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Aside from his vaccine approval and voting bounce the weekend’s other Johnson-Starmer ratings look t

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  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 60,216
    Goodness gracious- it could have been even worse!

    https://twitter.com/dogdevotion/status/1371492989680357385?s=21
  • Richard_NabaviRichard_Nabavi Posts: 30,821
    edited March 2021
    Leon said:


    There seems to be a Law of the 21st Century, that every major western nation has to completely humiliate itself, in some peculiar way, one by one.

    First it was Britain (yay, still pioneering!). We did Brexit, and- even as a Leaver, I admit we did it BADLY. Cartoonishly bad. Article 50 did not help - it was designed to hinder - but from Raab saying "I did not realise Dover was an important port" to David "I see only upsides to Brexit" Davis to John Redwood saying "we can make our own jet planes!" to any number of daily mortifications provided by Theresa May and friends, we were humiliated.

    Then the Americans got jealous of us hogging the limelight and trumped us, with, well, Trump. Even MORE insane. Far more surreal. Beyond description at some points. An actual lunatic leading the most powerful nation on earth, and, a deeply embarrassing, gross, misogynist, hapless, demented lunatic at that. Not even articulate or charming, IN ANY WAY, just fucking weird.

    And yet.... it's not over.... here come France, Germany, Italy, acting like small medieval city states confronted by mysterious lepers: crucifying black dogs, hitting mandrakes with Bibles, lacerating themselves with whips as punishment for people eating things.

    The Humiliation of the West, 2016-2030.

    Australia, you're next.

    That's British exceptionalism. We weren't first - surely the pioneers in this were Italy and Berlusconi.
  • alex_alex_ Posts: 7,518
    edited March 2021
    Pulpstar said:

    TimT said:

    Pulpstar said:

    The actions of Ireland are bad enough - but hopefully it'll be a short pause till Thursday there (That's quite bad enough).
    But the Italian police seizing 400,000 vaccines. Sweet Jesus christ

    I hope they are maintaining the cold chain during seizure, transport and storage. Otherwise, that is 400k does down the drain.
    I think that's precisely what will happen. Why seize them rather than just giving a pause on vaccinations like everywhere else that isn't quite as bonkers as Italy ?
    Oh they've put in place a vaccine pause as well. Although that maybe as a consequence of the police seizure which means that any contrary action puts them all on the hook for mass murder (i'm not joking - that's how Italian prosecutors work). I doubt the police are working in concert with national government officials at all.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 59,930

    Goodness gracious- it could have been even worse!

    https://twitter.com/dogdevotion/status/1371492989680357385?s=21

    You mean Labour got something right with devolution?
  • LeonLeon Posts: 55,429
    And more. The French are actively admitting this "pause" is unscientific. ie nonsense on stilts and on a ketamine high

    But it has to be done, because.....


    Suspension of the AstraZeneca vaccine: "Scientifically, the stop was not justified, but in terms of confidence, it was necessary to go through it", estimates a doctor"

    https://francetvinfo.fr/sante/maladie/coronavirus/vaccin/suspension-du-vaccin-astrazeneca-sur-le-plan-scientifique-l-arret-ne-se-justifiait-pas-mais-sur-le-plan-de-la-confiance-il-fallait-en-passer-par-la-estime-un-medecin_4334455.html#xtor=CS2-765-[twitter]

    https://twitter.com/RUBISRED/status/1371597866888790016?s=20

    Imagine living in a country where they pause the distribution of a life-saving vaccine, during a plague, knowing this is scientifically wrong, and will kill people.
  • TimTTimT Posts: 6,468
    kle4 said:

    Leon said:

    I liked this one


    https://twitter.com/matholomoo/status/1371540137356705796?s=20


    This is fun. This is what it must have been like, to be non-British watching Britain making a total clownish spectacle of itself, during the worst of Brexit. Only this is more serious and therefore more blackly comic, if you are that way inclined
    That is very good!
    Maybe they'll go the other route taken with celestial events and regard it as a sign AZ is the messiah?
    Or it's time to invade England
  • alex_alex_ Posts: 7,518
    edited March 2021

    Goodness gracious- it could have been even worse!

    https://twitter.com/dogdevotion/status/1371492989680357385?s=21

    Quite simply, you don't put Government powers in legislation that have the potential to be abused. It is depressing how often these days we hear the argument that concerns about poorly or loosely drafted legislation are overblown because theoretical scenarios are 'far-fetched', and not intended as the purpose of the legislation.

    I suspect at the time of the drafting of Scotland Act there was a tacit assumption that no party would be able to secure a majority.
  • Time_to_LeaveTime_to_Leave Posts: 2,547
    TimT said:

    kle4 said:

    Leon said:

    I liked this one


    https://twitter.com/matholomoo/status/1371540137356705796?s=20


    This is fun. This is what it must have been like, to be non-British watching Britain making a total clownish spectacle of itself, during the worst of Brexit. Only this is more serious and therefore more blackly comic, if you are that way inclined
    That is very good!
    Maybe they'll go the other route taken with celestial events and regard it as a sign AZ is the messiah?
    Or it's time to invade England
    So it does make sense to boost our nuclear arsenal tomorrow?
  • RobDRobD Posts: 59,930
    TimT said:

    kle4 said:

    Leon said:

    I liked this one


    https://twitter.com/matholomoo/status/1371540137356705796?s=20


    This is fun. This is what it must have been like, to be non-British watching Britain making a total clownish spectacle of itself, during the worst of Brexit. Only this is more serious and therefore more blackly comic, if you are that way inclined
    That is very good!
    Maybe they'll go the other route taken with celestial events and regard it as a sign AZ is the messiah?
    Or it's time to invade England
    Time to man the beacons.
  • isamisam Posts: 41,118
    @TheScreamingEagles @MikeSmithson

    What were the results when the questions in the thread header were last asked by Opinium?
  • TimTTimT Posts: 6,468
    RobD said:

    TimT said:

    kle4 said:

    Leon said:

    I liked this one


    https://twitter.com/matholomoo/status/1371540137356705796?s=20


    This is fun. This is what it must have been like, to be non-British watching Britain making a total clownish spectacle of itself, during the worst of Brexit. Only this is more serious and therefore more blackly comic, if you are that way inclined
    That is very good!
    Maybe they'll go the other route taken with celestial events and regard it as a sign AZ is the messiah?
    Or it's time to invade England
    Time to man the beacons.
    Bring out Dad's Army
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,202
    Leon said:

    And more. The French are actively admitting this "pause" is unscientific. ie nonsense on stilts and on a ketamine high

    But it has to be done, because.....


    Suspension of the AstraZeneca vaccine: "Scientifically, the stop was not justified, but in terms of confidence, it was necessary to go through it", estimates a doctor"

    https://francetvinfo.fr/sante/maladie/coronavirus/vaccin/suspension-du-vaccin-astrazeneca-sur-le-plan-scientifique-l-arret-ne-se-justifiait-pas-mais-sur-le-plan-de-la-confiance-il-fallait-en-passer-par-la-estime-un-medecin_4334455.html#xtor=CS2-765-[twitter]

    https://twitter.com/RUBISRED/status/1371597866888790016?s=20

    Imagine living in a country where they pause the distribution of a life-saving vaccine, during a plague, knowing this is scientifically wrong, and will kill people.

    It'll do quite the opposite for confidence.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,206

    rcs1000 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    What's scary about the crazy anti-vaxxers is the extent to which people can remain immune to facts and data. The UK is vaccinating people with AZ, and unless there's been an enormous cover up of death by clots*, then it will be sustainably CV19 free by mid-May, and with an economy getting back to normal.

    You would think this would lead to people re-evaluating their beliefs: hmmmm... the UK seems to be over this CV19 thing, maybe AZ isn't killing people...

    But as Toby Young has proved, once you have taken an opinion, facts won't change it in a hurry.

    * I'm going for no.

    There are several different strands to whats perceived as anti-vaxxers at the moment, some groups will quickly change their mind, others wont or will take a long time.

    Those who are holding off for these reasons will take it:

    Let someone else try it first
    Safety processes in an emergency should be same as in normal times even if not logical
    Worried about effectiveness

    These won't:

    Religious
    Fatalists
    Covid deniers
    Conspiracy therorists
    Is there some evidence of people avoiding the vaccine for religious reasons?
    Yes.

    During the development of the AZ vaccine, they used tissue from an aborted foetus which has led to (a) the Catholic Church opining on it, and (b) a number of crazy religious groups in the US jumping on the bandwagon on the basis the Catholic Church was not being hardline enough.
    What has the Catholic Churches 'opining' consisted of?
    https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20201221_nota-vaccini-anticovid_en.html
    This is Catholic Bishops Association:

    “In our current circumstances, when better options are not available, the use of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines remains a morally valid option,” the bishops wrote. “On the other hand, vaccines such as AstraZeneca-Oxford use aborted fetal lines in design, development, production and testing, and therefore are not a morally valid option because better options are available.”

    Nothing the Catholic Church likes better than a good old fashioned medieval plague. UvdL had better watch out or they might burn her as a witch.
    As an aside, the Catholic Church is being particular weasely here.

    What does available actually mean? Theoretically available, or actually capable of saving lives now?
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826

    Meanwhile, let's just keep jabbing. We can't do anything much about what happens on the continent, but we sure as hell can continue to improve things here by getting those jabs into arms.

    Lead by example and share our data. That's all we can do.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 55,429
    I suggest everyone with an interest in Europe's vaccination problem read that Francetvinfo report.

    Mind boggling.


    Google translate snippets:

    "Do doctors end up with vaccines in stock?

    Yes, but very little. Because the luck that we have in our misfortune, in a way, is that this decision was taken the week when we were a little under tension, when we had the fewest bottles. So we have bottles, but we can keep them, we have fridges. Pharmacists are the same thing. And above all, we hope to be freed from this doubt that we may have, that we have the scientific elements that show what we already know."

    Handy

    and this:

    "This decision is made to give patients confidence. Perhaps it is the opposite effect that will occur with this decision precisely, with this doubt that will settle in all minds?

    "The decision was taken badly, because it was taken in an extremely brutal way. Once again, without consultation. But then, if we can have a unified European position, then we will be able to restore confidence. The tragedy would be that some countries resume and not others, and that each plays its own score. That would pose a real problem"

    Basically, everyone in Europe (ex UK) panicked, because of one or two countries over-reacting, they are now trying to make the best of it because they have a shortage anyway, but it may lead to a tragic disunity and loss of public confidence.

    Brilliant.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 55,429

    Meanwhile, let's just keep jabbing. We can't do anything much about what happens on the continent, but we sure as hell can continue to improve things here by getting those jabs into arms.

    No, we can point and laugh at them. It won't do much for public health, but, you know, we're in a plague. Giggles are thin on the ground.
  • alex_alex_ Posts: 7,518
    Pulpstar said:

    Leon said:

    And more. The French are actively admitting this "pause" is unscientific. ie nonsense on stilts and on a ketamine high

    But it has to be done, because.....


    Suspension of the AstraZeneca vaccine: "Scientifically, the stop was not justified, but in terms of confidence, it was necessary to go through it", estimates a doctor"

    https://francetvinfo.fr/sante/maladie/coronavirus/vaccin/suspension-du-vaccin-astrazeneca-sur-le-plan-scientifique-l-arret-ne-se-justifiait-pas-mais-sur-le-plan-de-la-confiance-il-fallait-en-passer-par-la-estime-un-medecin_4334455.html#xtor=CS2-765-[twitter]

    https://twitter.com/RUBISRED/status/1371597866888790016?s=20

    Imagine living in a country where they pause the distribution of a life-saving vaccine, during a plague, knowing this is scientifically wrong, and will kill people.

    It'll do quite the opposite for confidence.
    They seem to think that the EMA are going to come out with some bold decisive statement in the next two days that doesn't just "reassure" on safety, but blows the concerns out of the water. That's just not going to happen.

    Even the UK know that risks are being taken and adverse effects (including those not yet identified) can't be ruled out. But they've forgotten the reasons why these vaccines were approved under emergency provisions in the first place. Quite simply the reward far outweighs the risk. Until that changes there can be all the reports of unwanted side effects in the world. Maybe in 6-12 months time when there are vaccines aplenty to choose from, a different approach might be justified. But not now, when Europe is in a race against time, and every dose is precious.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 51,692
    Leon said:

    "The decision was taken badly, because it was taken in an extremely brutal way. Once again, without consultation. But then, if we can have a unified European position, then we will be able to restore confidence. The tragedy would be that some countries resume and not others, and that each plays its own score. That would pose a real problem"

    This kind of sentiment will be the death of the EU. The tragedy would be if some countries succeeded?
  • FloaterFloater Posts: 14,207
    Not often I get to say this - Belgium, the voice of reason

    https://twitter.com/BNODesk/status/1371563480449486848
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 96,126
    edited March 2021

    Meanwhile, let's just keep jabbing. We can't do anything much about what happens on the continent, but we sure as hell can continue to improve things here by getting those jabs into arms.

    Of course we can do something, we can stop stealing all those vaccines which don't work and/or kill people anyway.
    Leon said:



    "The decision was taken badly, because it was taken in an extremely brutal way. Once again, without consultation. But then, if we can have a unified European position, then we will be able to restore confidence. The tragedy would be that some countries resume and not others, and that each plays its own score. That would pose a real problem"

    That reads like a parody of a federalist apparatchik - unified positions, like having principles, are only good if the position itself is good, and how does one achieve a unified position by everyone acting independently anyway? Even the EU has seen that.

    That sort of attitude won't be the death of the EU, but you can see why williamglenn laments it - it's taken the thing that is usually a good thing, and sticking with it to the point of deadly absurdity.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,206
    alex_ said:

    Pulpstar said:

    Leon said:

    And more. The French are actively admitting this "pause" is unscientific. ie nonsense on stilts and on a ketamine high

    But it has to be done, because.....


    Suspension of the AstraZeneca vaccine: "Scientifically, the stop was not justified, but in terms of confidence, it was necessary to go through it", estimates a doctor"

    https://francetvinfo.fr/sante/maladie/coronavirus/vaccin/suspension-du-vaccin-astrazeneca-sur-le-plan-scientifique-l-arret-ne-se-justifiait-pas-mais-sur-le-plan-de-la-confiance-il-fallait-en-passer-par-la-estime-un-medecin_4334455.html#xtor=CS2-765-[twitter]

    https://twitter.com/RUBISRED/status/1371597866888790016?s=20

    Imagine living in a country where they pause the distribution of a life-saving vaccine, during a plague, knowing this is scientifically wrong, and will kill people.

    It'll do quite the opposite for confidence.
    They seem to think that the EMA are going to come out with some bold decisive statement in the next two days that doesn't just "reassure" on safety, but blows the concerns out of the water. That's just not going to happen.

    Even the UK know that risks are being taken and adverse effects (including those not yet identified) can't be ruled out. But they've forgotten the reasons why these vaccines were approved under emergency provisions in the first place. Quite simply the reward far outweighs the risk. Until that changes there can be all the reports of unwanted side effects in the world. Maybe in 6-12 months time when there are vaccines aplenty to choose from, a different approach might be justified. But not now, when Europe is in a race against time, and every dose is precious.
    This.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 55,429
    kle4 said:

    Meanwhile, let's just keep jabbing. We can't do anything much about what happens on the continent, but we sure as hell can continue to improve things here by getting those jabs into arms.

    Of course we can do something, we can stop stealing all those vaccines which don't work and/or kill people anyway.
    Leon said:



    "The decision was taken badly, because it was taken in an extremely brutal way. Once again, without consultation. But then, if we can have a unified European position, then we will be able to restore confidence. The tragedy would be that some countries resume and not others, and that each plays its own score. That would pose a real problem"

    That reads like a parody of a federalist apparatchik - unified positions, like having principles, are only good if the position itself is good, and how does one achieve a unified position by everyone acting independently anyway? Even the EU has seen that.
    Yes, exactly! It sounds like something from a Soviet official in about 1978. "This terrible error, which will kill people, will be justified if the Communist Party stays united and regains the trust of the people we haven't killed". It is all about the Party, not the people they will kill

  • kle4kle4 Posts: 96,126
    Floater said:

    Not often I get to say this - Belgium, the voice of reason

    https://twitter.com/BNODesk/status/1371563480449486848

    Thing is, who in the rest of Europe will listen? The UK and Belgium have done worse on reported figures than just about anyone (Yes, I know excess deaths shows different things), and so even the correct lesson on vaccination will be argued against.
  • Richard_NabaviRichard_Nabavi Posts: 30,821
    Leon said:


    No, we can point and laugh at them. It won't do much for public health, but, you know, we're in a plague. Giggles are thin on the ground.

    Not sure about laughing, I think it's more that we need some modern-day Ingmar Bergman to produce a successor to The Seventh Seal.
  • TimTTimT Posts: 6,468
    Pulpstar said:

    Leon said:

    And more. The French are actively admitting this "pause" is unscientific. ie nonsense on stilts and on a ketamine high

    But it has to be done, because.....


    Suspension of the AstraZeneca vaccine: "Scientifically, the stop was not justified, but in terms of confidence, it was necessary to go through it", estimates a doctor"

    https://francetvinfo.fr/sante/maladie/coronavirus/vaccin/suspension-du-vaccin-astrazeneca-sur-le-plan-scientifique-l-arret-ne-se-justifiait-pas-mais-sur-le-plan-de-la-confiance-il-fallait-en-passer-par-la-estime-un-medecin_4334455.html#xtor=CS2-765-[twitter]

    https://twitter.com/RUBISRED/status/1371597866888790016?s=20

    Imagine living in a country where they pause the distribution of a life-saving vaccine, during a plague, knowing this is scientifically wrong, and will kill people.

    It'll do quite the opposite for confidence.
    The doctor is quite good on this. He points out the high level of anxiety about the vaccine prior to these events, and then the difficulty of France continuing with vaccinations when 2 or more other countries are suspending their vaccination programmes each day, given the increased numbers of doubts this raises amongst the public to be vaccinated. He then says the only way out of this is for the EMA to issue clear guidance on its safety so that the public can be reassured.

    He is clearly frustrated.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 96,126
    alex_ said:

    Goodness gracious- it could have been even worse!

    https://twitter.com/dogdevotion/status/1371492989680357385?s=21

    Quite simply, you don't put Government powers in legislation that have the potential to be abused. It is depressing how often these days we hear the argument that concerns about poorly or loosely drafted legislation are overblown because theoretical scenarios are 'far-fetched', and not intended as the purpose of the legislation.

    I suspect at the time of the drafting of Scotland Act there was a tacit assumption that no party would be able to secure a majority.
    Very good point. When it comes to government powers, you don't take the risk. If the powers are only intended for narrow purposes, you godsdamned put it that way in the legislation. Yes, that can muck things up if you are too strict in definition, but better that you allow far too much.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 96,126
    edited March 2021
    TimT said:

    Pulpstar said:

    Leon said:

    And more. The French are actively admitting this "pause" is unscientific. ie nonsense on stilts and on a ketamine high

    But it has to be done, because.....


    Suspension of the AstraZeneca vaccine: "Scientifically, the stop was not justified, but in terms of confidence, it was necessary to go through it", estimates a doctor"

    https://francetvinfo.fr/sante/maladie/coronavirus/vaccin/suspension-du-vaccin-astrazeneca-sur-le-plan-scientifique-l-arret-ne-se-justifiait-pas-mais-sur-le-plan-de-la-confiance-il-fallait-en-passer-par-la-estime-un-medecin_4334455.html#xtor=CS2-765-[twitter]

    https://twitter.com/RUBISRED/status/1371597866888790016?s=20

    Imagine living in a country where they pause the distribution of a life-saving vaccine, during a plague, knowing this is scientifically wrong, and will kill people.

    It'll do quite the opposite for confidence.
    The doctor is quite good on this. He points out the high level of anxiety about the vaccine prior to these events, and then the difficulty of France continuing with vaccinations when 2 or more other countries are suspending their vaccination programmes each day, given the increased numbers of doubts this raises amongst the public to be vaccinated. He then says the only way out of this is for the EMA to issue clear guidance on its safety so that the public can be reassured.

    He is clearly frustrated.
    I'm sure he is, but that's not how societal moods and beliefs propagate. Sure, most will be reassured, but how many won't? How many will face a delay as a result?

    On polling about views on safety of the vaccines some surprise was expressed as the various French and German governmental leaks had only questioned AZ's efficacy, not its safety. But of course if you trash it as ineffective and launch a war of words with the manufacturer people were going to extrapolate it to being unsafe. Now they seem to have confirmation.

    Of course, most people are still and will still take it, but the EMA cannot prevent more people having reason to be fearful.

    And what of the many places relying upon AZ as they don't have well stocked vaccine portfolios about to pay dividends? Their populations may be more effected if people say they want to wait for the good stuff, as there may be no alternative.
  • TimTTimT Posts: 6,468
    kle4 said:

    TimT said:

    Pulpstar said:

    Leon said:

    And more. The French are actively admitting this "pause" is unscientific. ie nonsense on stilts and on a ketamine high

    But it has to be done, because.....


    Suspension of the AstraZeneca vaccine: "Scientifically, the stop was not justified, but in terms of confidence, it was necessary to go through it", estimates a doctor"

    https://francetvinfo.fr/sante/maladie/coronavirus/vaccin/suspension-du-vaccin-astrazeneca-sur-le-plan-scientifique-l-arret-ne-se-justifiait-pas-mais-sur-le-plan-de-la-confiance-il-fallait-en-passer-par-la-estime-un-medecin_4334455.html#xtor=CS2-765-[twitter]

    https://twitter.com/RUBISRED/status/1371597866888790016?s=20

    Imagine living in a country where they pause the distribution of a life-saving vaccine, during a plague, knowing this is scientifically wrong, and will kill people.

    It'll do quite the opposite for confidence.
    The doctor is quite good on this. He points out the high level of anxiety about the vaccine prior to these events, and then the difficulty of France continuing with vaccinations when 2 or more other countries are suspending their vaccination programmes each day, given the increased numbers of doubts this raises amongst the public to be vaccinated. He then says the only way out of this is for the EMA to issue clear guidance on its safety so that the public can be reassured.

    He is clearly frustrated.
    I'm sure he is, but that's not how societal moods and beliefs propagate. Sure, most will be reassured, but how many won't? How many will face a delay as a result?

    On polling about views on safety of the vaccines some surprise was expressed as the various French and German governmental leaks had only questioned AZ's efficacy, not its safety. But of course if you trash it as ineffective and launch a war of words with the manufacturer people were going to extrapolate it to being unsafe. Now they seem to have confirmation.

    Of course, most people are still and will still take it, but the EMA cannot prevent more people having reason to be fearful.

    And what of the many places relying upon AZ as they don't have well stocked vaccine portfolios about to pay dividends? Their populations may be more effected if people say they want to wait for the good stuff, as there may be no alternative.
    I absolutely agree with you on the effects in the real world the Europeans' actions will have on the vaccination programme. What I was saying was that the good doctor gives a pretty good analysis of how this came to be and why it is a problem when one country started suspending/banning a vaccine.
  • alex_alex_ Posts: 7,518
    Floater said:
    Swedish company. Ignore.

    (I'm joking. Partly)
  • LeonLeon Posts: 55,429

    Leon said:


    No, we can point and laugh at them. It won't do much for public health, but, you know, we're in a plague. Giggles are thin on the ground.

    Not sure about laughing, I think it's more that we need some modern-day Ingmar Bergman to produce a successor to The Seventh Seal.
    Actually, there is a serious point here. Roundly abusing someone, or criticising them sharply, is often counter-productive. They get defensive

    But mocking laughter can really sting. If you are the target, you look at yourself anew

    I felt that keenly over Brexit - derision and mockery - and it made me reassess. The political class failed us, especially "elite" eurosceptics.

    It is time the EU was similarly laughed to scorn for its absurd, dangerous behaviour on vaccines
  • YBarddCwscYBarddCwsc Posts: 7,172
    edited March 2021
    rcs1000 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Totally off topic, I went skiing in Tahoe at the weekend. The flights there and back were both full, and Squaw Valley was packed on Saturday.

    @YBarddCwsc would have hated it.

    It looks as though this year will be the deadliest ever on the US slopes.

    Google News throws up reports of a number of skiing deaths in the US in the last few weeks, including Tahoe.

    So, we can certainly conclude that skiing is a good deal more dangerous than the AZ vaccine.

    I hope the cautious EU bans such a reckless activity.
    About 40 people die skiing every year in the US.

    I'll bet you £100 that 2021 will see fewer than 40 ski and snowboard deaths in 2021.
    Done. £100 it is. As you say, 40 deaths are average. But this year we will have a record.

    There are already 39 deaths.

    33 are reported here.

    https://avalanche.state.co.us/accidents/us/

    Since then, they have been a further 5 deaths
    (i) Matthew Gilman, Whitefish WA on March 1st;

    (ii, iii) two unnamed fatalities at Eldora, CO on March 2nd,

    (iv) Kirby Smith at Big Sky MT on March 5th;

    (v) Heath McHenry on Schweitzer Mountain, MT on March 14th

    (vi) together with 1 missing from the list (Arthur Powers 16th Feb, Stowe Mountain VT)

    So, we are up to 39, and it is not even mid-March. I just need one more to win.

    There are still another 2 months of casualties to come in the 2020-2021 season. I'll let you know when I have won.

    If you think about, it has been a bumper avalanche season in the US. And, because of COVID, many people are desperate to get out, so more careless skiers.

    Bound to be the biggest ski deaths tally ever in the US this season.
  • alex_alex_ Posts: 7,518
    kle4 said:

    TimT said:

    Pulpstar said:

    Leon said:

    And more. The French are actively admitting this "pause" is unscientific. ie nonsense on stilts and on a ketamine high

    But it has to be done, because.....


    Suspension of the AstraZeneca vaccine: "Scientifically, the stop was not justified, but in terms of confidence, it was necessary to go through it", estimates a doctor"

    https://francetvinfo.fr/sante/maladie/coronavirus/vaccin/suspension-du-vaccin-astrazeneca-sur-le-plan-scientifique-l-arret-ne-se-justifiait-pas-mais-sur-le-plan-de-la-confiance-il-fallait-en-passer-par-la-estime-un-medecin_4334455.html#xtor=CS2-765-[twitter]

    https://twitter.com/RUBISRED/status/1371597866888790016?s=20

    Imagine living in a country where they pause the distribution of a life-saving vaccine, during a plague, knowing this is scientifically wrong, and will kill people.

    It'll do quite the opposite for confidence.
    The doctor is quite good on this. He points out the high level of anxiety about the vaccine prior to these events, and then the difficulty of France continuing with vaccinations when 2 or more other countries are suspending their vaccination programmes each day, given the increased numbers of doubts this raises amongst the public to be vaccinated. He then says the only way out of this is for the EMA to issue clear guidance on its safety so that the public can be reassured.

    He is clearly frustrated.
    I'm sure he is, but that's not how societal moods and beliefs propagate. Sure, most will be reassured, but how many won't? How many will face a delay as a result?

    On polling about views on safety of the vaccines some surprise was expressed as the various French and German governmental leaks had only questioned AZ's efficacy, not its safety. But of course if you trash it as ineffective and launch a war of words with the manufacturer people were going to extrapolate it to being unsafe. Now they seem to have confirmation.

    Of course, most people are still and will still take it, but the EMA cannot prevent more people having reason to be fearful.

    And what of the many places relying upon AZ as they don't have well stocked vaccine portfolios about to pay dividends? Their populations may be more effected if people say they want to wait for the good stuff, as there may be no alternative.
    France and Germany, as big European powerhouse countries have tremendous powers to lead and influence others. Even more so now the EU commission seems to have gone AWOL. If they had stood firm, the doubt of the other smaller countries (perhaps without the same experience or national resource to independently verify and assuage concerns) could have been pushed back. Instead they've failed to lead, exacerbated the doubts - and then passed the buck to the EMA who have very little room to say anything different on Tuesday than they did on Sunday.
  • TimTTimT Posts: 6,468

    rcs1000 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Totally off topic, I went skiing in Tahoe at the weekend. The flights there and back were both full, and Squaw Valley was packed on Saturday.

    @YBarddCwsc would have hated it.

    It looks as though this year will be the deadliest ever on the US slopes.

    Google News throws up reports of a number of skiing deaths in the US in the last few weeks, including Tahoe.

    So, we can certainly conclude that skiing is a good deal more dangerous than the AZ vaccine.

    I hope the cautious EU bans such a reckless activity.
    About 40 people die skiing every year in the US.

    I'll bet you £100 that 2021 will see fewer than 40 ski and snowboard deaths in 2021.
    Done. £100 it is. As you say, 40 deaths are average. But this year we will have a record.

    There are already 39 deaths.

    33 are reported here.

    https://avalanche.state.co.us/accidents/us/

    Since then, they have been a further 5 deaths
    (i) Matthew Gilman, Whitefish WA on March 1st;

    (ii, iii) two unnamed fatalities at Eldora, CO on March 2nd,

    (iv) Kirby Smith at Big Sky MT on March 5th;

    (v) Heath McHenry on Schweitzer Mountain, MT on March 14th

    (vi) together with 1 missing from the list (Arthur Powers 16th Feb, Stowe Mountain VT)

    So, we are up to 39, and it is not even mid-March. I just need one more to win.

    There are still another 2 months of casualties to come in the 2020-2021 season. I'll let you know when I have won.

    If you think about, it has been a bumper avalanche season in the US. And, because of COVID, many people are desperate to get out, so more careless skiers.

    Bound to be the biggest ski deaths tally ever in the US this season.
    Only 19 of the 33 are skiers and snowboarders, so you'll need a few more than 1.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 55,429
    alex_ said:

    kle4 said:

    TimT said:

    Pulpstar said:

    Leon said:

    And more. The French are actively admitting this "pause" is unscientific. ie nonsense on stilts and on a ketamine high

    But it has to be done, because.....


    Suspension of the AstraZeneca vaccine: "Scientifically, the stop was not justified, but in terms of confidence, it was necessary to go through it", estimates a doctor"

    https://francetvinfo.fr/sante/maladie/coronavirus/vaccin/suspension-du-vaccin-astrazeneca-sur-le-plan-scientifique-l-arret-ne-se-justifiait-pas-mais-sur-le-plan-de-la-confiance-il-fallait-en-passer-par-la-estime-un-medecin_4334455.html#xtor=CS2-765-[twitter]

    https://twitter.com/RUBISRED/status/1371597866888790016?s=20

    Imagine living in a country where they pause the distribution of a life-saving vaccine, during a plague, knowing this is scientifically wrong, and will kill people.

    It'll do quite the opposite for confidence.
    The doctor is quite good on this. He points out the high level of anxiety about the vaccine prior to these events, and then the difficulty of France continuing with vaccinations when 2 or more other countries are suspending their vaccination programmes each day, given the increased numbers of doubts this raises amongst the public to be vaccinated. He then says the only way out of this is for the EMA to issue clear guidance on its safety so that the public can be reassured.

    He is clearly frustrated.
    I'm sure he is, but that's not how societal moods and beliefs propagate. Sure, most will be reassured, but how many won't? How many will face a delay as a result?

    On polling about views on safety of the vaccines some surprise was expressed as the various French and German governmental leaks had only questioned AZ's efficacy, not its safety. But of course if you trash it as ineffective and launch a war of words with the manufacturer people were going to extrapolate it to being unsafe. Now they seem to have confirmation.

    Of course, most people are still and will still take it, but the EMA cannot prevent more people having reason to be fearful.

    And what of the many places relying upon AZ as they don't have well stocked vaccine portfolios about to pay dividends? Their populations may be more effected if people say they want to wait for the good stuff, as there may be no alternative.
    France and Germany, as big European powerhouse countries have tremendous powers to lead and influence others. Even more so now the EU commission seems to have gone AWOL. If they had stood firm, the doubt of the other smaller countries (perhaps without the same experience or national resource to independently verify and assuage concerns) could have been pushed back. Instead they've failed to lead, exacerbated the doubts - and then passed the buck to the EMA who have very little room to say anything different on Tuesday than they did on Sunday.
    It looks like France got terrified because Norway and Iceland suspended AZ. Norway and Iceland?!

    A nation with a large ego but deeply fragile self-esteem, and terrible levels of anti-vaxxery.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 32,586
    Canada to allow AZ for over 65s.
  • alex_alex_ Posts: 7,518
    We've all seen the data on traditional vaccine scepticism and poor take up (eg. of flu) in many European countries. It appears that the UK have worked several times harder to maintain confidence in vaccines, despite a population that was far more pre-disposed to accept them in the first place. Whereas the EU and/or individual EU countries almost seem to have gone out of their way at every turn to sow doubt and confusion (whether over efficacy or safety or both).
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 82,081
    edited March 2021
    https://twitter.com/PaulBrown_UK/status/1371532345224921097?s=19

    Is that the red haired lady, who has been all over the front pages in recent days, out protesting again?
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 82,081
    Andy_JS said:

    Canada to allow AZ for over 65s.

    Psuedo-science....
  • YBarddCwscYBarddCwsc Posts: 7,172
    TimT said:

    rcs1000 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Totally off topic, I went skiing in Tahoe at the weekend. The flights there and back were both full, and Squaw Valley was packed on Saturday.

    @YBarddCwsc would have hated it.

    It looks as though this year will be the deadliest ever on the US slopes.

    Google News throws up reports of a number of skiing deaths in the US in the last few weeks, including Tahoe.

    So, we can certainly conclude that skiing is a good deal more dangerous than the AZ vaccine.

    I hope the cautious EU bans such a reckless activity.
    About 40 people die skiing every year in the US.

    I'll bet you £100 that 2021 will see fewer than 40 ski and snowboard deaths in 2021.
    Done. £100 it is. As you say, 40 deaths are average. But this year we will have a record.

    There are already 39 deaths.

    33 are reported here.

    https://avalanche.state.co.us/accidents/us/

    Since then, they have been a further 5 deaths
    (i) Matthew Gilman, Whitefish WA on March 1st;

    (ii, iii) two unnamed fatalities at Eldora, CO on March 2nd,

    (iv) Kirby Smith at Big Sky MT on March 5th;

    (v) Heath McHenry on Schweitzer Mountain, MT on March 14th

    (vi) together with 1 missing from the list (Arthur Powers 16th Feb, Stowe Mountain VT)

    So, we are up to 39, and it is not even mid-March. I just need one more to win.

    There are still another 2 months of casualties to come in the 2020-2021 season. I'll let you know when I have won.

    If you think about, it has been a bumper avalanche season in the US. And, because of COVID, many people are desperate to get out, so more careless skiers.

    Bound to be the biggest ski deaths tally ever in the US this season.
    Only 19 of the 33 are skiers and snowboarders, so you'll need a few more than 1.
    The average is 40 as Robert says -- it includes everything on that list.

    Otherwise the average would not be 40. :)
  • alex_alex_ Posts: 7,518
    Leon said:

    alex_ said:

    kle4 said:

    TimT said:

    Pulpstar said:

    Leon said:

    And more. The French are actively admitting this "pause" is unscientific. ie nonsense on stilts and on a ketamine high

    But it has to be done, because.....


    Suspension of the AstraZeneca vaccine: "Scientifically, the stop was not justified, but in terms of confidence, it was necessary to go through it", estimates a doctor"

    https://francetvinfo.fr/sante/maladie/coronavirus/vaccin/suspension-du-vaccin-astrazeneca-sur-le-plan-scientifique-l-arret-ne-se-justifiait-pas-mais-sur-le-plan-de-la-confiance-il-fallait-en-passer-par-la-estime-un-medecin_4334455.html#xtor=CS2-765-[twitter]

    https://twitter.com/RUBISRED/status/1371597866888790016?s=20

    Imagine living in a country where they pause the distribution of a life-saving vaccine, during a plague, knowing this is scientifically wrong, and will kill people.

    It'll do quite the opposite for confidence.
    The doctor is quite good on this. He points out the high level of anxiety about the vaccine prior to these events, and then the difficulty of France continuing with vaccinations when 2 or more other countries are suspending their vaccination programmes each day, given the increased numbers of doubts this raises amongst the public to be vaccinated. He then says the only way out of this is for the EMA to issue clear guidance on its safety so that the public can be reassured.

    He is clearly frustrated.
    I'm sure he is, but that's not how societal moods and beliefs propagate. Sure, most will be reassured, but how many won't? How many will face a delay as a result?

    On polling about views on safety of the vaccines some surprise was expressed as the various French and German governmental leaks had only questioned AZ's efficacy, not its safety. But of course if you trash it as ineffective and launch a war of words with the manufacturer people were going to extrapolate it to being unsafe. Now they seem to have confirmation.

    Of course, most people are still and will still take it, but the EMA cannot prevent more people having reason to be fearful.

    And what of the many places relying upon AZ as they don't have well stocked vaccine portfolios about to pay dividends? Their populations may be more effected if people say they want to wait for the good stuff, as there may be no alternative.
    France and Germany, as big European powerhouse countries have tremendous powers to lead and influence others. Even more so now the EU commission seems to have gone AWOL. If they had stood firm, the doubt of the other smaller countries (perhaps without the same experience or national resource to independently verify and assuage concerns) could have been pushed back. Instead they've failed to lead, exacerbated the doubts - and then passed the buck to the EMA who have very little room to say anything different on Tuesday than they did on Sunday.
    It looks like France got terrified because Norway and Iceland suspended AZ. Norway and Iceland?!

    A nation with a large ego but deeply fragile self-esteem, and terrible levels of anti-vaxxery.
    Norway and Iceland are also two countries with space to be more measured - as they have largely kept Covid out throughout the course of the pandemic, and never opened up to the outside.

    Incidentally - it hasn't been mentioned much, but i believe Denmark have already completed their "review" and started vaccinated again. As have Thailand another country which very briefly suspended.
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 38,865
    What's still very odd is that in the middle of all this the EU still hasn't ordered any Novavax doses. It's got 91% efficacy, 96% on Iike for like comparison with Pfizer. We have 60m doses on the way, on a pro-rata basis the EU would need to order ~500m doses to match that. I don't think that's going to be possible now which means once again they'll be waiting for our or America's scraps and bitching about how unfair it all is.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 82,081
    Bloodlands epitomises the big problem with British primetime drama

    https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/bloodlands-bbc-line-of-duty-b1815972.html
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,202
    edited March 2021
    MaxPB said:

    What's still very odd is that in the middle of all this the EU still hasn't ordered any Novavax doses. It's got 91% efficacy, 96% on Iike for like comparison with Pfizer. We have 60m doses on the way, on a pro-rata basis the EU would need to order ~500m doses to match that. I don't think that's going to be possible now which means once again they'll be waiting for our or America's scraps and bitching about how unfair it all is.

    I'd refuse to supply Italy specifically if I was a manufacturer.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 32,586
    edited March 2021
    According to Geert Hofstede's research, the UK is less risk-averse than almost every other European country. Maybe that's one of the explanations for what's going on with the AZ vaccine.

    https://clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/uncertainty-avoidance-index/

    In fact the UK is lowest on the list for any country with more than about 10 million people.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,206

    TimT said:

    rcs1000 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Totally off topic, I went skiing in Tahoe at the weekend. The flights there and back were both full, and Squaw Valley was packed on Saturday.

    @YBarddCwsc would have hated it.

    It looks as though this year will be the deadliest ever on the US slopes.

    Google News throws up reports of a number of skiing deaths in the US in the last few weeks, including Tahoe.

    So, we can certainly conclude that skiing is a good deal more dangerous than the AZ vaccine.

    I hope the cautious EU bans such a reckless activity.
    About 40 people die skiing every year in the US.

    I'll bet you £100 that 2021 will see fewer than 40 ski and snowboard deaths in 2021.
    Done. £100 it is. As you say, 40 deaths are average. But this year we will have a record.

    There are already 39 deaths.

    33 are reported here.

    https://avalanche.state.co.us/accidents/us/

    Since then, they have been a further 5 deaths
    (i) Matthew Gilman, Whitefish WA on March 1st;

    (ii, iii) two unnamed fatalities at Eldora, CO on March 2nd,

    (iv) Kirby Smith at Big Sky MT on March 5th;

    (v) Heath McHenry on Schweitzer Mountain, MT on March 14th

    (vi) together with 1 missing from the list (Arthur Powers 16th Feb, Stowe Mountain VT)

    So, we are up to 39, and it is not even mid-March. I just need one more to win.

    There are still another 2 months of casualties to come in the 2020-2021 season. I'll let you know when I have won.

    If you think about, it has been a bumper avalanche season in the US. And, because of COVID, many people are desperate to get out, so more careless skiers.

    Bound to be the biggest ski deaths tally ever in the US this season.
    Only 19 of the 33 are skiers and snowboarders, so you'll need a few more than 1.
    The average is 40 as Robert says -- it includes everything on that list.

    Otherwise the average would not be 40. :)
    I was very specific about skiiers and snowboarders.

    So, all those people on snowmobiles, they don't count.

    And the season is basically done.
  • isamisam Posts: 41,118

    https://twitter.com/PaulBrown_UK/status/1371532345224921097?s=19

    Is that the red haired lady, who has been all over the front pages in recent days, out protesting again?

    “City, United will never be defeated”

    Fans of both Manchester women’s teams just like we were talking about t’other day with Rangers & Celtic and the Scottish Labour leader
  • YBarddCwscYBarddCwsc Posts: 7,172
    rcs1000 said:

    TimT said:

    rcs1000 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Totally off topic, I went skiing in Tahoe at the weekend. The flights there and back were both full, and Squaw Valley was packed on Saturday.

    @YBarddCwsc would have hated it.

    It looks as though this year will be the deadliest ever on the US slopes.

    Google News throws up reports of a number of skiing deaths in the US in the last few weeks, including Tahoe.

    So, we can certainly conclude that skiing is a good deal more dangerous than the AZ vaccine.

    I hope the cautious EU bans such a reckless activity.
    About 40 people die skiing every year in the US.

    I'll bet you £100 that 2021 will see fewer than 40 ski and snowboard deaths in 2021.
    Done. £100 it is. As you say, 40 deaths are average. But this year we will have a record.

    There are already 39 deaths.

    33 are reported here.

    https://avalanche.state.co.us/accidents/us/

    Since then, they have been a further 5 deaths
    (i) Matthew Gilman, Whitefish WA on March 1st;

    (ii, iii) two unnamed fatalities at Eldora, CO on March 2nd,

    (iv) Kirby Smith at Big Sky MT on March 5th;

    (v) Heath McHenry on Schweitzer Mountain, MT on March 14th

    (vi) together with 1 missing from the list (Arthur Powers 16th Feb, Stowe Mountain VT)

    So, we are up to 39, and it is not even mid-March. I just need one more to win.

    There are still another 2 months of casualties to come in the 2020-2021 season. I'll let you know when I have won.

    If you think about, it has been a bumper avalanche season in the US. And, because of COVID, many people are desperate to get out, so more careless skiers.

    Bound to be the biggest ski deaths tally ever in the US this season.
    Only 19 of the 33 are skiers and snowboarders, so you'll need a few more than 1.
    The average is 40 as Robert says -- it includes everything on that list.

    Otherwise the average would not be 40. :)
    I was very specific about skiiers and snowboarders.

    So, all those people on snowmobiles, they don't count.

    And the season is basically done.
    You said "About 40 people die skiing every year in the US."

    How do you get that number? Where is the data that you are using to obtain that average?

    This year will be above average because of the reasons that I stated.
  • YBarddCwscYBarddCwsc Posts: 7,172
    https://snowgaper.com/how-many-people-die-skiing/

    If we accept the data on this site (which comes from NSAA), then ski deaths in the US in the last two years were in excess of 40. They were 42 in 2019-20 and 42 in 2018-19.

    I am absolutely sure they will be in excess of 40 this year -- there have been many more deaths from avalanches in the US mountains this year.

    So let's agree on which site we are using to record the deaths & get the bet sorted ..... unless you are chickening out. :)
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 28,475

    Leon said:


    No, we can point and laugh at them. It won't do much for public health, but, you know, we're in a plague. Giggles are thin on the ground.

    Not sure about laughing, I think it's more that we need some modern-day Ingmar Bergman to produce a successor to The Seventh Seal.
    Trivia: Name another film about a game. See how many you can name. Go!
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,676
    On Topic

    Apart from the Tories soaring and SKS sinking like a stone, the polls are troubling!!
  • EndillionEndillion Posts: 4,976

    Leon said:


    No, we can point and laugh at them. It won't do much for public health, but, you know, we're in a plague. Giggles are thin on the ground.

    Not sure about laughing, I think it's more that we need some modern-day Ingmar Bergman to produce a successor to The Seventh Seal.
    Trivia: Name another film about a game. See how many you can name. Go!
    Battleship
    3 Jumanji films
    All the Saw films (kind of; he keeps saying he wants to play a game)
    Wreck-it Ralph
    Ender's Game
    World of Warcraft
    The Pokemon Movie
    TRON
  • MattWMattW Posts: 23,227
    edited March 2021
    Red-haired lady, Patsy Stevenson, has now been debunked. I think.

    When the police asked the crowd to disperse after minute's silence etc, Patsy made a speech from the bandstand telling the crowd to ignore the police and refuse to disperse.

    Sky timeline and article.
    https://news.sky.com/story/sarah-everard-vigil-what-sparked-the-ugly-scenes-and-were-the-police-tactics-warranted-12247074

    Interesting that Michael Chessum was there as well; he was one of the lead student activists in 2010-ish, and embarrassed himself on Newsnight.

    There is also a 4 min vid report running on the Sky News channel.

    So much for "I am not an activist". "I am just here to lay flowers."

    Make your own judgements, of course.



  • EndillionEndillion Posts: 4,976
    I enjoyed that so much that I should be charged with voyeurism.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,206

    https://snowgaper.com/how-many-people-die-skiing/

    If we accept the data on this site (which comes from NSAA), then ski deaths in the US in the last two years were in excess of 40. They were 42 in 2019-20 and 42 in 2018-19.

    I am absolutely sure they will be in excess of 40 this year -- there have been many more deaths from avalanches in the US mountains this year.

    So let's agree on which site we are using to record the deaths & get the bet sorted ..... unless you are chickening out. :)

    The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) keeps track of the number of skiers and snowboarders who die, and not just in avalanches.

    They would seem to be the logical place to look, given your avalanche numbers include a lot of non-skiier/snowboarders
  • CookieCookie Posts: 13,822
    Endillion said:

    Leon said:


    No, we can point and laugh at them. It won't do much for public health, but, you know, we're in a plague. Giggles are thin on the ground.

    Not sure about laughing, I think it's more that we need some modern-day Ingmar Bergman to produce a successor to The Seventh Seal.
    Trivia: Name another film about a game. See how many you can name. Go!
    Battleship
    3 Jumanji films
    All the Saw films (kind of; he keeps saying he wants to play a game)
    Wreck-it Ralph
    Ender's Game
    World of Warcraft
    The Pokemon Movie
    TRON
    Wargames
    Sleuth
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    MattW said:

    Red-haired lady, Patsy Stevenson, has now been debunked. I think.

    When the police asked the crowd to disperse after minute's silence etc, Patsy made a speech from the bandstand telling the crowd to ignore the police and refuse to disperse.

    Sky timeline and article.
    https://news.sky.com/story/sarah-everard-vigil-what-sparked-the-ugly-scenes-and-were-the-police-tactics-warranted-12247074

    Interesting that Michael Chessum was there as well; he was one of the lead student activists in 2010-ish, and embarrassed himself on Newsnight.

    There is also a 4 min vid report running on the Sky News channel.

    So much for "I am not an activist". "I am just here to lay flowers."

    Make your own judgements, of course.

    How is that a debunking?

    She says she's "done with being bullied by the Police" in a vigil for the death of a woman allegedly murdered by a Police officer . . . and the Police response was to use violence to break up a peaceful protest?

    The Police actions are as inexplicable as the European's actions over Astrazeneca.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 32,586
    Cliche alert: Londonder moves to the Cotswolds and life there isn't what they expected.

    https://www.standard.co.uk/escapist/i-left-london-for-the-countryside-and-it-was-nothing-like-i-dreamed-b923836.html
  • YBarddCwscYBarddCwsc Posts: 7,172
    rcs1000 said:

    https://snowgaper.com/how-many-people-die-skiing/

    If we accept the data on this site (which comes from NSAA), then ski deaths in the US in the last two years were in excess of 40. They were 42 in 2019-20 and 42 in 2018-19.

    I am absolutely sure they will be in excess of 40 this year -- there have been many more deaths from avalanches in the US mountains this year.

    So let's agree on which site we are using to record the deaths & get the bet sorted ..... unless you are chickening out. :)

    The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) keeps track of the number of skiers and snowboarders who die, and not just in avalanches.

    They would seem to be the logical place to look, given your avalanche numbers include a lot of non-skiier/snowboarders
    OK, so the bet is on the number of deaths on the NSAA fatality report for the 2020/2021 season.

    It seems this won't be issued until October 2021.

    You wrote: "I'll bet you £100 that 2021 will see fewer than 40 ski and snowboard deaths "

    So, 39 or lower you win, 40 or higher, I win.

    Agreed? Stake, as you suggested is £100.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 55,429
    Andy_JS said:

    Cliche alert: Londonder moves to the Cotswolds and life there isn't what they expected.

    https://www.standard.co.uk/escapist/i-left-london-for-the-countryside-and-it-was-nothing-like-i-dreamed-b923836.html

    Superb unselfawareness

    ‘I loved my job, editing a glossy magazine from the Vogue House offices in Mayfair. I loved our house, a four-bedroom detached Victorian villa near Kingston-upon-Thames’

    Right away, we know she is worth £2m, minimum. So, zero sympathy

    Why do they publish this tripe, unless they aim to humiliate the naive writer?
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,206

    rcs1000 said:

    https://snowgaper.com/how-many-people-die-skiing/

    If we accept the data on this site (which comes from NSAA), then ski deaths in the US in the last two years were in excess of 40. They were 42 in 2019-20 and 42 in 2018-19.

    I am absolutely sure they will be in excess of 40 this year -- there have been many more deaths from avalanches in the US mountains this year.

    So let's agree on which site we are using to record the deaths & get the bet sorted ..... unless you are chickening out. :)

    The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) keeps track of the number of skiers and snowboarders who die, and not just in avalanches.

    They would seem to be the logical place to look, given your avalanche numbers include a lot of non-skiier/snowboarders
    OK, so the bet is on the number of deaths on the NSAA fatality report for the 2020/2021 season.

    It seems this won't be issued until October 2021.

    You wrote: "I'll bet you £100 that 2021 will see fewer than 40 ski and snowboard deaths "

    So, 39 or lower you win, 40 or higher, I win.

    Agreed? Stake, as you suggested is £100.
    Done.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 29,410
    Leon said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Cliche alert: Londonder moves to the Cotswolds and life there isn't what they expected.

    https://www.standard.co.uk/escapist/i-left-london-for-the-countryside-and-it-was-nothing-like-i-dreamed-b923836.html

    Superb unselfawareness

    ‘I loved my job, editing a glossy magazine from the Vogue House offices in Mayfair. I loved our house, a four-bedroom detached Victorian villa near Kingston-upon-Thames’

    Right away, we know she is worth £2m, minimum. So, zero sympathy

    Why do they publish this tripe, unless they aim to humiliate the naive writer?
    If she wanted to truly get away from London then perhaps the Cotswolds, full of Londoners commuting, and people who wanted to get away from London wasn't the ideal choice?
    Maybe commuting to London 4 days a week wasn't either?
    Just a couple of thoughts.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,206
    edited March 2021
    Leon said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Cliche alert: Londonder moves to the Cotswolds and life there isn't what they expected.

    https://www.standard.co.uk/escapist/i-left-london-for-the-countryside-and-it-was-nothing-like-i-dreamed-b923836.html

    Superb unselfawareness

    ‘I loved my job, editing a glossy magazine from the Vogue House offices in Mayfair. I loved our house, a four-bedroom detached Victorian villa near Kingston-upon-Thames’

    Right away, we know she is worth £2m, minimum. So, zero sympathy

    Why do they publish this tripe, unless they aim to humiliate the naive writer?
    Also, the Cotswolds are hardly the fag end of the earth. Pricing-wise they're 0.1%ers only.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 29,410
    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Cliche alert: Londonder moves to the Cotswolds and life there isn't what they expected.

    https://www.standard.co.uk/escapist/i-left-london-for-the-countryside-and-it-was-nothing-like-i-dreamed-b923836.html

    Superb unselfawareness

    ‘I loved my job, editing a glossy magazine from the Vogue House offices in Mayfair. I loved our house, a four-bedroom detached Victorian villa near Kingston-upon-Thames’

    Right away, we know she is worth £2m, minimum. So, zero sympathy

    Why do they publish this tripe, unless they aim to humiliate the naive writer?
    Also, the Cotswolds are hardly the fag end of the earth. Pricing-wise they're 0.1%ers only.
    Yeah. Why not Stoke?
  • RobDRobD Posts: 59,930
    .
    Those vaccines weren’t made by the Brits though.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 32,586
    "Vaccination vacillation
    EU countries pause AstraZeneca’s covid-19 jab over safety fears
    An abundance of caution could well backfire"

    https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2021/03/15/eu-countries-pause-astrazenecas-covid-19-jab-over-safety-fears
  • tlg86tlg86 Posts: 26,176
    Andy_JS said:
    When discussing civil liberties, it’s always a good idea to be seen to be standing up for those you don’t agree with. Perhaps Wera now wishes she’d spoken out earlier about other cases, but the replies to that thread are quite depressing.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,210
    kle4 said:

    alex_ said:

    Goodness gracious- it could have been even worse!

    https://twitter.com/dogdevotion/status/1371492989680357385?s=21

    Quite simply, you don't put Government powers in legislation that have the potential to be abused. It is depressing how often these days we hear the argument that concerns about poorly or loosely drafted legislation are overblown because theoretical scenarios are 'far-fetched', and not intended as the purpose of the legislation.

    I suspect at the time of the drafting of Scotland Act there was a tacit assumption that no party would be able to secure a majority.
    Very good point. When it comes to government powers, you don't take the risk. If the powers are only intended for narrow purposes, you godsdamned put it that way in the legislation. Yes, that can muck things up if you are too strict in definition, but better that you allow far too much.
    See - the current Police Bill.

    (Nothing to see here, according to the Tories.)
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,210
    tlg86 said:

    Andy_JS said:
    When discussing civil liberties, it’s always a good idea to be seen to be standing up for those you don’t agree with. Perhaps Wera now wishes she’d spoken out earlier about other cases, but the replies to that thread are quite depressing.
    It is, and she tacitly admits that she was wrong.
    Politicians should do that more often.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,210
    AZN shortly up for the big test in the US.

    https://twitter.com/hildabast/status/1371566142221807617
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 54,599

    England's remaining three Twenty20 internationals against India in Ahmedabad will be played behind closed doors because of rising coronavirus cases in the state of Gujarat.

    Having 65,000 at the previous two games was genius idea.

    Now we have public health reasons why Test cricket is better than T20 :)
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 54,599
    Floater said:
    I’m not one for conspiracy theories, but it is definitely starting to look like the AZ vaccine is being singled out for criticism.

    Whether it’s the EU hating something immediately successful and British, ‘Big Pharma’ lobbyists hating the idea that billions of vaccines made on a non-profit basis hurt their bottom lines, or some other reason, is left for the reader to conclude themselves.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 49,868
    Sandpit said:

    Floater said:
    I’m not one for conspiracy theories, but it is definitely starting to look like the AZ vaccine is being singled out for criticism.

    Whether it’s the EU hating something immediately successful and British, ‘Big Pharma’ lobbyists hating the idea that billions of vaccines made on a non-profit basis hurt their bottom lines, or some other reason, is left for the reader to conclude themselves.
    Don’t let facts get in the way of healthy prejudice.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 49,868
    After £2.6m and a seven-month wait, the curtains have finally opened on a studio based inside Downing Street where the prime minister’s press secretary will address the nation in new White House-style TV briefings.

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/mar/15/no-10-offers-first-sight-of-26m-white-house-style-briefing-room
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 54,599
    kle4 said:

    alex_ said:

    Goodness gracious- it could have been even worse!

    https://twitter.com/dogdevotion/status/1371492989680357385?s=21

    Quite simply, you don't put Government powers in legislation that have the potential to be abused. It is depressing how often these days we hear the argument that concerns about poorly or loosely drafted legislation are overblown because theoretical scenarios are 'far-fetched', and not intended as the purpose of the legislation.

    I suspect at the time of the drafting of Scotland Act there was a tacit assumption that no party would be able to secure a majority.
    Very good point. When it comes to government powers, you don't take the risk. If the powers are only intended for narrow purposes, you godsdamned put it that way in the legislation. Yes, that can muck things up if you are too strict in definition, but better that you allow far too much.
    Rather like the police bill, there’s a strong possibility that powers intended to deal with hardline Extinction Rebellion groups deliberately shutting down major transport infrastructure, can - if not worded carefully - end up being used to arrest a small group of women, holding a vigil for their friend who was dragged off the street and murdered, allegedly by a serving police officer.
  • moonshinemoonshine Posts: 5,751
    Cookie said:

    Endillion said:

    Leon said:


    No, we can point and laugh at them. It won't do much for public health, but, you know, we're in a plague. Giggles are thin on the ground.

    Not sure about laughing, I think it's more that we need some modern-day Ingmar Bergman to produce a successor to The Seventh Seal.
    Trivia: Name another film about a game. See how many you can name. Go!
    Battleship
    3 Jumanji films
    All the Saw films (kind of; he keeps saying he wants to play a game)
    Wreck-it Ralph
    Ender's Game
    World of Warcraft
    The Pokemon Movie
    TRON
    Wargames
    Sleuth
    The Game
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 60,216
    IanB2 said:

    Sandpit said:

    Floater said:
    I’m not one for conspiracy theories, but it is definitely starting to look like the AZ vaccine is being singled out for criticism.

    Whether it’s the EU hating something immediately successful and British, ‘Big Pharma’ lobbyists hating the idea that billions of vaccines made on a non-profit basis hurt their bottom lines, or some other reason, is left for the reader to conclude themselves.
    Don’t let facts get in the way of healthy prejudice.
    Why do you think EU members are suspending AZ and not Pfizer?
  • alex_alex_ Posts: 7,518
    IanB2 said:

    After £2.6m and a seven-month wait, the curtains have finally opened on a studio based inside Downing Street where the prime minister’s press secretary will address the nation in new White House-style TV briefings.

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/mar/15/no-10-offers-first-sight-of-26m-white-house-style-briefing-room

    Johnson seems to be rapidly trying to turn the U.K. Govt into the US Presidency. Passing legislation with wide ranging powers to effectively allow Governance by Executive fiat. I wonder if he is toying with just abolishing Prime Minister’s questions? Perhaps even other ministerial questions? What is to actually stop him? The Govt controls the Agenda in the House of Commons. No separation of powers means the checks and balances of the US aren’t there. The British constitution has historically worked because its limits have been respected. But what if they aren’t? And a PM with a large majority doesn’t see the need?
  • alex_alex_ Posts: 7,518
    Bad deaths day for Belgium. 104 deaths. They haven’t seen a number remotely close to that for months. Hope it’s a correction/backfilling.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 82,081
    edited March 2021
    About 17 million people in the EU and the UK have received a dose of the vaccine, with fewer than 40 cases of blood clots reported as of last week, AstraZeneca said.

    --------

    I would guess in a sample of 17 million, more than 40 have had a car accident in that time period, or fell down the stairs or other uncommon incidents.
  • TazTaz Posts: 14,419
    Sandpit said:

    Floater said:
    I’m not one for conspiracy theories, but it is definitely starting to look like the AZ vaccine is being singled out for criticism.

    Whether it’s the EU hating something immediately successful and British, ‘Big Pharma’ lobbyists hating the idea that billions of vaccines made on a non-profit basis hurt their bottom lines, or some other reason, is left for the reader to conclude themselves.
    Indeed, it could easily be either and while this goes on cases sky rocket in the EU and it is costing people their lives. People are dying as a consequence. It’s insane.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 54,599
    edited March 2021

    About 17 million people in the EU and the UK have received a dose of the vaccine, with fewer than 40 cases of blood clots reported as of last week, AstraZeneca said.

    --------

    I would guess in a sample of 17 million, more than 40 have had a car accident in that time period, or fell down the stairs or other uncommon incidents.

    U.K. has four or five fatalities per day in road accidents, so once life goes back to normal we can expect a dozen or more vaccinated people every week dying on the roads.

    What if we see a spike in deaths on motorbikes, the first sunny weekend after the restrictions are lifted? Should we suspend the use of motorbikes until it’s proved the deaths are unrelated to Covid vaccines?

    It will sadly also be a bad year for light aircraft accidents, as so many pilots have rusty skills. Let’s ban small planes too.
  • felixfelix Posts: 15,164
    IanB2 said:

    Sandpit said:

    Floater said:
    I’m not one for conspiracy theories, but it is definitely starting to look like the AZ vaccine is being singled out for criticism.

    Whether it’s the EU hating something immediately successful and British, ‘Big Pharma’ lobbyists hating the idea that billions of vaccines made on a non-profit basis hurt their bottom lines, or some other reason, is left for the reader to conclude themselves.
    Don’t let facts get in the way of healthy prejudice.
    Found any facts yet Ian?
  • kamskikamski Posts: 5,191
    I saw a post on here comparing the UK's vaccination effort with the EU's that didn't even once mention Israel. What more evidence do you need of a massive antisemitic conspiracy?
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 54,599
    edited March 2021
    IanB2 said:

    After £2.6m and a seven-month wait, the curtains have finally opened on a studio based inside Downing Street where the prime minister’s press secretary will address the nation in new White House-style TV briefings.

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/mar/15/no-10-offers-first-sight-of-26m-white-house-style-briefing-room

    Can anyone actually stand up the scope of work which is covered by that budget?

    I’m assuming, until someone says otherwise, that they’ve refurbed all the offices in number 9, a listed building, and includes the briefing room and TV control centre AV equipment.

    There’s also the context that the ladies and gentlemen of the Lobby are absolutely furious, that the PM’s spokesperson is being allowed to talk in public, bypassing the filter of the hacks.

    (And yes, they definitely need to ensure there isn’t a single, solid colour behind the speaker, that could easily be edited out by mischief-makers!).
  • swing_voterswing_voter Posts: 1,464
    alex_ said:

    IanB2 said:

    After £2.6m and a seven-month wait, the curtains have finally opened on a studio based inside Downing Street where the prime minister’s press secretary will address the nation in new White House-style TV briefings.

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/mar/15/no-10-offers-first-sight-of-26m-white-house-style-briefing-room

    Johnson seems to be rapidly trying to turn the U.K. Govt into the US Presidency. Passing legislation with wide ranging powers to effectively allow Governance by Executive fiat. I wonder if he is toying with just abolishing Prime Minister’s questions? Perhaps even other ministerial questions? What is to actually stop him? The Govt controls the Agenda in the House of Commons. No separation of powers means the checks and balances of the US aren’t there. The British constitution has historically worked because its limits have been respected. But what if they aren’t? And a PM with a large majority doesn’t see the need?
    its all a bit Tony Blair if you ask me.... next thing he will go and start a war somewhere.
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 36,001
    Nigelb said:

    See - the current Police Bill.

    (Nothing to see here, according to the Tories.)

    ...

  • state_go_awaystate_go_away Posts: 5,815
    IanB2 said:

    After £2.6m and a seven-month wait, the curtains have finally opened on a studio based inside Downing Street where the prime minister’s press secretary will address the nation in new White House-style TV briefings.

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/mar/15/no-10-offers-first-sight-of-26m-white-house-style-briefing-room

    Can just use Microsoft Teams now!
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 32,586
    Taz said:

    Sandpit said:

    Floater said:
    I’m not one for conspiracy theories, but it is definitely starting to look like the AZ vaccine is being singled out for criticism.

    Whether it’s the EU hating something immediately successful and British, ‘Big Pharma’ lobbyists hating the idea that billions of vaccines made on a non-profit basis hurt their bottom lines, or some other reason, is left for the reader to conclude themselves.
    Indeed, it could easily be either and while this goes on cases sky rocket in the EU and it is costing people their lives. People are dying as a consequence. It’s insane.
    Since I started taking an interest in current affairs, what's going on in Europe with the AZ vaccine is the single-most astounding development. It's difficult to to believe it.
This discussion has been closed.