This is turning into DIY SOS. With Covid information during the ad breaks.
It is an amazing part of PB and in a good way
I will never forget how helpful PB was when we were locked in a hotel bedroom with gun shots and screaming holidaymakers on the other side of the locked door during the Tunisian terror attack
And to think people take the piss out of Hartlepool - jewel of the Durham coast.
Further investigation. Looks like the soil and stones were right up to the damp proof course in that corner. Ive swept them away a little with my foot.
Worth contacting the builder or wait and see once I’ve dug down a little?
Cheers guys. This is much appreciated.
Certainly the external damp course should be above any outside ground cover by at least 150mm (6 inches)
Yep and this is not just a recommendation, it is part of building regs. The builder is liable for this if he put down the paving and chippings.
Has someone already been messing arouind in that corner? S ome of the mortar looks fresh around one brick, and I'm not sure that the mortar isn't cracking away from the brick one row or so above (difficult to tell).
Not been touched since it was built in Summer 18
BTW - when you redecorate maybe give the patch area an undercoat of "stopping". Used to be an alcoholic soluition of shellac which acted as a barrier to damp, stains, etc. Now you can get this stuff (in much smaller pots too!). Used lots of it on the knots in my pinewood shed before proper undercoat and paint.
Doing some phone canvassing, I came acroiss a resident whose teenage son is struggling with the lockdown because he has autism. He would like to talk to someone on the phone (he finds Zoom intimidating) and eventually got a single chat with someone referred by their GP, but it took ages to organise and he'd like to speak to someone again without having to wait for weeks.
I see a variety of helplines on the internet - NAS, Childline, etc. and I'd like to recommend the best option that doesn't involve waiting in a phone queue for hours. Does anyone have any experience with what works well? I think he just wants someone understanding to taslk to, not medical advice
First, as Vernon Bogdanor suggested yesterday, the Unionists could win a majority at next year's Assembly elections combining the MLAs of the DUP, UUP and TUV.
Alernatively as TSE suggests Starmer could become PM in 2024 and shift to a softer Brexit deal more closely aligned to the single market and customs union which would largely remove the border in the Irish Sea
The first idea here is an election result, not a solution.
Then second essentially abolishes the Brexit deal wholesale. We would have to be closer aligned than Norway for this to work. This would have been an interesting proposal if moderates had come together in an EFTA style deal post 2016. They didn't. The bus has left.
Anyway SM and CUs are basically things you are members of or not. 'More closely aligned' needs a bit of flesh on the bones to make sense.
The first idea is a solution because if the Unionist parties combined get an outright majority at Stormont next year then they can impose a hard border within Ireland rather than the Irish Sea. Boris could then just say he was respecting devolution in action by removing the border in the Irish Sea.
The second would see us accept more single market and customs union regulations yes but I expect that is what a PM Starmer would aim for anyway, after all he rejected even the May deal as too hard before reluctantly backing the Boris Deal after GE19 to avoid No Deal.
A Unionist majority would impose a hard border? I take it they will be informing the voters after a majority is won? Because they sure as heck won't be campaigning on it. Well. Not successfully anyways.
I'm loving this idea that a group of Unionist parties with a majority (not even a single party with a 'thumping' majority) gets to declare UDHA - unilateral declaration of a hard border. Democracy HYUFD style.
This is a fairly crazy prediction imo. Thankfully he is not in charge.
I'm going to disagree with you on this.
One of the lessons of this virus is how easily large numbers of people packed together in crowded spaces can easily accept any infection whether a cold or a flu or perhaps something worse down the line.
The Covid experience has, I hope, made us all much more aware of public and personal health and hygiene. Washing hands more regularly and properly, wearing masks (especially in winter) as well as improved cleaning regimes for public transport are all valuable lessons which could be hugely beneficial if continued.
Going further, I'd like to think with more people working at home we'd see lower levels of sick days and the consequent loss to the economy.
None of this is rocket science - it's about taking some individual and collective responsibility channelling my inner Thatcherite.
*Bad news: growth in vaccination numbers appears to have stalled *Good news: at least it doesn't appear to be going into reverse, though even if it does then, so long as it doesn't drop below about 400k per day, then all the nine priority cohorts should've had jab one by the end of March
That's when the real problems start, of course, because if supply hasn't sped up by then the rest of the population will be waiting months whilst the effort goes into second doses. So we'll have to keep our fingers crossed that things improve.
Beyond that, the over-riding concern is still that imported mutant Plague screws up everything, a potential calamity which the Government appears still to be willing to do nothing meaningful to prevent.
Imported or domestically evolved. Both are possible.
We are going to be stuck in lockdown for months whilst the Plague is driven down to low levels, so as to let us all out and to minimize the prospect of that happening here - all of which will be for nothing if SuperCovid is simply exported from elsewhere instead.
There are some new, much faster tests on the way. Will make mass testing much more reliable and therefore safer.
Yes. We did 550,000 jabs on Saturday. And I see the BBC did the worst headline connotation they could on the SA virus. Quite a surprise.
Doing some phone canvassing, I came acroiss a resident whose teenage son is struggling with the lockdown because he has autism. He would like to talk to someone on the phone (he finds Zoom intimidating) and eventually got a single chat with someone referred by their GP, but it took ages to organise and he'd like to speak to someone again without having to wait for weeks.
I see a variety of helplines on the internet - NAS, Childline, etc. and I'd like to recommend the best option that doesn't involve waiting in a phone queue for hours. Does anyone have any experience with what works well? I think he just wants someone understanding to taslk to, not medical advice
Try the Samaritans, an amazing organisation and with a much wider remit than their headline specialism (which they are amazing about too). And in general they answer the phone.
This is a fairly crazy prediction imo. Thankfully he is not in charge.
I'm going to disagree with you on this.
One of the lessons of this virus is how easily large numbers of people packed together in crowded spaces can easily accept any infection whether a cold or a flu or perhaps something worse down the line.
The Covid experience has, I hope, made us all much more aware of public and personal health and hygiene. Washing hands more regularly and properly, wearing masks (especially in winter) as well as improved cleaning regimes for public transport are all valuable lessons which could be hugely beneficial if continued.
Going further, I'd like to think with more people working at home we'd see lower levels of sick days and the consequent loss to the economy.
None of this is rocket science - it's about taking some individual and collective responsibility channelling my inner Thatcherite.
Hand washing definitely, masks - fine on public transport in winter. Restrictions on public gatherings for the next 5 years wont happen. I normally laugh at people who say they will leave the country if policy x, y or z happens, but if we essentially decide to stay in lockdown for the next 5 years, I and many others will find somewhere else to live.
Once we are vaccinated and the risk of hospitalisation is low, govt mandated restrictions should, and I believe will, quickly disappear. Risk tolerance may be less for many, and that is fine.
Doing some phone canvassing, I came acroiss a resident whose teenage son is struggling with the lockdown because he has autism. He would like to talk to someone on the phone (he finds Zoom intimidating) and eventually got a single chat with someone referred by their GP, but it took ages to organise and he'd like to speak to someone again without having to wait for weeks.
I see a variety of helplines on the internet - NAS, Childline, etc. and I'd like to recommend the best option that doesn't involve waiting in a phone queue for hours. Does anyone have any experience with what works well? I think he just wants someone understanding to taslk to, not medical advice
I recommend shout. It's specifically for young people. First contact by text. I believe it's been rolled into the NHS.
This is turning into DIY SOS. With Covid information during the ad breaks.
It is an amazing part of PB and in a good way
I will never forget how helpful PB was when we were locked in a hotel bedroom with gun shots and screaming holidaymakers on the other side of the locked door during the Tunisian terror attack
And to think people take the piss out of Hartlepool - jewel of the Durham coast.
I have a very soft spot for it - rather nice railway station with cafe, and the Trincomalee frigate, and the Gun Battery whcih fought the Kaiser's battlecruisers - magnificent views from it.
Here's my initial thought on how you *do* solve the problem of Northern Ireland, and I will freely admit that this is not based on more than a basic knowledge of the issues.
1. As with all the processes that now come to the fore relating to being a third country (or in NI's case an effective third country) necessary processes need to be sped up - things like customs forms etc. need to be digitised as much as possible, with QR codes etc. This is on the UK.
2. Some of the rules concerning GB to Northern Ireland need to be relaxed, both in interpretation, and probably in letter. This is on the EU. The UK can justifiably request this as of course we are prepared to reciprocate - however the EU could want something else in return. For example, the recognition of their ambassador.
3. The logical consequence of 2, mean that to prevent a flood of British bangers into the EU proper, there would need to be some sort of increased surveillance (invisible) on the NI/ROI border. No manned checkpoints or physical barriers, but monitoring of traffic, numberplates, weights of vehicles - anything that is relevant. I don't see why this wouldn't be assented to as it would be useful for Governments on either side.
4. This is probably just something inevitable - a permanent reduction in the role of UK as a hub for imports from the continent into the Republic of Ireland. I don't really know whether this is a good thing, a bad thing, or just a thing at this point. But it will ease the pressures on the border without a doubt.
Here's my initial thought on how you *do* solve the problem of Northern Ireland, and I will freely admit that this is not based on more than a basic knowledge of the issues.
1. As with all the processes that now come to the fore relating to being a third country (or in NI's case an effective third country) necessary processes need to be sped up - things like customs forms etc. need to be digitised as much as possible, with QR codes etc. This is on the UK.
2. Some of the rules concerning GB to Northern Ireland need to be relaxed, both in interpretation, and probably in letter. This is on the EU. The UK can justifiably request this as of course we are prepared to reciprocate - however the EU could want something else in return. For example, the recognition of their ambassador.
3. The logical consequence of 2, mean that to prevent a flood of British bangers into the EU proper, there would need to be some sort of increased surveillance (invisible) on the NI/ROI border. No manned checkpoints or physical barriers, but monitoring of traffic, numberplates, weights of vehicles - anything that is relevant. I don't see why this wouldn't be assented to as it would be useful for Governments on either side.
4. This is probably just something inevitable - a permanent reduction in the role of UK as a hub for imports from the continent into the Republic of Ireland. I don't really know whether this is a good thing, a bad thing, or just a thing at this point. But it will ease the pressures on the border without a doubt.
While you are on a roll, why not have a crack at the Israeli-Palestinian problem?
Foreknowledge would just get in the way of seeing things clearly, for sure.
On topic, Starmer hasn't shows much of an ability to solve problems, as opposed to fudging them opportunistically. The Irish Question has defeated much better men than him.
OK, maybe he'll find some amazing solution that pleases everybody, but I have to say I won't hold my breath.
This is a fairly crazy prediction imo. Thankfully he is not in charge.
I'm going to disagree with you on this.
One of the lessons of this virus is how easily large numbers of people packed together in crowded spaces can easily accept any infection whether a cold or a flu or perhaps something worse down the line.
The Covid experience has, I hope, made us all much more aware of public and personal health and hygiene. Washing hands more regularly and properly, wearing masks (especially in winter) as well as improved cleaning regimes for public transport are all valuable lessons which could be hugely beneficial if continued.
Going further, I'd like to think with more people working at home we'd see lower levels of sick days and the consequent loss to the economy.
None of this is rocket science - it's about taking some individual and collective responsibility channelling my inner Thatcherite.
Lots of hand washing, lots more cleaning, all good. Sodding masks all the time, not so much.
Perfectly reasonable if you're sick and have to go out anyway (e.g. for food shopping,) otherwise no - not once we're out the other side of this disaster.
I believe that masks have gone in New Zealand save for on public transport (and even there they are only compulsory in Auckland.) That's the direction we should be going in, not needing the rotten things practically wherever you go indoors, save your own home.
I'm also very much in favour of getting workers to stay home when they are sick, but that's going to require a prolonged campaign against bad employment practices. There are a lot of crap employers, and quite a lot of otherwise good ones, out there who proceed from the assumption that people calling in sick are pulling a fast one and have procedures to persecute them for it.
The idea that Hancock floated, of using the diagnostic testing infrastructure established to deal with Covid, to allow people to get fast tests for flu once this is all over, also has merit.
This is turning into DIY SOS. With Covid information during the ad breaks.
It is an amazing part of PB and in a good way
I will never forget how helpful PB was when we were locked in a hotel bedroom with gun shots and screaming holidaymakers on the other side of the locked door during the Tunisian terror attack
And to think people take the piss out of Hartlepool - jewel of the Durham coast.
I have a very soft spot for it - rather nice railway station with cafe, and the Trincomalee frigate, and the Gun Battery whcih fought the Kaiser's battlecruisers - magnificent views from it.
And the old railway posters (or at least old style railway posters) visible from the platform.
This is a fairly crazy prediction imo. Thankfully he is not in charge.
I'm going to disagree with you on this.
One of the lessons of this virus is how easily large numbers of people packed together in crowded spaces can easily accept any infection whether a cold or a flu or perhaps something worse down the line.
The Covid experience has, I hope, made us all much more aware of public and personal health and hygiene. Washing hands more regularly and properly, wearing masks (especially in winter) as well as improved cleaning regimes for public transport are all valuable lessons which could be hugely beneficial if continued.
Going further, I'd like to think with more people working at home we'd see lower levels of sick days and the consequent loss to the economy.
None of this is rocket science - it's about taking some individual and collective responsibility channelling my inner Thatcherite.
Lots of hand washing, lots more cleaning, all good. Sodding masks all the time, not so much.
Perfectly reasonable if you're sick and have to go out anyway (e.g. for food shopping,) otherwise no - not once we're out the other side of this disaster.
I believe that masks have gone in New Zealand save for on public transport (and even there they are only compulsory in Auckland.) That's the direction we should be going in, not needing the rotten things practically wherever you go indoors, save your own home.
I'm also very much in favour of getting workers to stay home when they are sick, but that's going to require a prolonged campaign against bad employment practices. There are a lot of crap employers, and quite a lot of otherwise good ones, out there who proceed from the assumption that people calling in sick are pulling a fast one and have procedures to persecute them for it.
The idea that Hancock floated, of using the diagnostic testing infrastructure established to deal with Covid, to allow people to get fast tests for flu once this is all over, also has merit.
I don't the hatred toward masks, and regard them as pretty much a cost free restriction particularly when you're at the supermarket - which is where everyone NEEDS to go (Rather than wants to). Of all the restrictions they're the least onerous ! Not being able to go to the football, concerts, the pub. These are restrictions on liberty - not wearing a mask at the One Stop.
Here's my initial thought on how you *do* solve the problem of Northern Ireland, and I will freely admit that this is not based on more than a basic knowledge of the issues.
1. As with all the processes that now come to the fore relating to being a third country (or in NI's case an effective third country) necessary processes need to be sped up - things like customs forms etc. need to be digitised as much as possible, with QR codes etc. This is on the UK.
2. Some of the rules concerning GB to Northern Ireland need to be relaxed, both in interpretation, and probably in letter. This is on the EU. The UK can justifiably request this as of course we are prepared to reciprocate - however the EU could want something else in return. For example, the recognition of their ambassador.
3. The logical consequence of 2, mean that to prevent a flood of British bangers into the EU proper, there would need to be some sort of increased surveillance (invisible) on the NI/ROI border. No manned checkpoints or physical barriers, but monitoring of traffic, numberplates, weights of vehicles - anything that is relevant. I don't see why this wouldn't be assented to as it would be useful for Governments on either side.
4. This is probably just something inevitable - a permanent reduction in the role of UK as a hub for imports from the continent into the Republic of Ireland. I don't really know whether this is a good thing, a bad thing, or just a thing at this point. But it will ease the pressures on the border without a doubt.
While you are on a roll, why not have a crack at the Israeli-Palestinian problem?
Foreknowledge would just get in the way of seeing things clearly, for sure.
Not sure what your edit means. I am not claiming clairvoyant abilities.
This is a fairly crazy prediction imo. Thankfully he is not in charge.
I'm going to disagree with you on this.
One of the lessons of this virus is how easily large numbers of people packed together in crowded spaces can easily accept any infection whether a cold or a flu or perhaps something worse down the line.
The Covid experience has, I hope, made us all much more aware of public and personal health and hygiene. Washing hands more regularly and properly, wearing masks (especially in winter) as well as improved cleaning regimes for public transport are all valuable lessons which could be hugely beneficial if continued.
Going further, I'd like to think with more people working at home we'd see lower levels of sick days and the consequent loss to the economy.
None of this is rocket science - it's about taking some individual and collective responsibility channelling my inner Thatcherite.
Lots of hand washing, lots more cleaning, all good. Sodding masks all the time, not so much.
Perfectly reasonable if you're sick and have to go out anyway (e.g. for food shopping,) otherwise no - not once we're out the other side of this disaster.
I believe that masks have gone in New Zealand save for on public transport (and even there they are only compulsory in Auckland.) That's the direction we should be going in, not needing the rotten things practically wherever you go indoors, save your own home.
I'm also very much in favour of getting workers to stay home when they are sick, but that's going to require a prolonged campaign against bad employment practices. There are a lot of crap employers, and quite a lot of otherwise good ones, out there who proceed from the assumption that people calling in sick are pulling a fast one and have procedures to persecute them for it.
The idea that Hancock floated, of using the diagnostic testing infrastructure established to deal with Covid, to allow people to get fast tests for flu once this is all over, also has merit.
I don't the hatred toward masks, and regard them as pretty much a cost free liberty particularly when you're at the supermarket - which is where everyone NEEDS to go (Rather than wants to). Of all the restrictions they're the least onerous ! Not being able to go to the football, concerts, the pub. These are restrictions on liberty - not wearing a mask at the One Stop.
Masks are horrible, horrible things.
I could live with wearing them in supermarkets for a while. But, we need to find a route out that means we don’t have to wear them in pubs, or restaurants, or bars or anywhere where our primary purpose is to enjoy each other’s company.
On topic, Starmer hasn't shows much of an ability to solve problems, as opposed to fudging them opportunistically. The Irish Question has defeated much better men than him.
OK, maybe he'll find some amazing solution that pleases everybody, but I have to say I won't hold my breath.
*Bad news: growth in vaccination numbers appears to have stalled *Good news: at least it doesn't appear to be going into reverse, though even if it does then, so long as it doesn't drop below about 400k per day, then all the nine priority cohorts should've had jab one by the end of March
That's when the real problems start, of course, because if supply hasn't sped up by then the rest of the population will be waiting months whilst the effort goes into second doses. So we'll have to keep our fingers crossed that things improve.
Beyond that, the over-riding concern is still that imported mutant Plague screws up everything, a potential calamity which the Government appears still to be willing to do nothing meaningful to prevent.
Imported or domestically evolved. Both are possible.
We are going to be stuck in lockdown for months whilst the Plague is driven down to low levels, so as to let us all out and to minimize the prospect of that happening here - all of which will be for nothing if SuperCovid is simply exported from elsewhere instead.
There are some new, much faster tests on the way. Will make mass testing much more reliable and therefore safer.
I am not sure it's wise to place too much faith in testing, when one is dealing with a combination of a hyper-infectious virus and a very leaky and unreliable system of tracing and especially of isolation. Tracing all the contacts of people who've caught a new imported variant is ultimately for nothing if the disease is spreading so fast that you can't keep up with it, or if you fail to trace all the contacts, or if you tell all the contacts to isolate but one or more of them decides to go to work, down the supermarket or to one of these wretched clandestine parties or wedding receptions anyway.
By far the best thing to do is to keep it out in the first place.
To be fair in an inter connected world that is not possible
It's entirely possible, and we know that because New Zealand has been doing it for the best part of a year.
What it all boils down to is what you're prepared to give up and what you gain in return.
If you gain "no lockdowns" when you would otherwise have them then it is worth giving up almost anything else.
*Bad news: growth in vaccination numbers appears to have stalled *Good news: at least it doesn't appear to be going into reverse, though even if it does then, so long as it doesn't drop below about 400k per day, then all the nine priority cohorts should've had jab one by the end of March
That's when the real problems start, of course, because if supply hasn't sped up by then the rest of the population will be waiting months whilst the effort goes into second doses. So we'll have to keep our fingers crossed that things improve.
Beyond that, the over-riding concern is still that imported mutant Plague screws up everything, a potential calamity which the Government appears still to be willing to do nothing meaningful to prevent.
Imported or domestically evolved. Both are possible.
We are going to be stuck in lockdown for months whilst the Plague is driven down to low levels, so as to let us all out and to minimize the prospect of that happening here - all of which will be for nothing if SuperCovid is simply exported from elsewhere instead.
There are some new, much faster tests on the way. Will make mass testing much more reliable and therefore safer.
I am not sure it's wise to place too much faith in testing, when one is dealing with a combination of a hyper-infectious virus and a very leaky and unreliable system of tracing and especially of isolation. Tracing all the contacts of people who've caught a new imported variant is ultimately for nothing if the disease is spreading so fast that you can't keep up with it, or if you fail to trace all the contacts, or if you tell all the contacts to isolate but one or more of them decides to go to work, down the supermarket or to one of these wretched clandestine parties or wedding receptions anyway.
By far the best thing to do is to keep it out in the first place.
To be fair in an inter connected world that is not possible
It's entirely possible, and we know that because New Zealand has been doing it for the best part of a year.
What it all boils down to is what you're prepared to give up and what you gain in return.
If you gain "no lockdowns" when you would otherwise have them then it is worth giving up almost anything else.
On topic, Starmer hasn't shows much of an ability to solve problems, as opposed to fudging them opportunistically. The Irish Question has defeated much better men than him.
OK, maybe he'll find some amazing solution that pleases everybody, but I have to say I won't hold my breath.
Doing some phone canvassing, I came acroiss a resident whose teenage son is struggling with the lockdown because he has autism. He would like to talk to someone on the phone (he finds Zoom intimidating) and eventually got a single chat with someone referred by their GP, but it took ages to organise and he'd like to speak to someone again without having to wait for weeks.
I see a variety of helplines on the internet - NAS, Childline, etc. and I'd like to recommend the best option that doesn't involve waiting in a phone queue for hours. Does anyone have any experience with what works well? I think he just wants someone understanding to taslk to, not medical advice
That sounds like something that would be best organised with a local volunteer rather than a big organisation. Have you tried a local vicar, for example, to see if they know someone?
OT - Am personally in favor of a United Ireland within (or in close association with) the United Kingdom as part (if maybe NOT parcel) of a united Commonwealth of Nations AND a United Europe, which in turn is in (or with if you prefer) the United Nations AND in league with the United Federation of Planets.
HOW all this gets accomplished is beyond my meager ken. Nevertheless think it can and SHOULD happen.
Flexibility is crucial. And also, incidentally, how the British Empire has managed to transform itself into the Commonwealth.
Would be only poetic justice IF it also proved possible to reconcile Northern Ireland with a United Ireland, Ireland & Scotland with the United Kingdom, and the UK with a (new, reformed, improved) EU.
This is a fairly crazy prediction imo. Thankfully he is not in charge.
I'm going to disagree with you on this.
One of the lessons of this virus is how easily large numbers of people packed together in crowded spaces can easily accept any infection whether a cold or a flu or perhaps something worse down the line.
The Covid experience has, I hope, made us all much more aware of public and personal health and hygiene. Washing hands more regularly and properly, wearing masks (especially in winter) as well as improved cleaning regimes for public transport are all valuable lessons which could be hugely beneficial if continued.
Going further, I'd like to think with more people working at home we'd see lower levels of sick days and the consequent loss to the economy.
None of this is rocket science - it's about taking some individual and collective responsibility channelling my inner Thatcherite.
Lots of hand washing, lots more cleaning, all good. Sodding masks all the time, not so much.
Perfectly reasonable if you're sick and have to go out anyway (e.g. for food shopping,) otherwise no - not once we're out the other side of this disaster.
I believe that masks have gone in New Zealand save for on public transport (and even there they are only compulsory in Auckland.) That's the direction we should be going in, not needing the rotten things practically wherever you go indoors, save your own home.
I'm also very much in favour of getting workers to stay home when they are sick, but that's going to require a prolonged campaign against bad employment practices. There are a lot of crap employers, and quite a lot of otherwise good ones, out there who proceed from the assumption that people calling in sick are pulling a fast one and have procedures to persecute them for it.
The idea that Hancock floated, of using the diagnostic testing infrastructure established to deal with Covid, to allow people to get fast tests for flu once this is all over, also has merit.
I don't the hatred toward masks, and regard them as pretty much a cost free liberty particularly when you're at the supermarket - which is where everyone NEEDS to go (Rather than wants to). Of all the restrictions they're the least onerous ! Not being able to go to the football, concerts, the pub. These are restrictions on liberty - not wearing a mask at the One Stop.
Masks are horrible, horrible things.
I could live with wearing them in supermarkets for a while. But, we need to find a route out that means we don’t have to wear them in pubs, or restaurants, or bars or anywhere where our primary purpose is to enjoy each other’s company.
Bit of an obvious point but how do they work in pubs and restaurants ? Difficult to err... eat and drink with them.
This is a fairly crazy prediction imo. Thankfully he is not in charge.
I'm going to disagree with you on this.
One of the lessons of this virus is how easily large numbers of people packed together in crowded spaces can easily accept any infection whether a cold or a flu or perhaps something worse down the line.
The Covid experience has, I hope, made us all much more aware of public and personal health and hygiene. Washing hands more regularly and properly, wearing masks (especially in winter) as well as improved cleaning regimes for public transport are all valuable lessons which could be hugely beneficial if continued.
Going further, I'd like to think with more people working at home we'd see lower levels of sick days and the consequent loss to the economy.
None of this is rocket science - it's about taking some individual and collective responsibility channelling my inner Thatcherite.
Lots of hand washing, lots more cleaning, all good. Sodding masks all the time, not so much.
Perfectly reasonable if you're sick and have to go out anyway (e.g. for food shopping,) otherwise no - not once we're out the other side of this disaster.
I believe that masks have gone in New Zealand save for on public transport (and even there they are only compulsory in Auckland.) That's the direction we should be going in, not needing the rotten things practically wherever you go indoors, save your own home.
I'm also very much in favour of getting workers to stay home when they are sick, but that's going to require a prolonged campaign against bad employment practices. There are a lot of crap employers, and quite a lot of otherwise good ones, out there who proceed from the assumption that people calling in sick are pulling a fast one and have procedures to persecute them for it.
The idea that Hancock floated, of using the diagnostic testing infrastructure established to deal with Covid, to allow people to get fast tests for flu once this is all over, also has merit.
I don't the hatred toward masks, and regard them as pretty much a cost free liberty particularly when you're at the supermarket - which is where everyone NEEDS to go (Rather than wants to). Of all the restrictions they're the least onerous ! Not being able to go to the football, concerts, the pub. These are restrictions on liberty - not wearing a mask at the One Stop.
Masks are horrible, horrible things.
I could live with wearing them in supermarkets for a while. But, we need to find a route out that means we don’t have to wear them in pubs, or restaurants, or bars or anywhere where our primary purpose is to enjoy each other’s company.
As horrors go, mask wearing is NOT the worst by a country (or city) mile.
Personally find them a royal pain in the kiester, mostly because I wear glasses, so keep having to take my specs off when the get fogged up, and back on so I can see where the freaking heck I'm going.
BUT am quite willing to wear them in stores & elsewhere, indeed insist upon it! The REAL horror being people who do NOT in such circumstances.
Agree that masks are most onerous in restaurants & bars, but still smart idea when inside with any size crowd AND yer NOT actively swilling or stuffing yer pie hole.
On the plus side, it's great to see how many, indeed most women, have turned the mask into a chic fashion accessory.
Don't know about you, but certainly helps MY morale!
This is a fairly crazy prediction imo. Thankfully he is not in charge.
I'm going to disagree with you on this.
One of the lessons of this virus is how easily large numbers of people packed together in crowded spaces can easily accept any infection whether a cold or a flu or perhaps something worse down the line.
The Covid experience has, I hope, made us all much more aware of public and personal health and hygiene. Washing hands more regularly and properly, wearing masks (especially in winter) as well as improved cleaning regimes for public transport are all valuable lessons which could be hugely beneficial if continued.
Going further, I'd like to think with more people working at home we'd see lower levels of sick days and the consequent loss to the economy.
None of this is rocket science - it's about taking some individual and collective responsibility channelling my inner Thatcherite.
Lots of hand washing, lots more cleaning, all good. Sodding masks all the time, not so much.
Perfectly reasonable if you're sick and have to go out anyway (e.g. for food shopping,) otherwise no - not once we're out the other side of this disaster.
I believe that masks have gone in New Zealand save for on public transport (and even there they are only compulsory in Auckland.) That's the direction we should be going in, not needing the rotten things practically wherever you go indoors, save your own home.
I'm also very much in favour of getting workers to stay home when they are sick, but that's going to require a prolonged campaign against bad employment practices. There are a lot of crap employers, and quite a lot of otherwise good ones, out there who proceed from the assumption that people calling in sick are pulling a fast one and have procedures to persecute them for it.
The idea that Hancock floated, of using the diagnostic testing infrastructure established to deal with Covid, to allow people to get fast tests for flu once this is all over, also has merit.
I don't the hatred toward masks, and regard them as pretty much a cost free liberty particularly when you're at the supermarket - which is where everyone NEEDS to go (Rather than wants to). Of all the restrictions they're the least onerous ! Not being able to go to the football, concerts, the pub. These are restrictions on liberty - not wearing a mask at the One Stop.
Masks are horrible, horrible things.
I could live with wearing them in supermarkets for a while. But, we need to find a route out that means we don’t have to wear them in pubs, or restaurants, or bars or anywhere where our primary purpose is to enjoy each other’s company.
I hate them but oddly have got used to them too. My main fear is masks being mandatory on planes. That's me grounded apart from very short haul.
On topic, Starmer hasn't shows much of an ability to solve problems, as opposed to fudging them opportunistically. The Irish Question has defeated much better men than him.
OK, maybe he'll find some amazing solution that pleases everybody, but I have to say I won't hold my breath.
...but, but it wasn't beyond Boris. He rather cleverly put a border in the North Channel.
Perhaps he is clever enough to discard all that GFA rubbish concocted by Major and Blair.
OT - Am personally in favor of a United Ireland within (or in close association with) the United Kingdom as part (if maybe NOT parcel) of a united Commonwealth of Nations AND a United Europe, which in turn is in (or with if you prefer) the United Nations AND in league with the United Federation of Planets.
HOW all this gets accomplished is beyond my meager ken. Nevertheless think it can and SHOULD happen.
Flexibility is crucial. And also, incidentally, how the British Empire has managed to transform itself into the Commonwealth.
Would be only poetic justice IF it also proved possible to reconcile Northern Ireland with a United Ireland, Ireland & Scotland with the United Kingdom, and the UK with a (new, reformed, improved) EU.
Same here. I'm a strong supporter of reunification. But it can only happen with the consent of the people of both NI and the Republic.
This is a fairly crazy prediction imo. Thankfully he is not in charge.
I'm going to disagree with you on this.
One of the lessons of this virus is how easily large numbers of people packed together in crowded spaces can easily accept any infection whether a cold or a flu or perhaps something worse down the line.
The Covid experience has, I hope, made us all much more aware of public and personal health and hygiene. Washing hands more regularly and properly, wearing masks (especially in winter) as well as improved cleaning regimes for public transport are all valuable lessons which could be hugely beneficial if continued.
Going further, I'd like to think with more people working at home we'd see lower levels of sick days and the consequent loss to the economy.
None of this is rocket science - it's about taking some individual and collective responsibility channelling my inner Thatcherite.
Lots of hand washing, lots more cleaning, all good. Sodding masks all the time, not so much.
Perfectly reasonable if you're sick and have to go out anyway (e.g. for food shopping,) otherwise no - not once we're out the other side of this disaster.
I believe that masks have gone in New Zealand save for on public transport (and even there they are only compulsory in Auckland.) That's the direction we should be going in, not needing the rotten things practically wherever you go indoors, save your own home.
I'm also very much in favour of getting workers to stay home when they are sick, but that's going to require a prolonged campaign against bad employment practices. There are a lot of crap employers, and quite a lot of otherwise good ones, out there who proceed from the assumption that people calling in sick are pulling a fast one and have procedures to persecute them for it.
The idea that Hancock floated, of using the diagnostic testing infrastructure established to deal with Covid, to allow people to get fast tests for flu once this is all over, also has merit.
I don't the hatred toward masks, and regard them as pretty much a cost free liberty particularly when you're at the supermarket - which is where everyone NEEDS to go (Rather than wants to). Of all the restrictions they're the least onerous ! Not being able to go to the football, concerts, the pub. These are restrictions on liberty - not wearing a mask at the One Stop.
Masks are horrible, horrible things.
I could live with wearing them in supermarkets for a while. But, we need to find a route out that means we don’t have to wear them in pubs, or restaurants, or bars or anywhere where our primary purpose is to enjoy each other’s company.
Personally find them a royal pain in the kiester, mostly because I wear glasses, so keep having to take my specs off when the get fogged up, and back on so I can see where the freaking heck I'm going!
This is a fairly crazy prediction imo. Thankfully he is not in charge.
I'm going to disagree with you on this.
One of the lessons of this virus is how easily large numbers of people packed together in crowded spaces can easily accept any infection whether a cold or a flu or perhaps something worse down the line.
The Covid experience has, I hope, made us all much more aware of public and personal health and hygiene. Washing hands more regularly and properly, wearing masks (especially in winter) as well as improved cleaning regimes for public transport are all valuable lessons which could be hugely beneficial if continued.
Going further, I'd like to think with more people working at home we'd see lower levels of sick days and the consequent loss to the economy.
None of this is rocket science - it's about taking some individual and collective responsibility channelling my inner Thatcherite.
Lots of hand washing, lots more cleaning, all good. Sodding masks all the time, not so much.
Perfectly reasonable if you're sick and have to go out anyway (e.g. for food shopping,) otherwise no - not once we're out the other side of this disaster.
I believe that masks have gone in New Zealand save for on public transport (and even there they are only compulsory in Auckland.) That's the direction we should be going in, not needing the rotten things practically wherever you go indoors, save your own home.
I'm also very much in favour of getting workers to stay home when they are sick, but that's going to require a prolonged campaign against bad employment practices. There are a lot of crap employers, and quite a lot of otherwise good ones, out there who proceed from the assumption that people calling in sick are pulling a fast one and have procedures to persecute them for it.
The idea that Hancock floated, of using the diagnostic testing infrastructure established to deal with Covid, to allow people to get fast tests for flu once this is all over, also has merit.
I don't the hatred toward masks, and regard them as pretty much a cost free liberty particularly when you're at the supermarket - which is where everyone NEEDS to go (Rather than wants to). Of all the restrictions they're the least onerous ! Not being able to go to the football, concerts, the pub. These are restrictions on liberty - not wearing a mask at the One Stop.
Masks are horrible, horrible things.
I could live with wearing them in supermarkets for a while. But, we need to find a route out that means we don’t have to wear them in pubs, or restaurants, or bars or anywhere where our primary purpose is to enjoy each other’s company.
I hate them but oddly have got used to them too. My main fear is masks being mandatory on planes. That's me grounded apart from very short haul.
I remember my first mask experience involved a relatively 'good' one which was far too effective at preventing airflow and left me feeling faintly suffocated when worn for more than 90 seconds.
Soon moved on to the same sort of quasi pointless ones everyone else wears and been fine since.
If we can reduce the lethality of Covid to that of a bad flu, we are fine. The vulnerable can be offered a vaccine yearly.
Yep. But I'd say a wider vaccination than that.
Having built a whole new infrastructure for making and delivering vaccines, I'd have everybody jabbed for Flu and Covid each year. Can get both done at the same time.
Well, I have been wondering. I mean, surely nobody can be quite so bizarrely stereotypical cybernat as he comes across as, particularly in his increasingly xenophobic attacks on other poste...
If we can reduce the lethality of Covid to that of a bad flu, we are fine. The vulnerable can be offered a vaccine yearly.
Yep. But I'd say a wider vaccination than that.
What is ludicrous to me is that a simple blood test would show that most of us are significantly deficient in key minerals and vitamins vs. internationally agreed (by Doctors) norms. This makes us vulnerable to infectious disease (as well as chronic disease, which increases year on year) - but there's no discussion about this in official circles. Instead of increasing our rubustness, academics and policy makers think a future as mask-wearing weaklings that need constant jabbing is an acceptable notion. I am not a 'Covid-denier', but it must be springboard to better health for everyone, not a trap door to mass medical dependency.
Just updating my hospitalisation rate comparison to the first wave, I think it's still looking pretty good:
This is the first wave peak to comparable number of days:
This the second wave peak to today:
The overall numbers aren't as good for any age group because the Kent variant is more transmissive and it is slowing down the drop in the infection rate.
What we can compare is how the relative drops are between the age groups. We can see that in the first wave the younger age group saw the largest and steepest drop while the oldest were the slowest to stop needing hospitals. In this wave we've added a vaccine to the oldest group and we can see the hospitalisation rate has dropped off at a slightly faster rate than the under 65s cohort. I think within a 10-12 days we may see the hospitalisation rate for the over 85s drop to a very low number, only those few people who have refused the vaccine. I think the over 65s group will start getting to those numbers around two week later.
Comments
https://twitter.com/AFP/status/1358443927418847235
It is our injuries that is the issue.
We've lost our three first choice centre backs to season ending injuries, our best forward this season has been out for nearly three months.
Our main midfield signing this year was out for nearly three months following the Merseyside derby.
It is a miracle we've done so well.
lol - we have a new football euphemism
I see a variety of helplines on the internet - NAS, Childline, etc. and I'd like to recommend the best option that doesn't involve waiting in a phone queue for hours. Does anyone have any experience with what works well? I think he just wants someone understanding to taslk to, not medical advice
'Went down easier than a cheap hooker.'
Obviously not Salah or any other Liverpool players, we're no cheats.
One of the lessons of this virus is how easily large numbers of people packed together in crowded spaces can easily accept any infection whether a cold or a flu or perhaps something worse down the line.
The Covid experience has, I hope, made us all much more aware of public and personal health and hygiene. Washing hands more regularly and properly, wearing masks (especially in winter) as well as improved cleaning regimes for public transport are all valuable lessons which could be hugely beneficial if continued.
Going further, I'd like to think with more people working at home we'd see lower levels of sick days and the consequent loss to the economy.
None of this is rocket science - it's about taking some individual and collective responsibility channelling my inner Thatcherite.
Liverpool poor
https://twitter.com/GreensladeR/status/1358469502908907520?s=20
Once we are vaccinated and the risk of hospitalisation is low, govt mandated restrictions should, and I believe will, quickly disappear. Risk tolerance may be less for many, and that is fine.
First contact by text. I believe it's been rolled into the NHS.
https://giveusashout.org
And if Everton win their games in hand they go above Liverpool
He hasn't even put their star man in hospital either.
Hang on though - sure that's not a spoof?
We ought to have played them when we were on top form and they weren't but they bottled it.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-55970058
1. As with all the processes that now come to the fore relating to being a third country (or in NI's case an effective third country) necessary processes need to be sped up - things like customs forms etc. need to be digitised as much as possible, with QR codes etc. This is on the UK.
2. Some of the rules concerning GB to Northern Ireland need to be relaxed, both in interpretation, and probably in letter. This is on the EU. The UK can justifiably request this as of course we are prepared to reciprocate - however the EU could want something else in return. For example, the recognition of their ambassador.
3. The logical consequence of 2, mean that to prevent a flood of British bangers into the EU proper, there would need to be some sort of increased surveillance (invisible) on the NI/ROI border. No manned checkpoints or physical barriers, but monitoring of traffic, numberplates, weights of vehicles - anything that is relevant. I don't see why this wouldn't be assented to as it would be useful for Governments on either side.
4. This is probably just something inevitable - a permanent reduction in the role of UK as a hub for imports from the continent into the Republic of Ireland. I don't really know whether this is a good thing, a bad thing, or just a thing at this point. But it will ease the pressures on the border without a doubt.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-29895593
R is quite stable - which means the rate of infection is steadily falling.
and not just R from cases. From hospitalisations -
https://news.knowledia.com/GB/en/articles/boris-johnson-tells-retailers-the-great-british-sausage-will-make-it-to-58b16a10b7027139341482f5880ef7869ebb96dc
Foreknowledge would just get in the way of seeing things clearly, for sure.
OK, maybe he'll find some amazing solution that pleases everybody, but I have to say I won't hold my breath.
Perfectly reasonable if you're sick and have to go out anyway (e.g. for food shopping,) otherwise no - not once we're out the other side of this disaster.
I believe that masks have gone in New Zealand save for on public transport (and even there they are only compulsory in Auckland.) That's the direction we should be going in, not needing the rotten things practically wherever you go indoors, save your own home.
I'm also very much in favour of getting workers to stay home when they are sick, but that's going to require a prolonged campaign against bad employment practices. There are a lot of crap employers, and quite a lot of otherwise good ones, out there who proceed from the assumption that people calling in sick are pulling a fast one and have procedures to persecute them for it.
The idea that Hancock floated, of using the diagnostic testing infrastructure established to deal with Covid, to allow people to get fast tests for flu once this is all over, also has merit.
Guaranteed Fact.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downing_Street_mortar_attack
Hargreaves Lansdown says the average age of its account holders is now 37, which is remarkable. Asked to guess, I would have pitched late 40s.
Not being able to go to the football, concerts, the pub. These are restrictions on liberty - not wearing a mask at the One Stop.
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook/2021/02/07/liz-cheney-is-not-done-with-trump-491666
I could live with wearing them in supermarkets for a while. But, we need to find a route out that means we don’t have to wear them in pubs, or restaurants, or bars or anywhere where our primary purpose is to enjoy each other’s company.
https://youtu.be/V5il1gXFmEY
HOW all this gets accomplished is beyond my meager ken. Nevertheless think it can and SHOULD happen.
Flexibility is crucial. And also, incidentally, how the British Empire has managed to transform itself into the Commonwealth.
Would be only poetic justice IF it also proved possible to reconcile Northern Ireland with a United Ireland, Ireland & Scotland with the United Kingdom, and the UK with a (new, reformed, improved) EU.
Personally find them a royal pain in the kiester, mostly because I wear glasses, so keep having to take my specs off when the get fogged up, and back on so I can see where the freaking heck I'm going.
BUT am quite willing to wear them in stores & elsewhere, indeed insist upon it! The REAL horror being people who do NOT in such circumstances.
Agree that masks are most onerous in restaurants & bars, but still smart idea when inside with any size crowd AND yer NOT actively swilling or stuffing yer pie hole.
On the plus side, it's great to see how many, indeed most women, have turned the mask into a chic fashion accessory.
Don't know about you, but certainly helps MY morale!
Perhaps he is clever enough to discard all that GFA rubbish concocted by Major and Blair.
The Guardian. not entirely factual...... shocked I tell you!
Soon moved on to the same sort of quasi pointless ones everyone else wears and been fine since.
1 million doses hadn't even been delivered to Scotland by the end of January.
So here is today’s shocking fact.
Every Labour leader to win a majority other than Blair was elected to Parliament before the end of Second World War.
Oh hold on - did you mean TUV not TUD?
This is the first wave peak to comparable number of days:
This the second wave peak to today:
The overall numbers aren't as good for any age group because the Kent variant is more transmissive and it is slowing down the drop in the infection rate.
What we can compare is how the relative drops are between the age groups. We can see that in the first wave the younger age group saw the largest and steepest drop while the oldest were the slowest to stop needing hospitals. In this wave we've added a vaccine to the oldest group and we can see the hospitalisation rate has dropped off at a slightly faster rate than the under 65s cohort. I think within a 10-12 days we may see the hospitalisation rate for the over 85s drop to a very low number, only those few people who have refused the vaccine. I think the over 65s group will start getting to those numbers around two week later.