Current Affairs

[screwy]

You can hear it now.

But But, what about Christmas.?

My father in law died this Sunday 12 months ago from COVID so I don’t really give a toss about Christmas.

[Jan Rosser]

You can hear it now.

But But, what about Christmas.?

My father in law died this Sunday 12 months ago from COVID so I don’t really give a toss about Christmas.

Same here Mel it’s a year tomorrow since my mother died (not from Covid) and the 20 December is the date my husband died albeit 15 years ago and tbh Christmas lost its sparkle after that. Unless Boris is patrolling the roads I am travelling to the northwest for Christmas because family is the best mood lifter and distraction in these bloody awful times !!!

[Manoverboard]

Face masks are a requirement as of Tuesday ...

[david63]

Face masks are a requirement as of Tuesday ...

... only in shops and public transport

[Manoverboard]

Face masks are a requirement as of Tuesday ...

... only in shops and public transport

I didn't add the link ... Sainsbugs arrived with our esteem order

[Kendhni]

I hope to see our MPs leading by example.

[david63]

I hope to see our MPs leading by example.

Whilst I don't disagree but as Parliament is neither a shop nor public transport I doubt that your hopes will be fulfilled.

[david63]

Why is everyone surprised at the amount of mutation in the omicron variant of Covid? Unless the WHO are picking the Greek letters at random (which is always a possibility) omicron is the 11th letter after delta which means that there have been at least 10 other variants that have not hit the headlines - or, as usual, am I missing something here?

[Ray B]

Same here David, I thought they were following the alphabet in the same way as storms are named, but I was wrong, you may be correct in your assumption.

[Mervyn and Trish]

I was mystified too. Of course the deniers and conspiracy theorists have their own sinister ideas.

[Kendhni]

Why is everyone surprised at the amount of mutation in the omicron variant of Covid? Unless the WHO are picking the Greek letters at random (which is always a possibility) omicron is the 11th letter after delta which means that there have been at least 10 other variants that have not hit the headlines - or, as usual, am I missing something here?

I believe Xi was skipped for fear of causing offence to the Chinese (although given this came from them I don't see why).
I would surmise that 'nu' was skipped because its pronunciation sounds like 'new' (which could be confusing).
No idea about the others (although I am pretty sures there was a Lambda)??

[Kendhni]

Barbados has decided to become a republic ... I hope that doesn't mean they will no longer meet us at the plane with buses
I read somewhere that this action was ignited by BLM ... is that correct?

[Mervyn and Trish]

Having skipped a few letters they'll get to Omega quicker. Will the pandemic be over then?

[towny44]

No idea about the others (although I am pretty sures there was a Lambda)??

I thought that was an erotic dance?

[towny44]

Barbados has decided to become a republic ... I hope that doesn't mean they will no longer meet us at the plane with buses
I read somewhere that this action was ignited by BLM ... is that correct?

I remember going a ships tour in Barbados which finished at gun hill signal station, and the guide berating the UK for our colonial past and stating how he hoped they would soon be a republic. This was back in 2009, so it's taken a little while for his wish to come true.

[Mervyn and Trish]

He presumably didn't get a tip? Odd way to entertain his customers.

[CaroleF]

I saw a picture of Nelson's statue being removed because of his connection with the slave trade, that's what was stated. I always remember that statue in Bridgetown as it showed Nelson before he lost his arm. What a shame it's gone.

Carole

[david63]

Why is it such a big issue that many countries are banning flights from the southern Africa countries? I seem to recall that when the UK started with the Delta variant UK travellers had restrictions imposed on them when entering other countries but the world did not stop.

We have been there, got the t shirt to prove it - just get on with it, the restrictions are not for ever.

[Mervyn and Trish]

And when Boris didn't stop international travel immediately at the beginning of the pandemic you know who complained. Can't win.

[towny44]

And when Boris didn't stop international travel immediately at the beginning of the pandemic you know who complained. Can't win.

I like that Merv, Can't win Starmer, that's a good name for him.

[towny44]

It's interesting that although Germany's covid infection rate has only overtaken the UK in the last week, its death rate is already over 200 per day, well ahead of ours, which in fact is showing signs of reducing.

[Mervyn and Trish]

It's interesting that although Germany's covid infection rate has only overtaken the UK in the last week, its death rate is already over 200 per day, well ahead of ours, which in fact is showing signs of reducing.

I think their previously low infection rate may be a reflection of their low test rate. One fifth of ours. But death rates are harder to miss.

[Stephen]

Chin masks are once again mandatory.

[david63]

Chin masks are once again mandatory.

Been to both Tesco and the local garden centre this morning and all but a small handful of younger folk were wearing masks correctly - both customers and staff

[Kendhni]

Why is everyone surprised at the amount of mutation in the omicron variant of Covid? Unless the WHO are picking the Greek letters at random (which is always a possibility) omicron is the 11th letter after delta which means that there have been at least 10 other variants that have not hit the headlines - or, as usual, am I missing something here?

Somebody actually asked that question in our briefing from our CMO today. Apparently the other letters have been used in sequence - then I half dozed off while he went into a detailed explanation of each.