Ireland unlocking process which begins on May 18th each stage will last 3-weeks running through to early August

Originally Posted by: Gavin D 

The problem is there is so much confusion and conflicting evidence. No one seems to know for sure how this virus is transmitted most effectively. I've read completely different ideas on surface transmission for example. The only definite seems to be that if people cough on you, you are very likely to catch it. 

If the virus is so easily transmitted in the air then it's difficult to see how anyone can avoid it without shutting themselves away until a vaccine appears. 

Originally Posted by: Northern Sky 

The problem is there is so much confusion and conflicting evidence. No one seems to know for sure how this virus is transmitted most effectively. I've read completely different ideas on surface transmission for example. The only definite seems to be that if people cough on you, you are very likely to catch it. 

If the virus is so easily transmitted in the air then it's difficult to see how anyone can avoid it without shutting themselves away until a vaccine appears. 

Originally Posted by: Northern Sky 

That is presumably because it is a newly identified virus. So although the government appears to be all over the place at times it is understandable to an extent.  

My view is simple. When restrictions are eased I will not be an "early adopter" of the new regime. My wife and I will sit back for a few weeks to see how it develops. We both work from home in normal times so in many ways it's not much different. The big loss is not going to pubs and restaurants etc. We've also been fortunate in being able to book weekly online food deliveries from the supermarkets throughout the lockdown period so far.

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

It actually beggars believe John.

They have a whole headline dedicated to relaxation of the 2m rule, yet the source also says it’s a non starter.

What a disgrace this paper is.

Originally Posted by: Heavy Weather 2013 

Interesting article in the Tele about why "British exceptionalism" appears to be coming up trumps for once. 

Why Britain ended up as the one of the worst in the world at fighting coronavirus - the experts' views

Experts give their opinions on why the UK has been hit so hard by the Covid-19 virus

Theories suggested:

An elderly and unhealthy population
Protect the NHS has actually cost lives
Just bad luck?
Too late to lockdown and a failure to close the borders
Failure to protect the elderly?
Lack of testing
Insufficient PPE

More info in the article here:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/05/01/britain-ended-one-worst-world-fighting-coronavirus-experts/

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

British workers slammed by farmer: 

The farmer, who asked to remain anonymous as he feared losing his pickers, said: “It’s a complete nightmare, to be honest. If I had to rely on British workers I would be out of business next year.

“It’s an uncertain time at the moment but I think the government is somewhat deluded in thinking the ‘great British workforce’ is capable of doing this.”

“They find it too physical. I’m ashamed of the British workers. It’s a joke. The English workers have been picking about 60, 65 per cent of what my returnees do.

“Out of 50-odd workers, I’ve got about four good ones. Our season will be over in six weeks, then the soft fruit growers are really in trouble.”

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/farmers-fear-disaster-as-new-land-army-enters-the-field-w6h25v0ws

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

The Telegraph is an absolute disgrace.

Originally Posted by: SJV 

Interesting article in the Tele about why "British exceptionalism" appears to be coming up trumps for once. 

Why Britain ended up as the one of the worst in the world at fighting coronavirus - the experts' views

Experts give their opinions on why the UK has been hit so hard by the Covid-19 virus

Theories suggested:

An elderly and unhealthy population
Protect the NHS has actually cost lives
Just bad luck?
Too late to lockdown and a failure to close the borders
Failure to protect the elderly?
Lack of testing
Insufficient PPE

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

It has been for years. Aiden Barclay is second on my list of bellends I would like to see swinging from a lamppost, behind Rupert.

Boris is still officially on the payroll even though he hasn't written a column since becoming PM

Originally Posted by: The Beast from the East 

That is presumably because it is a newly identified virus. So although the government appears to be all over the place at times it is understandable to an extent.  

My view is simple. When restrictions are eased I will not be an "early adopter" of the new regime. My wife and I will sit back for a few weeks to see how it develops. We both work from home in normal times so in many ways it's not much different. The big loss is not going to pubs and restaurants etc. We've also been fortunate in being able to book weekly online food deliveries from the supermarkets throughout the lockdown period so far.

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

🚨NEW:

UK government scientists are urgently investigating whether people living with obesity may be disproportionately affected by the coronavirus, after emerging data from intensive care units suggested a stronger link than previously thoughthttps://t.co/tEXWHuFMUG

— Alex Wickham (@alexwickham) May 2, 2020

Originally Posted by: The Beast from the East 

🚨NEW:

UK government scientists are urgently investigating whether people living with obesity may be disproportionately affected by the coronavirus, after emerging data from intensive care units suggested a stronger link than previously thoughthttps://t.co/tEXWHuFMUG

— Alex Wickham (@alexwickham) May 2, 2020

Originally Posted by: The Beast from the East 

That is presumably because it is a newly identified virus. So although the government appears to be all over the place at times it is understandable to an extent.  

My view is simple. When restrictions are eased I will not be an "early adopter" of the new regime. My wife and I will sit back for a few weeks to see how it develops. We both work from home in normal times so in many ways it's not much different. The big loss is not going to pubs and restaurants etc. We've also been fortunate in being able to book weekly online food deliveries from the supermarkets throughout the lockdown period so far.

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

He's right. I used to pick Asparagus as a student and this  was about the time when Europeans started coming over and they were much better and hard working. 

Of course, we have a No deal or hard Brexit coming in 6 months. That is actually going to be a much bigger crisis for this country than Covid, and entirely self-inflicted

Originally Posted by: The Beast from the East 

I absolutely endorse this sensible point of view, Brian. Many uncertainties remain and anything could change at any time. It would be foolhardy for anyone to rush back to their old social habits. Rash behaviour now could go seriously wrong.

Best to be a laggard where you can for a month or two. You can party later.

Roger

Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons 

Commuters will be asked to take their temperature according to The Times. I'm sure a couple of months ago the view was taking temperatures of passengers at airports was of very little value. Also, many home thermometers are inaccurate or difficult to use. Sounds farcical to me.

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

British workers slammed by farmer: 

The farmer, who asked to remain anonymous as he feared losing his pickers, said: “It’s a complete nightmare, to be honest. If I had to rely on British workers I would be out of business next year.

“It’s an uncertain time at the moment but I think the government is somewhat deluded in thinking the ‘great British workforce’ is capable of doing this.”

“They find it too physical. I’m ashamed of the British workers. It’s a joke. The English workers have been picking about 60, 65 per cent of what my returnees do.

“Out of 50-odd workers, I’ve got about four good ones. Our season will be over in six weeks, then the soft fruit growers are really in trouble.”

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/farmers-fear-disaster-as-new-land-army-enters-the-field-w6h25v0ws

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

New?? I thought the link between a poor outcome and obesity was already thought to be real.

Originally Posted by: westv 

I suspect it's a bit of sensationalist reporting but the article explains that the concern is not the link, which is known, but that the outcomes are worse than initially expected and covid-19 is more dangerous to the obese than initial advice/guidance suggested.

It'd be nice to think that this outbreak will make us take a long hard look at things like obesity, air pollution etc., both of which it's strongly suggested have contributed to deaths (and are obviously a significant cause of deaths in normal times) but I suspect all that will happen will be a bit more noise about it for a short period of time and then everyone will stick their heads down and carry on largely unchanged, aided and abetted by the usual media and political agendas influenced by the mega wealthy.  

Originally Posted by: Hippydave 

I suspect it's a bit of sensationalist reporting but the article explains that the concern is not the link, which is known, but that the outcomes are worse than initially expected and covid-19 is more dangerous to the obese than initial advice/guidance suggested.

It'd be nice to think that this outbreak will make us take a long hard look at things like obesity, air pollution etc., both of which it's strongly suggested have contributed to deaths (and are obviously a significant cause of deaths in normal times) but I suspect all that will happen will be a bit more noise about it for a short period of time and then everyone will stick their heads down and carry on largely unchanged, aided and abetted by the usual media and political agendas influenced by the mega wealthy.  

Originally Posted by: Hippydave 

New?? I thought the link between a poor outcome and obesity was already thought to be real.

Originally Posted by: westv