Yep, I remember it. And in the late 1970's it was predicted to be on the horizon. Economists of the time, even monetarist types, predicted that we'd be working 15-20 hour weeks, with UBI. What happened? That's a long story that depends on your political motivations. Just to bring things upto date, I believe that thing they told us at school may well come to pass in the next decade, or 15 years. Universal Basic Income is going to become a well known term.
Watching Boris last night, you could physically see the strain he was under. He looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders and he had barely slept in days. Trump is just carrying on like the whole thing is going to blow over in a few weeks. ****er.
Lot of truth in that. Boris is a tosspot in my eyes, but we are where we are and he is doing what he thinks is right - it is probably wrong, but it is what it is. #PensiveNo7
This evening Hancock read his script and then when questioned couldn't remember the four things we are allowed to leave the house for. They all frighten the life out of me. The greatest catastrophe we have ever faced and we have a bunch of tosspots in charge.
They've just announced that the virus appears to be fairly stable genetically, which a lot of RNA-based viruses apparently are not. That's tremendous news, if it remains true: greatly enhances the likelihood of a vaccine providing long-lasting protection.
Plus once the people who have it and recover, their B-lymphocytes will remember the virus and produce tons of specific IgG to fight it.
Funnily enough, so have I been. But that has largely been because I've stayed away from the news and have taken my own "sensible measures", which is keep away from others as much as possible. Bearing in mind I'm still working amongst others, that hasn't been easy, but once I get home, that's it. It's social media, texting and emails. With a bit of audio discord thrown in. It's got a little more complicated in the last few days as I'm now back in the FF car [dammit!] having to do the shopping rounds for neighbours and relatives. But that's ok, as they are pretty understanding. Anyway, back to Boris. Notice I am not calling him "Buffoon". That's how much slack I have given him. It's a bastard time to be a Prime Minister, and although he isn't equipped for it, the fact that the strain is showing, is illustrating that he gives a ****, so I continue with the slack. Trump is the world's biggest ****er, and may well undermine us yet [see environmental thread]. But here's how the rest of the world appreciates Johnson's moves: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...ans-pms-handling-of-coronavirus-boris-johnson
Yup. That's a huge relief...my biggest fear over the past bit has been that the slow reaction would result in this forking off in a number of directions and becoming a long-term threat, like a supercharged influenza.
Johnson took over as PM in a time of great change for the UK...now he has to deal with an unbelievable situation (really equivalent to entering an unexpected war with a few weeks notice). And the whole world is in a similar situation. Cometh the hour, cometh the man. A real test for anyone. I expect our PM to be decisive and provide leadership...do I expect perfection with no mistakes...no, because this situation is unprecedented. However, I do expect lessons to be learned and decisions made as events unfold. Trump is a living example of how not to be a leader.
The award for "Ar**hole of the week, month, 2020" so far has to go to Tim Martin. He is not paying his staff beyond the 22 March until Government stump up 80% of wages, which could be months. He suggests they get work in supermarkets in the meantime. So much for a caring person.
There is a video doing the rounds of Wuhan meat market. It's not for the squeamish. Every imaginable animal being butchered. Snakes,rats, monkeys and cages of domestic dogs. It's very sad that this goes on and not at all surprising that disease has come from it.
The thing with Trump, is that you cant hide the damage if this virus. So why is he continuing to say it's all fine? Surely the country will never forgive him?
I'm starting to wonder what will kill the most. Coronavirus, the recession or the deterioration of mental heath. There's a storm coming.
As long as Boris says construction sites can stay open, my national house builder customers expect my men to work....farce Some have closed sites but others are ploughing on and expect contractors to honour contracts. I earn a good salary but my self employed men are having to go to work due to the Goverments dithering and House builder greed.....sad times
If they are self employed, they are probably happier than you think working. There's very little help out there at this stage.
Yes agreed, but building houses / flats etc maintaining social distancing is pretty much impossible. There's bigger issues out there I know but clarify the self employed issues Boris !!!