When will this shit end?

[Ryan1984]

38 minutes ago, Zoo Music Girl said:

He is a massive tool. I'm afraid I went Raab though.

Really struggled with the choice between Patel and Rees-Mogg too, but had to be Patel.

That Rees-Mogg/Patel one was so tough but I went with Patel, too. She’s evil whereas I get the feeling Rees-Mogg plays up to the oddball persona a little. Did someone on here say he’s actually quite well liked in the Commons bar?

[Fuzzy Afro]

7 minutes ago, steviewevie said:

Hungary has broken free of EU shackles and is going to buy a load of vaccine from China's Sinopharm.

Didn’t the recent Brazilian trial show that vaccine to be a bit of a dud? I think Hungary and Turkey are the only European countries to purchase a Chinese vaccine. 

[Fuzzy Afro]

Government sources now suggesting all over 50’s will be vaccinated by mid March 

[zahidf]

 

 

 

[Crazyfool01]

2 minutes ago, Fuzzy Afro said:

Government sources now suggesting all over 50’s will be vaccinated by mid March 

Anyone got the groupings handy with numbers in each group ? Great progress if that the case ... keep positive guys 

[steviewevie]

1 minute ago, Fuzzy Afro said:

Government sources now suggesting all over 50’s will be vaccinated by mid March 

woah, I'm in that age group...which is both depressing and exciting.

My missus is a bit of a vaccine hesitant...she isn't sure...she's like, what the fuck is in it, how can they easily make so much of it, how come they came up with it so quickly?...and I'm like it's all fine, these people know what they're doing, there's this guy on a Glastonbury forum called ToiletDuck...etc.

[incident]

3 minutes ago, Fuzzy Afro said:

Didn’t the recent Brazilian trial show that vaccine to be a bit of a dud? I think Hungary and Turkey are the only European countries to purchase a Chinese vaccine. 

That was Sinovac, which is a different one (there's quite a few with similar names coming out of China).

Sinopharm has 2 vaccine candidates being developed, and is claiming ~80% on one of them but without any actual figures published so far that I know of.

[Ozanne]

7 minutes ago, steviewevie said:

woah, I'm in that age group...which is both depressing and exciting.

My missus is a bit of a vaccine hesitant...she isn't sure...she's like, what the fuck is in it, how can they easily make so much of it, how come they came up with it so quickly?...and I'm like it's all fine, these people know what they're doing, there's this guy on a Glastonbury forum called ToiletDuck...etc.

To be honest I think that view is completely fair, there will be a quite a few that due to the perceived speed of the vaccine development are hesitant. It’s important to be understanding with those people and discuss the points of the development and hopefully they’ll end up taking the vaccine. 

[steviewevie]

6 minutes ago, Ozanne said:

To be honest I think that view is completely fair, there will be a quite a few that due to the perceived speed of the vaccine development are hesitant. It’s important to be understanding with those people and discuss the points of the development and hopefully they’ll end up taking the vaccine. 

She was asking me all these questions about these vaccines and how they work...and I kind of tried to explain but I don't really understand myself so I wasn't very convincing. I just said, trust the scientists and regulators, they know what they're doing, what would you prefer...the virus or the vaccine? She was just saying there could be long term issues that they just won't know about yet. She's Japanese and I think they are quite vaccine sceptical over there...

[Zoo Music Girl]

2 minutes ago, steviewevie said:

She was asking me all these questions about these vaccines and how they work...and I kind of tried to explain but I don't really understand myself so I wasn't very convincing. I just said, trust the scientists and regulators, they know what they're doing, what would you prefer...the virus or the vaccine? She was just saying there could be long term issues that they just won't know about yet. She's Japanese and I think they are quite vaccine sceptical over there...

The answers to all those questions are available online if you search around though. It's all out there! 

[zero000]

23 minutes ago, Fuzzy Afro said:

Government sources now suggesting all over 50’s will be vaccinated by mid March 

Got a link for that? Would be fantastic news for Glastonbury’s chances of going ahead. 

[Fuzzy Afro]

1 minute ago, zero000 said:

Got a link for that? Would be fantastic news for Glastonbury’s chances of going ahead. 

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/whitehall-sources-predict-all-over-50s-will-get-covid-vaccine-by-end-of-march-28p9hqz2g

[incident]

2 minutes ago, steviewevie said:

She was asking me all these questions about these vaccines and how they work...and I kind of tried to explain but I don't really understand myself so I wasn't very convincing. I just said, trust the scientists and regulators, they know what they're doing, what would you prefer...the virus or the vaccine? She was just saying there could be long term issues that they just won't know about yet. She's Japanese and I think they are quite vaccine sceptical over there...

Thing is - it's absolutely true that there could be long term issues we don't know about. It's unlikely, but it's definitely possible.

But given that all of the vaccines available to date pretty much work by simulating part of what the virus does and so are training the body to reject it - if there are long term issues, then you'd almost certainly get those same long term issues with the virus itself.

[st dan]

Shapps just confirmed that scientists now also believe the vaccine will be effective against the Brazil variant, but again much like the British one, it has evidence of spreading more quickly and easily. 

[steviewevie]

1 minute ago, Zoo Music Girl said:

The answers to all those questions are available online if you search around though. It's all out there! 

yeah, true...but they have these big balls with spikes and some vaccines use something called mRNA and others use chimp cold viruses and yada yada.

There's also a lot of anti-vax out there too!

[Zoo Music Girl]

I got this government response today after signing the petition about touring musicians (calling bullshit somewhere along the line as the EU is saying it's our fault: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-55654386) 

The Government has responded to the petition you signed – “Seek Europe-wide Visa-free work permit for Touring professionals and Artists”.

Government responded:

During our negotiations, we proposed measures to allow creative professionals to travel and perform in both the UK and EU, without needing work-permits. Unfortunately, the EU rejected these proposals.

The UK Government supports ambitious arrangements for performers and artists to be able to work and tour across Europe. In the negotiations with the EU, we were determined to get a good deal for British music because we recognise the value of this industry.

As negotiations began, we consulted extensively with the sector to find out what they needed from the negotiations. We listened to the experts in British music, including bodies like the Musicians Union, and reflected their views in our proposal to the EU.

During our negotiations with the EU, we sought a mutually beneficial agreement that would have allowed performers to continue performing across the continent without the need for work permits. Specifically, we proposed to capture the work done by musicians, artists and entertainers, and their accompanying staff through the list of permitted activities for short-term business visitors. This was a straightforward solution for our creative industries which would have benefited all sides.

The EU turned down our proposals on the basis that musicians were providing a service which they viewed as necessitating a work permit and/or visa.

This outcome is regrettable, however there is scope to return to this issue in the future should the EU change its mind. Meanwhile the UK Government will make the case for arrangements that make touring easier in the EU and also seek to signpost to guidance which will help UK business travelers navigate individual Member States’ immigration systems.

The UK remains open for musicians to tour here. Musicians and artists (and technical staff) traveling to the UK from non-visa national countries, which includes but is not limited to EU nationals, are able to carry out a number of activities relating to the music and touring industry without a visa. Visiting musicians to the UK may perform at events, make personal appearances, take part in competitions, promotional activities and auditions, for up to 6 months without the need for formal sponsorship or a visa if they are not being paid beyond expenses or prize money. They can also receive payment for appearances at permit free festivals for up to 6 months, or for up to one month for a specific engagement. Musicians and support staff who are being paid in the UK may also qualify for entry under the Tier 5 Creative Worker route, if they are sponsored by a UK entity licensed with UK Visas and Immigration for this purpose. Entry is for up to 12 months and the relevant rules also provide for accompanying dependents. Entry under the Tier 5 Creative Worker route is visa-free for non-visa nationals where entry is for no more than three months.

The deal delivers on the Government’s promise to take the UK out of the EU’s customs territory and to regain control of our borders. This means there will be new customs processes on goods headed from GB into the EU and vice versa. These processes ensure that customs authorities remain able to protect their regulatory, security and financial interests. As part of this, ATA Carnets can be used for temporary imports of some goods, including professional equipment, as an alternative to facing full customs controls. This is already an option for temporary goods movements from the UK to many other non-EU countries. It reflects the established international approach in line with the ATA and Istanbul Conventions.

The Government recognises the importance of touring for UK musicians and other creative professionals, and has engaged extensively with the creative industries and arts sector since the announcement of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement to ensure they are aware of the new requirements. Going forward, we will continue our close dialogue with the creative and cultural sectors to ensure that they have the support they need to thrive.

We are also taking all steps we can to make the new processes as straightforward as possible for UK artists performing across the continent. Through negotiations with the EU we secured Transparency and Procedural Facilitation measures that will help ensure visa processes are as prompt and smooth as possible. The Agreement also contains provisions that promote efficient customs arrangements and we are working to make it easier to apply for and use ATA Carnets.

Furthermore, the Government is taking unprecedented action to help the music sector during the crisis. We’ve provided £1.5 billion of direct support for arts across the UK, the biggest one off investment ever, and a sum that far exceeds what’s been provided in other countries. That builds on billions more coming from furlough, the self-employed income support scheme and other government support.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

[Ozanne]

6 minutes ago, st dan said:

Shapps just confirmed that scientists now also believe the vaccine will be effective against the Brazil variant, but again much like the British one, it has evidence of spreading more quickly and easily. 

That’s good news and a bit of a relief to many. Hopefully we can get as many vaccinated as possible before a variant crops up that might effect the vaccines. 

[eFestivals]

8 minutes ago, Zoo Music Girl said:

The EU turned down our proposals on the basis that musicians were providing a service which they viewed as necessitating a work permit and/or visa.

well, that's bollocks. The EU already has a specific work permit exemption for musicians, providing there's reciprocal arrangements (as exists for the likes of the USA).

What the EU turned down was the UK's want of a one-month reciprocal exemption when the world standard is a 3 month reciprocal exemption (which the UK turned down).

Edited January 15, 2021 by eFestivals

[Zoo Music Girl]

2 minutes ago, eFestivals said:

well, that's bollocks. The EU already has a specific work permit exemption for musicians, providing there's reciprocal arrangements (as exists for the likes of the USA).

What the EU turned down was the UK's want of a one-month reciprocal exemption when the world standard is a 3 month reciprocal exemption.

Sounds about right!

[Ozanne]

5 minutes ago, eFestivals said:

well, that's bollocks. The EU already has a specific work permit exemption for musicians, providing there's reciprocal arrangements (as exists for the likes of the USA).

What the EU turned down was the UK's want of a one-month reciprocal exemption when the world standard is a 3 month reciprocal exemption (which the UK turned down).

Why do you think the U.K. turned it down? 

[zahidf]

1 minute ago, Ozanne said:

Why do you think the U.K. turned it down? 

KEEP OUT THE FORRUNS

[eFestivals]

1 minute ago, Ozanne said:

Why do you think the U.K. turned it down? 

so the report I read (The Independent, I think) said, because the 3 months exemption didn't fit with Pritti Hateful's new rules for working visas.

[fraybentos1]

8 hours ago, Mellotr0n said:

All about supply levels now. If enough vaccine is available, they will easily surpass it.

Looks like we’re at around 280k a day now, with capacity able to still be ramped up far, far further.  

There was a Scottish Gov report released the other day which had supply dates and numbers for the Oxford and Pfizer vaccines (which has since been removed). But if it’s accurate then supply won’t be a problem. It seems they’re underselling their supply in the media atm I would guess due to competition around the world for the same vaccines. 

[rivalschools.price]

43 minutes ago, steviewevie said:

woah, I'm in that age group...which is both depressing and exciting.

My missus is a bit of a vaccine hesitant...she isn't sure...she's like, what the fuck is in it, how can they easily make so much of it, how come they came up with it so quickly?...and I'm like it's all fine, these people know what they're doing, there's this guy on a Glastonbury forum called ToiletDuck...etc.

Yeah, after years of claiming I’m young at heart I’m now telling everyone who’ll listen that I’m in the over 50s category so my vaccine will be soon. Got to look after us old ‘uns.

Also playing the obese card after years of being ‘creative’ when speaking about my weight. 
 

It’s like I’m a different person. Haha

[Ozanne]

3 minutes ago, eFestivals said:

so the report I read (The Independent, I think) said, because the 3 months exemption didn't fit with Pritti Hateful's new rules for working visas.

How lovely. Isn’t it great that such important policy is driven by this Home Secretary.