There was plenty of evidence before this week that the five-day lifting of most restrictions was a terrible idea. Barely a day went by without various medical experts saying so. Hancock is just using the new strain as an excuse.

 

Indeed as I said and the new strain was announced on this thread by me earlier in the week following it being talked about on Ch4 news but they’ve known about it since september

They knew about this infectious strain since September and still kept schools open until the last minute? I have no words.

Indeed as I said and the new strain was announced on this thread by me earlier in the week following it being talked about on Ch4 news but they’ve known about it since september

It is being suggested that the information the government had about this new strain last month is the reason the whole of Kent was put into Tier 3 after the end of the November lockdown. If that is true, that is even more reason to think that the government has known all along that their Christmas plans would have to be changed.

 

I thought as long ago as March that some restrictions would probably still be in place at the end of the year. Johnson's constant over-optimistic pronouncements (remember "We'll take it on the chin"?) have simply compounded the anger people feel now that those restrictions have been announced at such short notice.

They knew about this infectious strain since September and still kept schools open until the last minute? I have no words.

As far as I know, all the government knew in September was that a new strain had been identified. That, in itself, is not unusual. The question is more one of when they knew that it was more contagious and was becoming the dominant strain in some parts of the country.

So no flights from the UK to The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. I wondernif the Eurotunnel will stay open at this rate

^trains to Belgium/Holland not allowed either

 

we know this is a highly mutagenic virus, it's the same story as with the mink mutations here in Denmark.

 

I know it's not reassuring enough but most kids are asymptomatic and don't have enough virus load to spread the virus, so schools are safe, at least for small kids

less safe for teenagers but with primary school there is no issue. Here in Denmark primary schools never closed and have been opened all the way and never been an issue.

All this noise of the new strain, and reactionary measures from European countries, but no one in the media seems to have posed the question of where did this strain come from and if this strain is already prevalent in mainland Europe.

 

 

Look at the data from September and October of the start of the second wave. You see Spain, France, Netherlands, Czechia, Belgium, Italy, UK and Germany and more in this wave with all very steep sudden infection curves. The question needs to be asked, is this strain already rife in Europe and is *it* what has been a primary driver of the European Second wave.

 

 

If so, these measures are shutting the barn door after the horse has bolted and the barns been burned to the ground.

 

So no flights from the UK to The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. I wondernif the Eurotunnel will stay open at this rate

From what I have seen the Germans are still „contemplating“.

 

 

Lightly concerned at the moment about return flights. Not worried about getting back in to Germany, I have with me more than sufficient documentation to prove residency, but concerned flights will be grounded and I shall be somewhat stuck. Glad I brought home my work laptop just in case!!!

There's obviously random checks, but the fact that it is sp prevalent in the UK but not really in Europe yet (1 time in The Netherlands, 4 in Belgium) makes me think there has been a siperspreader event kn the UK. The virus is still 98.8% the same

 

Every government was DRAGGED for filth for not reacting sooner to Wuhan, so at least they're reaction now :lol:

Surely the spikes in September can be traced back to education re-opening all at once - and also people letting their guard down after Rishi's Dishies.

 

Quite simply we are f***ed. The Covid outbreak has shown our healthcare system up big time, every year it is under pressure at winter and this will only get worse in time as the system was not built to support the current ageing population we have. Then people will be working in to their 70s in the future, not enough people pay enough in to a private pension (or haven't been until recently) so you are going to have this situation in 10-15 years time where people cannot afford to retire until state pension age, which means less jobs for people.

 

People just do not care anymore and while the Government tried to do a real populist measure it has backfired. I also think the attitudes of people has not helped. Less so London (as most of the people in Central London are not from London), but definitely in the Home Counties - when we went in to Lockdown #2 it was a very "north and midlands problem". The rate was growing in these areas through lockdown and I think a lot of people were completley oblivious to the situation.

Up to 70% more effective in spreading, its worrying, could it mean masks don't work as effectively (although of course you are still better wearing one than not) and quotas of how many people are allowed in shops are outdated and need to be lowered now?

They knew about this infectious strain since September and still kept schools open until the last minute? I have no words.

 

 

Children's education is important as Hancock said on Sky News this morning. It's not the same online. They had long enough off earlier this year. Even a medical expert on Sky after him said schools will always be the last to close and first to open.

Edited December 20, 20204 yr by CHRIS-TMAS

Hundreds more BTP being drafted in to stations, especially in London. We know a girl with a degree in Crimonlogy who started on patrols but then went inside watching the CCTV and communicating with officers on the ground. Wife saw her mum today and she's out of there and at St. Pancras today making sure only necessary journeys are being made. It's apparently going to be strictly enforced.

Children's education is important as Hancock said on Sky News this morning. It's not the same online. They had long enough off earlier this year. Even a medical expert on Sky after him said schools will always be the last to close and first to open.

 

Yes, once again you just parrot what the government say. Fact is, I’m concerned about health. I’m concerned about people mixing, particularly in secondary schools. And with all due respect, you have no idea how effective online learning is as you have no first hand experience of it.

 

I also love how you claim people had ‘long enough’ off earlier this year like it was some sort of huge holiday. Well, it wasn’t.

 

If the government could actually do their job an ensure school actually is a safe environment rather than just telling me it is, then that would be a different story.

@1340659622265430017

 

Quite brazen to be criticising Keir Starmer in PMQs on Wednesday for wanting to effectively 'cancel Christmas' knowing full well that this was inevitably what would be done later this week. Shocking.

I've decided I'm still going to visit my parents, brother and nephew for christmas day. A bit like Jack was saying earlier in the thread, I'm confident enough that all of us have been very sensible since lockdown began back in March and it's my nephew's first christmas where he'll understand what's going on - that's a moment I can never get back if I miss it.

So no flights from the UK to The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. I wondernif the Eurotunnel will stay open at this rate

 

Italy now too. Maybe Ireland as well by tomorrow.

I've decided I'm still going to visit my parents, brother and nephew for christmas day. A bit like Jack was saying earlier in the thread, I'm confident enough that all of us have been very sensible since lockdown began back in March and it's my nephew's first christmas where he'll understand what's going on - that's a moment I can never get back if I miss it.

 

I suppose if you are confident your family has been very sensible since lockdown and the risk of any of you having it is extremely low then that's great. :)

@1340637973616979968

Travelling this side of midnight is illegal but travelling the other side of midnight was irresponsible. You work it out because I'm lost.

Exactly, all of those train travellers should be given a £40K pay rise. Obviously, for doing something 'any good father would do'.