Good post, PL. The government is doing well with the vaccinations, but should stop bragging about it, because their performance otherwise has been poor.
Hancock is blathering on the Andrew Marr show about schools re-opening. He is refusing to admit there is ZERO chance of schools re-opening after the February half term break (about 4 weeks away). Opening schools that soon would be a disaster. If we did that, we might as well abandon all the pandemic rules. After Easter is the absolutely earliest tie schools can re-open, and even that date is under serious doubt. Everybody knows it. But the Government won't speak plainly about it. This is why people are so frustrated by them. They waffle and procrastinate, then react at the last minute, rather than taking control. Why don't they say right now: After Easter at the earliest - and we'll review that position 3 weeks before Easter. Then we would all know where we stand.
And would get a little respect if honest. The Government keep blabbering on about guidelines but do nothing to fine culprits who do not adhere. In many cases now they are clutching at straws and appear desperate to avoid losing control. That said, they and any Government around the world are on a hiding to nothing.
In my opinion the local Conservative Party in New Forest West should rise up and de-select Sir Desmond Swayne..... he seems to be a right AR$EHOLE!! MP says Britons will not tolerate another 'absurd' lockdown (msn.com)
Out of the blue vaccinations have started here. My mother received a call this afternoon asking if she could attend the recently completed but not opened care home within 25 minutes. Luckily her neighbour was available to help. It's good that we now have it here but I am concerned by the lack of organisation. Had she not been able to attend at such short notice, when would she have been invited again?
Great news for your mum, no doubt a relief for your good self. I'd like to think all is organised and your mum was able to take advantage of a cancellation.
I heard a GP on the telly this morning saying she thought mask-wearing in crowded places like supermarkets, theatres, cinemas and on public transport might become a permanent thing. That we would have to wear them in those places for the rest of our lives. Screw that I'll wear a mask in places where I presently have to, and I'll obey the pandemic rules. But once this crisis is over I'm not going around putting face coverings on several times a day for the rest of my life. Absolutely no f**king way. And when fans return to football, if we have to wear masks then I won't be going again. If our society is so diseased that people will never again be able to meet together and socialise without having to wear face masks, then frankly life is not going to be worth living.
WARNING OF FAKE NHS MESSAGES INVITING PEOPLE FOR VACCINATIONS https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-55811161 If you get a phone message that looks like it is from the NHS it is a FAKE if it asks for any of the following things: If it asks you to 'register' for a vaccination - by answering any personal questions. There is no registration of ANY kind required to get a vaccination. If it asks for any bank or credit card details - even if it says these are for identification only If it asks you for any other identification details (utility statements, etc.) Don't be taken in.
The NHS ones offer you a time, or choice of times, for a jab, that's all. You tick the one you want and return the text.
Boris Johnson to visit Scotland despite Nicola Sturgeon warning https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-55829578 I'm no fan of Sturgeon, but I think she has a point here. Boris Johnson has no essential reason to travel to Scotland. So why should he be able to travel there when everybody else cannot travel except for essential purposes? Once again, the Government displays it's long held attitude that COVID rules are only for the plebs. Those in power can please themselves, they're above the law.
Another daft idea from Johnson, who continues to prove he is not up for the job. Here in Catalunya, we can beat that. Everyone is confined in their town of residence apart from for urgent reasons (work, etc). But with the Catalan elections looming, we are now also allowed to travel to political meetings and rallies. Given that sort of thing generally only attractsvoters who are hard-core allies of the party whose rally they attend, it's of minimal importance. We also have the news that as everyone has the right to vote from 7 to 8pm on voting day, people infected with Covid can go and vote. People working in polling stations will have to wear full ppe to prevent infection . The countries whose response has been best in regard to Covid don't seem to have indulged in this sort of bizarre behaviour. Europe (including the UK ) really has not done well with this.
Dork of the Day... Tory MP Sir Desmond Swain Nope. I've never heard of him either. He reckons the Coronavirus infection & mortality figures are fake, and that the NHS can manage OK. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-55839252 Righto Sir Desmond. Doubtless you've spent the last couple of weeks helping out in an ICU ward, which qualifies you to hold such a view about the NHS. With no due respect, the Right Honourable member is just that - a complete Member.