500,000 companies on the brink of collapse

[NadiaRose]

We need to avoid a second national lockdown to prevent economic disaster. Second lockdown would kill these companies. How many jobs are we going to sacrifice for a disease that isn’t deadly for the healthy majority.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.ft.com/content/1bf6edab-0744-4dac-8334-d56b29bf6c3d

[CoffeeandCroissant]

"Financial distress" does not equal 'on the brink of collapse' and the number needs to be put into context via a comparison with last year.

"significant distress, which indicates early signs of financial problems."

"Across the UK as a whole, the data showed that ‘significant’ distress had grown by 14% since Q3 2019, with 557,000 businesses now in financial difficulties."

[mrshoho]

and another!

[FourTeaFallOut]

Wait, you forgot to mention Sweden. Are you getting tired?

[DonaldTrumpsChopper]

I'm watching out for them too now!

[mrshoho]

I'm not smart enough to work out what their game plan is though 🤔

[Userzzz]

Wow I can’t believe the comments on this thread. The world has gone fucking mad. I bet every single person that has commented with sarcasm still has a job or is financially secure enough to weather this storm. The most vulnerable ( and I mean economically, not physically!!!) will pay the highest price for this overreaction.

[mrshoho]

and not just the OP either. V v strange.

[Madhairday]

I see what you mean, mrshoho! This is getting daft.

And no, userzz, I did actually lose my income back in march and am struggling. But I listen to the voices of sensible scientists and economists who tell us that the best way to protect the economy is to contain the virus.

But then again I'm ECV, so I don't matter and should just die soon anyway.

[dusselty]

@Userzzz

Wow I can’t believe the comments on this thread. The world has gone fucking mad. I bet every single person that has commented with sarcasm still has a job or is financially secure enough to weather this storm. The most vulnerable ( and I mean economically, not physically!!!) will pay the highest price for this overreaction.

This ^^

Is what I've been trying to say all these months. The Covid mask police, the Covid firing squads and the Covid Marshall's are the ones that are comfortable and have no financial worries otherwise anyone losing their jobs, businesses, homes and not affording food would be fucking nuts to be supporting a second lockdown. I've lost my business in the summer after sacrificing so much and have had Covid since, believe me it was no worse than a flu for me and for many people I know. The government , the overreaction, the media and everyone pushing for a second lockdown is absolutely deluded. Your grandchildren will still be paying for this mess and don't complain dear financially comfortable mnet users.

[mrshoho]

hmmm I see

[Ecosse]

We cannot afford another lockdown. It is vital that Boris Johnson resists the media scaremongering and says no.

[GCAcademic]

How many threads are you going to start tonight?

[SheepandCow]

Professor Devi Sridhar, one of the scientific experts advising the Scottish government, explains it well (my bold):

On a panel with several CEOs yesterday and their message was clear -> it's the virus impacting consumer behaviour & their businesses, not just restrictions. Already clear that controlling the virus with a clear strategy is best route to economic recovery.

[SheepandCow]

Prof Sridhar also explains (again, my bold):

Control your virus, solve your public health problem and then you get your economic recovery If you try and do both we will just see cycles of lockdown and release

[alreadytaken]

Trolls or tory spadbots - still havent got the message that the virus trashes economies, controlling the virus is what keeps them going.

The NHS is collapsing in parts of the country and soon there will be problems with maternity care, because the staff are being infected. God help you if you need a&e because there may not be a bed left for you, never mind an ICU bed.

Fiddling while Rome burns.

[SheepandCow]

More words of wisdom from Prof Sridhar:

Such false logic: uncontrolled spread doesn’t mean ‘just some people die.’ It means health services collapsing bc of high COVID hospitalisation rate (so all patients suffer), lasting economic damage from people being scared & changing behaviour, & society going backwards.

And

Two approaches: either keeping borders largely open like the UK, but adopting harsh domestic restrictions to try to combat community transmission; or having very tight border controls, like Taiwan and New Zealand, but few restrictions on everyday life.

Europe paying for summer holidays with winter lockdowns.

theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/30/coronavirus-strain-from-spain-accounts-for-most-uk-cases-study

[SheepandCow]

They're out in force tonight. Ugh!

Doing my best (with the help of scientific expert, Professor Sridhar) to correct their dangerous nonsense.

[Ecosse]

Nobody wants uncontrolled spread @SheepandCow. It’s a total straw man.

[FourTeaFallOut]

It's not completely wasted @SheepandCow, I've appreciated the signpost to interesting reading material.

[SheepandCow]

You're welcome @FourTeaFallOut .

It was another mumsnetter who signposted me to Prof Sridhar but I can't remember who. She explains everything so well. Clear, simple, and easy to read.

[mrshoho]

I appreciated it too @SheepandCow and I admire your determination in responding to these endless, repetitive and deluded threads!

[SheepandCow]

Thank you @mrshoho
I'm glad some of you appreciate my bleating