Still don't necessarily think it's a bad idea if there is an age group that has almost a zero risk of mortality. And especially when it comes to boarding schools, why close them?

Good lord. Surely a freeborn citizen would recognise the responsibilities towards others that they have?

'I’ll take my chances, as I’d rather die as a freeborn citizen doing the things that freeborn citizens do, than cower like a dog in a kennel because the Government has ordered me to do so. I won’t do it. '

https://conservativewoman.co.uk/liberty-shackled-and-the-future-blighted-rip-europe-312-2020-we-had-a-good-run/

So not everything is downhill then.

Are there any major events apart from the Olympics which have not been cancelled yet?

Surely Wimbledon cannot go ahead this year.

No, it is a very bad idea as you help the virus transmit faster and better and you increase the risk of the NHS being overwhelmed. What about the parents or the school stuff that have underlying conditions?

I have a sense the government are seeing events are spiralling out of control and enforced measures are imminent.

@Brain   - Where did you hear about the army?

Also is there a Cobra meeting today and who is on the press conference today?

My son phoned me this morning to say he and his partner had been sent home from work as he’s considered to be ‘at risk’.  He’s an IT support manager, working in a big open plan office and she’s a PA in another department.  

They’d already sent home all staff over the age of 60 and all pregnant women and today HR were checking personnel medical records for others who were at risk with heart problems etc.  Daniel was flagged up as he has high blood pressure, which he didn’t consider put him in a high risk group as it’s controlled with medication, but the company have said they want to act in his best interest.  Becca was also sent home to safeguard Daniel, as they live together. 

Everyone sent home is on full pay and he’s been told their absence from work is indefinite and they will be on full pay for the duration, whether it takes weeks, months or a year.  Daniel can and does occasionally work from home but they’ve told them it isn’t expected of him, although I know he will because he’s very dedicated to his staff.  

This is a great example of what employers can do for their staff.  I know it’s not possible for SME’s but other big companies can follow the example of Sports Direct - oh sorry, they’re called Frazer Group now. 

Again it takes a bit of imagination. 

But firstly building up herd immunity amongst a ultra low risk group is a good idea. We are going to fill the bucket regardless, if children really have an almost zero risk then it is a good place to start and it would not overwhelm the NHS.

And regarding parents that's where the imagination part comes in. Again, why close boarding schools?

Begin transitioning regular schools to boarding schools and keep pupils there the entire time. Close schools that are not boarding. Gradually alternate pupils out of the boarding schools as they develop immunity.

As for staff, keep it skeletal and also low risk (i.e recovereds if possible or 18-24YOs with no comorbidities).

I think Cobra has been more like a grass snake.

There are stories circulating that a number of train companies are on the verge of collapse and will need the government to step in as the operator of last resort.

And perhaps only a fraction of schools could become boarding. But if we start building up herd immunity of children now, perhaps we can have most of them done by next winter.

Then if we do go into a 2nd wave all the children will be immune.

• we don't know if and when by 'we are going to fill the bucket regardless'


• I prefer the word of several epidemiologists who say that school closures are the single most effective measure to slow down community transmission


• You could be right on boarding schools, they are an aberration anyway

US/Canada border closed - never happened before.

P.S. English schools will close on Friday, so that will be UK wide. I don't know why the announcement on English schools has not been made - what do they fear if two day's notice is given?

Regular school closures.

Again, imagination is the important aspect.

The entire transport system is likely to be nationalised. British Airways could well end-up in the public sector despite what is being said at the moment.

PS: reports of the army deployment were on Twitter. Poor source and I think wrong

Not sure but Germany has already put in 0.5 trillion Euros I believe. 

I was almost certain that Libertarians would start making similar noises, just look at the title of her piece

Liberty shackled and the future blighted: RIP Europe, 312 – 2020. We had a good run

Never believe anything on Twitter unless it is backed up by the MSM.

If true it is another astonishing u turn. I would expect most parents (if they can) to keep their kids at home from tomorrow. Why risk a couple of days exposure if the kids are going to be off for months anyway.

I've been urged by the wife to visit garden centers to stock up on soil as they could well close soon. She wasn't overly concerned about our empty fridge as long as she can get in the garden unhampered 

U-turns are hardly astonishing under the current circumstances. It is a fast moving picture and as the information changes, policy has to follow suit. I would rather we had a thousand u-turns than continue with an inappropriate measure.

P.S. As for parents pulling their children out a couple of days early- that would be precisely why they are delaying the announcement to the last minute.

France too. Also Greece today announced 'helicopter money', any worker who stops working due to the virus will start getting 800 euros per month. That's well above the minimum wage.

I think it's more likely that our strategy was flawed from the start and based on poor modelling. At least our scientists have changed their tune now (as of last weekend). 

We'll see.

BREAKING: Spain travel advice

British holidaymakers are told to leave Spain as soon as possible amid their coronavirus outbreak.

An FCO spokesperson said: "The Spanish government have confirmed that all hotels will close in Spain from Tuesday 24 March.

"We therefore advise British travellers in Spain to contact their tour operator or airline as soon as possible, to arrange their return journey home before this date."

__

It deserves those shameful tourists right who wee flouting the rules.