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Coronavirus - how is it/has it affected you?

ScienceBoy said:
It’s really sad that this is going to change the planned national VE Day
celebrations for the 8th of May, even a bank holiday was moved so we could all celebrate together, now it looks like we can’t.

At this time I feel for those veterans even more so, as well as the rest of the armed forces who draw courage from this day.

Any news on what the country is going to do instead if we celebrate it under lockdown?
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Can't be many left now and the youngest will be in their 90's.
If alive my dad would have been 102 and they way he thought he would not be happy for anyone to put their lives at risk to 'celebrate' his effort.
 
Hobbit said:
I tend to apply something akin to the 80/20 rule when I listen to the briefings. Providing the vast majority is on point I'll take it, and I'm semi-intelligent enough to fill in most of the gaps or understand the nuances that those doing the briefings are trying to put across.

In terms of Hancock being hesitant or stumbling a bit, listen to what he says after he stumbles or hesitates. If I had a ££ for every manager I've advised to not speak till they've fully formed the answer to the question that's come up from the floor I'd be a wealthy man. That is Hancock's failing, not the answer itself. He jumps in a little too soon with his answer, then has to qualify it a little or change direction as he fully understands the question. Far from thinking he's not up to the task, I'm starting to gain a bit of respect for him. But I'll qualify that by saying he made a promise of 100,000 tests. He still has to meet that target.
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We agree. Talking with certainly in briefings about short term targets on PPE and testing, when there is significant uncertainty around both is perhaps a mistake - but I genuinely believe he wants to reassure us - and when we try and reassure someone we sometimes over promise. This is one reason my wife in her job never, ever says - 'you'll be fine'.

We don't think he's not up to the task - though we know that he didn't want the job - we just think he is being asked to carry too much on our behalf and the cabinet. He needs such as Hunt to help him out - because despite his past with the NHS and his past on B and the leadership - we know that he knows what he is talking about with the NHS.

Of all the ministers doing the briefings, Hancock and Sunak have gained our greatest respect.
 
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SwingsitlikeHogan said:
Woah just hold on a minute and just read the part of DfTs post that you highlighted. DfT is not the only person who thought that about Hancock. In my house we actually feel really sorry for the guy as he is under massive pressure and trying to hold to the government lines that he must. And if you were to believe some reports others are starting to point the finger of blame at Hancock - to deflect any blame that might come out of an enquiry at him and him alone.

That he came across as uncertain and hesitant in the briefing is hardly surprising given where the country is with PPE, testing etc, but that does not take from the fact that he did not come across well. And that is simply the truth of it. His uncertainty suggests that Hancock is a compassionate guy - that he cares and is desperate for things to work out and because of that looks like he alone is carrying the health of the nation on his back. And that would unnerve any caring person. We wish him well.
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Why is it so damn important to you and Dft et al how well the briefing presenters come over? You are not at the theatre.
I didn't see all the briefing because I now watch it until those trite journalists start .
Recently the BBC chap Pym started his question saying Aren't you ashamed....
Ashamed? What standard of journalism is that in this crisis situation.
This government is facing a nightmare and is trying its best. It's going to make mistakes, things are going to go wrong, but do you really think any of those men and ladies stood at that lectern should be ashamed!
Maybe the hesitancy Hancock displayed was after the journos started, as I
say I don't watch now, but it was probably because he was trying to be polite when in reality he would have liked to have been a lot more strident , positive and definite. But then you would have accused him of being rude.
Let's face it, when in reality you want to tell someone to stop asking stupid, stirring, mischievous questions, but you have to be polite, there is quite a bit of hesitancy involved, yes?
.
 
I don't really want them to relax the lockdown. I don't like it as much as anyone, but then I'm also not keen to be going back to spending two and a half hours a day on the tube with a million other people just yet. :confused:
 
Swinglowandslow said:
Why is it so damn important to you and Dft et al how well the briefing presenters come over? You are not at the theatre.
I didn't see all the briefing because I now watch it until those trite journalists start .
Recently the BBC chap Pym started his question saying Aren't you ashamed....
Ashamed? What standard of journalism is that in this crisis situation.
This government is facing a nightmare and is trying its best. It's going to make mistakes, things are going to go wrong, but do you really think any of those men and ladies stood at that lectern should be ashamed!
Maybe the hesitancy Hancock displayed was after the journos started, as I
say I don't watch now, but it was probably because he was trying to be polite when in reality he would have liked to have been a lot more strident , positive and definite. But then you would have accused him of being rude.
Let's face it, when in reality you want to tell someone to stop asking stupid, stirring, mischievous questions, but you have to be polite, there is quite a bit of hesitancy involved, yes?
.
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As for the importance of coming across well then they absolutely need to as they need to portray trust and a notion that they have a grip on the situation. It's called leadership and this is a time for the government to lead. If people believe in what they say they will then follow the guidance a lot more.

If you watch this you may understand why Hugh Pym asks some difficult questions to your beloved government. Assuming that is still allowed.

And if you want to comment on what happened in part of a press conference then the minimum anyone can do is actually watch that part. Otherwise you are just making stuff up to support your preconceived view.

 
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Swinglowandslow said:
Why is it so damn important to you and Dft et al how well the briefing presenters come over? You are not at the theatre.
I didn't see all the briefing because I now watch it until those trite journalists start .
Recently the BBC chap Pym started his question saying Aren't you ashamed....
Ashamed? What standard of journalism is that in this crisis situation.
This government is facing a nightmare and is trying its best. It's going to make mistakes, things are going to go wrong, but do you really think any of those men and ladies stood at that lectern should be ashamed!
Maybe the hesitancy Hancock displayed was after the journos started, as I
say I don't watch now, but it was probably because he was trying to be polite when in reality he would have liked to have been a lot more strident , positive and definite. But then you would have accused him of being rude.
Let's face it, when in reality you want to tell someone to stop asking stupid, stirring, mischievous questions, but you have to be polite, there is quite a bit of hesitancy involved, yes?
.
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Maybe Hancock's got THIS - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/20...ieces-ppe-shipped-britain-europe-despite/amp/ in the back of his mind, Eh?? :unsure::unsure: What you think?? :rolleyes::rolleyes:
 
Swinglowandslow said:
Why is it so damn important to you and Dft et al how well the briefing presenters come over? You are not at the theatre.
I didn't see all the briefing because I now watch it until those trite journalists start .
Recently the BBC chap Pym started his question saying Aren't you ashamed....
Ashamed? What standard of journalism is that in this crisis situation.
This government is facing a nightmare and is trying its best. It's going to make mistakes, things are going to go wrong, but do you really think any of those men and ladies stood at that lectern should be ashamed!
Maybe the hesitancy Hancock displayed was after the journos started, as I
say I don't watch now, but it was probably because he was trying to be polite when in reality he would have liked to have been a lot more strident , positive and definite. But then you would have accused him of being rude.
Let's face it, when in reality you want to tell someone to stop asking stupid, stirring, mischievous questions, but you have to be polite, there is quite a bit of hesitancy involved, yes?
.
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Did you actually read what I posted - or did you simply assume that as I was agreeing with DfT that I would be attacking and criticising Hancock as you seem to think that DfT is doing in his post.

It's bonkers, and frankly nonsense, that you can't state anything observationally negative about a briefing without being accused of being political. It seems some would prefer the briefings to go down the Trump route - where unless a journalist is effusive in their praise of how great Trump is doing - he attacks them as Fake News, when usually all they are doing is asking questions about the management and delivery of PPE and Testing. Just as they are doing here. Maybe you want to watch a Trump briefing to spot the sheer crass absurdity of them. You want that?
 
HappyHacker1 said:
Interesting that someone has suddenly gone all quiet now that a link has been produced :unsure:
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Right. First of all you posted that when I had gone to bed, I dont stay up into the small hours incase someone wants to post something. You made a statement without verifying it, I asked you if you would and you said you couldnt, you then started posting silly comments instead of finding something to support your claim. OK you have eventually posted a link after someone else told you where it was. That's all I asked you to do and now you are acting like a child in a playground.
 
2blue said:
Maybe Hancock's got THIS - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/20...ieces-ppe-shipped-britain-europe-despite/amp/ in the back of his mind, Eh?? :unsure::unsure: What you think?? :rolleyes::rolleyes:
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Its a tough one Dave, and embarrassing. Think of it from the supplier's perspective. You have 100 boxes of PPE on the shelf. Your Sales guy knows the users in the UK are desperate for it but can't find a buyer. A Frenchman rings up and says "allo, allo. Can I buy ze boxes of PPE you 'ave on ze shelves?" Would you say no?

I'd lay this one at NHS Procurement's door, for which Hancock is the boss. Someone's la bas needs kicking.
 
I've answered the link issue previously, like all things in life if you want things done properly, do them yourself.

As for acting like a child, you may wish to re read some of your replies to me last last night, ranting and raving like a small child.
 
HappyHacker1 said:
I've answered the link issue previously, like all things in life if you want things done properly, do them yourself.

As for acting like a child, you may wish to re read some of your replies to me last last night, ranting and raving like a small child.
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I made no silly comments to you just asked you a number of times to show some evidence to back your statement, I didnt say you were wrong either. You on the other hand kept posting silly comments. Now you cant stop yourself.
 
Swinglowandslow said:
...
Let's face it, when in reality you want to tell someone to stop asking stupid, stirring, mischievous questions, but you have to be polite, there is quite a bit of hesitancy involved, yes?
.
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Would you sooner have a Trump-style response? That would be personal abuse and propaganda instead of answering the question.

Journalists are quite entitled - perhaps even obliged - to 'grill' politicians and if the politicians don't respond 'well', I haven't much sympathy for them. I've a totally different attitude should a civil servant get caught by such 'tricks' though!

It does show how thin the veneer of 'authority' this, or any other, government really has - especially with such a fast moving, generally negative, story!
 
Hobbit said:
Its a tough one Dave, and embarrassing. Think of it from the supplier's perspective. You have 100 boxes of PPE on the shelf. Your Sales guy knows the users in the UK are desperate for it but can't find a buyer. A Frenchman rings up and says "allo, allo. Can I buy ze boxes of PPE you 'ave on ze shelves?" Would you say no?

I'd lay this one at NHS Procurement's door, for which Hancock is the boss. Someone's la bas needs kicking.
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To be honest Bri..... if there were squirm-room on this I tend to think the guys at the Telegraph would have used it. :eek::eek: ....... & where was that Spanish accent then? :sneaky:
 
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