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politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Now you can spread bet on Johnson’s daily coronavirus briefing

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  • MangoMango Posts: 1,031


    https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1240307154671874050?s=20

    Looks like "Whatever it Takes" is leading so far.

    (c) M Draghi
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 10,808

    I'm not sure what good it would do to prevent economic decline and eye-watering job losses, but I do feel it would add to the gaiety of the nation....
    They could give the toxin to all the proles and put them in suspended animation for a year I guess till they are needed to fill the gig jobs I guess
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 62,355

    I must condiment you on that pun....
    It's now your turmeric to reciprocate..
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 54,559
    Just a reminder to those with four months to kill....

    ...there's always Sporcle:

    https://www.sporcle.com/
  • BigRichBigRich Posts: 3,492
    IanB2 said:

    The planning rules aren’t really the problem, though. Housing developers are sitting on tons of land and tons of unimplemented permissions. It is almost as if they have an interest in houses being expensive.
    House builders like most company s need a supply of materials, in this case the key material is land, if that supply is insecure then the companys need to keep plenty ready to use. compare Japan where with good transport links companys use 'just in time' supply chains, in less developed contrary the factorys have big store rooms.

    The UK is a real outlier here with almost all house building going on by big companys, because the rules are so complex and planing outcomes seemingly arbetary. in a reformed system there would be a lot more smaller house builders, so hording land would be higly unprofitable.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 73,567
    JM1 said:

    By the latter you mean the socio-economic consequences?
    Well, yes. How many people will die through disruption to medical supply chains, issues around food, even suicide?
  • YorkcityYorkcity Posts: 4,382
    Charles said:

    Just to be clear, those guarantees are to protect the *banks* not the home owners
    Agreed my elderly father asked me today , if I thought that banks could collapse due to defaults on debt..
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 51,131
    ydoethur said:

    Well, possibly not. But it's already heading past five figures (assuming China and Iran are not telling the truth about the number of deaths) and it shows no sign of slowing. It's left SARS and AIDS trailing and is fast catching up with swineflu. But the efforts to contain it are likely to prove just as lethal.
    Sean’s 2 million calculation was JUST for the UK
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758

    I'm not sure what good it would do to prevent economic decline and eye-watering job losses, but I do feel it would add to the gaiety of the nation....
    Nah, beating him around the head is too much.

    Now Williamson, Patel, Raab and Boris playing "catch" with an inflated puffer fish...
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 10,808
    May I apologise for my intemperate language earlier to PB and the moderators, just hard hearing of friends being laid off all week and wondering how they pay the rent and feed themselves while others insist the government measures announced so far are protecting them
  • tlg86tlg86 Posts: 26,538

    Just a reminder to those with four months to kill....

    ...there's always Sporcle:

    https://www.sporcle.com/

    This is quite a fun one:

    https://www.sporcle.com/games/dolebanana/alllotr
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 39,823
    I think the government should force companies who use the facility to suspend shareholder dividends and force bondholders to take haircuts as well. It's no use giving corporates £330bn in free liquidity and then they just spunk it on buybacks and dividends. I'd also make the loans into "loans" by lending at 0% and having an undetermined redemption date. That way the government still gets to show an asset but the company isn't actually taking on any real liability.
  • Stark_DawningStark_Dawning Posts: 9,984
    Yorkcity said:

    Agreed my elderly father asked me today , if I thought that banks could collapse due to defaults on debt..
    I suppose that will only be a problem if they have to start paying out a load of their savers, and as no bugger will be spending anything because everything's shut...
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 30,205
    nichomar said:

    Having now introduced the word ‘center’ I’m afraid your talking rubbish as to some the Tory party is a long way from center. But I can’t be srsed with this it’s irrelevant.
    How are the LibDems, who took part in a Conservative-led coalition (no trite ww2 comparisons please), left-wing? The SNP looks centrist, albeit with a wide straddle to both left and right. The question is where you'd place the Tories now Rishi has imbibed the spirit of John McDonnell. Economically, Ed Davey is furthest right.
  • OmniumOmnium Posts: 11,482
    Pagan2 said:

    Its a fish that inflates itself with air to ward of predators often covered in spines and contains a toxin associated with haitian zombie practise tetrodotoxin I believe
    Odd what people don't know. I'd have been sure that ydoethur would have heard of puffer-fish.

    Fugu is the Japanese name for one variety at least. Fugu in the fish-and-chips chain would be far worse than covid19!
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 10,808

    I suppose that will only be a problem if they have to start paying out a load of their savers, and as no bugger will be spending anything because everything's shut...
    well I seem to be spending more since this all started I have to admit :)
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 65,565

    I suppose that will only be a problem if they have to start paying out a load of their savers, and as no bugger will be spending anything because everything's shut...
    The banks have massive capital buffers after the shitstorm of 2008/9.

    I will regret saying this wont I?
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 10,808
    Omnium said:

    Odd what people don't know. I'd have been sure that ydoethur would have heard of puffer-fish.

    Fugu is the Japanese name for one variety at least. Fugu in the fish-and-chips chain would be far worse than covid19!
    well I only know because when I was a kid and was laid up with the pox my mother bought me a look and learn annual which had an article on puffer fish
    happy memories :)
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 34,295

    Just a reminder to those with four months to kill....

    ...there's always Sporcle:

    https://www.sporcle.com/

    Two of my favourites are the periodic table and countries of the world.

    https://www.sporcle.com/games/g/elements
    https://www.sporcle.com/games/g/world
  • DougSealDougSeal Posts: 12,746
    ydoethur said:

    Well, possibly not. But it's already heading past five figures (assuming China and Iran are not telling the truth about the number of deaths) and it shows no sign of slowing. It's left SARS and AIDS trailing and is fast catching up with swineflu. But the efforts to contain it are likely to prove just as lethal.
    It’s slowing in South Korea and I have no reason to suspect they are cooking the books
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 73,567

    The banks have massive capital buffers after the shitstorm of 2008/9.

    I will regret saying this wont I?
    I hope not, but you might. I have been worrying for a while that the world economy was still heavily over-leveraged.
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 30,205
    MaxPB said:

    I think the government should force companies who use the facility to suspend shareholder dividends and force bondholders to take haircuts as well. It's no use giving corporates £330bn in free liquidity and then they just spunk it on buybacks and dividends. I'd also make the loans into "loans" by lending at 0% and having an undetermined redemption date. That way the government still gets to show an asset but the company isn't actually taking on any real liability.

    Agreed (largely) -- (broken record mode=on) the student loan model of cheap or even free loans but with repayments contingent on the firms (or borrowers) having made an adequate recovery.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 73,567
    edited March 2020
    IanB2 said:

    Sean’s 2 million calculation was JUST for the UK
    Yes, well, it's Sean. Never knowingly failed to predict every possible outcome (exhibit A, B and C - Sindyref).

    But he was a lot closer to right than I was, and I was hardly saying it was going to be a cakewalk.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 65,565
    ydoethur said:

    I hope not, but you might. I have been worrying for a while that the world economy was still heavily over-leveraged.
    Definitely. See any number of AEP articles in Telegraph (yes, I know Mr Gloom).

    Mass dollar debt all over the place. Junk bonds etc etc.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 73,567
    rcs1000 said:

    NOTE TO ALL POSTERS. PLEASE BE POLITE. PLEASE BE MEASURED. PLEASE BE AT LEAST ONE THIRD SOBER.

    HERE ARE THE RULES:

    1. DO NOT SWEAR AT OTHER POSTERS
    2. DO NOT CALL OTHER POSTERS NAMES
    3. DO NOT SPECULATE ON THE REAL WORLD IDENTITY OF OTHER POSTERS
    4. DO NOT CRITICISE RADIOHEAD
    5. DO NOT INVENT STORIES ABOUT TALKING TO ALBANIAN TAXI DRIVERS
    6. DO NOT ACCUSE OTHER POSTERS OF LYING WITHOUT GOOD CAUSE
    7. DO NOT INCITE THE PLACING OF PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA
    8. DO NOT SPREAD HOLOCAUST DENIAL
    9. DO NOT PRETEND THAT THERE ARE PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES BETTER THAN PYTHON
    10. DO NOT POST MORE THAN ABOUT TEN TWEETS A DAY

    There may be more that I will need to invent.

    Times are alarming when No. 7 needs to be said...
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 54,559
    Andy_JS said:

    Two of my favourites are the periodic table and countries of the world.

    https://www.sporcle.com/games/g/elements
    https://www.sporcle.com/games/g/world
    Fruit-producing countries is a fine example of the good fun time-waster:

    https://www.sporcle.com/games/PumpkinBomb/fruit
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 10,808
    rcs1000 said:

    PLEASE BE AT LEAST ONE THIRD SOBER.
    .

    You expect me to have blood in my alcohol stream?

  • We might get some cricket after all this summer.

    Cricket West Indies has offered for England to move its home Test series with West Indies to the Caribbean.

    The two sides are currently scheduled to begin a three-match series on June 4, but the coronavirus outbreak is threatening to derail the English summer. The pandemic is expected to reach its peak in the UK in late May through to mid-June, which means the current home international itinerary is bound to undergo some change.

    Coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the Caribbean – 13 have been recorded in Jamaica – and last week CWI announced the suspension of all its tournaments from March 16 for a minimum of 30 days. The situation at present is more critical in the UK. At the current time of writing, 104 people in the UK have died after testing positive for coronavirus.

    According to ESPNcricinfo, the ECB and CWI have held discussions in recent days, exploring the possibility of rescheduling the series or hosting it in the Caribbean.

    “I’ve spoken to Tom Harrison [ECB chief executive] a couple of times in the last few days and assured him that we will be as flexible, supportive and helpful as possible,” Jonny Grave, chief executive of CWI told ESPNcricinfo.

    “To that end, yes, we have offered to host the series here in the Caribbean if that is deemed helpful. The ECB would retain all commercial and broadcast rights.

    “This is not about us trying to take advantage of the situation. It’s about the cricket community working together at a difficult time for everyone and, one of the many great things about the Caribbean is, we can play cricket all year round. There has long been a special relationship between the cricket communities in the Caribbean and England and we wanted to make it clear we will do everything we can to help.”

    https://www.wisden.com/stories/cricket-west-indies-home-tests
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 127,095
    Pagan2 said:

    May I apologise for my intemperate language earlier to PB and the moderators, just hard hearing of friends being laid off all week and wondering how they pay the rent and feed themselves while others insist the government measures announced so far are protecting them

    Evictions have been banned for 3 months so they don't need to worry about paying the rent during that time and the bailout ensures temporary layoffs do not have to lead to permanent unemployment once people can visit restaurants and cafes etc again
  • Pagan2 said:

    You expect me to have blood in my alcohol stream?

    Alcohol sections in all the supermarkets I visited this afternoon absolutely blitzed. Which apparently is how most people plan to get through lock-down...
  • YorkcityYorkcity Posts: 4,382

    The banks have massive capital buffers after the shitstorm of 2008/9.

    I will regret saying this wont I?
    I hope not, but surely the B of E will step in as before , to shore them up if necessary.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 73,567
    HYUFD said:

    Evictions have been banned for 3 months so they don't need to worry about paying the rent during that time and the bailout ensures temporary layoffs do not have to lead to permanent unemployment once people can visit restaurants and cafes etc again
    It's not just an eviction though, is it? It's damage to credit rating and the need for a good reference from your current landlord when you move out.

    Unless you can afford to buy, when you won't need the latter - but the former becomes more critical.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 55,189
    ydoethur said:

    Given that Italy is probably about the average temperature we can expect come the summer, that doesn't bode terribly well.

    I'm starting to think I was unfair to Eadric. (I'll never hear the last of it if he sees this comment...)
    To be honest if we top out at 500 deaths a day we will have done quite well. That would probably keep us under 25k. The growth in Italy’s death toll is no longer exponential. If they are a week away the maximum might be 750. Absolutely horrific but a long, long way away from millions.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 54,233
    HYUFD said:

    Evictions have been banned for 3 months so they don't need to worry about paying the rent during that time and the bailout ensures temporary layoffs do not have to lead to permanent unemployment once people can visit restaurants and cafes etc again
    Does this mean a mass layoff of bailiffs?
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 65,565

    Alcohol sections in all the supermarkets I visited this afternoon absolutely blitzed. Which apparently is how most people plan to get through lock-down...
    There was a run on booze in my local Lidl when the idea of pubs shutting was first mooted, but seems to have calmed down so far.

    I'm not sure why anyone would prioritise toilet paper over bottled beer.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 73,567

    Does this mean a mass layoff of bailiffs?
    Heart of stone, etc...
  • tlg86tlg86 Posts: 26,538
    @TheScreamingEagles - I have a ticket for the Friday of the Lords Test. If that becomes a Barbados Test, will my ticket still be valid if I can get a flight out there?
  • JonathanJonathan Posts: 22,100
    rcs1000 said:

    NOTE TO ALL POSTERS. PLEASE BE POLITE. PLEASE BE MEASURED. PLEASE BE AT LEAST ONE THIRD SOBER.

    HERE ARE THE RULES:

    1. DO NOT SWEAR AT OTHER POSTERS
    2. DO NOT CALL OTHER POSTERS NAMES
    3. DO NOT SPECULATE ON THE REAL WORLD IDENTITY OF OTHER POSTERS
    4. DO NOT CRITICISE RADIOHEAD
    5. DO NOT INVENT STORIES ABOUT TALKING TO ALBANIAN TAXI DRIVERS
    6. DO NOT ACCUSE OTHER POSTERS OF LYING WITHOUT GOOD CAUSE
    7. DO NOT INCITE THE PLACING OF PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA
    8. DO NOT SPREAD HOLOCAUST DENIAL
    9. DO NOT PRETEND THAT THERE ARE PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES BETTER THAN PYTHON
    10. DO NOT POST MORE THAN ABOUT TEN TWEETS A DAY

    There may be more that I will need to invent.

    Let’s talk about AV.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 34,295
    edited March 2020
    I'm starting to think the only possible explanation for the very low number of German deaths is that they're not recording the cause of death as coronavirus if an already seriously ill person contracts it just before they pass away, whereas in other countries they are doing so. But I'm not an expert etc.

    https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 73,567

    There was a run on booze in my local Lidl when the idea of pubs shutting was first mooted, but seems to have calmed down so far.

    I'm not sure why anyone would prioritise toilet paper over bottled beer.
    Indeed no.

    One is something foul tasting that you can't drink.

    And you wipe your arse with the other...
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 121,682
    edited March 2020
    tlg86 said:

    @TheScreamingEagles - I have a ticket for the Friday of the Lords Test. If that becomes a Barbados Test, will my ticket still be valid if I can get a flight out there?

    Well they do say the ECB would retain all commercial rights, so maybe.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 73,567
    tlg86 said:

    @TheScreamingEagles - I have a ticket for the Friday of the Lords Test. If that becomes a Barbados Test, will my ticket still be valid if I can get a flight out there?

    That is one hell of an 'if...'
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 127,095
    edited March 2020
    ydoethur said:

    It's not just an eviction though, is it? It's damage to credit rating and the need for a good reference from your current landlord when you move out.

    Unless you can afford to buy, when you won't need the latter - but the former becomes more critical.
    It is hardly difficult to say coronavirus made rental payments difficult for a few months is it
  • Jonathan said:

    Let’s talk about AV.
    One of Sunday's thread will be about the alternative vote system and why it is the finest voting system in the universe.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 54,233
    ydoethur said:

    Heart of stone, etc...
    Does shutting down of production in Hollywood mean the entire industry of catching, prosecuting, jailing and generally whaling on scumbags like Weinstein is going to collapse?

    Shutting all the universities in the US is certainly going to sort out Title 9....
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 73,567
    I have just been told that headteachers were given no warning of any of today's announcements. This is despite the DfE hosting a briefing of Headteachers at 3.30pm.

    That seems a bit strange.
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 10,808
    HYUFD said:

    Evictions have been banned for 3 months so they don't need to worry about paying the rent during that time and the bailout ensures temporary layoffs do not have to lead to permanent unemployment once people can visit restaurants and cafes etc again
    Yes but they will still have to catch up on that rent when they lost their job through no fault of their own which over any reasonable timescale will be hugely stressing whereas the mortgage holiday will add about 5£ a month to repayments after.....to get to that figure renters would need a 50 year repayment plan for missed rent when a lot of them cant stretch their pay from one payday to the next as it is even with careful budgeting

    A case study a single mum I know who just lost her job...she doesnt buy drink, she doesnt smoke to pay the rent on her home in worcester took 2/3 of her pay. Towards the end of the month she lives on baked beans on toast for about a week as its all she can afford. How even when back in work is she to find an extra 5£ even to start repaying the missed rent? The only reason she affords some beans on toast at the end of the month is because I help out a bit as it is as she works 35 hours a week. She can't do more because 1) the work isnt there, 2) she cant afford child care. Her rent increases, her utilities increase, her council tax increases every year till she tipped over from making ends meet to not
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 54,233
    To help calm everyone - https://www.gutenberg.org/

    Don't know if this has been mentioned - zillions of out of copyright books for free.

    To start the ball rolling

    Admiral Mahan's (yes, that one) Life of Nelson -

    https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16914
    https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16915

    A magnificent work - much more detail than many more recent biographies.
  • BigRichBigRich Posts: 3,492

    I was talking to this Albanian taxi driver, who shut off the radio because they started playing Radiohead. He was just finishing a pineapple pizza when I got in the cab - said it redefined the peak of the culinary arts. He was also telling me about how he studying Comp Sci at night school and thought that the coursework was rubbish - Python is for kiddyscripters. The he got onto European history.....
    LOL

    Thank you, thank you so much!

    I was just trying to wright that myself, but yours in much better. :)
  • Andy_JS said:

    I'm starting to think the only possible explanation for the very low number of German deaths is that they're not recording the cause of death as coronavirus if an already seriously ill person contracts it just before they pass away, whereas in other countries they are doing so. But I'm not an expert etc.

    https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6

    More like their testing all demographics which give us a more accurate death toll which is <1%.
  • OllyTOllyT Posts: 5,035

    That's great, thanks.

    The maths is impossible for Sanders now, but he'll hang on until the bitter end and waste everyone's time I imagine.
    He's a stubborn old fool just like Corbyn
  • Beibheirli_CBeibheirli_C Posts: 8,192
    rcs1000 said:

    NOTE TO ALL POSTERS. PLEASE BE POLITE. PLEASE BE MEASURED. PLEASE BE AT LEAST ONE THIRD SOBER.

    HERE ARE THE RULES:

    1. DO NOT SWEAR AT OTHER POSTERS
    2. DO NOT CALL OTHER POSTERS NAMES
    3. DO NOT SPECULATE ON THE REAL WORLD IDENTITY OF OTHER POSTERS
    4. DO NOT CRITICISE RADIOHEAD
    5. DO NOT INVENT STORIES ABOUT TALKING TO ALBANIAN TAXI DRIVERS
    6. DO NOT ACCUSE OTHER POSTERS OF LYING WITHOUT GOOD CAUSE
    7. DO NOT INCITE THE PLACING OF PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA
    8. DO NOT SPREAD HOLOCAUST DENIAL
    9. DO NOT PRETEND THAT THERE ARE PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES BETTER THAN PYTHON
    10. DO NOT POST MORE THAN ABOUT TEN TWEETS A DAY

    There may be more that I will need to invent.

    Number 9 - I thought I made it clear last night about Python. I do not need to pretend that there are programming languages better than Python. I know there are.

    On top of which, the best debugger ever was DEC's on the VAX/VMS series. It was awesome as was their EVE editor.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 73,567

    To help calm everyone - https://www.gutenberg.org/

    Don't know if this has been mentioned - zillions of out of copyright books for free.

    To start the ball rolling

    Admiral Mahan's (yes, that one) Life of Nelson -

    https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16914
    https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16915

    A magnificent work - much more detail than many more recent biographies.

    Is he the one who claimed Nelson's recklessness at Trafalgar was because he sought atonement for his persistent banging of 'That Hamilton Woman' with a glorious death in battle?
  • BigRichBigRich Posts: 3,492
    Yorkcity said:

    I hope not, but surely the B of E will step in as before , to shore them up if necessary.
    Helping the rich is what the Bank of England is there for after all
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 54,559
    ydoethur said:

    Times are alarming when No. 7 needs to be said...
    Skins are thin when 4 needs to be said.....
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 54,233
    edited March 2020
    ydoethur said:

    I have just been told that headteachers were given no warning of any of today's announcements. This is despite the DfE hosting a briefing of Headteachers at 3.30pm.

    That seems a bit strange.

    The schools that my daughters go to were planning on a shutdown on Friday happening - since early last week.

    One private, one state. In the case of the private school moving to teaching on-line.
  • eekeek Posts: 29,739

    Number 9 - I thought I made it clear last night about Python. I do not need to pretend that there are programming languages better than Python. I know there are.

    On top of which, the best debugger ever was DEC's on the VAX/VMS series. It was awesome as was their EVE editor.
    True, with Perl you can do absolutely anything you want in a single line of code (you can't debug it or maintain it but since when has that been an issue with computer programming).
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 54,559
    OllyT said:

    He's a stubborn old fool just like Corbyn
    Making people go out to vote in a pandemic is beyond stubborn foolishness....
  • ydoethur said:

    I have just been told that headteachers were given no warning of any of today's announcements. This is despite the DfE hosting a briefing of Headteachers at 3.30pm.

    That seems a bit strange.

    I think medical events overtook that.

    I think we're headed for a massive increase in cases, and sadly deaths over the next week.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 54,233
    BigRich said:

    LOL

    Thank you, thank you so much!

    I was just trying to wright that myself, but yours in much better. :)
    I forgot to mention that we discussed my belief that Australia is a hoax. Denying historical events is for losers. Real wingnuts deny the existence of entire continents.

    So we are supposed to believe that a bunch of convicts dumped on a virtually un-inhibitable desert built a liberal democratic country? A place where mammals lay eggs. Where swans are black....
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 73,567

    I think medical events overtook that.

    I think we're headed for a massive increase in cases, and sadly deaths over the next week.
    In an hour and a half?
  • ChameleonChameleon Posts: 4,264

    I think medical events overtook that.

    I think we're headed for a massive increase in cases, and sadly deaths over the next week.
    We're less than 48 hours away from a London lockdown I suspect.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 55,189

    More like their testing all demographics which give us a more accurate death toll which is <1%.</p>
    I’m with @AndyJS on this one. The difference is just too large to be explained by demographics alone. Either that or they have found a cure and not shared it yet.
  • Beibheirli_CBeibheirli_C Posts: 8,192
    eek said:

    True, with Perl you can do absolutely anything you want in a single line of code (you can't debug it or maintain it but since when has that been an issue with computer programming).
    Are we allowed to discuss Regexes? Strictly not a programming language, but they have an opacity all of their own :D
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 65,565
    I’m a Doctor in Britain. We’re Heading Into the Abyss.

    https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/18/opinion/coronavirus-uk-nhs.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage

    (Not one for the faint hearted to read).
  • nichomarnichomar Posts: 7,483
    Heading for a 10:year low £/€
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 73,567
    edited March 2020

    The schools that my daughters go to were planning on a shutdown on Friday happening - since early last week.

    One private, one state. In the case of the private school moving to teaching on-line.
    Well, I have been anticipating for two days that we wouldn't be open Monday, although in my darkest nightmares I never foresaw this.

    But what puzzles me is - OK, maybe they didn't want the news leaking and thought telling 25,000 people wasn't a smart way to do that. Fair enough. But why then hold a briefing urging schools to stay open as long as possible, which is what they did? Why not just cancel the briefing and say, 'big announcement at 5pm?'
  • ydoethur said:

    In an hour and a half?
    Yes, you saw how the model and strategy changed rapidly earlier on this week.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 54,559
    Chameleon said:

    We're less than 48 hours away from a London lockdown I suspect.
    You have to get the kids out of school on Friday first.

    7.00 pm Friday? If it's midnight, you'll have one last massive lash.....
  • ChameleonChameleon Posts: 4,264
    edited March 2020
    > PLEASE BE AT LEAST ONE THIRD SOBER.
    > 4. DO NOT CRITICISE RADIOHEAD
    > 7. DO NOT INCITE THE PLACING OF PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA

    Most of the rules are sensible, but those three are the sort of rules that really make me doubt things. What's next, DO NOT DENY THAT THE EARTH IS FLAT?

    I am however glad that my conversations with Montenegrin Uber drivers are unaffected.
  • FloaterFloater Posts: 14,207
    oh fuck - Doctors just told son they cant get him a repeat prescription

    Even at this early stage.....
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 54,233
    ydoethur said:

    Is he the one who claimed Nelson's recklessness at Trafalgar was because he sought atonement for his persistent banging of 'That Hamilton Woman' with a glorious death in battle?
    No - he actually sets out why Nelson thought he was going to die before he set out. Basically, due to the strategic situation, Nelson reckoned that he would have to fight the Combined fleet with a fleet of half their numbers. So his plan was to divide them in 2 and crush the first half. The second half would catch up with his ships - which would have lost masts etc and so Nelson reckoned that his fleet would be destroyed. Taking most of the second wave with him. Which would prevent an invasion of Britain for at least a year.

    In the event, he was lucky and they managed to reinforce his fleet to about equal to the French/Spanish force.

    Mahan actually gives a rather balanced portrait of Hamilton - gives views and comments from the likers and the loathers.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 65,565
    Chameleon said:

    We're less than 48 hours away from a London lockdown I suspect.
    "I have just been told that headteachers were given no warning of any of today's announcements. This is despite the DfE hosting a briefing of Headteachers at 3.30pm."

    If they told Headteachers at 3:30, then a) it would leak within a nanosecond b) It would be ahead of the formal announcement in HoC at 5pm. The Speaker has been expressing displeasure at press briefings and so on that preempt HoC.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 51,131
    nichomar said:

    Heading for a 10:year low £/€

    35 year low £/$
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 79,235
    edited March 2020
    Well I can do some work from home for sure. To do it all the world is going to need to move to entirely electronic invoices and receipts.

    It might come sooner rather than later, paper receipts are a bit of a fomite for virii.
  • AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340
    rcs1000 said:

    NOTE TO ALL POSTERS. PLEASE BE POLITE. PLEASE BE MEASURED. PLEASE BE AT LEAST ONE THIRD SOBER.

    HERE ARE THE RULES:

    1. DO NOT SWEAR AT OTHER POSTERS
    2. DO NOT CALL OTHER POSTERS NAMES
    3. DO NOT SPECULATE ON THE REAL WORLD IDENTITY OF OTHER POSTERS
    4. DO NOT CRITICISE RADIOHEAD
    5. DO NOT INVENT STORIES ABOUT TALKING TO ALBANIAN TAXI DRIVERS
    6. DO NOT ACCUSE OTHER POSTERS OF LYING WITHOUT GOOD CAUSE
    7. DO NOT INCITE THE PLACING OF PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA
    8. DO NOT SPREAD HOLOCAUST DENIAL
    9. DO NOT PRETEND THAT THERE ARE PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES BETTER THAN PYTHON
    10. DO NOT POST MORE THAN ABOUT TEN TWEETS A DAY

    There may be more that I will need to invent.

    I’ve only broken six of those. I’ve yet to criticise Radiohead.
  • FloaterFloater Posts: 14,207

    "I have just been told that headteachers were given no warning of any of today's announcements. This is despite the DfE hosting a briefing of Headteachers at 3.30pm."

    If they told Headteachers at 3:30, then a) it would leak within a nanosecond b) It would be ahead of the formal announcement in HoC at 5pm. The Speaker has been expressing displeasure at press briefings and so on that preempt HoC.
    Well - as I knew of the upcoming shutdown of schools last weekend I really find that hard to believe
  • OmniumOmnium Posts: 11,482

    I think medical events overtook that.

    I think we're headed for a massive increase in cases, and sadly deaths over the next week.
    We probably need to just get on with the deaths. Hiding away en-masse seems likely to cause greater trouble. You can't just expect that the economy will put itself back together. It'll be good in doing so, but there will be gaps.

    Apologies to anyone that does actually die, and cheerio if it's me that does!
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 73,567

    No - he actually sets out why Nelson thought he was going to die before he set out. Basically, due to the strategic situation, Nelson reckoned that he would have to fight the Combined fleet with a fleet of half their numbers. So his plan was to divide them in 2 and crush the first half. The second half would catch up with his ships - which would have lost masts etc and so Nelson reckoned that his fleet would be destroyed. Taking most of the second wave with him. Which would prevent an invasion of Britain for at least a year.

    In the event, he was lucky and they managed to reinforce his fleet to about equal to the French/Spanish force.

    Mahan actually gives a rather balanced portrait of Hamilton - gives views and comments from the likers and the loathers.
    Haven't come across that then. It sounds interesting. I will add it to my list.
  • nichomarnichomar Posts: 7,483
    London heading for 1000 cases If it is shut down they need to stop people escaping to the country
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 55,189

    "I have just been told that headteachers were given no warning of any of today's announcements. This is despite the DfE hosting a briefing of Headteachers at 3.30pm."

    If they told Headteachers at 3:30, then a) it would leak within a nanosecond b) It would be ahead of the formal announcement in HoC at 5pm. The Speaker has been expressing displeasure at press briefings and so on that preempt HoC.
    When the Chancellor announces £330bn of spending at a press conference he rather has a point.
  • BigRichBigRich Posts: 3,492

    I forgot to mention that we discussed my belief that Australia is a hoax. Denying historical events is for losers. Real wingnuts deny the existence of entire continents.

    So we are supposed to believe that a bunch of convicts dumped on a virtually un-inhibitable desert built a liberal democratic country? A place where mammals lay eggs. Where swans are black....
    Did you know that Herodotus of Halicarnassus, the Greek historian who is often referred to as the 'Father of history', beveled that the British isles where a hoax.

  • Omnium said:

    We probably need to just get on with the deaths. Hiding away en-masse seems likely to cause greater trouble. You can't just expect that the economy will put itself back together. It'll be good in doing so, but there will be gaps.

    Apologies to anyone that does actually die, and cheerio if it's me that does!
    I've been in contact with an economist today, he's convinced we'll see a 'V' shaped recession/depression and recovery.
  • Stark_DawningStark_Dawning Posts: 9,984

    Are we allowed to discuss Regexes? Strictly not a programming language, but they have an opacity all of their own :D
    Regexes make absolute sense when you get to know them. You actually get a Plato-wandering-out-of-the-cave moment. The universe seems that much clearer. I'd recommend the book by Jeffrey Friedl - possibly the greatest IT guide ever written.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 73,567
    IanB2 said:

    35 year low £/$
    That is rather strange. Surely nobody expects the US to suffer less than us? Or do they think they can ride out the economic storm better?

    Or is it just everyone is rushing for dollars?
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 54,233
    ydoethur said:

    Haven't come across that then. It sounds interesting. I will add it to my list.
    It is hagiography in places - hard to find a 19th Cent sailor who didn't basically worship Nelson - but full of detail and facts.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 51,131
    edited March 2020
    ydoethur said:

    That is rather strange. Surely nobody expects the US to suffer less than us? Or do they think they can ride out the economic storm better?

    Or is it just everyone is rushing for dollars?
    Partly. Also QE is restarting

    Edit/ and as you say, with an election looming the markets probably think Trump won’t hold back
  • stodgestodge Posts: 14,485
    Evening all :)

    Robert is of course completely wrong as he is about so much else.

    On PB there are only three rules:

    1) Anyone who posts between midnight and 8am is SAD
    2) Anyone who posts between 8am and 4pm is BAD
    3) Anyone who posts between 4pm and midnight is MAD
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 73,567
    BigRich said:

    Did you know that Herodotus of Halicarnassus, the Greek historian who is often referred to as the 'Father of history', beveled that the British isles where a hoax.

    Not more of a hoax than the suggestion Australia is 'liberal...'
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 54,233
    For my next recommendation -

    Caesar: A Sketch by James Anthony Froude
    https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8425

    While Froude basically takes Caesar side, there is a vast amount of detail in this work. Including some great explanations of *why* some of this stuff happened.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 73,567
    @Malmesbury

    Paul Kruger, President of the Boer Republics, was one of history's very few actual flat-earthers. On one occasion he met a sailor who had voyaged all around the world.

    Kruger's response was, 'You cannot have done! It is flat!'
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 54,233
    ydoethur said:

    Not more of a hoax than the suggestion Australia is 'liberal...'
    They are run by the Liberal Party according to the hoaxers.
  • logical_songlogical_song Posts: 10,033

    Alice Cooper to be No. 1 next week?

    Poison or Elected?
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 73,567

    They are run by the Liberal Party according to the hoaxers.
    Calling Scott Morrison 'Liberal' is the biggest hoax since Piltdown Man.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 79,235
    Omnium said:


    We probably need to just get on with the deaths. Hiding away en-masse seems likely to cause greater trouble.

    The problem could be that half the country will hide away and half won't. The half that won't are keeping the deaths too high for the half that will to safely come out of hiding
This discussion has been closed.