Current Affairs

[towny44]

At least now we know what Johnson has been up to when he isn't doing press conferences.

Looks as though Carrie is keeping him busy on home affairs, to stop him playing away!

[david63]

At least now we know what Johnson has been up to when he isn't doing press conferences.

Or could be more to do with isolation - it gets pretty boring being indoors all the time!

[Kendhni]

I wonder with lockdown is the overall birth rate any higher (not just for Johnson)

[Mervyn and Trish]

Or the divorce rate?

[Kendhni]

I guess that is the bright side

[barney]

Recorded covid infections still dropping.
Good news.
Nowhere near the 200,000 that a few predicted.
Expect hospital stays and deaths to fall in accordance.

[towny44]

Recorded covid infections still dropping.
Good news.
Nowhere near the 200,000 that a few predicted.
Expect hospital stays and deaths to fall in accordance.

Fascinating watching the experts being asked if this means the worst is over, how many of them waffle with weasel words and never give a direct answer. I get the impression that they are really p****d off that their doomsday scenarios are not coming to fruition.

[Stephen]

Probably because most people with any sense are still wearing a mask, especially in shops and other crowded areas

[CaroleF]

I went into the Hedge End M&S near Southampton, on Monday, the first time I've been there since before the first lockdown. It's a very large store with a huge food section. I would say there were very few people not wearing masks. I saw maybe four couples not wearing them, older people, but even they were keeping their distance from other people. Generally I would say people were behaving very sensibly.

Carole

[oldbluefox]

We have noticed most people in shops and on public transport are wearing masks.
It is looking clear that the prophesies of the doommongers and their exaggerated claims are nothing more than that and are miles away from reality. It is looking like Boris' gamble is paying off although I feel we are not out of the woods yet.

[Meg 50]

My mask is in my bag all the time. I prefer not to wear it...

BUT it is obligatory on public transport ( tfl) - so it is on then.

Everywhere else I decide on a case by case basis - if it's crowded it goes on, if not or fairly open I leave it off

[Bensham33]

Ditto.......what Meg said.

[Kendhni]

Round our way most still seem to be wearing masks

Although I am seeing more and more wearing the top of their mask below their nose - not sure what kind of stupid to have to be infected with to think that is how a mask is worn.

[Ray B]

Geronimo the Alpaca has bovine tuberculosis, not a disease you need in the country side. Farmers near the effected farm must be very concerned and watching closely at the outcome. Bovine Tuberculosis is a chronic, infectious disease and the only thing to do is to put the animal down. Just because it looks like a cuddly petting animal is no reason for a protest, if it was a cow it would most certainly be dispatched.

[towny44]

Geronimo the Alpaca has bovine tuberculosis, not a disease you need in the country side. Farmers near the effected farm must be very concerned and watching closely at the outcome. Bovine Tuberculosis is a chronic, infectious disease and the only thing to do is to put the animal down. Just because it looks like a cuddly petting animal is no reason for a protest, if it was a cow it would most certainly be dispatched.

Apparently there were about 2000 cows culled last year because they tested positive for bovine TV, I dont recall any media frenzy about any of them.

[Kendhni]

Apparently there were about 2000 cows culled last year because they tested positive for bovine TV, I dont recall any media frenzy about any of them.

Must the brain softening stuff they show these days
- Jeremy Bovine
- BBC Moos at 6
- Good Moorning Britain
- Beefore we die
- The man with the golden cattle prod

[towny44]

Apparently there were about 2000 cows culled last year because they tested positive for bovine TV, I dont recall any media frenzy about any of them.

Must the brain softening stuff they show these days
- Jeremy Bovine
- BBC Moos at 6
- Good Moorning Britain
- Beefore we die
- The man with the golden cattle prod

Predictive text has a lot to answer for on social media.

[Kendhni]

Predictive text has a lot to answer for on social media.

Indeed, as I keep telling people, I can spell, I just can't type

[Ranchi]

My classic (in a message to customer service) was an attempt to type ‘I bought goods to the value of £X.....I should be grateful if you would advise me regarding this transaction.’
What I apparently sent was ‘I bought goods to the walrus of £X...I should be grateful if you would abuse me regarding this transaction.’

Seem to work well.
Got a humorous reply & a generous online credit!

[Happydays]

Ranchi, Well done

[Mervyn and Trish]

Why the angst today about private school pupils achieving better grades than the state schools?

Isn't it as simple as when Daddy has shelled out tens of thousands he encourages his little darlings to pay attention and not a*se about in lessons? And the schools can afford to have smaller classes and pick and choose their teachers.

Not rocket science surely.

[oldbluefox]

Compared to the poor souls whose parents don't give a damn, spend their money on luxuries they can't afford, live in a benefit culture and offer their offspring no help or encouragement at all. Some of them are so stoned the next day they can't even be bothered to get out of bed to get their children dressed and a decent breakfast so the kids go to school on a cupful of water.

It's not all down to poverty. Some parents have very little and get by on low wages but they are committed to helping their children and giving them the best they can afford.

You're right Merv. It's not rocket science.

[towny44]

Why the angst today about private school pupils achieving better grades than the state schools?

Isn't it as simple as when Daddy has shelled out tens of thousands he encourages his little darlings to pay attention and not a*se about in lessons? And the schools can afford to have smaller classes and pick and choose their teachers.

Not rocket science surely.

I wonder if Sir Keir realises that the higher attainment record is what makes private schooling popular, and that however hard he tries to get state school results more comparable with the private sector, the more they will strive to do better still, and I am fairly certain they would succeed.

[oldbluefox]

There are some very poor private schools and some very good state schools.
However it just goes to show what can be done with good opportunities, smaller class sizes, properly resourced schools and parents committed to learning.

[Mervyn and Trish]

There are some very poor private schools and some very good state schools.
However it just goes to show what can be done with good opportunities, smaller class sizes, properly resourced schools and parents committed to learning.

Of all those I think the last is hugely significant. While we have kids starting primary school who are not even toilet trained I despair of some parents. Children's brains are like sponges at absorbing learning if they're given the chance.