The issue is not so much with what the government is officially saying  (notwithstanding the nauseating spectacle of the 5pm mutual back-slapping broadcast) but that the message of maintaining these strict measures is increasingly rubbished by elements of their own side - from arrogant fellow Tory figures to the ranting right-wing media. Failure of police to be bothered enforcing restrictions - a by-product of some power-crazed bellends in uniform being comically over-zealous and making negative headlines earlyinthe lockdown? - is amplifying this.

It's all serving to create the perception that 'lockdown' restrictions are all a bit optional. A population that is now beyond weary of these restrictions and desperate for a return to some normality is embracing the attitude of the whole thing now being rather passe.

Originally Posted by: Saint Snow 

Which does not rebut my point. You were wrong.

As for 'why ..... doesn't the NHS have an IT branch' - that's one of the most bizarre, nonsensical and ludicrous comments you've made - and there are a lot of candidates.

I'm afraid your comment reflects your politics and a gross lack of understanding.

Originally Posted by: Gandalf The White 

Quite agree Steve and we haven't even got on top of the constant 4k or so before that. We needed to understand what was driving that which may have helped with future decision making. With any relaxations, we are already starting from such a high base number our new cases will very quickly take off, perhaps worse than before.

Originally Posted by: Phil G 

If Professor Pantsdown can escape without a fine, they why should anyone else comply?

The Govt messaging on this has been appalling. The impression given is that its now "safe" to go out as much as you like. Of course, most shops will still be closed but the ones that will be open like Ikea and Garden centres will be packed with people just wanting something different to look at. Travel on public transport will rise too and all London buses are free at the moment

And also Public spaces will be packed this weekend. Not that I will be complaining to see girls in bikinis sunbathing

Originally Posted by: The Beast from the East 

As I suggested earlier location services need to be enabled for it to work. It's a 2 stage process:

1) The user is presented with a screen where he has to accept permissions to continue

2) An Android pop up opens where the user has to grant or deny permissions

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

I wonder what makes a gown fail safety standards?

Originally Posted by: westv 

It seems so obvious and relatively easy. The tracing they should be doing is finding out how all these cases are getting it. Because as sure as hell it isn't people obeying the lockdown. Once you've got the profile of where the weak links are that's where the strictest measures can be applied. Now clearly that won't be easy if it is front line workers but you still can't have a sensible strategy until you know.

If me and Phil can see it why can't the Government or its Scientists? Sometimes you just wish you could be at the Press Conference and ask the question.

Originally Posted by: fairweather 

The government has been clear that people should 'stay at home'. How hard is that to grasp. And unlike the Scottish CMO at least this guy was immediately kicked to the curve where he belongs for undermining the public message.

Originally Posted by: Quantum 

Had a manic afternoon and evening so just catching up from yesterday 

6,000 new cases is a real concern , if that continues I wonder 'if' Boris might change the contents of his speech on Sunday ?

Originally Posted by: Gooner 

The government has been clear that people should 'stay at home'. How hard is that to grasp. And unlike the Scottish CMO at least this guy was immediately kicked to the curve where he belongs for undermining the public message.

Originally Posted by: Quantum 

The government has been clear that people should 'stay at home'. How hard is that to grasp. And unlike the Scottish CMO at least this guy was immediately kicked to the curve where he belongs for undermining the public message.

Originally Posted by: Quantum 

I wonder what makes a gown fail safety standards?

Originally Posted by: westv 

Why do you always assume the worst? Other countries have begun to lift their restrictions and there has been no catastrophe or calamity. 

Originally Posted by: speckledjim 

The government has been clear that people should 'stay at home'.

Originally Posted by: Quantum 

Not sure. Doesn't have the NHS logo on it?

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

I thought he resigned?

Originally Posted by: howham 

And also Public spaces will be packed this weekend. Not that I will be complaining to see girls in bikinis sunbathing

Originally Posted by: The Beast from the East 

You'll be disappointed if you go Sunday. 

Originally Posted by: fairweather 

Scandalous

Parents who have had to wait weeks due to huge problems with the free school meals voucher scheme (outsourced to a private company - ahem, Quantum) are finding that even now their vouchers have arrived, they frequently aren't accepted at tills.

One heartbreaking story a woman and her daughter getting the bus to a Tesco after receiving their backlogged vouchers, filling their trolley with food items, then having the vouchers declined and leaving with nothing, returning to this food cupboard:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-52551464

Originally Posted by: Saint Snow 

Epidemiologist Professor Johan Giesecke writes in The Lancet…

“… facts have led me to the following conclusions. Everyone will be exposed to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, and most people will become infected. COVID-19 is spreading like wildfire in all countries, but we do not see it—it almost always spreads from younger people with no or weak symptoms to other people who will also have mild symptoms. This is the real pandemic, but it goes on beneath the surface, and is probably at its peak now in many European countries. There is very little we can do to prevent this spread: a lockdown might delay severe cases for a while, but once restrictions are eased, cases will reappear. I expect that when we count the number of deaths from COVID-19 in each country in 1 year from now, the figures will be similar, regardless of measures taken.”

Originally Posted by: Maunder Minimum 

Epidemiologist Professor Johan Giesecke writes in The Lancet…

“… facts have led me to the following conclusions. Everyone will be exposed to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, and most people will become infected. COVID-19 is spreading like wildfire in all countries, but we do not see it—it almost always spreads from younger people with no or weak symptoms to other people who will also have mild symptoms. This is the real pandemic, but it goes on beneath the surface, and is probably at its peak now in many European countries. There is very little we can do to prevent this spread: a lockdown might delay severe cases for a while, but once restrictions are eased, cases will reappear. I expect that when we count the number of deaths from COVID-19 in each country in 1 year from now, the figures will be similar, regardless of measures taken.”

Originally Posted by: Maunder Minimum 

Parents who have had to wait weeks due to huge problems with the free school meals voucher scheme (outsourced to a private company - ahem, Quantum) are finding that even now their vouchers have arrived, they frequently aren't accepted at tills.

One heartbreaking story a woman and her daughter getting the bus to a Tesco after receiving their backlogged vouchers, filling their trolley with food items, then having the vouchers declined and leaving with nothing, returning to this food cupboard:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-52551464

Originally Posted by: Saint Snow 

Epidemiologist Professor Johan Giesecke writes in The Lancet…

“… facts have led me to the following conclusions. Everyone will be exposed to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, and most people will become infected. COVID-19 is spreading like wildfire in all countries, but we do not see it—it almost always spreads from younger people with no or weak symptoms to other people who will also have mild symptoms. This is the real pandemic, but it goes on beneath the surface, and is probably at its peak now in many European countries. There is very little we can do to prevent this spread: a lockdown might delay severe cases for a while, but once restrictions are eased, cases will reappear. I expect that when we count the number of deaths from COVID-19 in each country in 1 year from now, the figures will be similar, regardless of measures taken.”

Originally Posted by: Maunder Minimum