Here’s a test for you...

Welcome back, Whitey

It is a bonkers situation the world finds itself in. I've watched the most recent Terminator film and Westworld this past week or so and things like that seem less far-fetched and tame at times! Could never have imagined something like this would happen.

 

I think TM's analogy was subconsciously prompted by his and Jay's previous membership of the notorious Dirk Hartog* Gang of bummers who ruled this board many years ago.
*who I see is keeping a fatherly eye on developments.

 

Great to see you posting again, Andy, old mate.
Love and affection from me and mine to you and yours.

 

It’s going to be subject to 6 monthly reviews.

 

I don’t think you are. I don’t think anyone ‘wants’ draconian measures, but we see a ‘need’ to stop people behaving like morons if they’re going to carry on doing so.

Personally I’d like to have the power to shoot people panic buying, treating this like a ‘holiday’, having parties or for simply saying ‘only the ... will die’. But thankfully that’s not about to happen.

 

Yesterday, when Boris was having his press conference, a journalist said 'When are you going to act like other countries and bring the police in' and he blurted out, quite naturally and honestly in my opinion 'The police?!' in a surprised way. Radio 4 also mentioned this morning that Boris was seen as being a bit slow-moving, like he was trying to give people a chance to behave as requested rather than bring in stronger measures. The feeling I get, and I may be wrong, is that he is trying to hold off. I think the 'totalitarian police state' language is a bit Socialist Worker for me.

 

When the bodies start to pile up and the the hospitals are inundated as in other countries he’ll get what’s coming to him .
He had warning Italy didn’t get much warning .
People walking in and out of care homes even now when relatives are keeping away .
It’s a farce presided over by a buffoon with jo clue what to do even though the evidence from other countries is staring him in the face ,
He’s getting off lightly for now but when we start to lose loved ones and we know the govt had warnings to ease it in the first place he’ll have to answer.

 

So do you think there should be tougher measures in place preventing the movement of people then?
I'm just interested if some people on here are berating Boris for not being forceful enough while others think the govt may be exerting too much power.

 

I have 100 Maltesers here in a box. I have laced three with a deadly amount of cyanide. I invite you to my home to eat 3 of your choosing.

 

A little harsh imo Marlon. Do you think he's just ignoring the advice he's getting from the scientific and medical experts and deciding himself what to do?

 

Yes I do , he’s asking people to be sensible and acknowledging that lockdown is the right way .
Lockdown is the right way at this moment in time but asking people to observe it is futile . I knowledge the majority of people will observe but there’s some that just don’t do it and they are putting the rest of us at risk.
I’ve just come past a sheltered housing complex where there old and vulnerable people and because Boris hasn’t done anything official people are having to go and provide provisions themselves .
This is stupid as some of them are coming and going as if nothing’s happened whist the sensible ones are trying to keep it to a minimum .
This PM is absolutely clueless Italy and other countries woes are staring him in the face yet he’s asking people to be sensible . Well fek me he above all else knows there’s feckless nut jacks that won’t be asked he needs to lead and impose .

 

The pubs were ordered shut on Friday, yet stories about the Victoria being raided on Sunday for continuing to open (and another two rumoured just in town). People were advised to stay in, stay apart and not travel, yet masses went to the coast like a bank holiday day out. People were advised not to panic buy, yet there are queues around the block before the supermarkets open.

Stories of people with obvious symptoms going onto maternity wards, into nursing homes, and of patients after a 15 minute chat with a doctor in full PPE diagnosing them positively going out for a coffee and a cake. People are getting ill. Some of them will die as a result. Too many people get ill at once, and more people will also die from heart attacks, strokes, and a shedload of other treatable conditions because the NHS is collapsing around our ears.

People are stupid and selfish. But it doesn't help that our leader has dithered and delayed.

Do I want the government to have these powers? - absolutely not. I don't trust them as far as I could kick Boris. Do they currently need these powers? - Probably to save countless lives. Exponential growth rate of infection is very, very, ******* scary.

 

To be fair, it's more like eating one out of the box. I still wouldn't risk it though.

 

Why is it Harsh? He’s asking us to be sensible and the majority are being but we’ve got a section of society that won’t and it’s putting us and our loved ones at risk because he won’t make a decision . He’s the Primeminister ffs .

 

[QUOTE="Tyketical Masterstroke, post: 2445809, member: 54077]I don't need a totalitarian government to imprison me in my own home for me to do it.[/QUOTE]
That’s right, because next it’ll be the firstborn male child up against the wall.
Totalitarian government my arse

 

I saw that too. And have taken it on board.

 

Welcome back Whitey. I didn't always agree with the views you expressed but it's good to see you back.

I've been shaken today by a couple of social media posts I've seen. The first reads as follows:
"Make no mistake. When loved ones are removed from your home by ambulance because the virus has hit them hard, you are NOT GOING to be able to follow them there, sit by their hospital bed and HOLD THEIR HAND.
You are NOT going to be able to pop in at 7.00 pm for visiting hours. They are going to have no one other than EXHAUSTED and BRAVE hospital staff to see them through DAYS or WEEKS of barely breathing through a ventilator until they either DIE or RECOVER. They are not going to be well enough to text you.
You are NOT going to be able to phone the ward to check in on them regularly (staff will be too busy for that). During that time, they will be completely ALONE, while you sit at home waiting to hear whether they have MADE IT THROUGH.
Imagine that person is SOMEONE YOU LOVE DEARLY. Because it's going to be a REALITY for many in the coming weeks.
And if that person in hospital happens to be YOU, going through that ordeal completely alone, it would be NOTHING SHORT OF TERRIFYING.
NEVER in my life have I wanted so strongly to say that if anyone is not feeling even a little afraid right now, not only for themselves but for their loved ones and others in general, then they are a BLOODY FOOL."
The second was a tweet from one guy whose Dad died two days ago and his experience reflects the above completely. He says his biggest regret was not saying goodbye before he went to hospital - because he assumed that he'd be home in a few days. He goes on to advise people to "say hi and bye on a daily basis because life is completely fragile. Take photos and selfies whenever you can because I don't have many current ones of my Dad. And make time. When you're always on the go, it may be hard to slow down, but life hits hard and fast."

Sh*t. It's made me think.

Like you Whitey, I'm here for a chat if anyone fancies one. I think we'll all have difficult days in the coming weeks and months and that we could and should support each other on here.

 

My view - your anger should be directed more at the f***ing idiots that won't be sensible rather than him. But I take your point. And if it doesn't change pdq then I think it'll happen very soon.

As an aside, I'm wfh and went out for a walk this afternoon (on my own and carefully avoiding others) and in the village I live in there was a noticeable difference in the number of people out and the behaviour of those who were. Hopefully the penny has dropped.