Cobra meeting at 17:00

[Opus17]

Here's hoping we'll get some answers tonight.

@Blossomtoes

I think 80% would follow the rules, the other 20% probably weren’t following them the first time round anyway.

I disagree. A lot of people who assiduously complied in the past are now saying they’re done. Another lockdown would essentially make a complete nonsense of vaccination. If we’re no better off than we were this time last year, why did we bother?

Yes, and this is what we'd expect to see anyway, waning compliance over time. That's what tends to happen as fatigue sets in.

I too think 80% at this point is very optimistic.

We mostly followed the rules the previous two times, but this year if they try to stop families mixing at Christmas we aren't going to listen. Majority of us work from home and have had our booster. If DSs school is going to close down and screw up his important exams, well that's going to happen anyway, so may as well see our family at Christmas.

If there's money for lockdown then use it instead to pay for overtime and whatever it needs to get more bodies into the NHS and reopen the Nightingales if they're needed once they've paid what needs to be paid to get the people.

I'm a law abiding middle class person and my appetite for compliance is very low at the minute. Let me have Christmas and then we'll see - I suspect I'm not unusual in what I'm thinking.

Oh and actually I'm pleased they've not come out and made a decision. The data at the minute is far from conclusive and lockdown is not a zero harm, zero cost option.

@neveradullmoment99

Just read that neither Boris nor Rishi sunak was at this meeting. I mean fgs!

What possible excuse can they have not to attend Cobra this time ? This echoes the non attendance of BJ during the early stages of the pandemic when he failed to attend Cobra then. It’s frightening. They can’t just ignore what’s happening. Sticking their fingers in their ears and singing La La La La La !!!!

Is Sunak still in the US? I don't really understand why. He's needed here now. No idea why Johnson wasn't there apart from he's a waste of oxygen and presumably wouldn't add anything useful.

No he’s back Left.

There’s no reason not to take action now. As I said earlier, in general terms European countries are acting with decisive leadership.

I’d much rather we were being led by Chris Whitty’s views than the political leadership on this.

The devolved governments have some more money now.
At least it achieved something.

Oh goody the devolved governments have some money but not enough for a full lockdown. Back to those terribly helpful measures of stopping alcohol sales and having curfews ( Scotland) as those worked so well in the past for us.

I'd feel much more reassured by a UK wide approach whatever that might be. My appetite for having my civil liberties curtailed so that the SG can visibly demonstrate how terribly different they are from UKG was never strong and is at an all time low now.

What was on the Wrap? Has anyone seen the papers?

I'm not sure they do have more money - Nicola seemed to suggest it was the same money they were getting anyway

@AndSoFinally

What was on the Wrap? Has anyone seen the papers?

Just “Get Boosted Now”

The thing is, if you have good politicians you can make both a political and a science-based decision. In Germany they have ministers (and an ex-leader) with a science background which I think helps. In my industry we have technical specialists (like me) who advise on the risk including the models, and then incident leadership which takes the big decisions based on risk. Works fine provided everyone is professional and understands their role and the risks.

@Leftbutcameback

Is Sunak still in the US? I don't really understand why. He's needed here now. No idea why Johnson wasn't there apart from he's a waste of oxygen and presumably wouldn't add anything useful.

Yeah, tbf I wouldn't want Johnson there if I were a Cobra member. Probably have to stick him in the corner with a colouring book.

Sticking their fingers in their ears and singing La La La La La!!!
Fa La La La La, surely? Or Aye, Aye, Aye, Aye, Conga. One or two might be doing the Hokey Cokey

@EmKayEm

The shagging idiot has really fucked the dog on this one.

First lockdown, everyone I know was pretty much up for it, observed the rules etc.

Last Christmas was pretty much the same.

Now, I would say 80% are just going to ignore what they can.
This includes NHS workers and several other emergency service workers.
'Enough is is enough' seems to be the over-whelming opinion, and no amount of arguing is cutting through, because of the government doing exactly the opposite all the way through the entire pandemic.

If there is no compliance, and a lot of death, the blood is squarely on the hands of Johnson and his crooked crew.

Well, thanks for that logical, well thought out contribution.

How's 5g in your area? Eating kittens yet?