Westminstenders: All bets are off

[RedToothBrush]

We are seeking an extension. Apparently. No prizes for guessing why.

There is no news but COVID news. And that's all there will be for a long time.

Enjoy your stockpile and your sunny uplands it brought.

Keep safe.

I'm astonished that casinos and betting shops weren't closed early on in the first round,
well before restaurants, museums etc

Agree.
But then Cheltenham racing - 80,000 crowds - went ahead when lots of other stuff was being cancelled.
I guess we get to find out which businesses employ MPs

I'm astonished that casinos and betting shops weren't closed early on in the first round, well before restaurants, museums etc

Depends if you believed Boris was "doing everything" or not.

Just for added lolz, DS used to work in a Chinatown casino in Brum last year. We had a meal there a couple of times and the clientele was 80% very rich Chinese. (I've never counted £300,000. But DS has ...)

Just spotted on another thread that Zoos and other family attractions are still open
UTTER MADNESS

Just spotted on another thread that Zoos and other family attractions are still open

in other words....

SaysDoes

I literally have no clue what these morons are thinking...

That they are immortal? Untouchable?

Sturgeon called for nonessential businesses to close.

Car was booked in for MOT on Friday. Garage just called to cancel as they are closing now (in Scotland).

Car was booked in for MOT on Friday. Garage just called to cancel as they are closing now (in Scotland).

Following the NI fiasco, there should be a clear administrative framework for legislating for MOTs to be suspended during this ?

Mind you, I wouldn't rely on it until I'd read something on an official government website (not a newspaper headline).

Stanley Johnson applying to become a French Citizen

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-stanley-johnson-boris-french-passport-rachel-book-rakes-progress-a9416636.html

DGR - yes and yes.

They suggested rebooking for 14th April, which seems awfully optimistic. Unless they meant April 2021.

They suggested rebooking for 14th April, which seems awfully optimistic. Unless they meant April 2021.

I'd keep rebooking, as I would put it past this shower of shits to make a fist of it otherwise ... something like running a "story" that MOTs are suspended, with a tiny tiny print of "where booked in advance". I can easily see a lot of people getting caught out...

Queen Margherita (of Denmark) made a touching speech - 'to show our solidarity, we must keep our distance' - every house in our village has raised their flag in their gardens in solidarity and I have seen not a single person on the street for 2 days solid. It's very humbling. Especially when we live in the sticks and realistically we could go out walking etc without coming within 500m of each other, let alone 2. I think people are showing solidarity with the city people who have not got that option. Like I said, touching.

DGR - agreed. Or get it done pronto by an independent before they shut too.

Very impressive, Danetobe
Again, where there is clear, especially inspiring, leadership far more of the public will follow

Testing, testing .....

David W. Higginss@higginsdavidw*

I've gathered data on the UK countries to compare to Ireland.

Ireland has ~twice the cases per million but a fraction of the deaths per million compared to England/Wales.

This reflects wider testing, despite our backlog.

Only 6 deaths on island of Ireland so early days yet.

I'm desperate to go out on my bike but I know I won't. It makes it much easier to make compromises when it's clear that everyone else is also. The death toll in Denmark is rising which will probably galvanise people further. I think that the uk may have to head for a 'lockdown' because too many people are 'cheating' and I'm a bit worried this might cause some serious resentment amongst none cheaters. (Nb- people might not be really cheating per se but it's so unclear what the message is that lots just don't know what is expected of them )

Just done my 1st weekly shop since 2 weeks ago.
Pleasantly surprised, got everything I wanted except eggs.
No crowds, everyone thanking the staff, plenty on the shelves.
This is a town just outside London.
The guy on the till said that the panic buying seems to be over.
I'm happy to go again next week now.

Just seen from a friend that his parents and MIL (all over 75) have reported feeling some symptoms and are all self isolating (which suggests they weren't, but this is not the time to get forensic ...). This is in the West Country.

I delivered a foodbank parcel to a family in food poverty who are self isolating due to having covid-19.

East mids.

(As an aside, the local tory loving brecit voting fb page had stated categorically that there are no cases of covid-19 in our town...as no tests are being routinely done, I wonder how they know!!??)

Making Raab C Nitwit the 'designated survivor' can only be a calculation made on the desirability of locking him in a room alone rather than any value he might have as a caretaker leader.

BJ wants to start a "Pray for Boris" movement

yoikes still thinking of you and your family
We apparently don't have any cases in my area either.
Only I know a couple of nurses and a doctor (friends) who say differently.
for delivering food parcel.
I am about to put together a few of my bits to take to foodbank here.

Difference between BJ and Nicola: Nicola holds daily press conference with a clear message and purpose and says she'll be back tomorrow - unless she needs to make another announcement sooner than that; BJ cancels today's WM press conference.

Thank you five
Much appreciated x
My aunt is now on morphine - that's all I know atm :(
Rather sobering to realise that ds1s asthma meds put him in the "vulnerable" category :(
I'm hoping bj being at the cobra meeting means that lockdown is imminent??
On a more positive note: an elderly lady phoned me today and wants to send regular cheques for foodbank as she can't get to the shops now ❤
Most people are kind and decent..I need to keep telling myself that!!

So have I got this right regards social care?
Use of volunteers and untrained workers from other sectors if staff shortage. Dropping of care standards and clients rights of choice waived. So you can't Sue them? Is this right or am I finally going batty after just one day if full isolation??