Coronavirus - will we survive?

Scandalous story on Newsnight re Government response to British ventilator manufacturers.

Interesting strategy re Government support for self - employed.
The support package is based on a percentage of declared profits - as measured by tax returns, so tax dodgers will get next to nothing. One thing I do know about the self-employed is that they in turn employ an army of accountants to minimise tax paid, so on the one hand it's a smart move from the Government.
But on the other, a lot of smaller businesses are likely to pack it in and lay off staff if they have any - so it could prove more expensive in the long run. There are over 5 million microbusinesses (<10 staff) in the UK - that's 95% of all UK businesses.

Whilst the moral standpoint is to be applauded, the reality may well bite them in the bum. Personally I think it's naive short-termism.

Wonder if they'll release stats on new unemployment benefit claims?

wanderlust wrote:Interesting strategy re Government support for self - employed.
The support package is based on a percentage of declared profits - as measured by tax returns, so tax dodgers will get next to nothing.

Cajun, just keep going mate. Its a horrible situation to be put in. To be honest, I'm surprised that they have stopped treatment across the board, although I suspect they will continue with those patients whose treatment has reached a critical point. So bear in mind that this doesn't include yourself, and take heart from it.

Keep well Cajun.

If I'd believed in God I would have said a little prayer for you too!

(Unfortunately I don't).

Fwiw I do believe in staying positive and sensible and I'm sure you will get through it with your loved ones as well.

okocha wrote:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-52052694

"We didn't get the email" doesn't really wash does it? 
To paraphrase David Ginola they don't think we're worth it.
But for me the bigger crime is for a Government that was elected on the promise to make Britain stronger outside the EU, is their failure to back British manufacturers.Instead we were forced to watch substandard 3M American PPE products being delivered to our hospitals on the news as the Government turn to the big foreign corporates. I wouldn't mind so much but the chances of Brexit happening by the latest of many deadlines is next to zero, so we've been left in limbo and disadvantaged in our future recovery.
No wonder Labour are asking why the Government changed their story.
Corbyn may have picked the wrong time to say it but he has a fair point about the lack of Government investment in the state over the last ten years.
I'm happy to volunteer to help out the NHS, but I only wish it wasn't already on it's knees before the virus struck.

Boris has tested positive.

boltonbonce wrote:Boris has tested positive.

Maybe they will ask retired Prime Ministers to return to work...

Sluffy wrote:

boltonbonce wrote:Boris has tested positive.

Maybe they will ask retired Prime Ministers to return to work...

May did such a great job too!

Interesting article about the probable spread of the virus because of a football match.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/11251491/atalanta-valencia-biological-bomb-infected-fans-coronavirus-italy-mayor-bergamo/

boltonbonce wrote:Boris has tested positive.

For what? Ergophobia?

Matt Hancock has tested positive too!

xmiles wrote:

Sluffy wrote:

boltonbonce wrote:Boris has tested positive.

Maybe they will ask retired Prime Ministers to return to work...

May did such a great job too!

Thanks for the laugh!

Sluffy wrote:Interesting article about the probable spread of the virus because of a football match.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/11251491/atalanta-valencia-biological-bomb-infected-fans-coronavirus-italy-mayor-bergamo/

There was a report on Sky news late last night about this game and an interview with the Italian doctor who advised their Government to go into lockdown. He said the worst thing about it was the politicians' unwillingness to listen to his warnings.
He was asked about the UK and said he was horrified when he saw the images of people packed on the Underground in London.
When asked about our prospects he said that our Government should have clamped down weeks ago as they had all the information about what was happening on the ground in Italy. 
It's a stark reminder that if one infected person infects an average of just 3 others, it will spread to 60,000 people after just 10 encounters so goodness knows how many folk were put at risk and will die unnecessarily.
At least our lot started to take it seriously eventually  - but you have to feel for the Americans whose Government is an even bigger joke.

I knew Mike Ashley is a dick but this is appalling.

James May is another selfish tosspot who can't stick to the rules after being photographed at a pub with friends having a pint.

karlypants wrote:James May is another selfish tosspot who can't stick to the rules after being photographed at a pub with friends having a pint.

Wonder how he'll feel if he kills his mum?

Thanks for all your kind wishes.

Something to make us all feel better.

Not sure about the song, but those girls make me feel better.