The statement to push home lockdown was correct.

To not acknowledge the near 20,000 deaths was an utter disgrace.

Originally Posted by: Heavy Weather 2013 

I disagree. It is relevant. The pressure to lift restrictions is coming from the likes of Duncan Smith and other Tory Brexiters.

I find this constant pressure to ban, to delete and to warn rather over the top, to be frank.

We are adults and can handle a bit of back and forth. 

Originally Posted by: Justin W 

so why are death rates low? All we can do is speculate as follows: birth rates are very high so the demographics are markedly different from European populations - we know young people are less affected by COVID-19 than old people. Obesity is a factor and obesity is a rich country problem on the whole. General exposure to pathogens - from birth, people in poor countries are exposed to far more pathogens than people in pampered rich countries - it is likely that leads to a more robust immune system more capable of dealing even with novel pathogens like COVID-19. Finally, lack of reporting will extend to death certificates too, so it is very likely that many COVID-19 deaths are not being reported as such.

Anybody care to add to the above?

Originally Posted by: Maunder Minimum 

There's a lot of articles that create a sense of alarm, citing some 'emerging trend' of worrying development. 

I'm not disputing any of these, but we also have the fact that for the vast majority of people who catch CV19, symptoms vary from invisible to mild to a week or so of being laid low by a scary virus before recovering. 

It's difficult to maintain a sense of perspective, although there's still that Russian Roulette element. 

I do wonder if this drip-feeding of variations of the message that anyone who catches this could be unlucky and die, is aimed at keeping that fear factor high in order to keep most people adhering to the restrictions. 

Originally Posted by: Saint Snow 

And what about Philip Hammond Justin? He has been most vocal out of all of them. Very selective and conveniently not mentioned by you!

Originally Posted by: Phil G 

The statement to push home lockdown was correct.

To not acknowledge the near 20,000 deaths was an utter disgrace.

Originally Posted by: Heavy Weather 2013 

I don’t think it’ll be anything new or any type of revelation. 

I think he’ll say the lockdown needs to continue to be adhered to, this is a crucial time, etc etc.

May make some reference to a date at which the exit strategy will be published, maybe after this three week period is up? 

Obviously I could be totally wrong. :D 

Originally Posted by: Joe Bloggs 

The Third World and COVID-19 - from the BBC Website:

"Singapore is seeing a massive spike in coronavirus infections, mainly among migrant workers from Bangladesh and India.

With thousands of them testing positive, mostly with mild or no symptoms, authorities are scrambling to build quarantine facilities to house them."

• there are two factors of note in this report:

1. Thousands of migrant workers from Bangladesh and India testing positive confirms the impression of massive under-reporting and under-testing in those countries.


2. That deaths and hospitalisation rates across the Third World are comparatively low is noteworthy. It is apparent that under-reporting is as endemic as the virus across many regions, including the Indian Sub-Continent and Africa, so why are death rates low? All we can do is speculate as follows: birth rates are very high so the demographics are markedly different from European populations - we know young people are less affected by COVID-19 than old people. Obesity is a factor and obesity is a rich country problem on the whole. General exposure to pathogens - from birth, people in poor countries are exposed to far more pathogens than people in pampered rich countries - it is likely that leads to a more robust immune system more capable of dealing even with novel pathogens like COVID-19. Finally, lack of reporting will extend to death certificates too, so it is very likely that many COVID-19 deaths are not being reported as such.

Anybody care to add to the above?

Originally Posted by: Maunder Minimum 

True, and I also want an easing of lockdown, but that's mainly because I miss the pub 

However, it is clear that most Remainers and lefties seem to want the lockdown to stay and Brexiteers want it to end 

Originally Posted by: The Beast from the East 

B&Q were always allowed to be open but they had chosen not to. 

If the graphs during the press conferences are correct traffic levels overall haven't changed much from rising a few weeks ago.

Travel by train and bus is still well down again according to the graphs.

Originally Posted by: westv 

The media is starting to pick up on the alert Ulric referenced earlier this morning. 

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

Well matey I can live with these restrictions until they can find out why our new cases rate remains high. Something is still happening out there and needs to be addressed.

Originally Posted by: Phil G 

And what about Philip Hammond Justin? He has been most vocal out of all of them. Very selective and conveniently not mentioned by you!

Originally Posted by: Phil G 

What fresh lunacy is this?

Just a thumbs up to support a request for some data to substantiate a point, Justin. Why is that mad?

R"

But you can't, Justin....

R

Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons 

The media is starting to pick up on the alert Ulric referenced earlier this morning. 

Doctors receive urgent alert about children with ‘coronavirus-related condition’

An urgent alert has been issued to doctors amid concerns a ‘serious coronavirus-related syndrome’ could be emerging in children across the UK.

The alert, seen by the Health Service Journal, states that there has been a rise in children ‘of all ages’ presenting a ‘multi-system inflammatory state’ and requiring intensive care.

It continued: ‘There is a growing concern that a [Covid-19] related inflammatory syndrome is emerging in children in the UK, or that there may be another, as yet unidentified, infectious pathogen associated with these cases.’

https://metro.co.uk/2020/04/27/doctors-receive-urgent-alert-children-coronavirus-related-condition-12614466/

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

Indeed.

The argument about lives versus livelihoods is zero to do with whether someone is a Brexiteer or a Remainer.

Personally I am split on the issue - I think it is beyond absurd and deeply damaging that garden centres remain closed for example - their product is perishable and is viewed outside by the purchasers - surely they could introduce the 2 metre rule and social distancing and reopen their doors for plant products (but not their cafes of course). Just one example, but a pressing one.

Originally Posted by: Maunder Minimum 

Personally I am split on the issue - I think it is beyond absurd and deeply damaging that garden centres remain closed for example - their product is perishable and is viewed outside by the purchasers - surely they could introduce the 2 metre rule and social distancing and reopen their doors for plant products (but not their cafes of course). Just one example, but a pressing one.

Originally Posted by: Maunder Minimum 

The media is starting to pick up on the alert Ulric referenced earlier this morning.

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

Personally I am split on the issue - I think it is beyond absurd and deeply damaging that garden centres remain closed for example - their product is perishable and is viewed outside by the purchasers - surely they could introduce the 2 metre rule and social distancing and reopen their doors for plant products (but not their cafes of course). Just one example, but a pressing one.

Originally Posted by: Maunder Minimum 

Because Phil was trying to suggest that the uptick in the number of people ingesting disinfectant had nothing to do with Trump. Which Nick was pointing out. I was at a loss as to why you thought Phil's point was reasonable.

Originally Posted by: Justin W 

Really?

Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons 

Really?

Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons