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Original poster

So proud of the UK today

493 replies

1stDecember · 03/12/2020 07:23

So, the UK is the first in the world to approve and roll out a Covid vaccination programme. (If another country had done this, say Germany, everyone would be going on about why can't we be as good as the Germans? Grin)

The UK had bought and tested a major amount of the right vaccine - it didn't get here by chance!

The UK Army (which really is world-class) is going to enable the largest vaccine programme ever.

It looks like a Brexit Deal is about to be struck.

And - next year, the UK will be banning the live export of animals. (We couldn't do that in the EU.)

Just feeling really good about the UK today Smile

It doesn't often happen, so I thought I would appreciate the moment Grin

OP posts:
Defenbaker · 04/12/2020 17:10

FortunesFavour posted:

"But it doesn’t really matter where the various vaccines were developed if they are sitting in warehouses yet to be approved. They are available on the international market so any country could have achieved regulatory approval first, but in fact the U.K. got through the bureaucracy the fastest and will start rolling it out first. That’s excellent news.

We’ve also had good news this week in the U.K. regarding banning live animal exports, plus our judiciary delivered an important and historic precedent with their ruling in Keira Bell’s case. I think those are reasons to be proud."

Exactly. Animal welfare and more humane farming practices are something we have higher standards on than the rest of Europe, and those issues were part of the reason I voted for Brexit, along with wanting more support for our own farmers.

"Some posters upthread are determined not to recognise any positives about the U.K. It’s sad to see - no appreciation whatsoever of the advantages that we enjoy that many countries lack... rule of law, freedom of speech (twitter pile ons notwithstanding), democracy, nhs, welfare system, education. Of course there are hardships and frustrations, but if you really can’t see anything to be proud of in the U.K. then you should see a bit more of the world and get real frankly." Again, totally agree with this. We're not perfect, but we do some things really well.

"Although our jabs may be rolled out in a cack-handed way, they will be free at the point of delivery in the U.K. and people will be prioritised according to risks posed to an individual by the virus rather than the size of their wallet, political affiliation, religion, sex, ethnicity etc - all of which would be factors in deciding who deserves the vaccine in vast swathes of the world. I’m proud of that too." Yep, me too. Credit where it's due.

@GrumblyMumblyisnotJumbly - no thanks, and please don't assume I'm a fan of that Dido woman, just because we both used the words "crystal ball". You're right though when you say that praising some actions of our govt doesn't mean we can't criticise others. It's just that this thread is more about feeling pleased that they've got some things right.

pommedeterre · 04/12/2020 17:26

Bleurgh. Whatevs. Pandemic, no deal Brexit still likely, 60k dead, shit for brains in charge. Brilliant.

chomalungma · 04/12/2020 17:27

@bendmeoverbackwards

I love how everyone else is an expert in how to run the country! Why don't you stand for MP and try and push forward the suggestions you are making.
You don't need to be an MP to make a change.

All too often, change happens in spite of MPs.

UnlimitedUnspecific · 04/12/2020 17:34

If another country had done this, say Germany, everyone would be going on about why can't we be as good as the Germans

I assumed this was tongue-in-cheek since the Pfizer vaccine is a German/US collaboration being manufactured in Belgium.

I am still confused as to whether is actually someone in the country who would say that quoted sentence in all seriousness.

Thelnebriati · 04/12/2020 17:37

next year, the UK will be banning the live export of animals.

Can I just clarify this - the UK will ban the export of live animals for fattening and slaughter. Not for breeding or other purposes, and the ban won't apply to poultry.

wonderstuff · 04/12/2020 17:38

The vaccine was developed by a company set up by a Turkish immigrant in Germany and tested in trials enabled by tens of thousands of volunteers across the world. Be proud of science and international cooperation.

UnlimitedUnspecific · 04/12/2020 17:39

Yes, Turkish scientists developed the vaccine for a German/US collaboration team, tried around the world, manufactured in Belgium
The UK's contribution was to buy it.

HerculesMuligan · 04/12/2020 17:44

The high quality science and research which helped produce the Covid vaccines thrives in an environment where the best scientists from across the world can collaborate and move freely around the world.

To simultaneously be happy that this has happened (discovery of Covid vaccines) and also happy about the prospect of Brexit seems slightly odd. Brexit is going to have severe negative consequences for the UK’s research institutions, its researchers and its reputation in the scientific world.

Chamonixshoopshoop · 04/12/2020 17:44

I agree Op! Thank goodness things are looking up. Also agree with you about the army being first class. We're in good hands if theyre involved with logistics. 👍

Superleo837 · 04/12/2020 17:48

I’m proud today OP

UnlimitedUnspecific · 04/12/2020 17:52

@HerculesMuligan

The high quality science and research which helped produce the Covid vaccines thrives in an environment where the best scientists from across the world can collaborate and move freely around the world.

To simultaneously be happy that this has happened (discovery of Covid vaccines) and also happy about the prospect of Brexit seems slightly odd. Brexit is going to have severe negative consequences for the UK’s research institutions, its researchers and its reputation in the scientific world.

This is sadly true. As highlighted by the MHRA (the medicines regulator that approved the vaccine yesterday). It was being in the EU that helped us get the vaccine, despite Brexit. All that will change on 1st Jan. It is quite likely the lorries won't get through after that.
FourTeaFallOut · 04/12/2020 17:59

I don't think the op said she was happy about Brexit, just that she was optimistic that an agreement may be reached?

Theoldwrinkley · 04/12/2020 18:03

So so agree. Thank you for being positive, and not cow-towing to the appalling bias of BBC et al. My Mum always said ‘count your blessings’. I got sick and tired of it when teenager, but she was so right. The UK may well have faults, but in the light of the rest of the world, I’d prefer to live here than anywhere else. A touch warmer, maybe. But that is being remedied via climate change (that is lighthearted!)

MarshaBradyo · 04/12/2020 18:04

All that will change on 1st Jan. It is quite likely the lorries won't get through after that.

Is it even by lorry?

Virgin Atlantic: Passenger planes will be used to transport Covid vaccine

here can’t read it as on phone

derxa · 04/12/2020 18:06

@Thelnebriati

next year, the UK will be banning the live export of animals.

Can I just clarify this - the UK will ban the export of live animals for fattening and slaughter. Not for breeding or other purposes, and the ban won't apply to poultry.

I don't know where you are going with this. You would not have the cheap milk you do without live export of dairy cows in and out of Europe and North America.
Thelnebriati · 04/12/2020 18:09

I don't support the ban. I dont think people who do really understand the UK farming industry.

chomalungma · 04/12/2020 18:10

@FourTeaFallOut

I don't think the op said she was happy about Brexit, just that she was optimistic that an agreement may be reached?
Given today's developments, her optimism might be short lived.
Macmoominmamma · 04/12/2020 18:12

Glad you’re feeling positive. We’re top death rate in the EU and 4th highest in world. Go us!

Btw - is the Army carrying out the vaccinate programme? Source please OP. (Daily Mail doesn’t count!)

UnlimitedUnspecific · 04/12/2020 18:12

@MarshaBradyo

All that will change on 1st Jan. It is quite likely the lorries won't get through after that.

Is it even by lorry?

Virgin Atlantic: Passenger planes will be used to transport Covid vaccine

here can’t read it as on phone

Came through the channel tunnel by lorry yesterday though. I think the Pfizer one needs special lorries that can keep the vaccines at minus 70.

if you mean the vaccines coming from India if and when AZ Oxford is approved, then I guess airplanes will be needed.

chomalungma · 04/12/2020 18:12

The UK may well have faults, but in the light of the rest of the world, I’d prefer to live here than anywhere else

Is there anything that another country does well that you would like to see implemented in the UK?

MarshaBradyo · 04/12/2020 18:14

Unlimited fair enough, I couldn’t find anything that specified air or plane, other than that one

teateateateateamoretea · 04/12/2020 18:15

The UK may well have faults, but in the light of the rest of the world, I’d prefer to live here than anywhere else

Gosh, really? Have you actually BEEN anywhere else?

FourTeaFallOut · 04/12/2020 18:15

That seems entirely irrelevant to my point @chomalungma

MarshaBradyo · 04/12/2020 18:17

@teateateateateamoretea

The UK may well have faults, but in the light of the rest of the world, I’d prefer to live here than anywhere else

Gosh, really? Have you actually BEEN anywhere else?

I have! And still chose to move to London. Many do. Where do you live?
chomalungma · 04/12/2020 18:18

@FourTeaFallOut

That seems entirely irrelevant to my point *@chomalungma*
It's relevant because you think she seems optimistic about a Brexit deal and that looks less likely today.