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Original poster

Westminstenders: No pubs till Christmas?

999 replies

RedToothBrush · 23/04/2020 18:25

Today the news has moved towards acknowledging covid-19 reality: Nicola Sturgeon has explicitly stated that some social distancing will carry on until the new year in all likelihood.

When Matt Hancock asked if this was true for England too, he refused to say yes but he said that Scotland was working from the same framework as England.

In case anyone does still need this spelling out, this means the outlook for the hospitality and leisure industries is bleak.

There are extremely unlikely to be many enjoying a holiday in the sun any time soon, whether it be in Devon or Spain.

We won't be celebrating birthdays in restaurants nor having a pint in the pub.

Conversations on the doorstep from a couple of metres away is as good as it gets.

That means if you can't adapt you may not survive.

To add into the mix changes to customs to those companies who are operating seems insanity. But that's a political not a scientific decision to be made.

Whether reality in this will kick in, in the next six weeks or so before EU budgetary decisions relating to an extension have to be made remains to be seen.

Until then, there is no news but covid-19.

OP posts:
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mrslaughan · 29/04/2020 08:47

Anecdotally I had to go to M&S yesterday - I go there for fresh stuff I can't get anywhere else (I was out to pick up an order anyway from the butcher) . I have always worn gloves - but realised that I hadn't put them in my pocket I dispose of them after each visit once I have put the groceries in the car . Part way through I touched my face - so so annoyed my myself, but realised that wearing gloves acts as a prompt to not touch face etc.

I don't have a face mask - and haven't bought any as don't want to create a shortage- anyway I was definitely in the minority. But the people with masks were definitely not observing the 2m and actually getting quite close - which I found incredibly irritating and also scary.

prettybird · 29/04/2020 08:49

Living in Scotland, I'll follow the new guidance we've been given Smile. That means that I'll need a face covering once a week when I go to the shops. I think I can cope with that Wink - whether it's a scarf, cycling buff, one made up from a tea towel/large hanky and elastic bands/hair bobble or a home made sewn one (having two sent to me by someone who's been making them from material I sent her from MIL's stash I'd initially declined ).

MockersxxxxxxxSocialDistancing · 29/04/2020 09:03

If BJ wants to pull a sickie then fine. He can send a note saying Boris has a weak chest and is excused PMQs, signed His Mum.

What he's doing is refusing to say if he will attend or not. He is deliberately using his condition for political advantage.

Meanwhile, we're counting all the deaths from today, not just the ones in hospital, so expect the numbers to 'uptick.'

mrslaughan · 29/04/2020 09:05

Mockers - but will we be counting all the deaths ? Sorry but there has been so much slight of hand with the numbers - about everything in this crisis that I will believe it when I see it!

MockersxxxxxxxSocialDistancing · 29/04/2020 09:12

We will be counting all the deaths except for the ones that don't count.

We know the doctors have been pressured not to write COVID19 on death certificates.

Original poster
RedToothBrush · 29/04/2020 09:29

People in the Uk always seem to assume their fellow citizens will be incompetent

Errrrrm. Yes.

Mainly because on recent performance that's a pretty fair assumption.

OP posts:
Melassa · 29/04/2020 10:00

Re the mask thing, I’m in Lombardy and for the last month or so it’s been obligatory to wear a mask every time you leave the house. Apart from my glasses steaming up it’s not been too restrictive, it’s amazing what you get used to after a while. There was a shortage for a while with grossly inflated prices, but that was mainly due to the civil protection confiscating from commerce any medical grade PPE and diverting it to medical staff. This followed an outcry about Italian companies exporting at inflated prices instead of making available to Italian health authorities. This includes 500k tests which were sold to the Americans for which they (the US) sent a military plane in the dead of night.

In terms of gloves when you go to the supermarket you are made to use the disinfectant gel, then put on the gloves they provide (no outside gloves allowed), then dispose of the gloves in your way out. Every shop has its own disinfectant station and provides its own gloves (which are usually the plastic ones we are obliged to use when picking up fruit and veg In normal times). This includes the pet food store and the diy place. I’m always bemused at the threads I read on here where people get incensed at others touching stuff in supermarkets.

JeSuisPoulet · 29/04/2020 10:04

I do agree masks can stop aerosol sprays from simply going as far as they might usually, even if the mask is one layer of cotton which clearly won't be as effective as medical grade (and yes the public will need to be told not to buy these, which won't work - see shops emptying of loo roll). The trouble with that is that if you are coughing and sneezing you are meant to stay at home. My worry is this legitimises people with symptoms leaving the house.

So, for me, that and the others I mentioned last night are enough reasons to be very careful about telling British people to wear masks.

The literature review touches on risk perception; that men are more likely to take risks - the exact group who are more vulnerable to COVID.

IMO masks need to have a properly targeted health campaign if they are to be introduced.

JeSuisPoulet · 29/04/2020 10:08

I would be interested in hearing what campaigns have run in other countries. I am willing to bet there has been more information than one advertisement on TV and a daily briefing avoiding the science as much as possible. Our media in the UK is simply not up to this in it's present state and with trust in experts so low.

Peregrina · 29/04/2020 10:08

He now has the perfect excuse not to attend PMQs. Carrie has given birth to a little boy.

JeSuisPoulet · 29/04/2020 10:13

Gosh that went quick...or was he premature? I'm going to guess at Nero. If not there will be some classical undertone re the name. Yes, perfect excuse for photo op instead.

mrslaughan · 29/04/2020 10:15

Yes - expect no comment on when it was due/early/ prem etc.
Generally I feel sorry for any women who gives birth at the moment.... not the support , women dying after giving birth linked to Covid , but not really an understanding why (not that I have seen anyway)

Peregrina · 29/04/2020 10:19

I had thought that the baby was due sometime around June, but I don't think we were ever told, so he could have been due in May and come early.

Anyway Johnson didn't manage to marry her before she had the baby. I wonder if he will bother now?

TheMShip · 29/04/2020 10:21

Also in the Scottish news:

all over-70s in Scotland will now be tested for Covid-19 on admission to hospital. They will also be tested every four days throughout their stay.

I think even more so than masks, this will be a big help for the care homes.

Taswama · 29/04/2020 10:38

Johnson had said he intended to take paternity leave. Will he do so now? (I really hope not, although in normal circumstances I'd be in favour).

MockersxxxxxxxSocialDistancing · 29/04/2020 10:41

Unto Us A Child Is Born.

We've had the resurrection and the miracle birth, so what's next?

Water into winestains on he sofa?

Peregrina · 29/04/2020 10:45

Will his taking paternity leave make any difference? He has been on holiday for most of his Premiership..

BigChocFrenzy · 29/04/2020 10:48

If he were a regular employee somewhere, BJ would have been sacked long ago for his absence record
And of course for gross incompetence

GaspodeWonderCat · 29/04/2020 10:50

If he does take paternity leave then his appointed (anointed?) deputy should have the power to make decisions and be held responsible for them. No deferring to Boris 'working from home'. He is on paternity leave or he is working. Can't be both. Hopefully someone will point this out at PMQs. (It's the hope that kills you ...)

MockersxxxxxxxSocialDistancing · 29/04/2020 10:59

Tony Blair, for all his myriad faults (before anyone starts), seemed to manage having a kid and carrying on working, not to mention not leaving any of his proginy behind in any pubs.

And his Missus had a proper job.

Taswama · 29/04/2020 11:14

I expect TB and CB also had a nanny...

MockersxxxxxxxSocialDistancing · 29/04/2020 11:27

Fans of blood sports may wish to tune to the Parliament Channel to watch Patel being ripped apart by the Home Affairs Select Ctee:

  • We are guided by The Science
  • Which science?
  • Dunno. Haven't seen it.
FrankieStein402 · 29/04/2020 11:31

I expect TB and CB also had a nanny...
As did DC - de pfeffel, one has to assume, is keeping a cohort of nannies in business - he's certainly not involved in the rearing of his progeny - no reason why he'd change his ways for the latest.

Taswama · 29/04/2020 11:33

But can you legitimately employ a nanny at the moment? Surely only if live in and both parents are key workers?