The Govt Handling Of Covid............

[10ClarionSt]

..............is manipulative and alarmist, meant to frighten people. And it's succeeded mainly. Back in April, the figures were the number of deaths from Covid. Then, the figures dropped in summer. When the figures started to rise again in September, we had a different interpretation. It was the number of infections that was published. That sounds more serious doesn't it? A few thousand infections but only a few deaths. Let's go down the infections route. It's more alarming. But even the death figure is inaccurate as it shows only deaths within 28 days of a positive test. That's great Mssrs Whitty and Valance! It's just what we need to frighten the people into mass inactivity. I know, I know. It hasn't worked so far and the figures are still rising but at least we're frightening the tish out of everyone aren't we?
Just call me Boris Canute. I can turn the tide.

[pixie374]

I agree, apg.
Yes, it's serious, but I have a lot of doubt that scaring or terrifying people will actually work (well, it hasn't). The people most up to date with all the stats etc, will be those already most worried.
Stricter laws, clearer guidelines and so on, may have made a difference- but I don't think that the people who need convincing still, are those likely to be scared into compliance.
That doesn't and hasn't worked.

[ummmm]

My daughter has tested positive. Only symptoms so far is extreme tiredness.

[drmorgans]

Our government's big mistake was not learning from the SARS and MERS epidemics. They did in Asia and the Far East, and have been less badly affected by covid. We didn't invest in the NHS so when the pandemic came we were always playing catch-up, PPE, equipment, treatments, precautions and other measures.

But, a big BUT, we invested in vaccines, vast sums, in terms of research and development, and now we are ahead of the game. Matt Hancock (and Boris) got a lot wrong but they did get vaccines right.

[pixie374]

Mine too, ummmm.... she had a temperature one day and loss of taste yesterday. I'm still waiting for results back... it looks like they tried to ring me this morning and I missed it, as I was expecting an email or text- which my parents got (negative). So I am fairly sure mine will be positive.
I feel a bit rough, but the anxiety is worse.

[ummmm]

She's stuck in Ireland. I told her not to go.

[pixie374]

I hope she does fine with it, ummmm xx

[teacake44]

I'm no big lover of the way this government have handled some of this pandemic, but I find it bizarre and unbelievable that some think that the government have set out to scare and terrify people, they have little choice but to tell you as it is. If you don't believe what they telling you then look to other countries.

[pixie374]

Just spoke to a friend who works at the carehome. It looks like the missed call I had was from the Track and Trace team, because my daughter lives with me. Only 3 days late!

[jim360]

Of course it's emotional. People are dying. I spend most of my time looking at the situation as just raw data, but that would be to forget the human cost.

The basic flaw in any approach that tries to ignore or minimise the threat is that, in the end, it just drags the cost out for longer. For example, the November lockdown was only just starting to bring things under control, but by ending it when they did, the Government has rendered the entire exercise more or less pointless. It will have undoubtedly had a heavy economic cost. What was the point of paying it, though, if the Government didn't follow through?

[pixie374]

Teacake, whether they "set out" to do it or not, isn't the point. More that they are probably terrifying those who are taking it seriously, while, clearly, making no difference to those who aren't.

[teacake44]

Isn't the point? sorry but it is, because that's what some people are accusing them of. You may well even just say that they've had fun destroying the economy.

[pixie374]

I'm not saying either. Just that after this length of time, lockdown, deaths, hospitalisations, we've probably terrified everyone who is going to be.
We need stricter rules for others though. If someone isn't worried about 80,000 deaths, they are not suddenly going to be scared by 90,000. And you can get to a complacency point.
Tbf, some people will be right not to be scared... they won't get it, or won't get particularly ill from it. So, we need to stop treating people as if they are a homogenous herd.

[dave50]

I'm far more worried about crashing the economy and my kids being unemployed and unable to pay the Bill's than catching covid.

[teacake44]

Pixie, you said it @ 12.22. The only thing that will make people stop and realize, is when hospitals can no longer take any more patients, and we are very close to that situation. We have Nightengale hospitals empty because there is no staff for them, and the staff we have got can't cope, or are themselves off sick.

[teacake44]

12.54 So are many people, but if we don't clear this up, you and many others won't have to worry any more.

[iluvmargie]

11:18 - it's no different to all the regular postings from the many on here who would have us believe that we are doomed if we go outside, doomed if we go near other people, doomed if we don't wipe down our 'door hangles' etc. etc. etc. Well I have been outside countless times, been close to other people regularly, Never wiped down my 'door hangles' and never will, and so on and so on and I'm still here to tell the tale - what a surprise.

Good on ya 10C, keep it up!

Had a break for a few days because of all the covid threads, think I will now have another, longer one.

Happy New Year y'all!!

[pixie374]

Teacake, I definitely didn't say that would scare enough people. I'm saying that those motivated by fear, concern, worry, already will be. Those that aren't, what more do they need?
Sometimes you have to change tactics, when you realise different things work for different people.

[pixie374]

Happy new year, margie xx

[Sqad]

//////Happy New Year y'all!!////

Good luck with that margie.........but the same to you.

[jim360]

iluvmargie, the world is bigger than your experience of it.

I'm not worried particularly for myself, either. So what? I'm worried for the approximately 2 million who have died already as a result of this pandemic, and for the likely 2 million more who will join them in the next six months.