Dominic C Covid evidence 2

[Newtonianmechanics]

New thread for if old fills up.

Problems of obtaining PPE now

Hancock getting very tetchy

PPE was only send out to care homes on the same day as discharge was approved.

Blames local authorities now for not informing him enough

But even if they had of written to him, the evidence shows clearly he would not have read it anyway.

He was far too busy in his office....

The 'protective ring' is being brutally diamantled by Anna Morric KC

Covid bereaved Wales next, missed her name

I have to go now, will catch up later again

Thank you to those keeping us up with this, my connection keeps dropping out today!

Hancock being questioned now on decisions and relationships with devolved nations

Again I'm a little bit behind.

Just watched the part about ministers breaking rules and how this undermines the public confidence.

MH gave his usual "I agree and thats why I resigned" shite.
But what annoys me is he seems to think that by resigning it has solved the problem.
Just because he resigned doesnt mean the public forgive or forget.and nor does it mean the public suddenly put their confidence back into the government

The damage is done. The analogy of a broken mirror, is the best way to describe it.
The mirror is smashed into pieces, you can try to glue it back together, but it will always has cracks and you are always wary that the mirror will break again.

I was thinking this morning (not about any politician in particular)- it's sad that we feel surprised and pleased when a politician is an honest and decent person, because we accept that venal, conniving behaviour is the norm, and decency is the aberration. Surely the mark of a democratic society should be the polar opposite of this, or am I naive to expect it?

I didn't watch Harries' evidence but will try to catch up.

I wonder if she will remain at the head of the UKHSA after the COVID inquiry if she is found to have made errors. Have to hope we dodge another pandemic in the immediate future!

MH questioned on rule of 6 exemptions for children in devolved nations. No.10 'not budging an inch' on this. Hancock very tetchy 'yes I can read thank you'

Even if she doesn't, she will be replaced by someone else who has only obtained that position by agreeing with their boss and telling them what they want to hear, so it won't change anything significant.

MH at pains to stress he followed expert advice and wished to save lives. KC counters by stating that Sage wished to lift the restrictions on children, which contradicts MH's assertion.

I don't feel as cynical about this myself. IMO the issue is under Johnson we had a government that deviated widely from both the political norms and the scientific consensus.

I think if we get a new government that values both good government and scientific integrity to a normal extent, we would hopefully see quality scientific appointments going forwards.

I don't like how much the special interest groups are being shut down. I know time is limited, but I feel they get such a small percentage of the air time.

I really hope you are right.

I suppose we will see in time.

With video

https://x.com/Haggis_UK/status/1730553745967030489?s=20

Anna Morris KC: On the 24th of February 2020 Public Health England are making it clear there should be no discharge to residential care homes, b/c of the risk of infections.. is that correct?

Matt Hancock: "I didn't see this document at the time.. "

Video

https://x.com/implausibleblog/status/1730561717673840959?s=20

Rajiv Menon, "Can you see that?"

Matt Hancock, "Of course I can see that, I can read, thank you"

RM, "Helen Whateley is saying there's no rational for children being exempted from the rule of 6. And you're saying No 10 do not want to shift an inch on this. Is that right?"

Matt Hancock waffles then says, "We couldn't release rules on children because we needed to keep R below 1.. If we didn't do this more people would die"

RM, "The inquiry has seen evidence that at this time SAGE was pushing to exempt children from the rule of 6. I'm afraid that contradicts the evidence you've just given, doesn't it?

MH, "I haven't seen that evidence

Matt Hancock, "Of course I can see that, I can read, thank you"
Ooops, mask slipped there! So rude.

Nothing til Johnson next week now.

It's good he told us because he does seem to have not read things

I'm catching up with Harries. The whole 'we had run out of tests but said it was not desirable to test' episode is cringey to watch.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-67587763

This worries me greatly, as I was until Hancock said it of the opinion that shutting schools and a variety of other harms could be avoided if prompter action was taken in other areas. Given Hancock hasn't knowingly been right before in his life, do I have to assume that he is wrong on this as well, and therefore I should change my opinion?