There is a briefing. I would like to discuss its content.

[StealthPolarBear]

They're all a bit short notice aren't they? We used to find out earlier in the afternoon.

I thought Hancock was self isolating after his trips to the park and his positive test?

I wouldn't be surprised is this was the plan.
He's too scared to announce it yet, because he knows we are all fed up already.

I told ds's that school might not open till after Easter, weeks ago.

But this? Is seriously depressing isn't it?

Is it wrong that I’ve spent best part of the last year wonder what Matt H is like in bed?

I’ll get my coat.....

Oh the irony. Better together.

@Oblomov20

Weird, I don't see this as scare tactics at all. I suspect this IS being discussed. I think they'll announce it before long.

They haven't explained that it's no different to the previous review or the initial set up.

They have reported "lockdown powers extended until July" without explaining all they've done is what the policy said they must do and it's always 6 months every 6 months.

If they didn't do it then all those closed businesses could open up and there is no powered to prevent it under the lockdown.

The media do use scare tactics. They report half the information to make it look like it's something it's not.

Surely you are reassured now I e explained it's not about plans to extend lockdown to then and just an extension within a set timeframe as we are currently in lockdown?

Most ironic statement ever : “I can’t think why people in the UK would travel abroad for medical treatment when we have the NHS here”. Hahahahahahahahahahaha...

It was Wendy Maisy, Candidate for Warrington.
Best comment was he looks like Rigsby getting excited over Ms Jones.
(shows age).
Sorry, as you were.

What did I just hear? Was he thanking the daily express, what he called a quality newspaper???

He seems like he doesn't give a shit anymore.

@Biscoffaddict

Is it wrong that I’ve spent best part of the last year wonder what Matt H is like in bed?

I’ll get my coat.....

Inexperienced and Grateful I expect. Tearful at the moment Buggers off after.

@PuzzledObserver

It’s been announced that 78.7% of over 80’s have now received at least their first dose, which is brilliant. I wonder how the remaining 21.3% break down between got an appointment/yet to be contacted/declined.

I expect it's mostly people like my MIL who are housebound and need the district nurse to come to their home. She's been told she'll get it between the 25th (oh, that's today!) and the end of the month.

I didn't know there was a schedule for briefings either, I'll remember that for future ones!

Sorry, lowering the tone.
My only excuse is that I no longer pay much attention to the content of briefings. I do follow Govt advice btw, I just don't watch them anymore.

@itsgettingweird

It's always Monday and Thursdays now at 5pm.

I like MH. He's at least clear and gives us information.

Clear? I find him utterly bumbling & confusing .

My nearly 102 year old aunt, living independently but pretty much housebound because of general frailty, is still waiting. Her surgery today denied that they knew she needed a home visit. They do know, have been informed repeatedly. I asked - very politely - what their schedule is . No idea was the reply .

Is it wrong that I’ve spent best part of the last year wonder what Matt H is like in bed?

Yes. Very wrong.

Dominic Raab on the other hand...

I would agree that a large amount of those over 80 not yet vaccinated are housebound.

We have been doing large vaccination clinics using the Pfizer vaccine. Home visits need to use the AstraZeneca. We don’t have much of that in our area yet.

The delivery we did have was used to vaccinate the care home residents.

Also, some of our over 80’s are currently in hospital & therefore not able to pop down for a jab.

Therefore I usually catch up with anything important on MN.
(sometimes I contribute useful stuff too, just not this afternoon, sorry)

Does anyone else feel an absolute urge to smack MH or is it just me?

What I understood, hospital admissions and ventilated patients higher than peak of previous wave. Until these numbers fall I can't see restrictions being relaxed.

But that might be just me.

See what they say Thursday.

Ho hum.

If they vaccinated the 50-60 and then 60-70 before the rest then the stress on the NHS Would be greatly reduced.

Over 70’you tend to either be ok or die - you don’t clog up the ICU.

We’re doing this to save the NHS REMEMBER I’m not that bothered if octogenarians die

! thought he looked a bit peeky today.

He seemed to have bugger all to say.

Still, at least he's marginally less odious than Boris or Priti.

@PussyCatInChristmasStockings so having read the mode of action of all three vaccines that are approved here. And having read the efficacy trial data of all three. I would have any of them honestly. One dose of any of them would stop me getting seriously ill, going to hospital and/or dying.

Those numbers need to fall substantially before relaxation

What they have not said is how low they want cases and numbers in hospitals to be before they will consider relaxation

And most of my family are over 80 - I’ll be sad for them to die but it’s not unexpected at that age

Absolutely shameful attempt not to answer those two questions at the end. Good for the reporter who told him he’d hadn’t and repeated them. Cue Hancock panic. M
I will never forget as long as I live Jon snows interview with him outside Parliament ‘ship of fools I think it was’ Re brexit vote shambles and his look of utter confused panic. Never seen the like. He’s a thin surface. Nothing much below.

Lastfreakinglegs

What did I just hear? Was he thanking the daily express, what he called a quality newspaper???

Is he Alan Partridge?