They know they are morons.

What did Kelvin MacKenzie used to say at every morning briefing - "So what have we got for the morons today?"

This from Rupert Murdoch's Kiwi bumboy.

 

Yes! Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds are expecting their first child together - and are to get married. Some much needed happy news for the country. pic.twitter.com/WGOXJ8lBdJ

— Dan Wootton (@danwootton) February 29, 2020

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This and worse is what will happen
The surprising thing is that it has taken this long period of downplaying and being complacent before the level of disruption that will ensue has been realised.

People are also going to delay major purchases in case they fall ill and have more important things to think about.

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Should we cancel Brexit? Makes sense not to impose economic sanctions on ourselves at this moment, don't you agree?

 

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Excellent, lower demand should result in lower prices for the rest of us.

I need some new windows, come to think of it...

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I heard that ripping off the windows is another way to protect thyself from Covid-19, you get constant ventilation. 

It’s not coming from Mexico!!!!!!!!!! https://t.co/bEQTp95p4j

— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) February 29, 2020

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That is my experience too!  I’ve heard so many conversations about covid 19 being sensationalised and not once, outside this forum, have I heard any great concerns.

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Indeed also Germany with 117 and France 104 both shot up last couple of days. 

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12 new cases in England. I fear we are entering a new phase now

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12 further patients in England have tested positive bringing the total cases to 33 with 35 in the UK

 

Of the 12 new cases

• 1 from Essex has no travel history out of the country


• 8 have travelled from Italy


• 2 have travelled from Iran

The patients are from, London, West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Hertfordshire and Gloucestershire.

Yes, I’m pretty sure it will increase significantly in the coming weeks. As mentioned ad naseum, it is what viruses do. It would be much more surprising, puzzling and unusual if it stopped spreading!

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I can see large gatherings getting axed very soon. Cheltenham festival could be among those to go unless the rate of new cases suddenly drops in England.

The emergency meeting tomorrow now takes a new meaning. ALL flights from effected regions need to be grounded. We must contain this.

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That won't be happening. However, if you think it is the way forward why not email your MP?

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Schoolchildren across the country will be hoping and praying for closures

Handjob on Marr, saying this could happen 

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Handjob said cancelling flights is pointless as people will come in via non affected countries - Maginot line was the word he used

Its already here anyway. Saddle up and enjoy the hysteria of the UK press corp!

 

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Yes we absolutely need to take all possible measures to ensure the economic fallout of this health catastrophe is as minimal as possible. 

I’m sure all patriots who love this wonderful country will agree.

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But it’s precisely the overreaction and unnecessary panic that will make the economic effects worse. Arguably not exaggerating the threat has delayed the fallout by 2-3 weeks.

Despite the new cases the threat is still trivial for people outside the hotspots.  The biggest threat is the disproportionate reaction.

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What happens if we do all that with the massive personal and financial costs involved and it still does not contain it?

Scientific rationale and epidemiology go out the window in the face of multinational and media hysteria.

The current response is a much much bigger issue than the disease in almost every aspect. It is an interesting insight into the human psyche and the misconception that we can control everything now we are in the twenty first century. The very best we may be able to do, but at a massive cost, is to slow down the spread. 

Edit: I totally agree with your points Peter.

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Of course I risk being castigated by Old Speckled Hen and Mrs Grady for posting this, but the threat of economic and social disruption is high now no matter what HMG does. While this is not the apocalypse or great die off and the number of fatalities will not be in the hundreds of thousands, the UK will not be able to contain the virus in the way that China and Singapore appear to have been able to.

We are free society full of people who are obsessed with their 'human rights'. No British PM would have the guts to impose the restrictions which would be necessary to stop an epidemic here. So we are just going to have to live with it and make the best of things. I'm stocked up after stripping Waitrose in Canterbury yesterday. I have medical masks, a stockpile of salbutamol inhalers and fuel.

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Shame, you will have to cancel the street party you were organising to celebrate the Royal Wedding of King Boris and the birth of his 8 or 9th child 

 

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Handjob must already be  infected if he thinks the Home Secretary is courteous

 

Health Secretary Matt Hancock defends Priti Patel as "courteous" following bullying claims by ex-top civil servant https://t.co/ksmmrif1eF

— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) March 1, 2020

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When the local plebs find out you are a member of the pro EU liberal elite, they will come knocking at your gates....

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I'm also... er... fully tooled up

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Can just imagine the Premier League getting axed early and Liverpool won't win the league as the season could be declared null and void