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politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Biden goes into tonight’s primaries as an 88% chance on Betfai

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  • IshmaelZIshmaelZ Posts: 21,830
    nichomar said:

    RobD said:

    nichomar said:

    alex_ said:

    IshmaelZ said:

    Coronavirus ‘worse than a bomb’ on Italy, says doctor coordinating response. Worrying saying many younger people appearing now.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mrPHO-nkVE

    I am hoping this is the day that the "just a flu, lol at the bedwetters" tendency are going to shut up. The situation in Italy now is clearly, on impeccable first hand evidence, at least as bad as the most pessimistic forecasts made by anybody here
    I don’t see how that’s really true. The most pessimistic forecasts are 60% of the country getting it and 1-2% of the country dying. It may be that they are matching pessimistic forecast for the period since their first case, but that’s not quite the same.
    A crisis is when people who need icu beds can’t get them, or when operating theaters are turned into icu beds and surgery for urgent cases gets postponed. We’re supposed to be an advanced civilization who can handle these issues, time the politicians stood up to the plate. It’s not % but knock on impact.
    You would have preferred we wasted tens of billions on unneeded ICU beds over the past decades just to be ready for this? Given the finite resources available to the NHS, it is not really a surprise that they do that.
    Actually casino made some suggestions that he hoped the government were already taking behind the scenes to manage this. There might be a reason why most other European countries have more icu beds per head than the UK . I’m just paranoid, no apologies just hoping the health service ‘In spain’ doesn’t break down when I need it for the first time
    Paranoia is not paranoia in this context. Do not under any circumstances get infected by this disease - I mean, don't anyway, but especially not with your other issues.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 49,868
    IshmaelZ said:

    nichomar said:

    RobD said:

    nichomar said:

    alex_ said:

    IshmaelZ said:

    Coronavirus ‘worse than a bomb’ on Italy, says doctor coordinating response. Worrying saying many younger people appearing now.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mrPHO-nkVE

    I am hoping this is the day that the "just a flu, lol at the bedwetters" tendency are going to shut up. The situation in Italy now is clearly, on impeccable first hand evidence, at least as bad as the most pessimistic forecasts made by anybody here
    I don’t see how that’s really true. The most pessimistic forecasts are 60% of the country getting it and 1-2% of the country dying. It may be that they are matching pessimistic forecast for the period since their first case, but that’s not quite the same.
    A crisis is when people who need icu beds can’t get them, or when operating theaters are turned into icu beds and surgery for urgent cases gets postponed. We’re supposed to be an advanced civilization who can handle these issues, time the politicians stood up to the plate. It’s not % but knock on impact.
    You would have preferred we wasted tens of billions on unneeded ICU beds over the past decades just to be ready for this? Given the finite resources available to the NHS, it is not really a surprise that they do that.
    Actually casino made some suggestions that he hoped the government were already taking behind the scenes to manage this. There might be a reason why most other European countries have more icu beds per head than the UK . I’m just paranoid, no apologies just hoping the health service ‘In spain’ doesn’t break down when I need it for the first time
    Paranoia is not paranoia in this context. Do not under any circumstances get infected by this disease - I mean, don't anyway, but especially not with your other issues.
    I’d worry about having a heart attack or coming down with any serious condition, at the moment, and ending up in a virus-ridden stress-tested hospital. A bigger risk than dying from the virus, I’d say.


  • You both need to move on to figuring out why Wales is one of the most impoverished regions in Western Europe.

    Wales is poor because it is run for England's benefit. It is poor for the same reasons that the Belgian Congo was poor.

    It is a colony of England. Its masters extract the wealth, and take it to England. Its resources are stolen by English companies.

    England dumps rubbish in Wales. From the radioactive mud dumped in Cardiff Bay, to English fascists like Nick Griffin, to serial offenders and problem families dumped by Birmingham or Liverpool Council in cheap Welsh social housing.

    England created a sham administration in Cardiff Bay. In Labour's ramshackle government, truth is whatever the third sector or the lobbyists decide best serves the interests of the Labour placemen. It is a cess-pit of corruption and treachery.

    Wales is a retirement and recreation area for England, a dumping ground for England’s problems. And the idiotic Welsh Labour Government provides a pot of gold for every English crook and shyster looking to make easy money.

    Wales need to look to Scotland, where they kicked out their Labour stooge government that ran the country in English interests.

    Wales need to look to Ireland -- a confident country about to be reunited.

    There can be a better future for Wales.
    Can you even walk with those chips boulders on your shoulders?
  • eristdooferistdoof Posts: 5,065
    IanB2 said:

    eristdoof said:

    eadric said:

    Chameleon said:

    Do not go en masse to stock up in supermarkets: it is the worst thing because you concentrate and the risk of contacts with infected people who do not know they are higher. You can go there as you usually do.'

    Despite his warning, many Italians have done exactly that today with long queues forming outside supermarkets.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8095835/Overwhelmed-Italian-hospitals-running-200-cent-capacity.html

    Apparently there has also been big queues for getting refunded for ski passes in the affected areas....shakes head.

    Slightly difficult if you need food to eat.

    Ideally the government in Italy would have been advising them to stock up in preparation over the last few weeks.

    Perhaps those hoarding bog rolls right now in this country, against government advice, are not so daft after all?
    When it gets bad in the UK those that have steadily bought the extra pack of things here and there will be fine. I've got a decent box of food, 10 bottles of wine, 20 pints, and 3L of spirits and mixers. Oh, and two nice bottle of Champagne, one for my birthday in April, and a second for when it's mostly over.
    Sounds like you are well stocked. I bought a new freezer, a bread machine and about £500 of food about three weeks ago. My elderly parents did the same.
    Me too. My big decision now is where to go, to sit this out. A friend has offered me a seaside apartment in a little Welsh village, near Cardiff. It's tempting. But the Welsh NHS is not the best.

    Alternatively Cornwall or Herefordshire are quite appealing.
    Depends on whether you are going hard core isolation in the woods with a shotgun or whether you think you might go half-in and then get the dreaded virus.

    If the latter, look at the demographics of the area and try and glean the quality of the local hospital. But avoid major cities.
    Budleigh Salterton. A village on the coast and out of the wasy It's on the coast so there there are less directions of "attack" for the virus, but it is easy to get to the large and good hospital: The Royal Devon and Exeter.
    Just up the road from the UK’s only real cluster?
    Torbay has very little to do with Exeter, and Budleigh is on the other side of Exeter. The direct route means crossing the Exe Estuary which nobody does this time of year.
  • OmniumOmnium Posts: 10,775
    RobD said:
    In fact the money of the citizens of those member states.

    So really EU to provide fuck all, nick GBP21.5bn from some passers-by and then try to pretend.
  • nichomarnichomar Posts: 7,483
    I’ve advocated that the Fallas in Valencia should be postponed but when you think about it, if you know what the event is it’s actually impossible. Can you imagine saying bonfire night is cancelled? It wouldn’t work people would just go ahead, light their bonfires etc. it has to go back to individuals to make sensible decisions.
  • eristdooferistdoof Posts: 5,065
    eadric said:


    Turkey under Erdogan is now a rogue state and an enemy of the West. Which is a shame, as the Turkish people, as you say, are generally very kind and hospitable.

    But he is a menace, and I see a war coming.

    A war between Turkey and Western European countries would be a disataser for NATO.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 82,120
    eadric said:

    Just doing a last bit of coronamaths before I go for a stroll

    Am considering Cornwall as a bolt-hole.

    Cornwall has a population of 565,000

    If 20% of Cornwall gets the Bug, then that will be 110,000 people, roughly. Which means 10,000 people - roughly - requiring critical care.

    The Royal Cornwall Hospital, which serves most of the county, has 15 ICU beds.

    You go for walks, I presumed you were locked down behind 3 massive steel doors.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 53,863
    Scott_xP said:
    The US are just completely embarrassing but I honestly thought we were doing better than that.
  • Oh my.

  • GardenwalkerGardenwalker Posts: 21,298



    You both need to move on to figuring out why Wales is one of the most impoverished regions in Western Europe.

    Wales is poor because it is run for England's benefit. It is poor for the same reasons that the Belgian Congo was poor.

    It is a colony of England. Its masters extract the wealth, and take it to England. Its resources are stolen by English companies.

    England dumps rubbish in Wales. From the radioactive mud dumped in Cardiff Bay, to English fascists like Nick Griffin, to serial offenders and problem families dumped by Birmingham or Liverpool Council in cheap Welsh social housing.

    England created a sham administration in Cardiff Bay. In Labour's ramshackle government, truth is whatever the third sector or the lobbyists decide best serves the interests of the Labour placemen. It is a cess-pit of corruption and treachery.

    Wales is a retirement and recreation area for England, a dumping ground for England’s problems. And the idiotic Welsh Labour Government provides a pot of gold for every English crook and shyster looking to make easy money.

    Wales need to look to Scotland, where they kicked out their Labour stooge government that ran the country in English interests.

    Wales need to look to Ireland -- a confident country about to be reunited.

    There can be a better future for Wales.
    Ironically I mostly agree with you.
    Just replace “England” with “SW London and prosperous Home Counties”,

    The tube, for example, does not come to Hackney.
  • IshmaelZIshmaelZ Posts: 21,830
    IanB2 said:

    IshmaelZ said:

    nichomar said:

    RobD said:

    nichomar said:

    alex_ said:

    IshmaelZ said:

    Coronavirus ‘worse than a bomb’ on Italy, says doctor coordinating response. Worrying saying many younger people appearing now.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mrPHO-nkVE

    I am hoping this is the day that the "just a flu, lol at the bedwetters" tendency are going to shut up. The situation in Italy now is clearly, on impeccable first hand evidence, at least as bad as the most pessimistic forecasts made by anybody here
    I don’t see how that’s really true. The most pessimistic forecasts are 60% of the country getting it and 1-2% of the country dying. It may be that they are matching pessimistic forecast for the period since their first case, but that’s not quite the same.
    A crisis is when people who need icu beds can’t get them, or when operating theaters are turned into icu beds and surgery for urgent cases gets postponed. We’re supposed to be an advanced civilization who can handle these issues, time the politicians stood up to the plate. It’s not % but knock on impact.
    You would have preferred we wasted tens of billions on unneeded ICU beds over the past decades just to be ready for this? Given the finite resources available to the NHS, it is not really a surprise that they do that.
    Actually casino made some suggestions that he hoped the government were already taking behind the scenes to manage this. There might be a reason why most other European countries have more icu beds per head than the UK . I’m just paranoid, no apologies just hoping the health service ‘In spain’ doesn’t break down when I need it for the first time
    Paranoia is not paranoia in this context. Do not under any circumstances get infected by this disease - I mean, don't anyway, but especially not with your other issues.
    I’d worry about having a heart attack or coming down with any serious condition, at the moment, and ending up in a virus-ridden stress-tested hospital. A bigger risk than dying from the virus, I’d say.
    That doesn't really make sense, because the danger of ending up in a virus-ridden hospital is itself a risk of dying from the virus. But, yes, it is prudent to adopt anti-heart-attack strategies as well as antiviral strategies.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 59,936
    .
    More than doubled in a day? Totally under control in the US!
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 82,120
    edited March 2020

    Oh my.

    It reminds me of the South Park episode, Jared has Aides*

    *it hasn't aged well now that erhhh Jared has been found to be a paedo, so I presume it doesn't get rerun.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,218
    Omnium said:

    RobD said:
    In fact the money of the citizens of those member states.

    So really EU to provide fuck all, nick GBP21.5bn from some passers-by and then try to pretend.
    I think you're looking at this the wrong way,

    The EU takes the money, removes some of it to pay for salaries and lunches in Brussels, and then sends it back along with a whole bunch of posters about how it's an EU project.
  • mattmatt Posts: 3,789
    edited March 2020
    I’ve never checked but assume that a Governor declaring SoE means the state jumps the queue for federal funding. Given that SoEs seem to be declared for any adverse event, however serious.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 82,120
    RobD said:

    .

    More than doubled in a day? Totally under control in the US!
    We need to build a wall and make them pay for it.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 82,120
    Thirty three people with coronavirus have now died in France, public health chief Jérôme Salomon said.

    At least 1,784 people have been infected in total, which represents an increase of 372 cases since Monday and the largest increase in 24 hours.

    Of those ill, 86 are in serious condition, Mr Salomon said. Of the 33 deaths, all were adults and 23 were over the age of 75, he added.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 82,120
    Oh god...

    US President Donald Trump has urged Americans to stay calm and said the virus would "go away".
  • MrEdMrEd Posts: 5,578
    RobD said:

    .

    More than doubled in a day? Totally under control in the US!
    My guess is that the line of attack Trump will use is that Coronavirus is breaking out in cities that are Democrat controlled and sanctuary cities, and it is therefore the Democrats' refusal to support his crackdown on immigration that is allowing it to spread.

    Not saying it will work but I can see where the logic would appeal to him.
  • YBarddCwscYBarddCwsc Posts: 7,172



    You both need to move on to figuring out why Wales is one of the most impoverished regions in Western Europe.

    Wales is poor because it is run for England's benefit. It is poor for the same reasons that the Belgian Congo was poor.

    It is a colony of England. Its masters extract the wealth, and take it to England. Its resources are stolen by English companies.

    England dumps rubbish in Wales. From the radioactive mud dumped in Cardiff Bay, to English fascists like Nick Griffin, to serial offenders and problem families dumped by Birmingham or Liverpool Council in cheap Welsh social housing.

    England created a sham administration in Cardiff Bay. In Labour's ramshackle government, truth is whatever the third sector or the lobbyists decide best serves the interests of the Labour placemen. It is a cess-pit of corruption and treachery.

    Wales is a retirement and recreation area for England, a dumping ground for England’s problems. And the idiotic Welsh Labour Government provides a pot of gold for every English crook and shyster looking to make easy money.

    Wales need to look to Scotland, where they kicked out their Labour stooge government that ran the country in English interests.

    Wales need to look to Ireland -- a confident country about to be reunited.

    There can be a better future for Wales.
    Ironically I mostly agree with you.
    Just replace “England” with “SW London and prosperous Home Counties”,

    The tube, for example, does not come to Hackney.
    You live in ... Hackney. Poor, poor Gardenwalker. And no tube.

    One day, I'l show you my Grade 1 listed "Valleys dunghill".
  • Black_RookBlack_Rook Posts: 8,905
    rcs1000 said:

    Omnium said:

    RobD said:
    In fact the money of the citizens of those member states.

    So really EU to provide fuck all, nick GBP21.5bn from some passers-by and then try to pretend.
    I think you're looking at this the wrong way,

    The EU takes the money, removes some of it to pay for salaries and lunches in Brussels, and then sends it back along with a whole bunch of posters about how it's an EU project.
    A handout that will be entirely overtaken by events anyway.

    If the EU doesn't bung Italy vast sums of money, throw its budgetary rules out of the window to allow Italy to borrow as much as it wants, or some combination of the two, then there might not be an EU to keep doling out recycled Euros by the end of the year.
  • matt said:

    I’ve never checked but assume that a Governor declaring SoE means the state jumps the queue for federal funding. Given that SoEs seem to be declared for any adverse event, however serious.
    From what I read last week after New York declared a SOE is that it allows the Governor to suspend certain state and federal laws/regulations.
  • Alphabet_SoupAlphabet_Soup Posts: 3,267

    Oh my.

    First patient: "They brought in a case of coronavirus last night."

    Second patient: "Good, I'm getting bored with Lucozade."
  • RobDRobD Posts: 59,936

    matt said:

    I’ve never checked but assume that a Governor declaring SoE means the state jumps the queue for federal funding. Given that SoEs seem to be declared for any adverse event, however serious.
    From what I read last week after New York declared a SOE is that it allows the Governor to suspend certain state and federal laws/regulations.
    The old Palpatine trick.
  • rcs1000 said:

    nichomar said:

    Covid 19 has demonstrated the impotence of the EU for all to see

    When a country comes under an existential threat, the politicians of that country will act in that country's interest in defiance of anything the EU may demand

    Furthermore, the countries are more nimble than a juggernaut like the EU

    I know I will get EU supporters having a pop at me but it isthere for all to see.

    The Greeks opening fire on migrants on behalf of the EU to protect it's borders is shameful

    No it’s not it is just showing that we weren’t in a superstate that’s controlled our lives, countries are free to make their own Decisions. What on earth did you expect the EU to do in the current circumstances?
    They claim ever closer union and it has been shown that it is a sham
    Have you been reading too much Daily Mail again?
    Pathetic attempt to find a reason - any reason - to moan about the EU.

    We left, you lost (you voted Remain), get over it.
    I said some would have a pop at me but it has shown the EU as useless at times like this

    And I do not hear you condemning Greece shooting migrants to protect the EU border and no condemnation from Brussels
    To the extent that Greece are shooting migrants, I condemn it.

    I also haven’t heard the Uk condemn it.
    Or the Chinese Politburo.
    Or Vodafone’s Marketing Department.
    Or Mollie Sugden.

    What the hell is your point?
    The point is obvious.

    Greece should not be shooting migrants to defend the EU border. The EU should deal with it
    You're suggesting an EU border defence force?

    Look, I agree that the way the EU operates leaves Italy and Greece on the front line, with f*ck all support from the Germans and those they protect. And if I was in Italy or Greece, I'd feel pretty aggrieved by that.

    But I'm struggling to think anything of the EU right now. I'm kind of distracted by other things.
    F*ck all support?
    Germany took in almost 2 million refugees a couple of years ago and has decided to take in at least the underage unaccompanied children right now (and will possibly take in many more adult refugees/migrants sometime later).
    Is that really "F*ck all"?
  • Oh god...

    US President Donald Trump has urged Americans to stay calm and said the virus would "go away".

    A friend of mine is out in America working and he say he's genuinely shocked by how many Americans are splitting on partisan lines and/or think prayer will save them.
  • YBarddCwscYBarddCwsc Posts: 7,172
    rcs1000 said:

    Omnium said:

    RobD said:
    In fact the money of the citizens of those member states.

    So really EU to provide fuck all, nick GBP21.5bn from some passers-by and then try to pretend.
    I think you're looking at this the wrong way,

    The EU takes the money, removes some of it to pay for salaries and lunches in Brussels, and then sends it back along with a whole bunch of posters about how it's an EU project.
    The last time I was involved in an EU scheme for research, the "some of it to pay for salaries and lunches" was 30 per cent of the entire budget !
  • nichomarnichomar Posts: 7,483
    MrEd said:

    RobD said:

    .

    More than doubled in a day? Totally under control in the US!
    My guess is that the line of attack Trump will use is that Coronavirus is breaking out in cities that are Democrat controlled and sanctuary cities, and it is therefore the Democrats' refusal to support his crackdown on immigration that is allowing it to spread.

    Not saying it will work but I can see where the logic would appeal to him.
    The us response is the most frightening. Can they invoke the 25th? It’s beyond parody. Any wiling to defend him?
  • GardenwalkerGardenwalker Posts: 21,298
    edited March 2020



    You both need to move on to figuring out why Wales is one of the most impoverished regions in Western Europe.

    Wales is poor because it is run for England's benefit. It is poor for the same reasons that the Belgian Congo was poor.

    It is a colony of England. Its masters extract the wealth, and take it to England. Its resources are stolen by English companies.

    England dumps rubbish in Wales. From the radioactive mud dumped in Cardiff Bay, to English fascists like Nick Griffin, to serial offenders and problem families dumped by Birmingham or Liverpool Council in cheap Welsh social housing.

    England created a sham administration in Cardiff Bay. In Labour's ramshackle government, truth is whatever the third sector or the lobbyists decide best serves the interests of the Labour placemen. It is a cess-pit of corruption and treachery.

    Wales is a retirement and recreation area for England, a dumping ground for England’s problems. And the idiotic Welsh Labour Government provides a pot of gold for every English crook and shyster looking to make easy money.

    Wales need to look to Scotland, where they kicked out their Labour stooge government that ran the country in English interests.

    Wales need to look to Ireland -- a confident country about to be reunited.

    There can be a better future for Wales.
    Ironically I mostly agree with you.
    Just replace “England” with “SW London and prosperous Home Counties”,

    The tube, for example, does not come to Hackney.
    You live in ... Hackney. Poor, poor Gardenwalker. And no tube.

    One day, I'l show you my Grade 1 listed "Valleys dunghill".
    You don’t need to worry about me.
    Genuinely interested in your dunghill though, especially if listed.

    I’m a sucker for historical properties.

    Did Good Queen Bess take a dump on your dung hill when passing through?
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 82,120
    edited March 2020
    Italians really aren't taking this seriously...you fill out paperwork self certifying that you need to go somewhere, but they might check it and if you have been naughty and lied you get a fine...

    And Italians are busy stocking up on wine...apparently business is booming with free delivery.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgS1HrxHin8
  • YBarddCwscYBarddCwsc Posts: 7,172
    nichomar said:

    MrEd said:

    RobD said:

    .

    More than doubled in a day? Totally under control in the US!
    My guess is that the line of attack Trump will use is that Coronavirus is breaking out in cities that are Democrat controlled and sanctuary cities, and it is therefore the Democrats' refusal to support his crackdown on immigration that is allowing it to spread.

    Not saying it will work but I can see where the logic would appeal to him.
    The us response is the most frightening. Can they invoke the 25th? It’s beyond parody. Any wiling to defend him?
    He needs to be removed for his own safety, America's safety and the world's safety.
  • GardenwalkerGardenwalker Posts: 21,298

    rcs1000 said:

    Omnium said:

    RobD said:
    In fact the money of the citizens of those member states.

    So really EU to provide fuck all, nick GBP21.5bn from some passers-by and then try to pretend.
    I think you're looking at this the wrong way,

    The EU takes the money, removes some of it to pay for salaries and lunches in Brussels, and then sends it back along with a whole bunch of posters about how it's an EU project.
    The last time I was involved in an EU scheme for research, the "some of it to pay for salaries and lunches" was 30 per cent of the entire budget !
    My brother works for the EU.
    I mock him that he has an “eclair allowance”.
  • matthiasfromhamburgmatthiasfromhamburg Posts: 957
    edited March 2020

    rcs1000 said:

    nichomar said:

    Covid 19 has demonstrated the impotence of the EU for all to see

    When a country comes under an existential threat, the politicians of that country will act in that country's interest in defiance of anything the EU may demand

    Furthermore, the countries are more nimble than a juggernaut like the EU

    I know I will get EU supporters having a pop at me but it isthere for all to see.

    The Greeks opening fire on migrants on behalf of the EU to protect it's borders is shameful

    No it’s not it is just showing that we weren’t in a superstate that’s controlled our lives, countries are free to make their own Decisions. What on earth did you expect the EU to do in the current circumstances?
    They claim ever closer union and it has been shown that it is a sham
    Have you been reading too much Daily Mail again?
    Pathetic attempt to find a reason - any reason - to moan about the EU.

    We left, you lost (you voted Remain), get over it.
    I said some would have a pop at me but it has shown the EU as useless at times like this

    And I do not hear you condemning Greece shooting migrants to protect the EU border and no condemnation from Brussels
    To the extent that Greece are shooting migrants, I condemn it.

    I also haven’t heard the Uk condemn it.
    Or the Chinese Politburo.
    Or Vodafone’s Marketing Department.
    Or Mollie Sugden.

    What the hell is your point?
    The point is obvious.

    Greece should not be shooting migrants to defend the EU border. The EU should deal with it
    You're suggesting an EU border defence force?

    Look, I agree that the way the EU operates leaves Italy and Greece on the front line, with f*ck all support from the Germans and those they protect. And if I was in Italy or Greece, I'd feel pretty aggrieved by that.

    But I'm struggling to think anything of the EU right now. I'm kind of distracted by other things.
    It was the body of a young child brought ashore that really upset my wife and I

    The EU, Greece and others have to stop shooting migrants

    Covid 19 is taking all the band width when other very serious issues need attention
    I've seen reports of some Greek border guards giving warning shots at boats full of refugees/migrants, not at high sea but at the beaches.
    That is horrendous enough, but I think it is spreading Fake News to claim that they were "shooting migrants".

    The EU is certainly somewhat impotent in the current situation, but is this not a function of the unimpeded sovereignty of the member states, which inhibits the EU from any direct intervention?
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 53,863

    nichomar said:

    MrEd said:

    RobD said:

    .

    More than doubled in a day? Totally under control in the US!
    My guess is that the line of attack Trump will use is that Coronavirus is breaking out in cities that are Democrat controlled and sanctuary cities, and it is therefore the Democrats' refusal to support his crackdown on immigration that is allowing it to spread.

    Not saying it will work but I can see where the logic would appeal to him.
    The us response is the most frightening. Can they invoke the 25th? It’s beyond parody. Any wiling to defend him?
    He needs to be removed for his own safety, America's safety and the world's safety.
    2 of those are genuinely important. The other, not so much. Don't give a damn really. A morally repellent individual.
  • MysticroseMysticrose Posts: 4,688
    eadric said:

    This is just about to explode in America. Over the next two weeks.
    Yep

    An utter disaster is incubating
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 82,120
    edited March 2020
    This is really really bad...message from Italy, no screening for staff, loads of 40 somethings in critical conditions.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZFhjMQrVts
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 53,863

    Italians really aren't taking this seriously...you fill out paperwork self certifying that you need to go somewhere, but they might check it and if you have been naughty and lied you get a fine...

    And Italians are busy stocking up on wine...apparently business is booming with free delivery.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgS1HrxHin8

    This is why neighbours are closing their borders and why we were bordering on reckless in not compulsorily quarantining everyone off an Italian plane 10 days ago.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,218

    rcs1000 said:

    nichomar said:

    Covid 19 has demonstrated the impotence of the EU for all to see

    When a country comes under an existential threat, the politicians of that country will act in that country's interest in defiance of anything the EU may demand

    Furthermore, the countries are more nimble than a juggernaut like the EU

    I know I will get EU supporters having a pop at me but it isthere for all to see.

    The Greeks opening fire on migrants on behalf of the EU to protect it's borders is shameful

    No it’s not it is just showing that we weren’t in a superstate that’s controlled our lives, countries are free to make their own Decisions. What on earth did you expect the EU to do in the current circumstances?
    They claim ever closer union and it has been shown that it is a sham
    Have you been reading too much Daily Mail again?
    Pathetic attempt to find a reason - any reason - to moan about the EU.

    We left, you lost (you voted Remain), get over it.
    I said some would have a pop at me but it has shown the EU as useless at times like this

    And I do not hear you condemning Greece shooting migrants to protect the EU border and no condemnation from Brussels
    To the extent that Greece are shooting migrants, I condemn it.

    I also haven’t heard the Uk condemn it.
    Or the Chinese Politburo.
    Or Vodafone’s Marketing Department.
    Or Mollie Sugden.

    What the hell is your point?
    The point is obvious.

    Greece should not be shooting migrants to defend the EU border. The EU should deal with it
    You're suggesting an EU border defence force?

    Look, I agree that the way the EU operates leaves Italy and Greece on the front line, with f*ck all support from the Germans and those they protect. And if I was in Italy or Greece, I'd feel pretty aggrieved by that.

    But I'm struggling to think anything of the EU right now. I'm kind of distracted by other things.
    F*ck all support?
    Germany took in almost 2 million refugees a couple of years ago and has decided to take in at least the underage unaccompanied children right now (and will possibly take in many more adult refugees/migrants sometime later).
    Is that really "F*ck all"?
    With all due respect @matthiasfromhamburg, that is part of the problem.

    Mrs Merkel said "please come". So they came. And they keep wanting to come. Your government bears some responsibility for the crisis.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,228
    DavidL said:

    Scott_xP said:
    The US are just completely embarrassing but I honestly thought we were doing better than that.
    Do we even have the capacity to ramp up like S Korea ?
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 53,863
    Should give our markets something of a boost tomorrow morning. Welcome but the damage has been severe.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 48,720
    eristdoof said:

    eadric said:

    Chameleon said:

    Do not go en masse to stock up in supermarkets: it is the worst thing because you concentrate and the risk of contacts with infected people who do not know they are higher. You can go there as you usually do.'

    Despite his warning, many Italians have done exactly that today with long queues forming outside supermarkets.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8095835/Overwhelmed-Italian-hospitals-running-200-cent-capacity.html

    Apparently there has also been big queues for getting refunded for ski passes in the affected areas....shakes head.

    Slightly difficult if you need food to eat.

    Ideally the government in Italy would have been advising them to stock up in preparation over the last few weeks.

    Perhaps those hoarding bog rolls right now in this country, against government advice, are not so daft after all?
    When it gets bad in the UK those that have steadily bought the extra pack of things here and there will be fine. I've got a decent box of food, 10 bottles of wine, 20 pints, and 3L of spirits and mixers. Oh, and two nice bottle of Champagne, one for my birthday in April, and a second for when it's mostly over.
    Sounds like you are well stocked. I bought a new freezer, a bread machine and about £500 of food about three weeks ago. My elderly parents did the same.
    Me too. My big decision now is where to go, to sit this out. A friend has offered me a seaside apartment in a little Welsh village, near Cardiff. It's tempting. But the Welsh NHS is not the best.

    Alternatively Cornwall or Herefordshire are quite appealing.
    Depends on whether you are going hard core isolation in the woods with a shotgun or whether you think you might go half-in and then get the dreaded virus.

    If the latter, look at the demographics of the area and try and glean the quality of the local hospital. But avoid major cities.
    Budleigh Salterton. A village on the coast and out of the wasy It's on the coast so there there are less directions of "attack" for the virus, but it is easy to get to the large and good hospital: The Royal Devon and Exeter.
    No, you do not want to be in a place with many over 60s as the hospital and ICU will fill up more quickly. Pick a university city with a teaching hospital and young population. Cambridge might be a good choice.

    Our latest communications from Trust and PHE are looking ominous, PPE is being restricted to eek out supplies, and bed allocation stratified by risk. Bad figures tommorow I think.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,218
    The two people who'd planned to attend the Biden event are apparently dealing well with the disappointment.
  • AndrewAndrew Posts: 2,900
    DavidL said:

    The US are just completely embarrassing but I honestly thought we were doing better than that.

    They've been a bit selective with the examples - only 3 countries have done more tests than us, and they've all got massive numbers of cases triggering tests (Koreans, Chinese, Italians).

    For example, France has only done about 7 thousand tests, despite clearly having a much worse problem. Japan has done a little fewer than us (albeit covering double the population).
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 82,120
    edited March 2020
    Foxy said:

    eristdoof said:

    eadric said:

    Chameleon said:

    Do not go en masse to stock up in supermarkets: it is the worst thing because you concentrate and the risk of contacts with infected people who do not know they are higher. You can go there as you usually do.'

    Despite his warning, many Italians have done exactly that today with long queues forming outside supermarkets.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8095835/Overwhelmed-Italian-hospitals-running-200-cent-capacity.html

    Apparently there has also been big queues for getting refunded for ski passes in the affected areas....shakes head.

    Slightly difficult if you need food to eat.

    Ideally the government in Italy would have been advising them to stock up in preparation over the last few weeks.

    Perhaps those hoarding bog rolls right now in this country, against government advice, are not so daft after all?
    When it gets bad in the UK those that have steadily bought the extra pack of things here and there will be fine. I've got a decent box of food, 10 bottles of wine, 20 pints, and 3L of spirits and mixers. Oh, and two nice bottle of Champagne, one for my birthday in April, and a second for when it's mostly over.
    Sounds like you are well stocked. I bought a new freezer, a bread machine and about £500 of food about three weeks ago. My elderly parents did the same.
    Me too. My big decision now is where to go, to sit this out. A friend has offered me a seaside apartment in a little Welsh village, near Cardiff. It's tempting. But the Welsh NHS is not the best.

    Alternatively Cornwall or Herefordshire are quite appealing.
    Depends on whether you are going hard core isolation in the woods with a shotgun or whether you think you might go half-in and then get the dreaded virus.

    If the latter, look at the demographics of the area and try and glean the quality of the local hospital. But avoid major cities.
    Budleigh Salterton. A village on the coast and out of the wasy It's on the coast so there there are less directions of "attack" for the virus, but it is easy to get to the large and good hospital: The Royal Devon and Exeter.
    No, you do not want to be in a place with many over 60s as the hospital and ICU will fill up more quickly. Pick a university city with a teaching hospital and young population. Cambridge might be a good choice.

    Our latest communications from Trust and PHE are looking ominous, PPE is being restricted to eek out supplies, and bed allocation stratified by risk. Bad figures tommorow I think.
    It felt like when they did the press conference on Monday and penned in the Wednesday for the next one, that they were working on that being the case.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 53,863
    Nigelb said:

    DavidL said:

    Scott_xP said:
    The US are just completely embarrassing but I honestly thought we were doing better than that.
    Do we even have the capacity to ramp up like S Korea ?
    Not immediately but it should surely have been a priority over the last fortnight as we anticipated moving into phase 2. In fairness it may have been.
  • FenmanFenman Posts: 1,047
    Scott_xP said:
    America has a problem. Until someone figures out a way to make large profits from this.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 53,863
    This is a very weak Spurs team, riddled by injuries, but my word Leipzig are good.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 49,868
    Foxy said:
    There’s a lot of resistance at the 24,000 level, which is clearly triggering bottom fishing every time is is reached. The flow of news this week is surely bad rather than good, and unless the US pulls a financial rabbit out of the hat, I would expect 24,000 to be breached by the end of the week.

    Meanwhile it will be interesting to see what impact on sentiment the Commons performance by young Rishi has tomorrow.
  • matthiasfromhamburgmatthiasfromhamburg Posts: 957
    edited March 2020
    rcs1000 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    nichomar said:

    Covid 19 has demonstrated the impotence of the EU for all to see

    When a country comes under an existential threat, the politicians of that country will act in that country's interest in defiance of anything the EU may demand

    Furthermore, the countries are more nimble than a juggernaut like the EU

    I know I will get EU supporters having a pop at me but it isthere for all to see.

    The Greeks opening fire on migrants on behalf of the EU to protect it's borders is shameful

    No it’s not it is just showing that we weren’t in a superstate that’s controlled our lives, countries are free to make their own Decisions. What on earth did you expect the EU to do in the current circumstances?
    They claim ever closer union and it has been shown that it is a sham
    Have you been reading too much Daily Mail again?
    Pathetic attempt to find a reason - any reason - to moan about the EU.

    We left, you lost (you voted Remain), get over it.
    I said some would have a pop at me but it has shown the EU as useless at times like this

    And I do not hear you condemning Greece shooting migrants to protect the EU border and no condemnation from Brussels
    To the extent that Greece are shooting migrants, I condemn it.

    I also haven’t heard the Uk condemn it.
    Or the Chinese Politburo.
    Or Vodafone’s Marketing Department.
    Or Mollie Sugden.

    What the hell is your point?
    The point is obvious.

    Greece should not be shooting migrants to defend the EU border. The EU should deal with it
    You're suggesting an EU border defence force?

    Look, I agree that the way the EU operates leaves Italy and Greece on the front line, with f*ck all support from the Germans and those they protect. And if I was in Italy or Greece, I'd feel pretty aggrieved by that.

    But I'm struggling to think anything of the EU right now. I'm kind of distracted by other things.
    F*ck all support?
    Germany took in almost 2 million refugees a couple of years ago and has decided to take in at least the underage unaccompanied children right now (and will possibly take in many more adult refugees/migrants sometime later).
    Is that really "F*ck all"?
    With all due respect @matthiasfromhamburg, that is part of the problem.

    Mrs Merkel said "please come". So they came. And they keep wanting to come. Your government bears some responsibility for the crisis.
    They were already in Greece, Bulgaria; Romania, Macedonia, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Hungary and in Germany (literally by the thousands per day) when she said "Let them come, so that nobody starts shooting at them".
    I think that part of the truth is a bit underappreciated.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,148



    You both need to move on to figuring out why Wales is one of the most impoverished regions in Western Europe.

    Wales is poor because it is run for England's benefit. It is poor for the same reasons that the Belgian Congo was poor.

    It is a colony of England. Its masters extract the wealth, and take it to England. Its resources are stolen by English companies.

    England dumps rubbish in Wales. From the radioactive mud dumped in Cardiff Bay, to English fascists like Nick Griffin, to serial offenders and problem families dumped by Birmingham or Liverpool Council in cheap Welsh social housing.

    England created a sham administration in Cardiff Bay. In Labour's ramshackle government, truth is whatever the third sector or the lobbyists decide best serves the interests of the Labour placemen. It is a cess-pit of corruption and treachery.

    Wales is a retirement and recreation area for England, a dumping ground for England’s problems. And the idiotic Welsh Labour Government provides a pot of gold for every English crook and shyster looking to make easy money.

    Wales need to look to Scotland, where they kicked out their Labour stooge government that ran the country in English interests.

    Wales need to look to Ireland -- a confident country about to be reunited.

    There can be a better future for Wales.
    Ireland, a country without a government facing a Sinn Fein surge and where Northern Ireland is not about to be reunited with the South.
    https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/just-29-in-northern-ireland-would-vote-for-unity-major-study-reveals-38966196.html

    Scotland, an SNP government failing on the NHS and education.

    Wales almost voted against having an Assembly let alone for independence and voted Leave just like England, it might make sense that Wales has a Tory majority but little more

    https://twitter.com/britainelects/status/1234849135427235843?s=20
  • stodgestodge Posts: 13,898
    Foxy said:
    If we are to believe Breitbart (no giggling in the cheap seats), it's a vote of confidence in Trump and his emergency stimulus plan to overcome the virus not by vaccine or self-isolation but by good old-fashioned American economics meaning a payroll tax cut.

    I suspect Sunak is thinking along similar lines - more stimulus along with an unlimited bailout for struggling businesses (that may be a gross simplification).

    Just as some businesses were deemed too big to fail so it now seems no business will be allowed to go under because of a virus.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 48,720

    rcs1000 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    nichomar said:

    Covid 19 has demonstrated the impotence of the EU for all to see

    When a country comes under an existential threat, the politicians of that country will act in that country's interest in defiance of anything the EU may demand

    Furthermore, the countries are more nimble than a juggernaut like the EU

    I know I will get EU supporters having a pop at me but it isthere for all to see.

    The Greeks opening fire on migrants on behalf of the EU to protect it's borders is shameful

    No it’s not it is just showing that we weren’t in a superstate that’s controlled our lives, countries are free to make their own Decisions. What on earth did you expect the EU to do in the current circumstances?
    They claim ever closer union and it has been shown that it is a sham
    Have you been reading too much Daily Mail again?
    Pathetic attempt to find a reason - any reason - to moan about the EU.

    We left, you lost (you voted Remain), get over it.
    I said some would have a pop at me but it has shown the EU as useless at times like this

    And I do not hear you condemning Greece shooting migrants to protect the EU border and no condemnation from Brussels
    To the extent that Greece are shooting migrants, I condemn it.

    I also haven’t heard the Uk condemn it.
    Or the Chinese Politburo.
    Or Vodafone’s Marketing Department.
    Or Mollie Sugden.

    What the hell is your point?
    The point is obvious.

    Greece should not be shooting migrants to defend the EU border. The EU should deal with it
    You're suggesting an EU border defence force?

    Look, I agree that the way the EU operates leaves Italy and Greece on the front line, with f*ck all support from the Germans and those they protect. And if I was in Italy or Greece, I'd feel pretty aggrieved by that.

    But I'm struggling to think anything of the EU right now. I'm kind of distracted by other things.
    F*ck all support?
    Germany took in almost 2 million refugees a couple of years ago and has decided to take in at least the underage unaccompanied children right now (and will possibly take in many more adult refugees/migrants sometime later).
    Is that really "F*ck all"?
    With all due respect @matthiasfromhamburg, that is part of the problem.

    Mrs Merkel said "please come". So they came. And they keep wanting to come. Your government bears some responsibility for the crisis.
    They were already in Greece, Bulgaria; Romania, Macedonia, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Hungary and in Germany (literally by the thousands per day) when she said "Let them come, so that nobody starts shooting at them".
    I think that part of the truth is a bit underappreciated.
    Yes, that is the time course that I recall too, but it is easy to resolve. When was Merkels speech, and when did we see those crowds moving across the Balkans?

  • stodgestodge Posts: 13,898
    HYUFD said:


    Ireland, a country without a government facing a Sinn Fein surge and where Northern Ireland is not about to be reunited with the South.
    https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/just-29-in-northern-ireland-would-vote-for-unity-major-study-reveals-38966196.html

    Scotland, an SNP government failing on the NHS and education.

    Wales almost voted against having an Assembly let alone for independence and voted Leave just like England, it might make sense that Wales has a Tory majority but little more

    Anyone would think you were implying that if each of these nations united with good old Tory-run England and accepted the benevolence of Conservative administration they would be happier, wealthier and no one would ever have the wobbles again.
  • Black_RookBlack_Rook Posts: 8,905
    rcs1000 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    nichomar said:

    Covid 19 has demonstrated the impotence of the EU for all to see

    When a country comes under an existential threat, the politicians of that country will act in that country's interest in defiance of anything the EU may demand

    Furthermore, the countries are more nimble than a juggernaut like the EU

    I know I will get EU supporters having a pop at me but it isthere for all to see.

    The Greeks opening fire on migrants on behalf of the EU to protect it's borders is shameful

    No it’s not it is just showing that we weren’t in a superstate that’s controlled our lives, countries are free to make their own Decisions. What on earth did you expect the EU to do in the current circumstances?
    They claim ever closer union and it has been shown that it is a sham
    Have you been reading too much Daily Mail again?
    Pathetic attempt to find a reason - any reason - to moan about the EU.

    We left, you lost (you voted Remain), get over it.
    I said some would have a pop at me but it has shown the EU as useless at times like this

    And I do not hear you condemning Greece shooting migrants to protect the EU border and no condemnation from Brussels
    To the extent that Greece are shooting migrants, I condemn it.

    I also haven’t heard the Uk condemn it.
    Or the Chinese Politburo.
    Or Vodafone’s Marketing Department.
    Or Mollie Sugden.

    What the hell is your point?
    The point is obvious.

    Greece should not be shooting migrants to defend the EU border. The EU should deal with it
    You're suggesting an EU border defence force?

    Look, I agree that the way the EU operates leaves Italy and Greece on the front line, with f*ck all support from the Germans and those they protect. And if I was in Italy or Greece, I'd feel pretty aggrieved by that.

    But I'm struggling to think anything of the EU right now. I'm kind of distracted by other things.
    F*ck all support?
    Germany took in almost 2 million refugees a couple of years ago and has decided to take in at least the underage unaccompanied children right now (and will possibly take in many more adult refugees/migrants sometime later).
    Is that really "F*ck all"?
    With all due respect @matthiasfromhamburg, that is part of the problem.

    Mrs Merkel said "please come". So they came. And they keep wanting to come. Your government bears some responsibility for the crisis.
    One should also bear in mind that the Chancellor's position was not wholly born of altruism in the first place. Germany's elderly population (with a median age roughly comparable to that of Japan) and commensurately low fertility rate may also have had something to do with it.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 82,120
    edited March 2020
    I can't see Italy (or us) adopting this...The Chinese quick to use technology even if it doesn't really work (other than collect more data on their people).

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JADi2Px0xAg
  • stodge said:

    HYUFD said:


    Ireland, a country without a government facing a Sinn Fein surge and where Northern Ireland is not about to be reunited with the South.
    https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/just-29-in-northern-ireland-would-vote-for-unity-major-study-reveals-38966196.html

    Scotland, an SNP government failing on the NHS and education.

    Wales almost voted against having an Assembly let alone for independence and voted Leave just like England, it might make sense that Wales has a Tory majority but little more

    Anyone would think you were implying that if each of these nations united with good old Tory-run England and accepted the benevolence of Conservative administration they would be happier, wealthier and no one would ever have the wobbles again.
    True for Wales
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,148
    stodge said:

    HYUFD said:


    Ireland, a country without a government facing a Sinn Fein surge and where Northern Ireland is not about to be reunited with the South.
    https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/just-29-in-northern-ireland-would-vote-for-unity-major-study-reveals-38966196.html

    Scotland, an SNP government failing on the NHS and education.

    Wales almost voted against having an Assembly let alone for independence and voted Leave just like England, it might make sense that Wales has a Tory majority but little more

    Anyone would think you were implying that if each of these nations united with good old Tory-run England and accepted the benevolence of Conservative administration they would be happier, wealthier and no one would ever have the wobbles again.
    Well you said it
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 48,720
    stodge said:

    Foxy said:
    If we are to believe Breitbart (no giggling in the cheap seats), it's a vote of confidence in Trump and his emergency stimulus plan to overcome the virus not by vaccine or self-isolation but by good old-fashioned American economics meaning a payroll tax cut.

    I suspect Sunak is thinking along similar lines - more stimulus along with an unlimited bailout for struggling businesses (that may be a gross simplification).

    Just as some businesses were deemed too big to fail so it now seems no business will be allowed to go under because of a virus.
    It looks like pushing on a piece of string to me. There isn't an economic solution to a medical problem, and it is that driving market falls.
  • matthiasfromhamburgmatthiasfromhamburg Posts: 957
    edited March 2020
    Foxy said:

    rcs1000 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    nichomar said:

    Covid 19 has demonstrated the impotence of the EU for all to see

    When a country comes under an existential threat, the politicians of that country will act in that country's interest in defiance of anything the EU may demand

    Furthermore, the countries are more nimble than a juggernaut like the EU

    I know I will get EU supporters having a pop at me but it isthere for all to see.

    The Greeks opening fire on migrants on behalf of the EU to protect it's borders is shameful

    No it’s not it is just showing that we weren’t in a superstate that’s controlled our lives, countries are free to make their own Decisions. What on earth did you expect the EU to do in the current circumstances?
    They claim ever closer union and it has been shown that it is a sham
    Have you been reading too much Daily Mail again?
    Pathetic attempt to find a reason - any reason - to moan about the EU.

    We left, you lost (you voted Remain), get over it.
    I said some would have a pop at me but it has shown the EU as useless at times like this

    And I do not hear you condemning Greece shooting migrants to protect the EU border and no condemnation from Brussels
    To the extent that Greece are shooting migrants, I condemn it.

    I also haven’t heard the Uk condemn it.
    Or the Chinese Politburo.
    Or Vodafone’s Marketing Department.
    Or Mollie Sugden.

    What the hell is your point?
    The point is obvious.

    Greece should not be shooting migrants to defend the EU border. The EU should deal with it
    You're suggesting an EU border defence force?

    Look, I agree that the way the EU operates leaves Italy and Greece on the front line, with f*ck all support from the Germans and those they protect. And if I was in Italy or Greece, I'd feel pretty aggrieved by that.

    But I'm struggling to think anything of the EU right now. I'm kind of distracted by other things.
    F*ck all support?
    Germany took in almost 2 million refugees a couple of years ago and has decided to take in at least the underage unaccompanied children right now (and will possibly take in many more adult refugees/migrants sometime later).
    Is that really "F*ck all"?
    With all due respect @matthiasfromhamburg, that is part of the problem.

    Mrs Merkel said "please come". So they came. And they keep wanting to come. Your government bears some responsibility for the crisis.
    They were already in Greece, Bulgaria; Romania, Macedonia, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Hungary and in Germany (literally by the thousands per day) when she said "Let them come, so that nobody starts shooting at them".
    I think that part of the truth is a bit underappreciated.
    Yes, that is the time course that I recall too, but it is easy to resolve. When was Merkels speech, and when did we see those crowds moving across the Balkans?

    The crowd moving across the balkans grew enormously in July 2015 (there were smaller crowds long before that).
    Her speech was late august.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 48,720

    Foxy said:

    rcs1000 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    nichomar said:

    Covid 19 has demonstrated the impotence of the EU for all to see

    When a country comes under an existential threat, the politicians of that country will act in that country's interest in defiance of anything the EU may demand

    Furthermore, the countries are more nimble than a juggernaut like the EU

    I know I will get EU supporters having a pop at me but it isthere for all to see.

    The Greeks opening fire on migrants on behalf of the EU to protect it's borders is shameful

    No it’s not it is just showing that we weren’t in a superstate that’s controlled our lives, countries are free to make their own Decisions. What on earth did you expect the EU to do in the current circumstances?
    They claim ever closer union and it has been shown that it is a sham
    Have you been reading too much Daily Mail again?
    Pathetic attempt to find a reason - any reason - to moan about the EU.

    We left, you lost (you voted Remain), get over it.
    I said some would have a pop at me but it has shown the EU as useless at times like this

    And I do not hear you condemning Greece shooting migrants to protect the EU border and no condemnation from Brussels
    To the extent that Greece are shooting migrants, I condemn it.

    I also haven’t heard the Uk condemn it.
    Or the Chinese Politburo.
    Or Vodafone’s Marketing Department.
    Or Mollie Sugden.

    What the hell is your point?
    The point is obvious.

    Greece should not be shooting migrants to defend the EU border. The EU should deal with it
    You're suggesting an EU border defence force?

    Look, I agree that the way the EU operates leaves Italy and Greece on the front line, with f*ck all support from the Germans and those they protect. And if I was in Italy or Greece, I'd feel pretty aggrieved by that.

    But I'm struggling to think anything of the EU right now. I'm kind of distracted by other things.
    F*ck all support?
    Germany took in almost 2 million refugees a couple of years ago and has decided to take in at least the underage unaccompanied children right now (and will possibly take in many more adult refugees/migrants sometime later).
    Is that really "F*ck all"?
    With all due respect @matthiasfromhamburg, that is part of the problem.

    Mrs Merkel said "please come". So they came. And they keep wanting to come. Your government bears some responsibility for the crisis.
    They were already in Greece, Bulgaria; Romania, Macedonia, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Hungary and in Germany (literally by the thousands per day) when she said "Let them come, so that nobody starts shooting at them".
    I think that part of the truth is a bit underappreciated.
    Yes, that is the time course that I recall too, but it is easy to resolve. When was Merkels speech, and when did we see those crowds moving across the Balkans?

    The crowd moving across the balkans grew enormously in July 2016 (there were smaller crowds long before that).
    Her speech was mid-september.
    Yes, that is what I thought.
  • nichomarnichomar Posts: 7,483
    Goodnight Pb play nicely seek more information and continue to test and challenge the norms. Tomorrow is another day
  • AnabobazinaAnabobazina Posts: 23,486
    eadric said:



    So, the EU has given money, but Greece has fucked it up, like pretty much anything they’ve had to organise.

    The problem isn't money.

    Just like Papal Indulgences, money does not make the sin go away.
    Sure. You need a plan.
    Does Greece have a plan?
    You're being very hard on Greece. Look at what is actually happening.

    Erdogan the Wanker of Ankara has not only bussed thousands of migrants to the border, his police are helping the migrants as they try to break through the frontier.

    And the migrants themselves are very aggressive

    https://twitter.com/BasedPoland/status/1236193616738934784?s=20

    https://twitter.com/BasedPoland/status/1236626257930043392?s=20

    There are reports that Greek people in Lesbos have turned to vigilantism and are finally turning on the migrants there.

    DavidL predicted this a few days ago. The combination of a deadly plague in Europe and thousands of migrants trying to break into Europe is calamitous.

    Already shots have been fired and there are reports of deaths. There will be many more. I'm not sure I can blame Greece for reacting like this. What else are they meant to do?

    The big risk is open war between Greece and Turkey.

    Must be near Kastanies. The only section of Turkey’s border with Greece that is along land is very small, just a few kilometres long. The vast majority of the frontier is on the River Evros.
  • stodgestodge Posts: 13,898
    HYUFD said:


    Well you said it

    Actually, you did - pretty much.

    The problem is I'm long past believing in fairy tales.

  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 53,863
    What the budget should give us tomorrow is a better insight into how bad the government thinks this is going to get. It's been obvious that the advice to date is keep calm and bugger on but tomorrow that should be harder to hide.

    Every measure, from the Statutory sick pay from day 1 already announced, to extensions of SSP to the low paid + gig workers, to Business rates holidays to deferred NI and PAYE payments to emergency loans will be an indication. The more we see the more it is time to batten down the hatches.
  • alex_alex_ Posts: 7,518
    IanB2 said:

    eristdoof said:

    eadric said:

    Chameleon said:

    Do not go en masse to stock up in supermarkets: it is the worst thing because you concentrate and the risk of contacts with infected people who do not know they are higher. You can go there as you usually do.'

    Despite his warning, many Italians have done exactly that today with long queues forming outside supermarkets.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8095835/Overwhelmed-Italian-hospitals-running-200-cent-capacity.html

    Apparently there has also been big queues for getting refunded for ski passes in the affected areas....shakes head.

    Slightly difficult if you need food to eat.

    Ideally the government in Italy would have been advising them to stock up in preparation over the last few weeks.

    Perhaps those hoarding bog rolls right now in this country, against government advice, are not so daft after all?
    When it gets bad in the UK those that have steadily bought the extra pack of things here and there will be fine. I've got a decent box of food, 10 bottles of wine, 20 pints, and 3L of spirits and mixers. Oh, and two nice bottle of Champagne, one for my birthday in April, and a second for when it's mostly over.
    Sounds like you are well stocked. I bought a new freezer, a bread machine and about £500 of food about three weeks ago. My elderly parents did the same.
    Me too. My big decision now is where to go, to sit this out. A friend has offered me a seaside apartment in a little Welsh village, near Cardiff. It's tempting. But the Welsh NHS is not the best.

    Alternatively Cornwall or Herefordshire are quite appealing.
    Depends on whether you are going hard core isolation in the woods with a shotgun or whether you think you might go half-in and then get the dreaded virus.

    If the latter, look at the demographics of the area and try and glean the quality of the local hospital. But avoid major cities.
    Budleigh Salterton. A village on the coast and out of the wasy It's on the coast so there there are less directions of "attack" for the virus, but it is easy to get to the large and good hospital: The Royal Devon and Exeter.
    Just up the road from the UK’s only real cluster?
    "Retirement home for the terminally short of cash"?
  • GardenwalkerGardenwalker Posts: 21,298
    stodge said:

    HYUFD said:


    Well you said it

    Actually, you did - pretty much.

    The problem is I'm long past believing in fairy tales.

    There is no evidence that ANY party has a fucking clue how to advance Wales.
  • AnabobazinaAnabobazina Posts: 23,486

    Do not go en masse to stock up in supermarkets: it is the worst thing because you concentrate and the risk of contacts with infected people who do not know they are higher. You can go there as you usually do.'

    Despite his warning, many Italians have done exactly that today with long queues forming outside supermarkets.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8095835/Overwhelmed-Italian-hospitals-running-200-cent-capacity.html

    Apparently there has also been big queues for getting refunded for ski passes in the affected areas....shakes head.

    Slightly difficult if you need food to eat.

    Ideally the government in Italy would have been advising them to stock up in preparation over the last few weeks.

    Perhaps those hoarding bog rolls right now in this country, against government advice, are not so daft after all?
    Any decent recipes for cooking bog roll?
    Anabobazina is a vegan, he probably has several.
    Fake news! I’m fully omnivorous.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 48,720
    To give perspective, the next 2 months will be horrible, but lockdowns work. China put on just 20 new cases today, 17 in Wuhan.

    https://twitter.com/kakape/status/1237483652398878725?s=19
  • stodge said:

    HYUFD said:


    Well you said it

    Actually, you did - pretty much.

    The problem is I'm long past believing in fairy tales.

    There is no evidence that ANY party has a fucking clue how to advance Wales.
    Just abolish Wales and merge it into North West England and the West Midlands.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 82,120
    edited March 2020
    Dr Foxy, as I posted a few days ago I have basically locked my elderly parents away, however they need to visit the GP surgery for blood tests for underlying conditions.

    Obviously any interaction with locations that revolve around health care provision for the sick have to be high risk.

    What would you suggest to try and minimise risk?
  • Richard_TyndallRichard_Tyndall Posts: 32,570
    Another personal update. Had a chat with my friend tonight who was going to accompany my wife and I to see Bryan Ferry in London on Friday. His parents are 77 and 79. My Mum is 77. We reluctantly decided to abandon our plans and give the concert a miss. Not that happy but we have to think of our parents.

    Now I kind of hope that between now and Friday the Government bans large gatherings so they either postpone or I get my money back.
  • alex_alex_ Posts: 7,518
    DavidL said:

    Scott_xP said:
    On the other hand the Japan numbers show it's not all about testing.



  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 48,720
    edited March 2020

    Dr Foxy, as I posted a few days ago I have basically locked my elderly parents away, however they need to visit the GP surgery for blood tests for underlying conditions.

    Obviously any interaction with locations that revolve around health care provision for the sick have to be high risk.

    What would you suggest to try and minimise risk?

    I would travel by car, spend the minimum time possible there. Touch as little as possible, wash hands and clothes immediately upon getting home. I would go this week rather than next.
  • WhisperingOracleWhisperingOracle Posts: 9,167
    edited March 2020
    Rural Scotland might be a good place to be. The village in "Local Hero", or the Outer Hebrides.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 82,120
    Given we have just agreed to let them spy on us, can we have a load please as well....
  • alex_alex_ Posts: 7,518
    Fenman said:

    Scott_xP said:
    America has a problem. Until someone figures out a way to make large profits from this.
    Wouldn't be surprised if somebody rushes out a vaccine, Trump overules everyone and orders releasing it to the market immediately... and there's a problem with it and it ends up killing thousands of people.
  • Another personal update. Had a chat with my friend tonight who was going to accompany my wife and I to see Bryan Ferry in London on Friday. His parents are 77 and 79. My Mum is 77. We reluctantly decided to abandon our plans and give the concert a miss. Not that happy but we have to think of our parents.

    Now I kind of hope that between now and Friday the Government bans large gatherings so they either postpone or I get my money back.

    I feel your pain Richard, I have tickets for three football matches in the next eleven days (two of which could see Liverpool win the title) but I don't want to take that risk for similar reasons.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 53,863
    Foxy said:

    To give perspective, the next 2 months will be horrible, but lockdowns work. China put on just 20 new cases today, 17 in Wuhan.

    https://twitter.com/kakape/status/1237483652398878725?s=19

    I am really not sure I get this wait till things get much worse before the lockdown. The idea that people are going to get bored or fed up seems, well, a bit far fetched, especially as it clearly won't stop the dying.

    The indications from China, SK, Singapore, Japan and some others is that hyper aggressive approaches of various kinds work and produce a much smaller peak than we might otherwise expect.

    I have no doubt people are doing their best and working very hard at this but have we got it right? I am not sure.
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 28,484
    No, the people he's describing aren't. I am not condoning using Twitter idiots to try and caricature your opponents. But I've seen repeated remainers on Twitter, and one on Any Answers trying to delay Brexit using Coronavirus. So it's clearly not just Leavers who can be 'low information'.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 48,720
    DavidL said:

    Foxy said:

    To give perspective, the next 2 months will be horrible, but lockdowns work. China put on just 20 new cases today, 17 in Wuhan.

    https://twitter.com/kakape/status/1237483652398878725?s=19

    I am really not sure I get this wait till things get much worse before the lockdown. The idea that people are going to get bored or fed up seems, well, a bit far fetched, especially as it clearly won't stop the dying.

    The indications from China, SK, Singapore, Japan and some others is that hyper aggressive approaches of various kinds work and produce a much smaller peak than we might otherwise expect.

    I have no doubt people are doing their best and working very hard at this but have we got it right? I am not sure.
    Yes, I am positively impressed with how quickly it is fading in China and Korea. It is a severe storm, but a brief one. It will pretty much be over by the summer, I think.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 59,936
    "more people are dying a day from other diseases"

    But are the numbers going up as rapidly as coronavirus? Jesus some people are dumb.
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 28,484
    edited March 2020

    Do not go en masse to stock up in supermarkets: it is the worst thing because you concentrate and the risk of contacts with infected people who do not know they are higher. You can go there as you usually do.'

    Despite his warning, many Italians have done exactly that today with long queues forming outside supermarkets.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8095835/Overwhelmed-Italian-hospitals-running-200-cent-capacity.html

    Apparently there has also been big queues for getting refunded for ski passes in the affected areas....shakes head.

    Slightly difficult if you need food to eat.

    Ideally the government in Italy would have been advising them to stock up in preparation over the last few weeks.

    Perhaps those hoarding bog rolls right now in this country, against government advice, are not so daft after all?
    Any decent recipes for cooking bog roll?
    Anabobazina is a vegan, he probably has several.
    Fake news! I’m fully omnivorous.
    Oh. Sorry about that. I was confusing you with Dura Ace.
  • alex_alex_ Posts: 7,518

    Given we have just agreed to let them spy on us, can we have a load please as well....
    Maybe they can help us track the spread ;) Covertly
This discussion has been closed.