Further Restrictions Announced by Johnson (22/09)

[philosopher]

I’m sure I can see people actively wanting to carry this on just so they can work from home. I can’t believe people would sacrifice the freedoms of travel and interactions with others so they can work at home. It’s not sustainable.

Any supplier with its salt will shift towards a more remote working option if possible so if people are so inclined they can change job to reach that goal.

I’m lucky in that my employer will let me continue in the future to work at home if I so choose but I’m firmly against another lockdown.

Those working from home and prefer it the office I do think are the biggest beneficiaries of all this. However I just do not think there are enough in this group that it would swing the population in favour of restrictions. These figures are rough estimates, but lets say 70% of adults work, 40% of working adults can work from home and 70% of those working from home prefer it to the office, then that only makes about 20% of adults.

As for the rest of the population I struggle to see what significant advantages there can be to all these restrictions in terms of their quality of life.

 

[VauxhallandI]

Those working from home and prefer it the office I do think are the biggest beneficiaries of all this. However I just do not think there are enough in this group that it would swing the population in favour of restrictions. These figures are rough estimates, but lets say 70% of adults work, 40% of working adults can work from home and 70% of those working from home prefer it to the office, then that only makes about 20% of adults.

As for the rest of the population I struggle to see what significant advantages there can be to all these restrictions in terms of their quality of life.

Whilst I am to the outsider in theory one of the least affected it also doesn’t feel that way from where I am sat. We know we are extremely lucky and we rem8 d each other on a regular basis but that doesn’t mean to us that this hasn’t been an awful time.

I think judging all people in our situation as happy to carry on this way rather a poor basis for theories.

I’ve seen my parents once, my social life has reduced by 90% and elements of my work have suffered.

I know you can tell the bloke with a broken leg to cheer up as someone else has two broken legs and two broken arms but at the end of the day he still has a broken leg.

 

[DelayRepay]

Those working from home and prefer it the office I do think are the biggest beneficiaries of all this. However I just do not think there are enough in this group that it would swing the population in favour of restrictions. These figures are rough estimates, but lets say 70% of adults work, 40% of working adults can work from home and 70% of those working from home prefer it to the office, then that only makes about 20% of adults.

My experience suggests that saying 70% of those working from home prefer it is too high. At the start of this, a lot of colleagues were very enthusiastic. There seems to be much less enthusiasm six months later, with many of those who originally thought it was the best thing that had ever happened now expressing a wish to go back to work for at least one day a week.

 

[kristiang85]

I worked from home a day a week before all this happened, but that was enough. I absolutely miss being in the office. I now go in one day a week, which is great and I look forward to it in a way (it is also a great excuse to meet up with friends in person after work whilst I'm in London). I would like it to be more, but I'm only allowed that one day.

However, not paying for the season ticket has effectively given me a larger pay rise than even if I go up a pay grade, so I think when we are back to "normal" I'll probably still only go in 2-3 days a week. That will definitely be a long term change for me, and one my employer is on board with. At first working from home was not as productive, but now I am used to it and working just as well, it does seem a bit pointless to go back to the old days.

Already we are being told that in the future we expect to become a hot desking office rather than have our own desks, for these very reasons.

But, despite these positive outcomes of the past 6 months for me personally with regards to working practices, do I want the working from home mandate to continue? Heavens no.

 

[DB]

My experience suggests that saying 70% of those working from home prefer it is too high. At the start of this, a lot of colleagues were very enthusiastic. There seems to be much less enthusiasm six months later, with many of those who originally thought it was the best thing that had ever happened now expressing a wish to go back to work for at least one day a week.

Indeed. We've surveyed this and even a few months ago hardly any of our staff (think it was 4% - and might even be lower now that winter is coming) actually wanted to work from home full-time for the long term, although a fair number were interested in doing so part time.

 

[big_rig]

I have grown to loathe working from home, but seeing as at no point during this none of my colleagues have ever thought that the service we offer to passengers is safe enough for them personally to use, going in to a completely empty office is even worse

 

[Chester1]

Indeed. We've surveyed this and even a few months ago hardly any of our staff (think it was 4% - and might even be lower now that winter is coming) actually wanted to work from home full-time for the long term, although a fair number were interested in doing so part time.

Within my work place and social circle there are very high levels of support for part time home working long term. Very limited support for a full time return to office or full time home working. Personally id like to work 2 days a week from home after this is over. With the social distancing in place in the office its limited to 1 to 2 days a week.

Lets be honest, the primary reasons for rail staff not liking home working are a) they can't and b) less commuting threatens their livelihood.

 

[Huntergreed]

I see Northern Ireland has opted for 11PM:

Pubs, bars and restaurants in Northern Ireland will face an 11pm curfew, First Minister Arlene Foster has announced.

The curfew will apply from midnight on Wednesday and establishments will have to call for last orders at 10.30pm.

The new rules will affect pubs, bars, restaurants, cafes, hotels and guesthouse bars.

Weddings and other special events will not be exempt.

(https://news.sky.com/story/coronavi...-VdJvVZ62jsr7h0RdIxjIlFvacstMYmSzOA8KEm8qZdDU)

 

[yorksrob]

At least 11:00 pm closing has a veneer of tradition.

 

[Andyh82]

At least 11:00 pm closing has a veneer of tradition.

But there will still be the same issue of everyone spilling out into the street and partying

 

[yorksrob]

But there will still be the same issue of everyone spilling out into the street and partying

True. There really needs to be scrutiny as to whether this measure has any actual benefit (speaking as someone who's usually tucked up in bed by 23:00 anyway !)

 

[Class 33]

Johnson to hold another press conference tomorrow, along with Mr Doom and Gloom's themselves Vallance and Whitty!(who last week predicted new Coronavirus cases COULD rise to 50,000 a day by mid October!!) So far this week new cases have TUMBLED have 41% And I'm really hoping cases will tumble further again today, which will prove further that their prediction is VERY incorrect. And with cases tumbling, Johnson can not say "Cases are SURGING out of control. Therefore we need to bring in further national restrictions.".

 

[Huntergreed]

Johnson to hold another press conference tomorrow, along with Mr Doom and Gloom's themselves Vallance and Whitty!(who last week predicted new Coronavirus cases COULD rise to 50,000 a day by mid October!!) So far this week new cases have TUMBLED have 41% And I'm really hoping cases will tumble further again today, which will prove further that their prediction is VERY incorrect. And with cases tumbling, Johnson can not say "Cases are SURGING out of control. Therefore we need to bring in further national restrictions.".

Indeed. That number seems to have been an estimate used to scare the population into compliance. That’s something that should never happen in any democratic, free society.

 

[DB]

Johnson to hold another press conference tomorrow, along with Mr Doom and Gloom's themselves Vallance and Whitty!(who last week predicted new Coronavirus cases COULD rise to 50,000 a day by mid October!!) So far this week new cases have TUMBLED have 41% And I'm really hoping cases will tumble further again today, which will prove further that their prediction is VERY incorrect. And with cases tumbling, Johnson can not say "Cases are SURGING out of control. Therefore we need to bring in further national restrictions.".

He'll find some excuse though - it's highly unlikely that he will be rolling back on any restrictions, particularly not if he's accompanied by those two!

 

[Richard Scott]

He'll find some excuse though - it's highly unlikely that he will be rolling back on any restrictions, particularly not if he's accompanied by those two!

Afraid their credibility falls by the day.

 

[341o2]

I had a post deleted because I could not verify my comments, but here it is. The PM apparently doesn't even know the regulations, the same as other ministers For some reason can't post url, source MSN news quoting the Independant

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/...th-east-coronavirus-restrictions-b692358.html

Prime minister Boris Johnson has been slammed as “grossly incompetent” after getting the details of his own government’s restrictions on social gatherings in the northeast of England wrong.

In a garbled response to a question on the new rules - announced yesterday by health secretary Matt Hancock and due to come into effect at midnight tonight - the PM suggested that people in the area were allowed to meet “six in a home, six in hospitality but not six outside”

In fact, the new restrictions make it illegal for people in the northeast to mingle indoors with anyone outside their own household or support bubble, while they are permitted to do so in groups of up to six outside.

Mr Johnson’s confused answer came just hours after government minister Gillian Keegan had to admit in a live radio interview that she did not know what the new rules were.

The situation was branded “another Domnishambles” by the leader of Newcastle City Council, who said he had still not received details of the new legal requirements less than 12 hours before they were due to come into force.

 

[trebor79]

I had a post deleted because I could not verify my comments, but here it is. The PM apparently doesn't even know the regulations, the same as other ministers For some reason can't post url, source MSN news quoting the Independant

I am starting to detect that even local authorities are losing patience now. How long until a PCC loses patience and decides these arbitrary restrictions upon people freedoms are not to be enforced? We are always hearing how stretched the police are, they could just decide to make COVID rule enforcement the lowest priority activity for the officers, and therefore no enforcement will take place, without directly defying the government or condoning "illegal" behaviour like holding a coffee morning.

 

[takno]

I had a post deleted because I could not verify my comments, but here it is. The PM apparently doesn't even know the regulations, the same as other ministers For some reason can't post url, source MSN news quoting the Independant

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/...th-east-coronavirus-restrictions-b692358.html is the original article FWIW

 

[Yew]

True. There really needs to be scrutiny as to whether this measure has any actual benefit (speaking as someone who's usually tucked up in bed by 23:00 anyway !)

We can't let inconvenient things like facts, evidence, or proof that things work get in the way of "saving lives".

 

[kristiang85]

Johnson to hold another press conference tomorrow, along with Mr Doom and Gloom's themselves Vallance and Whitty!(who last week predicted new Coronavirus cases COULD rise to 50,000 a day by mid October!!) So far this week new cases have TUMBLED have 41% And I'm really hoping cases will tumble further again today, which will prove further that their prediction is VERY incorrect. And with cases tumbling, Johnson can not say "Cases are SURGING out of control. Therefore we need to bring in further national restrictions.".

They will go up today, as there is a reporting lag from the weekend. So its' the 7-day averages to look at, which should remain fairly static. That is good if that is the case.

 

[Scrotnig]

They will go up today, as there is a reporting lag from the weekend. So its' the 7-day averages to look at, which should remain fairly static. That is good if that is the case.

Thing is, until a few weeks ago, we only had reporting lag on deaths, not cases.

Seems a bit of a coincidence if we are now going to suddenly get big jumps on Tuesdays. Where's that come from?

I knwo Scotland's had a 'record number of cases' today, apparently, so I've no doubt we will see some terrifying figure today, followed by the press conference tomorrow with yet more restrictions announced.

 

[trebor79]

Thing is, until a few weeks ago, we only had reporting lag on deaths, not cases.

Seems a bit of a coincidence if we are now going to suddenly get big jumps on Tuesdays. Where's that come from?

I knwo Scotland's had a 'record number of cases' today, apparently, so I've no doubt we will see some terrifying figure today, followed by the press conference tomorrow with yet more restrictions announced.

And of course the majority of those Scottish "cases" will be asymptomatic students as has been well publicised.
Absolute farce.

 

[duncanp]

We can't let inconvenient things like facts, evidence, or proof that things work get in the way of "saving lives".

Or "..keeping people safe.."

I swear if I hear once more that some jobsworth is implementing a completely nonsensical rule or restriction, which has no evidence to back it up, in order to "..keep me safe..." I shall go stark raving bonkers and lose the will to live.

 

[Dent]

They will go up today, as there is a reporting lag from the weekend. So its' the 7-day averages to look at, which should remain fairly static. That is good if that is the case.

There is a weekend reporting lag for deaths, not for cases.

 

[Bantamzen]

Anybody up for guessing what the Three Stooges will come up with tomorrow?

• Pubs to only open every second Thursday, between 14:01-14:59 following growing evidence that covid tends to take a late lunch
• Restaurants may only serve people from 6 metres away, we are currently developing a plate throwing device that will be linked to the NHS App
• Schools to close until September 2032, children will be given online learning via CBeebies
• Parks to have strict anti-clockwise one way systems to confuse the virus
• Allowed music shall be restricted to a selection of tracks from Chris Whitty's playlist "My Least Favourite Songs, circa 1931-1932"
• Anybody caught smiling, or giving the appearance of enjoying any facet of life to be taken to interment camps for summary execution
• A private jet to be on standby at Stanstead, stuffed with brown envelopes with the country's remaining cash to be on standby for an urgent flight to the Caymen Islands, 3 passengers (oops did I say that aloud)

 

[duncanp]

I am starting to detect that even local authorities are losing patience now. How long until a PCC loses patience and decides these arbitrary restrictions upon people freedoms are not to be enforced? We are always hearing how stretched the police are, they could just decide to make COVID rule enforcement the lowest priority activity for the officers, and therefore no enforcement will take place, without directly defying the government or condoning "illegal" behaviour like holding a coffee morning.

Some local authorities need to decide what they actually want though.

The Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, is quoted in the Telegraph today saying that there should be "...a two-week "circuit breaker" lockdown in Liverpool in an attempt to slow the spiralling rate of infection....."

But on Sky News, Mr Anderson is also quoted, along with the leaders from Manchester and Leeds, as saying that there will be "a collapse of the hospitality sector unless coronavirus restrictions are reviewed.." and a "huge, disproportionate" economic impact.." as "...hotel occupancy was down to 30% and footfall had dropped by up to 70%..."

Now then, it's make your mind up time.

 

[kristiang85]

There is a weekend reporting lag for deaths, not for cases.

There still seems to be a dip on Sunday/Mondays on cases though? Basically, if it does go up today, I'm not worried at all.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Some local authorities need to decide what they actually want though.

No, the Government needs to tell them what they want. There is no room for devolution of policy in this, it just causes confusion and inconsistency.

 

[Dent]

There still seems to be a dip on Sunday/Mondays on cases though? Basically, if it does go up today, I'm not worried at all.

Not particularly. Some of the recent surges have actually been in the Sunday figures.

It wouldn't be surprising if it goes up a bit today, the last three days have all been down and it rarely goes for more than three days in the same direction. As long as it's less than 4,926 then the 7-day average will still go down.

 

[duncanp]

Anybody up for guessing what the Three Stooges will come up with tomorrow?

• Pubs to only open every second Thursday, between 14:01-14:59 following growing evidence that covid tends to take a late lunch
• Restaurants may only serve people from 6 metres away, we are currently developing a plate throwing device that will be linked to the NHS App
• Schools to close until September 2032, children will be given online learning via CBeebies
• Parks to have strict anti-clockwise one way systems to confuse the virus
• Allowed music shall be restricted to a selection of tracks from Chris Whitty's playlist "My Least Favourite Songs, circa 1931-1932"
• Anybody caught smiling, or giving the appearance of enjoying any facet of life to be taken to interment camps for summary execution
• A private jet to be on standby at Stanstead, stuffed with brown envelopes with the country's remaining cash to be on standby for an urgent flight to the Caymen Islands, 3 passengers (oops did I say that aloud)

You forgot

• Compulsory face masks when having sex, after which you must register details of your partner via the NHS App.
• Only jokes from the COVID-19 Approved Joke Book allowed to be told, as these are all so awful that no-one could possibly laugh at them, thus releasing deadly quantities of the big bad virus. 5 years in prison for anyone who tells a funny joke.
• Compulsory house arrest between December 24th and January 2nd, lest anyone dare to celebrate Christmas and New Year.
• All cash transactions to be abolished, as contactless payments are so much "..safer.."
• Anyone who is caught without a face mask on public transport should be put in the stocks so that people can throw rotten tomatoes at them. Summary execution for a second offence.
• Churches to be closed until the second coming of Christ.
• GPs surgeries to be closed every day except February 29th. (Will anyone notice any difference?)