice but not essential for most of the people aged below retirement as banks aren't open after working hours.

I agree a lot of businesses will realise that working from home is a far better and cheaper option.

And banks have been for years taking advantage of the digital age, just look at the amount of high street branches that have closed. 
I’ve banked with NatWest since I was 19 personal and business and I have seen plenty of changes in my local town over the years, 5 high street banks now 1, 3 offices now 1 which my business manager has said looks like closing. 
My daughter runs the fraud department for a large mortgage lender and works from home quite a bit, the advancement of technology pretty much allows you to be in the office when you are at home. 

[pete0]

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/close-all-non-essential-online-stores-warehouses?bucket&fbclid=IwAR05pFxP5F6inar0CFLHbR-eqkhvaT4ggV71Ida2homqX8KI8PjNBdFonjI

[Palfy]

47 minutes ago, pete0 said:

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/close-all-non-essential-online-stores-warehouses?bucket&fbclid=IwAR05pFxP5F6inar0CFLHbR-eqkhvaT4ggV71Ida2homqX8KI8PjNBdFonjI

Signed and forwarded to others.