How would you rate the UK's handling of this pandemic?

[Misterdog]

I am following the data and the data showed that covid "secure" places like pubs and restaurants were responsible for less than 3% of transmission.

Good that people are following 'the data', 3% of cases would only add 1,600 positive tests per day.
Or 48,000 per month. Who may then spread it to say 3 other people
150,000 per month.

It's a no brainer in my book, reopen the pubs .

 

[julianf]

Strictly? Yes.

That's what i would have thought also, however, its not the correct answer.
Providing the support "bubble" was exclusive, and with the preceding isolation period, the true answer is, no.


But then you get into things like driving from London to Durham, without the isolation period. I would suggest that to be against the rules, but, apparently that is ok, as its a child care issue.

Or making a trip to the Barnards Castle - again, i would think no, but, again, I'm wrong. Entirely acceptable if you want to test your eyesight (by operating heavy machinery in a typically dangerous situation).


I'm not wanting to conflict with you, but i have to go back to my previous statement that -

A) The rules have all been hazy and ill defined.

[AND]

It should have all been clear cut with no room for confusion.

 

[Rorschach]

Listening to the Radio today it is clear that a large section of people (including Police officers) cannot distinguish between LAW and GUIDANCE.

This is mostly relating to the story of the two ladies in Derbyshire. They were not following GUIDANCE but they were not breaking the LAW and this is where there is confusion.

 

[NormanB]

Listening to the Radio today it is clear that a large section of people (including Police officers) cannot distinguish between LAW and GUIDANCE.

This is mostly relating to the story of the two ladies in Derbyshire. They were not following GUIDANCE but they were not breaking the LAW and this is where there is confusion.

Equally, it highlights those of a mendacious mindset to test the limits of the rules rather than understanding what exactly is the problem and behaving within the spirit or aim of the rules. It is a pity the virus does not discriminate against stupid because it would be a great way of improving the gene pool. Unfortunately that is not the case.

 

[Rorschach]

Equally, it highlights those of a mendacious mindset to test the limits of the rules rather than understanding what exactly is the problem and behaving within the spirit or aim of the rules. It is a pity the virus does not discriminate against stupid because it would be a great way of improving the gene pool. Unfortunately that is not the case.

It's not about the spirit of the law, that isn't how the law works.

 

[julianf]

Equally, it highlights those of a mendacious mindset to test the limits of the rules rather than understanding what exactly is the problem and behaving within the spirit or aim of the rules.

Sorry, are you talking about covid, or tax avoidance now?


Both examples above will be responsible for thousands and thousands of fatalities.

My main point, which i alluded to previously also -

Its endemic in our society.

(for clarity, I'm now talking the concept of rule stretching, not the virus isnt also!)

 

[julianf]

I read yesterday that the UK now has the highest infection rate, per capita, of anywhere in the world.

Another trail blazing record there.

 

[Misterdog]

I read yesterday that the UK now has the highest infection rate, per capita, of anywhere in the world.

Another trail blazing record there.

Or maybe we are just testing more than anywhere else.

I read that.

We have definitely administered more vaccines than anywhere else in Europe.
750,000 more people than in Germany.

My 93 YO mother is booked in on Thursday, my friends father was jabbed on Saturday and his mother is booked in on Thursday, so not fake news then.

https://www.euronews.com/2021/01/03...country-is-fastest-at-rolling-out-the-vaccine


Though if I wished to show an anti Tory bias, I could say, we could have done it faster and saved lives, we could have done it cheaper and saved money.

Opinions may vary.

 

[Misterdog]

The rules have all been hazy and ill defined.

Unlike Keir Starmer, who yesterday said that nurseries and pre-schools should 'probably' close.

Nothing hazy or ill defined there.

 

[Misterdog]

Personally I think Corbyn and Co were a disaster area waiting to happen.

Though imagine how clear all the statistics would have been with Dianne Abott as Home Secretary.

Abott (sic) as clear as in Russia where they have just added 120,000 to the death toll due to a 'book keeping' error.

https://www.bmj.com/content/371/bmj.m4975

 

[Droogs]

Well that has always been a possibility if you buy the wrong sort of book in Russia

 

[Misterdog]

On another forum I'm on the site owner claims that Putin is a Fascist ( the Putin who worked for the KGB for 18 years.)
If this were true you might think that he and BJ/Trump would have got on like a house on fire.
I think there is a desire to write communism out of the history books, because a failed form of socialism does not look good to some.

Though anything right of centre can be called fascism.

If the UK population had ever experienced dictatorship, then there might be less political bickering about the democracy we are privileged to enjoy.

 

[Spectric]

Though imagine how clear all the statistics would have been with Dianne Abott as Home Secretary.

Not that clear if she spent too much time under Corbyns desk! Lets say she got to her position but not on a ladder.

 

[D_W]

Though imagine how clear all the statistics would have been with Dianne Abott as Home Secretary.

Abott (sic) as clear as in Russia where they have just added 120,000 to the death toll due to a 'book keeping' error.

https://www.bmj.com/content/371/bmj.m4975

To be fair, that's a pretty small error margin for Russia.

 

[D_W]

(for clarity, I'm now talking the concept of rule stretching, not the virus isnt also!)

is "Rule stretching" a legal definition? We generally write laws in a clear manner with clear punishments if compliance is important. Rule stretching sounds like something someone would use when it's their opinion that something is important and it's not the opinion of everyone else. But the implication is that rule stretching is "more devious and less noble" than law breaking.

 

[julianf]

is "Rule stretching" a legal definition? We generally write laws in a clear manner with clear punishments if compliance is important. Rule stretching sounds like something someone would use when it's their opinion that something is important and it's not the opinion of everyone else. But the implication is that rule stretching is "more devious and less noble" than law breaking.

Fox hunting.
Tax evasion.

Two sets of laws which are often "stretched" - in the sense that the boundaries of the written text are considered to be somthing to be worked around, rather than to be followed "in spirit"

 

[julianf]

Unlike Keir Starmer, who yesterday said that nurseries and pre-schools should 'probably' close.

Nothing hazy or ill defined there.

Some might say that blaming the party that is not in power, for the faults of the party that is power, is somewhat "clutching at straws".

 

[doctor Bob]

I see no one blaming labour.

 

[Jacob]

Not that clear if she spent too much time under Corbyns desk! Lets say she got to her position but not on a ladder.

You obviously find Diane Abbott very exciting, you mention her quite often.
She made one clumsy mistake years ago on a TV prog, just like hundreds of other MPs have done over the years, not to mention Johnson himself.
It's kept Sun readers in a frenzy of excitement ever since, poor things!
In fact she's a very clever and highly qualified woman with a very successful career as an MP and highly rated by her constituents.
Wouldn't you fancy having Liz Truss under your desk, or Gavin Williamson perhaps? Freshen up your fantasies?

 

[Misterdog]

Some might say that blaming the party that is not in power, for the faults of the party that is power, is somewhat "clutching at straws".

Merely quoting the opposition leaders words, not apportioning blame, I'll leave to others more qualified than myself.

Sir Keir Starmer told the BBC this morning that nursery schools should be shut down amid growing fears that the coronavirus is spreading out of control. Speaking to Andrew Marr, the Labour leader said nursery schools should "probably close" but added that he wants to talk to scientists about it. He said that many British people are "surprised" that primary schools are closed while nursery school are exempt.

Clear as mud.