Guilt Free Railing 17

[WouldBeGood]

Happy New Thread, Railers!

Totally agree that no numbers that SG ministers come out with can be taken at face value - they have far too much form for twisting things to make political points. Although it does mean that when Humza says today that we're in worst case territory I automatically ignore it, as he also said that opening soft plays would put lots of children in hospital because of COVID. He doesn't have a great track record when it comes to interpreting data. I can't decide whether JS was deliberately trying to misrepresent the figures, or whether he just hadn't bothered to read the full report (and so didn't actually know that the ONS lags) - either way it's pretty damning, and gave a completely false impression of the situation.

In a similar vein, it's being reported (by Chris Musson I think, and perhaps others) that Nicola apparently said she hadn't seen the data on hospitalisations with vs because of COVID when asked at FMQs. So she's actually lying (and just doesn't want to share that data because it doesn't support the narrative), or she's making pretty major 'judgements' based on incomplete data. Why hasn't she insisted on seeing all the data before deciding on something as major as restrictions? Or, as has been suggested here before, is she literally just doing whatever her advisors say re COVID (also not great as her COVID advisors won't be considering the other harms)? She just seems less fit to lead by the day.

Oooff re JS! I'm not surprised really. And I note they haven't now said - oh, actually our numbers have increased much more than England's proportionally in the past week and we had more restrictions than them, so actually it looks as if our restrictions didn't do all that much to protect us after all. Sorry about that. (They could even have pointed out that England's are 1 in 15 and we are ONLY 1 in 20 if they wanted to make it a competition).

On another rail - I've just posted on the bus thread - but SG is now saying that we shouldn't apply to use the free children's travel that will start at the end of the month, because we SHOULDN'T BE MAKING NON-ESSENTIAL JOURNEYS YOU RECKLESS FECKERS . Well, that's an interesting turn of events. I thought non essential vs essential journeys had been left in 2020. It couldn't possibly be because they have cocked up on the admin again and haven't left enough time for all children to get the relevant cards that will allow them the free travel could it...? Piss ups and breweries spring to mind.

Sometimes you really couldn't make up the way they twist themselves in knots!

Would have been far easier to say maybe just get 16 -21 year olds to apply and just give free travel to under 16s or those that look it without a card.......

Well yes. I confess that's what I thought it was going to be, before reading the very helpful bus thread Though in my defence, I didn't know about the 12+ young scot cards, not having had much to do with any Young Scots to date...

SG is now saying that we shouldn't apply to use the free children's travel that will start at the end of the month, because we SHOULDN'T BE MAKING NON-ESSENTIAL JOURNEYS

WTAF @ResilienceWanker !!!

Yup. The transport Scotland site now says...

All young people and children aged 5-21 years can apply for a card from 10 January to access the Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel Scheme from 31 January. But currently, the Scottish Government is encouraging people to stay at home as much as possible - until the situation with the pandemic improves. So we're asking that only those with an essential need to travel by bus apply at this time....

... We have decided to pause the high profile marketing campaign which will be launched nationally at a later date.

If you live in Scotland and are 5-21 years old you are eligible for a card giving you free bus travel from 31 January....However, we are asking you only to apply at this point if you do need to make essential journeys by bus.

Which is nice...

Mmm, it’s almost as if they’ve run out of money…

My elder DS would only get 5 months worth but as our bus service is shite, he wouldn't use local buses, and whilst theoretically he could get the bus instead of the train to Uni, he's only been there in person 3 times since early March 2020, overall it seems pointless to apply.

Younger DS will get 18 months out of it before he turns 22. i think he might apply but as he never got a young scot card i'm wondering if the hassle will be worth any benefit either.

The can get to fuck with their essential journeys though.

Do they think Scottish youngsters will just ride about on buses for the sake of it???
Most will use it for travel to school, college, uni, part-time job, visiting friends and relatives.
All of which are fairly reasonable and essential reasons🤷🏼‍♀️

I'm with you on the money point @WouldBeGood

We just sit on the bus on Saturdays going round and round the network, changing routes every now and again. It was the most exciting thing to do at some points last year to be fair.

Seriously, though, we use buses a lot, and saving a couple of quid every time isn't something to be sniffed at. Also, Lothian buses were flogging 5 month student cards to the uni students when they rocked up in september, on the grounds they wouldn't need to pay from the end of January. So if the SG change the goalposts now, there will be lots of angry undergrads who will have to pay when they hadn't budgeted for it. And no one wants that.

why do they need buses anyway, aren't we all supposed to have free bikes?

Weirdly, we’re still waiting for our free bikes @ElephantOfRisk

And the laptop

🤣

Better not give them a laptop.
They might leave it on the bus

Oh my god, I feel filthy, I’ve been forced to agree with…. 🤢Rees Mogg. Eurghh.

But he’s right. Sturgeon does need to let people make their own decisions, and omicron has spiralled whilst her latest restrictions in place.

Off to scrub myself with bleach.

@wouldbegood 😂 I feel wrong enough when I agree with Douglas Ross this is a new level!

He's absolutely right. The SNP do believe in perpetual restrictions and don't trust the people to risk assess for themselves, hence the excessive micromanagement we've had and continue to have. We're talked to like naughty children more often than not and their instincts are far too authoritarian. And he's also right to point out that Scotland is absolutely no better off for it. Infection waves regardless, excess deaths the same or worse, and all with a naturally sparser population that should be an advantage!

@WouldBeGood

Oh my god, I feel filthy, I’ve been forced to agree with…. 🤢Rees Mogg. Eurghh.

But he’s right. Sturgeon does need to let people make their own decisions, and omicron has spiralled whilst her latest restrictions in place.

Off to scrub myself with bleach.

That ghastly man is certainly poking the bear with those comments. But I do agree with what he’s saying, so I share your shame The Sturge may soon need to come on here for a bit of railing herself

Good to see some papers finally talk about the restrictions that Scot Gov have imposed.

Surely using misleading data is leaving them open to be sued by the nightclubs, pantos and other venues who've lost money in the last few weeks.

Buses Surely passes for under 16/18 is an unnecessary admin fee ?

But yes how do you stop teens using the buses as somewhere warm to hang out - like a mobile cafe?

😆 touche @OnceUponAWhine

We used to hang out on the bus when I was a teen 😂. There was a local circular bus, so it was handy when the weather was rubbish - one child single gave you a good hour on the bus. I can't see it appealing to the DC now. I need to have a go at doing DS's application later today. He qualifies for a free school bus pass and who knows if that will still work after the end of January.

The 32/52 circle in Edinburgh was good for a warm sit. Must have connected every rough area in the city though so was the mode of transport for gang fights. If it is free maybe that'll be another unintended consequence...

I can't see it appealing to the DC now.
I think you may be overestimating the number of things left to them to do for legal entertainment!

LOL at the Sturge needing to let off steam here! ("railing at people who just don't understand and appreciate I'm doing what's best for them... They're ganging up on me and saying nasty things behind my back")

We went to Eyemouth for a night when restrictions had just started easing last May. The local teens ( at 3pm) were entertaining themselves by drinking vodka in some temporary toilets, so maybe buses would be a step up, who can tell.

It is a bit sad that the free bus passes should be a matter for celebration- an opportunity for our young people to take a road trip ( or bus trip I suppose) and learn more about their own country. But no - the waggy finger, and just because you can doesn't mean you should - are the default modus operandi.

Wouldn’t it be great if she’d come in here and listen? And answer our questions!

@WouldBeGood

Wouldn’t it be great if she’d come in here and listen? And answer our questions!

We'd all end up banned after she reported us for personal attacks. We are not allowed to ask questions remember.