The UK Government are running around like headless chickens trying to sort out what to do about coronavirus. The Tory party are split between those who advise extreme caution and those who want to get the economy moving again - the so called "doves" and "hawks". The worry is that, if Johnson can't control his party, how is he going to control the country?
The PM is due to speak to the nation at 7pm UK time setting out his battle plan for Stage 2. Much of it has already been leaked with today's papers reporting what they assume to be the salient points.
1 The Mail says that the much touted message, "Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Live"s will be changed to "Stay Alert, Control the Virus and Save Lives".
2 The Mail also suggest that people will be allowed outside more than once per day and garden centres will be open from Wednesday.
3, We do know that there will be a push to return to work where it is safe to do so. However, the transport system will have to operate with reduced capacity to maintain social distancing which means that people are being encouraged to either walk or cycle to work with a 2bn pound plan from Grant Shapps.
4. Everyone will now be encouraged to wear masks in public places including work places.
As I see it, the problem is that the number of new cases each day is still very high along with the death rate that follows it. There are still major problems with the supply of protective clothing and issues around completing the target number of tests. Added to which, Germany has seen a rise in infections following their easing of restrictions and South Korea, which was infection free, has recorded 24 new cases.
As for cycling to work, I can tell you from personal experience that buying a bike for those who don't already have one will be virtually impossible. It took me a lot of effort to find bikes for both my grandson and my daughter a few weeks ago. Those that I found are no longer available. Unless you are prepared to pay hundreds of pounds, you are going to be out of luck.
Whilst there have been many mistakes along the way and a subsequent inquiry will likely unveil where the government went wrong, at this time we need them to lead and prevent further damage. Whatever Johnson proposes today, let's hope he gets it right.
The PM is due to speak to the nation at 7pm UK time setting out his battle plan for Stage 2. Much of it has already been leaked with today's papers reporting what they assume to be the salient points.
1 The Mail says that the much touted message, "Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Live"s will be changed to "Stay Alert, Control the Virus and Save Lives".
2 The Mail also suggest that people will be allowed outside more than once per day and garden centres will be open from Wednesday.
3, We do know that there will be a push to return to work where it is safe to do so. However, the transport system will have to operate with reduced capacity to maintain social distancing which means that people are being encouraged to either walk or cycle to work with a 2bn pound plan from Grant Shapps.
4. Everyone will now be encouraged to wear masks in public places including work places.
As I see it, the problem is that the number of new cases each day is still very high along with the death rate that follows it. There are still major problems with the supply of protective clothing and issues around completing the target number of tests. Added to which, Germany has seen a rise in infections following their easing of restrictions and South Korea, which was infection free, has recorded 24 new cases.
As for cycling to work, I can tell you from personal experience that buying a bike for those who don't already have one will be virtually impossible. It took me a lot of effort to find bikes for both my grandson and my daughter a few weeks ago. Those that I found are no longer available. Unless you are prepared to pay hundreds of pounds, you are going to be out of luck.
Whilst there have been many mistakes along the way and a subsequent inquiry will likely unveil where the government went wrong, at this time we need them to lead and prevent further damage. Whatever Johnson proposes today, let's hope he gets it right.
2 comments:
Hi Keith
Thanks for the information you have posted about the situation in Spain. The authorities in Spain seem to have a much better control of the situation and are issuing clear rules and guidance. Sky News is now saying that Johnson is going to muddy the waters further by telling us to 'stay alert', 'wash our hands' and 'save lives'. Much too wishy-washy and people will be be confused by this mixed messaging.
The scene here is one of chaos and people are increasingly breaking what lockdown rules there are. The government refuses point blank to be questioned or scrutinised. My daughter volunteered to be a helper and do shopping for the vulnerable but has received no tasks! Last week she felt unwell and reported it to the authorities. She was instructed to go to a testing centre in Portsmouth where they took swabs. That was on 1 May and she has still not received a result! The media is saying that 50,000 tests have been sent to the USA because the labs here cannot handle the numbers. Matt Hancock miraculously hit his 100,000 test a day target on the 30 April but it was a stitch up. On 29 April the number of tests completed was 81,000. On 1 May they told us that 120,000 had been completed, but it was a lie. The difference of 39,000 tests had been sent in the post but not actually carried out. Yet the counted them as 'completed' tests.
We are now seeing the combined disastrous effects of austerity, Brexit and the virus. So much of the NHS has already been privatised that it is badly fragmented and this makes it impossible co-ordinate a response, But the government is lining up the scientists to take the blame. In the Commons, Rosena Allin-Khan, a Labour MP and doctor who has been working 12 hour shifts in her local hospital, challenged Hancock and he had the audacity to tell her to 'mind her tone'. He is cracking under the pressure and the PM, himself, was made to look a fool at PMQs by Keir Starmer. No wonder he hides away.
The international press, including 'El Pais', is hammering the UK calling it the 'problem child of Europe'. It is difficult to disagree. The British government ignored the warnings of events in Italy but the Greeks and Spanish locked down quickly and effectively. We have 30,000 deaths and rising, the Greeks are well under 1,000 I believe.
Johnson is on record as wanting an American style private health care system with the NHS existing merely for the poorest in society. His life was saved by two immigrant nurses in St Thomas' Hospital. He paid nothing for top quality treatment, yet he is worth millions. Meanwhile, we know that Trump is itching to get his hands on the NHS and I think it is going to happen.
It is time the British government ate some humble pie and told the truth about its failings. It also refuses to contemplate any extension of the Brexit transition period. I think they have completely lost their marbles. The country is in crisis thanks to the arrogance and complacency of a government that believes that the UK is still a world power.
You and Pam are safer in Spain. I am an avid cyclist and concur with what you say about buying bikes for your grandchildren. Apparently, bike shops in the UK have sold 20,000 bikes in the last few days and have run out of stock. Hope you manage to get them fixed up. I do a run of about 25 kms daily and before this crisis I would meet a handful of cyclists. Yesterday, I counted 150 there and back. Cycling will be part of the new normal, no doubt about it.
I enjoy your Blogging which gives me excellent first hand information about Spain.
All the best
William D Taylor
Hi Keith
Thanks for the information you have posted about the situation in Spain. The authorities in Spain seem to have a much better control of the situation and are issuing clear rules and guidance. Sky News is now saying that Johnson is going to muddy the waters further by telling us to 'stay alert', 'wash our hands' and 'save lives'. Much too wishy-washy and people will be be confused by this mixed messaging.
The scene here is one of chaos and people are increasingly breaking what lockdown rules there are. The government refuses point blank to be questioned or scrutinised. My daughter volunteered to be a helper and do shopping for the vulnerable but has received no tasks! Last week she felt unwell and reported it to the authorities. She was instructed to go to a testing centre in Portsmouth where they took swabs. That was on 1 May and she has still not received a result! The media is saying that 50,000 tests have been sent to the USA because the labs here cannot handle the numbers. Matt Hancock miraculously hit his 100,000 test a day target on the 30 April but it was a stitch up. On 29 April the number of tests completed was 81,000. On 1 May they told us that 120,000 had been completed, but it was a lie. The difference of 39,000 tests had been sent in the post but not actually carried out. Yet the counted them as 'completed' tests.
We are now seeing the combined disastrous effects of austerity, Brexit and the virus. So much of the NHS has already been privatised that it is badly fragmented and this makes it impossible co-ordinate a response, But the government is lining up the scientists to take the blame. In the Commons, Rosena Allin-Khan, a Labour MP and doctor who has been working 12 hour shifts in her local hospital, challenged Hancock and he had the audacity to tell her to 'mind her tone'. He is cracking under the pressure and the PM, himself, was made to look a fool at PMQs by Keir Starmer. No wonder he hides away.
The international press, including 'El Pais', is hammering the UK calling it the 'problem child of Europe'. It is difficult to disagree. The British government ignored the warnings of events in Italy but the Greeks and Spanish locked down quickly and effectively. We have 30,000 deaths and rising, the Greeks are well under 1,000 I believe.
Johnson is on record as wanting an American style private health care system with the NHS existing merely for the poorest in society. His life was saved by two immigrant nurses in St Thomas' Hospital. He paid nothing for top quality treatment, yet he is worth millions. Meanwhile, we know that Trump is itching to get his hands on the NHS and I think it is going to happen.
It is time the British government ate some humble pie and told the truth about its failings. It also refuses to contemplate any extension of the Brexit transition period. I think they have completely lost their marbles. The country is in crisis thanks to the arrogance and complacency of a government that believes that the UK is still a world power.
You and Pam are safer in Spain. I am an avid cyclist and concur with what you say about buying bikes for your grandchildren. Apparently, bike shops in the UK have sold 20,000 bikes in the last few days and have run out of stock. Hope you manage to get them fixed up. I do a run of about 25 kms daily and before this crisis I would meet a handful of cyclists. Yesterday, I counted 150 there and back. Cycling will be part of the new normal, no doubt about it.
I enjoy your Blogging which gives me excellent first hand information about Spain.
All the best
William D Taylor
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