Does anyone think Boris is right?

[Emcont]

I'm not saying I do. But I'm curious to see if anyone agrees with the strategy they're going for as most of what I'm reading is against.

I am utterly sick of people using this crisis to try and make political points - we are beyond that now. In any case, if Jeremy Corbyn was prime minister, he would have been given exactly the same advice. Are you saying you think he would ignore it?

I could not agree more. It's a time to put political divisions aside and come together in mutual cooperation. I am starting to lose my shit on FB with people who are determined to make this political. Still, at least it's stopped them all carping about Brexit for five minutes.

In any case, if Jeremy Corbyn was prime minister, he would have been given exactly the same advice. Are you saying you think he would ignore it?

I agree. This has nothing to do with Boris really.

I don't think he is right tbh but what can we do. We will have to sit back and pray he is right because if he isn't there will be horrific consequences on the scales much worse than other countries.

Why do so many of you place so much trust in a handful of British experts, when the vast, vast majority of experts across the world (and the WHO) disagree?

Look at the evidence. The UK approach is dangerous.

yes, eventually the other countries are going to have to come out if lockdown or face bankruptcy and starvation

Italy is in lockdown but people are allowed to go to work.

yes, eventually the other countries are going to have to come out if lockdown or face bankruptcy and starvation

By which time we'll have controlled the spread. That's kind of the point.

No he is not right or being fair.
It was highlighted very recently the health inequalities in the UK between the wealthy and the disadvantaged.
Health overall ( chronic conditions such as diabetes type 1 etc aside) poorer people are more likely to have poorer health, less access to nutritious food, be able to afford gym memberships etc.
It stands to reason that the wealthier middle classes will fare better in this situation, are more able to be in jobs that can be worked from home etc.
The impact on working classes mortality rate will be much larger I suspect.

I am taking steps before govt says.

But once you stop lock down how do you stop it taking off again?

I am utterly sick of people using this crisis to try and make political points

Everything is political. The very reason we even have this virus in the first place is a failure of politicians (local politicians in China) who refused to listen to experts (sound familiar?). Had they listened we might have had a chance of containing this.
This government has withdrawn us from the European medicines agency, this may slow down and make more expensive our access to vaccines and treatments. It has withdrawn us from the EU pandemic early warning system and refuses to be part of the daily meetings of EU health ministers. All because they say it will weaken our negotiating hand re Brexit.

I say again.
Everything is political.

Why do so many of you place so much trust in a handful of British experts, when the vast, vast majority of experts across the world (and the WHO) disagree?

The UK Gov has surrounded themselves with 'yes men' those willing to speak truth to power have been booted out. Everyone must have noticed that.

And to add, we knew all this before the election. We get what we vote for.

No. Tory voter all my life. He’s making a massive mistake. Get new advisers!

Letting it spread will overload the hospitals - it’s doing so already. Are we going to see school gyms used as wards and mass graves? He should follow Italy and Spain. We are not far behind.

The statistics are deceptive because it starts with a few cases and people saying “it’s just the flu” and then it rockets. And the people who get it badly are extremely ill. Only ventilators can keep them alive.

I’m not a medical officer or scientist but I do have some basic common sense.

I have to trust that the PM isn't making these decisions unilaterally but is receiving guidance and advice from the best the UK has ( and from WHO etc). It's a national emergency and I do think that brings out the best in politicians while it's happening. ( stand back when it's over).

I agree with it others that if the leader was a Labour politician they would be getting the same flack. Whilst I do believe the Tories are responsible for running down the NHS and other emergency services through their economic policies, this emergency comes above point scoring.

They will get advice in a daily ( probably more frequently) basis and will change guidance issued accordingly. It's a fast moving situation I'm guessing few on COBRA are getting much sleep

*those willing to speak truth to power have been booted out. Everyone must have noticed that.

^ this

Of the UK population 60-70% need to contact it to achieve herd immunity. 17% of the country are kids under 14 who very rarely contract it but act as carriers. What percentage of the country are over 70, recovering from illness, pregnant, living with an lifelong illness such as asthma, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis. Then the typically healthy people with unknown underlying conditions. The numbers don't seem to add up to be able to achieve herd immunity.

Those who disagree with the plan should go into isolation. Those who agree with it seem content to contract corona virus so key's go into partial lockdown. That'll flatten the curve...

Everyone who agrees with it think they'll not be the ones to get it, it'll always be someone else. They think that only the elderly and vulnerable will get it. Just remember, that your 'only' is someone else's everything.

Soovermill,

The UK aren't going in line with WHO directives, their approach negates everything the WHO is advising

In south Korea they have not had lockdown, and are seeing good results. However, unlike us they are testing rigorously:
amp.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3075164/south-koreas-coronavirus-response-opposite-china-and

No

And don't call him Boris, it makes it sound like he's a jester instead of PM. He's Johnson and he's responsible for this mess.

Boris is a middle name he decided to use when he went into politics and wanted to be known as a lovable buffoon. His real name is Alexander and his family calls him that.

No. I trust the World Health Organisation.

No. I trust the World Health Organisation

Did you trust them when they pussyfooted around the Chinese government?

Whatever the science, I have grave doubts as to whether the Government’s strategy of herd immunity is achievable unless we literally keep calm and carry on regardless as we would do in a normal flu season. The UK population need to infect each other at a rate of one every 2 to 3 seconds! (based on 40m over a 6 month period),

As the deaths and serious illnesses mount, I can’t see that being politically sustainable at all. I give it two weeks max before we follow the rest of the world.

Totally agree with @PersonaNonGarter

And your post bears repeating;

“ Yes - I do.

It isn’t a question of ‘Boris’ being right - these decisions are being taken by COBRA/SAGE. He’s fronting them because he is the Prime Minister. ”

I think what is more frightening is society collapsing, we are not China, we will not stay isolated for 60 days or more, neither will Europe watch this space.

@gin96 I really think that is scaremongering. This is not the zombie apocalypse. Sure people panic buy toilet roll. Society will not collapse. Italian society has not collapsed. They obey rules much less than British people do. And I don't think it is helpful to post scaremongering comments like that.

You can judge the WHO on their pathetic response around China...

Which is the country with the best response the Coronavirus? Taiwan.

What aren't they a member of? The WHO. Enough said.