When will this shit end?

[Mr.Tease]

The heads of these uni’s have salaries of hundreds of thousands a year, and they haven’t made even the most basic of contingency plans

[Crazyfool01]

3 minutes ago, Ryan1984 said:

Dowden really is useless, isn’t he?

in a word yes ..... I actually think some of the premier league grounds  and larger sports facilities could safely reopen with limited crowds ... at least  get some income coming in .... masks required whilst away from seats ... mental health benefits for some too 

[Fuzzy Afro]

Just now, crazyfool1 said:

in a word yes ..... I actually think some of the premier league grounds  and larger sports facilities could safely reopen with limited crowds ... at least  get some income coming in .... masks required whilst away from seats ... mental health benefits for some too 

I’ve not been to the emirates for a couple of years now and frankly, I wouldn’t be near the top of the list to get in given that I’m not a season ticket holder, so I’m happy to watch on TV until the full crowds are back. But frankly I don’t see why a socially distanced crowd can’t be allowed in, given that it’s outside and masks would be worn when not at seats. 
 

In the states some of the NFL games are running at limited capacity crowds. 

[Crazyfool01]

2 minutes ago, Fuzzy Afro said:

I’ve not been to the emirates for a couple of years now and frankly, I wouldn’t be near the top of the list to get in given that I’m not a season ticket holder, so I’m happy to watch on TV until the full crowds are back. But frankly I don’t see why a socially distanced crowd can’t be allowed in, given that it’s outside and masks would be worn when not at seats. 
 

In the states some of the NFL games are running at limited capacity crowds. 

the sooner we get money flowing into safe things the better .... groups would need to be same household only ... dream is to get  to Anfield .... will just be delayed a bit 

[stuartbert two hats]

20 minutes ago, Fuzzy Afro said:

Let’s play a game, can we get to 2000 before the vaccine is approved? 

I hope not.

[squirrelarmy]

7 minutes ago, Fuzzy Afro said:

In the states

We should not be basing our Covid response on anything that is happening over there. 
 

Florida still hasn’t peaked yet they have just stopped the fines for people not wearing masks and allowed all bars and restaurants to open as normal. 
 

Money supersedes health over there. 

[Fuzzy Afro]

Just now, squirrelarmy said:

We should not be basing our Covid response on anything that is happening over there. 
 

Florida still hasn’t peaked yet they have just stopped the fines for people not wearing masks and allowed all bars and restaurants to open as normal. 
 

Money supersedes health over there. 

Oh yeah I’m not saying “let’s follow the states on everything”, just that small crowds are being allowed into outdoor sports there and it’s not proving to be a major vector of infections. If each group socially distances from the adjacent group then there should be no transmission. The US isn’t the only country where this is happening btw, many European football leagues are allowing limited crowds in, even in countries where the virus is far more prevalent than it is here in the UK.

 

To be fair though this is actually more problematic for L1/L2/Scottish teams. The Premier League (certainly) and the Championship (probably) can easily survive on TV money. 

[Crazyfool01]

1 minute ago, Fuzzy Afro said:

Oh yeah I’m not saying “let’s follow the states on everything”, just that small crowds are being allowed into outdoor sports there and it’s not proving to be a major vector of infections. If each group socially distances from the adjacent group then there should be no transmission. The US isn’t the only country where this is happening btw, many European football leagues are allowing limited crowds in, even in countries where the virus is far more prevalent than it is here in the UK.

 

To be fair though this is actually more problematic for L1/L2/Scottish teams. The Premier League (certainly) and the Championship (probably) can easily survive on TV money. 

the more money that can come into the Game safely then the better chance for some of the smaller clubs through payments down .... not sure this is totally right but if the government aren't really supporting them then the Premier league will need to help to maintain its strength longer term 

[fatyeti24]

20 minutes ago, squirrelarmy said:

We should not be basing our Covid response on anything that is happening over there. 
 

Florida still hasn’t peaked yet they have just stopped the fines for people not wearing masks and allowed all bars and restaurants to open as normal. 
 

Money supersedes health over there. 

And yet, per capita, they are just about catching up to us.

[FestivalJamie]

Hmmm labour is proposing students who want to should be able to study online from home and get their accommodation fees refunded... I am watching this space closely.

“Ms Green said Labour was concerned about the mental health impacts of students being isolated away from home and said all students should be given the option of remote learning.

She told BBC Breakfast: "We do think it is important that students have a choice. If they feel they are going to be safer at home then they should be able to stay at home and conduct their learning remotely."

 

[Ayrshire Chris]

Got sent this today, thought it was funny!

[steviewevie]

Another so called expert doomster...

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/27/regular-uk-lockdowns-could-help-control-covid-says-sage-expert-coronavirus

[Fuzzy Afro]

Interesting piece in the Sunday times today saying that Johnson, Vallance and Whitty attended a meeting of the scientific community late last Sunday night. John Edmunds from SAGE was the loudest voice in the room asking for a full lockdown, whereas Carl Heneghan and Andreas Tegnell proposed lighter measures for now (Heneghan is a proponent of a strict month long lockdown over Christmas, but this approach did not go down well with politicians)

 

Ultimately Johnson was supported by Whitty and Valance in a pragmatic centrist view that the rule of 6 should stay in place for now. SAGE did not model the impact of the pub curfew, but the politicians went along with it mainly because they believed it would focus the minds of the public that covid has not gone away and that we still need to be careful to avoid a devastating second lockdown. 
 

It sounds like Whitty and Vallance represent a middle ground of scientific opinion between the herd immunity types and the Dr Doomsday Doomers. I had previously assumed that Whitty and Vallance were privately arguing for a lockdown but being overruled by the politicians, but it sounds like Boris is still going along with what his most trusted scientific advisers are saying. 

[FestivalJamie]

@Fuzzy Afro

The problem is though, I am pretty confident that the pub curfew is going to do nothing to reduce the escalating rates of the virus. All the pub curfew has done has encouraged young people to host parties, and in particular university students are hosting large flat parties or mass gatherings on campus etc. Which is causing large volumes of outbreaks. The pub curfew encourages people to meet up in their homes rather than what could technically be a controlled environment given the new mask rules and mandatory table service (and the rule of 6).

So yes, on the one hand the pub curfew is a stark reminder to the population that this virus is not going away and we must act vigilantly to prevent a second lockdown, but on the other hand it is potentially damaging the economic side of things more without any positive effects on reducing transmission. I am very sceptical about the whole concept.

In the Netherlands, they have introduced a 1am curfew. God knows how that is going to do anything given their rates are super bad there now.

I think we are very close to a nationwide ban of mixing households (as much as I know that will upset a lot of people). If London gets really bad again, I think they will choose a nationwide approach again rather than just london. 

But for me, I’d like the government to force unis to allow students to study this year online from home and get accommodation costs returned. The prospect of going to halls for me this year is becoming more and more daunting with the amount of parties and covid outbreaks which are currently happening.

 

[steviewevie]

28 minutes ago, Fuzzy Afro said:

Interesting piece in the Sunday times today saying that Johnson, Vallance and Whitty attended a meeting of the scientific community late last Sunday night. John Edmunds from SAGE was the loudest voice in the room asking for a full lockdown, whereas Carl Heneghan and Andreas Tegnell proposed lighter measures for now (Heneghan is a proponent of a strict month long lockdown over Christmas, but this approach did not go down well with politicians)

 

Ultimately Johnson was supported by Whitty and Valance in a pragmatic centrist view that the rule of 6 should stay in place for now. SAGE did not model the impact of the pub curfew, but the politicians went along with it mainly because they believed it would focus the minds of the public that covid has not gone away and that we still need to be careful to avoid a devastating second lockdown. 
 

It sounds like Whitty and Vallance represent a middle ground of scientific opinion between the herd immunity types and the Dr Doomsday Doomers. I had previously assumed that Whitty and Vallance were privately arguing for a lockdown but being overruled by the politicians, but it sounds like Boris is still going along with what his most trusted scientific advisers are saying. 

briefed to press by someone in No.10?

[Fuzzy Afro]

I mean you’re not wrong @FestivalJamie I agree that the 10pm rule is a pile of steaming bollocks that won’t do anything to change the R number (the rule of 6 will hopefully be more impactful), but just thought it was worth pointing out the logic behind it, according to the Sunday times. Basically they thought they had to do something to appease Edmunds and his mates but they didn’t think a full lockdown is necessary either. The middle ground as it is. 

[Fuzzy Afro]

Just now, steviewevie said:

briefed to press by someone in No.10?

Someone in No10 i.e. Mr Cumdog

[steviewevie]

This is long...but is pretty good on current situation and how we got here...

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/sep/27/covid-second-coming-how-did-britain-get-back-in-this-mess

[alfc7]

18 minutes ago, FestivalJamie said:

@Fuzzy Afro

The problem is though, I am pretty confident that the pub curfew is going to do nothing to reduce the escalating rates of the virus. All the pub curfew has done has encouraged young people to host parties, and in particular university students are hosting large flat parties or mass gatherings on campus etc. Which is causing large volumes of outbreaks. The pub curfew encourages people to meet up in their homes rather than what could technically be a controlled environment given the new mask rules and mandatory table service (and the rule of 6).

So yes, on the one hand the pub curfew is a stark reminder to the population that this virus is not going away and we must act vigilantly to prevent a second lockdown, but on the other hand it is potentially damaging the economic side of things more without any positive effects on reducing transmission. I am very sceptical about the whole concept.

In the Netherlands, they have introduced a 1am curfew. God knows how that is going to do anything given their rates are super bad there now.

I think we are very close to a nationwide ban of mixing households (as much as I know that will upset a lot of people). If London gets really bad again, I think they will choose a nationwide approach again rather than just london. 

But for me, I’d like the government to force unis to allow students to study this year online from home and get accommodation costs returned. The prospect of going to halls for me this year is becoming more and more daunting with the amount of parties and covid outbreaks which are currently happening.

 

Completely agree with you. As much as going home would be gutting for students they should have really not allowed people to go into accommodation from the start. It was pretty obvious the relocation of people from all over the country would introduce more COVID to areas that weren’t as badly effected. You then also have this problem every holiday as students will go home for a couple of weeks and then go back to halls. The most sensible thing now would be to refund all the students accommodation costs and move everything online for first years. What the government should have done from the start is as first year is more about socialising than the studying is postponed all first years going to university until next year when they can socialise without the risk of infecting themselves and others 

[Zoo Music Girl]

Do we think something might happen this week re restrictions? Are we two weeks out from rule of six starting now? Or longer?

I do think household mixing might be the next thing to go, although I hope they have sensible allowances for non-cohabiting couples, childcare etc. Whether people would stick to it is another thing entirely, though.

[Fuzzy Afro]

8 minutes ago, Zoo Music Girl said:

Do we think something might happen this week re restrictions? Are we two weeks out from rule of six starting now? Or longer?

I do think household mixing might be the next thing to go, although I hope they have sensible allowances for non-cohabiting couples, childcare etc. Whether people would stick to it is another thing entirely, though.

I think we will see household mixing bite the dust this week if we don’t see downwards pressure on R. I will caveat that by saying that I do think we will get some encouraging initial data this week, so I think household mixing and the rule of 6 will get a reprieve for now. 

[FestivalJamie]

7 minutes ago, Zoo Music Girl said:

Do we think something might happen this week re restrictions? Are we two weeks out from rule of six starting now? Or longer?

I do think household mixing might be the next thing to go, although I hope they have sensible allowances for non-cohabiting couples, childcare etc. Whether people would stick to it is another thing entirely, though.

I think this week we will see a big announcement regarding some new restrictions, potentially a ban on mixing households and also possibly a u-turn on the whole university situation.

Without wanting to be too controversial on here, I actually voted for Boris (not because I thought he would be good- I just despised Jeremy Corbin- but equally I don't want Brexit- so didn’t know what to do really), but his handling of this pandemic has been absolutely diabolical. Labour and Kier have my full support now, and I especially admire them for standing up and voicing the issues regarding universities and once again the government dismiss people’s concerns and say that everything is fine. I hope and expect a big u turn and another major announcement within the next 2 days or so.

[stuartbert two hats]

3 minutes ago, FestivalJamie said:

I think this week we will see a big announcement regarding some new restrictions, potentially a ban on mixing households and also possibly a u-turn on the whole university situation.

Without wanting to be too controversial on here, I actually voted for Boris (not because I thought he would be good- I just despised Jeremy Corbin- but equally I don't want Brexit- so didn’t know what to do really), but his handling of this pandemic has been absolutely diabolical. Labour and Kier have my full support now, and I especially admire them for standing up and voicing the issues regarding universities and once again the government dismiss people’s concerns and say that everything is fine. I hope and expect a big u turn and another major announcement within the next 2 days or so.

Glad to have you on board. I know it's water under the bridge, but could you explain why you despised Jeremy Corbyn so much that you effectively voted for a Brexit you didn't want? What was it about him that was so bad?

[alfc7]

I also think this week will be a big university announcement. Most likely the option to go home and get your money back/ get out your contract. This will probably be paired with a household gathering ban. Could imagine it going along the lines of ‘next Monday household mixing will be banned if you wish to go home please go home before this date, if you stay at halls you run the risk of not being allowed to leave etc’

Edited September 27, 2020 by alfc7

[FestivalJamie]

1 minute ago, stuartbert two hats said:

Glad to have you on board. I know it's water under the bridge, but could you explain why you despised Jeremy Corbyn so much that you effectively voted for a Brexit you didn't want? What was it about him that was so bad?

To be perfectly honest with you, it was just the anti-semitism issues and also having a second referendum and I was fed up of the whole Brexit thing going round and round in circles( it’s been going on for years).

Im young, I should have probably abstained from voting, although it wouldn’t make any difference as my local area has a labour council anyway. In a perfect world I would vote for Lib Dem’s as I am more for a middle ground approach rather than far left and far right, I just want everything to be balanced and everyone to be happy basically haha (I look up to Angela merkel a lot and wish we had someone like her).

My vote was probably naive, especially considering I want to potentially live and work in germany in the future and Brexit (especially a no deal!) screws me over with that a lot... so now I’m clinging onto hopes of a polish passport. But I was just so fed up of Brexit on the news every day (although I’m more fed up of the pandemic than I was of Brexit chat tbh).

But to be perfectly honest, Boris has handled this dreadfully, but from personal opinion Jeremy Corbin just seemed a bit crazy and chaotic and I can’t visualise him handling the pandemic *much* better than Boris has. No doubt I think kier would have handled it so much better than either of them but unfortunately he’s come along a bit too late. 

i thought the government were handling it better now than they did in March but this whole university and schools fiasco along with the testing problems just makes me realise how dire the situation is in this country, and now we’ve got Brexit to look forward to.. (stitched myself up on that one). I just hope we get a deal or something so we have a good relationship with the Eu and can freely travel and work and live in other countries, clutching at straws now.