Westministenders: Don't forget to stockpile. Again.

[RedToothBrush]

The government is telling pharmacists and drug manufactures to stockpile drugs ahead of the end of transition on 31st December.

In the middle of a pandemic.

What could go wrong?

Going back to an earlier point in the thread, I miss the libraries, too. They are still not open around our way and I think the council will hold off on reopening for as long as possible. It means more budget savings for them.

There is a volunteer library run here since the council library closed.
Open very odd hours and not many books :(

Our library reopened for collections only a month or so ago and I think its now properly open but with face masks and max 20 minutes visit. I may brave it myself but I'm not going to take the kids. We would normally pop in once a week in the summer holidays.

Oh dear, our lovely French tutor is partially deaf and relies heavily on lip reading. She's just had a nasty encounter in town where the checkout girl got angry and got her manager (also wearing a mask) and she held her hand up in her face to stop the conversation before she was made to leave! She is so lovely (not your typical angry mask dodger) and has asked people to share this www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2020/news/partially-deaf-journalist-opens-up-on-impact-of-face-masks-on-life/?fbclid=IwAR2GcVQ50CdnghLSwp6KwZnaCNWf8PtfDEk8d-m9CIuy-YzZYlUcGnX7P_4 for awareness.

Well done all MiniWestministenders!

Thanks Auld. He has told me he is taking the end of this week/start of next off so we can explore things on our own doorstep. This is perfect timing as my dad is (hopefully) down tomorrow, so we may even get some time child free!

Oh and my friend reminded me today that the cut off for protecting your data in NHS is Sept - if you need to check if they can use yours you can at www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters/manage-your-choice/ It may not be forever but better than nothing at this point.

The NHS link says that the cut off isn't September. I keyed in my details anyway, and they couldn't find my record. I have only been with that GPs surgery for 40 years, so I am not impressed.

Oh how weird! I did mine via mobile and it was done within 2 mins!

I'm in Scotland so therefore NHS Scotland - so not covered by Public Health England

Joe Biden has selected Kamala Harris as his running mate.

She is a biracial California senator, daughter of an Indian-born mother and Jamaican-born father

Will Trump's head finally explode if he loses to Biden - & Harris ?

Whilst I appreciate Biden picked the "safe"choice, I am sure a small part of him will relish the expression on Trump's face when the announcement came out. It does an admirable job of ticking every single trigger box on the Orange One's list.

Yeah I imagine Trump would explode! Get the popcorn ready!

What would you all advise if you knew 2 families in your child's class were returning from holiday a day or two before school starting? I think there was a thread on here a week or two ago but I didn't read it. If I know of 2 I suspect there are more. Do you let the school know or what?

Jesuis I saw that thread and most folks definitely saying let the school know if the parents don't do the responsible thing and quarantine. Otherwise the whole lockdown will be for naught with all the job losses and busted companies.

@BigChocFrenzy

Joe Biden has selected Kamala Harris as his running mate.

She is a biracial California senator, daughter of an Indian-born mother and Jamaican-born father

Will Trump's head finally explode if he loses to Biden - & Harris ?

Here’s hoping

DM announcing U turn on grading following Sturgeon’s move. Says pupils will be able to choose between algorithmic grade and teacher’s prediction.

This is not an omnishambles by any means.

I've seen it reported as mock result rather than predicted grade, which is unlikely to be useful to many.

I’ve just re-read it, you’re right it’s teacher assessment + algorithm or mock results. It’s Scotland alone that is reverting to predictions.

It’s a no brainer that disadvantaged pupils would be worst hit by algorithmic model.

Yes that algorithm would genuinely mean that your grade depends on your school, not your work

Would also totally contradict the usual MN claim that a bright kid will do well at any school

On the exams thread, pp are claiming the appeals process would have sorted it out
A very mc viewpoint, based on privileged experience

In any case, no time for the unprecedented mass of appeals before Uni needs those grades to confirm their offers

Just this once, some disadvantaged kids may indeed have recvd a boost
Oh the horror from some of the privileged

Now Williamson says that students can choose their mock grades for the unis
and Telegraph front page says he's under pressure to just accept teachers' grades
Several front pages talk of the pressure for this
Even more now that Scotland has already U-turned to this

and Telegraph front page says he's under pressure to just accept teachers' grades

Yes I suspect the either/or choice announced last night was to try to hold off caving to Sturgeon’s revised position.

If he ends up following Sturgeon, it will look even more shambolic.

I have skin in the A level results game this year - the teen I am fostering is affected. His mocks were pretty good, but he would have done better in the real exam as the course had not yet been completed. Our 6th form is one that would definitely be adversely affected by the algorithm given the area. I'm with BCF on this - for once the disadvantaged kids get a break, so let them have it. Our school was pretty spot on with their predictions - they did get DD1 wrong, but she was badly affected by the death of her grandmother 2 weeks before the exams and you can't plan for that.

If Gove hadn't been so anti-course work and set on final exams, like wot it was when he were a lad... Then the students would have had a decent amount of their own work to be assessed on.

Why don't universities just admit everyone who applies and let the first term's work sort out whether they are up to the course or not?

"Is Stilton cheese even popular in Japan?"

Anyone else reminded that excruciatingly embarrassing episode of The Apprentice when they tried to sell cash-and-carry cheese blocks to the French? Wondering if Liz Truss was on the team...

(I know most of them could be described as such, but that whole episode was just... )

I remember that episode very well.

On today programme just now (Nick Gibb) - 40% !!! Of teacher predictions have been downgraded. 40%! And overall grades will be 1-2% higher than in recent years. That seems incredibly stingy. Look at the outcry in Scotland where grades originally given were (5%?) higher than in recent years. What a shambles.