the most over the top restrictions introduced

[duncanp]

My own GP surgery is like a fortress. If you don't have a face to face appointment with the GP - you don't get through the door. Sadly, reception staff are not pleasant people at the best of times, but since the lockdown they have turned into Rottweilers at my surgery.

GP's receptionists behaving like rottweilers and treating patients like a piece of scum?

It's nice to see some parts of the NHS are operating as usual.

 

[C J Snarzell]

GP's receptionists behaving like rottweilers and treating patients like a piece of scum?

It's nice to see some parts of the NHS are operating as usual.

duncanp

I remember years ago, GMTV did a phone in about GP reception staff and the response from viewers suggests the attitude of these 'professionals' is a national one.

The ex-wife of a friend (who I sadly lost contact with) worked as a receptionship for a while and used to take delight in telling stories of how she verbally ridiculed patients and played devil's advocate with them. Horrible woman.

CJ

 

[DustyBin]

I think this is the most appropriate place to post this. The government are reportedly considering the introduction of a traffic light system of Covid-19 restrictions. Worryingly, green is more-or-less where we are now which begs the question is this as good as it gets? Could this be the new ‘normal’?

Leaked document reveals proposed 'traffic-light' plan to tackle Covid

Ministers are planning tough new 'red alert' lockdowns, with a leaked document revealing that all social contact outside homes could be banned as part of a new 'traffic-light-style' system.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Ministers are planning tough new 'red alert' lockdowns, with a leaked document revealing that all social contact outside homes could be banned as part of a new 'traffic-light-style' system (pictured), according to reports. The new three-tier system includes a Level Three 'red' alert which will include tough new restrictions - which almost parallel the complete lockdown measures imposed in March. These include closing all hospitality and leisure business and banning contact with anyone outside a person's household in any setting. Non-professional sports will also be stopped - though places of worship will still be allowed to stay open - which was not the case during the original coronavirus lockdown in the UK. The tough red measures, outlined in a leaked document seen by The Guardian , will only be imposed either nationally or in a specific area if the virus cannot be controlled by measures in Alert Level Two or if an area sees a 'significant increase in transmission'.

 

[C J Snarzell]

I think this is the most appropriate place to post this. The government are reportedly considering the introduction of a traffic light system of Covid-19 restrictions. Worryingly, green is more-or-less where we are now which begs the question is this as good as it gets? Could this be the new ‘normal’?

Leaked document reveals proposed 'traffic-light' plan to tackle Covid

Ministers are planning tough new 'red alert' lockdowns, with a leaked document revealing that all social contact outside homes could be banned as part of a new 'traffic-light-style' system.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Dustybin

I've mentioned this on other threads and I've had conversations about this over the weekend. I just don't get it!!! Deaths are still low, more people are dying everyday of things like cancer & heart failure.

The infection rate is high, but this could be down to more trace testing. The chances of fatality is extremely low now compared to six months ago.

If that is the case, the virus is no more deadly than the Flu. I just don't understand the need for restrictions anymore. Can someone set me straight if I have missed something here?

CJ

 

[trebor79]

Dustybin

If that is the case, the virus is no more deadly than the Flu. I just don't understand the need for restrictions anymore. Can someone set me straight if I have missed something here?

Dogmatic government trying to save face. Hancock responding to legitimate questions in parliament "I will not have this divisive language, I just will not have it" and sits back down. Johnson in interviews deliberately misrepresenting alternative strategies as "let it rip [and kill your granny]", banging on about balancing protecting the economy and lives.
Will hopefully become unstuck when it becomes obvious even to BoJo and the Facebook Karens that the economy is facing an apocalypse.

 

[Richard Scott]

Dustybin

I've mentioned this on other threads and I've had conversations about this over the weekend. I just don't get it!!! Deaths are still low, more people are dying everyday of things like cancer & heart failure.

The infection rate is high, but this could be down to more trace testing. The chances of fatality is extremely low now compared to six months ago.

If that is the case, the virus is no more deadly than the Flu. I just don't understand the need for restrictions anymore. Can someone set me straight if I have missed something here?

CJ

As far as I can see you've missed nothing, as for the politicians, though, they seem to be missing most things.

 

[duncanp]

Regarding the traffic light system, I read on one website (I forget which one for now) that areas currently under local restrictions would be moved to the "Amber" level, and that areas not under local restrictions would be moved to the "Green" level.

The website also said that an weekly infection rate of more than 100 cases per 100,000 would be the trigger for moving an area from the "Green" to the "Amber" alert level, and that at the moment, there are no plans to move any areas to the "Red" level.

To move areas with an infection rate higher than 100 to the "Red" level would leave vast swathes of the North of England and the Midlands, many of whom voted Tory for the first time at the last election, effectively under a full lockdown, whilst leaving London and the South East comparatively free of restrictions, which would be politically awkward for the government.

One of the issues with a "traffic light" system of local "lockdowns" is the establishment of objective criteria that you can use to determine

• which areas should be a which level
• when to move an area from a level with fewer restrictions to a level with more restrictions
• when to move an area from a level with more restrictions to a level with fewer restrictions

What would really p*** people off is if their local area was constantly being moved from one level to another.

The other issue would be, how often any restrictions are reviewed - every week? every two weeks?........

 

[adc82140]

In addition the flu jab letter instructs me in no uncertain terms to leave the premises as soon as I've had the jab. Whatever happened to waiting 10 minutes in case you have an allergic reaction?

 

[Bletchleyite]

In addition the flu jab letter instructs me in no uncertain terms to leave the premises as soon as I've had the jab. Whatever happened to waiting 10 minutes in case you have an allergic reaction?

I don't know, but I had one last year and was not asked to wait 10 minutes.

 

[DustyBin]

Dustybin

I've mentioned this on other threads and I've had conversations about this over the weekend. I just don't get it!!! Deaths are still low, more people are dying everyday of things like cancer & heart failure.

The infection rate is high, but this could be down to more trace testing. The chances of fatality is extremely low now compared to six months ago.

If that is the case, the virus is no more deadly than the Flu. I just don't understand the need for restrictions anymore. Can someone set me straight if I have missed something here?

CJ

I don’t think you’ve missed anything, the restrictions are senseless.

There are two possibilities, this is all a face saving exercise as @trebor79 has suggested (criminal but plausible) or there’s something else going on that they aren’t telling us about. I don’t mean 5G, Bill Gates etc. but I’m increasingly suspicious that climate change could have something to do with it. I’ll take off my tinfoil hat now I’ve got that off my chest!

 

[talldave]

GP's receptionists behaving like rottweilers and treating patients like a piece of scum?

It's nice to see some parts of the NHS are operating as usual.

The hyper aggressive receptionist at our totally deserted doctors surgery appeared to be on the verge of suggesting that our 4 year old wait in the building on his own! We negotiated down to 4yr old and one parent and I waited outside. Probably a good outcome anyway as I was sweating like a pig having fallen victim to Croydon Council's widespread Covid road blocking obsession which meant that we'd had to abandon the car and run on foot carrying aforementioned 4yr old in order to make the appointment on time. What should be a 5 minute drive has now become a more than half hour crawl through traffic jams via another Borough!!

 

[WelshBluebird]

In terms of the leaked traffic light system - I think it is going down somewhat the right road in that we really need to have a clearer way of seeing what the restrictions are for different areas because atm it is just a mess! Whether the specifics of what each level defines is right or not, that is up for debate. But something should be standardised for the local lockdowns at least.

 

[duncanp]

In terms of the leaked traffic light system - I think it is going down somewhat the right road in that we really need to have a clearer way of seeing what the restrictions are for different areas because atm it is just a mess! Whether the specifics of what each level defines is right or not, that is up for debate. But something should be standardised for the local lockdowns at least.

I agree, but we do need to have clearly defined criteria for moving up and down each level of the traffic light system.

You also can't have a system whereby an area is Green one week, Amber the next week, Red the week after that, Amber the following week...... just like real traffic lights. If this were to happen it would destroy business and consumer confidence, and thereby the economy, as well as adversely affecting people's mental health, because they would be anxiously looking at the figures from day to day, and worrying what was going to happen to their particular area.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

Dogmatic government trying to save face. Hancock responding to legitimate questions in parliament "I will not have this divisive language, I just will not have it" and sits back down. Johnson in interviews deliberately misrepresenting alternative strategies as "let it rip [and kill your granny]", banging on about balancing protecting the economy and lives.
Will hopefully become unstuck when it becomes obvious even to BoJo and the Facebook Karens that the economy is facing an apocalypse.

Someone suggested that Hancock is dyslexic, hence the massive effort he had to make to understand his brief. His behaviour, as related above, suggests something else, an inter-personal problem.

Regarding the traffic light system, I read on one website (I forget which one for now) that areas currently under local restrictions would be moved to the "Amber" level, and that areas not under local restrictions would be moved to the "Green" level.

The website also said that an weekly infection rate of more than 100 cases per 100,000 would be the trigger for moving an area from the "Green" to the "Amber" alert level, and that at the moment, there are no plans to move any areas to the "Red" level.

To move areas with an infection rate higher than 100 to the "Red" level would leave vast swathes of the North of England and the Midlands, many of whom voted Tory for the first time at the last election, effectively under a full lockdown, whilst leaving London and the South East comparatively free of restrictions, which would be politically awkward for the government.

One of the issues with a "traffic light" system of local "lockdowns" is the establishment of objective criteria that you can use to determine

• which areas should be a which level
• when to move an area from a level with fewer restrictions to a level with more restrictions
• when to move an area from a level with more restrictions to a level with fewer restrictions

What would really p*** people off is if their local area was constantly being moved from one level to another.

The other issue would be, how often any restrictions are reviewed - every week? every two weeks?........

In terms of the leaked traffic light system - I think it is going down somewhat the right road in that we really need to have a clearer way of seeing what the restrictions are for different areas because atm it is just a mess! Whether the specifics of what each level defines is right or not, that is up for debate. But something should be standardised for the local lockdowns at least.

I agree, but we do need to have clearly defined criteria for moving up and down each level of the traffic light system.

You also can't have a system whereby an area is Green one week, Amber the next week, Red the week after that, Amber the following week...... just like real traffic lights. If this were to happen it would destroy business and consumer confidence, and thereby the economy, as well as adversely affecting people's mental health, because they would be anxiously looking at the figures from day to day, and worrying what was going to happen to their particular area.

I understand the governments obsession with three word messages, and traffic lights fits into that. However, I think a more nuanced system is required. The change from one level to another is quite dramatic, and if implemented with little notice, causes massive disruption. There is talk of banning overnight stays away from home again. A gradual ratcheting up of restrictions (as cases increase), and a gradual relaxation (as they decrease) would make more sense. If standardised the steps could be easily diagrammed and communicated. For example, similar to the initial lockdown, essential shops only, large floorspace (ie out of town warehouses), all retailers. Similar for hospitality - all closed, take-away only (service via hatch or perspex screen counter), table service, fully open. If alcohol is the problem, separate out food-led and wet-led pubs.

 

[kristiang85]

This is what we've come to now. Unbelievable (click the tweet link to see the video - unless there's a way I can embed it?).

https://twitter.com/darrengrimes_/status/1313112496316837888

Darren Grimes
@darrengrimes_
A son moves his chair next to his mother to comfort her at the funeral of her late husband, a member of staff says they’ve “been told” and asked to separate. It really does highlight the cruel lack of humanity and decency in the way in which we’re forced to live our lives today.

 

[packermac]

Dustybin

I've mentioned this on other threads and I've had conversations about this over the weekend. I just don't get it!!! Deaths are still low, more people are dying everyday of things like cancer & heart failure.

The infection rate is high, but this could be down to more trace testing. The chances of fatality is extremely low now compared to six months ago.

If that is the case, the virus is no more deadly than the Flu. I just don't understand the need for restrictions anymore. Can someone set me straight if I have missed something here?

CJ

Well the WHO and the CDC put annual flu deaths worldwide between 290K and 660K. So with over a million covid deaths in 9 months I guess that far exceeds "a bad flu year"

 

[duncanp]

This is what we've come to now. Unbelievable (click the tweet link to see the video - unless there's a way I can embed it?).

https://twitter.com/darrengrimes_/status/1313112496316837888

I think it is situations like this that are eventually going to be the straw that breaks the camel's back.

Sooner or later, a similar situation will occur at another funeral, and the people concerned will (quite rightly) refuse to comply and tell the jobsworth where to get off.

What is he then going to do, stop the funeral, or call the police?

 

[kristiang85]

Well the WHO and the CDC put annual flu deaths worldwide between 290K and 660K. So with over a million covid deaths in 9 months I guess that far exceeds "a bad flu year"

Has influenza been as intensively tested and reported as COVID though? When you look at individual country data from many European countries, overall excess deaths in 2020 as a whole are pretty normal.

The developing world in particular has probably never done this kind of testing to find seasonal influenza.

Also there is a difference between dying "of" COVID and "with" COVID, whereas these figures log all deaths as "of" COVID. Again, it could have inflated them somewhere when put in comparison with influenza.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

This is what we've come to now. Unbelievable (click the tweet link to see the video - unless there's a way I can embed it?).

https://twitter.com/darrengrimes_/status/1313112496316837888

Haven't follow up the link, sometimes things can be not quite as the seem with people's tweets and facepostings. But, on the face of it, appalling. As though the family will not be in close proximity over the next few days / weeks anyway. They may even live in the same house anyway. It brings back the memories of 'full lockdown' when massive restrictions were placed on funerals etc. I'm not one to read newspper obituaries normally, but you need to keep up with things when you aren't seeing people in person, and the near 100% references to - no guests, a remembrance will be held at a suitable future time etc was very sad. One of the regulars from my local passed away, it won't be the same having a wake several months later.

I suggest that the son and mother 'socially distance' the bill from, and (non) payment to, the undertakers is due course!

I think it is situations like this that are eventually going to be the straw that breaks the camel's back.

Sooner or later, a similar situation will occur at another funeral, and the people concerned will (quite rightly) refuse to comply and tell the jobsworth where to get off.

What is he then going to do, stop the funeral, or call the police?

There have been several incidents reported of police being called to (larger than allowed) funerals, I never saw reference to a single fine being issued though. That is the benefit of police officers having discretion - and them knowing when it really ought to be applied. Wakes are perhaps a different matter.

 

[takno]

This is what we've come to now. Unbelievable (click the tweet link to see the video - unless there's a way I can embed it?).

https://twitter.com/darrengrimes_/status/1313112496316837888

Quite possible that the video is real, but Darren Grimes isn't a name I'd be willing to click on if a reliable source told me there was a hundred quid in it for me. Extremists have got a long history of taking quite innocent clips and pictures and using them wildly out of context

 

[C J Snarzell]

One of my mum's friend's passed away in March, a week before lockdown started. Sadly, he died of numerous health conditions non Covid related. Only his wife & daughter attended the service because of the lockdown restrictions.

There was talk about organising a memorial service for him once things return to normal so everyone who knew him could gather properly to pay their respects.

Tragically, given how long these Covid restrictions are lasting, a memorial will probably never happen now because of the time scale since he passed away.

CJ

 

[Journeyman]

How's this for stupid?



Just as well we know when the virus is most active. *eyeroll*

 

[Bletchleyite]

That is nothing to do with COVID and everything to do with being able to charge more for sit-in.

 

[kez19]

How's this for stupid?

View attachment 84414

Just as well we know when the virus is most active. *eyeroll*

That’s one way of getting punters out of the door (literally)

 

[py_megapixel]

Not sure if I mentioned this earlier but I visited John Lewis yesterday. Both sets of bike racks tagged out of use with a sign stating "These facilities are out of use to maintain social distancing - please use the other cycle parking".

How does requring that cyclists park at the non-existent "other parking" have anything to do with social distancing?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Not sure if I mentioned this earlier but I visited John Lewis yesterday. Both sets of bike racks tagged out of use with a sign stating "These facilities are out of use to maintain social distancing - please use the other cycle parking".

How does requring that cyclists park at the non-existent "other parking" have anything to do with social distancing?

Is the area set aside for queueing to enter, perhaps?

 

[trainophile]

Not sure if I mentioned this earlier but I visited John Lewis yesterday. Both sets of bike racks tagged out of use with a sign stating "These facilities are out of use to maintain social distancing - please use the other cycle parking".

How does requring that cyclists park at the non-existent "other parking" have anything to do with social distancing?

Similarly I have noticed water bottle refill points at most stations that have them are currently "not in use" due to the virus. I do wonder whether half these restrictions are to save the staff the trouble of monitoring/cleaning them.

 

[py_megapixel]

Is the area set aside for queueing to enter, perhaps?

It might have been, but there was no signage to that effect and the nearest door was marked "Exit Only". Given it was a quiet time anyway, and taking my bike around the shop isn't exactly practical, I took the liberty of ignoring the "out of use" notices.

As I say, I'm in favour of pragmatic changes to improve safety, but not ridiculousness like this.

 

[DelayRepay]

In addition the flu jab letter instructs me in no uncertain terms to leave the premises as soon as I've had the jab. Whatever happened to waiting 10 minutes in case you have an allergic reaction?

Just be grateful they haven't obtained a 2m long needle so they can administer the jab through the letterbox.

 

[Bikeman78]

Is the area set aside for queueing to enter, perhaps?

As I've mentioned before, the cycle racks at my local supermarket are now used for trolley storage and I have to squeeze past the queue to get to them. Where else am I supposed to lock up the bike?