Covid-19

[Zlatan]

Trouble is, every question they think will be asked will have a rehearsed answer.

Which is what happens on each daily briefing - all questions are vetted

[Zlatan]

I await the UK version of "kristallnacht"

Do you lot ever give it a rest?

Sorry, I’m confused as to which group I’m meant to be a part of when you say “you lot”. Do you mean the group of us that think the laws of the land apply to all of us; or the group of people who tells us what to do but don’t think it applies to them?

[aggi]

They should have gone to their parents. Staying at home because they didn't want to risk harming their parents, fair enough; staying at home because they think that the guidelines are more important than life itself, that's taking it too far.

With respect Aggi that person is stupid.

If someone needed 999, and the other person was “very unwell” at the time, the law clearly allows them to take steps to protect their child, their top responsibility. I think the government were wrong not to make this clearer at the time, but nobody in our country follows the law with such subservience, we all try to interpret it as fairly as we can. That can’t be a reason to sack someone from their job, especially someone who at the time was trying to help protect 70 million people and was under massive strain.

The legislation has been linked previously and the "stay at home" message at the time was very clear. Breaking the law because of "common sense" or "instinct" often isn't really a justification but that's by the by.

The point was more that millions of people did follow the guidelines as they were presented and will not be happy that they don't seem to apply to those with power.

[aggi]

The difference between Corbyn and Cummings is that the latter is hated by much of the spectrum - all of the left, all Remainers, many Brexiteers and much of the right. Take Steve Baker’s vitriol yesterday as an example.

Much of that dislike is deserved.

I’m witnessing people losing all perspective this weekend though. I would humbly suggest that if this was, say, Sir Patrick Vallance, in identical circumstances, a person with similar responsibility to follow the rules, he would have been forgiven due to doing it for the welfare of his vulnerable child. Probably a bad decision made under duress, but it would have been forgiven. That’s the hate I refer to.

No doubt Cummings is disliked but if you compare it to some of the Corbyn stuff (the fake stories about him dancing at the Cenotaph for instance or the huge amount of vitriol on here) it's pretty minor.

[Paul Waine]

The legislation has been linked previously and the "stay at home" message at the time was very clear. Breaking the law because of "common sense" or "instinct" often isn't really a justification but that's by the by.

The point was more that millions of people did follow the guidelines as they were presented and will not be happy that they don't seem to apply to those with power.

Let's see what Cummings has to say. If he's placed the needs of his son at the forefront of his decisions I'm sure many will have a better understanding.

[FactualFrank]

Let's see what Cummings has to say. If he's placed the needs of his son at the forefront of his decisions I'm sure many will have a better understanding.

Broadcast will be live from the grounds of Durham’s beautiful cathedral.

[Billy Balfour]

Cummings to face the press.
From his reputation there is potential for this to go very badly.

At least we finally get a press conference from our leader.

[Lord Beamish]

Let's see what Cummings has to say. If he's placed the needs of his son at the forefront of his decisions I'm sure many will have a better understanding.

I think that many will wonder why they bothered putting Lockdown Regulations over theirs and their own children’s needs, when Dominic Cummings didn’t feel he needed to.

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

He shouldn’t even be making a statement according the special advisors code of conduct. And just think if he’d come out said sorry on Friday night it would have probably blown over.

[CombatClaret]

I suspect you might be wrong there. If you leave the house during lockdown, and your defence is that you were exercising, do you have to prove that you were exercising? Or if your defence is that you were buying food but you can't produce a receipt, will you be found guilty by default?

I believe so, if questioned and you cannot give sufficient evidence to prove you were outside for one of the sanctioned reasons during stringent lock down. That's the basis of how people received fines and jail, of course some discretion was used at times, seeing as going for a walk was approved exercise that required very little proof unless you were miles from home or carrying something odd that obviously didn't tally.
I would genuinely welcome being corrected as this was my understanding.

[Silkyskills1]

Never liked Cameron but his description of Cummings as a 'career pyschopath' were very accurate.

[Grumps]

Let's see what Cummings has to say. If he's placed the needs of his son at the forefront of his decisions I'm sure many will have a better understanding.

You'd hope so.... But I won't be holding my breath

[tiger76]

I think that many will wonder why they bothered putting Lockdown Regulations over theirs and their own children’s needs, when Dominic Cummings didn’t feel he needed to.

This is precisely the problem,and one the police will have to solve thanks to DC and his reckless actions.

Cummings case may have damaged lockdown message, say Durham police

The ability of police to deliver the lockdown message may have been "damaged" by the Dominic Cummings case, says the acting crime and victims’ commissioner for Durham police.

The PM's chief adviser travelled 260 miles with his family to be near relatives when his wife developed Covid-19 symptoms.

Speaking on Radio 4's World at One, Steve White said: "I think if you lose the trust of people then, yes, it will be damaged. Policing works on trust."

Durham police have released a statement saying they intend to investigate other allegations. The Observer and Sunday Mirror said Mr Cummings did not stay indoors while in Durham and made another trip there after returning to London in April.

Mr White said he expected police to speak to Mr Cummings.

"I was a police officer for over 30 years so I know the resources that are available, I know the approach that would normally be taken in these circumstances which are a little bit extraordinary. Yes, of course, it's going to involve talking to people."

This is the fall out Dominic Cummings has now produced the lockdown strategy is in tatters. Still all the better for herd immunity.

[tiger76]

Another animal to human transmission in the Netherlands.

A second suspected case of a mink transmitting the coronavirus to a human has been detected in the Netherlands, the country’s agriculture ministry has said.

The infection is believed to have happened at a mink-breeding farm where there had been a virus outbreak among the animals, it said.

“All possible measures are under consideration,” agriculture minister Carola Schouten wrote in a letter to parliament.

The minister said there was a “negligible” risk of animal-to-human transmission of the virus outside the mink farms.

Last week, the ministry said a farm worker was infected with a coronavirus strain that was genetically similar to one circulating among mink. Since then, vets have expressed concern and fear many of the animals may need to be culled.

Mink, semi-aquatic, carnivorous mammals, are raised for their fur.

The first cases of the coronavirus were linked to a market where wild animals were sold in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Most disease experts agree the virus was transmitted to humans by an animal, possibly a bat.

[Paul Waine]

Broadcast will be live from the grounds of Durham’s beautiful cathedral.

Hi FF, I've a feeling that everyone is discussing a "private family matter." On another occasion and in different circumstances, however, your suggestion for press conference location would earn a "like."

[nil_desperandum]

With respect Aggi that person is stupid.

If someone needed 999, and the other person was “very unwell” at the time, the law clearly allows them to take steps to protect their child, their top responsibility. I think the government were wrong not to make this clearer at the time, but nobody in our country follows the law with such subservience, we all try to interpret it as fairly as we can.

Wow, are you the alter ego of Jacob Rees-Mogg?
I seem to recall that he thought Grenfell residents were stupid for following the instructions issued by the Fire Service.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/p ... 85501.html

[Paul Waine]

I think that many will wonder why they bothered putting Lockdown Regulations over theirs and their own children’s needs, when Dominic Cummings didn’t feel he needed to.

As I posted earlier, LB, I'd prefer to wait and see what DC has to say.

[Paul Waine]

Seems as though there's enough to merit a formal police investigation...

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... -cummings

Thanks for posting, BB. Did you notice how the Guardian report is now changing? We weren't told about the discussion about security arrangements in their earlier report.

[CombatClaret]

As I posted earlier, LB, I'd prefer to wait and see what DC has to say.

Whatever he says it will not stop the rightful swell of anger by people who did not 'follow their instincts' or seek the tiniest of loopholes in the face of seminal life events because they thought they were doing the right thing; by following the rules partly architected by that man and hammered home using the full force of the state. Stay At Home.

[CombatClaret]

ezgif-4-c205ba5ca96a.gif (1.54 MiB) Viewed 3695 times

[tiger76]

Dissent growing within Conservative ranks https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus- ... -11994291

20 MP'S now going public in demanding Cummings goes,does Johnson back them or Cummings?

And the medical community not impressed either can't say i blame them https://news.sky.com/story/scientific-e ... -11994132

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus- ... -11994170

[Claretincraven]

Stephen Kinnock.

[tiger76]

Stephen Kinnock.

What's your point?if he broke the lockdown rules then yes he should go as well.

This link details the high-profile lockdown breakers https://www.itv.com/news/2020-05-22/the ... rictions/

And yes Stephen Kinnock is amongst them,and if Keir Starmer continues to push for Cummings resignation then there is a danger of him being labelled a hypocrite if he doesn't act to sort out his own party,his argument might be that he wasn't leading the Labour party when Stephen Kinnock behaved like a fool,that's true but nonetheless it's not a good look to the public if he's seen to be playing party politics with this issue.

[Devils_Advocate]

What's your point?if he broke the lockdown rules then yes he should go as well.

This link details the high-profile lockdown breakers https://www.itv.com/news/2020-05-22/the ... rictions/

And yes Stephen Kinnock is amongst them,and if Keir Starmer continues to push for Cummings resignation then there is a danger of him being labelled a hypocrite if he doesn't act to sort out his own party,his argument might be that he wasn't leading the Labour party when Stephen Kinnock behaved like a fool,that's true but nonetheless it's not a good look to the public if he's seen to be playing party politics with this issue.

Jenrick too although cos hes one of Boris' boys like Cummings he had the sycophants truth twisting to justify his actions

[Zlatan]

Jenrick too although cos hes one of Boris' boys like Cummings he had the sycophants truth twisting to justify his actions

Let’s not forget that Boris went to his second home to convalesce instead of his primary residence.

[Lord Beamish]

As I posted earlier, LB, I'd prefer to wait and see what DC has to say.

And you don’t think that it’s going to be a big, steaming heap of self-serving bollx?

[Grumps]

And you don’t think that it’s going to be a big, steaming heap of self-serving bollx?

Some people have already made their minds up, what ever he says or doesn't say.

Says a lot about society today.

[Lord Beamish]

Some people have already made their minds up, what ever he says or doesn't say.

Says a lot about society today.

Maybe a few of us are already bored of this guy’s bullsh1t?

[fatboy47]

Kinnock isnt running the country, and hasnt had a stream of grovelling turds defending him on TV..


The only statement Cummngs should make is ""sorry, goodbye""

[Lord Beamish]

Never liked Cameron but his description of Cummings as a 'career pyschopath' were very accurate.

It would take one to know.

[tiger76]

Jenrick too although cos hes one of Boris' boys like Cummings he had the sycophants truth twisting to justify his actions

They're all hypocrites and that's why party allegiance means nothing to me,however for a cabinet minister to flout his own government's guidance should have been a demotion offence at least,how can anybody take them seriously anymore when they wilfully ignore their own advice.

A link from the Beeb about how other families have had to abide by the rules during this crisis shows why people are irate at how their own government have behaved https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-52798032

Stories like theirs brings home the reality of how much the lockdown has affected people in various ways,but they've knuckled down and got on with it,as have millions of other citizens,clearly some of the higher echelons feel they're above the laws and rules which the rest of us have to abide by.

In my own experience I've had to forgo a family funeral as numbers were limited and naturally immediate family were prioritised,but that's just the price we have to pay to ensure this virus doesn't wreck further havoc on society.

The actions of Cummings,Jenrick and others puts 2 fingers up to the vast majority who've obeyed the rules set out,that's why there's so much anger throughout the country.

[Billy Balfour]

It doesn't matter what Cummings says today. The damage was done yesterday when Johnson held his woeful press conference.

[Grumps]

Maybe a few of us are already bored of this guy’s bullsh1t?

Interesting seeing how he hasn't spoken much..

[tiger76]

Interesting seeing how he hasn't spoken much..

Actions speak louder than words,just ask the civil service.

[Billy Balfour]

Well, we are certainly getting the bull treatment now. He went for a drive, to Barnard Castle, to see if he could drive, wtf.

[Lord Beamish]

Interesting seeing how he hasn't spoken much..

Maybe not on telly, but one can find a whole lot of him elsewhere, if one is interested in finding out about the unelected Leader of our Country.

[Bordeauxclaret]

Prince Andrew has just confirmed that this is going well.

[Swizzlestick]

They had three days to come up with something better than "to test my eyesight".

This is a total joke.

[FactualFrank]

I hope the press that have attended have brought their wellington boots.

[CombatClaret]

I knew I was well enough to drive 265 miles, but was unsure that i was really up to a 30 mile drive to a popular tourist spot, so took my family there as a kind of medical examination.

Checks out.

[Zlatan]

Ok, so far his explanation is acceptable. I think he has displayed some genuine humility in this press conference.

The point to note as far as I can assess that was not immediately apparent was the threat he felt in his London home, and I can understand his position.

If only the detail had been more transparent in the first place it could have saved a lot of fuss.

[ksrclaret]

Little Britain-esque now.

[Billy Balfour]

Number 10 knew this was wrong. This is why we are now at the stage where the senior adviser to Prime Minister has to give such a statement on live TV and take Q&A. They spent weeks trying to cover this up. They can dress this up anyway they like, but it's still 'do as I say, not as I do' and I'd say the same no matter who was in power.

[FactualFrank]

Dominic Cummings seeing if he could drive safely round Castle Barnard..

ezgif-7-3289d5983ae6.gif (913.93 KiB) Viewed 3333 times

[Billy Balfour]

Can you imagine being pulled over for breaking the original lockdown rules for a none-essential journey?

I'm sorry officer, but I'm going out for a drive to see if I'm fit enough to drive. I'd have been slapped with a fine and told to go home. One rule for them and another rule for the rest of us.

[keith1879]

Having listened to his account I feel that he acted reasonably....but boy should he have made all this clear before. I still feel however that he should have sought childcare and alternative accommodation in London....he has influential connections.

[Swizzlestick]

He's admitted to multiple breaches of lockdown regulations there. This is a total mess for the government.

[Bordeauxclaret]

So the Prime Ministers time is the most valuable commodity in government.

Definitely don’t want to waste that.

[Zlatan]

Is it against the law for someone to urinate in public?

[Billy Balfour]

Now it's not a walk in the woods. He stopped to let his child go to the toilet. Making this up as he goes along.