As a professional epidemiologist (usual disclaimer, not in infectious disease), I'm happy to admit I don't know how this is going to play out. Worst case scenarios are, by definition, unlikely, but government is correct to plan around those - we expect them to cope and have a plan whatever happens. The government should be (and all indications are that they are) taking this very seriously, but with a measured response weighing up the pros and cons.
Chatting yesterday to a colleague who is more in this field (heavily involved in WTO response to Ebola and was on the ground in that outbreak) he pointed out that, while he also knows nothing much from the public figures, those involved in the response will have more data. No crystal ball, but details on all the cases, how they got infected (if known) and the likely vectors of infection. They are in a better position to judge the correct responses at the correct time than all the armchair epidemiologists (qualified or not) looking at trend lines on the tracking websites.
I agree with this and also think public policy has to be allowed to work. The comment I would make is that science (hopefully) informs public policy, but doesn't decide it. That's a politician's job. While epidemiologists presumably would have a say on the potential effectiveness of a policy measure in terms of controlling the epidemic, they won't be making the trade-off of whether a measure with potential control benefits is worth the social or economic cost. Rightly that is Johnson's job. It's hard for the rest of us to comment on trade-off now because unlike Johnson we don't have half of the cost/benefit picture. In general it appears Johnson is reluctant to approve intrusive (but maybe effective?) measures.
The other and maybe more important aspect of policy effectiveness is implementation. The (don't forget to use soap!) unwashed masses can definitely have an opinion on that. Policy as of now seems to (1) do a lot of washing of hands; (2) contact tracing of those with active COVID19 cases; (3) self-isolation in certain circumstances. Fine, that's the policy. That's what it is. Now, how well is that policy being promulgated, monitored and if necessary enforced? Not particularly well, from what I can see, bearing in mind we have reference countries in Asia that look to be implementing public policy with more rigour. Implementation is another responsibility of government, not scientists.
Yes, the scientists will be presenting estimates (with uncertainties, probably quite large) on the effects of different things at different points. Presumably there's a fair bit of economic (not just health economics) input too. Clearly the best way to stop spread is complete, indefinite lockdown, but that also trashes the economy (and trashing the economy will kill people too, possibly many more). Ultimately it's the politicians' decision and responsibility, but I wouldn't be surprised if they're asking the scientists what they would do. If there's a clear scientific answer, they'll likely give it. If there's a real trade-off/uncertainty then it's the politicians' call.
To take home working as an example, recommending it looks low cost, but an economic analysis might conclude that it's going to gut city-centre economies and transport-supporting businesses, even over a few weeks. So the epidemiologists can run some numbers (with high uncertainty) on what home working might do to cases at present and the economists look at how many businesses might go under, how many people made redundant etc. You can convert from that to a net effect on government revenue and think about how many other health interventions might have to be cut. It might give a clear cut answer where recommending or not recommending action is a no-brainer (as I suspect may be the case with our current levels of cases) or it may be a very difficult judgement call for a politician.
The only real positive is that the growth in new cases is no longer explosively increasing, and maybe, just maybe, topping out sometime soonish. Of course, that still means adding almost 5k new cases a day (plus many more undetected).
Question is how we function longer term though - here's hoping summer dampens it down.
Up until yesterday we'd only touched 4k 4 times (once in Feb, 6th, 7th, 8th March). Yesterday was over 5k with only partial Italian data. We're beyond 2.5k for today already.
And once again the results are very dependent upon the level of available testing. At the weekends it seems to be less (not acceptable surely) which gives the indication of a pause. Its meaningless. We need to isolate those known to be at risk, investigating where they might be vigorously and reducing the risk of unknown carriers infecting us. So much to do.
How on earth can you even watch Corbyn's wretched performance
Thank god he isn't in charge...just think about that for a moment, not just him but all the other total morons in the shadow cabinet and their loving of a good conspiracy theory to wish away certain uncomfortable truths.
They would probably put it out to a members vote what course of action we should take spread out over 3 months.
Just wondering during the war did we have politicians wasting their time wibbling over who was the more racist, more of a transphobe, more of a misogynist?
Even by his usual standards Corbyn is reaching for the gutter today. He is vermin.
Good job there is a credible replacement: - Corbyn lite albeit with nice hair - Someone obsessed with trans issues which interest 0.00001% of the population - a public school pro EU surrender merchant
Is CON on 50% in the latest poll?
I read that as trains which made fractionally more sense. Trans...jeez.
Trans issues may affect 0.00001% of the population in a physical way (it is nearer 0.01% and perhaps as much as 1%)*, but it seems to have a much larger percentage of posters on here obsessing about it. As for the gutter press.....
* (about 5,000ish GenderCertificates have been issued for those who, presumably have gone all the way. If you count cross-dressing as a trans issue then it is estimated as 5% of the male population, possibly as high as 10%)
I am taking a small buy position on the FTSE on the basis that Rishi must have a pleasant surprise or two up his sleeve that the markets might like, and balancing my risk by taking a sell position of equivalent weight on the Dow.
SNP MPs hate being called the "Scottish Nationalist Party" don't they?
If they were smart they'd let it go.....but they won't so, Johnson keeps using it....
Indeed its really a pathetic thing to moan about. If every time an opposition MP said "Tory" the PM freaked out then every opposition MP would say it at every opportunity.
HOw about the number of people who are a bit smug about having an empire behind closed doors, but aren't about to admit that to a smart8rse researcher like you?
Arrived back from Northern Italy in the early hours to find my flat stocked with flowers and food by my daughters in anticipation of my self isolation for 14 days.
Fantastic skiing for two days but empty slopes and hotels. Didn't visit bars or use gondalas. Alone on chair lifts. Sometimes couldn't see another person on the slopes.
Inghams did a great job getting us home (the Austrians prevented us getting to Innsbruck). Flew out of Verona on a rescue flight.
Glad you made it back, and hopefully healthy.
There has been some talk about how hard it is mentally to self isolate for 14 days. Be fascinating to have your personal experience on here as you go through the days.
I feel very healthy. I've even got a tan. I'm fully provisioned including 15 bog rolls - I alway keep a buffer of 9. I have a balcony where I can sit in the sun watching the world go by. Lots of news to follow, TV to watch, bets to make, comments on here. Family, friends and helpful neighbours nearby. So far, so good. But I only got home at 2:45am today so early days.
Good to see you safely home Barnesian. Hope we can help to keep you entertained for the next two weeks.
Thank you. Coming on here is like going to the pub - Cheers.
Without the booze...
or the busty barmaid....
Hello. My daughter, running her own restaurant/pub, would like to have a word.
It’s funny, you see the language used by critics of trans rights and it is eerily similar to that which was used by critics of gay rights a few decades ago.
I am taking a small buy position on the FTSE on the basis that Rishi must have a pleasant surprise or two up his sleeve that the markets might like, and balancing my risk by taking a sell position of equivalent weight on the Dow.
You hedge trader you! I hope you realise as a hedge trader you're the public enemy of the left now
Arrived back from Northern Italy in the early hours to find my flat stocked with flowers and food by my daughters in anticipation of my self isolation for 14 days.
Fantastic skiing for two days but empty slopes and hotels. Didn't visit bars or use gondalas. Alone on chair lifts. Sometimes couldn't see another person on the slopes.
Inghams did a great job getting us home (the Austrians prevented us getting to Innsbruck). Flew out of Verona on a rescue flight.
Glad you made it back, and hopefully healthy.
There has been some talk about how hard it is mentally to self isolate for 14 days. Be fascinating to have your personal experience on here as you go through the days.
I feel very healthy. I've even got a tan. I'm fully provisioned including 15 bog rolls - I alway keep a buffer of 9. I have a balcony where I can sit in the sun watching the world go by. Lots of news to follow, TV to watch, bets to make, comments on here. Family, friends and helpful neighbours nearby. So far, so good. But I only got home at 2:45am today so early days.
Good to see you safely home Barnesian. Hope we can help to keep you entertained for the next two weeks.
Thank you. Coming on here is like going to the pub - Cheers.
Without the booze...
or the busty barmaid....
In this woke pc times are we allowed to say such things? We might be facing a world pandemic of a killer disease, but it is still very important we remain totally woke, sign up to the trans-right pledge card and definitely don't say men can't compete in womens athletic events.
Would it be woke to say we could supply a busty barman, with a fine set of moobs....?
It’s funny, you see the language used by critics of trans rights and it is eerily similar to that which was used by critics of gay rights a few decades ago.
Won’t someone please think of the children.
Looks completely different to me, depending upon what you mean by "trans rights"?
If you mean people like women's rights activists including some notable names on this site the arguments look nothing like "please think of the children"
It does definitely smells like shenanigans, doesn't it? I made the initial application quite a while back, so why did this requirement only mysteriously surface days before the election?
I'm now holding off voting waiting to see if any of the candidates will promise to fire everybody.
I've been saying this for ages - why on earth would a cult which has taken control of all the levers of power in the party voluntarily give it up? The cult has rigged a swathe of candidate "selections" - why would the leadership be any different?
Yes we have seen CLPs nominate non-cult candidates. But I know that the vast majority of party members haven't attended those. And a few polls suggesting the Tory Starmer will win - they have rubbished and attacked every poll and pollster. So its a simple narrative that the "silent majority" want to continue the blessed work of the twice elected leader.
So of course RLB will be declared the winner. I have to assume that they will offer compromise with the deputy leader by declaring the Tory Rayner to be the winner whilst the NEC simultaneously takes away all of the deputy's powers and holds them directly instead.
Ian Blackford is making a valid point but he could have done with not wasting a question on a rather silly gotcha.
It's a setup to pointing out that statutory sickpay in Ireland is more than twice that of the UK. It's not really a question. Johnson didn't have a good (or relevant) response to that point.
It’s funny, you see the language used by critics of trans rights and it is eerily similar to that which was used by critics of gay rights a few decades ago.
Won’t someone please think of the children.
Careful, it was concerns over gay rights that led to some people supporting rights for paedos.
Arrived back from Northern Italy in the early hours to find my flat stocked with flowers and food by my daughters in anticipation of my self isolation for 14 days.
Fantastic skiing for two days but empty slopes and hotels. Didn't visit bars or use gondalas. Alone on chair lifts. Sometimes couldn't see another person on the slopes.
Inghams did a great job getting us home (the Austrians prevented us getting to Innsbruck). Flew out of Verona on a rescue flight.
Glad you made it back, and hopefully healthy.
There has been some talk about how hard it is mentally to self isolate for 14 days. Be fascinating to have your personal experience on here as you go through the days.
I feel very healthy. I've even got a tan. I'm fully provisioned including 15 bog rolls - I alway keep a buffer of 9. I have a balcony where I can sit in the sun watching the world go by. Lots of news to follow, TV to watch, bets to make, comments on here. Family, friends and helpful neighbours nearby. So far, so good. But I only got home at 2:45am today so early days.
Good to see you safely home Barnesian. Hope we can help to keep you entertained for the next two weeks.
Thank you. Coming on here is like going to the pub - Cheers.
Just got my car filled up with petrol as you should always do on budget day mornings. Given the price has been moving downward this seems an obvious choice for an increase.
Just got my car filled up with petrol as you should always do on budget day mornings. Given the price has been moving downward this seems an obvious choice for an increase.
A group called Fairfuel did a poll that showed fuel tax increases are about as popular as amnesties for paedophiles.
It’s funny, you see the language used by critics of trans rights and it is eerily similar to that which was used by critics of gay rights a few decades ago.
Won’t someone please think of the children.
Looks completely different to me, depending upon what you mean by "trans rights"?
If you mean people like women's rights activists including some notable names on this site the arguments look nothing like "please think of the children"
Introducing kids to drag queens attracted a few adverse comments did it not?
It’s funny, you see the language used by critics of trans rights and it is eerily similar to that which was used by critics of gay rights a few decades ago.
Won’t someone please think of the children.
Looks completely different to me, depending upon what you mean by "trans rights"?
If you mean people like women's rights activists including some notable names on this site the arguments look nothing like "please think of the children"
The "trans people in women's changing rooms" chat is identical to "why Lesbians shouldn't be allowed in women's changing rooms" chat back in the day.
It’s funny, you see the language used by critics of trans rights and it is eerily similar to that which was used by critics of gay rights a few decades ago.
Won’t someone please think of the children.
Looks completely different to me, depending upon what you mean by "trans rights"?
If you mean people like women's rights activists including some notable names on this site the arguments look nothing like "please think of the children"
Introducing kids to drag queens attracted a few adverse comments did it not?
Do you think Rishi will announce the cancellation of the Premier League season?
It’s funny, you see the language used by critics of trans rights and it is eerily similar to that which was used by critics of gay rights a few decades ago.
Won’t someone please think of the children.
Looks completely different to me, depending upon what you mean by "trans rights"?
If you mean people like women's rights activists including some notable names on this site the arguments look nothing like "please think of the children"
Never forget that often behind a trans-person there is a history of anguish, stigma and mental health issues and frequently alcoholism. They are people too and deserve treatment like everyone else.
It’s funny, you see the language used by critics of trans rights and it is eerily similar to that which was used by critics of gay rights a few decades ago.
Won’t someone please think of the children.
Looks completely different to me, depending upon what you mean by "trans rights"?
If you mean people like women's rights activists including some notable names on this site the arguments look nothing like "please think of the children"
Introducing kids to drag queens attracted a few adverse comments did it not?
Yes there was some nonsense about that and I ridiculed those and said I'd be happy to have taken my own children to such an event.
Most of the serious comments seem to be about the safety of women in women's only spaces, the effects of women in sport and other effects on women in general.
I won't name names but certain women on this site have put some very thoughtful posts on here on this subject about their concerns and they surely shouldn't be lumped in with the "kids to drag queens" bullshit should they?
I am taking a small buy position on the FTSE on the basis that Rishi must have a pleasant surprise or two up his sleeve that the markets might like, and balancing my risk by taking a sell position of equivalent weight on the Dow.
You hedge trader you! I hope you realise as a hedge trader you're the public enemy of the left now
As a LibDem, that’s nothing new.
A fund manager once told me that I could make a good fund manager myself, and seemed somewhat disappointed that I didn’t take it as a compliment.
Sunak impressive so far. Calm. Measured. Imagine McDonnell delivering a budget - "despite Covid now is the time to nationalise without compensation all of the pharmaceutical companies"
It’s funny, you see the language used by critics of trans rights and it is eerily similar to that which was used by critics of gay rights a few decades ago.
Won’t someone please think of the children.
Looks completely different to me, depending upon what you mean by "trans rights"?
If you mean people like women's rights activists including some notable names on this site the arguments look nothing like "please think of the children"
Never forget that often behind a trans-person there is a history of anguish, stigma and mental health issues and frequently alcoholism. They are people too and deserve treatment like everyone else.
I 100% agree with you on that and I 100% stand by sensible trans rights and a medical approach to this matter.
Extremists exist on both sides and are prats. The women raising concerns here are not nutters, nor are those wanting rights for trans people of either gender.
Even by his usual standards Corbyn is reaching for the gutter today. He is vermin.
Good job there is a credible replacement: - Corbyn lite albeit with nice hair - Someone obsessed with trans issues which interest 0.00001% of the population - a public school pro EU surrender merchant
Is CON on 50% in the latest poll?
I read that as trains which made fractionally more sense. Trans...jeez.
Trans issues may affect 0.00001% of the population in a physical way (it is nearer 0.01% and perhaps as much as 1%)*, but it seems to have a much larger percentage of posters on here obsessing about it. As for the gutter press.....
* (about 5,000ish GenderCertificates have been issued for those who, presumably have gone all the way. If you count cross-dressing as a trans issue then it is estimated as 5% of the male population, possibly as high as 10%)
It’s been identified as the next hill for liberalism to capture. Those gunning for it have failed to notice that liberalism is in retreat around the world, and if they continue shooting for that hill they will find themselves surrounded.
Sunak impressive so far. Calm. Measured. Imagine McDonnell delivering a budget - "despite Covid now is the time to nationalise without compensation all of the pharmaceutical companies"
Not needing a test doesn't rule out that he has had one....
I'd guess the chance they're telling the truth there at somewhere only marginally above zero. The key players are surely getting tested regularly, especially now testing capability has been ramped up.
Sunak impressive so far. Calm. Measured. Imagine McDonnell delivering a budget - "despite Covid now is the time to nationalise without compensation all of the pharmaceutical companies"
Sunak impressive so far. Calm. Measured. Imagine McDonnell delivering a budget - "despite Covid now is the time to nationalise without compensation all of the pharmaceutical companies"
It’s funny, you see the language used by critics of trans rights and it is eerily similar to that which was used by critics of gay rights a few decades ago.
Won’t someone please think of the children.
Looks completely different to me, depending upon what you mean by "trans rights"?
If you mean people like women's rights activists including some notable names on this site the arguments look nothing like "please think of the children"
The "trans people in women's changing rooms" chat is identical to "why Lesbians shouldn't be allowed in women's changing rooms" chat back in the day.
It's word for word.
That 'lesbians shouldn't be allowed in women's changing rooms' is a straw man if ever there was one. I never heard anyone express such an argument. Why? because lesbians are indistiguishable biologically from other women for a start.
- the theory that this virus won't like the hot weather. We don't know yet, but MERS -another coronavirus - comes from Saudi Arabia, and its host is the camel.
- in addition to the elderly a major at risk group is the obese - highly relevant in the States.
Interesting that he thinks obesity will raise the US fatality rate over China despite China smoking more.
On that note, I'm genuinely surprised "ARE YOU STILL SMOKING? IF SO, STOP ASAP!" hasn't been part of the COVID-19 messaging. It is a risk factor that people are able to modify, though I don't know (and probably the experts don't either yet) exactly how much help a couple of months of lung regeneration would be.
It may have been deemed a possible distraction from the "wash your hands" messaging, and risk being seen as too nanny-statish, so I'm not convinced it would have actually been a good idea, at least to spend too much attention on, but I remain surprised because (a) it's never bad advice, (b) it's unlike PHE to miss a chance to condemn smoking!
Nevertheless, the official guidance at a press conference (from memory, but I think I'm only slightly paraphrasing) was "if you were already thinking of giving up smoking, now would be a good time". I have a feeling that was in response to a reporter's question rather than something that was brought up spontaneously. Which struck me as yet another very wishy-washy recommendation, bearing in mind the strength of the evidence against smoking in general, and the fact smokers in China were known to be a high-risk group, and the fact this is more easily modified than many other risk factors are. This was one of the things that fed into my lament FPT, please just tell us what things we can do to protect ourselves and each other, bearing in mind you actually know a lot more about them than we do.
It's not as if telling people to give up the cigarettes is such a radical piece of health advice that it would likely stoke panic, nor is there any conceivable benefit to "timing it right" by only telling people to give up smoking later down the line. If you didn't want to distract from the main message of the campaign, some messaging specifically targeted at smokers (eg a website, or "COVID-19 and smoking" health advice posters to be compulsorily displayed at tobacco retail units) doesn't sound unreasonable. FWIW the Irish equivalent of PHE have made "COVID-19 and smoking" advice prominent on their website with a call to action to their Stop Smoking services.
There is a group of smokers “irreconcilables” who are resistant to all anti-smoking messages. About 20% of smokers (4% of the adult population)
I assume the concern is that if they see anti CV messages as anti-smoking they will ignore them all.
Yes, this is my assumption too. Still, interesting that in Ireland "if you smoke, stop" is an integral part of their COVID-19 messaging (their COVID-19 website includes a call-to-action linking to their smoking cessation service) whereas in the UK it's been pretty much totally peripheral. Shows that experts applying their own judgement in the face of uncertainty can reach quite different conclusions. And doesn't necessarily mean either group has "got it wrong". My personal inclination is that there are both practical and ethical reasons to lean towards if you're the guys with the most complete evidence, best experts and therefore the best advice, be transparent and inform people what steps they can take to reduce their risks, rather than leaving them to inexpertly "judge their own risks" in a froth of misinformation and uncertainty. This doesn't apply just to smoking but a range of measures (behavioural, travel advice etc) where - while I do appreciate gvt are taking considered steps to manage information flow - us plebs are being given wishy-washier advice in situations where the gvt actually has a clearer idea than we do.
I have some feeling the virus is slowing down today. Either this will turn out to be unsupported nonsense at a Mystic Meg level of unsupportability, or we might hopefully see some figures from the slightly less worrying end of the scale from certain other countries by the end of the day.
You must have been reassured by Trump's calming words.
He's talking about that rather unpleasant smell that's just filled the room and VP Pence is trying to ignore.
The skin around his eyes is a normal colour compared to his face which is noticeably more orange. As a "tan" in winter is a vanity choice, I find it odd that he chooses this look.
Sunak impressive so far. Calm. Measured. Imagine McDonnell delivering a budget - "despite Covid now is the time to nationalise without compensation all of the pharmaceutical companies"
Are we watching the next PM? Impressive so far.
Anybody can sound impressive when they are handing out taxpayer money to be financed by borrowing.
It’s funny, you see the language used by critics of trans rights and it is eerily similar to that which was used by critics of gay rights a few decades ago.
Won’t someone please think of the children.
Looks completely different to me, depending upon what you mean by "trans rights"?
If you mean people like women's rights activists including some notable names on this site the arguments look nothing like "please think of the children"
The "trans people in women's changing rooms" chat is identical to "why Lesbians shouldn't be allowed in women's changing rooms" chat back in the day.
It's word for word.
It’s a question of balancing rights between women and trans women
It’s funny, you see the language used by critics of trans rights and it is eerily similar to that which was used by critics of gay rights a few decades ago.
Won’t someone please think of the children.
No they aren’t.
1. No-one sensible has - or should have - a problem with trans people having rights eg to transition and not to face discrimination etc. 2. Given the lack of medical care and other support available to people with gender dysphoria, which undoubtedly causes them to suffer more and for longer than should be the case, this is an area which warrants additional investment. 3. What people - mainly women - do have an issue with is the proposal to allow men to claim that they are women WITHOUT MORE - and in particular without any sort of medical diagnosis - thus allowing men to have access to women only spaces, which exist for a reason. This also impacts on all sorts of other women’s’ rights. Ignoring these is unjust and unfair. 4. What women object to is having some men, some of whom claim to be trans, telling women what womanhood means and seeking to deny the realities of female experiences, as if womanhood is simply something that you can assert and has no objective reality. 5. They also object to them shouting down and bullying women who ask that their views and experiences and concerns be listened to and taken into account. For centuries women have had men telling them how to behave, what they can or can’t do, what being a “lady” or “femininity” means. Now we’re being told what even being a woman means. No. just no. We have a voice and we want to be listened to too. 6. The issue of what sort of medical treatment or care should be given to under-age children who claim to be suffering from gender dysphoria is a complex one, in which expert medical advice and a great deal of thought is needed, not least because the consequences of taking premature and irreversible action are so serious and long-lasting. There is some concern that some may be pushing for children to be allowed to make such decisions without such advice or thought, merely to prove some ideological point. If so, that is highly irresponsible and dangerous and careless of the best interests of the children concerned.
In walking and chewing gum at the same time news, it seems that Govey can't do anything else while smirking self-satisfiedly. That doesn't leave him a lot of time for doing anything else.
McDonnell and Co must be sitting there thinking if only we won the election we could have done this, nationalized everything and nobody would complain.
Comments
To take home working as an example, recommending it looks low cost, but an economic analysis might conclude that it's going to gut city-centre economies and transport-supporting businesses, even over a few weeks. So the epidemiologists can run some numbers (with high uncertainty) on what home working might do to cases at present and the economists look at how many businesses might go under, how many people made redundant etc. You can convert from that to a net effect on government revenue and think about how many other health interventions might have to be cut. It might give a clear cut answer where recommending or not recommending action is a no-brainer (as I suspect may be the case with our current levels of cases) or it may be a very difficult judgement call for a politician.
https://twitter.com/YouGov/status/1237697230657724416?s=20
https://twitter.com/YouGov/status/1237697231966404610?s=20
* (about 5,000ish GenderCertificates have been issued for those who, presumably have gone all the way. If you count cross-dressing as a trans issue then it is estimated as 5% of the male population, possibly as high as 10%)
Won’t someone please think of the children.
If you mean people like women's rights activists including some notable names on this site the arguments look nothing like "please think of the children"
Still Layla will be leader soon - that will beat the opposition!
Yes we have seen CLPs nominate non-cult candidates. But I know that the vast majority of party members haven't attended those. And a few polls suggesting the Tory Starmer will win - they have rubbished and attacked every poll and pollster. So its a simple narrative that the "silent majority" want to continue the blessed work of the twice elected leader.
So of course RLB will be declared the winner. I have to assume that they will offer compromise with the deputy leader by declaring the Tory Rayner to be the winner whilst the NEC simultaneously takes away all of the deputy's powers and holds them directly instead.
What an improvement
https://www.libdemvoice.org/yougov-poll-on-lib-dem-leadership-ed-davey-is-a-country-mile-ahead-with-caveats-galore-63298.html
Such a refreshing change!
Starts with the virus.
It's word for word.
Bloody Experts...
Most of the serious comments seem to be about the safety of women in women's only spaces, the effects of women in sport and other effects on women in general.
I won't name names but certain women on this site have put some very thoughtful posts on here on this subject about their concerns and they surely shouldn't be lumped in with the "kids to drag queens" bullshit should they?
For a while, it will be tough.....
A fund manager once told me that I could make a good fund manager myself, and seemed somewhat disappointed that I didn’t take it as a compliment.
dogs of warcounter-cyclical buffer!Extremists exist on both sides and are prats. The women raising concerns here are not nutters, nor are those wanting rights for trans people of either gender.
Trans people have penises in many cases, right?
But, Universal Credit does take too long to both claim and pay so I expect that reform to stick.
The skin around his eyes is a normal colour compared to his face which is noticeably more orange. As a "tan" in winter is a vanity choice, I find it odd that he chooses this look.
Small Business rates abolished for the year!!
Hopefully its made permanent. Business rates should be abolished and replaced with something else.
Changing rooms are not particularly significant.
Refuges matter.
1. No-one sensible has - or should have - a problem with trans people having rights eg to transition and not to face discrimination etc.
2. Given the lack of medical care and other support available to people with gender dysphoria, which undoubtedly causes them to suffer more and for longer than should be the case, this is an area which warrants additional investment.
3. What people - mainly women - do have an issue with is the proposal to allow men to claim that they are women WITHOUT MORE - and in particular without any sort of medical diagnosis - thus allowing men to have access to women only spaces, which exist for a reason. This also impacts on all sorts of other women’s’ rights. Ignoring these is unjust and unfair.
4. What women object to is having some men, some of whom claim to be trans, telling women what womanhood means and seeking to deny the realities of female experiences, as if womanhood is simply something that you can assert and has no objective reality.
5. They also object to them shouting down and bullying women who ask that their views and experiences and concerns be listened to and taken into account. For centuries women have had men telling them how to behave, what they can or can’t do, what being a “lady” or “femininity” means. Now we’re being told what even being a woman means. No. just no. We have a voice and we want to be listened to too.
6. The issue of what sort of medical treatment or care should be given to under-age children who claim to be suffering from gender dysphoria is a complex one, in which expert medical advice and a great deal of thought is needed, not least because the consequences of taking premature and irreversible action are so serious and long-lasting. There is some concern that some may be pushing for children to be allowed to make such decisions without such advice or thought, merely to prove some ideological point. If so, that is highly irresponsible and dangerous and careless of the best interests of the children concerned.
https://twitter.com/Alain_Tolhurst/status/1237700971553263619?s=20
Quattroprinting presses....McDonnell and Co must be sitting there thinking if only we won the election we could have done this, nationalized everything and nobody would complain.