Things are moving so quickly a daily thread has been suggested.

What's clear to me is rationing will need introducing. If it isn't there will soon be civil unrest.

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Train and Tube services are now starting to be impacted by operational difficulties.

The futures market look like delivering another bad day on the markets.

Schools are now starting to close because they can’t operate effectively.

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On the subject of whether COVID-19 has been widely circulating in the UK (and therefore most other countries) and there are already 20 million or more infections in the UK alone  I can only say one thing. If true it will be the greatest failing of science since Neil Armstrong didn't land on the moon. 

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Thinking of civil unrest, Brian, I consider the situation in prisons and detention centres is already an issue needing urgent attention. Our penal system has needed improving for years, but the trigger of CO-19 is a very dangerous addition to the mix. Both inmates and staff could be in increasing danger. The University of Wiki says: the total prison population [2018] was roughly 93,000, with a total prison capacity of around 96,000. I think there is a strong case for the release of low risk prisoners now, if only to make room for all the miscreants we are about to arrest! But that's only an interim solution to a huge and intractable problem.
Roger

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I would be inclined to agree. Not sure how Pritti Patel will be able to live with the idea though. Also a few of the low risk ones will inevitably turn out to be perverts and murderers. The public backlash could be enormous.

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Indeed. Someone sent me some pics of ASDA in Taunton, Somerset last night with shelves almost completely bare.

I think there could be legislation brought in to prevent or reduce profiteering at least on the online platforms. It is certainly possible for the likes of Amazon to 'hide' listings so that only the seller can see them and they don't appear to the general viewer.

I think it likely that sometime this week we will see more more of an armed presence on the streets or at least in places like supermarkets. That should have begun last weekend though.

I noticed that the aircraft carrier is now identified as HMS Prince of Wales after hiding in plain sight incognito out in Weymouth bay, Dorset with quite a coterie of protection too. A long time since the RN was here in such numbers though it's stretching it perhaps to say 'numbers'.

 

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One thing I was thinking this morning.

Isn’t it funny that care workers, shop assistants and cleaners etc labelled as low skilled a few weeks ago are the ones leading and supporting many people to manage this crisis.

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Low-skilled does not mean low value. Many low-skilled jobs are vitally important to society.

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Ug - I'd forgotten about her for a blessed moment. Best filter out the "acceptables" for release. We don't want our lampposts decorated with corpses. R.

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We’ve had emails from blood donor services advising us about Coronavius and donor sessions.  It’s important to continue to give blood and they are advising you can still donate after 14 days of isolation.  They have also taken measures to maintain social distancing at sessions.  

Hubby has an appointment for next week but I missed out as the session is full.  I may still go along with him as I have a feeling there will be cancellations. 

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Presumably the virus can spread through blood - and they're saying they're not testing the blood.
Doesn't that sound like a calamity waiting to happen?

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Appears that the general population are not heeding the governments advice and long queues are appearing at supermarkets. I’m seeing a lot of this on Facebook.

Lots of people celebrating St Patrick’s day down the pub last night as well.

We can’t be far off more extreme measures now.

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As a respiratory virus and I may be wrong about this but I don’t believe it would spread via blood transfusions (as strange as that may appear). For this reason the Covid tests are also not blood tests.

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I am hopeful (or maybe naive) that once the supply chain has caught up with the increased demand then we will back to normal. In theory, there should be no shortages as our borders are fully open for trade.

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I was reading this morning that the reduction in deaths from air pollution in China due to the shutdown is likely to be greater than the number of deaths from the virus. Shows how filthy that country’s industry is really.

As for rationing, I don’t see why that should be necessary. The supply of food shouldn’t be reduced much. Once people realise they can’t move around their house without tripping over bog roll and tins of beans they will get bored. 

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Alok Sharma being interviewed this morning on Sky. In total denial about the reality on the ground.

He also said ‘ Younger people are less likely to get the virus because the symptoms are less severe ‘ 

He was also asked about mortgage holidays and he said people ‘shouldn’t’ have there credit rating impacted. How reassuring. 

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It doesn’t affect blood cells, apart from producing antibodies, which is good!  It’s the cells in the lining of your respiratory tract that are attacked.

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  As per my post too.  Blood tests would only detect antibodies, not the virus. 

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Sadly, a lot of China’s filthy industry is due to our demand for their products. 

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20million so cracking on through the population , so where has the figure of 20,000 deaths come from ?

Finding that hard to believe 

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Boris Johnson did hint at other measures yesterday. 

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I've woken up with a severe headache this morning. Don't think that's one of the symptoms and I don't have a temperature.
Probably just a stress head! People also need to remember other illnesses are still available!

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The polite request was never going to be listened to , the pubs will be busy this weekend .

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Later closing  hours knowing him 

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Joe Public seems to know the pubs are rammed and nobody is listening to HGM advice.
Surely they have to order these places shut today otherwise we'll be on course for 250k deaths as oppose to 20k.

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