Getting fed up with the Government daily briefing

[jenganinja]

It feels like they are fobbing us off a bit now? I'm glad they do the briefing but who are these people today? and they just repeat the same waffle about tests and ramping things up but they are still not testing frontline NHS staff, just talking about doing it.

I heard a specialist today discussing tests and the importance of them being able to test for COVID-19 in its present form. I only caught a bit of the interview but it looks like the tests aren’t straightforward to manufacture due to the virus mutating as it spreads. I think there are about 8 strains of the virus at the moment. Most governments are fudging on the issue of testing and the accuracy of tests.

where is Chris Whitty?

Whitty is poorly.

Don’t watch it any more. They just stand and lie.

Yes all they do is lie.

I am enjoying the journalists holding them to account though.

I'm slightly enjoying having a look at the journalists' houses.

Also the new design of the slogan looks like a sticker from a lego truck
You're so right

I quite like it when Beth Rigby comes on because she always sounds so fucked off and cynical. Maybe she is a MNer.

Germany seem to be getting the tests right.

I agree the figures can't be accurate because of the lack of testing and who knows if they are counting all deaths.

True that PPE needs to be in place before testing in a way, because why return NHS staff to work to put them in danger.

Boris is hiding so he does not get shouted out. The advice is ...we know. I am not saying I want drama but I do want to know that they recognise the economic impact. This is not some experiment.

I want to know what they are doing to get help to communities. People who cannot self isolate without support.

Germany seem to be getting the tests right

Indeed

Beth Rigby is my favourite. The only hint of actual 'information' we are getting is from the journalists' questions. Not the answers, just the questions.

It’s become a bit of a “will I watch - won’t I “ scenario. Same old slogans but watching every day in the hope of some good news. One thing I have noticed is that now the questions have moved to video link, once the question has been asked, that’s it. The journalists are unable to probe any further into the glib answers. (Jenny Harries is not included in this!!)

I would like to see the journalists' faces as their questions are 'answered'. Split screen.

They said there is more traffic on the roads this week. Why are people still ignoring the stay at home messages. Too many people have excuses as to why they should still be going out.

I think they hear a number , like it , and then regurgitate it again & again.
Absolutely no faith in this government & it’s short sighted cuts .

@FaFoutis good observation

Beth Rigby rocks!

I got paid this week, I expect plenty of others did too. Could the extra traffic be due to pay day supermarket shoppers? If so, that surely would be within the rules.

I think it’s hilarious that people seem to think that they can say they are working to increase testing on Monday, and expect it to be double on Tuesday.

Similarly hilarious that people think that there are not hundreds of people behind the scenes working to increase testing, get PPE to the frontline, source ventilators etc. It’s not just Boris on the phone to his mate James Dyson sorting it out.

Seriously people, get a grip! In the words of Ben Goldacre ‘I think you’ll find it’s a bit more complicated than that’!

I think it’s hilarious that people seem to think that they can say they are working to increase testing on Monday, and expect it to be double on Tuesday.

One of the questions from journos was about the PM saying we'd be up to 250,000 tests. This was the week before last I think, not yesterday.

Are we supposed to just trust that it's all going on behind the scenes then, even if nothing is seemingly materialising

Yes fafoutis your idea would be good

Seriously people, get a grip! In the words of Ben Goldacre ‘I think you’ll find it’s a bit more complicated than that’!

Patronising

BasinHaircut nobody has said they are expecting numbers tested to be doubled overnight. The analysis is more complicated than that. It is perfectly proper for people (including journalists) to ask why the respective testing targets which Boris Johnson has announced to Parliament, and which Prof Sharon Peacock of PHE and Prof Chris Whitty the CMO have quoted to the relevant select committee are (a) inconsistent and (b) nowhere near being met.

It is not good enough for the public to be told every day merely that testing is being “ramped up”. They need to provide transparency about what the plan is and what the timeline is for achieving it. Of course people are working hard behind the scenes, but that doesn’t mean the government can escape accountability on such a critical issue.

The daily briefing is just 500 excuses why they aren't doing as much as other countries but aren't we brilliant. The Q & A is always BBC representative first, I wish they would send Larry the cat, we might get better answers.

Seriously people, get a grip!

I think that 'people' are responding to the promises of their elected government.

@BasinHaircut... it’s not hilarious. Not even slightly funny. This virus is moving fast. Johnson et al KNEW it was coming and listened to Dom Cummings and wasted weeks when they could have been getting ready.