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Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 7:00 am
by refitman
Morning all.

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 8:19 am
by frog222
Morning ! Analysis: Why is there a coronavirus testing shortage?
NHS labs for coronavirus testing, under the pillar-one branch of the system, have performed better – with faster turnaround times and better local oversight and reporting.

In some cases, local hospitals and councils have quietly abandoned the Lighthouse labs route and where possible are testing their own staff, patients and local care home residents themselves.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/heal ... 48161.html
Apart from Johnson now begging the borrowed technicians to leave their own labs and come back to live in a Lighthouse-funded hotel I still don't know what happened to all the borrowed machines that were centralised with Deloitte ? I bet there are also some accounting problems involved, and I know for sure one company I wouldn't call on to sort them out ...

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 8:23 am
by RogerOThornhill
Morning all.

It would be nice if the usual suspects and news outlets would admit that maybe school leaders had a point when they worried about getting pupils back in before a halfway decent test and trace system was functioning well. But they won't of course.

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 8:54 am
by frog222
On July 21, Matt Hancock appeared before the Commons science and technology committee and was asked a series of simple but direct questions by its chairman, former cabinet minister Greg Clark.
Hancock was further pushed on the point. Testing strategy is not set by Public Health England, for example? “No, it is set by me.” It is not set by NHS England? “No, it is my responsibility as part of the government and then it goes through a government clearance process.” The answers were clear: the buck stops (indeed the buck started) with Hancock and Boris Johnson himself.
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/ ... d7b85615c0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
He can’t deflect attention by talking about moonshots or ambitions for the future, when the here and now are so pressing. He may even surprise everyone with a detailed explanation of the operational problems and their solution.‌But if not, it will fall to the Sci and Tech Committee to get the real answers the following day: it has Dido Harding before it on Thursday.
I suppose he will turn up for PMQ's ... :) :) :)

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 9:32 am
by frog222
First lol of the day -- Coronavirus live news:

" Trump says Covid-19 will 'go away' because of 'herd mentality'"

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 10:47 am
by GetYou
Maybe it will go away if we all adopt a Thora Hird mentality.

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 10:53 am
by frog222
https://bylinetimes.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 11:40 am
by AnatolyKasparov
frog222 wrote:First lol of the day -- Coronavirus live news:

" Trump says Covid-19 will 'go away' because of 'herd mentality'"
Maybe that is sort of true, but not in the way he meant?

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 11:40 am
by RogerOThornhill
How convenient.

" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

We were told years ago that emails were to be held on central servers and not on local PCs or laptops. It might have been a sackable offence if you got found out.

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 11:42 am
by AnatolyKasparov
In the old days files used to get "mislaid", not much has changed really.

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 12:02 pm
by frog222
RogerOThornhill wrote:How convenient.
" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
We were told years ago that emails were to be held on central servers and not on local PCs or laptops. It might have been a sackable offence if you got found out.
The inquiry has heard Harley did not have a fully trained technical manager during the Grenfell refurbishment who could “assess the technical compliance of products”, despite being a specialist cladding subcontractor.

Mr Anketell-Jones was promoted to the role of technical manager “at the end of 2015 or the beginning of 2016”, while part way through studying facade engineering at Bath University, but has said he did not consider it his job to approve materials “because I wasn’t qualified yet”.

He did not complete the qualification, including a course on fire, until 2017, after he had left Harley.

Mr Anketell-Jones said the cladding subcontractor was reliant on architects Studio E, fire consultants Exova, and ultimately Building Control, to make sure the designs and materials were compliant.

He said Harley did not investigate the drawings and specifications Studio E passed to them, adding: “We would have adopted it on the basis that they had done all the checks beforehand.

“You would have assumed that was the responsibility of the architect to make sure the design was compliant, and Building Control to check that design to sign it off.”
https://www.itv.com/news/london/2020-09 ... re-lecture" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
When I was insulating my roof a few decades ago I looked at all the possibilities. Went for rockwool, but did actually set fire to a sample piece of 'fire-resistant' polyurethane foam (it smouldered )....

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 12:37 pm
by AnatolyKasparov
So how did Rayner do?

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 1:34 pm
by GetYou
Her questions started strongly but tailed off a little. The last question about grouse shooting could have been worded for more impact.
I think she ended up being too polite, and failed to convey fully the public's sense of frustration regarding testing.

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 1:57 pm
by AnatolyKasparov
Overall though, the general verdict seems to be that it was a solid first effort. She was always going to be nervous so I'm pleased she didn't blow it ;)

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 2:05 pm
by RogerOThornhill
Meanwhile...

Lord Keen hands in resignation over Boris Johnson's Brexit plan – reports

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... an-reports" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Keen, the government’s advocate general for Scotland, was involved in an angry clash with the shadow attorney general, Charles Falconer, over the internal market bill on Tuesday.

Keen appeared to suggest that the Northern Ireland secretary, Brandon Lewis, had “answered the wrong question” when he said the bill would break the law.

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 3:27 pm
by adam
AnatolyKasparov wrote:In the old days files used to get "mislaid", not much has changed really.
James Hacker : [reads memo] This file contains the complete set of papers, except for a number of secret documents, a few others which are part of still active files, some correspondence lost in the floods of 1967...

James Hacker : Was 1967 a particularly bad winter?

Sir Humphrey Appleby : No, a marvellous winter. We lost no end of embarrassing files.

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 3:33 pm
by citizenJA
Happy Birthday, refitman!
:rock:
(belated birthday wishes)

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 3:33 pm
by citizenJA
Good afternoon, everyone.

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 3:52 pm
by frog222
Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, said the new locally-run contact tracing unit would aim to quickly reach the 3,600 people falling through the gaps of the national system each week.

The new unit will be staffed by more than 100 police and community support officers and 100 fire safety officers and aim to be established “in days rather than weeks”, Burnham said.
LiveBlog
Very sensible, but I can't work out why this took so long , or is it in addition to existing local efforts ?

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 4:05 pm
by frog222
Liked this in the HuffPo, why not begin a movement against mislabelling, bringing the NHS institution into disrepute ? After all it's the Deloittes Test and Trace -- /b]
Leading Doctor Groups Revolt Against ‘Chaotic’ Test And Trace Service
The British Medical Association said: "NHS Test and Trace – despite its name – is not an NHS service" and labelled it "not-fit-for-purpose".

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 4:21 pm
by frog222
Johnson says he knows people have had infuriating experiences. He sympathises with them. But 89% of people get a result within 24 hours.
Tim Harford on More Or Less today --- it looks like 11% get a result within.... 48 hours ??? Or are they talking about different "Pillars", or something ?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000mksw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Very odd, I hope the LP Factchecking Department can help us ?

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 5:16 pm
by AnatolyKasparov
Its the "little" fibs from Johnson that are sometimes the most infuriating tho. Like pretending not to know why Starmer wasn't doing PMQ's today.

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 5:19 pm
by RogerOThornhill
Oh look. More money for the right wing chums...

'Alternative to Irish backstop' consultant in line for £200m contract

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... m-contract" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
A consultant who had a leading role in the campaign for an alternative to Theresa May’s Irish border “backstop” is in the running for all or part of a £200m government contract related to the post-Brexit checks down the Irish Sea.

Shanker Singham, one of the main proponents of the so-called “alternative arrangements” for the Irish border, is understood to have teamed up with the customs expert Robert Hardy and the technology company Fujitsu for the Trader Support Service (TSS) contract.

The contract, the first of the Brexit spoils in Northern Ireland, was put out to tender in the summer with the appointment announced in time for implementation in September.
Previously at Legatum, now at the IEA.

It's almost as if they look at who is in 55 Tufton Street and think "OK, who can we call today..."

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 5:22 pm
by AnatolyKasparov
And now our PM has apparently said he "doesn't recognise" the 10 million "moonshot" target announced with such fanfare just last week.

As the Male Online might say.......AAAAAAARRRRGHHH!!!!!!

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 5:28 pm
by citizenJA
AnatolyKasparov wrote:And now our PM has apparently said he "doesn't recognise" the 10 million "moonshot" target announced with such fanfare just last week.

As the Male Online might say.......AAAAAAARRRRGHHH!!!!!!
I don't think Johnson is worth the energy.

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 5:39 pm
by RogerOThornhill
RogerOThornhill wrote:Meanwhile...

Lord Keen hands in resignation over Boris Johnson's Brexit plan – reports

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... an-reports" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Keen, the government’s advocate general for Scotland, was involved in an angry clash with the shadow attorney general, Charles Falconer, over the internal market bill on Tuesday.

Keen appeared to suggest that the Northern Ireland secretary, Brandon Lewis, had “answered the wrong question” when he said the bill would break the law.
Gone.

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 5:42 pm
by frog222
Image

Farage World War 2 Date FAIL
Brexit Party Oberscheissenführer Nigel “Thirsty” Farage never wastes an opportunity to demonstrate not only his faux patriotism, but his love of 20th Century history, especially that of the Second World War. The latter has the added advantage of heading off any suggestion that he would have wanted the other lot to win.
So it was that he told his adoring followers yesterday “Today is the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Was it being taught in schools across the country today? I hope so, but I doubt it”. To emphasise the point, he was shown with a background of RAF Fighter Command’s finest. But here a problem arose with Nige’s knowledge.

As the Tweeter known as Herbie Cumberland reminded him, “Today is NOT the ‘anniversary’ of the Battle of Britain - today is ‘Battle of Britain Day’ (15th Sept) which marks the recognised turn in our favour in the ongoing air assaults on the UK by Nazi Germany. I'm not surprised you don't know this though”. Is this true?
https://zelo-street.blogspot.com/2020/0 ... -fail.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 5:44 pm
by citizenJA
Almost 4,000 new cases of CV19 today

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 5:48 pm
by citizenJA
20 new deaths

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 5:51 pm
by citizenJA
Mr citizen told to return to an office for a few days a week in a building without open windows or adequate ventilation.
He's spending hours with people he's in no bubble with, all without face masks.
I'm beyond angry.

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 5:52 pm
by citizenJA
The job can be done from home.
His GP recommends he do it all at home.
No, said someone from human resources, you're coming in a few days a week.

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 6:01 pm
by RogerOThornhill
david allen green
@davidallengreen
The current potential constitutional crisis to date

What?
WHAT?
Well
Well!
WELL
Well
What?
Really?
Well
5:58 PM · Sep 16, 2020·TweetDeck
:lol:

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 6:21 pm
by citizenJA
Hospitalisations of 15-49-year-olds infected with Covid-19 increasing, says WHO

The average age of people infected with Covid-19 is coming down, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) expert, Dr Maria Van Kerkhove. She has told a Q&A that incidences of hospitalisation among those aged 15 to 49 years are increasing.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/ ... 352829cda9" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 6:49 pm
by citizenJA
"The government can’t go from having said that nobody should leave their homes when the infection rates were rocketing in April to saying that you should get on a packed train to engineer a reunion with your colleagues’ coffee breath when the infection rates are climbing again at a similar rate. If it was dangerous then, it’s dangerous now."

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfr ... n-moonshot" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 7:41 pm
by frog222
citizenJA wrote:The job can be done from home.
His GP recommends he do it all at home.
No, said someone from human resources, you're coming in a few days a week.
Disgraceful .

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 8:04 pm
by frog222
Had a snooze, woke up and checked the LB .
Needed some sanity, John Crace --
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... -ignorance" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 8:40 pm
by citizenJA
Goodnight, everyone.
love,
cJA

Re: Wednesday 16th September 2020

Posted: Wed 16 Sep, 2020 8:59 pm
by refitman
citizenJA wrote:Happy Birthday, refitman!
:rock:
(belated birthday wishes)
Thank you :hug: