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Covid-19: UK faces 50k cases a day by October without action

bbc.com

11–20 of 62 posts

Re: Covid-19: UK faces 50k cases a day by October without action

#12
post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They're damned if they do, damned if they don't. I still can't believe how un-Tory our Tory government has been, and yet still they're The Worst of The Worst in the minds of those with strong opinions. I don't much like our political classes, but I really wouldn't want to be in their shoes this year.

As an actual Tory (not popular around here I'll admit) I'm amazed at how Boris' attempt to make everyone happy has resulted in across the board hate. It's the same mistake that Theresa May made, so surely you'd think he'd understand that.

Boris was handed a large majority and could have played to his side only. Choosing not to do this was an obvious error but, in a age where the media are setting the daily narrative, I can understand why.

Re: Covid-19: UK faces 50k cases a day by October without action

#13
post #10

What's the betting the UK Government puts off action until comfortably after the ideal time to enforce restrictions once more?

Is the healthcare system in UK anywhere close to capacity? Is there a site with details about people admitted to hospital, in intensive care and on respirators (due to covid) that shows this?

The UK spun up a load of "nightingale" facilities in anticipation of flooding hospitals. They're still there and empty as far as I'm aware.

Re: Covid-19: UK faces 50k cases a day by October without action

#14
post #10

What's the betting the UK Government puts off action until comfortably after the ideal time to enforce restrictions once more?

Is the healthcare system in UK anywhere close to capacity? Is there a site with details about people admitted to hospital, in intensive care and on respirators (due to covid) that shows this?

It was nowhere near capacity back in April when we were getting a 1000 deaths a day. They mothballed the Nightingale Hospitals with next to no usage.

Beds data is here: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/healthcare

Re: Covid-19: UK faces 50k cases a day by October without action

#16
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is bait. "the most untory" is probably because they're trying to spend their way out of this; but that is actually completely in-line with criticisms levied at the tories: Spend nothing on prevention, and overspend when shit hits the fan.

Could this have been prevented? China was only able to act fast because of the authoritarianism (bolting people indoors) and the global supply chain is sat in their backyard, not necessarily because they're making the right investment upfront.

> Could this have been prevented

Yes, tens of thousands of deaths could have been prevented.

South Korea has a population of a similar size to the UK (51 vs 65 million), and have had approximately 400 deaths due to Covid compared to 40,000 in the UK.

Re: Covid-19: UK faces 50k cases a day by October without action

#17
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is bait. "the most untory" is probably because they're trying to spend their way out of this; but that is actually completely in-line with criticisms levied at the tories: Spend nothing on prevention, and overspend when shit hits the fan.

Could this have been prevented? China was only able to act fast because of the authoritarianism (bolting people indoors) and the global supply chain is sat in their backyard, not necessarily because they're making the right investment upfront.

Taiwan and Korea also managed.

In mainland China authoritarianism played a part but people made a lot of efforts by themselves, not out of fear, like in Taiwan and Korea.

I think that's one of the main problems we're having in the UK. Too many people have zero civic sense and complain about their "freedoms being infringed" instead seeing the big picture that in an epidemic everyone must act together for the group at the cost of individual sacrifices.

Re: Covid-19: UK faces 50k cases a day by October without action

#18
post #10

What's the betting the UK Government puts off action until comfortably after the ideal time to enforce restrictions once more?

Is the healthcare system in UK anywhere close to capacity? Is there a site with details about people admitted to hospital, in intensive care and on respirators (due to covid) that shows this?

Not at the moment, no, it's fine. The concern is for a rise in cases again right as we head into winter and have the usual respiratory cases too.

I think the 'nightingale' sites are all but unused at the moment, so there's some buffer, but the point is 'hey stop ignoring guidance/laws - the trajectory is bad' rather than 'it's bad right now'.

Re: Covid-19: UK faces 50k cases a day by October without action

#19
post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As an actual Tory (not popular around here I'll admit) I'm amazed at how Boris' attempt to make everyone happy has resulted in across the board hate. It's the same mistake that Theresa May made, so surely you'd think he'd understand that.

Boris was handed a large majority and could have played to his side only. Choosing not to do this was an obvious error but, in a age where the media are setting the daily narrative, I can understand why.

Eh... Boris' job is literally to make decisions, some of which may be intensely unpopular or criticised by the media. Being spineless is not a vote winner.

Re: Covid-19: UK faces 50k cases a day by October without action

#20
post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is the healthcare system in UK anywhere close to capacity? Is there a site with details about people admitted to hospital, in intensive care and on respirators (due to covid) that shows this?

It was nowhere near capacity back in April when we were getting a 1000 deaths a day. They mothballed the Nightingale Hospitals with next to no usage. Beds data is here: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/healthcare

Great data, thanks.
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