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Original poster

World Health Organisation criticises UK reopening and says it's 'too early to talk about freedom'

177 replies

UndercoverToad · 13/07/2021 10:03

The WHO has taken a strong stance against England's plans for reopening over the last few days, and a spokesperson has used perhaps some of the strongest words yet.

Dr David Nabarro, the WHO's special envoy on COVID-19, said the "pandemic is advancing ferociously around the world" and "I don't think we've anywhere near got through the worst of it".

Asked about the government's switch to personal responsibility, he told Radio 4's Today programme: "All this doesn't quite fit with the position that was taken by Britain, along with other nations, some months ago when there was a real effort to try to prevent large numbers of people getting the disease, partly because of the risk of death and partly because of the recognition of the risk of long COVID.

"It's necessary to be unequivocal on this particular challenge. What does urging caution mean? It's important that everybody knows the best possible advice on how to prevent themselves being infected.

"I accept that vaccination has changed the nature of the equation in the UK but quite honestly from any point of view it's too early to be talking about massive relaxation or freedom when the outbreak curve is on such a sharp ascent.

"Yes, relax, but don't have these mixed messages about what's going on. This dangerous virus hasn't gone away, it's variants are coming back and are threatening those who have already been vaccinated - we have to take it seriously."

OP posts:
Delatron · 13/07/2021 17:50

@UndercoverToad yes welding people in their homes and lying about cases has been a success for them. Irrelevant to what we need to do as a country though.

MarshaBradyo · 13/07/2021 17:52

This NZ / Aus stuff has been going on for 16 months

They’ll vaccinate and open borders and finally it’ll stop

Well maybe not stop people will find something probably

IcedPurple · 13/07/2021 17:52

@RafaIsTheKingOfClay

Of cours the govt also has to think of the economy. I'm astonished that, a year on, some people still think 'the economy' is some abstract notion that only involves banks and commodities traders.

I think most of us realise that the economy is entwined with health and that the ‘we need to restart the economy while ignoring the global pandemic we’re in the middle of’ isn’t necessarily going to go the way you think.

I suspect the winter lockdown is set in stone at this point, the only question left is how early, how hard and how long do we need to close everything for?

I don't think there will be a winter lockdown. Some restrictions, maybe, but not a full lockdown.
sashagabadon · 13/07/2021 17:53

It’ll never stop Marsha Grin
That’s one thing I am sure of!

Original poster
UndercoverToad · 13/07/2021 17:54

@IcedPurple at present time, I don’t want to ‘blame’ China for Covid. More investigations are needed. My personal belief is that Western individualism has exploited other cultures - and a decline in biodiversity has resulted in Covid. Even if this proves wrong, I think it could cause more pandemics in the future.

We need to stop constantly identifying as victims, and realise we are also at fault.

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MarshaBradyo · 13/07/2021 17:54

@sashagabadon

It’ll never stop Marsha Grin That’s one thing I am sure of!
Grin

Better ice cream or something. We’re the laughing stock etc etc

IcedPurple · 13/07/2021 18:09

[quote UndercoverToad]@IcedPurple at present time, I don’t want to ‘blame’ China for Covid. More investigations are needed. My personal belief is that Western individualism has exploited other cultures - and a decline in biodiversity has resulted in Covid. Even if this proves wrong, I think it could cause more pandemics in the future.

We need to stop constantly identifying as victims, and realise we are also at fault.[/quote]
So a virus originates in China, and 'the West' is to blame?

OK.

I think you're desperately trying to make known facts fit your 'philosophy' but it's not really working.

Blessex · 13/07/2021 18:10

@UndercoverToad

The problem with your list of countries that has e ‘done so well’ is - what will they do now. The countries you are calling out have gone for an elimination approach. Now, unless they want to stay isolated forever more, they are going to have to accept Covid into their borders. And that is going to now take a lot longer than it is for us. So they will be back and forth under semi lockdown and closed borders forever. Given that, Singapore has changed its approach to one of vaccination and open up. Copying who??? Hmmm. The U.K.

Jackgrealishscurtains · 13/07/2021 18:18

[quote UndercoverToad]@Delatron - no way am I advocating that we emulate China in pandemic-free times. But - surely we should recognise that their collective response has been successful?[/quote]
Bring out the welding machines!!!

Blessex · 13/07/2021 18:26

But I think now people living in China and Australia are starting to realise their approach is simply kicking the inevitable down the road. My Chinese friend here in the U.K. is unable to go and visit her mum. My Australia friend in Sydney doesn’t know when she will be able to travel again. The only solution is to vaccinate and open up. Singapore has got to that conclusion. I am actually happy that we are now at that stage and close to getting back to living with Covid instead of trying to fight against it which in a global world is simply not possible. Now it’s shit but we need to take a collective deep breath and get on with it during the summer when the schools are out and all the vulnerable are vaccinated. It will spread. It simply will. My DS has delta right this minute. Mild cold. If people want to wear masks that’s fine but it still won’t stop the inevitable. And the hospitals can cope. Deep breath.

ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia · 13/07/2021 18:27

At least a part of the UK have some appreciation of science!

Covid Scotland: How do level 0 rules from Jul 19 compare to elsewhere in the UK?

www.scotsman.com/health/covid-scotland-how-do-level-0-rules-from-jul-19-compare-to-elsewhere-in-the-uk-3306292

Heyelp · 13/07/2021 18:30

@ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia good for Scotland. It will still spread.

Original poster
UndercoverToad · 13/07/2021 18:38

@IcedPurple the reason why the west are to blame is our demand for cheap commodities. Our demand for cheap soy fed chicken. The need to destroy biodiversity in order to cater for our greed? I thought this was well known!

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Blessex · 13/07/2021 18:41

I have heard it all now. The embarrassed to be English threads. The laughing stock of the world threads. The everyone hates us threads. And now the west also to blame for Covid. Self-flagellation on MN is rife.

TheKeatingFive · 13/07/2021 18:41

the reason why the west are to blame is our demand for cheap commodities. Our demand for cheap soy fed chicken. The need to destroy biodiversity in order to cater for our greed? I thought this was well known!

What’s any of that got to do with how the Chinese treat livestock in their wet markets?

Original poster
UndercoverToad · 13/07/2021 18:42

@IcedPurple destroying biodiversity leads to animal species coming in closer contact with humans. Hence pandemics, but you KNOW this / right??

OP posts:
Blessex · 13/07/2021 18:42

And ps the arrogance that anyone else even notices this country.

IcedPurple · 13/07/2021 18:42

[quote UndercoverToad]@IcedPurple the reason why the west are to blame is our demand for cheap commodities. Our demand for cheap soy fed chicken. The need to destroy biodiversity in order to cater for our greed? I thought this was well known![/quote]
There are well over a billion people in China. I thought this was well-known. Don't they have any demand for 'cheap commodities' too? And it's surely China's choice to 'cater 'for (sic) our greed' isn't it? Nobody is making them.

It's kind of hilarious how you are determined to twist everything to suit your agenda. But if you think China's so great, I guess we're unlikely to agree on that.

Wakeupin2022 · 13/07/2021 18:42

At least a part of the UK have some appreciation of science!

Covid Scotland: How do level 0 rules from Jul 19 compare to elsewhere in the UK?

You really, genuinely think that? I think what was announced on Monday was the determening factor on what she announced today.

'Anything Boris can do, I will do different......'

She may actually be making the correct decisions, but that's not what drives her.......

Original poster
UndercoverToad · 13/07/2021 18:43

The West are to blame for a loss of biodiversity!! That’s a fact!

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Blessex · 13/07/2021 18:43

@UndercoverToad you didn’t answer what your list of countries who have managed this pandemic amazingly are going to do next. What will Australia, China et al do now?

Original poster
UndercoverToad · 13/07/2021 18:45

When did I say China are ‘great’?? I didn’t say that at all!! All I’m saying is that individualistic nations are greedy and exploit. Look at what we consume - where does it come from?? How do they accommodate our needs???

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IcedPurple · 13/07/2021 18:45

@UndercoverToad

The West are to blame for a loss of biodiversity!! That’s a fact!
Yes, all 'non-Western' people are naive, innocent folks who would live in a bucolic wonderland were it nor for 'the West'.

That's a fact!

IcedPurple · 13/07/2021 18:47

@UndercoverToad

When did I say China are ‘great’?? I didn’t say that at all!! All I’m saying is that individualistic nations are greedy and exploit. Look at what we consume - where does it come from?? How do they accommodate our needs???
Why do they have to 'accommodate our needs'?

And what do you think Chinese people 'consume'? Fair trade goods and artisan produce?

OP posts: