Current Affairs

[Onelife]

Two households of Mom and dad + daughter or two household of mom, dad ten kids + Gran's and Grandads?

Makes no difference - if it is still two households.

You can't have it both ways.

And for the record we have not seen any of our family for the last 12 months and are unlikely to see any of them until at least the end of next year - if we are lucky.

It’s got nothing to do with having it both ways it’s about the transmission of this virus…e.g., more people huddled together = more possible infection routes out into the community.

[oldbluefox]

It’s got nothing to do with having it both ways it’s about the transmission of this virus…e.g., more people huddled together = more possible infection routes out into the community.

Ergo keep numbers down to a minimum and avoid physical contact. But isn't that what Boris has suggested?

[Onelife]

It’s got nothing to do with having it both ways it’s about the transmission of this virus…e.g., more people huddled together = more possible infection routes out into the community.

Ergo keep numbers down to a minimum and avoid physical contact. But isn't that what Boris has suggested?

What Boris is saying is that three families can meet up over a five day period….I struggle to square that one with “keep numbers down to a minimum and avoid physical contact” How do you suggest three families in one household do this?

[towny44]

Hypothetical question....................

If the government had placed us in lockdown for the Christmas period I wonder what would have happened for all of those who have sons and daughters in university or working away from home? I wonder if you would have been happy for them to spend Christmas on their own or would you have fetched them or got them home irrespective of the rules and regulations?
It is easy to say what the government should have done but the reality is often very different and I'm sure the anti Boris brigade would do the opposite of anything the government said anyway just to be contrary and not caring they might be passing the virus on.

One of Mrs B’s customers told her this morning that both of her sons were coming to stay for Xmas.
Aren’t they both in Tier 3 areas she asked?
Yep, came the reply but we’ll keep it a secret.

Well, you’ve just told me said Mrs B.

Oh, whatever, the lady replied.
We’ve all had enough of it all.

Isn’t your husband Bernard just finishing his Chemo treatment, Mrs B asked?

He should be ok came the reply !!!

I swear to God that actually happened.

How can the government or anyone else be responsible for idiots ?

But the tier bans on travel have been suspended Barney for Xmas, so the customer will be keeping within the guidelines, and it is clearly her choice to decide how small or large a christmas she enjoys.

[david63]

What Boris is saying is that three families can meet up over a five day period….I struggle to square that one with “keep numbers down to a minimum and avoid physical contact” How do you suggest three families in one household do this?

He has also said that it is a maximum not a target.

It’s got nothing to do with having it both ways it’s about the transmission of this virus

But it has. On the one hand you are arguing that everything to do with meeting up over Christmas should be banned and that tighter restrictions should be in place and on the other hand you are saying that as it is your daughter coming home for Christmas then that is OK

[Manoverboard]

What Boris is saying is that three families can meet up over a five day period….I struggle to square that one with “keep numbers down to a minimum and avoid physical contact” How do you suggest three families in one household do this?

He has also said that it is a maximum not a target.

It’s got nothing to do with having it both ways it’s about the transmission of this virus

But it has. On the one hand you are arguing that everything to do with meeting up over Christmas should be banned and that tighter restrictions should be in place and on the other hand you are saying that as it is your daughter coming home for Christmas then that is OK

Don't forget about the old boy next door who is having his Xmas dinner at the OLs as well

[Stephen]

At the end of the day and all said and done it comes down to common sense. Unfortunately there will be many that lack it.

[Gill W]

I would add to my previous post that at the time this news was emerging and I was negligent in not criticising Ellwood within a timescale acceptable to you I was otherwise engaged in an appointment with my cancer consultant. Is that a reasonable excuse or do I need him to send you a letter?

Don’t be waspish Mervyn, how am I meant to know about your appointments?

I hope your appointment went well

You weren't. But you were quick enough to make assumptions about my opinions and assumed I was available to be glued to the news. I don't mind that we disagree but I do mind when you try to tell me what I should be thinking. Maybe consider that some of us have other things on our minds more important than an MP making a speech at a dinner.

Oh come on Mervyn.

I've never told you what to think and my original comment was generalised at the whole forum. You didn't have to reply if you were busy.

I'm leaving this here. Things are bad enough as it is

[Onelife]

What Boris is saying is that three families can meet up over a five day period….I struggle to square that one with “keep numbers down to a minimum and avoid physical contact” How do you suggest three families in one household do this?

He has also said that it is a maximum not a target.

It’s got nothing to do with having it both ways it’s about the transmission of this virus

But it has. On the one hand you are arguing that everything to do with meeting up over Christmas should be banned and that tighter restrictions should be in place and on the other hand you are saying that as it is your daughter coming home for Christmas then that is OK

I don’t recall saying… "everything to do with meeting up over Christmas should be banned” but if it bolsters up your increasingly lame view point then so be it.

My recollection is that I said something along the lines of having one family, with perhaps Grandparents being the more the sensible approach.

Boris is a complete fool…. only today he has said he can’t rule out further lockdowns and yet his actions are making this an almost certainty.

With regard to my daughter, she will be traveling up on Saturday for what will be a traditional family 3+1 Christmas if John decides to join us.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Don’t be waspish Mervyn, how am I meant to know about your appointments?

I hope your appointment went well

You weren't. But you were quick enough to make assumptions about my opinions and assumed I was available to be glued to the news. I don't mind that we disagree but I do mind when you try to tell me what I should be thinking. Maybe consider that some of us have other things on our minds more important than an MP making a speech at a dinner.

Oh come on Mervyn.

I've never told you what to think and my original comment was generalised at the whole forum. You didn't have to reply if you were busy.

I'm leaving this here. Things are bad enough as it is

You're never wrong are you?

[Gill W]

Mervyn, you can try and carry this on, but, as I said, I’m leaving it here.

[Gill W]

I said this morning that my area was on target to go over 800 per 100k within days.

The figure yesterday was 772 per 100k. Today it’s 832 per 100k.

That is a horrible increase in one day.

It feels out of control. In this area we need Christmas to be cancelled and a real lockdown. It won’t happen though.

This is not going to end well

[Gill W]

Local news reporting that beds are full in Kent and Medway hospitals. Non Covid patients now being moved out of the county

[Mervyn and Trish]

Mervyn, you can try and carry this on, but, as I said, I’m leaving it here.

Good. I accept your apology.

[david63]

your increasingly lame view point

I most certainly do not have a "lame point of view". Just because I look beyond the sensationalist headlines and numbers that are proffered around and accepted at face value, by some, does not mean that I do not have strong views.

On more than one occasion on here I have said that the rules should be more strongly enforced.

And just for your information, and I have not mentioned this on the board before, my 99 year old mother died at the start of the Covid outbreak in March and I was unable to see her for seven weeks.

So yes I do have some very strong views but at least I am consistent with them and don't keep changing them to suit my personal circumstances.

[Onelife]

I said this morning that my area was on target to go over 800 per 100k within days.

The figure yesterday was 772 per 100k. Today it’s 832 per 100k.

That is a horrible increase in one day.

It feels out of control. In this area we need Christmas to be cancelled and a real lockdown. It won’t happen though.

This is not going to end well

Not if the further 27,000 + infections, 1,700 + hospital admissions, 480 + deaths are anything to go by.its not.

[Onelife]

your increasingly lame view point

I most certainly do not have a "lame point of view". Just because I look beyond the sensationalist headlines and numbers that are proffered around and accepted at face value, by some, does not mean that I do not have strong views.

On more than one occasion on here I have said that the rules should be more strongly enforced.

And just for your information, and I have not mentioned this on the board before, my 99 year old mother died at the start of the Covid outbreak in March and I was unable to see her for seven weeks.

So yes I do have some very strong views but at least I am consistent with them and don't keep changing them to suit my personal circumstances.

There are many who have shared the pain of having lost one so dear David and many more will share your experience….my condolences for the loss of your mother.
….
My reference to what I perceived as your “lame point of view” derive from the fact that I feel you are trying to back me into a corner using my daughters’ circumstances as an example of what you believe to be my double standards. You know full well what my posts have referred to but just in case there is any confusion please allow me to clarify. Boris Johnsons decision to allow three households to get together for a five-day period over Christmas doesn’t to my mind send out the right message… allowing multiple households (some large families) to mix in the confines of private homes will undoubtably lead to greater transmission risks… which I have to say is considerably different to the family get together that we have planned. Unless you are trying to pin the technical definition of three household bubbles together on our circumstances then there can be no correlation between what we are doing and that of others families who have been given a green ticket to party.

On reflection my reference re: “lame point of view” was unwarranted and I apologise for using that term in your direction.

[towny44]

Keith, one final point on the Xmas relaxation, as far as I can tell from the UK media every other country in Europe is having some sort of relaxation over the Christmas period, so are they all wrong.
They have the same information as our govt but are deciding that regardless of the extra risk it is worth it to give their people some leeway to celebrate Christmas in as normal a way as they can.

[Onelife]

Keith, one final point on the Xmas relaxation, as far as I can tell from the UK media every other country in Europe is having some sort of relaxation over the Christmas period, so are they all wrong.
They have the same information as our govt but are deciding that regardless of the extra risk it is worth it to give their people some leeway to celebrate Christmas in as normal a way as they can.

Most European countries don’t have the death rate we have, neither do they have the density of population we have.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Keith, one final point on the Xmas relaxation, as far as I can tell from the UK media every other country in Europe is having some sort of relaxation over the Christmas period, so are they all wrong.
They have the same information as our govt but are deciding that regardless of the extra risk it is worth it to give their people some leeway to celebrate Christmas in as normal a way as they can.

Most European countries don’t have the death rate we have, neither do they have the density of population we have.

Sadly you're right. Some of ours are stunningly thick.

[towny44]

Keith, one final point on the Xmas relaxation, as far as I can tell from the UK media every other country in Europe is having some sort of relaxation over the Christmas period, so are they all wrong.
They have the same information as our govt but are deciding that regardless of the extra risk it is worth it to give their people some leeway to celebrate Christmas in as normal a way as they can.

Most European countries don’t have the death rate we have, neither do they have the density of population we have.

Wrong again Keith, Italy, Spain and Belgium all now have deaths per million levels higher than the UK, and others are fast catching up with us.

[Stephen]

You want to get your family round for Christmas. Perhaps this might make you think again.

Scroll down for short video.

Covid: Ministers meet amid rising infection rates in England https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55372743

[Onelife]

Keith, one final point on the Xmas relaxation, as far as I can tell from the UK media every other country in Europe is having some sort of relaxation over the Christmas period, so are they all wrong.
They have the same information as our govt but are deciding that regardless of the extra risk it is worth it to give their people some leeway to celebrate Christmas in as normal a way as they can.

Most European countries don’t have the death rate we have, neither do they have the density of population we have.

Wrong again Keith, Italy, Spain and Belgium all now have deaths per million levels higher than the UK, and others are fast catching up with us.

Which makes what I said Right!

[towny44]

Most European countries don’t have the death rate we have, neither do they have the density of population we have.

Wrong again Keith, Italy, Spain and Belgium all now have deaths per million levels higher than the UK, and others are fast catching up with us.

Which makes what I said Right!

Keith, we are never going to eradicate this virus, the vaccine should allow us to return to some sort of normality, but until then we have to try and live with the virus, without wrecking our economy and without overloading our health service or letting the death rate spiral out of control.
Every country in the world is walking this tightrope, and most are just about managing it, our's included, they need our support not to have people continually complaining about them taking the wrong advice.

[Onelife]

You want to get your family round for Christmas. Perhaps this might make you think again.

Scroll down for short video.

Covid: Ministers meet amid rising infection rates in England https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55372743

Theses are the kind of clips that should be part of the Government stay safe screenings…hope the chap pulls through.