I disagree - they are key workers. Something needs to be done about how they get to work however. Staggering their start times would help.

More irresponsibility from both some people and the govt:

Parents are being told to keep their children at home unless "absolutely necessary, as schools across the UK close to most pupils.

The list of key workers includes religious staff and public service journalists

Whether the approach is right or wrong two things stand out:

1) It is the Minister of Defence that is delivering the message

2) It is wonderfully clear and unambiguous.

Good morning from a very rural France...

First visit to the local open air market since lock down.

Gendarme road block at both ends of village - checking attestations prior to entry - no papers, GO HOME!!

Public health officials directing people and everyone in masks and gloves for serving - no customer is allowed to touch any produce - such an anathema for a population who select by touch and smell.

Psychology 101 ..... If a service is allowed to open, why would you not go and use the facility. 

A super article from an Australian doctor on why the mixed message are not getting through.

(...)

The brief answer, IMHO, is that we have a serious clash of two vastly different medical cultures. Neither culture should see the other as the enemy when frustration boils up – the enemy is always the virus.

The front line culture is modern, highly networked, often social media savvy, collaborative, a diverse multidisciplinary team. This team knows the best results come from brainstorming problems with a hive mind of connections, often online and involving international experience, respecting all inputs, rapidly iterating them and distributing resource and decision making. All members are equal in calling out issues as they see them, and contribute ideas to solving complex problems. Evidence base is the currency for respect here.

Pandemic central command culture on the other hand is paternalistic. It operates by command via multilayered bureaucratic structures. What it says goes and cannot be questioned as there is no process for that. Evidence is not required, as the decisions have authority. Information goes up through filters, is processed by distant experts, and decisions come back down through filters.

An excellent example of how this might look is the stockpiling. People on the ground get frightened because they receive news from many sources. The politicians, who they do not normally ever engage with, tell them to “just stop it”. The people do not listen because they do not respond to paternalism or respect that type of management. The politicians then start to look like frustrated Dads whose kids won’t listen to them any more. The people are used to evaluating evidence for themselves and drawing their own conclusion. A better way to settle them would be to validate and empathise with their concern, and assuage their fear by guaranteeing food supply.

(...)

Solutions

Command and control was rejected in modern clinical medical practice long ago.

Far better to be transparent now about all the facts, all the assumptions, involve working front line staff in a collaborative decision making process, and get the politicians out of the room. The decision makers should have professionally moderated online access in Whatsapp to every doctor, subdivided into appropriate groups to provide real feedback.
Then listen to the front line in an iterative way and adjust. Make the comms tight and two way. This is how the Hong Kong civil resistance organised itself from the ground up with no commanders.

Distribute resources and decision making direct to front line, and bypass the command line which is incredibly inefficient. Allow local innovators to use their incredible brains to work out problems central command has not even contemplated. They will then spread word as to what works online. They are doing this already but if unfettered in decision making, they could save many lives.

Doctors on the front line can contribute also by being respectful to the central command, and politicians, it is not their fault that they have a different culture at this time. It is a problem of structure not personal failing. Avoiding conflating the people with the problem. Displaying empathy, understanding and willingness to collaborate from both sides can take us forward together over the next few weeks. And hopefully save some lives.

https://drajm.blog/2020/03/21/op-ed-210320/

I don't agree that the workers Heavy Weather refers to are "key". An office block construction might be important in normal times but I don't see any reason why construction can't be put on hold for a time.

I'm still waiting for this big rise in our numbers , just maybe , maybe the UK will avoid what France,Spain,Italy , China and the US are experiencing 

Correct , the construction industry isn't critical to life 

Perhaps we should define "key" in that case - some construction will be for medical facilities - clearly key. Plus, now is the ideal time to do all those disruptive road repairs and construction, plus rail maintenance. Those are also key in my mind, since there will never be a better opportunity for infrastructure work.

Two exceptionally busy garden centers local to me are closing voluntarily tonight until further notice. People before profits...well done them 

None of the half dozen or so construction sites I pass on my normal walk into work in London would be classed as key.

We hope.

I have a colonoscopy appointment at hospital on Thursday. Had assumed it wasn’t going ahead. Phoned to check to be told that it is going ahead.

Very, very surprised.

But what if he didn’t have it but some other disease? We need widespread testing so that people who. Ow have immunity can be recognised. 

Many hospital wards are much more quiet than usual. 

Me too - but go with it. I’m sure the appropriate precautions will be observed.

Taking of colonoscopy - could be worth recommending this to many in this country at the moment to see if there’s a head stuck up there somewhere.

Mass colonoscopy will gradually be introduced by the govt. 

🤣🤣

I’m hoping this means that they might squeeze in my reversal surgery to put me back in one piece before the full collapse!

Nandos and Costa closing outlets completely. 

I expect a flood of other chain restaurants/cafes to follow suit over the next few days.

And this drip-feed is prolonging panic-buying. 

+100!

Thank God. That will improve the odour in surrounding areas.

The propaganda power of the telephoto lens. From the beeb article...

..Goddamit, even the lampposts are disobeying the social distancing rules

To show how we just don't get this at all

There is a track day at Silverstone - nearly 100 are attending