Something along those lines could make sense but I imagine there will be serious issues to overcome. For example, in the areas where hospitals are most stretched there is likely to be a higher incidence of ill teachers. 

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

There is going to have to be a major crackdown because otherwise those who 'talk a good game' - utter tw4ts like Beast and one of my friends who said he was going to stop going to the pub and then went anyway 'because he felt fine' - will continue to do so.

These people don't care about the virus continuing to spread more quickly because of numbers circulating in pubs, clubs, etc. All they think about is that they are OK, their friends are OK and so there is no risk. They don't care about asymptomatic carriers, they don't care about the elderly and the vulnerable. All they care about is their own gratification. They will contort any argument to justify carrying on as normal while slagging off the Govt and others for not doing enough.

It makes me sick to the pit of my stomach, frankly. It is just about the most selfish act possible. It should be as socially unacceptable as drink driving but unfortunately there are plenty of red-faced pr1cks out there who are willing to tell the Daily Mail or Sky News that there is no danger from going to the pub.

To anybody who is doing this, I say this: Get this through your thick f5cking skull - it is not about you. It is about the continued circulation of the virus among medium to large size groups. By ignoring advice, you are potentially signing the death warrants of scores of vulnerable and elderly people. 

Originally Posted by: Justin W 

There is going to have to be a major crackdown because otherwise those who 'talk a good game' - utter tw4ts like Beast and one of my friends who said he was going to stop going to the pub and then went anyway 'because he felt fine' - will continue to do so.

These people don't care about the virus continuing to spread more quickly because of numbers circulating in pubs, clubs, etc. All they think about is that they are OK, their friends are OK and so there is no risk. They don't care about asymptomatic carriers, they don't care about the elderly and the vulnerable. All they care about is their own gratification. They will contort any argument to justify carrying on as normal while slagging off the Govt and others for not doing enough.

It makes me sick to the pit of my stomach, frankly. It is just about the most selfish act possible. It should be as socially unacceptable as drink driving but unfortunately there are plenty of red-faced pr1cks out there who are willing to tell the Daily Mail or Sky News that there is no danger from going to the pub.

To anybody who is doing this, I say this: Get this through your thick f5cking skull - it is not about you. It is about the continued circulation of the virus among medium to large size groups. By ignoring advice, you are potentially signing the death warrants of scores of vulnerable and elderly people. 

Originally Posted by: Justin W 

Londoners don't seem to have got the 'social distancing' message

Social distancing? This morning's commute on the Victoria line. Perhaps some clearer guidance from the government would help @BBCWorld @mrjamesob @guardian pic.twitter.com/gbEa9wW4Tv

— Art on an Island (@artonanisland) March 18, 2020

Originally Posted by: Gavin D 

Londoners don't seem to have got the 'social distancing' message

Social distancing? This morning's commute on the Victoria line. Perhaps some clearer guidance from the government would help @BBCWorld @mrjamesob @guardian pic.twitter.com/gbEa9wW4Tv

— Art on an Island (@artonanisland) March 18, 2020

Originally Posted by: Gavin D 

Why is the Tube still running? It has always been a motorway for the transmission of disease. It is utter madness that people are still herding onto trains and platforms. I think London is facing a catastrophe if this continues.

What all of this - the pathetic 'help' for businesses and individuals, the continued opening of schools, the herd immunity debacle, the 'advice' to keep away from pubs etc - shows is that Johnson is unfit to be PM in a time of crisis. He is unable to take the necessary decisions to protect the public at the right time without being swayed by some narcissist nutjob adviser. 

Johnson is not a strong man. He is weak. And his inability to be consistent and decisive is a danger to all of us. 

Originally Posted by: Justin W 

Why is the Tube still running? It has always been a motorway for the transmission of disease. It is utter madness that people are still herding onto trains and platforms. I think London is facing a catastrophe if this continues.

What all of this - the pathetic 'help' for businesses and individuals, the continued opening of schools, the herd immunity debacle, the 'advice' to keep away from pubs etc - shows is that Johnson is unfit to be PM in a time of crisis. He is unable to take the necessary decisions to protect the public at the right time without being swayed by some narcissist nutjob adviser. 

Johnson is not a strong man. He is weak. And his inability to be consistent and decisive is a danger to all of us. 

Originally Posted by: Justin W 

London could be an utter catastrophe, given everything I've seen and heard.

And let's see what happens in Liverpool in a 7-10 days' time.

Originally Posted by: NickR 

Why is the Tube still running? It has always been a motorway for the transmission of disease. It is utter madness that people are still herding onto trains and platforms. I think London is facing a catastrophe if this continues.

Originally Posted by: Justin W 

What about people who can't work from home? What about the doctors and nurses who need to get to work? How are those people supposed to get around?

Originally Posted by: westv 

What about people who can't work from home? What about the doctors and nurses who need to get to work? How are those people supposed to get around?

Originally Posted by: westv 

What about people who can't work from home? What about the doctors and nurses who need to get to work? How are those people supposed to get around?

Originally Posted by: westv 

Why is the Tube still running? It has always been a motorway for the transmission of disease. It is utter madness that people are still herding onto trains and platforms. I think London is facing a catastrophe if this continues.

What all of this - the pathetic 'help' for businesses and individuals, the continued opening of schools, the herd immunity debacle, the 'advice' to keep away from pubs etc - shows is that Johnson is unfit to be PM in a time of crisis. He is unable to take the necessary decisions to protect the public at the right time without being swayed by some narcissist nutjob adviser. 

Johnson is not a strong man. He is weak. And his inability to be consistent and decisive is a danger to all of us. 

Originally Posted by: Justin W 

Are you for real?

There is overground transport. HMG needs to arrange safe transportation for key workers. This needs to happen yesterday because the Tube is a catastrophe in the making

Originally Posted by: Justin W 

Kids been sent home here and schools decimated. 4 staff down as well.

Originally Posted by: SJV 

Indeed, Nick.

I know that you live in Durham these days, but am I right in thinking that you are originally from London or somewhere near to it?

If so, I imagine you are pretty glad you are not living there at the moment.

Originally Posted by: David M Porter 

On Monday my daughters' school sent home 55. More yesterday - although there doesn't seem to be much consistency. By youngest's best friend coughed once and sent home. Others claiming to feel unwell and hot have not been sent home.

My eldest has her GCSE dance practical today and hopefully it will go ahead (she's had to choreograph for her and 3 others, thankfully all were well as of last night).

I think they'll close on Friday. Inevitable, but very sad nonetheless. I hope arrangements are made for years 11 & 13 to prepare for and take their exams.

Originally Posted by: Saint Snow 

Horrific scenes from the tube there.

Kids been sent home here and schools decimated. 4 staff down as well.

The fact that we have had to wait this long for the inevitable (which still hasn't happened), coupled with the tube scenes (no doubt similar issues with lack of distancing in other cities) shows that Johnson has dithered for far too long.

The damage has been done and I hope he will be taken fully to account when this eventually eases. I appreciate it is a difficult decision but we need strength from our leader and I can't see how anyone could argue that we've had that.

Originally Posted by: SJV