Coronavirus.

[DarloRich]

You really are an extremist!
As he said - it’s hard to lecture people when they appear to be breaking their gathering rules themselves. He also guaranteed to take questions.
I thought he looked rather perky - hopefully that means the briefings he is getting in COBRA are getting more positive (particularly re testing)

The man is coward and you and others give him a free pass. Why?

He wants to make vauge statements consiting of silly hand gestures and silly meaningless phrases free of challenge or scrutiny then scuttle away. This is the worst public health crisis in a generation remember. I dont think that kind of behaviour is really on. Perhaps you think it is ok. I dont.

Oh, come on. It's a load of people in a room not maintaining social distance, thereby setting a bad example and putting the Government at risk. The idea of doing it online, with questions, is a very sensible one.

He wont answer questions. He will waffle and prattle even more if not face to face.

Tbh I would rather the two useful people in that room were protected. Johnson is of no use. He isnt even a calming mature statesman like presence!

Oh and if the goverment have not got a business continuity plan for johnson getting ill they should all be sacked!

 

[Meerkat]

The man is coward and you and others give him a free pass. Why?

He wants to make vauge statements consiting of silly hand gestures and silly meaningless phrases free of challenge or scrutiny then scuttle away. This is the worst public health crisis in a generation remember. I dont think that kind of behaviour is really on. Perhaps you think it is ok. I dont.



He wont answer questions. He will waffle and prattle even more if not face to face.

Tbh I would rather the two useful people in that room were protected. Johnson is of no use. He isnt even a calming mature statesman like presence!

Oh and if the goverment have not got a business continuity plan for johnson getting ill they should all be sacked!

he could pull this off perfectly and you would still refuse to give him any credit

 

[Mitchell Hurd]

Given Boris has said he's basically confident we can beat Covid-19 in 12 weeks, we'd be very grateful - I'll be surprised if this happens.

If we're back to normal in 12 weeks, then I might be willing to think Boris Johnson isn't that bad after all.
I say that as I can't really work him out as people have mixed views of him (me included).

 

[DarloRich]

he could pull this off perfectly and you would still refuse to give him any credit

So you arent bothered about him hiding away avoiding challenge and scrutiny. Got you.

All I want is a mature, calming, stateman like performance. You know like his scientific advisers. No silly mannerisms, no silly phrases, no bluster, no onfuscation. Just clear information in clearly spoken and clear English.

The way Johnson behaves is not helpful at this time. It is serious. He isnt.

Perhaps I have an old fashioned view of what being the Prime Minister is about. Perhaps I should be like you and others and not care.

 

[DarloRich]

AND it is clear he only wants to do 10 minutes press! What is he worried about?

 

[Darandio]

If we're back to normal in 12 weeks, then I might be willing to think Boris Johnson isn't that bad after all.

I've no idea why that would change your opinion. If it was to get back to normal in 12 weeks it wouldn't be because of Boris Johnson.

 

[Mogster]

I thought he looked rather perky - hopefully that means the briefings he is getting in COBRA are getting more positive (particularly re testing)

I’ve thought the same. Less scared, being scared is reasonable in this situation. He seems to be growing into this tbh.

I think we need to know far more about how infectious asymptomatic people are before we can come to a view on which of the last few posts is right. There seem to be lost of contradictory statements on this question.

If people with no symptoms aren't infectious then a strategy of isolating the more vulnerable and people showing symptoms and letting everyone else carry on is viable. If not then it could lead to very rapid spread and a hospitalization ratio of 10% or more will overwhelm available facilities and make the death rate much higher, as seems to be happening in Italy.

At the moment we just don't know and the precautionary principle applies. If we find out within a couple of weeks and the answer is favourable then most people ought to be able to get back to something close to normality.

From WHO scientists on the ground in China the opinion was that pretty much everyone infected showed symptoms eventually and that pre-symptomatic people weren’t a significant source of infection. It’s not that someone can’t infect you before they start to feel sick but it’s much less likely. It’s a percentage game, there are no absolutes.

Some of the early data was comprised by the poor performance of the test kits. The Chinese rushed kits out that didn’t provide acceptable results, false negatives apparently. More PCR testing capacity is going to be available here but it’ll take a few weeks.

 

[Meerkat]

So you arent bothered about him hiding away avoiding challenge and scrutiny

He isn’t hiding away - he is practising what they are preaching.
Anyway had already decided long ago so no real point debating with you.

 

[DarloRich]

He isn’t hiding away - he is practising what they are preaching.
Anyway had already decided long ago so no real point debating with you.

So you have no concerns about him simply making statements without challenge from his bunker and skulking away while he expects hospital porters and cleaners to turn up and expose themselves to danger daily.

You clearly dont think it is his job to make clear sensible mature accurate and when required reassuring statements to the public AND be challenged on them.

I dont think avoiding that responsibility is on. Clearly you do.

PS credit for Johnson: at least tonight he didnt announce any poorly thought through plans that then confuse everyone for several days!

 

[ed1971]

Quote in accordance with Forum rules:

I'm a bit suspicious of this as it doesn't name the other drug and it seems a bit odd that one completely wipes out the virus, so why are they talking about a second one?

However there's another possible ray of hope here: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...-effective-in-treating-coronavirus-says-china

The same group of scientists in Queensland were on BBC News earlier in the week saying that they also are developing a vaccine. It needs further testing and approval, but being very optimistic, they could have it ready in June.
I have felt for a number of weeks that people are not taking Coronavirus seriously enough. A prime example is a friend, who had lung cancer four years ago and only has one lung. He is still going into pubs and shops as if it is a trivial matter.

 

[Elwyn]

Given Boris has said he's basically confident we can beat Covid-19 in 12 weeks, we'd be very grateful - I'll be surprised if this happens.

If we're back to normal in 12 weeks, then I might be willing to think Boris Johnson isn't that bad after all.
I say that as I can't really work him out as people have mixed views of him (me included).

I wish Boris would explain precisely why he thinks we can beat this in 12 weeks. That belief doesn’t appear to be backed by any science – which is what he claims to be relying on. Staying indoors for 12 weeks will surely only delay the virus, and then when we come out again it’ll just return. It’ll surely take several years for enough of us to develop widespread herd immunity (longer perhaps if we all stay indoors) by which time we’ll probably have a vaccine anyway. But how is toughing it out for 12 weeks actually going to beat it? I sense he’s trying to be Churchillian but a little more than rhetoric is needed.

 

[Howardh]

Just had an e-mail from Northern who explain they are cleaning etc and need informing if they run out of soap. They advise customers to use the Automatic ticket machines, I wonder if they realise they will need thorough cleaning being touch screen?

 

[telstarbox]

The media has mostly focused on London where most of the cases have been, and so lots of people are now working from home, which is possibly more practical as more jobs in London are computer -based (but by no means all jobs).

For those of you in other parts of the country - are you still largely going into your workplaces? Does it feel noticeably quieter out and about?

 

[scotrail158713]

<insert noun>ed.

In a thread that’s not the most entertaining to read this did raise a smile for me

 

[Bletchleyite]

In a thread that’s not the most entertaining to read this did raise a smile for me

Pretty much any noun will work - try it!

As an aside, the best one I heard was "townhalled", which works rather better in German!

 

[Bletchleyite]

So you have no concerns about him simply making statements without challenge from his bunker and skulking away while he expects hospital porters and cleaners to turn up and expose themselves to danger daily.

What would be the sense in putting the PM in danger? Whatever you think of him, a change of power is not needed now.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I wish Boris would explain precisely why he thinks we can beat this in 12 weeks. That belief doesn’t appear to be backed by any science – which is what he claims to be relying on. Staying indoors for 12 weeks will surely only delay the virus, and then when we come out again it’ll just return. It’ll surely take several years for enough of us to develop widespread herd immunity (longer perhaps if we all stay indoors) by which time we’ll probably have a vaccine anyway. But how is toughing it out for 12 weeks actually going to beat it? I sense he’s trying to be Churchillian but a little more than rhetoric is needed.

If you want more than rhetoric, the CMO did a more professional press conference earlier and really sounded like he knew his stuff.

 

[thejuggler]

As soon as daily updates were promised you need to have new updates. Boris is now time filling and getting bored of it all as are we. Laura Kuenssberg first question one day, Beth Rigby is first the next.

Yesterday the education secretary closed schools and said a list of key workers would be released today. I haven't seen the list yet, which is shocking considering many schools closed today. Was Boris asked where the list was?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Yesterday the education secretary closed schools and said a list of key workers would be released today. I haven't seen the list yet, which is shocking considering many schools closed today. Was Boris asked where the list was?

Give them chance.

 

[Ianno87]

As soon as daily updates were promised you need to have new updates. Boris is now time filling and getting bored of it all as are we. Laura Kuenssberg first question one day, Beth Rigby is first the next.

Yesterday the education secretary closed schools and said a list of key workers would be released today. I haven't seen the list yet, which is shocking considering many schools closed today. Was Boris asked where the list was?

Our son's nurseries e-mailed the list at about 1600 or so this afternoon.

NHS staff
Teachers and support staff in school
Police and community support officers
Frontline civilian police staff
Prison officers and staff
Probation officers and trainee probation officers
LA officers and LA/ NHS social workers
Uniformed staff in fire and rescue services
Armed forces personnel and some civilian MOD personnel (ie clinical staff, MOD police, uniformed fire and defence) and some discharged personnel
Highway agency traffic staff
LA environmental health officers/practitioners
Care workers
Food/supermarket drivers and other workers

Only qualify if *both* parents fall into above categories (not sure about where single parents stand)

Admin note - please be advised that this is not the complete list, the Government has provided a list, and this can be found further down this thread (https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/coronavirus.201152/page-40#post-4493703)

 

[Aictos]

Peoples Republic of China State Television now accusing the US of having had the virus in their possession.

Expert: The US pushed out the vaccine so quickly, that only means they have been working on it way before the pandemic.

Host: So we can conclude that the US had this virus in their possession long ago.

https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1240692301954822144?s=20

 

[JonathanH]

In the UK most, if not all fatalities have been with people with pre-existing conditions, the virus itself has not been cited as the single cause of death from what I understand.

I think this needs to be considered with care - those who die first will always be those with underlying conditions - simply bringing their death forward - they have hardly any ability to fight the virus.

The thing to be wary of is the deaths in a few weeks time, those healthy people who have caught it and bern unlucky, who have had a prolonged stay in hospital and been beaten by the virus. Then people will be more worried about it. There will be some unfortunate people in that circumstance.

At the moment we just don't know and the precautionary principle applies. If we find out within a couple of weeks and the answer is favourable then most people ought to be able to get back to something close to normality.

As it is a new disease, there is much to learn about its effects - 12 weeks of keeping it under control is pretty important to understand more. It may even be enough to understand whether the herd immunity plan could be effective in the absence of a vaccine. However, we do need to allow for research to be done to get to that point and, if (healthy) people can isolate until then, it would be reckless until then at a personal level to resume normal life and put themselves and others at risk.

 

[hooverboy]

A++. Contrary to the lockdown narrative it's essential to get some sunshine and fresh air. One bonus is the air is fresher by the day right now as people cut down on travel and work from home. Take advantage of that on a walk or a run.

you know what,I would disagree here.

going for a brisk stroll in public spaces are all well and good this week,but what do you think is likely to happen on week 2 of lockdown when people who haven't prepped are running out of food?
Bojo has given some nice soothing words,but now is the time to prepare for the long haul,if it comes to it.

I find it slightly ironic that it's all the "instant" stuff flying off the shelves.
there are smart ways to shop if you are canny enough.
if you have a bit of free time, dig for victory!...get the garden dug up and plant some spuds.

 

[hooverboy]

This is a very good point, and I’ve been listening to podcasts including a bit of comedy to have a break from it all.

make use of the avenues you have left if travel is restricted......netflix etc is looking like a great investment in these dire times.

 

[edwin_m]

The same group of scientists in Queensland were on BBC News earlier in the week saying that they also are developing a vaccine. It needs further testing and approval, but being very optimistic, they could have it ready in June.

Depends what they mean by "ready". As I understand it, it's fairly quick to develop a vaccine but proving it effective and getting approval for general use takes a year or so. The drugs they are trying are already approved as being safe on humans, so they only have to demonstrate effectiveness against this virus. And even if not proven effective they could give a drug to some of the more serious cases as it might make things better and probably won't make them worse. A vaccine needs to be given to healthy people so there is more risk of causing harm.

 

[Bletchleyite]

going for a brisk stroll in public spaces are all well and good this week,but what do you think is likely to happen on week 2 of lockdown when people who haven't prepped are running out of food?

Would you like to cite an example of a country presently on lockdown where there has been a food shortage, or where people have been prohibited from going out to obtain it, except for a short time while infected?

 

[JonathanH]

Would you like to cite an example of a country presently on lockdown where there has been a food shortage, or where people have been prohibited from going out to obtain it, except for a short time while infected?

Just because another country hasn't yet had a food shortage doesn't mean that the supply chain here can withstand significant outbreaks of illness as the peak approaches.

 

[Skymonster]

Given Boris has said he's basically confident we can beat Covid-19 in 12 weeks, we'd be very grateful - I'll be surprised if this happens.

Most businesses affected by COVID-19 have announced closures of 4-6 weeks. That alone will cause abject misery to tens or even hundreds of thousands who work in these firms who lose their livelihood.

Twelve weeks, let alone more, is likely tonrepresent a disaster of epic proportions. It could lead to social deprivation, untold misery for millions, civil unrest and a substantial increase in suicides.

A solution is needed inside a month. Burying the nation’s heads in the sand in our back gardens is not going to solve this. “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few - or the one.”

 

[hooverboy]

Peoples Republic of China State Television now accusing the US of having had the virus in their possession.

Expert: The US pushed out the vaccine so quickly, that only means they have been working on it way before the pandemic.

Host: So we can conclude that the US had this virus in their possession long ago.

https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1240692301954822144?s=20

nobody knows if this supposed vaccine works.
the biologists know this thing is a cousin of SARS,and "should" behave in similar fashion(with any luck)

they have had research on that since that outbreak.

what we don't know is how this thing will mutate.

 

[Cowley]

Just because another country hasn't yet had a food shortage doesn't mean that the supply chain here can withstand significant outbreaks of illness as the peak approaches.

Just a reminder that there’s a thread for all your panic buying food shortage needs here:
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/coronavirus-virus-fears-causing-panic-buying.201759/