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The Coronavirus Discussion Thread.

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we’re their turbo trainers always that expensive – Wahoo Kickr £1150 & Core £805

Smells like the RRP they are Generally expensive thou.

CRC had the refurbs for £650 last week so people could be kickr’ing themselves for not buying (0% PayPal credit as well)


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 8:39 am
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Also, don’t be a dick by confusing two different people and quoting one out of context. I (your second quote) was highlighting the vagueness of ....

etc

OOB

I think the document in which the government state the rules trumps a tweet.

What you think is (respectfully) statistically irrelevant.
It's more what 64M people decide how to interpret and then if they decide to copy or not "everyone else"... (everyone else will be largely defined by who they see outside, supermarkets etc.)


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 8:42 am
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we’re their turbo trainers always that expensive – Wahoo Kickr £1150 & Core £805

Smells like the RRP they are Generally expensive thou.

My bad does look like they’ve stuck £150 corona tax on them 🙁


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 8:46 am
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Rumour is they will be announcing substantial package for self employed by end of week

A bit of an afterthought maybe, but think they're moving on it now

Slightly unfair, the rules and regs for self-employed types are complex and the Treasury needs to get most of the detail right before releasing it. If it's anything like us PAYE types the initial online information will be a bit lacking. It will be revised in short order. If you want to blame anyone for the delay try the accountancy profession as their constant quibbling over what is and isn't allowed for tax has lead to the complication and the delay.

Mr Sunak's team are earning their wages the past fortnight and they may well be the people who ensure our public servants remain un-politicised.


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 8:50 am
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My bad does look like they’ve stuck £150 corona tax on them 🙁

It may look like that but remember American company. Drop shipping out of Amsterdam.

The pound has tanked against both due to our gov inaction Surprised they ain't costing more tbh.


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 9:02 am
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To work or not to work ? My wife and I are both self employed gardeners.Our customers are generally 65+ and many live alone, for some we are the only contacts (usually) they have and often do a bit of shopping or pick up a pint of milk etc. So interpreting the rules we are allowed to work, however morally it seems wrong to take any risk so we have decided to remain at home and unfortunately earn nothing. However and this is where it smarts a little, the next door neighbour is a painter and dec and hes gone off to work, other one whos a banker (and always off sick) has gone in as has her boyfriend who repairs mobility scooters (cant see alot of need for that at the moment). So for now anyway it seems that if youre selfish or stupid you just do what you want.


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 9:03 am
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My bad does look like they’ve stuck £150 corona tax on them 🙁

Thats what I assume, so Evans now selling for more than RRP to cash in on CV - suppose we do live in a capitalist society, but still, I'm disappointed


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 9:04 am
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Surely they would have bought the Wahoo stock etc before the currency volatility kicked in?


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 9:05 am
 DrJ
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@Edukator - big spike in cases in France yesterday - what's going on ?


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 9:05 am
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So is Home and Hardware Stores.

That covers the likes of B&Q, TK Maxx, Next etc. So many ways of getting around it all if you get creative. Add in that online can still deliver orders and you have a perfect mix for people to take the piss.

Most people will have the same thought today as most people has the same thought at the weekend. One to sit out if you're serious about avoiding people. Let the Great Glitter Crisis of 2020 float by.

Disclaimer - other forms of craft materials and DIY activities are available. Just don't rush towards them just yet.


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 9:08 am
 mehr
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My firms told everyone to stay at home until they recieve proper guidance/assurances from main contractors (all of whom are still open today)

The reality is none of the sites can follow the social distancing rules. My site has 500+ people, one hoist, one toilet block (3 urinals and 3 cubicles), a canteen and a seperate drying room all off which would hold a handful of people if you correctly followed the 2m rule. Add to that the tube/train situation makes the whole thing untenable

Piers Morgan has this as his daily issue so I fully expect the Govt to fold on it later


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 9:12 am
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Couple of plumbers on my road have headed off to work today...where, I have no idea. Already seen quite a few white vans trucking up and down the road - I’d love to think they’re all just going for food but I doubt it. Folk just interpreting the rules to their own ends.

I’m supposed to be laying a parquet floor in the ground floor of a house with nobody near me...obvs can’t do it from home, but have stayed put today until further clarification about the “...and you cannot do it from home...” (I paraphrase) bit of last night’s address.

I’m self-employed - I realise there will be further support for tax dodging scumbags like me - but I know loads of guys that’ll just say “**** it, I’m going to work until somebody with authority tells me not to...”


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 9:17 am
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Anyone else just had a text message from the government?


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 9:24 am
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French authorities are saying we are getting close to the peak, early April. So logical to have more cases and death.


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 9:30 am
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I’m at work today, I was surprised that the motorway was nearly as busy as usual at 6:30am.

Although the traffic jam I can usually see from here at this time hasn’t started yet.


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 9:34 am
 mehr
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Piers Morgan has been a legend throughout this (words I'd never thought I'd type) He just got a site shutdown live on TV by shaming them 😀


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 9:41 am
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This is a post from a critical care consultant on Reddit. He is working in London and is working on the front line against coronavirus. Make of it what you will:

"I'm sad to say that I do have the details, and there has been intense discussion about this over the past weeks. To answer your question: "herd immunity" would have been a beneficial outcome to slowing virus growth to a prolonged period of time. It was not a primary outcome.
That said, the official policy was wholly wrong and when all the dust has settled, when all the costs and lives have been counted, people have to make their governments accountable.
I'll tell you what happened in the UK.

Over the past decade, eminent figures in public health developed complex models that would help inform the UK response to a pandemic. The response plan would allow slow spread through a population and a number of deaths that would be deemed acceptable in relation to low economic impact. Timing of population measures such as social distancing would be taken, not early, but at a times deemed to have maximal psychological impact. Measures would be taken that could protect the most vulnerable, and most of the people who got the virus would hopefully survive. Herd immunity would beneficially emerge at the end of this, and restrictions could relax. This was a ground-breaking approach compared to suppressing epidemics. It was an approach that could revolutionise the way we handled epidemics. Complex modelling is a new science, and this was cutting edge.

But a model is only ever as good as the assumptions you build it upon. The UK plan was based on models with an assumption that any new pandemic would be like an old one, like flu. And it also carried a huge flaw - there was no accounting for the highly significant variables of ventilators and critical care beds that are key to maintaining higher survival numbers ( https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/health/2020/03/government-documents-show-no-planning-ventilators-event-pandemic).

So, come 2020 and COVID-19 causes disaster in China, Iran and Italy. Epidemiologists and doctors from around the world observe, and learn valuable lessons:

the virus is insidious with a long incubation, any population actions you take will only have an effect weeks later

the virus spreads remarkably quickly and effectively

the virus causes an unusually large proportion of patients to require invasive ventilatory support

early large scale testing, and social distancing measures, are effective at stopping exponential growth

stopping exponential growth is VITAL to preventing your critical care systems from being overwhelmed.

Everyone in the world could see these things. But despite this, very few governments chose to act.

The UK did the opposite of acting. In an act of what I see as sheer arrogance, they chose to do nothing, per the early stages of their disaster plan. There was some initial contact tracing, but this stopped when it was clear that there was significant community spread and exponential growth. And after this? They did not ramp up testing capabilities. They did not encourage social distancing. They did not boost PPE supply, or plan for surge capacity. They ignored advice from the WHO, public health experts in other country; epidemiologists, scientists and doctors in their own. I can tell you with certainty now that they did not even collect regular statistics for how many COVID patients were being admitted to critical care in the UK. They did nothing.

What were they thinking? Maybe that what had happened in China, and was happening in Italy, couldn't possibly happen in the UK, right? It was impossible. The persisted with the original plan with no modification.
Well COVID-19 is not flu. That is perfectly clear. And it was clear that the UK numbers were following, exponentially, the same trend as Italy. But still the government and their advisers stuck to their guns and put out reassuring messages. I would ask here - why did they still think we would be different?

Finally, a team at Imperial informing the government's response put up-to-date COVID-19 data into the historical models that the UK plan was based on ( https://www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial-college/medicine/sph/ide/gida-fellowships/Imperial-College-COVID19-NPI-modelling-16-03-2020.pdf), and predicted in a best case scenario 250,000 deaths and excess of 8x surge capacity of UK intensive cares. They concluded that our approach was wrong, and that "Epidemic suppression is the only viable strategy at the current time".

Where are we now?
The government has instituted a number of measures that they previously called "unscientific", but has not mandated them.
We are far, far into the exponential curve both in deaths and critical care numbers, and there is at least two weeks more growth until any of the half-hearted measures taken might kick in.

We do not have sufficient testing capability for even hospital patients, who sometimes wait days for a test result. There are not enough tests for anyone in the community, or any healthcare workers who might have symptoms.

Hospitals are scrambling to produce surge capacity, and several smaller hospitals in London are now overwhelmed with COVID and out of ventilators.

There is clearly not enough PPE in the country and we are rushing to secure supplies.
Don't believe the UK government propaganda when they say that they are only advancing along the same plan at a faster pace. It is total bollocks. Their plan was wrong, kaput, totally broken. They chose to perform an experiment on an entire population, a trial of 'new epidemic mitigation strategy in UK' vs 'epidemic suppression in rest of the world'. They didn't listen to other experts from all over the world, and in this arrogance they did not observe the lessons or data that was there, plain to see. They have backtracked completely and are now doing what most world public health experts and what the WHO asked them to do in the first place. They've wasted a month, at least.

Will they suffer? Hell no. It will be the vulnerable in the population, the unlucky young, and the medical staff at the front line.

When the final counts return in months or a years time, don't let them get away with it."


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 9:52 am
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It may look like that but remember American company. Drop shipping out of Amsterdam.

The pound has tanked against both due to our gov inaction Surprised they ain’t costing more tbh.

I did wonder this dollar/euro/pound but the wahoo store were showing no stock and the normal 999ish.

Bog roll and kickrs and mass trips to snowden some of this is surreal.


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 9:52 am
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I got the last delivery from Travis Perkins yesterday, some fence panels and posts for a job I keep putting off, but now have plenty of time for.

Got a text message this morning saying they have closed all branches.


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 9:53 am
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Slightly unfair, the rules and regs for self-employed types are complex and the Treasury needs to get most of the detail right before releasing it.

Yeah I understand why they want to get it right and appreciate why it can't be done overnight!
I think we all (including government) sat around watching Wuhan , then Italy & didn't start planning ahead properly, 3weeks ago the budget had allocated £12bn for coronavirus, with hindsight that seems tiny now.

It looks like only Germany started taking this seriously enough early enough (they were checking for ill people on inbound flights from 27th Jan)


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 9:59 am
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This is all a process init, I can imagined there will be another week of announcements. The whole lockdown thing isn't really something that can be achieved overnight.

Overall you have to look over the past week as say how are things progressing, and I think everyday, things are slower more and more.

I´d expected it´ll take about week to slow the rest of it down.

They defo need to come out and support the self employed next, there´s 5 million in that category alone. Personally, easy for me as i wfh anyway, my younger brother cancelled all his jobs yesterday for the foreseeable, he fits kitchens, but an awful lot are going to have to be told and won´t stop till they get more help.

You´d imagine there´s a quite few business that are going to have to be told to shut.

I think it´s basically like trying to stop a juggernaut though it´s just not possible to close down overnight.

I´d expect it to take about a further week of announcements..


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 10:03 am
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@speedstar

That conclusion will be apparent to many. Although I will bet the approval ratings will say that most think the gov did "a good job". I hope not. Boris & co either didn't care, or didn't listen, and dithered for the few crucial weeks they had to get this stuff in order.

Now we must ride the bigger curve. Hopefully we will see "only" as much death as Italy will.


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 10:16 am
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They defo need to come out and support the self employed next, t

80% of average over last 3 years, I think this is in the emergency bill?


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 10:18 am
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Round here the traffic is 1% of normal. It looks like 5am on Sunday not 9 am on a Tuesday


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 10:26 am
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mrmonkfinger
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They defo need to come out and support the self employed next, t

80% of average over last 3 years, I think this is in the emergency bill?

Aye, seen that yesterday, think it´s just an amendment, so remains to be seen.


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 10:28 am
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In another fine display of British competency, I see the tube is still crowded because they decided to cut passengers and....wait for it.....services as well!


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 10:29 am
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How do they expect you to evidence the average self employed earnings of the past three years? If it’s anything like a spousal visa historical financials section, it will be a total nightmare. If HMRC do the work themselves I will eat my shorts as they don’t even bother doing it for the 6 months financials required for certain visa applications. They’ll collapse under the weight of the work.


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 10:31 am
 kilo
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Anyone else just had a text message from the government?

No, be very careful about phishing, criminals will see this situation as an opportunity.


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 10:32 am
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I had the alert, I clicked the link because I like...well....doing stupid things....took me to the genuine gov website...no login or details asked for.....nothing attempted to hijack my phone.


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 10:35 am
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mrmonkfinger

That conclusion will be apparent to many. Although I will bet the approval ratings will say that most think the gov did “a good job”. I hope not. Boris & co either didn’t care, or didn’t listen, and dithered for the few crucial weeks they had to get this stuff in order.

My view on this stuff, is that it's too late to make a difference anyway, so I really don't understand the need to make it an issue right now. We are obviously on a clear plan at the minute, so we need to follow that.

I don't think noise and competence theories help at the minute. There will come a time for it.

But there's only one show in town that can deal wih this now, and that is the government. So we're in it regardless and must place our trust in them.

I'm fairly sure enquires will follow.


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 10:35 am
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How do they expect you to evidence the average of the past three years?

Tax return would seem the obvious. Not good for Amazon and Apple


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 10:37 am
 DezB
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This is really bugging me...
So, right, your colleague and your boss has realised your wife is one of the vulnerable people. They suggest you WFH. You decide to stay in the office as there's work you can't do at home (even though this work could be put off to a later date).
That evening your wife gets one of the "you are vulnerable" texts - gives advice which includes stay 2m distance from her co-habitants.
Next day, you come into work again. Your end of the office there's 3 people, including you, one of whom is sat in the next desk.
Would you stay in the ****ing office?? This colleague is probably one of the most intelligent people I've ever met! And yet...


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 10:38 am
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This colleague is probably one of the most intelligent people I’ve ever met!

Intelligent does not equal sensible.
In my experience they diverge rapidly, the further up the intelligence scale you go.


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 10:41 am
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@rbw

They've capped it at 2.8k per month. My guess is, as you say, they won't have the resource to dig very deep, whatever the chosen method.

Either way it has been very welcome bit of news at Casa Monkfinger.


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 10:46 am
 DezB
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Intelligent does not equal sensible.

Oh, I'm fully aware of this - and he's definitely not short of common sense. Just in this situation, he seems to be in some kind of denial. I actually contacted my boss on Sunday saying this guy should stay home, but they won't make him. Ah well, guess it's not my problem.


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 10:46 am
 kilo
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raybanwomble
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I had the alert, I clicked the link because I like…well….doing stupid things….took me to the genuine gov website…no login or details asked for…..nothing attempted to hijack my phone.

That’s good, but just remember to exercise the on line discipline you would normally do, orgainised crime is not sitting back thinking “oh we’ll have a few weeks off as it’s a national crisis”, quite the opposite


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 10:55 am
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its an 'official' text message, govt have now confirmed it.


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 10:59 am
 DezB
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They "confirmed" it before it was sent out.


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 11:01 am
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@seosamh77 I'm with you Joe, this government is the only show in town now, and let's face it, Boris won't be making any decisions anyway, at least until it comes to bitty time. 😊

Hope yer well mate.


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 11:30 am
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No text here. Just the chosen few? Are they selecting people for the B Ark?


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 11:34 am
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I've had the 'extremely vulnerable' text. I've got moderate asthma, pretty well controlled, so presumably they are looking at what dosage of steroids people are on and going from that (mine is pretty high).

My wife didn't, but then, the surgery possibly doesn't have her mobile no.


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 11:35 am
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think i just caught the end of the 6 music news stating that boris says if you cant WFH you can go to work, no other details.....


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 11:35 am
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This "80%" of wages figure is fine in theory. It should take the pressure off employers and help with the shutdown.
BUT, have you seen the form to claim it!!!!! They have made it as difficult as humanly possible. I have no chance unless my accountant can help out and deal with HMRC for me.


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 11:50 am
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Nobeerinthefridge
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@seosamh77 I’m with you Joe, this government is the only show in town now, and let’s face it, Boris won’t be making any decisions anyway, at least until it comes to bitty time. 😊

Hope yer well mate.

Cheers, I'm good aye, hope all's well at yours... Just need to get on with it. tbh, worst comes to the worst and there's no help, I'll just google 'how to safely fiddle your taxes down to zero when you need to eat'.... 😆 I do have a wad sitting there to give the gov that I'm eyeing up as an emergency fund. 😆


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 11:53 am
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Mrs dd has taken dog for a walk for her one outing today and reports that, yes, despite last night’s address, the playground in our nearby park has plenty of parents and kids.


 
Posted : 24/03/2020 12:12 pm
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