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Post by Wortleyblue on Jul 7, 2021 16:28:58 GMT
Must admit I am looking forward to a little bit more freedom but I will continue to wear my mask as I do now and maintain social distancing where possible
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LOCKDOWN
Jul 8, 2021 18:56:53 GMT
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Post by Firestick Frank on Jul 8, 2021 18:56:53 GMT
One person’s “freedom” endangers a vulnerable person’s safety. Permanent lockdown it is for those immuno-suppressed who will feel a lot less “free” to live their lives now.
But hey, survival of the fittest, every man for himself in this weird Hunger Games killer virus special isn’t it…
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Post by luke90 on Jul 9, 2021 12:07:46 GMT
One person’s “freedom” endangers a vulnerable person’s safety. Permanent lockdown it is for those immuno-suppressed who will feel a lot less “free” to live their lives now. But hey, survival of the fittest, every man for himself in this weird Hunger Games killer virus special isn’t it… A good point, but where do you draw the line? Do you say social distancing and masks for the next year? I think a lot of people are growing bored of it now and compliance will fade off anyway. At least opening up a little over the summer gives people the chance to refresh ready for what i assume will be another lockdown over winter. |
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LOCKDOWN
Jul 9, 2021 12:18:49 GMT
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Post by Firestick Frank on Jul 9, 2021 12:18:49 GMT
Snap polling from SavantaComRes on the day the announcement was made last Monday demonstrated that 76% will continue social distancing, 74% will wear a mask on public transport, 71% will wear a mask in shops and 52% will limit their socialising only up to five people.
Seems most people will still take the precautions necessary to at least keep any death count “low”.
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Post by Lobster on Jul 9, 2021 13:48:50 GMT
Boris Johnson pictured in his chauffeur's car after the England match without a face mask on.
But it's OK, because he put it on shortly after the photo was taken. And as we all know, the virus waits until you've sat down and got your seat belt on before spreading itself.
Also, apparently the £200 fine for not wearing a mask in a taxi doesn't apply in chauffeur-driven vehicle. Interested to know what the logic behind that is. Surely the only difference is the class of the people using them?
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Bob
Full Member
Posts: 106
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LOCKDOWN
Jul 9, 2021 19:03:55 GMT
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Post by Bob on Jul 9, 2021 19:03:55 GMT
Surely you lot have all realised this thing is a load of bullshit?
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Post by Deva Chanter on Jul 9, 2021 20:31:33 GMT
Surely you lot have all realised this thing is a load of bullshit? Do we just need to put some more tin foil on our heads? |
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Post by everhopeful on Jul 10, 2021 3:02:19 GMT
Surely you lot have all realised this thing is a load of bullshit? What is - the virus or the mask or the vaccines? |
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LOCKDOWN
Jul 14, 2021 6:57:26 GMT
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Post by Firestick Frank on Jul 14, 2021 6:57:26 GMT
“I cannot understand why the government would opt to do herd immunity viral infection when they could do herd immunity by vaccination. I think it’s unscientific, unethical, criminal.”
Hundreds of doctors and scientists attack the plans for so-called “Freedom Day” as millions of vulnerable citizens fear for their immediate health whilst the rest may have to deal with the long-term impacts of long Covid for the rest of their lives.
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LOCKDOWN
Jul 16, 2021 12:46:45 GMT
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Post by Firestick Frank on Jul 16, 2021 12:46:45 GMT
1,200 international scientists are calling England’s unethical experiment of ending of restrictions and practising herd immunity a “threat to the world” which could lead to numerous vaccine-resistant variants developing.
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LOCKDOWN
Jul 18, 2021 21:31:01 GMT
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Post by Si on Jul 18, 2021 21:31:01 GMT
Happy freedom day tomorrow everyone. Finger crossed its a cautious start back to some kind of normality.
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LOCKDOWN
Jul 18, 2021 21:59:07 GMT
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Si likes this
Post by Firestick Frank on Jul 18, 2021 21:59:07 GMT
Happy freedom day tomorrow everyone. Finger crossed its a cautious start back to some kind of normality. 50,000 daily cases, half a million self-isolating, hospitalisations and deaths increasing and one of the largest hospitals in the country cancelling two days worth of elective surgeries to make bed space for the overwhelming numbers of Covid admissions onto wards BEFORE we even lift all restrictions (blowing out the water the, quite frankly, ridiculous notion repeated by some posters on here that hundreds of thousands of people with other illnesses such as cancer can finally get back on track with treatment because Covid can be allowed to spread like wildfire). Happy Freedumb Day, indeed. |
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Post by Lobster on Jul 19, 2021 6:15:40 GMT
It does seem like this isn't going to go well. At the same time, I'm not really sure what the strategy is now. If everyone has had the jab but they're still getting the variant, do we need a different vaccine?
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Post by Harry Lime on Jul 19, 2021 11:36:01 GMT
I think the government are damned if they do, and damned if they don't. I can see why they want to open up now before the winter kicks in. However, I doubt they'd have announced this open up for now, had they known the numbers of cases currently around.
They made a mistake before Xmas in keeping less restrictions, then had to retract it too late. Causing effectively a 6 month lockdown, rather than a far shorter one. Suspect this will be similar.
I fear for this season too. I'm surprised they haven't crammed in the usual midweek games in August and September. We've only 7 league games in this period. It would have been a welcome income, before the almost inevitable crowd restrictions, or season being curtailed again. Many clubs and people may just give up.
I've been too Haydock Park a few times this summer for the races. Crowd has been restricted to under 5000. Only once has it been sold out. Midweek wouldn't have 5000 anyway, but the Saturday ones would. So it will be interesting (or worrying) to see what our home league crowd actually is once the season starts.
We've not felt uncomfortable at the races, except on one occasion. We just moved away and stood somewhere else. Bear in mind we've been outside the whole time and worn masks in the stand. However, it won't be as easy to keep safer if crowds return to normal. Doubt we'll be doing any busy Saturday meetings anytime soon.
The vaccines seem to greatly reduce the chances of death, or long hospitalization. But maybe not by enough. Apparently there are a lot of really ill people not being put into hospital, but they are still pretty unwell. You can't help thinking the opening up is a mistake given what we've been through.
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Post by Firestick Frank on Jul 19, 2021 19:37:36 GMT
Whatever peoples personal views on the lockdown, could I put out a bit of a plea to everyone to go steady from today onwards, not just around Covid but all aspects of health care in the region.
Speaking from personal experience I know that things are very very tough in the health sector at the moment and the more people we can keep out of A&E, ambulances and front line services who don't need to be there, the more we can focus on Covid patients and the backlog of other treatments that are needed. The next few months could well break some services if demand is too high, so ideally stay fit and healthy and don't break, sprain, snap or cut anything if you can! If you do get ill or injured use the online or phone services to get advice rather than go straight to A&E or the doctors.
Ideally stick to the space, mask and hand washing recommendations and remember there are people out there who can't be vaccinated but still need to be out and about each day, and who are very worried about what the next few weeks and months will hold. Likewise, there are medically vulnerable people out there who will see “freedom” for everyone else as a method of enforced lockdown for themselves.
Hopefully in a years time things will look better but lets keep looking out for each other and keeping EVERYONE safe.
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Post by Si on Jul 19, 2021 21:06:18 GMT
Quite a few muppets on social media today on both sides of the debate. Is it that hard to do what you feel is right and responsible for you and allow others that same privilege? If people don't want to wear a mask then that's their personal choice which they are allowed, if people do want to wear masks then great. I'll be adopting a hybrid approach, wear them in shops and supermarkets and perhaps some other situations if I feel a little uncomfortable.
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LOCKDOWN
Jul 19, 2021 21:55:26 GMT
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Post by Firestick Frank on Jul 19, 2021 21:55:26 GMT
Quite a few muppets on social media today on both sides of the debate. Is it that hard to do what you feel is right and responsible for you and allow others that same privilege? If people don't want to wear a mask then that's their personal choice which they are allowed, if people do want to wear masks then great. I'll be adopting a hybrid approach, wear them in shops and supermarkets and perhaps some other situations if I feel a little uncomfortable. I will say though that it’s the most incredibly selfish thing you can do during a pandemic, to choose to put other people at risk. Haven’t seen any arguments, I stay off social media aside from Instagram, but can understand a level of disapproval aimed at those I mentioned. Also it’s not if YOU feel uncomfortable, when will people realise that wearing a mask protects others more than yourself? Astounds me just how many people don’t get it. As I said above, if everyone does their bit to look after every one else we’ll largely get through to the other side. Big if, it seems. I’m just glad I live in a country with a sensible leader and not the Jaws Mayor wannabe next door. |
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Post by Si on Jul 20, 2021 8:11:31 GMT
Quite a few muppets on social media today on both sides of the debate. Is it that hard to do what you feel is right and responsible for you and allow others that same privilege? If people don't want to wear a mask then that's their personal choice which they are allowed, if people do want to wear masks then great. I'll be adopting a hybrid approach, wear them in shops and supermarkets and perhaps some other situations if I feel a little uncomfortable. I will say though that it’s the most incredibly selfish thing you can do during a pandemic, to choose to put other people at risk. Haven’t seen any arguments, I stay off social media aside from Instagram, but can understand a level of disapproval aimed at those I mentioned. Also it’s not if YOU feel uncomfortable, when will people realise that wearing a mask protects others more than yourself? Astounds me just how many people don’t get it. As I said above, if everyone does their bit to look after every one else we’ll largely get through to the other side. Big if, it seems. I’m just glad I live in a country with a sensible leader and not the Jaws Mayor wannabe next door. Each to their own, but I'm not about to spend the next few years glancing disapprovingly at anyone who doesn't wear a mask. |
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Post by Lobster on Jul 20, 2021 8:43:58 GMT
To be honest, I suspect a lot of the people who rant about having to wear a mask don't leave the house much anyway. They're just a bit starved of attention.
I'll admit I don't like the mask-wearing environment. It's unsettling, uncomfortable with glasses and the environmental impact of all these single-use masks can't be good. I worry that the masks are going to be a symbol of this decade and we'll go on for years with no clear guidance on whether we should or shouldn't be wearing them. But the respectful thing to do is keep wearing them until told otherwise. The government could help by following guidelines themselves and not sending out repeated messages that they believe Covid guidelines don't apply to them.
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Post by Lobster on Jul 28, 2021 17:36:37 GMT
Getting the train this week there definitely seem to be a lot more people not bothering with masks. Also quite surprised to see people getting on the train and plonking themselves down right next to strangers. That's a bit discourteous I think. If there isn't a booth of four seats free I think it's better to stand.
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Post by Si on Jul 29, 2021 8:48:51 GMT
Getting the train this week there definitely seem to be a lot more people not bothering with masks. Also quite surprised to see people getting on the train and plonking themselves down right next to strangers. That's a bit discourteous I think. If there isn't a booth of four seats free I think it's better to stand. I don't think I've actually been on a train since Covid. Although I think I'd rather someone sit by me in a mask rather than stand up fingering the pole that everyone grabs on to. |
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Post by eyeswideopen on Jul 29, 2021 12:12:37 GMT
I have seen a couple of Bulgarians get their arse felt on a train, but i dont think i have ever seen anyone fingering a Pole.
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LOCKDOWN
Aug 4, 2021 10:14:23 GMT
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Post by Lobster on Aug 4, 2021 10:14:23 GMT
A couple of weeks ago, Labour MP Dawn Butler was ejected from the House of Commons for accusing Boris Johnson of lying and gave several examples, most of them about Covid and the NHS. It turns out that, according to the independent fact checker Full Fact, almost all the examples she gave were indeed false or misleading claims from Johnson. fullfact.org/news/dawn-butler-boris-johnson-lying/ |
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LOCKDOWN
Aug 28, 2021 7:21:20 GMT
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Post by Firestick Frank on Aug 28, 2021 7:21:20 GMT
Death rate gone up 700% in two months, numerous overwhelmed hospitals (including Chester) have had to take short-term emergency measures, the Prime Minister will accept 50,000 Covid deaths a year, the Tories have put out to tender a four-year contract for temporary body storage until 2025.
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Post by Firestick Frank on Sept 7, 2021 13:38:04 GMT
The government are planning for a lockdown in October should hospitalisations continue at the current alarming rate.
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LOCKDOWN
Sept 8, 2021 8:12:16 GMT
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Post by Lobster on Sept 8, 2021 8:12:16 GMT
This National Insurance rise does have shades of the Poll Tax. It's not a rise of 1.5% either - an increase from 12% to 13.5% is a 12.5% increase. A common mistake reporters make when calculating percentages of percentages.
It also goes against pledges in Conservative Party's manifesto. Apologists will say Covid has changed the situation, but when you consider things like Boris Johnson scrapping a pandemic committee just before the outbreak (https://www.thenational.scot/news/18515726.covid-19-boris-johnson-binned-pandemic-team-months-crisis/) to focus on his self-created Brexit mess, it's really no excuse, and no surprise his solution is to pinch pennies from those earning the least.
Unfortunately we just seem to accept these things these days.
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Post by luke90 on Sept 8, 2021 10:33:05 GMT
No one should ever promise not to raise taxes. Yeah, you couldn't predict whats happened, but its just stupid to say it, have to think worst case with a countries finances.
I think we can all agree that higher taxes are needed for the NHS to be world class, and to actually have a social care system, which we barely have.
The changes though, are not really good. The cap is very unclear how it will work in real terms and you still have to be assessed. Would have been better to give it to local councils IMO.
The increase on NICs is half good, half bad. NHS and some benefits are paid through this so it makes sense to increase this, have no issue. But, the current 12% should have remained, with the 2% rate being increased massively. It doesn't touch large businesses really, only small amount on dividends which if someone is clever/dodgy, you can hide anyway.
Very underwhelmed with it all.
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Post by Lobster on Sept 8, 2021 10:58:39 GMT
No one should ever promise not to raise taxes. Yeah, you couldn't predict whats happened, but its just stupid to say it, have to think worst case with a countries finances. I think we can all agree that higher taxes are needed for the NHS to be world class, and to actually have a social care system, which we barely have. The changes though, are not really good. The cap is very unclear how it will work in real terms and you still have to be assessed. Would have been better to give it to local councils IMO. The increase on NICs is half good, half bad. NHS and some benefits are paid through this so it makes sense to increase this, have no issue. But, the current 12% should have remained, with the 2% rate being increased massively. It doesn't touch large businesses really, only small amount on dividends which if someone is clever/dodgy, you can hide anyway. Very underwhelmed with it all. "Underwhelmed" implies that you expected better, which I think is your first mistake. |
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LOCKDOWN
Sept 8, 2021 11:07:51 GMT
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Post by Firestick Frank on Sept 8, 2021 11:07:51 GMT
We can definitely agree that higher taxes are required, the issue is who that applies to - the poorer, working class who have had to be furloughed or lost their jobs during the pandemic (and working families who were already struggling to make ends meet as it was) or the millionaires and billionaires who actually increased their wealth astronomically during the pandemic? That’s clearly where some (boot-lickers) disagree.
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LOCKDOWN
Sept 8, 2021 11:49:04 GMT
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Post by Ian H Block on Sept 8, 2021 11:49:04 GMT
I’m sure the deluded simpletons who call themselves working class Tories will be delighted to be paying the extra tax. I remember watching all those vox pops on BBC News when Corbyn wanted to raise income tax on people earning over £80k a year and all the outrage from ‘the working man’ who were not going to be affected at all. Now look, complete silence. Client journalism in action and people should wake up and realise they’re being played.
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