Good morning Pb-ers from me, too. Let us hope for, if not good news, a little more sanity. At least, it being Saturday and there's no sport, public transport should be less crowded.
Anything like normal Saturday shopping will strain supermarkets' new social distancing rules that greatly reduce capacity.
Well, this over 80 won't be going anywhere near a supermarket. Nor will almost 80 Mrs C. We might need some coffee shortly, though!
Good morning Pb-ers from me, too. Let us hope for, if not good news, a little more sanity. At least, it being Saturday and there's no sport, public transport should be less crowded.
I’m afraid that from what i’ve heard, this weekend is when things in the U.K. will really take a turn for the worse. At least in London. So brace yourselves. Trump’s comment about Johnson saying we need ventilators was probably accurate.
Good morning Pb-ers from me, too. Let us hope for, if not good news, a little more sanity. At least, it being Saturday and there's no sport, public transport should be less crowded.
I’m afraid that from what i’ve heard, this weekend is when things in the U.K. will really take a turn for the worse. At least in London. So brace yourselves. Trump’s comment about Johnson saying we need ventilators was probably accurate.
Things are expected to get worse for the next couple of weeks not just this weekend. Experience from other countries suggests that in terms of numbers of deaths we will be at the lower end of the estimates people were making last month, and miles away from the extreme highs being postulated.
Each death is obviously very sad and its depressing to see the numbers tend to rise each day, but we should be optimistic and proud that the actions over the last month have helped limit the damage. The actions havent been perfect, but the country has done well.
I see that two of the health experts accusing Boris Johnson of "complacency" in this Guardian piece - Dr. John Ashton, a former regional director of Public Health England and Prof Susan Michie, director of the centre for behaviour change at University College London - just happen to be Labour Party members:
Can we have a sweepstake on which month PBers will once more start whining about the NHS being treated as a religion?
The problem that this crisis may solve - but probably won’t is medical care apartheid.
All over Britain there are private companies working their socks off to develop tests, kit, ventilators and vaccines - long hours and late nights.
Yet all the praise and claps go to those that get paid by the govt and are on the sites where patients come - who simply stem the tide but don’t take the battle forward.
I see that two of the health experts accusing Boris Johnson of "complacency" in this Guardian piece - Dr. John Ashton, a former regional director of Public Health England and Prof Susan Michie, director of the centre for behaviour change at University College London - just happen to be Labour Party members:
Good morning Pb-ers from me, too. Let us hope for, if not good news, a little more sanity. At least, it being Saturday and there's no sport, public transport should be less crowded.
I’m afraid that from what i’ve heard, this weekend is when things in the U.K. will really take a turn for the worse. At least in London. So brace yourselves. Trump’s comment about Johnson saying we need ventilators was probably accurate.
we should be optimistic and proud that the actions over the last month have helped limit the damage. The actions havent been perfect, but the country has done well.
I'm sorry but we are nowhere near being able to slap ourselves on the back like that.
Countries that flattened the curve are often now seeing new increases: Japan being a case in point.
This is going to be a long, hard, haul.
There's a very good data analysis for lay people here:
I see that two of the health experts accusing Boris Johnson of "complacency" in this Guardian piece - Dr. John Ashton, a former regional director of Public Health England and Prof Susan Michie, director of the centre for behaviour change at University College London - just happen to be Labour Party members:
The first death in Spain was on 3rd March and in the UK just two days later on 5th March. Yet Spain is now on 5,138 compared to 773 in the UK. (Spain was on 3,647 two days ago).
Both Italy and France have said doctors can now prescribe hydroxychloroquine – a less toxic version of the malaria drug chloroquine – even though there is no robust evidence to prove that it is effective against Covid-19.
Popular pressure for access to the drug has been ramped up by pronouncements from presidents Donald Trump in the US and Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, both of whom have claimed it is a cure...
It's straight out of the film Contagion. Apart from the mortality rate the film is almost a true account of Covid-19.
I see that two of the health experts accusing Boris Johnson of "complacency" in this Guardian piece - Dr. John Ashton, a former regional director of Public Health England and Prof Susan Michie, director of the centre for behaviour change at University College London - just happen to be Labour Party members:
To be fair, the Gov't are getting a panning across the whole of the MSM, including the Mail.
A panning for what? The media need to hold their nerve. It's going to get a lot worse before it gets better and the morale of the country is going to be an important element.
Good morning Pb-ers from me, too. Let us hope for, if not good news, a little more sanity. At least, it being Saturday and there's no sport, public transport should be less crowded.
I’m afraid that from what i’ve heard, this weekend is when things in the U.K. will really take a turn for the worse. At least in London. So brace yourselves. Trump’s comment about Johnson saying we need ventilators was probably accurate.
Things are expected to get worse for the next couple of weeks not just this weekend. Experience from other countries suggests that in terms of numbers of deaths we will be at the lower end of the estimates people were making last month, and miles away from the extreme highs being postulated.
Each death is obviously very sad and its depressing to see the numbers tend to rise each day, but we should be optimistic and proud that the actions over the last month have helped limit the damage. The actions havent been perfect, but the country has done well.
Let’s not go too early on the optimism. There’s no need to tempt fate. But I think we can fairly say that with a few exceptions the country has risen to the occasion. It’s very reassuring to know that when push came to shove the politicians listened to the experts. What is going on in places like the US and Brazil shows that is not something you can take for granted.
Can we have a sweepstake on which month PBers will once more start whining about the NHS being treated as a religion?
OK, since you ask, and your post is aimed at denouncing the heresy.
The British doctors and nurses are equally heroic to the French or German doctors and nurses, but they're going to have to deal with this crisis in a system barely has the capacity to handle a regular seasonal flu.
British people treat the NHS like a religion, and fewer people would die if they treated it like most other developed countries treat their healthcare systems, instead of a religion.
The religious bit - for me - should be that it’s universal, the best and free at the point if use. Everything else is just detail. The problem is we can’t talk about the detail without it becoming politicised. This applies to the left and right.
Good morning Pb-ers from me, too. Let us hope for, if not good news, a little more sanity. At least, it being Saturday and there's no sport, public transport should be less crowded.
I’m afraid that from what i’ve heard, this weekend is when things in the U.K. will really take a turn for the worse. At least in London. So brace yourselves. Trump’s comment about Johnson saying we need ventilators was probably accurate.
we should be optimistic and proud that the actions over the last month have helped limit the damage. The actions havent been perfect, but the country has done well.
I'm sorry but we are nowhere near being able to slap ourselves on the back like that.
Countries that flattened the curve are often now seeing new increases: Japan being a case in point.
This is going to be a long, hard, haul.
There's a very good data analysis for lay people here:
To successfully get through a long, hard haul you dont just look at how long and hard it is.
You break it down into smaller timescales. You recognise your successes to re-enforce not just morale but also the understanding that our actions are limiting the disease faster than we thought we could a month ago. Without that, (some) people will sink into unproductive despair, depression and panic, none of which are helpful in fighting the disease.
Mainstream estimates last month were typically 50k-200k deaths in the UK, now they are probably closer to 20k-50k. Maybe next month we could be predicting 10k because we have improved testing, got more ventilators and found improved treatments that work to a limited impact. The country, and humans globally are a resilient and innovative bunch, we will get through this despite it being a long hard haul.
Can we have a sweepstake on which month PBers will once more start whining about the NHS being treated as a religion?
OK, since you ask, and your post is aimed at denouncing the heresy.
The British doctors and nurses are equally heroic to the French or German doctors and nurses, but they're going to have to deal with this crisis in a system barely has the capacity to handle a regular seasonal flu.
British people treat the NHS like a religion, and fewer people would die if they treated it like most other developed countries treat their healthcare systems, instead of a religion.
Perhaps (as with other faiths) the heretics are as complicit in keeping the NHS religion going as the believers, ie it's a convenient straw man to distract from actually coming up with a workable and likely more expensive alternative.
"They have 13 nurses per 1,000 people, which is some of the highest than any of the other heavily affected COVID-19 countries," Kullar said. "The higher number of nurses show that nurses are the backbone of the hospitals, especially in ICU care. They've made sure to really focus in on patient management and survival."...
I see that two of the health experts accusing Boris Johnson of "complacency" in this Guardian piece - Dr. John Ashton, a former regional director of Public Health England and Prof Susan Michie, director of the centre for behaviour change at University College London - just happen to be Labour Party members:
To be fair, the Gov't are getting a panning across the whole of the MSM, including the Mail.
A panning for what?
Failing to heed their own advice on social distancing, quarantining and protection, thus spreading the virus around the heart of Gov't. Today's press is a mauling.
It's an age-old adage but if you want the public to take something seriously words alone are not enough. You have to be shown to do as you do not just do as you say. But the real gripe in the MSM today is that this is chaotic and destabilising: we are close to being without a functioning Government at a time of national crisis. Not clever.
We did sort-of get there but there are horror stories beginning to emerge from London. Whilst I applaud Johnson for acting, he did so too little and too late.
Branson has asked for a bailout. I really hope the government tells him where to go. He has £4bn in the bank, he can put his own money in.
I suspect he has (like many rich people) got f*ck all in the bank. He'll have a £10bn of assets and £6bn of debt.
Without causing trouble for OGH - it is worth looking at Private Eye's opinion on Branson's finances over the years.
He also hebdomadally lured other people's wives off for dirty weekends on Necker island (without their husbands).
Branson fooled a lot of people for a long time into thinking he was a decent bloke. He isn't. He's a shit.
I am sorry but that post is just pure gossip and crass, unworthy of PB. If you want to pick on another individual at least have some intelligent argument rather than something a 5 year old would say in a playground.
Can we have a sweepstake on which month PBers will once more start whining about the NHS being treated as a religion?
The problem that this crisis may solve - but probably won’t is medical care apartheid.
All over Britain there are private companies working their socks off to develop tests, kit, ventilators and vaccines - long hours and late nights.
Yet all the praise and claps go to those that get paid by the govt and are on the sites where patients come - who simply stem the tide but don’t take the battle forward.
Sorry for the heresy.
Yes those tests are important but those working on them arent running the risk of dying in the line of duty.
Branson has asked for a bailout. I really hope the government tells him where to go. He has £4bn in the bank, he can put his own money in.
I suspect he has (like many rich people) got f*ck all in the bank. He'll have a £10bn of assets and £6bn of debt.
Without causing trouble for OGH - it is worth looking at Private Eye's opinion on Branson's finances over the years.
He also hebdomadally lured other people's wives off for dirty weekends on Necker island (without their husbands).
Branson fooled a lot of people for a long time into thinking he was a decent bloke. He isn't. He's a shit.
I am sorry but that post is just pure gossip and crass, unworthy of PB. If you want to pick on another individual at least have some intelligent argument rather than something a 5 year old would say in a playground.
Er you may wish to think that but as a writer and journalist I can assure it's not mere tittle tattle. I've had my ear to the ground on Branson for many, many, years. It's widely known in us media circles.
Can we have a sweepstake on which month PBers will once more start whining about the NHS being treated as a religion?
The problem that this crisis may solve - but probably won’t is medical care apartheid.
All over Britain there are private companies working their socks off to develop tests, kit, ventilators and vaccines - long hours and late nights.
Yet all the praise and claps go to those that get paid by the govt and are on the sites where patients come - who simply stem the tide but don’t take the battle forward.
Sorry for the heresy.
The private companies will get their rewards in other ways. When you see the frontline medical staff death toll in Italy, Spain, China and elsewhere, it is entirely reasonable to give public thanks to the people here treating patients - current and future - for the work they are doing.
Can we have a sweepstake on which month PBers will once more start whining about the NHS being treated as a religion?
OK, since you ask, and your post is aimed at denouncing the heresy.
The British doctors and nurses are equally heroic to the French or German doctors and nurses, but they're going to have to deal with this crisis in a system barely has the capacity to handle a regular seasonal flu.
British people treat the NHS like a religion, and fewer people would die if they treated it like most other developed countries treat their healthcare systems, instead of a religion.
The religious bit - for me - should be that it’s universal, the best and free at the point if use. Everything else is just detail. The problem is we can’t talk about the detail without it becoming politicised. This applies to the left and right.
The best is highly problematic, happy with universal and free at point of delivery. If we spent 100% of GDP on the NHS, we could still make it better by borrowing another 5% to spend on it. It will always be a rationed service you can make better.
I see the Mirror is calling for "medals for NHS heroes".
I wonder where they could have read that idea a couple of days ago......
Will there be medals for the private sector company that develops the new tests and vaccines ?
Perhaps yes but the profit motive will also reward them.
Why are you trying to create a story of private sector research scientists getting upset that NHS staff are being praised? Have those workers expressed that view to you? I know many of both and so I highly doubt it.
Good morning Pb-ers from me, too. Let us hope for, if not good news, a little more sanity. At least, it being Saturday and there's no sport, public transport should be less crowded.
I’m afraid that from what i’ve heard, this weekend is when things in the U.K. will really take a turn for the worse. At least in London. So brace yourselves. Trump’s comment about Johnson saying we need ventilators was probably accurate.
we should be optimistic and proud that the actions over the last month have helped limit the damage. The actions havent been perfect, but the country has done well.
I'm sorry but we are nowhere near being able to slap ourselves on the back like that.
Countries that flattened the curve are often now seeing new increases: Japan being a case in point.
This is going to be a long, hard, haul.
There's a very good data analysis for lay people here:
To successfully get through a long, hard haul you dont just look at how long and hard it is.
You break it down into smaller timescales. You recognise your successes to re-enforce not just morale but also the understanding that our actions are limiting the disease faster than we thought we could a month ago. Without that, (some) people will sink into unproductive despair, depression and panic, none of which are helpful in fighting the disease.
Mainstream estimates last month were typically 50k-200k deaths in the UK, now they are probably closer to 20k-50k. Maybe next month we could be predicting 10k because we have improved testing, got more ventilators and found improved treatments that work to a limited impact. The country, and humans globally are a resilient and innovative bunch, we will get through this despite it being a long hard haul.
+1
Our doom-mongers are no longer putting up calculations of one or two million UK dead, and if they did, they would earn further derision. That alone is progress.
None of the above et al. basically until we develop either a vaccine or a true cure, thousands x thousands will die and there will be no end. Peaks may come and go but the virus won't.
Spanish flu ran for 3-4 years. That will be the same with coronavirus until one or other of the above occurs. And if it goes on that long deaths will be counted in the millions.
Branson has asked for a bailout. I really hope the government tells him where to go. He has £4bn in the bank, he can put his own money in.
I suspect he has (like many rich people) got f*ck all in the bank. He'll have a £10bn of assets and £6bn of debt.
Without causing trouble for OGH - it is worth looking at Private Eye's opinion on Branson's finances over the years.
He also hebdomadally lured other people's wives off for dirty weekends on Necker island (without their husbands).
Branson fooled a lot of people for a long time into thinking he was a decent bloke. He isn't. He's a shit.
I am sorry but that post is just pure gossip and crass, unworthy of PB. If you want to pick on another individual at least have some intelligent argument rather than something a 5 year old would say in a playground.
Er you may wish to think that but as a writer and journalist I can assure it's not mere tittle tattle. I've had my ear to the ground on Branson for many, many, years. It's widely known in us media circles.
What is known exactly? You seem to be accusing him of "sin" . Which is a bit weird to get obsessive about given that even if he did do the "sin" you accuse him off is not exactly illegal or frankly unusual in human behaviour. Stop talking like a 17th century puritan
Good morning Pb-ers from me, too. Let us hope for, if not good news, a little more sanity. At least, it being Saturday and there's no sport, public transport should be less crowded.
I’m afraid that from what i’ve heard, this weekend is when things in the U.K. will really take a turn for the worse. At least in London. So brace yourselves. Trump’s comment about Johnson saying we need ventilators was probably accurate.
we should be optimistic and proud that the actions over the last month have helped limit the damage. The actions havent been perfect, but the country has done well.
I'm sorry but we are nowhere near being able to slap ourselves on the back like that.
Countries that flattened the curve are often now seeing new increases: Japan being a case in point.
This is going to be a long, hard, haul.
There's a very good data analysis for lay people here:
To successfully get through a long, hard haul you dont just look at how long and hard it is.
You break it down into smaller timescales. You recognise your successes to re-enforce not just morale but also the understanding that our actions are limiting the disease faster than we thought we could a month ago. Without that, (some) people will sink into unproductive despair, depression and panic, none of which are helpful in fighting the disease.
Mainstream estimates last month were typically 50k-200k deaths in the UK, now they are probably closer to 20k-50k. Maybe next month we could be predicting 10k because we have improved testing, got more ventilators and found improved treatments that work to a limited impact. The country, and humans globally are a resilient and innovative bunch, we will get through this despite it being a long hard haul.
+1
Our doom-mongers are no longer putting up calculations of one or two million UK dead, and if they did, they would earn further derision. That alone is progress.
Can we have a sweepstake on which month PBers will once more start whining about the NHS being treated as a religion?
The problem that this crisis may solve - but probably won’t is medical care apartheid.
All over Britain there are private companies working their socks off to develop tests, kit, ventilators and vaccines - long hours and late nights.
Yet all the praise and claps go to those that get paid by the govt and are on the sites where patients come - who simply stem the tide but don’t take the battle forward.
Sorry for the heresy.
The private companies will get their rewards in other ways. When you see the frontline medical staff death toll in Italy, Spain, China and elsewhere, it is entirely reasonable to give public thanks to the people here treating patients - current and future - for the work they are doing.
We could just thank our doctors, nurses and support staff and leave their employment status entirely out of it, surely.
None of the above et al. basically until we develop either a vaccine or a true cure, thousands x thousands will die and there will be no end. Peaks may come and go but the virus won't.
Spanish flu ran for 3-4 years. That will be the same with coronavirus until one or other of the above occurs. And if it goes on that long deaths will be counted in the millions.
Globally yes but "people" were predicting millions in the UK, its just not going to happen.
I see that two of the health experts accusing Boris Johnson of "complacency" in this Guardian piece - Dr. John Ashton, a former regional director of Public Health England and Prof Susan Michie, director of the centre for behaviour change at University College London - just happen to be Labour Party members:
To be fair, the Gov't are getting a panning across the whole of the MSM, including the Mail.
A panning for what?
Failing to heed their own advice on social distancing, quarantining and protection, thus spreading the virus around the heart of Gov't. Today's press is a mauling.
It's an age-old adage but if you want the public to take something seriously words alone are not enough. You have to be shown to do as you do not just do as you say. But the real gripe in the MSM today is that this is chaotic and destabilising: we are close to being without a functioning Government at a time of national crisis. Not clever.
We did sort-of get there but there are horror stories beginning to emerge from London. Whilst I applaud Johnson for acting, he did so too little and too late.
Yeah but those were mistakes three weeks ago. Can they not start looking forward, seeing what mistakes are going on now or what mistakes might happen soon and offer some constructive criticism?
It's like bemoaning the failures that led to Dunkirk whilst the British state is gearing up to fight the Battle of Britain.
I see the Mirror is calling for "medals for NHS heroes".
I wonder where they could have read that idea a couple of days ago......
Will there be medals for the private sector company that develops the new tests and vaccines ?
Perhaps yes but the profit motive will also reward them.
Why are you trying to create a story of private sector research scientists getting upset that NHS staff are being praised? Have those workers expressed that view to you? I know many of both and so I highly doubt it.
My problem is with the hard of thinking who think the only link in the chain of healthcare is tax payer funded hospitals and are trying to beatify a small section of those grappling with the crisis.
The tests, kits and vaccines won’t come from the NHS.
Yet drug companies etc were evil capitalist price gougers up until a few weeks ago...
Medals all round - not just those that Danny Boyle bases a musical showpiece on.
None of the above et al. basically until we develop either a vaccine or a true cure, thousands x thousands will die and there will be no end. Peaks may come and go but the virus won't.
Spanish flu ran for 3-4 years. That will be the same with coronavirus until one or other of the above occurs. And if it goes on that long deaths will be counted in the millions.
Globally yes but "people" were predicting millions in the UK, its just not going to happen.
Let's hope not. It's too soon to be pedalling optimism. The storm hasn't even begun here yet. It will soon.
I was chatting to someone in north London last night and she said, and I could hear, the ambulances were going past on blue lights every two minutes.
Every journalist knows that London has a deep, deep, problem and we are about to see a tsunami, as one newspaper (not my own) put it this morning.
Have a good day everyone. And before running myself and Eadric into the ground, consider this. We've been proved right.
None of the above et al. basically until we develop either a vaccine or a true cure, thousands x thousands will die and there will be no end. Peaks may come and go but the virus won't.
Spanish flu ran for 3-4 years. That will be the same with coronavirus until one or other of the above occurs. And if it goes on that long deaths will be counted in the millions.
Globally yes but "people" were predicting millions in the UK, its just not going to happen.
What is the point of testing predictions against other predictions when we can exercise a bit of patience and test them against outcomes?
Can we have a sweepstake on which month PBers will once more start whining about the NHS being treated as a religion?
OK, since you ask, and your post is aimed at denouncing the heresy.
The British doctors and nurses are equally heroic to the French or German doctors and nurses, but they're going to have to deal with this crisis in a system barely has the capacity to handle a regular seasonal flu.
British people treat the NHS like a religion, and fewer people would die if they treated it like most other developed countries treat their healthcare systems, instead of a religion.
The religious bit - for me - should be that it’s universal, the best and free at the point if use. Everything else is just detail. The problem is we can’t talk about the detail without it becoming politicised. This applies to the left and right.
The best is highly problematic, happy with universal and free at point of delivery. If we spent 100% of GDP on the NHS, we could still make it better by borrowing another 5% to spend on it. It will always be a rationed service you can make better.
The best is something to aim for. If we decide from the off it’s not achievable then we will inevitably begin to accept second best, whether that be in patient care, responsiveness, outcomes, cleanliness, treatment of staff, quality of catering, etc, etc, etc.
Branson has asked for a bailout. I really hope the government tells him where to go. He has £4bn in the bank, he can put his own money in.
I suspect he has (like many rich people) got f*ck all in the bank. He'll have a £10bn of assets and £6bn of debt.
Without causing trouble for OGH - it is worth looking at Private Eye's opinion on Branson's finances over the years.
He also hebdomadally lured other people's wives off for dirty weekends on Necker island (without their husbands).
Branson fooled a lot of people for a long time into thinking he was a decent bloke. He isn't. He's a shit.
I am sorry but that post is just pure gossip and crass, unworthy of PB. If you want to pick on another individual at least have some intelligent argument rather than something a 5 year old would say in a playground.
Er you may wish to think that but as a writer and journalist I can assure it's not mere tittle tattle. I've had my ear to the ground on Branson for many, many, years. It's widely known in us media circles.
You may think that, but as a scientist and a mathematician I can tell the difference between evidence and gossip. Just because something has been round the rumour mill enough times to become "widely known" doesn't make it fact.
I see that two of the health experts accusing Boris Johnson of "complacency" in this Guardian piece - Dr. John Ashton, a former regional director of Public Health England and Prof Susan Michie, director of the centre for behaviour change at University College London - just happen to be Labour Party members:
To be fair, the Gov't are getting a panning across the whole of the MSM, including the Mail.
A panning for what?
Failing to heed their own advice on social distancing, quarantining and protection, thus spreading the virus around the heart of Gov't. Today's press is a mauling.
It's an age-old adage but if you want the public to take something seriously words alone are not enough. You have to be shown to do as you do not just do as you say. But the real gripe in the MSM today is that this is chaotic and destabilising: we are close to being without a functioning Government at a time of national crisis. Not clever.
We did sort-of get there but there are horror stories beginning to emerge from London. Whilst I applaud Johnson for acting, he did so too little and too late.
Yeah but those were mistakes three weeks ago. Can they not start looking forward, seeing what mistakes are going on now or what mistakes might happen soon and offer some constructive criticism?
It's like bemoaning the failures that led to Dunkirk whilst the British state is gearing up to fight the Battle of Britain.
Surely the predictions and action plans are improving as the boffins aren’t relying on fake data from China ?
I see the Mirror is calling for "medals for NHS heroes".
I wonder where they could have read that idea a couple of days ago......
Will there be medals for the private sector company that develops the new tests and vaccines ?
Perhaps yes but the profit motive will also reward them.
Why are you trying to create a story of private sector research scientists getting upset that NHS staff are being praised? Have those workers expressed that view to you? I know many of both and so I highly doubt it.
My problem is with the hard of thinking who think the only link in the chain of healthcare is tax payer funded hospitals and are trying to beatify a small section of those grappling with the crisis.
The tests, kits and vaccines won’t come from the NHS.
Yet drug companies etc we’re evil capitalist price gougers up until a few weeks ago...
Medals all round - not just those that Danny Boyle bases a musical showpiece on.
A more interesting debate, which Cyclefree’s article touches on, would be the gap between the private sector and state into which (for example) antibiotic development has fallen.
The state lacks the innovative capacity; the private sector lacks the incentives.
Can we have a sweepstake on which month PBers will once more start whining about the NHS being treated as a religion?
The problem that this crisis may solve - but probably won’t is medical care apartheid.
All over Britain there are private companies working their socks off to develop tests, kit, ventilators and vaccines - long hours and late nights.
Yet all the praise and claps go to those that get paid by the govt and are on the sites where patients come - who simply stem the tide but don’t take the battle forward.
Sorry for the heresy.
The private companies will get their rewards in other ways. When you see the frontline medical staff death toll in Italy, Spain, China and elsewhere, it is entirely reasonable to give public thanks to the people here treating patients - current and future - for the work they are doing.
We could just thank our doctors, nurses and support staff and leave their employment status entirely out of it, surely.
I don’t think it’s unreasonable to thank those on the frontline of this current healthcare crisis.
I see that two of the health experts accusing Boris Johnson of "complacency" in this Guardian piece - Dr. John Ashton, a former regional director of Public Health England and Prof Susan Michie, director of the centre for behaviour change at University College London - just happen to be Labour Party members:
To be fair, the Gov't are getting a panning across the whole of the MSM, including the Mail.
A panning for what?
Failing to heed their own advice on social distancing, quarantining and protection, thus spreading the virus around the heart of Gov't. Today's press is a mauling.
It's an age-old adage but if you want the public to take something seriously words alone are not enough. You have to be shown to do as you do not just do as you say. But the real gripe in the MSM today is that this is chaotic and destabilising: we are close to being without a functioning Government at a time of national crisis. Not clever.
We did sort-of get there but there are horror stories beginning to emerge from London. Whilst I applaud Johnson for acting, he did so too little and too late.
Yeah but those were mistakes three weeks ago. Can they not start looking forward, seeing what mistakes are going on now or what mistakes might happen soon and offer some constructive criticism?
It's like bemoaning the failures that led to Dunkirk whilst the British state is gearing up to fight the Battle of Britain.
Surely the predictions and action plans are improving as the boffins aren’t relying on fake data from China ?
Do we have any firm evidence that the data coming out of China is fake ? Much of what we’ve seen since confirms what China reported, and continues to report about the virus.
Sure, it is possible that they have manipulated the figures on infections and deaths (and there is reasonable suspicion that it’s not quite as fully under control as they claim), but there is very little hard evidence for deception on a large scale.
None of the above et al. basically until we develop either a vaccine or a true cure, thousands x thousands will die and there will be no end. Peaks may come and go but the virus won't.
Spanish flu ran for 3-4 years. That will be the same with coronavirus until one or other of the above occurs. And if it goes on that long deaths will be counted in the millions.
Globally yes but "people" were predicting millions in the UK, its just not going to happen.
Let's hope not. It's too soon to be pedalling optimism. The storm hasn't even begun here yet. It will soon.
I was chatting to someone in north London last night and she said, and I could hear, the ambulances were going past on blue lights every two minutes.
Every journalist knows that London has a deep, deep, problem and we are about to see a tsunami, as one newspaper (not my own) put it this morning.
Have a good day everyone. And before running myself and Eadric into the ground, consider this. We've been proved right.
G'day.
More BS; neither of you has been right about anything of any specificity.
And both of you are actively enjoying this far more than is decent.
The religious bit - for me - should be that it’s universal, the best and free at the point if use. Everything else is just detail. The problem is we can’t talk about the detail without it becoming politicised. This applies to the left and right.
Even the religious doctrine of "free at the point of use" may be a problem.
I am thinking particularly of GP appointments, where it seems haram to even consider charging. Instead we ration demand by prescription charges, stroppy receptionists, long delays for a booking etc.
A small charge for those that can afford it, varying by day and time, might well be a better overall solution. But even suggesting this might end a political career.
I see the Mirror is calling for "medals for NHS heroes".
I wonder where they could have read that idea a couple of days ago......
Will there be medals for the private sector company that develops the new tests and vaccines ?
Perhaps yes but the profit motive will also reward them.
Why are you trying to create a story of private sector research scientists getting upset that NHS staff are being praised? Have those workers expressed that view to you? I know many of both and so I highly doubt it.
My problem is with the hard of thinking who think the only link in the chain of healthcare is tax payer funded hospitals and are trying to beatify a small section of those grappling with the crisis.
The tests, kits and vaccines won’t come from the NHS.
Yet drug companies etc we’re evil capitalist price gougers up until a few weeks ago...
Medals all round - not just those that Danny Boyle bases a musical showpiece on.
A more interesting debate, which Cyclefree’s article touches on, would be the gap between the private sector and state into which (for example) antibiotic development has fallen.
The state lacks the innovative capacity; the private sector lacks the incentives.
Private sector in the medical sector has been vilified in the Uk for not working for free and not giving the drugs and equipment that costs millions to develop away for free to the NHS.
I see we have at least one end of the world doom-monger on the site in Tyson. Can we add any other names to the list?
Eadric and Mysticrose.
Whether that’s one person or two, I’ll leave up to individuals to decide.
Personally, I think it’s probably two.
Come on, it is clearly two. We all know Sean is incapable of convincingly acting out of character, and it is clear that Mystic is left wing. And gets up a lot earlier in the morning than he does.
Branson has asked for a bailout. I really hope the government tells him where to go. He has £4bn in the bank, he can put his own money in.
I suspect he has (like many rich people) got f*ck all in the bank. He'll have a £10bn of assets and £6bn of debt.
Without causing trouble for OGH - it is worth looking at Private Eye's opinion on Branson's finances over the years.
He also hebdomadally lured other people's wives off for dirty weekends on Necker island (without their husbands).
Branson fooled a lot of people for a long time into thinking he was a decent bloke. He isn't. He's a shit.
I am sorry but that post is just pure gossip and crass, unworthy of PB. If you want to pick on another individual at least have some intelligent argument rather than something a 5 year old would say in a playground.
Er you may wish to think that but as a writer and journalist I can assure it's not mere tittle tattle. I've had my ear to the ground on Branson for many, many, years. It's widely known in us media circles.
You may think that, but as a scientist and a mathematician I can tell the difference between evidence and gossip. Just because something has been round the rumour mill enough times to become "widely known" doesn't make it fact.
Who could forget the story of the ********** who was alleged to have had a baby by another **********, which proved to be wrong?
Then it was alleged to have been fathered by a Yorkshire **. That turned out to be wrong as well.
Eventually, it turned out to have been fathered by somebody, apparently including the ********** in question, had ever heard of.
Of course, this particular story was complicated by the fact that this particular ********** didn’t know who the father was either, as she had been sleeping with more men than Messalina.
How are the trials going here for use of existing drugs to treat the virus?
I read a week or so ago that there were trials using hydroxychloroquine on 2 or 3 patients which seems ridiculously low.
I'd like to see many already approved drugs that could help trialled on patients as much as possible. Yes in ideal times you'd spend years testing these things, but we really don't have the luxury of time at the moment.
The current strategy seems to be to ignore a patient until their symptoms become so severe they need to be put on a ventilator, rather than try and treat them early to stop them needing one.
So Nadine continuing to work rather than isolating while waiting for her test result is likely responsible for accelerating transmission around Westminster...
Thick twunt , no surprise. Westminster is full of idiots.
So Nadine continuing to work rather than isolating while waiting for her test result is likely responsible for accelerating transmission around Westminster...
Thick twunt , no surprise. Westminster is full of idiots.
The Holyrood ban on sleepy cuddles is the correct approach malc.
So Nadine continuing to work rather than isolating while waiting for her test result is likely responsible for accelerating transmission around Westminster...
Thick twunt , no surprise. Westminster is full of idiots.
Morning Malc, hope the turnip stocks are plentiful.
Morning all. Have to report a distinctly odd sensation came upon me yesterday. I experienced a genuine burst of affection for this Tory PM as I watched his plucky little video telling us he had the horrid virus. So much so that I feel it is appropriate to refer to him as Boris until he gets better. Then back to Johnson.
Morning all. Have to report a distinctly odd sensation came upon me yesterday. I experienced a genuine burst of affection for this Tory PM as I watched his plucky little video telling us he had the horrid virus. So much so that I feel it is appropriate to refer to him as Boris until he gets better. Then back to Johnson.
Ambulance to Casa Kinabula please. This virus is having a dreadful, life threatening effect on him.
Branson has asked for a bailout. I really hope the government tells him where to go. He has £4bn in the bank, he can put his own money in.
I suspect he has (like many rich people) got f*ck all in the bank. He'll have a £10bn of assets and £6bn of debt.
Without causing trouble for OGH - it is worth looking at Private Eye's opinion on Branson's finances over the years.
He also hebdomadally lured other people's wives off for dirty weekends on Necker island (without their husbands).
Branson fooled a lot of people for a long time into thinking he was a decent bloke. He isn't. He's a shit.
I am sorry but that post is just pure gossip and crass, unworthy of PB. If you want to pick on another individual at least have some intelligent argument rather than something a 5 year old would say in a playground.
Er you may wish to think that but as a writer and journalist I can assure it's not mere tittle tattle. I've had my ear to the ground on Branson for many, many, years. It's widely known in us media circles.
What is known exactly? You seem to be accusing him of "sin" . Which is a bit weird to get obsessive about given that even if he did do the "sin" you accuse him off is not exactly illegal or frankly unusual in human behaviour. Stop talking like a 17th century puritan
Anyone going away with Branson anywhere needs a guide dog and anyone thinking he is anything other than a cheesy greedy shit needs locking up.
Stupid question, but I read that the severity of the symptoms depends on amount of virus that is initially contracted, so wouldn't giving people a small amount of the virus be like a type of "vaccine" where their body can fight it off without causing too much harm?
Stupid question, but I read that the severity of the symptoms depends on amount of virus that is initially contracted, so wouldn't giving people a small amount of the virus be like a type of "vaccine" where their body can fight it off without causing too much harm?
Herd immunity ? Well yes. Hence once the ICU pressure lifts the lockdown will be relaxed mid April.
Can we have a sweepstake on which month PBers will once more start whining about the NHS being treated as a religion?
The problem that this crisis may solve - but probably won’t is medical care apartheid.
All over Britain there are private companies working their socks off to develop tests, kit, ventilators and vaccines - long hours and late nights.
Yet all the praise and claps go to those that get paid by the govt and are on the sites where patients come - who simply stem the tide but don’t take the battle forward.
Sorry for the heresy.
The private companies will get their rewards in other ways. When you see the frontline medical staff death toll in Italy, Spain, China and elsewhere, it is entirely reasonable to give public thanks to the people here treating patients - current and future - for the work they are doing.
We could just thank our doctors, nurses and support staff and leave their employment status entirely out of it, surely.
I don’t think it’s unreasonable to thank those on the frontline of this current healthcare crisis.
How does "thank our doctors, nurses and support staff" differ from that?
So Nadine continuing to work rather than isolating while waiting for her test result is likely responsible for accelerating transmission around Westminster...
Thick twunt , no surprise. Westminster is full of idiots.
Morning Malc, hope the turnip stocks are plentiful.
But I'm worried - who is going to plant his next crop?
How are the trials going here for use of existing drugs to treat the virus?
I read a week or so ago that there were trials using hydroxychloroquine on 2 or 3 patients which seems ridiculously low.
I'd like to see many already approved drugs that could help trialled on patients as much as possible. Yes in ideal times you'd spend years testing these things, but we really don't have the luxury of time at the moment.
The current strategy seems to be to ignore a patient until their symptoms become so severe they need to be put on a ventilator, rather than try and treat them early to stop them needing one.
Early trials are necessarily small.
There seems to be quite a few different efforts, but designing and setting up larger trials, recruiting tests subjects, and conducting blinded, placebo controlled experiments, and then assessing the results, doesn’t happen overnight. Other problems include a lack of cooperation internationally (countries are running smaller trials on a given compound, but using different trial protocols, and the example of France and Italy, who are just going ahead with the mass use of hydroxychloroquine before its utility has been demonstrated...
So Nadine continuing to work rather than isolating while waiting for her test result is likely responsible for accelerating transmission around Westminster...
Thick twunt , no surprise. Westminster is full of idiots.
The Holyrood ban on sleepy cuddles is the correct approach malc.
That is a bit monastic Harry, everybody needs a cuddle now and again
I see that two of the health experts accusing Boris Johnson of "complacency" in this Guardian piece - Dr. John Ashton, a former regional director of Public Health England and Prof Susan Michie, director of the centre for behaviour change at University College London - just happen to be Labour Party members:
To be fair, the Gov't are getting a panning across the whole of the MSM, including the Mail.
A panning for what? The media need to hold their nerve. It's going to get a lot worse before it gets better and the morale of the country is going to be an important element.
The media, especially the political media, still don’t have a clue about what their role needs to be.
The endless sniping and politicisation is going to start having negative influences on the public’s behaviour, when people have been confided to their homes for weeks on end.
In 1982 the BBC would be leading the news with a pro-Argentinian letter written to the Guardian, while Beth from Sky would be asking Thatcher what she was going to do about those who had their QE2 cruises cancelled, and how there will be a disgusting impact on climate change from using so much aircraft fuel in one small mission.
Stupid question, but I read that the severity of the symptoms depends on amount of virus that is initially contracted, so wouldn't giving people a small amount of the virus be like a type of "vaccine" where their body can fight it off without causing too much harm?
Some scientists have speculated that. It might be the case; it might not. And even if it is, we have no idea how small a dose that might require.
So Nadine continuing to work rather than isolating while waiting for her test result is likely responsible for accelerating transmission around Westminster...
Thick twunt , no surprise. Westminster is full of idiots.
Morning Malc, hope the turnip stocks are plentiful.
Morning Ydoethur, got some in , fresh fruit and vegs come Monday , bread is my only shortage so far , but 11 weeks to go. Beer in short supply but ok for wine and whisky.
I see the Mirror is calling for "medals for NHS heroes".
I wonder where they could have read that idea a couple of days ago......
I would suggest giving them adequate PPE instead, if I thought the suggestion got over the required mawkishness threshold.
Somebody is going to have some questions to answer as to why the cost of storage of PPE equipment was ruled not worth spending the money on in 2017....
None of the above et al. basically until we develop either a vaccine or a true cure, thousands x thousands will die and there will be no end. Peaks may come and go but the virus won't.
Spanish flu ran for 3-4 years. That will be the same with coronavirus until one or other of the above occurs. And if it goes on that long deaths will be counted in the millions.
Globally yes but "people" were predicting millions in the UK, its just not going to happen.
Let's hope not. It's too soon to be pedalling optimism. The storm hasn't even begun here yet. It will soon.
I was chatting to someone in north London last night and she said, and I could hear, the ambulances were going past on blue lights every two minutes.
Every journalist knows that London has a deep, deep, problem and we are about to see a tsunami, as one newspaper (not my own) put it this morning.
Have a good day everyone. And before running myself and Eadric into the ground, consider this. We've been proved right.
G'day.
More BS; neither of you has been right about anything of any specificity.
And both of you are actively enjoying this far more than is decent.
Eadric knocked it out of the park, predictionwise, on this, and for some reason precipitated in you a hissy fit which was funny and is now less so. Usually you flipflop between "he didn't predict it" and "he did predict it, what a doom monger". The suggestion that he or anyone else is enjoying what has already infected posters here and killed their loved ones is new, and plainly just a new attack line you are trying on for size, and thoroughly disgusting. Please do not do it again.
Stupid question, but I read that the severity of the symptoms depends on amount of virus that is initially contracted, so wouldn't giving people a small amount of the virus be like a type of "vaccine" where their body can fight it off without causing too much harm?
How are the trials going here for use of existing drugs to treat the virus?
I read a week or so ago that there were trials using hydroxychloroquine on 2 or 3 patients which seems ridiculously low.
I'd like to see many already approved drugs that could help trialled on patients as much as possible. Yes in ideal times you'd spend years testing these things, but we really don't have the luxury of time at the moment.
The current strategy seems to be to ignore a patient until their symptoms become so severe they need to be put on a ventilator, rather than try and treat them early to stop them needing one.
Early trials are necessarily small.
There seems to be quite a few different efforts, but designing and setting up larger trials, recruiting tests subjects, and conducting blinded, placebo controlled experiments, and then assessing the results, doesn’t happen overnight. Other problems include a lack of cooperation internationally (countries are running smaller trials on a given compound, but using different trial protocols, and the example of France and Italy, who are just going ahead with the mass use of hydroxychloroquine before its utility has been demonstrated...
I'm not sure we have the time to go about things the "proper" way, I can imagine this method will find the perfect treatment in about 6 months time after thousands are dead and the economy is in ruins.
Stupid question, but I read that the severity of the symptoms depends on amount of virus that is initially contracted, so wouldn't giving people a small amount of the virus be like a type of "vaccine" where their body can fight it off without causing too much harm?
You can get the full disease from just three virus particles, according to the Newsnight professor. Presumably with one or two, your immune system boots them out without learning from the experience.
There's a reason the smallpox jab doesn't actually contain any smallpox....
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On a happier note yesterday I really enjoyed my 2 hour whatsapp video call helping my granddaughter with her chemistry. I think I got an A at O level but must confess I had to resort to Google a couple of times. Did you all know the difference between a molecule and a compound? And I dont remember doing chromatography at all.
How are the trials going here for use of existing drugs to treat the virus?
I read a week or so ago that there were trials using hydroxychloroquine on 2 or 3 patients which seems ridiculously low.
I'd like to see many already approved drugs that could help trialled on patients as much as possible. Yes in ideal times you'd spend years testing these things, but we really don't have the luxury of time at the moment.
The current strategy seems to be to ignore a patient until their symptoms become so severe they need to be put on a ventilator, rather than try and treat them early to stop them needing one.
This stuff about Branson is way way too personal. Why should every other airline business in the uk be bailed out but not him? And they will be.
Oh unsubstantiated and irrelevant rumours about his private life, ok fair enough.
Bogoff Richard
Buy BA and get Virgin free ?
Airlines haven't been paying for the global overheating they contribute to, nor for the rapid spread of global pandemics. Bail them out? A disgusting idea. The nonflying majority have already been paying a massive subsidy to frequent flyers for years.
On a happier note yesterday I really enjoyed my 2 hour whatsapp video call helping my granddaughter with her chemistry. I think I got an A at O level but must confess I had to resort to Google a couple of times. Did you all know the difference between a molecule and a compound? And I dont remember doing chromatography at all.
OK, I’ll risk looking like a fool, but I’ll have a go:
A molecule is a chain of atoms, which may or may not be more of one element; A compound is a molecule made up of at least two elements.
I got a B at GCSE chemistry, so if I’m wrong, we’ll know that 20 years ago grades were a joke.
Stupid question, but I read that the severity of the symptoms depends on amount of virus that is initially contracted, so wouldn't giving people a small amount of the virus be like a type of "vaccine" where their body can fight it off without causing too much harm?
So Nadine continuing to work rather than isolating while waiting for her test result is likely responsible for accelerating transmission around Westminster...
Thick twunt , no surprise. Westminster is full of idiots.
Morning Malc, hope the turnip stocks are plentiful.
But I'm worried - who is going to plant his next crop?
Especially with my ass in quarantine, who will pull the plough, maybe Branson will need to make a few Bob.
On a happier note yesterday I really enjoyed my 2 hour whatsapp video call helping my granddaughter with her chemistry. I think I got an A at O level but must confess I had to resort to Google a couple of times. Did you all know the difference between a molecule and a compound? And I dont remember doing chromatography at all.
OK, I’ll risk looking like a fool, but I’ll have a go:
A molecule is a chain of atoms, which may or may not be more of one element; A compound is a molecule made up of at least two elements.
I got a B at GCSE chemistry, so if I’m wrong, we’ll know that 20 years ago grades were a joke.
This stuff about Branson is way way too personal. Why should every other airline business in the uk be bailed out but not him? And they will be.
Oh unsubstantiated and irrelevant rumours about his private life, ok fair enough.
Bogoff Richard
Buy BA and get Virgin free ?
Airlines haven't been paying for the global overheating they contribute to, nor for the rapid spread of global pandemics. Bail them out? A disgusting idea. The nonflying majority have already been paying a massive subsidy to frequent flyers for years.
Stupid question, but I read that the severity of the symptoms depends on amount of virus that is initially contracted, so wouldn't giving people a small amount of the virus be like a type of "vaccine" where their body can fight it off without causing too much harm?
Stupid question, but I read that the severity of the symptoms depends on amount of virus that is initially contracted, so wouldn't giving people a small amount of the virus be like a type of "vaccine" where their body can fight it off without causing too much harm?
This stuff about Branson is way way too personal. Why should every other airline business in the uk be bailed out but not him? And they will be.
Oh unsubstantiated and irrelevant rumours about his private life, ok fair enough.
Bogoff Richard
Buy BA and get Virgin free ?
Airlines haven't been paying for the global overheating they contribute to, nor for the rapid spread of global pandemics. Bail them out? A disgusting idea. The nonflying majority have already been paying a massive subsidy to frequent flyers for years.
This stuff about Branson is way way too personal. Why should every other airline business in the uk be bailed out but not him? And they will be.
Oh unsubstantiated and irrelevant rumours about his private life, ok fair enough.
Bogoff Richard
Buy BA and get Virgin free ?
Airlines haven't been paying for the global overheating they contribute to, nor for the rapid spread of global pandemics. Bail them out? A disgusting idea. The nonflying majority have already been paying a massive subsidy to frequent flyers for years.
This stuff about Branson is way way too personal. Why should every other airline business in the uk be bailed out but not him? And they will be.
Oh unsubstantiated and irrelevant rumours about his private life, ok fair enough.
Bogoff Richard
Buy BA and get Virgin free ?
Airlines haven't been paying for the global overheating they contribute to, nor for the rapid spread of global pandemics. Bail them out? A disgusting idea. The nonflying majority have already been paying a massive subsidy to frequent flyers for years.
This stuff about Branson is way way too personal. Why should every other airline business in the uk be bailed out but not him? And they will be.
Oh unsubstantiated and irrelevant rumours about his private life, ok fair enough.
Bogoff Richard
Buy BA and get Virgin free ?
Airlines haven't been paying for the global overheating they contribute to, nor for the rapid spread of global pandemics. Bail them out? A disgusting idea. The nonflying majority have already been paying a massive subsidy to frequent flyers for years.
On a happier note yesterday I really enjoyed my 2 hour whatsapp video call helping my granddaughter with her chemistry. I think I got an A at O level but must confess I had to resort to Google a couple of times. Did you all know the difference between a molecule and a compound? And I dont remember doing chromatography at all.
OK, I’ll risk looking like a fool, but I’ll have a go:
A molecule is a chain of atoms, which may or may not be more of one element; A compound is a molecule made up of at least two elements.
I got a B at GCSE chemistry, so if I’m wrong, we’ll know that 20 years ago grades were a joke.
Comments
Each death is obviously very sad and its depressing to see the numbers tend to rise each day, but we should be optimistic and proud that the actions over the last month have helped limit the damage. The actions havent been perfect, but the country has done well.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/27/nonchalant-boris-johnson-accused-of-covid-19-complacency
All over Britain there are private companies working their socks off to develop tests, kit, ventilators and vaccines - long hours and late nights.
Yet all the praise and claps go to those that get paid by the govt and are on the sites where patients come - who simply stem the tide but don’t take the battle forward.
Sorry for the heresy.
Countries that flattened the curve are often now seeing new increases: Japan being a case in point.
This is going to be a long, hard, haul.
There's a very good data analysis for lay people here:
https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-which-countries-have-successfully-flattened-the-curve-11963177
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-52064450
https://www.contagionlive.com/news/can-we-beat-sarscov2-lessons-from-other-coronaviruses
I wonder where they could have read that idea a couple of days ago......
Branson fooled a lot of people for a long time into thinking he was a decent bloke. He isn't. He's a shit.
You break it down into smaller timescales. You recognise your successes to re-enforce not just morale but also the understanding that our actions are limiting the disease faster than we thought we could a month ago. Without that, (some) people will sink into unproductive despair, depression and panic, none of which are helpful in fighting the disease.
Mainstream estimates last month were typically 50k-200k deaths in the UK, now they are probably closer to 20k-50k. Maybe next month we could be predicting 10k because we have improved testing, got more ventilators and found improved treatments that work to a limited impact. The country, and humans globally are a resilient and innovative bunch, we will get through this despite it being a long hard haul.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-03-countries-coronavirus.html
Kullar cited the German health care system as the reason why people are surviving the virus, in particular the country's nursing corps.
"They have 13 nurses per 1,000 people, which is some of the highest than any of the other heavily affected COVID-19 countries," Kullar said. "The higher number of nurses show that nurses are the backbone of the hospitals, especially in ICU care. They've made sure to really focus in on patient management and survival."...
It's an age-old adage but if you want the public to take something seriously words alone are not enough. You have to be shown to do as you do not just do as you say. But the real gripe in the MSM today is that this is chaotic and destabilising: we are close to being without a functioning Government at a time of national crisis. Not clever.
We did sort-of get there but there are horror stories beginning to emerge from London. Whilst I applaud Johnson for acting, he did so too little and too late.
Why are you trying to create a story of private sector research scientists getting upset that NHS staff are being praised? Have those workers expressed that view to you? I know many of both and so I highly doubt it.
Our doom-mongers are no longer putting up calculations of one or two million UK dead, and if they did, they would earn further derision. That alone is progress.
Spanish flu ran for 3-4 years. That will be the same with coronavirus until one or other of the above occurs. And if it goes on that long deaths will be counted in the millions.
Pure hubris
It's like bemoaning the failures that led to Dunkirk whilst the British state is gearing up to fight the Battle of Britain.
The tests, kits and vaccines won’t come from the NHS.
Yet drug companies etc were evil capitalist price gougers up until a few weeks ago...
Medals all round - not just those that Danny Boyle bases a musical showpiece on.
I was chatting to someone in north London last night and she said, and I could hear, the ambulances were going past on blue lights every two minutes.
Every journalist knows that London has a deep, deep, problem and we are about to see a tsunami, as one newspaper (not my own) put it this morning.
Have a good day everyone. And before running myself and Eadric into the ground, consider this. We've been proved right.
G'day.
The state lacks the innovative capacity; the private sector lacks the incentives.
Whether that’s one person or two, I’ll leave up to individuals to decide.
Personally, I think it’s probably two.
Much of what we’ve seen since confirms what China reported, and continues to report about the virus.
Sure, it is possible that they have manipulated the figures on infections and deaths (and there is reasonable suspicion that it’s not quite as fully under control as they claim), but there is very little hard evidence for deception on a large scale.
And both of you are actively enjoying this far more than is decent.
I am thinking particularly of GP appointments, where it seems haram to even consider charging. Instead we ration demand by prescription charges, stroppy receptionists, long delays for a booking etc.
A small charge for those that can afford it, varying by day and time, might well be a better overall solution. But even suggesting this might end a political career.
That has to end.
Or at least he regularly cycles between that state and one of optimism (a characteristic we might have noted before).
Then it was alleged to have been fathered by a Yorkshire **. That turned out to be wrong as well.
Eventually, it turned out to have been fathered by somebody, apparently including the ********** in question, had ever heard of.
Of course, this particular story was complicated by the fact that this particular ********** didn’t know who the father was either, as she had been sleeping with more men than Messalina.
I read a week or so ago that there were trials using hydroxychloroquine on 2 or 3 patients which seems ridiculously low.
I'd like to see many already approved drugs that could help trialled on patients as much as possible. Yes in ideal times you'd spend years testing these things, but we really don't have the luxury of time at the moment.
The current strategy seems to be to ignore a patient until their symptoms become so severe they need to be put on a ventilator, rather than try and treat them early to stop them needing one.
Oh unsubstantiated and irrelevant rumours about his private life, ok fair enough.
If you want to know about Richard Branson the businessman, read the Adam Parr and Ross Brawn book.
And he hasn’t even got it yet...
There seems to be quite a few different efforts, but designing and setting up larger trials, recruiting tests subjects, and conducting blinded, placebo controlled experiments, and then assessing the results, doesn’t happen overnight.
Other problems include a lack of cooperation internationally (countries are running smaller trials on a given compound, but using different trial protocols, and the example of France and Italy, who are just going ahead with the mass use of hydroxychloroquine before its utility has been demonstrated...
The endless sniping and politicisation is going to start having negative influences on the public’s behaviour, when people have been confided to their homes for weeks on end.
In 1982 the BBC would be leading the news with a pro-Argentinian letter written to the Guardian, while Beth from Sky would be asking Thatcher what she was going to do about those who had their QE2 cruises cancelled, and how there will be a disgusting impact on climate change from using so much aircraft fuel in one small mission.
It might be the case; it might not. And even if it is, we have no idea how small a dose that might require.
Theresa?
http://www.overcomingbias.com/2020/03/know-when-to-fold-em.html
Also worth reading (I came across Hanson's post here):
https://slatestarcodex.com/2020/03/27/coronalinks-3-27-20/
Thanks for the discussion, all.
[relurks]
There's a reason the smallpox jab doesn't actually contain any smallpox....
TTlove 6/8/10/12 Rolls Paper Towels 3 Layer Soft Toilet Paper White Toilet Roll Tissue Household Paper Rolls(G,8 Roll,3 layers)
special picture design makes you feel delighted each time you use it.
Makes your bathroom a fun place to visit when your friends visit Cute Christmas print makes you feel holiday atmosphere.
Then the review
DO NOT BUY
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 March 2020
Size: H,12 Roll,3 layersColour: Multicolor
It's Like wiping your arse with sandpaper
Coronavirus: What if this had happened in 2005?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-52052502
Bail them out? A disgusting idea. The nonflying majority have already been paying a massive subsidy to frequent flyers for years.
A molecule is a chain of atoms, which may or may not be more of one element;
A compound is a molecule made up of at least two elements.
I got a B at GCSE chemistry, so if I’m wrong, we’ll know that 20 years ago grades were a joke.
Here’s a much longer answer to the question from someone who knows a lot more about it than I do:
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/04/06/how-does-the-coronavirus-behave-inside-a-patient
and welcome.