So the travel industry asks the government to change the rules for travel to/from the Spanish islands. The government does just that. The travel industry is still not happy.
Going well thanks. Quite busy atm so flitting in and out here.
All well with you I hope.
Is this a private love-in or can anybody join in?
You really ARE a swing voter!
All good on your side?
Sorry, but am NOT that kind of boy! My side is fine - is front & back I'm worried about!
Was just asking how your day was going
Thought so, just couldn't resist a joke.
Pretty good, actually. Temp forecast to reach near 90F this afternoon, so all my feeble energies focused on keeping my humble abode as cool as possible. And like 85% of Seattle with zero air conditioning. Note that one major reason I moved to Pacific Northwest in first place was to escape hot summer weather. At least it's not as hot (so far) this year as last.
Hope PBers everywhere are enjoying - or at least surviving - whatever meteorology is throwing your way!
Why not turn Isle of Man into permanent party island for Brits? Bring in thousands of sun lamps, make the ferries one-way - problem solved!
I don't think the Isle of Man is part of the UK
Tis within the Queen's realm AND no pesky MP to object. Certainly was NOT a problem in WWII when HMG used IoM as holiday camp for assorted enemy aliens. IF it was good enough for foreign layabouts, surely good enough for British ones!
BUT if not being in UK is deal-breaker, then obvious alternative is Isle of Wight.
Indeed, could also turn Channel Islands, Lewis (and Harris), Orkney, Shetland, etc. into chain of special holiday/interment camps. With Rockall for the true "adventure" tourist.
Now you’re just being Scilly.
I sea he has the right angle though
You posted that twice. We’re you trying to spread Thanet wider?
If anyone wants ‘Corbynites remain utterly fucking deluded’ part 94b, here is an amazing article by Rachel Cousins (Rachel from Swindon as she calls herself) about how wonderful Jeremy Corbyn is and how it’s all the evil media’s fault that people hate him:
Remarkably, although she puts it all down to the lies and malign influence of others, she does actually accept some things that I bet Corbyn himself does not, such as: And then there was Mr Corbyn himself. I won’t pretend he wasn’t toxic on many doorsteps – he was. But there was a good reason for this. If you throw enough shit at someone, eventually it will stick. The lines you heard about Mr Corbyn on the doorstep were no different from the propaganda being pumped out through the media.
I also love it when people refer to Corbyn as a pensioner as a reason to go easy on him, as she does in that piece. The man is an elected representative and part of the collective governing of 60+million people through its legislator, that he's as old as my dad does not give him a pass. He chose to be there, after all.
So the travel industry asks the government to change the rules for travel to/from the Spanish islands. The government does just that. The travel industry is still not happy.
There is just no pleasing some people.
Rutlandshire Tourist Board could slip the relevant minister a few quid (plus some B&B vouchers) and get HMG to launch at national "Get Out of Your Rut in Rutland" campaign.
Oh Lewis, having to fall back on the 'I didn't look at what I was doing' defence? That is indeed careless. This is why celebrity's should only let their managers control their social media outputs.
Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton has issued a statement "clarifying his thoughts" and confirming he is not anti-vaccine after sharing a video linked to unfounded conspiracy theories about a coronavirus vaccination.
Anyone going on holiday this year? Even to Scotland??
We've just cancelled our September road trip to Italy - we could probably have gone but we didn't fancy the whole holiday wearing masks. That's the third of four holidays (retirement stinks, eh?) we've cancelled this year.
Why not turn Isle of Man into permanent party island for Brits? Bring in thousands of sun lamps, make the ferries one-way - problem solved!
I don't think the Isle of Man is part of the UK
Tis within the Queen's realm AND no pesky MP to object. Certainly was NOT a problem in WWII when HMG used IoM as holiday camp for assorted enemy aliens. IF it was good enough for foreign layabouts, surely good enough for British ones!
BUT if not being in UK is deal-breaker, then obvious alternative is Isle of Wight.
Indeed, could also turn Channel Islands, Lewis (and Harris), Orkney, Shetland, etc. into chain of special holiday/interment camps. With Rockall for the true "adventure" tourist.
Now you’re just being Scilly.
After some beer;
Jersey (Just like) you go and Falklands off, you and your Ascension. Canada get a word of sense out of you and mostly your views don't bear Belize.
Don't you Guernsey (Go saying) that India event of any trouble it'll be you, a Guyana, and another guy ana, that'll be there.
Anyone going on holiday this year? Even to Scotland??
Would you want to give the Sainted Nicola your ££££. I am intending to drive thro France Belgium and Germany to spend a week with my stepson and his wife. I will have to check on restrictions nearer the time.
Fascinating polling from the US this evening - an NBC News/Marist poll has Biden up 51-44 in North Carolina (Trump won 50-46 in 2016 so that's a 5.5% swing to Biden).
The Rasmussen daily Presidential approval poll which had gone to a tie has now slipped back six points negative (46-52) which is quite a shift.
The Harvard/Harris poll has Biden up 55-45 (which seems odd) but that's a slight closing from a 12-point advantage a month ago. We'll get the crosstabs later in the week so not much to say until then.
Anyone going on holiday this year? Even to Scotland??
Would you want to give the Sainted Nicola your ££££. I am intending to drive thro France Belgium and Germany to spend a week with my stepson and his wife. I will have to check on restrictions nearer the time.
I don't go to Scotland on principle. It's nasty there.
Anyone going on holiday this year? Even to Scotland??
Would you want to give the Sainted Nicola your ££££. I am intending to drive thro France Belgium and Germany to spend a week with my stepson and his wife. I will have to check on restrictions nearer the time.
I don't go to Scotland on principle. It's nasty there.
Anyone going on holiday this year? Even to Scotland??
Would you want to give the Sainted Nicola your ££££. I am intending to drive thro France Belgium and Germany to spend a week with my stepson and his wife. I will have to check on restrictions nearer the time.
I don't go to Scotland on principle. It's nasty there.
Why not turn Isle of Man into permanent party island for Brits? Bring in thousands of sun lamps, make the ferries one-way - problem solved!
I don't think the Isle of Man is part of the UK
Tis within the Queen's realm AND no pesky MP to object. Certainly was NOT a problem in WWII when HMG used IoM as holiday camp for assorted enemy aliens. IF it was good enough for foreign layabouts, surely good enough for British ones!
BUT if not being in UK is deal-breaker, then obvious alternative is Isle of Wight.
Indeed, could also turn Channel Islands, Lewis (and Harris), Orkney, Shetland, etc. into chain of special holiday/interment camps. With Rockall for the true "adventure" tourist.
Now you’re just being Scilly.
After some beer;
Jersey (Just like) you go and Falklands off, you and your Ascension. Canada get a word of sense out of you and mostly your views don't bear Belize.
Don't you Guernsey (Go saying) that India event of any trouble it'll be you, a Guyana, and another guy ana, that'll be there.
Uganda the truth! Or maybe you don't gander it.
...
I'm not just taking my coat off the hook!
Those attempts at puns really go against the Grain.
Going well thanks. Quite busy atm so flitting in and out here.
All well with you I hope.
Is this a private love-in or can anybody join in?
How are you doing mate?
Excellent, thank you.
How is everybody doing?
As a member of the everybody set (admittedly it was tough at interview). I'm doing well. I'll just give you a thumbs up for the post though. Might be interesting if you get a lot.
Anyone going on holiday this year? Even to Scotland??
Would you want to give the Sainted Nicola your ££££. I am intending to drive thro France Belgium and Germany to spend a week with my stepson and his wife. I will have to check on restrictions nearer the time.
I don't go to Scotland on principle. It's nasty there.
Scotland's wonderful apart from parts of Glasgow, some of the people there are from the arse crack of the world.
Why not turn Isle of Man into permanent party island for Brits? Bring in thousands of sun lamps, make the ferries one-way - problem solved!
I don't think the Isle of Man is part of the UK
Tis within the Queen's realm AND no pesky MP to object. Certainly was NOT a problem in WWII when HMG used IoM as holiday camp for assorted enemy aliens. IF it was good enough for foreign layabouts, surely good enough for British ones!
BUT if not being in UK is deal-breaker, then obvious alternative is Isle of Wight.
Indeed, could also turn Channel Islands, Lewis (and Harris), Orkney, Shetland, etc. into chain of special holiday/interment camps. With Rockall for the true "adventure" tourist.
Now you’re just being Scilly.
After some beer;
Jersey (Just like) you go and Falklands off, you and your Ascension. Canada get a word of sense out of you and mostly your views don't bear Belize.
Don't you Guernsey (Go saying) that India event of any trouble it'll be you, a Guyana, and another guy ana, that'll be there.
Uganda the truth! Or maybe you don't gander it.
...
I'm not just taking my coat off the hook!
Yes, very sarky, but I think you have missed the common thread here. Mull it over and it may come to you.
Fascinating polling from the US this evening - an NBC News/Marist poll has Biden up 51-44 in North Carolina (Trump won 50-46 in 2016 so that's a 5.5% swing to Biden).
The Rasmussen daily Presidential approval poll which had gone to a tie has now slipped back six points negative (46-52) which is quite a shift.
The Harvard/Harris poll has Biden up 55-45 (which seems odd) but that's a slight closing from a 12-point advantage a month ago. We'll get the crosstabs later in the week so not much to say until then.
These are pollsters with vastly different reputations. The North Carolina poll is deeply ominous for Trump.
On topic, if I were Starmer I'd be pretty pleased with these ratings. His net approval is +15.25 in the seats Labour lost to the Tories - not negative, but positive. I suspect in these same seats at the time of the last election Corbyn's would have been something like -80 - dire, anyway. So it looks to me as if this is evidence that Starmer is making up ground in the Red Wall seats.
Anyone going on holiday this year? Even to Scotland??
We've just cancelled our September road trip to Italy - we could probably have gone but we didn't fancy the whole holiday wearing masks. That's the third of four holidays (retirement stinks, eh?) we've cancelled this year.
Still hoping to go to Cornwall in October.
I'm off to Ireland for five weeks leaving this Thursday. I'll have to self-isolate for the first two weeks. I'm packing the car with sufficient provisions. 36 bottles of wine, 2 litres of gin and four tins of tuna so far.
Unless there is some pattern that the most accurate pollster at the last election does particularly well at the following one, what is the point of taking any notice of that fact?
If anyone wants ‘Corbynites remain utterly fucking deluded’ part 94b, here is an amazing article by Rachel Cousins (Rachel from Swindon as she calls herself) about how wonderful Jeremy Corbyn is and how it’s all the evil media’s fault that people hate him:
I get way when the word traduce features so prominently. It seems to have exploded in popularity in the last 3-4 years.
I think there is a question as to whether Labour, even under the excellent SKS, can be electable as long as moderate centrists (i.e. the extra voters they need to vote for them in order to make the difference) think Labour still allow house room to the authoritarian anti-democratic, anti-Semitism tolerating, UK hating, Hamas supporting left. Removing the whip from Corbyn and co would be an excellent and possibly necessary step in that direction.
Anyone going on holiday this year? Even to Scotland??
We've just cancelled our September road trip to Italy - we could probably have gone but we didn't fancy the whole holiday wearing masks. That's the third of four holidays (retirement stinks, eh?) we've cancelled this year.
Anyone going on holiday this year? Even to Scotland??
We've just cancelled our September road trip to Italy - we could probably have gone but we didn't fancy the whole holiday wearing masks. That's the third of four holidays (retirement stinks, eh?) we've cancelled this year.
Still hoping to go to Cornwall in October.
I'm off to Ireland for five weeks leaving this Thursday. I'll have to self-isolate for the first two weeks. I'm packing the car with sufficient provisions. 36 bottles of wine, 2 litres of gin and four tins of tuna so far.
That seems a rather heavy proportion. I’d go for four litres of gin and two tins of tuna.
I had a lovely week doing some pretty intense cycling in Wales last week. Finally managed Trawsfynydd and Llyn Tegid in a day.
Anyone got any bright ideas as to why it is so many countries on the continent seem to be having a panic moment over the dreaded second wave, yet there's no immediate sign of things going horribly wrong over here? Are we, for some reason, following the likes of Spain and Belgium and just a couple of weeks behind, or is there something that Britain is actually doing right that other countries aren't?
Latest data shows R hovering above 1 and reported cases very slowly increasing. No sign of a surge or second wave - just a slight swell.
Apologies for delayed reply, I've been making dinner... I have noticed the little uptick on your graphs recently, but the estimated R value is only just over 1 and there's no obvious signal that the Plague is taking off again in the other data, apart (possibly) from cases identified by test which can easily be explained away by carpet bombing in the hotspots. I'd be more concerned if the triage calls and hospitalisations started to tick upwards, but last time I looked (which was only yesterday) those indicators still looked fine.
Lots and lots of testing. For once our strategy might actually be paying off.
Is the UK genuinely doing more and better targeting testing than other countries now? I don't know the answer to this
Reading other contributions down thread - and remembering yesterday's discussions about Spain - I do wonder if it's simply a matter of British people, and especially the young, going out and gathering in large groups less, and perhaps also related to the hospitality industry, i.e. a smaller proportion of establishments being open to begin with, and those that have decided to unshutter perhaps taking their Covid precautions more seriously? But that's just a guess of course.
Why not turn Isle of Man into permanent party island for Brits? Bring in thousands of sun lamps, make the ferries one-way - problem solved!
I don't think the Isle of Man is part of the UK
Tis within the Queen's realm AND no pesky MP to object. Certainly was NOT a problem in WWII when HMG used IoM as holiday camp for assorted enemy aliens. IF it was good enough for foreign layabouts, surely good enough for British ones!
BUT if not being in UK is deal-breaker, then obvious alternative is Isle of Wight.
Indeed, could also turn Channel Islands, Lewis (and Harris), Orkney, Shetland, etc. into chain of special holiday/interment camps. With Rockall for the true "adventure" tourist.
Though the Channel Islands are not in the UK either...
US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi just delivered their eulogies.
Last remains are at the exact center of Capitol Rotunda, under the top of the Capitol Dome. Mourners are even spaced throughout the Rotunda, which along with the black masks makes the memorial service even more somber and impressive.
Feel sadness for his family and close friends. Feel nothing but great joy, for my country and the entire world, that we were blessed to have a person of such faith, hope and charity among us. This man of peace - rest in peace.
Anecdotal experience from the wild East of London this lunchtime.
Tesco's - I'd say 75% observance of masks in-store but no staff challenging those not wearing them.
Part of me wonders if resistance to mask wearing is cultural - I have a sense in America refusal to wear masks seems to go hand-in-hand with strong religious beliefs or with belief in conspiracy theories around "one world" Government.
I'm also interested in those anti-mask wearers who witter on about their "freedom" and their "rights". This is where I part company with that part of the spectrum - I think Freedom FROM is more important than Freedom TO. Wearing a mask so we can all be free from the virus seems far more important than my right to wear or not wear a mask.
Margaret Thatcher spoke about personal responsibility but I think she always saw that in the context of everyone taking their share of responsibility for the wider community. The problem is after 40 years it has been distorted into a highly individualist creed where responsibility begins and ends with you and perhaps your family and there is no sense of any obligation to a wider grouping.
The mask wearing law is unenforceable (we know that) so it requires that wider sense of collective responsibility.
Anyone going on holiday this year? Even to Scotland??
We've just cancelled our September road trip to Italy - we could probably have gone but we didn't fancy the whole holiday wearing masks. That's the third of four holidays (retirement stinks, eh?) we've cancelled this year.
Still hoping to go to Cornwall in October.
I'm off to Ireland for five weeks leaving this Thursday. I'll have to self-isolate for the first two weeks. I'm packing the car with sufficient provisions. 36 bottles of wine, 2 litres of gin and four tins of tuna so far.
That seems a rather heavy proportion. I’d go for four litres of gin and two tins of tuna.
I had a lovely week doing some pretty intense cycling in Wales last week. Finally managed Trawsfynydd and Llyn Tegid in a day.
You should point out for the benefit of foreigners that Llyn Tegid is also a place and not the local bicycle.
Anyone going on holiday this year? Even to Scotland??
Would you want to give the Sainted Nicola your ££££. I am intending to drive thro France Belgium and Germany to spend a week with my stepson and his wife. I will have to check on restrictions nearer the time.
I don't go to Scotland on principle. It's nasty there.
Scotland is lovely, although I can understand after some of the statements that the First Minister has been making recently (not to mention the behaviour of the extreme wing of the pro-independence mob) why some people might be put off.
In terms of my own holidays, all I've got planned are long weekends in September to visit Mother and Mother-in-Law, both in this country. Unless you anticipate at least the possibility of quarantine restrictions, and are willing and able to put up with them, then you'd be bonkers to go abroad.
Why not turn Isle of Man into permanent party island for Brits? Bring in thousands of sun lamps, make the ferries one-way - problem solved!
I don't think the Isle of Man is part of the UK
Tis within the Queen's realm AND no pesky MP to object. Certainly was NOT a problem in WWII when HMG used IoM as holiday camp for assorted enemy aliens. IF it was good enough for foreign layabouts, surely good enough for British ones!
BUT if not being in UK is deal-breaker, then obvious alternative is Isle of Wight.
Indeed, could also turn Channel Islands, Lewis (and Harris), Orkney, Shetland, etc. into chain of special holiday/interment camps. With Rockall for the true "adventure" tourist.
Now you’re just being Scilly.
After some beer;
Jersey (Just like) you go and Falklands off, you and your Ascension. Canada get a word of sense out of you and mostly your views don't bear Belize.
Don't you Guernsey (Go saying) that India event of any trouble it'll be you, a Guyana, and another guy ana, that'll be there.
Uganda the truth! Or maybe you don't gander it.
...
I'm not just taking my coat off the hook!
Yes, very sarky, but I think you have missed the common thread here. Mull it over and it may come to you.
Anecdotal experience from the wild East of London this lunchtime.
Tesco's - I'd say 75% observance of masks in-store but no staff challenging those not wearing them.
Part of me wonders if resistance to mask wearing is cultural - I have a sense in America refusal to wear masks seems to go hand-in-hand with strong religious beliefs or with belief in conspiracy theories around "one world" Government.
I'm also interested in those anti-mask wearers who witter on about their "freedom" and their "rights". This is where I part company with that part of the spectrum - I think Freedom FROM is more important than Freedom TO. Wearing a mask so we can all be free from the virus seems far more important than my right to wear or not wear a mask.
Margaret Thatcher spoke about personal responsibility but I think she always saw that in the context of everyone taking their share of responsibility for the wider community. The problem is after 40 years it has been distorted into a highly individualist creed where responsibility begins and ends with you and perhaps your family and there is no sense of any obligation to a wider grouping.
The mask wearing law is unenforceable (we know that) so it requires that wider sense of collective responsibility.
Pretty much 100% compliance here in sunny Gloucestershire. Was obliged to improvise with a hankerchief in Coffee One, Tewkesbury. Harsh but fair.
These are pollsters with vastly different reputations. The North Carolina poll is deeply ominous for Trump.
Oddly enough, it's the Rasmussen approval poll that would worry me the most if I were a Trump supporter. Having seen his approval numbers improve (response to BLM?) if they start slipping away again it can only be poor for the President and this is Rasmussen so doubly ominous.
Are you getting involved on the Sussex Downs this week? I really fancy CIRCUS MAXIMUS for the Sussex but seven runners puts me off - I thought he was an each way bet to nothing at 6s.
Anyone got any bright ideas as to why it is so many countries on the continent seem to be having a panic moment over the dreaded second wave, yet there's no immediate sign of things going horribly wrong over here? Are we, for some reason, following the likes of Spain and Belgium and just a couple of weeks behind, or is there something that Britain is actually doing right that other countries aren't?
Latest data shows R hovering above 1 and reported cases very slowly increasing. No sign of a surge or second wave - just a slight swell.
Apologies for delayed reply, I've been making dinner... I have noticed the little uptick on your graphs recently, but the estimated R value is only just over 1 and there's no obvious signal that the Plague is taking off again in the other data, apart (possibly) from cases identified by test which can easily be explained away by carpet bombing in the hotspots. I'd be more concerned if the triage calls and hospitalisations started to tick upwards, but last time I looked (which was only yesterday) those indicators still looked fine.
Lots and lots of testing. For once our strategy might actually be paying off.
Is the UK genuinely doing more and better targeting testing than other countries now? I don't know the answer to this
Reading other contributions down thread - and remembering yesterday's discussions about Spain - I do wonder if it's simply a matter of British people, and especially the young, going out and gathering in large groups less, and perhaps also related to the hospitality industry, i.e. a smaller proportion of establishments being open to begin with, and those that have decided to unshutter perhaps taking their Covid precautions more seriously? But that's just a guess of course.
I don’t know what the MOE is on those data given the assumptions involved, but over a long time series it looks like the problem (again) is London.
Anyone going on holiday this year? Even to Scotland??
Would you want to give the Sainted Nicola your ££££. I am intending to drive thro France Belgium and Germany to spend a week with my stepson and his wife. I will have to check on restrictions nearer the time.
Might be wise to plan an alternative route that bypasses Belgium.
Anecdotal experience from the wild East of London this lunchtime.
Tesco's - I'd say 75% observance of masks in-store but no staff challenging those not wearing them.
Part of me wonders if resistance to mask wearing is cultural - I have a sense in America refusal to wear masks seems to go hand-in-hand with strong religious beliefs or with belief in conspiracy theories around "one world" Government.
I'm also interested in those anti-mask wearers who witter on about their "freedom" and their "rights". This is where I part company with that part of the spectrum - I think Freedom FROM is more important than Freedom TO. Wearing a mask so we can all be free from the virus seems far more important than my right to wear or not wear a mask.
Margaret Thatcher spoke about personal responsibility but I think she always saw that in the context of everyone taking their share of responsibility for the wider community. The problem is after 40 years it has been distorted into a highly individualist creed where responsibility begins and ends with you and perhaps your family and there is no sense of any obligation to a wider grouping.
The mask wearing law is unenforceable (we know that) so it requires that wider sense of collective responsibility.
FWIW, I've been to the local Tesco and M&S since the mask edict came into force and compliance is 100%, "enforced" by nothing more than a polite lady stood by the door waiting to issue gentle reminders to those who may have been a little absent-minded before setting out to shop. I think Tesco were also handing out masks to the forgetful, though whether they were giving away freebies or selling packets of them I don't know. Aldi might be a little more relaxed about it all - there seemed to be a moment a few weeks ago when they gave up counting people in and out of the store - but I've not been in there for a while so I couldn't really say.
It might just be the case that middle class types wear the masks because they want to be polite and avoid an argument, even if they think they're not much use and/or loathe them.
Anyone going on holiday this year? Even to Scotland??
Would you want to give the Sainted Nicola your ££££. I am intending to drive thro France Belgium and Germany to spend a week with my stepson and his wife. I will have to check on restrictions nearer the time.
I don't go to Scotland on principle. It's nasty there.
Scotland's wonderful apart from parts of Glasgow, some of the people there are from the arse crack of the world.
The Government offering of Universal Credit and ACAS if your employer decides to fire you isn't going to go down well.
Whately was dire on R4 this morning; out of her depth even by this government’s mediocre standards.
I thought Ir was only nasty Piers who made her look dire?
She gabbled away, talked way too fast, struggled to try and avoid answering whatever she was asked, and - perhaps I am getting old - sounded like a politics student rather than a government minister.
Why not turn Isle of Man into permanent party island for Brits? Bring in thousands of sun lamps, make the ferries one-way - problem solved!
I don't think the Isle of Man is part of the UK
Tis within the Queen's realm AND no pesky MP to object. Certainly was NOT a problem in WWII when HMG used IoM as holiday camp for assorted enemy aliens. IF it was good enough for foreign layabouts, surely good enough for British ones!
BUT if not being in UK is deal-breaker, then obvious alternative is Isle of Wight.
Indeed, could also turn Channel Islands, Lewis (and Harris), Orkney, Shetland, etc. into chain of special holiday/interment camps. With Rockall for the true "adventure" tourist.
Now you’re just being Scilly.
After some beer;
Jersey (Just like) you go and Falklands off, you and your Ascension. Canada get a word of sense out of you and mostly your views don't bear Belize.
Don't you Guernsey (Go saying) that India event of any trouble it'll be you, a Guyana, and another guy ana, that'll be there.
Uganda the truth! Or maybe you don't gander it.
...
I'm not just taking my coat off the hook!
Yes, very sarky, but I think you have missed the common thread here. Mull it over and it may come to you.
Why not turn Isle of Man into permanent party island for Brits? Bring in thousands of sun lamps, make the ferries one-way - problem solved!
I don't think the Isle of Man is part of the UK
Tis within the Queen's realm AND no pesky MP to object. Certainly was NOT a problem in WWII when HMG used IoM as holiday camp for assorted enemy aliens. IF it was good enough for foreign layabouts, surely good enough for British ones!
BUT if not being in UK is deal-breaker, then obvious alternative is Isle of Wight.
Indeed, could also turn Channel Islands, Lewis (and Harris), Orkney, Shetland, etc. into chain of special holiday/interment camps. With Rockall for the true "adventure" tourist.
Now you’re just being Scilly.
After some beer;
Jersey (Just like) you go and Falklands off, you and your Ascension. Canada get a word of sense out of you and mostly your views don't bear Belize.
Don't you Guernsey (Go saying) that India event of any trouble it'll be you, a Guyana, and another guy ana, that'll be there.
Uganda the truth! Or maybe you don't gander it.
...
I'm not just taking my coat off the hook!
Yes, very sarky, but I think you have missed the common thread here. Mull it over and it may come to you.
Why not turn Isle of Man into permanent party island for Brits? Bring in thousands of sun lamps, make the ferries one-way - problem solved!
I don't think the Isle of Man is part of the UK
Tis within the Queen's realm AND no pesky MP to object. Certainly was NOT a problem in WWII when HMG used IoM as holiday camp for assorted enemy aliens. IF it was good enough for foreign layabouts, surely good enough for British ones!
BUT if not being in UK is deal-breaker, then obvious alternative is Isle of Wight.
Indeed, could also turn Channel Islands, Lewis (and Harris), Orkney, Shetland, etc. into chain of special holiday/interment camps. With Rockall for the true "adventure" tourist.
Now you’re just being Scilly.
After some beer;
Jersey (Just like) you go and Falklands off, you and your Ascension. Canada get a word of sense out of you and mostly your views don't bear Belize.
Don't you Guernsey (Go saying) that India event of any trouble it'll be you, a Guyana, and another guy ana, that'll be there.
Uganda the truth! Or maybe you don't gander it.
...
I'm not just taking my coat off the hook!
Yes, very sarky, but I think you have missed the common thread here. Mull it over and it may come to you.
Anyone going on holiday this year? Even to Scotland??
Would you want to give the Sainted Nicola your ££££. I am intending to drive thro France Belgium and Germany to spend a week with my stepson and his wife. I will have to check on restrictions nearer the time.
I don't go to Scotland on principle. It's nasty there.
Scotland's wonderful apart from parts of Glasgow, some of the people there are from the arse crack of the world.
That's one of the pubs in Glasgow that's started gentrifying right?
I understand they've started putting bog roll in the bogs.
Otherwise seems a fair enough set. The only other English contender might be Knott for Dujon, but Dujon was excellent to seam if Knott was better to spin.
Why not turn Isle of Man into permanent party island for Brits? Bring in thousands of sun lamps, make the ferries one-way - problem solved!
I don't think the Isle of Man is part of the UK
Tis within the Queen's realm AND no pesky MP to object. Certainly was NOT a problem in WWII when HMG used IoM as holiday camp for assorted enemy aliens. IF it was good enough for foreign layabouts, surely good enough for British ones!
BUT if not being in UK is deal-breaker, then obvious alternative is Isle of Wight.
Indeed, could also turn Channel Islands, Lewis (and Harris), Orkney, Shetland, etc. into chain of special holiday/interment camps. With Rockall for the true "adventure" tourist.
Why not turn Isle of Man into permanent party island for Brits? Bring in thousands of sun lamps, make the ferries one-way - problem solved!
I don't think the Isle of Man is part of the UK
Tis within the Queen's realm AND no pesky MP to object. Certainly was NOT a problem in WWII when HMG used IoM as holiday camp for assorted enemy aliens. IF it was good enough for foreign layabouts, surely good enough for British ones!
BUT if not being in UK is deal-breaker, then obvious alternative is Isle of Wight.
Indeed, could also turn Channel Islands, Lewis (and Harris), Orkney, Shetland, etc. into chain of special holiday/interment camps. With Rockall for the true "adventure" tourist.
Now you’re just being Scilly.
After some beer;
Jersey (Just like) you go and Falklands off, you and your Ascension. Canada get a word of sense out of you and mostly your views don't bear Belize.
Don't you Guernsey (Go saying) that India event of any trouble it'll be you, a Guyana, and another guy ana, that'll be there.
Uganda the truth! Or maybe you don't gander it.
...
I'm not just taking my coat off the hook!
Yes, very sarky, but I think you have missed the common thread here. Mull it over and it may come to you.
Anyone got any bright ideas as to why it is so many countries on the continent seem to be having a panic moment over the dreaded second wave, yet there's no immediate sign of things going horribly wrong over here? Are we, for some reason, following the likes of Spain and Belgium and just a couple of weeks behind, or is there something that Britain is actually doing right that other countries aren't?
Latest data shows R hovering above 1 and reported cases very slowly increasing. No sign of a surge or second wave - just a slight swell.
Apologies for delayed reply, I've been making dinner... I have noticed the little uptick on your graphs recently, but the estimated R value is only just over 1 and there's no obvious signal that the Plague is taking off again in the other data, apart (possibly) from cases identified by test which can easily be explained away by carpet bombing in the hotspots. I'd be more concerned if the triage calls and hospitalisations started to tick upwards, but last time I looked (which was only yesterday) those indicators still looked fine.
Lots and lots of testing. For once our strategy might actually be paying off.
Is the UK genuinely doing more and better targeting testing than other countries now? I don't know the answer to this
Reading other contributions down thread - and remembering yesterday's discussions about Spain - I do wonder if it's simply a matter of British people, and especially the young, going out and gathering in large groups less, and perhaps also related to the hospitality industry, i.e. a smaller proportion of establishments being open to begin with, and those that have decided to unshutter perhaps taking their Covid precautions more seriously? But that's just a guess of course.
I don’t know what the MOE is on those data given the assumptions involved, but over a long time series it looks like the problem (again) is London.
If London is becoming a problem area again then it is doing so at a truly glacial pace. The helpful case data provided by @Malmesbury in the previous thread show very modest activity in Hackney and naff all anywhere else, and there's nothing of obvious concern on the GLA data dashboard either.
Why not turn Isle of Man into permanent party island for Brits? Bring in thousands of sun lamps, make the ferries one-way - problem solved!
I don't think the Isle of Man is part of the UK
Tis within the Queen's realm AND no pesky MP to object. Certainly was NOT a problem in WWII when HMG used IoM as holiday camp for assorted enemy aliens. IF it was good enough for foreign layabouts, surely good enough for British ones!
BUT if not being in UK is deal-breaker, then obvious alternative is Isle of Wight.
Indeed, could also turn Channel Islands, Lewis (and Harris), Orkney, Shetland, etc. into chain of special holiday/interment camps. With Rockall for the true "adventure" tourist.
Now you’re just being Scilly.
After some beer;
Jersey (Just like) you go and Falklands off, you and your Ascension. Canada get a word of sense out of you and mostly your views don't bear Belize.
Don't you Guernsey (Go saying) that India event of any trouble it'll be you, a Guyana, and another guy ana, that'll be there.
Uganda the truth! Or maybe you don't gander it.
...
I'm not just taking my coat off the hook!
Yes, very sarky, but I think you have missed the common thread here. Mull it over and it may come to you.
The Government offering of Universal Credit and ACAS if your employer decides to fire you isn't going to go down well.
What do you expect the Government to do?
FFS these self-entitled whingers, they went on a holiday knowing the risks. They could have stayed at home like most of the country but they went abroad and now have to quarantine.
Anecdotal experience from the wild East of London this lunchtime.
Tesco's - I'd say 75% observance of masks in-store but no staff challenging those not wearing them.
Part of me wonders if resistance to mask wearing is cultural - I have a sense in America refusal to wear masks seems to go hand-in-hand with strong religious beliefs or with belief in conspiracy theories around "one world" Government.
I'm also interested in those anti-mask wearers who witter on about their "freedom" and their "rights". This is where I part company with that part of the spectrum - I think Freedom FROM is more important than Freedom TO. Wearing a mask so we can all be free from the virus seems far more important than my right to wear or not wear a mask.
Margaret Thatcher spoke about personal responsibility but I think she always saw that in the context of everyone taking their share of responsibility for the wider community. The problem is after 40 years it has been distorted into a highly individualist creed where responsibility begins and ends with you and perhaps your family and there is no sense of any obligation to a wider grouping.
The mask wearing law is unenforceable (we know that) so it requires that wider sense of collective responsibility.
If masks work then why don;t we all wear them all the time?
The Government offering of Universal Credit and ACAS if your employer decides to fire you isn't going to go down well.
What do you expect the Government to do?
FFS these self-entitled whingers, they went on a holiday knowing the risks. They could have stayed at home like most of the country but they went abroad and now have to quarantine.
What should the Government do here?
The top rated comments are in support of the government.
Why not turn Isle of Man into permanent party island for Brits? Bring in thousands of sun lamps, make the ferries one-way - problem solved!
I don't think the Isle of Man is part of the UK
Tis within the Queen's realm AND no pesky MP to object. Certainly was NOT a problem in WWII when HMG used IoM as holiday camp for assorted enemy aliens. IF it was good enough for foreign layabouts, surely good enough for British ones!
BUT if not being in UK is deal-breaker, then obvious alternative is Isle of Wight.
Indeed, could also turn Channel Islands, Lewis (and Harris), Orkney, Shetland, etc. into chain of special holiday/interment camps. With Rockall for the true "adventure" tourist.
Now you’re just being Scilly.
After some beer;
Jersey (Just like) you go and Falklands off, you and your Ascension. Canada get a word of sense out of you and mostly your views don't bear Belize.
Don't you Guernsey (Go saying) that India event of any trouble it'll be you, a Guyana, and another guy ana, that'll be there.
Uganda the truth! Or maybe you don't gander it.
...
I'm not just taking my coat off the hook!
Yes, very sarky, but I think you have missed the common thread here. Mull it over and it may come to you.
Anecdotal experience from the wild East of London this lunchtime.
Tesco's - I'd say 75% observance of masks in-store but no staff challenging those not wearing them.
Part of me wonders if resistance to mask wearing is cultural - I have a sense in America refusal to wear masks seems to go hand-in-hand with strong religious beliefs or with belief in conspiracy theories around "one world" Government.
I'm also interested in those anti-mask wearers who witter on about their "freedom" and their "rights". This is where I part company with that part of the spectrum - I think Freedom FROM is more important than Freedom TO. Wearing a mask so we can all be free from the virus seems far more important than my right to wear or not wear a mask.
Margaret Thatcher spoke about personal responsibility but I think she always saw that in the context of everyone taking their share of responsibility for the wider community. The problem is after 40 years it has been distorted into a highly individualist creed where responsibility begins and ends with you and perhaps your family and there is no sense of any obligation to a wider grouping.
The mask wearing law is unenforceable (we know that) so it requires that wider sense of collective responsibility.
If masks work then why don;t we all wear them all the time?
And if they don;'t then why wear them at all?
Just because something hasn't been done before doesn't mean it isn't effective.
Anecdotal experience from the wild East of London this lunchtime.
Tesco's - I'd say 75% observance of masks in-store but no staff challenging those not wearing them.
Part of me wonders if resistance to mask wearing is cultural - I have a sense in America refusal to wear masks seems to go hand-in-hand with strong religious beliefs or with belief in conspiracy theories around "one world" Government.
I'm also interested in those anti-mask wearers who witter on about their "freedom" and their "rights". This is where I part company with that part of the spectrum - I think Freedom FROM is more important than Freedom TO. Wearing a mask so we can all be free from the virus seems far more important than my right to wear or not wear a mask.
Margaret Thatcher spoke about personal responsibility but I think she always saw that in the context of everyone taking their share of responsibility for the wider community. The problem is after 40 years it has been distorted into a highly individualist creed where responsibility begins and ends with you and perhaps your family and there is no sense of any obligation to a wider grouping.
The mask wearing law is unenforceable (we know that) so it requires that wider sense of collective responsibility.
If masks work then why don;t we all wear them all the time?
And if they don;'t then why wear them at all?
I was about to complain about the eruption of cricket talk. I get enough of that from my husband.
But I'd much rather a whole evening mulling over the minutiae of West Indian batting in the 1970s than yet another bad tempered argument over masks.
The Government offering of Universal Credit and ACAS if your employer decides to fire you isn't going to go down well.
What do you expect the Government to do?
FFS these self-entitled whingers, they went on a holiday knowing the risks. They could have stayed at home like most of the country but they went abroad and now have to quarantine.
What should the Government do here?
The top rated comments are in support of the government.
Anecdotal experience from the wild East of London this lunchtime.
Tesco's - I'd say 75% observance of masks in-store but no staff challenging those not wearing them.
Part of me wonders if resistance to mask wearing is cultural - I have a sense in America refusal to wear masks seems to go hand-in-hand with strong religious beliefs or with belief in conspiracy theories around "one world" Government.
I'm also interested in those anti-mask wearers who witter on about their "freedom" and their "rights". This is where I part company with that part of the spectrum - I think Freedom FROM is more important than Freedom TO. Wearing a mask so we can all be free from the virus seems far more important than my right to wear or not wear a mask.
Margaret Thatcher spoke about personal responsibility but I think she always saw that in the context of everyone taking their share of responsibility for the wider community. The problem is after 40 years it has been distorted into a highly individualist creed where responsibility begins and ends with you and perhaps your family and there is no sense of any obligation to a wider grouping.
The mask wearing law is unenforceable (we know that) so it requires that wider sense of collective responsibility.
If masks work then why don;t we all wear them all the time?
And if they don;'t then why wear them at all?
Just because something hasn't been done before doesn't mean it isn't effective.
Comments
There is just no pleasing some people.
Pretty good, actually. Temp forecast to reach near 90F this afternoon, so all my feeble energies focused on keeping my humble abode as cool as possible. And like 85% of Seattle with zero air conditioning. Note that one major reason I moved to Pacific Northwest in first place was to escape hot summer weather. At least it's not as hot (so far) this year as last.
Hope PBers everywhere are enjoying - or at least surviving - whatever meteorology is throwing your way!
And then there was Mr Corbyn himself. I won’t pretend he wasn’t toxic on many doorsteps – he was. But there was a good reason for this. If you throw enough shit at someone, eventually it will stick. The lines you heard about Mr Corbyn on the doorstep were no different from the propaganda being pumped out through the media.
I also love it when people refer to Corbyn as a pensioner as a reason to go easy on him, as she does in that piece. The man is an elected representative and part of the collective governing of 60+million people through its legislator, that he's as old as my dad does not give him a pass. He chose to be there, after all.
You've got some shit owners.
Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton has issued a statement "clarifying his thoughts" and confirming he is not anti-vaccine after sharing a video linked to unfounded conspiracy theories about a coronavirus vaccination.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53559934
The average lead in the other sixteen polls over this period is 7
Still hoping to go to Cornwall in October.
Jersey (Just like) you go and Falklands off, you and your Ascension. Canada get a word of sense out of you and mostly your views don't bear Belize.
Don't you Guernsey (Go saying) that India event of any trouble it'll be you, a Guyana, and another guy ana, that'll be there.
Uganda the truth! Or maybe you don't gander it.
...
I'm not just taking my coat off the hook!
It's been coming - the story of the last game was the story of the season. Can't defend, can't take our chances.
ComRes were very poor.
We need more recent polls to see if there is a trend or whether Opinium is an outlier. I think gap is around 6-8 points
How is everybody doing?
Fascinating polling from the US this evening - an NBC News/Marist poll has Biden up 51-44 in North Carolina (Trump won 50-46 in 2016 so that's a 5.5% swing to Biden).
The Rasmussen daily Presidential approval poll which had gone to a tie has now slipped back six points negative (46-52) which is quite a shift.
The Harvard/Harris poll has Biden up 55-45 (which seems odd) but that's a slight closing from a 12-point advantage a month ago. We'll get the crosstabs later in the week so not much to say until then.
If we're not relegated again
Yes, that was deliberately Sarkastic.
I had a lovely week doing some pretty intense cycling in Wales last week. Finally managed Trawsfynydd and Llyn Tegid in a day.
Reading other contributions down thread - and remembering yesterday's discussions about Spain - I do wonder if it's simply a matter of British people, and especially the young, going out and gathering in large groups less, and perhaps also related to the hospitality industry, i.e. a smaller proportion of establishments being open to begin with, and those that have decided to unshutter perhaps taking their Covid precautions more seriously? But that's just a guess of course.
US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi just delivered their eulogies.
Last remains are at the exact center of Capitol Rotunda, under the top of the Capitol Dome. Mourners are even spaced throughout the Rotunda, which along with the black masks makes the memorial service even more somber and impressive.
Feel sadness for his family and close friends. Feel nothing but great joy, for my country and the entire world, that we were blessed to have a person of such faith, hope and charity among us. This man of peace - rest in peace.
The Government offering of Universal Credit and ACAS if your employer decides to fire you isn't going to go down well.
Tesco's - I'd say 75% observance of masks in-store but no staff challenging those not wearing them.
Part of me wonders if resistance to mask wearing is cultural - I have a sense in America refusal to wear masks seems to go hand-in-hand with strong religious beliefs or with belief in conspiracy theories around "one world" Government.
I'm also interested in those anti-mask wearers who witter on about their "freedom" and their "rights". This is where I part company with that part of the spectrum - I think Freedom FROM is more important than Freedom TO. Wearing a mask so we can all be free from the virus seems far more important than my right to wear or not wear a mask.
Margaret Thatcher spoke about personal responsibility but I think she always saw that in the context of everyone taking their share of responsibility for the wider community. The problem is after 40 years it has been distorted into a highly individualist creed where responsibility begins and ends with you and perhaps your family and there is no sense of any obligation to a wider grouping.
The mask wearing law is unenforceable (we know that) so it requires that wider sense of collective responsibility.
In terms of my own holidays, all I've got planned are long weekends in September to visit Mother and Mother-in-Law, both in this country. Unless you anticipate at least the possibility of quarantine restrictions, and are willing and able to put up with them, then you'd be bonkers to go abroad.
And Ha!'s to @ydoethur too
Sort of fun to try to see what you can make of these things.
Still, Starmer is doing well
Are you getting involved on the Sussex Downs this week? I really fancy CIRCUS MAXIMUS for the Sussex but seven runners puts me off - I thought he was an each way bet to nothing at 6s.
https://twitter.com/SkyCricket/status/1287795598914211840?s=20
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jul/27/trump-loses-election-what-happens-possibilities
Let's hope this doesn't come to pass.
It might just be the case that middle class types wear the masks because they want to be polite and avoid an argument, even if they think they're not much use and/or loathe them.
I understand they've started putting bog roll in the bogs.
Otherwise seems a fair enough set. The only other English contender might be Knott for Dujon, but Dujon was excellent to seam if Knott was better to spin.
FFS these self-entitled whingers, they went on a holiday knowing the risks. They could have stayed at home like most of the country but they went abroad and now have to quarantine.
What should the Government do here?
And if they don;'t then why wear them at all?
At least the Cornyvirus Pundemic remains in good health.
But I'd much rather a whole evening mulling over the minutiae of West Indian batting in the 1970s than yet another bad tempered argument over masks.
Are these especially challenging positions from Kama Sutra?