Coronavirus - political views - supporting or otherwise...

[Deleted member 1740]

Damned for being slow in the original lockdown, and damned for acting too quickly now.

Here we go....

I havent damned them, I've merely asked a question and made a suggestion.

I now realise why I've stayed away from these threads.

 

[Hobbit]

Is it that bad over the whole of Spain Bri or just in certain areas? Also, what measures have the Spanish Government brought in to effect in the last 48hrs?

It is rising in all areas, some more than others. Control is very much with the regional presidents now. A number of towns/cities are in lockdown Leicester style. Some towns have closed nightclubs, and some have even closed the bars again. Everywhere is masks once you're outside your front door.

But to a large extent most of the increase is due to the level of testing now in place. First hint of a sniffle, TEST THE WHOLE FAMILY. Many of those tested are asymptomatic. And the increase in hospitalisations aren't really rising much, nor the deaths. Yes there's a ripple, and it has to be managed. Will it turn into a second spike? Time will tell.

 

[Hobbit]

Here we go....

I havent damned them, I've merely asked a question and made a suggestion.

I now realise why I've stayed away from these threads.

And I didn't quote you, nor even thought about your post. Stop being so precious.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

It is rising in all areas, some more than others. Control is very much with the regional presidents now. A number of towns/cities are in lockdown Leicester style. Some towns have closed nightclubs, and some have even closed the bars again. Everywhere is masks once you're outside your front door.

But to a large extent most of the increase is due to the level of testing now in place. First hint of a sniffle, TEST THE WHOLE FAMILY. Many of those tested are asymptomatic. And the increase in hospitalisations aren't really rising much, nor the deaths. Yes there's a ripple, and it has to be managed. Will it turn into a second spike? Time will tell.

Cheers Bri,

 

[Slab]

Anyone any idea how a 'home quarantine' works or how it differs from self isolation?

 

[Hacker Khan]

To be honest, anyone with half an ounce of common sense must have realised there was still a huge risk attached to foreign travel.

When the Spanish government opened their borders to allow holiday makers to travel, the world and his wife knew that they were taking a calculated risk in order to get the travel industry moving. We all knew the virus was still circulating, and the vast majority of people I know all said thanks, but no thanks. It’s too soon.

Governments the world over know there is a risk to easing their lockdown but know they have to balance that risk against the needs of their economies. The Spanish economy is reliant on the tourist Euro.

So even when the authorities here and abroad allowed travel to resume, most right minded people understood that by stepping on a plane they were still taking a huge risk.

As such, much as it pains me to say it, after everything we’ve been through I have absolutely no sympathy for anyone who has now got themselves in a pickle.

How about someone thinking that foreign travel is a risk and not wanting to do it yourself but also feeling sympathy for people who have been working stupidly hard in lockdown and booked a foreign holiday as that was not against any guidance and are arguably being taken advantage of by the travel companies. You can do both.

 

[Billysboots]

How about someone thinking that foreign travel is a risk and not wanting to do it yourself but also feeling sympathy for people who have been working stupidly hard in lockdown and booked a foreign holiday as that was not against any guidance and are arguably being taken advantage of by the travel companies. You can do both.

I’m one of the key workers you referred to previously. I have been working horribly hard during lockdown without any option but to put myself in harms way daily. I had a Spanish holiday booked for my family. I knew what the guidance was. But I’m not naive.

I cancelled it.

?

 

[3offTheTee]

I booked flights at the end of August to Bilbao in November 2019. That weekend in the golf calendar it was a Bogey Comp. which I do not like. This has now been changed to our only 36 hole over 2 days.

Also in November last year I paid upfront for 3 nights none refundable accommodation which was more than I usually pay. The company Meliá Group will not offer a refund despite using them for the last 20 years.

Really disappointed with them and written to CEO several times with response.

Any suggestions other than to find a different hotel group next time?

 

[Hacker Khan]

I’m one of the key workers you referred to previously. I have been working horribly hard during lockdown without any option but to put myself in harms way daily. I had a Spanish holiday booked for my family. I knew what the guidance was. But I’m not naive.

I cancelled it.

?

I thank you for what you've done. And if you'd have tried to go to Spain but had been caught out with the latest guidance then I'd also feel a bit of sympathy for you.

What I object to is the implied tone, which I do not think is actually deliberate most of the time, of that people are stupid for trying to get away so they deserve all they get. Where as government advice has been at times very vague and travel companies have not covered themselves in glory when it comes to refunds. So I think it is lot more nuanced than that.

 

[Hacker Khan]

He has accepted the gamble and the penalty for his decision.
You ,no doubt, will try very hard to make out it is the fault of the government's decision and not that of the holidaymakers.
This little dig being your first attempt.

Cool your boots, it was only a comment about the irony that the transport secretary has got caught up in all this travel nonsense. Suggest you save your playing the poster/unquestioning support of the government no matter what they do, to when they are properly attacked as you don't want to waste valuable posts.

 

[Billysboots]

I thank you for what you've done. And if you'd have tried to go to Spain but had been caught out with the latest guidance then I'd also feel a bit of sympathy for you.

What I object to is the implied tone, which I do not think is actually deliberate most of the time, of that people are stupid for trying to get away so they deserve all they get. Where as government advice has been at times very vague and travel companies have not covered themselves in glory when it comes to refunds. So I think it is lot more nuanced than that.

Mate, I’m going out on a limb here, perhaps, but I’m not implying anything. I’m being absolutely straight down the line when I say that anyone who chooses to travel overseas in the immediate aftermath of the first wave of a global pandemic, regardless of government guidelines, is absolutely stark raving bonkers.

Government guidelines are issued with the best of intentions. But in this scenario we almost have to regard them as akin to an MOT. When they say it’s safe to travel on July 13th, that’s precisely what they mean. It doesn’t mean things won’t change and, to be fair to them, they’ve never lied about the possibility that would happen.

The longer this pandemic goes on, the more irked I become when I see so called adults moaning quite simply because they have failed to take some personal responsibility. It’s pathetic.

Way back in April, when I’d already got a family holiday to Spain booked, Mrs BB and me started having lengthy discussions about what was best for our family. She was of the view that if government guidelines allowed it, and the airline was flying, then we should go to Spain.

The 29 year cop and pragmatist in me took a rather different view. The Spanish had opened their borders not because they thought they were 100% safe, but to stop their economy failing. Mrs BB was thinking sunshine family holiday - I was thinking what happens when it all goes belly up and we’re stuck in Spain.

So I’m not really implying anything. I appreciate you trying to make excuses on my behalf but there’s really no need. I will say again - anyone who chose to grab a few days in the sun in the midst of an ongoing pandemic, despite everything they read in the papers and see on the TV, can have no grounds to complain when it goes pear shaped.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

He has accepted the gamble and the penalty for his decision.
You ,no doubt, will try very hard to make out it is the fault of the government's decision and not that of the holidaymakers.
This little dig being your first attempt.

Confused... Not really blaming anyone. It is what it is. Those who have gone to Spain took a gamble - including Shapps. Maybe they felt they had little choice in their own specific individual circumstances so I can’t ‘blame’ them. Not sure the government had much option as they have been clear that lockdowns and restrictions etc could be imposed at any time...Justified or not they have stuck to their word on that.

The irony is that Shapps is our transport secretary and would have been fully aware of the strength of determination in the government to stick to its word over such lockdowns or quarantines...

 

[Old Skier]

Confused... Not really blaming anyone. It is what it is. Those who have gone to Spain took a gamble - including Shapps. Maybe they felt they had little choice in their own specific individual circumstances so I can’t ‘blame’ them. Not sure the government had much option as they have been clear that lockdowns and restrictions etc could be imposed at any time...Justified or not they have stuck to their word on that.

The irony is that Shapps is our transport secretary and would have been fully aware of the strength of determination in the government to stick to its word over such lockdowns or quarantines...

Parliament is shut for the holidays so along with the fact he’s spent most of the last 3 months doing interviews and working from home, self isolating when he gets home will have minimal effect I suggest.

 

[drdel]

I dont know are they?? I'll be honest I've not looked in depth at the foreign travel changes, only heard snippets on the news etc because right now I wont be going abroad.

If what you're saying is correct, and I'm not saying it's not, why not leave the restrictions in place if the situation is so volatile?

People cant be accused of being stupid,selfish etc if they're caught up in this situation.

They are the FCO, see their regular wdbsite updates on travel.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Parliament is shut for the holidays so along with the fact he’s spent most of the last 3 months doing interviews and working from home, self isolating when he gets home will have minimal effect I suggest.

He did what he thought he could do - he knew the risks. He had insider info that the rest of us don’t have. Others in much tougher circumstances may have made the same choice but for different reasons - I have sympathy for them...

 

[Foxholer]

Anyone any idea how a 'home quarantine' works or how it differs from self isolation?

Same thing effectively imo! Apart from there maybe more than 1 person 'in quarantine', so 'self isolation' probably isn't totally accurate, where 'home quarantine' probably is!

 

[Swinglowandslow]

Cool your boots, it was only a comment about the irony that the transport secretary has got caught up in all this travel nonsense. Suggest you save your playing the poster/unquestioning support of the government no matter what they do, to when they are properly attacked as you don't want to waste valuable posts.

Don't need your advice, thank you. I believe I know why SILH made the comment and so , I believe , do you.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Don't need your advice, thank you. I believe I know why SILH made the comment and so , I believe , do you.

I made the comment as I thought it rather ironic that he’d gone to Spain given he would know the detail of the governments strategy in respect of quarantine - after all he is Transport Secretary. Was he stupid or bonkers as some have suggested? Or was he just knackered and needed a break away from the UK with his family - and recess is the only chance he has.

 

[Old Skier]

I made the comment as I thought it rather ironic that he’d gone to Spain given he would know the detail of the governments strategy in respect of quarantine. Was he stupid or bonkers as some have suggested? Or was he just knackered and needed a break away from the UK with his family - and recess is the only chance he has.

Why was he bonkers/stupid, he knew he could function in his job even in isolation. If you read his twitter feed, even now whilst on holiday he is holding vid confs with other countries. Perhaps his fairly normal and is able to cope with modern living and can adapt. Many people are in the same boat and can operate quite adequately from home.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Why was he bonkers/stupid, he knew he could function in his job even in isolation. If you read his twitter feed, even now whilst on holiday he is holding vid confs with other countries. Perhaps his fairly normal and is able to cope with modern living and can adapt. Many people are in the same boat and can operate quite adequately from home.

Here's the thing, I have not said that he is. It seems that you have read what I have written expecting me to say he was. In fact if you reread what I posted you can see that I did suggest that I am actually sympathetic of his need for a holiday in the circumstances - a need the same as the many who are now in Spain facing quarantine when they return.

It is others who have said such individuals are stupid and/or bonkers. Not me. As @HK posted - I myself might choose to not go to Spain or anywhere abroad at the moment - however I cannot judge or criticise all of those who on balance have decided to go. They have all made the decision given their need, finances and flexibility based upon the evidence and guidance they have been provided with.