Well, I am still being denied, by a company legal department that thinks that their interpretation of the coronavirus job retention scheme rules outweighs that of the people who wrote the rules and run the scheme, namely HMRC. They have also sent the “obligatory” veiled threat referring to company policy on the use of social media etc. Anything I have said on Facebook or anywhere else is the truth, that can be verified by looking at the emails I have received from the company, which is precisely why I have restricted my communication with them to email only - evidence of what has been said. Meanwhile I have received an email from a BBC reporter saying that he will discuss it with his colleagues and come back to me. Watch this space.
I posted it in fun, but harsh or not, the length of this pandemic will be decided as much by the public as it will by the politicians. I recognise that the majority are being sensible. As I posted recently, the loosening of the lockdown rules in Germany and Spain showed an alarming number of people who were breaching social distancing rules. It would be devastating to see a second wave of infections as a result of those ignoring social distancing.
Sadly, I think it’s almost inevitable that we will see a second wave, and probably a third. That appears to be the scientific consensus. You can’t keep people locked up in their houses for ever. The social cost of doing so has to weighed in the balance, as does the economic cost. I wish you and your family all the very best and will continue to root for you in your battle against an unreasonable employer. As for the narrative that joggers in the park are the problem, I don’t buy it and I see it as to some extent a deflection technique by the media; get people blaming the mums in Tesco’s, rather than looking at what could really have been done better, and by who.
With regards to re-opening non essential shops, in the future, I can see stores selling clothing being a potential hub for spreading what is left of the virus. Any store, where “rummaging” through stock is the norm, has the potential to leave a trail of spores on, for example, plastic clothes hangers.
I'm with you in opposing the tory propaganda, very anti it. Political topics belong on the appropriate thread. This is the right thread for coronavirus comments which could be positive or negative with regard to the handling of the crisis. One positive is accommodation for the homeless not just for duration but providing long term solutions.
There's been well founded criticism of photographers who have used telephoto lens foreshortening techniques to make it appear people are far closer than a side view would show.
It's worth remembering that Tory and government can mean two very different things. I do think lots of negative "news" does get people down and creates fear - I would argue that is what much mainstream media has become. People don't think outside the box and just accept what they are told as truth rather than opinion. It's why critical thinking and philosophy are such valuable subjects that we don't seem to appreciate enough.
A conservative number but horrifying. Keir Starmer to Dominic Raab in PMQs “On Monday, the prime minister said in his short speech that many were looking at our apparent success in the United Kingdom. Does the first secretary agree with me that far from success, these figures are truly dreadful?” Fudged answer.
Financial Times thinks the figure could be another 60% higher globally. https://www.ft.com/content/6bd88b7d-3386-4543-b2e9-0d5c6fac846c
I saw that, was going to post it but felt it was a bit to doomful. It's the covid 19 related phrase, people die with symptoms but not tested so not counted. I'm hoping for a breakthrough in the search for treatments as well as vaccines. That's using existing drugs possibly in combination to alleviate suffering and prevent deaths. Oh just came on the BBC news, trials worldwide, at Addenbrooke's hospital here. Tests on patients ill with CV19 now.
The vaccine article from the other day said the Oxford research was 80% sure of finding a vaccine. And in Germany and the US they are also positive with their own research. Also as you say treatments to treat and save patients would also be a major breakthrough.
