Coronavirus Discussion Thread

[Saint Without a Halo]

Tracking behind? What does that mean really, you don't seem to be bringing your infection rate down anywhere near enough, isn't that what Mr Raab has just said?

 

The infection rate will only comedown once R1 it continues to increase

The lockdown has brought thefigure down from 2.6 to now just under 1 if true that is good progress from where I sit!

[Saint Without a Halo]

Looking at what we know, what’s anticipated and the timescales forget about being in a full stadium much before the 2021/22 season. Then in order to accommodate social distancing stadium capacities may be halved.

 

By then in the absence of a vaccine you can send your avatar to the match and watch virtually

[warsash saint]

Why does Kuensberg always get to go first? I find her reporting style massively irritating as well.

 

That's what happens when you are on the Tory payroll!

[Pat from Poole]

We only shut down to ensure we have NHS capacity that is what reduces deaths in the absence of a vaccine

So shutting down too early only stores up more problems for later. Shutting down is not a solution in itself it is only a delay tactic to smooth the curve push it out and buy time. As was stated earlier timing of a shutdown is very difficult as it involves a number of contradictory different factors that are very specific to each country and need to be optimised not least of which are appetite Of the population and social problems resulting from too lengthy a lockdown, versus economic impact On the population of a shutdown etc

And are based on specific models produced by top scientists and health experts.

 

The truth is that In the absence of a vaccine the only way out of this mess is for enough people to get it and come through. Otherwise you just get more waves particularly as many other countries with poor health services will continue to incubate the virus.

 

The only other alternative is to eradicate it through testing and tracing once it is reduced in the UK and close our borders forever

Not really a credible solution given the amount of globalisation the world depends upon.

 

There is Also little point in comparing cases and deaths between different countries given the large number of different factors that exist

Such as size of population, number of tests, strategy for testing, numbers of old and vulnerable people, population densities Different healthcare setups and capabilities different measuring techniques etc.

 

If we go on face value figures Iran is better than the UK ( not sure anyone would believe that)

 

We have succeeded so far in the main aim of growing the ICU’s and ensuring the NHS can treat all without getting overwhelmed and that was the principal aim!

 

Really good post.

[Pat from Poole]

Not that I think it really matters in the grand scheme of things, but I can’t see there being any football played of any type until August 2021 at the earliest.

[maxi_sopez]

Not that I think it really matters in the grand scheme of things, but I can’t see there being any football played of any type until August 2021 at the earliest.

 

 

This is a fascinating article about the massive problem all sports have https://www.si.com/mlb/2020/04/10/sports-arent-coming-back-soon . Supports your prediction...

[Batman]

That's what happens when you are on the Tory payroll!

Great bantz

[East Kent Saint]

Laura Kuensberg and Nick Robinson are said to be tory voters .

 

Charter flights to bring in Romanian fruit and veg pickers ! ........

[East Kent Saint]

Hancock had a bad day yesterday , trying to blame people for not getting tested to explain low test figures , not so say NHS .

 

Scientists now say UK needs more than just lockdown and social distancing if it wants to lift restrictions , testing , tracking etc They now say that less than 10% of people will achieve immunity in the time taken so far. 15 000 people flying onto the UK daily and not being tested.

 

Facemasks for all ? where would we get those ? or will homemade ones do ? not many seen wearing them around here.

[SaintStinger]

I can't believe workers for farms are being flown in from Europe. Borders should be closed. How many are bringing the virus with them? Utter stupidity.

[Matthew Le God]

I can't believe workers for farms are being flown in from Europe. Borders should be closed. How many are bringing the virus with them? Utter stupidity.

 

We need food, that requires labour to pick it. Farmers need 70,000 workers to feed the nation or millions of tonnes of food will go to waste during a national crisis. They are being quarantined and put in small working teams in hostel accommodation. Stupidity would be letting food grown in this country not feed this country.

[SW5 SAINT]

So Football to resume behind closed doors........

[whelk]

I can't believe workers for farms are being flown in from Europe. Borders should be closed. How many are bringing the virus with them? Utter stupidity.

 

Yeah fck eating eh

[whelk]

So Football to resume behind closed doors........

 

£35 to stream game?

[East Kent Saint]

Will your season ticket count ?

[skintsaint]

Its claimed Norman Hunter RIP.

[benjii]

So Football to resume behind closed doors........

 

Not necessarily.

[SaintStinger]

Yeah fck eating eh

 

Yeah how stupid of me..

[cambsaint]

If it can get Nirman Hunter, one of the iconic hardmen of the late 60s early 70s like John McGrath and Jimmy Gabriel of the Saints, then it can kill anyone.

On another matter, regarding the inanity of most political commentators and journos,it's hardly surprising as they live a life locked in the Westminster bubble.

Probably not a science degree amongst them, and now bioscience is so complicated and specialised that it's virtually impossible for an old boy like me to understand.

When I qualified we had just identified three receptors, alpha, Beta1 and 2.

Now they can even tell you the dna make-up of intra cellular drug receptors and transport mechanisms.

Still it goes to show that although we think we're very clever, a natural disaster of biblical proportions can remind us of our mortality!

Although a little bored by the lock-down I'm loving the quiet and lack of traffic.

Hopefully Society may now reappraise what jobs are really worthwhile and what are inessential and adjust its values -fat chance of that!!

[whelk]

Norman Hunter bit before my time but this puts to shame the poncy head pushes we see these days. Love it

 

 

[Trout-Tickler]

a natural disaster of biblical proportions can remind us of our mortaliy!

 

Afraid I find this statement a bit puzzling. Whilst the deaths resulting from infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus are truly awful and tragic there are diseases which have been killing people in the tens of thousands every year for some considerable amount of time and continue to do so. Take malaria for example, the WHO published their 2019 World Malaria Report at the end of last year (https://www.who.int/publications-detail/world-malaria-report-2019). In 2018 there were an estimated 228 million cases with an estimated 405,000 deaths and in 2017 there were an estimated 213 million cases with an estimated 416,000 deaths. Moreover, in 2018, 67% of all deaths were children under the age of 5. If the deaths from COVID19 are a natural disaster what are the ones from malaria? The sad truth is the people dying from malaria are out of sight and out mind to the overwhelming majority of people in Europe so they don't really care. However, when people start dying on their doorstep it's a 'natural disaster of biblical proportions'.

[mikec]

Its claimed Norman Hunter RIP.

 

Sad news. He was a hard man indeed. I'll always associate him with the Leeds fans' banner "Norman bites yer legs!" that used to be shown in the opening titles of The Big Match on a Sunday afternoon.

[Whitey Grandad]

Sad news. He was a hard man indeed. I'll always associate him with the Leeds fans' banner "Norman bites yer legs!" that used to be shown in the opening titles of The Big Match on a Sunday afternoon.

 

Yes, sad news. Unfortunately I shall always remember him for his missed tackle on the halfway line against Poland in 1973.

 

RIP Norman.

[Whitey Grandad]

Afraid I find this statement a bit puzzling. Whilst the deaths resulting from infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus are truly awful and tragic there are diseases which have been killing people in the tens of thousands every year for some considerable amount of time and continue to do so. Take malaria for example, the WHO published their 2019 World Malaria Report at the end of last year (https://www.who.int/publications-detail/world-malaria-report-2019). In 2018 there were an estimated 228 million cases with an estimated 405,000 deaths and in 2017 there were an estimated 213 million cases with an estimated 416,000 deaths. Moreover, in 2018, 67% of all deaths were children under the age of 5. If the deaths from COVID19 are a natural disaster what are the ones from malaria? The sad truth is the people dying from malaria are out of sight and out mind to the overwhelming majority of people in Europe so they don't really care. However, when people start dying on their doorstep it's a 'natural disaster of biblical proportions'.

 

Yes, this is a good point often overlooked. There was a TV comedy article once on Not the NIne O'Clock News (?) with a newsreader telling of countless world disasters each ending with the line

 

"No Brits involved"

[waylander]

Yeah how stupid of me..

 

You going to go and pick the crops then instead of the foreign labour?

[Window Cleaner]

You going to go and pick the crops then instead of the foreign labour?

 

Has your government even called for volunteers? The french did, they got about 3 times the number needed. Gets people outside with a bit of income to boot. I mean with all those students not particularily occupied just now it would be back to the good old days wouldn't it.

Edited 17 April, 2020 by Window Cleaner

[Window Cleaner]

Yes, sad news. Unfortunately I shall always remember him for his missed tackle on the halfway line against Poland in 1973.

 

RIP Norman.

 

Colin Todd was a far, far, better option against Lubanski.

[The Cat]

Has your government even called for volunteers? The french did, they got about 3 times the number needed. Gets people outside with a bit of income to boot. I mean with all those students not particularily occupied just now it would be back to the good old days wouldn't it.

 

Half the country are sat at home but we still can't find enough people willing to pick a few strawberries FFS.

[Window Cleaner]

Half the country are sat at home but we still can't find enough people willing to pick a few strawberries FFS.

 

Yep, perhaps the Roumanians work for free, bottle tops, beer mats or something.

[waylander]

Half the country are sat at home but we still can't find enough people willing to pick a few strawberries FFS.

 

Too much like hard work for most.

[Whitey Grandad]

Colin Todd was a far, far, better option against Lubanski.

 

Todd was my sister’s favourite player and the reason that she ended up following Manchester City. Now it’s Tottenham like all my family up that way.

 

Edit: Oops. I was thinking of Colin Bell.

Edited 17 April, 2020 by Whitey Grandad

[Window Cleaner]

Todd was my sister’s favourite player and the reason that she ended up following Manchester City. Now it’s Tottenham like all my family up that way.

 

Did he play for City? Came from somewhere up in the far north, played for Derby and then Everton. Colin Bell played for City though. Now he was a ladies favourite, bit of a knob though apparently.

[East Kent Saint]

It’s the 04:30 start that put most applicants off , after the initial rush they were left with only a few that would give it a go. The farmers rep said today on the radio.

[Lord Duckhunter]

Half the country are sat at home but we still can't find enough people willing to pick a few strawberries FFS.

 

Fake news.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Whitey Grandad]

Did he play for City? Came from somewhere up in the far north, played for Derby and then Everton. Colin Bell played for City though. Now he was a ladies favourite, bit of a knob though apparently.

 

Sorry, brainfart on my part.

 

Colin Bell of course

[Harold K Steptoe]

I can't believe workers for farms are being flown in from Europe. Borders should be closed. How many are bringing the virus with them? Utter stupidity.

British workers would have to be a) paid at least the minimum wage and b) the farmer as an employer would have to find a further 11% employers N.I contribution on top of the salary. However, if he 'HIRES' workers through an employment agency in Romania, he will be paying for services, so he will receive a monthly invoice with VAT that he can offset and have no employment regulations to meet as the staff are legally employed by the agency in Romania and therefore the hourly rate is far lower than the UK minimum wage and UK employees rights don't count either. Farmers then save £ thousands.....

This is why most Brits don't do the job. They'll all be cramed 15 to a flat spreading the virus costing the NHS even more money all to save the farmers a couple of quid. I'd rather employ here and pay an extra 20p for my sprouts.

[VectisSaint]

Its claimed Norman Hunter RIP.

 

Sad day when Norman Bites yer Legs Hunter dies, whatever the reason. Sadly he will always be remembered by Saints fans as a member of the Revie team that demolished us in the infamous 7-0. Hunter's cross for Big Jack to nod in is a long standing memory. I hated that team, but **** me in hindsight they were good.

[The Cat]

Fake news.

 

Fair enough. So we're not flying in a load of workers from Europe?

[bpsaint]

Was anything actually agreed in the Premier League meeting today? From what I can gather they spent two hours deciding that it’s too early to plan anything.

[Pat from Poole]

Nope, nothing agreed. Sounded like an utterly pointless conference call.

[vectraman]

British workers would have to be a) paid at least the minimum wage and b) the farmer as an employer would have to find a further 11% employers N.I contribution on top of the salary. However, if he 'HIRES' workers through an employment agency in Romania, he will be paying for services, so he will receive a monthly invoice with VAT that he can offset and have no employment regulations to meet as the staff are legally employed by the agency in Romania and therefore the hourly rate is far lower than the UK minimum wage and UK employees rights don't count either. Farmers then save £ thousands.....

This is why most Brits don't do the job. They'll all be cramed 15 to a flat spreading the virus costing the NHS even more money all to save the farmers a couple of quid. I'd rather employ here and pay an extra 20p for my sprouts.

 

Well said! As usual it is all about money.

It is time we all started to buy British. I certainly would be far happier spending a bit more to enable our farmers to use British labour, than importing labour from abroad. Cheaper for the farmer, false economy for the country.

[East Kent Saint]

Of the 36000 that expressed an interest in fruit & veg picking only 6000 agreed to an interview , as yet no final figure on the number actually going to start. Problems cited were , it's not part time , childcare and alot of jobs required living on site for the duration etc.

 

I can't imagine it happening but we need to change our business model , reassess the cost cutting cheap is best explotive culture .

[sandwichsaint]

Sad day when Norman Bites yer Legs Hunter dies, whatever the reason. Sadly he will always be remembered by Saints fans as a member of the Revie team that demolished us in the infamous 7-0. Hunter's cross for Big Jack to nod in is a long standing memory. I hated that team, but **** me in hindsight they were good.

 

Anybody back me up on this? That Leeds team at the Dell, Billy Bremner injuring one of his own players in the warm-up (possibly by smashing the ball in their face!) to the extent that the trainer came on during the warm-up, and I 'think' the player didn't start the game.

Have I imagined all this? I would have been about 7 or 8 when it occurred!

[Charlie Wayman]

Ive had to give up on the journo's questions after the daily Press Conference from Downing Street. They are all thick as. That bloody Peston idiot from ITV gets on my tits

 

Whereas I love the bloke. It's the sanctimonious BBC lot that get right up my jacksie!

[Charlie Wayman]

Quite right the other argument is watch what the countries ahead of us do and use their results as guidance

 

That is not a policy 'though, it is called serendipity. Some might call it sitting on the fence for fear of making any sort of decision.

[Charlie Wayman]

Well said! As usual it is all about money.

It is time we all started to buy British. I certainly would be far happier spending a bit more to enable our farmers to use British labour, than importing labour from abroad. Cheaper for the farmer, false economy for the country.

 

Sadly it isn't quite that simple. Millions of people in this country can barely afford to put food on the table for their families and were it not for food banks and the kindness of donors we would have people starving to death in the world's 6th largest economy. Any increase in costs of food production will heap more misery on more and more people.

[aintforever]

Was anything actually agreed in the Premier League meeting today? From what I can gather they spent two hours deciding that it’s too early to plan anything.

 

Think they have all agreed in principle to finish the season, just don't know when or how yet.

 

I'm guessing they can't nail down timings until UEFA decide what's happening to the Champs/Europa League etc. Think they meet next week.

[CB Fry]

If anyone wants to feel nauseous or feverish today, there are glimpses of Ian Branfoot on BBC1 right now as part of the coaching team for Palace versus Liverpool in the 1990 FA Cup semi final.

[East Kent Saint]

NZ PM and cabinet take 20% pay cut to show solidarity .

 

UK lords want £323 daily attendance allowance for signing on to virtual Lords at home.

 

2nd home owners who flipped their 2nd home designation from residential to business (must advertise for rent for 140 days a year) don’t pay council tax and are now in line for £10k Govt handout for small business due to coronavirus.

[warsash saint]

If anyone wants to feel nauseous or feverish today, there are glimpses of Ian Branfoot on BBC1 right now as part of the coaching team for Palace versus Liverpool in the 1990 FA Cup semi final.

 

More shots of Branfoot in Ian Wrights MOTD games - also showed Wrights hat trick in his 1st game for Arsenal against us. Quite like him as a pundit but god did I hate him as a player!!