Scathing attack on government Covid-19 response

I think the government line of "we can't introduce stricter measures yet because people will tire of them" is just bizarre. Since when did this government give a feck about ******* people off? This is life and death. People might get fed up? Tough ****.

They're reluctant to close schools because many NHS staff have kids at schools and of course the NHS is stretched as thin as the Tories could get away with as it is.

Regardless of whether the government approach is correct or not a huge part of the problem is down to the way they've run down the NHS while in power. Maybe now isn't the time to play politics, but this shouldn't be forgotten when it's over.
 
I just find it bizarre that flights from Northern Italy to the U.K, in the same way the Madrid flights, were continuing whilst the regions are in virtual lockdown!!! Nor can I find it to be a reasonable government response to not have enough testing kits or capacity, alongside lack of protective clothing after we have had such a long time to prepare. I am no fan of the Tories but I, despite my political distaste for previous regimes, do not believe they would have been as incompetent as this one. The PM and the government will have been given various plans on how to deal with this and it looks as though they have chosen a very flawed approach based entirely on cost.
 
It seems that left wing Guardian supporting Jeremy Hunt (ex minister for health) is also questioning the response by government.
Saying there is direct evidence that those countries that react quickly get better results.
 
bear66 said:
That's the stupidity. Under reacting will cost far more than over reacting.
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The fact is, we don't know any of this for sure bear66. (By which I mean, that if extreme measures are taken too early, and then people DID stop adhering to them, that COULD end up being worse).

I don't know here. I'm not trying to defend anyone. Merely saying that we're all (including Govt's) somewhat in the dark here.

Edit: For what it's worth, I think people are going to change their behaviour pretty radically anyway. I was in a resturant last night, and the owner was saying that he's had loads of cancellations already. I could be wrong, but it seems like people are going to stay at home quite a bit more anyway.
 
John ... It's been proven repeatedly banning flights after an epidemic has already started does nothing. Why would you have testing kits on hand for something that hasn't happened?
And we currently know suggests that closing schools does little apart from being seen to be doing something.

I'm not a Tory voter and never will be but you have to calm down mate, what's coming is going to be hard and there's going to be horrible pain and sadness. I have a mother who's 70, my girlfriend's parents are both deep into their 60s and I know that virtually everyone on this board has a similar situation whether it's themselves or close loved ones at risk but what you and some others are doing and saying does not help the situation.

We need to enact what we can which is work from home if possible, take excellent hygiene care and keep distance to people we're interacting with.
 
Alvez_48 said:
John ... It's been proven repeatedly banning flights after an epidemic has already started does nothing. Why would you have testing kits on hand for something that hasn't happened?
And we currently know suggests that closing schools does little apart from being seen to be doing something.

I'm not a Tory voter and never will be but you have to calm down mate, what's coming is going to be hard and there's going to be horrible pain and sadness. I have a mother who's 70, my girlfriend's parents are both deep into their 60s and I know that virtually everyone on this board has a similar situation whether it's themselves or close loved ones at risk but what you and some others are doing and saying does not help the situation.

We need to enact what we can which is work from home if possible, take excellent hygiene care and keep distance to people we're interacting with.
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The problem with this and I'm as ignorant as the next person, is most other countries believe differently
It's all a bit odd
 
bear66 said:
The number of deaths, the cost of jobs, the economy (pensions etc.) going to junk class.
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Well the number of deaths could go back up if we lockdown to early and start re opening services when the virus is still at large . Obviously the economy and cost of jobs will be affected more by a lockdown than not.
 
Well that would be gross negligence by the government to open up to early. Obviously extending the crisis by causing delay to action but not delay to the virus will be the major hit on the economy. Hopefulyy the actions other countries take won't lead to a major worldwide recession.
 
bear66 - if you believe that the Govt aren't doing enough, and it's not political, then fair enough mate. However, based on your posting history it's probably why some could be forgiven for thinking that maybe you were looking for a way to have a dig? (You do seem to have a tendency to disagree with most things that a Tory Govt would ever do)!! :)

Anyway.... from Sky News: "Some medical experts have praised the UK's plans as "balanced" and "sensible", but others have expressed surprise that tougher restrictions have not been brought into action now. " - so even opinion in the medical fraternity is mixed. (And I'm not just talking about those linked to Govt. There is plenty of independent content out there).

I have probably seen more in the former camp than the latter (so far), but that may well change. However, it's clear that opinion is split even amongst doctors/health experts/virologists/epidemiologists.
 
@Cuthbert - I was very critical of the Labour government. If you are interested in my posting history, you'd have known that.

I posted about the lack of ICU beds in another post. One of my parents died under Labour and the other under Conservative. Both died of pneumonia and neither was in an ICU when they were struggling to breathe. Hopefully the country will question whether we have enough ICU beds for a normal winter after this.
 
bear66 said:
Well that would be gross negligence by the government to open up to early. Obviously extending the crisis by causing delay to action but not delay to the virus will be the major hit on the economy. Hopefulyy the actions other countries take won't lead to a major worldwide recession.
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How will you know how to open up early? If there are huge underlying cases, opening up woudl spread it again and you'd never know until it was too late. Also how long do you shut down for? and which services? How would we survive for, say, a month without anything being manufactured, no rubbish being collected etc?
 
Chappy112 said:
Opinion can’t be that split considering every other country has gone the complete opposite way to us.
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They haven't gone the opposite way. The UK just haven't closed schools yet, but will do at some stage.

All countries will be taking some unique measures and some common ones. All countries are at different phases. All countries have their own unique sociological traits.

Sure there will be some best practices, but I doubt there is one approach to suit all.
 
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