Off Topic Coronavirus and NOTHING to do with football thread

I suspect that when SH can try to learn a foreign language and read what foreign governments are actually saying, then he might be able to understand rather more. He clearly has plenty of time on his hands, so try and do an on-line course in German which they say is easier than Spanish or French.

Just returning to subject. By his own account Cummings broke the rules 3 times. Apologising is the least he could do when so many people have made such enormous sacrifices. Just say I’m sorry Dom.

 

This is all rather too complicated for you Frenchie, you struggle badly when not lead by the Guardian. You should broaden your knowledge base to actually learn what is going on in the EU.

 

That is quite hilarious coming from you. Maybe I should start reading the Mail, one of your favourites now they have seen through the lies and deceits of your government. Even the knuckle draggers who used to comment on their articles are now incandescent with rage at the way that this government is treating them as fools. Do you really wish to be regarded as a fool with them? I suspect not, but until you broaden your outlook, which means being willing to explore and comprehend the perspective from outside of your narrow view of Europe, then people on here will continue to ask are you the Mail or Express of this forum.

 

The foolish response to the numerous problems facing the EU, including the immediate one of the pandemic, is to pretend, like you do, they will simply go away.

My views about the issues facing Europe are shared with people like George Soros, Macron, Conte and many other well placed leaders. They have all predicted a potential break-up of the present EU structure. In recent months the facade of unity amongst EU member states has been well and truly broken. Firstly they unsuccessfully had several rounds of talks on the new 7 year budget, still to be agreed. Then we had the PPE saga when EU countries refused to help fellow members in need. This was followed by open warfare on financing a general recovery fund. The more frugal Northern nations basically accusing their Southern members of being scroungers and wasters who are unable to fiscally control their spending without guidance. This is serious stuff and many senior players have predicted splits as the two warring sections are poles apart. Finally we had the German Constitutional Court announcing it was above the German government and indeed any ruling from the European Court of Justice which went against the national interests of Germany. Why would the UK, or indeed any country still a member, take notice of the ECJ in future if it ruled against a national interest?

If you bothered to get your head out of the Guardian you would see this is all going on around you, like it or not. If there is to be further change to the EU, apart from Brexit, the catalyst for all members being forced to show their cards is coronavirus. The effect of this is so serious it cannot be pushed down the road, decisions need to be made very soon. These are issues, as an ex-pat, you should be concerned about, not a special adviser's road trips.

EU facing 'moment of truth', says Macron as he calls for ...www.euronews.com › European affairs › Europe

George Soros says EU may not survive coronavirus crisisThe Economic Times·3 days ago

 

I have no idea about the arguments but, when you write like this SH, you are worth reading. Obviously there are always a number of sides to an argument and it is good to hear a lucid and thoughtful response which isn't insulting. And I do realise that you feel that you are insulted too.

 

I think that it is clear that you wish to keep changing the subject away from the handling of the crisis by your government, as the very heart of government is being exposed as incompetent at least, others would describe it in far worse terms. The time lines have all started to fall into place and it is now quite clear that because of the years of poor decisions the country was very badly prepared, and tried to cover it up with changes of direction a number of times. Other countries were also short of resources, but realising it, took stringent action, thereby saving many thousands of lives. I don't know yet if the PM was just foolish in saying that everything was fine, you could carry on with your large gatherings, or if he did have a herd immunity plan. What has become clear is that the science was being manipulated to fit the resources.
Yesterday we watched in disbelief as having been caught out Cummings came up with his remarkable excuse for testing his eyesight on a 60 mile round trip. It was so ludicrous that even Johnson wouldn't talk about it later. It is this one rule for some, and different rules for others that throws the attempts to quell the virus. Reports everywhere today how people have taken advantage of the good weather, but seem to think that it is fine to just ignore the rules and follow their instinct.
All countries will have to rebuild their economies after this, with many saying that the effects will be with us for the next decade. Nearly all will be looking to set up new joint enterprises to provide services, but minimise costs. It is no good looking across the Atlantic for deals to help out the UK as we have been told time and time again that the policy is America first. We have seen how the extended supply chains have created problems, especially when Trump does what he says he will do, and uses his economic power to take away items that had already been bought by others. To create these new systems and lessen the doubts over obtaining what is needed to rebuild the economy, it makes far more sense to deal with near neighbours rather than going back to the current situation, which has now been shown up as broken. We have seen how the Conservative and Unionist Party is no longer the Unionist party, but just an English nationalist party. Keep breaking it down into regions and the small island mentality really will become a fact.

 

I notice you are desperate to keep the dialogue away from the many problems facing the EU especially over coronavirus. If you think by focusing on minor issues in the UK it will somehow go away you are in for a lot of disappointment. The number of social distancing lawbreakers in France suggests there is a greater problem there, yet you try to avoid it.

Recent events have shown EU members have little regard for their neighbours when it comes to the crunch. You have no answers or opinions on EU long term funding or indeed any potential bailout fund apart from incorrectly pretending the rushed Franco German solved any of the problems. France and the Southern members begging for financial assistance has fallen on deaf ears, there is no co-operation.
You will also soon find yourself in the middle of the fishing rows trying to defend French pirates fishing illegally in UK waters once the UK leaves without a deal.

As stated previously I have no problem with a united Ireland, all it takes is for the majority of those in the North to agree, this is called democracy.

 

47,300 deaths is not what I would call a minor problem. Maybe you would like to explain just how the UK is leading others in such a dreadful number.

 

A fair assessment of your minor Franco German proposal to assist recovery from the coronavirus by your guiding Guardian. It basically states there will be so much of the usual EU fudge as to render it useless.

Franco-German plan for European recovery will face compromises

 

Two schools in Sydney had to close a day after re-opening as pupils have tested positive. New South Wales - where the number of coronavirus deaths to date is 50. Population 7.5 million, roughly one eighth that of England, where the number of deaths is anywhere between 30K and 50K, depending upon who you believe. And Johnson has told schools in England to re-open next week.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05...se-at-sydney-school-waverley-college/12284242

 

There are some reports here that around 50 schools that did open have been closed again. One not that far from here closed after one teacher and two support staff were infected.

 

The Bank off England's chief economist today stated the UK economy is on course for a short V-shaped recession following a better than expected early recovery in spending and business confidence. The bank expects relatively low level of scarring with output returning to its pre-virus peak in the second half of 2021 and unemployment back down to 4% in 2022.

That seems a trifle optimistic but would be a good outcome if anywhere near this prediction.

 

What sort of an idiot is Cummings? The blog from March last year, from which he talked about coronavirus during his statement yesterday, was edited by him last month to include the reference to coronavirus...

https://www.newstatesman.com/scienc...onference-blog-predicted-covid-19-coronavirus

 

The Financial Times take on Cummings.

"One ally on why Mr Cummings hasn’t quit: “If he drags the Tory party down to below the Green party in the polls, he doesn’t care . . . he’s not a Tory, he has no party allegiance, he does not rate anyone in the cabinet.”

I would have to agree with his ally as I don't rate the members of the cabinet either.

 

I know we should not judge people on appearance, but Cummings reminds me of Corbyn and ever further back Mandleson,he just has a persona and way of moving that is just creepy
I you asked Boris if it was raining he would have to check with Cummings before answering, if you asked Cummings he would lie out of spite or just sneer and tell you to go check it yourself
Not an important thing in itself but if you cannot get simple answers how can we be sure of the major ones

 

It's simply untrue when Johnson says he didn't need spectacles before he was ill with Covid-19, but has since, (theatrically producing them for us). He said that merely to support Cummings tale of dodgy eyesight. In 2014 he said he was "blind as a bat".
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...ondon-mayor-admits-needing-glasses-house.html

Isn't the internet a wonderful thing.

 

He is just another example of the continuing long list of clowns in place to sort things out but in reality doesn't care about / for the people.

 

Well continental fudge and chocolates of every description are so much better than the American/UK dross on sale here......

 

The Guardian says it is useless, surely you don't question anything in this rag.?

 

Is British chocolate actually chocolate ? The EU doesn't think so ! Having tested the chocolate in Germany, Switzerland and Belgium I am inclined to agree.