No, but you were arguing autumn/flu season starts in 4 weeks, whereas in reality the needle doesn't start to move on excess mortality for another 3 months, and we don't observe a significant uptick till December.

Were not just talking flu though, there is that other thing.

Autumn is a big deal for it.

And again we are likely to have an exceptional flu season this year.

Just to put 100K -200K into context.

This is the January peak. 60K cases rounded up.

Yes, but it's not autumn per se that drives infection, it's behaviour (i.e., universities, enclosed spaces).

Opening up (i.e., moderating behaviour) is a risk, and of course if the gamble pays off we'll likely never know how many lives were saved. I think it's a calculated risk similar to the gamble of spacing jabs at 12 weeks rather than 4.

Sometimes decisions like these pay off, sometimes they don't but you can only evaluate the evidence available at the time.

To be fair, he is very positive about Corona.

Scummy home office at work again.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/...t-brexit-rules

Just disgusting. At the absolute bare minimum, life should continue as before until the home office has processed the application.

So much this.

I hope she can sue or be compensated, same with everyone else. I'm sure there could be a big old class action on the back of this.

Meanwhile billionaire Branson, beneficiary of huge public subsidies for his substandard train services, shoots himself into space in an effort to make even more money from space tourism for the uber rich.

Yeh, that's disgusting, totally agree.

It is also really ****ing stupid, since hiring in those jobs is now rather hard.

Still, it shouldn't be a surprise that a government consisting almost entirely of cnuts, elected by cnuts, with ideas and policies that cnuts like should do something that would appeal to cnuts.

On that note
https://www.theguardian.com/australi...-seven-network

Tough enough on us that we have to let her be here if she so chooses but now they're bloody well sending her here.

Maybe some form of revenge?

When used by right wing rags, a columnist with a byline such as “Tells it like it is” or “Says what we are all thinking”, is useful short hand for “Right wing nut job who will post borderline racist comments and has never had an original thought in their lives”
Hopkins does have a use though, thinking about her for a second is a very good emetic.

I've occasionally wondered if Hopkins genuinely believes the **** she comes out with or if it's just a money spinning grift for her. Both are equally as bad obviously.

It's both. She found a way to monetise her hatred and prejudices (but is poor at consequences).

Exactly this. While the economy craters and britain becomes a global laughing stock, these are the things that keep the tories ahead in the polls.

Mr Optimistic is in the room

Britain is doing ok, it is the fifth or sixth largest economy in the world,
and about eighth in military power.

This is obviously completely fine.

And yet Dawn Butler gets kicked from the House of Commons for calling BJ a liar

She wasn't kicked out for being wrong

She knows perfectly well that's against the rules. And since Butler has stated on live TV that children are born without a sex, she's a rather worse liar than Boris Johnson could ever aspire to be.

Off topic, but I have just been offered an “Erotic Rendezvous” in Stoke-on-Trent, there are limits to how much I can suspend my disbelief.

Looks like a pre-emptive smear on a potential leadership challenge. Who is more worried; Boris or Starmer?

I've more chance of being Labour leader than Dawn Butler.

So the new Covid update in Scotland has been fairly shambolic. Looking at some of the discussions around it, it really shows how out of touch politicians are.

Swinney on the radio this morning seems to be saying the days of standing at a bar having a drink are a thing of the past, despite the claim that bars can now to back to full capacity. Now this may be okay in a bistro somewhere or particular kind of bar but there's a huge number of pubs and bars where it's the norm for the few tables to be full with the majority of people standing to drink

From the BBC report:


There's also been an oingoing discussion about what it means for nighclubs who are now being allowed to reopen. Apparently you need to wear a mask to 'stand up to have a dance'. Not sure the last time any of them have been in a club




Also, there are no restricitions on outdoor sport. But....any crowds above 5000 will need the approval of the local authority. Why?