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Original poster

Can someone explain to me why Wales has cancelled spectators st sporting events?

62 replies

RJnomore1 · 21/12/2021 07:47

Ok big crowds but mostly outside; as far as I can see things like gigs inside are still going on where people are more likely to be close up and personal too?

I’m just not understanding the logic, we are told outside is safer. Anyone able to help?

And for full disclosure I’m in Scotland so no personal impact just baffled.

OP posts:
AlecTrevelyan006 · 21/12/2021 10:12

I think there is a case to made that a pandemic shouldn’t be considered purely as a ‘health’ issue. Once there are large scale economic, political, social and even cultural decisions that have to made then it’s no longer just about health matters.

AndSoFinally · 21/12/2021 11:31

So it’s possible to crowd unto a Welsh pub to watch televised sport in late December but not to go to the match in person? That sounds odd but Drakeford has always struck me as a sensible sort so maybe I’m missing something.

No, pretty sure we're going back to table service and the rule of 6, too

AndSoFinally · 21/12/2021 11:34

Ooh, apparently we can also be fined now for not working from home if we could. Both employees and employers. Interesting times.

TheLovelinessOfBaublyDemons · 21/12/2021 11:35

The clue is in the board title.

timetobackout · 21/12/2021 12:05

'We need a futile gesture at this stage, it will raise the whole tone of the war'. - Peter Cook 1961

cantkeepawayforever · 21/12/2021 12:29

My impression is - non Welsh with Welsh relatives - is that (given the poor funding and dispersed nature of the NHS in Wales as well as his risk-averse public health inclination) Drakeford would like to do more than he has. However, in many things he is hindered by Westminster holding the purse strings. This may be within the small group of ‘things he thinks are necessary and that he has the power to do’.

luckylavender · 21/12/2021 12:30

@RJnomore1 - I think you have to look at what happened at the Euros (in the summer too) for the answer to this question.

Deadcanary1 · 21/12/2021 12:56

Jesus wept. I've just read that the Welsh government are to fine people for not working from home. WTAF!!

ballsdeep · 21/12/2021 12:58

No, it’s just that Drakeford and Sturgeon always want to be seen doing something different to Johnson

@AlecTrevelyan006

Or actually doing anything at all, which is more than that bumbling baffoon is doing . Oh actually, he is busy lying about parties he held all through lockdown

ballsdeep · 21/12/2021 13:00

@CottonSock

I'm I Wales and an quite happy to see large gatherings cancelled. The hospitals near me are on their knees. But yes, Drakeford wants to be a step ahead of Boris on a weekly basis.
I agree but it's not hard to be one step ahead of Boris
hamstersarse · 21/12/2021 13:22

You are looking for logic OP

There is none to be found

We have power hungry egomaniacs who generally don't operate on a basis of logic and reason

nordica · 21/12/2021 13:28

Outdoors being safer also mostly refers to things like going for a walk or sitting in a garden in small groups. Football matches tend to have lots of people packed closely together for an extended period of time, shouting. So from the science and covid transmission perspective it's not that surprising surely?

MrsLeclerc · 21/12/2021 13:29

@Deadcanary1 I think part of the reason for the threat of fines for employers who aren’t offering WFH where possible is due to the large and long outbreak at the DVLA office here.

As PPs have mentioned, Wales generally has smaller hospitals/less beds and on average an older population. We also had a huge amount of tourism here in the summer. Great for our economy, but still has a knock on impact on our health service.

@cantkeepawayforever I agree with you. I think there were a number of times where Drakeford would have done more and sooner but his hands were tied.

A lot of the time I feel like if it’s not happening in London, they refuse to believe it’s happening anywhere else. As soon as it hits London, action must be taken.

UnmentionedElephantDildo · 21/12/2021 13:29

@AlecTrevelyan006

I think there is a case to made that a pandemic shouldn’t be considered purely as a ‘health’ issue. Once there are large scale economic, political, social and even cultural decisions that have to made then it’s no longer just about health matters.
Isn't that why some of the COBRAs are for coordination between the home nations?
RedToothBrush · 21/12/2021 13:32

A sporting event in a stadium is in theory outside.

HOWEVER how do you get to your seat? And how do you get to the ground?

You don't want large numbers of people in the concourse inside, at the gates or on public transport.

SquirmOfEels · 21/12/2021 13:34

As soon as it hits London, action must be taken

That's weight of numbers.

Depending on how you define London it's between 7.5-9.5 million people. That's pretty much the same as in Scotland Wales and NI combined. Then the most populous non-London region is the south east, with over 9 million people.

And that aside from London being consistently a net contributor to UK finances, which makes its role in the national economy particuiarly important

Claudethecat · 21/12/2021 13:37

Maybe Drakeford is trying to shut the stable door before the horse has bolted?

CorrBlimeyGG · 21/12/2021 13:42

I was thinking that’s the walk ins not the bookings, if you’ve got an appointment your not queuing. She just kept saying it. I was thinking is this the time for point scoring??

Where centres are offering both, it's often the case that people with appointments end up in the same queue as walk ins. This is what they're trying to stop.

luckylavender · 21/12/2021 14:14

@Deadcanary1 - have you ever considered that it's your friends who are the arses, not the FM?

Original poster
RJnomore1 · 21/12/2021 14:55

So we have just gone the same way in Scotland but I understand it at least - 100 standing inside, 200 seated, and 500 outside maximum.

I think it was because it came in bits and pieces in Wales?

OP posts:
Deadcanary1 · 21/12/2021 15:48

Yes, there's some logic in Scotland's position. Unlike Wales whose government seems to introduce ridiculous rules just for the sake of saying that they are doing better than England! They"'re not! Who can forget the non essential aisles being closed off in the supermarkets where you could buy beer but not
period productsSmile

MrsArchchancellorRidcully · 21/12/2021 15:52

I'm in wales arms people are definitely not amused. So we can all meet up in the pub inside but can't stand outside to watch the football? Drakeford's an utter idiot and is point scoring against Boris as they are conservative.

MrsArchchancellorRidcully · 21/12/2021 15:54

@Deadcanary1

Jesus wept. I've just read that the Welsh government are to fine people for not working from home. WTAF!!
Where have you read this? I'm in wales and not seen this. DH earns his money by driving all over the uk. What is he supposed to do??
luckylavender · 21/12/2021 16:10

@MrsArchchancellorRidcully - I'm Welsh, live in England. Most Welsh people I know, and that's a lot, and I'm travelling to family in S Wales tomorrow, may not like Drakeford particularly but respect him. At least he tries. Yes he's made mistakes, but he has tried his utmost to keep Wales safe. A lot of English people I know, and I live here, would love to have a leader with their best interests at heart, a leader who tries hard to keep people safe. So let's have some balance.

luckylavender · 21/12/2021 16:15

Fine people for not working from home if they're able to. That's correct. It's on walesonline

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