Forum menu
Raab last spoke to Boris on Saturday, is it me or does that not sound good.
Hopefully it’s not a bad sign as regards his eventual recovery, but is an indication that we have an absent PM who is too egotistical to do what is right and ask someone else to step into the role for a week while he recovers, even if that is what the country needs.
Prime Minister is a role, not just a title.
[agree with Kimbers]
Raab last spoke to Boris on Saturday, is it me or does that not sound good.
is it me or are people getting more vague?
Do you think one or both of them is dead? that Raab's been sacked? Raab is avoiding Boris assuming he'll die leaving him as PM?
EDIT: subsequent commenters have made some more sense
is it me or are people getting more vague?
Well the posters after understood, for you, the bloke 2nd in charge and doing tonight's update hasnt spoken to the bloke in charge for a few days which suggests he must actually be pretty ill and if the bloke in charge is ill no decisions on anything can be made!
Hopefully it’s not a bad sign as regards his eventual recovery, but is an indication that we have an absent PM who is too egotistical to do what is right and ask someone else to step into the role for a week while he recovers, even if that is what the country needs.
Would he be the first world leader to be incapacitated by the virus? Have we had a prime minister who has to step down for medical reasons?
Maybe he has an eye on history and avoiding being the first in either.
Perhaps, just making sure no one gets the Europeans involved?
You never really know with the mendacious Mr Johnson.
Raab last spoke to Boris on Saturday, is it me or does that not sound good.
The appalling Raab C Brexit is now running the country. Someone at Classic Dom HQ has worked out that's not a good look hence the repeated assurances that Johnson is propped up in his hospital bed and controlling things with the help of a cabinet of moth-eaten teddy bears.
So no, that doesn't sound good.
Might be time for that govt of national unity after all. Especially now there is an adult in charge of the opposition.
Good summary thx. Cummings strikes me as pretty smart but not as smart as he thinks and I don't put much stock in behavioural science myself; people have an unknowable aspect which science will never grasp.
who's fronting up for the news outlets at the moment ?
Guardian reporting that "The prime minister is continuing to run the country from his hospital bed".
Surely a) this is the worst kind of presenteeism, b) I don't want a man who is potentially confused due to hypoxia running the country and c) given BoJo's well documented lack of work ethic and attention to detail, I doubt he is or was doing much actual running himself anyway.
The appalling Raab C Brexit is now running the country
I don't do politics much, but to be honest, EVENTS are running the country. I don't think it really matters who is or is not the leader, they could not be in "control".
Might be time for that govt of national unity after all. Especially now there is an adult in charge of the opposition.
I think it is.
I don’t do politics much, but to be honest, EVENTS are running the country. I don’t think it really matters who is or is not the leader, they could not be in “control”.
Yes, I get that, my post was mostly sardonic. But this is a government that's all about appearances. The illusion of control matters to them politically even if to the rest of us it's effectively a side-show.
Like others here, I'd welcome a cross-party government with Starmer having a significant input. Apart from anything else. I have no belief that Johnson for one has any care for anyone other than himself, though maybe copping a dose of the virus himself will encourage a little genuine empathy.
It's more about governing well in response to events or making the least worse decisions. This twin health and economic crisis can't be solved with spin and narratives, bluster (Boris) or trite slogans (Cummings). It needs adults at the wheel.
Does Johnson think he’ll be thanked for this “leading from my hospital bed” farce?
Does Johnson think he’ll be thanked for this “leading from my hospital bed” farce?
I reckon TJ might. 😂
Maybe he's more concerned about being lorded over by Trump if the tangerine one gets through unscathed.
Poor guy.
I do hope he's going to be okay. 🙏🏻
Oh dear - poor guy
Really feel for his girlfriend. The position she is in now is awful. Wouldn’t wish that on anyone.
Hope he's ok but it seems more serious than the press statements are making out. Everything is always a 'precaution'.
Wouldn’t wish this on anyone, hope he pulls through and makes a full recovery
So far it's been a 50/50 survival rate for those that enter ITU.....
Not a good state of affairs for the nation.
Regardless of politics that's horrible for him.
Now PM is in ICU Raab is the man in charge. This should be interesting.
(The bollocks about being in charge this afternoon demeans the team running comms as it was quite obvious that he was very poorly from last night and the lie would be exposed. Why bother it just undermines the messages that come out in the future).
I really hope I;m wrong, as I'm one of the few on here that think he is a decent guy underneath all the bluster,and the Government are doing a pretty decent job, but, at work today, I said I wouldnt be surprised if BJ dies, he's had it 10 days, and took a turn for the worse, it isnt a good outlook.
Last time a sitting UK leader was as unwell as this? I couldn’t even guess (not that my history knowledge is great)
Time for a government of national unity?
Well bugger me.
not his biggest fan,but dont want anyone to be so ill they are in hospital let alone in itu,best wishes to him,but hes unlikely to read a niche cycling forum posting.
While I don't mind seeing him suffer a bit, no one deserves any of what is going on.
neither him, his girlfriend, many children and the unborn one.
fingers crossed he beats the odds for itu as the numbers are not good
A horrible disease, wouldn’t want that for anyone no matter what I thought of them
Last time a sitting UK leader was as unwell as this? I couldn’t even guess (not that my history knowledge is great)
last pm to die from an illness in office was pitt "three-bottle man" the younger 1806
last pm to die from an illness in office was pitt the younger 1808
Thanks!
Time for a government of national unity?
Was thinking this. Regardless of if he survives it’ll be a long road back to full enough health to be a fully fledged PM.
Soooooo, change my sterling currency holdings to Euros based on the 50:50 chance that Boris cops it?
Quick, someone encourage me so I don’t feel as morally bankrupt.
So we have Dominic Rabb going to be in charge now
last pm to die from an illness in office was pitt the younger 1808
Not according to Wikipedia:
Seven Prime Ministers have died in office:
Lord Wilmington, who died on 2 July 1743, aged 70.
Henry Pelham, who died on 6 March 1754, aged 59.
Lord Rockingham, who died on 1 July 1782, aged 52.
William Pitt the Younger, who died on 23 January 1806, aged 46, the youngest to die in office.
Spencer Perceval, who was assassinated by John Bellingham on 11 May 1812, aged 49.
George Canning, who died on 8 August 1827, aged 57.
Lord Palmerston, who died on 18 October 1865, aged 80 (two days before his 81st birthday); the oldest to die in office.
yes my memories going i even had the date wrong 😕
Canning was an interesting one, his predecessor Liverpool was forced to step down due to a stroke (IIRC from which he died a year later the same year as Canning) The regency was pretty grim time for british pm's
Have we had a prime minister who has to step down for medical reasons?
Harold Wilson, Winston Churchill and Anthony Eden.
Soooooo, change my sterling currency holdings to Euros based on the 50:50 chance that Boris cops it?
Seriously man, what is wrong with you? Someone is possibly going to die here, and you post something like that.
Regardless of what I think of the man and his politics I genuinely hope he pulls through on this one. My understanding that icu doesn't mean a ventilator, but if he requires one of those his chances go down remarkably.
If anything good is to come of this it is to underscore the seriousness (If anyone needed it emphasising) of this disease. Boris may not be an athlete, but he's only 55, and presumably has been given the best possible treatment available. This just goes to show there are no hidden cures for the rich and powerful, no secret drugs that the plebs don't have access to. Fundamentally anyone can get this and it's a bit of a lottery if you end up completely xxxxxx by it.
Best wishes for a recovery for anyone fighting this.
We've a family here who lost gran in the house today - 30 mins from onset of cough and breathing difficulties to death. ☹️
In hindsight, you can see them last few weeks how many of the cabinet seemed to have it and be near each other or returning to work too quickly.
I also think a government of national unity for the next few months would makea lot of sense and stop any political point scoring.
Ooh look a Raab in the headlights
Soooooo, change my sterling currency holdings to Euros based on the 50:50 chance that Boris cops it?
Seriously man, what is wrong with you? Someone is possibly going to die here, and you post something like that.
I'd imagine Rees Mogg and plenty of Boris's buddies are asking similar questions right now.
I hope he pulls through a genuinely changed man with a bit more humanity about him.
I’d imagine Rees Mogg and plenty of Boris’s buddies are asking similar questions right now.
This.
Pretty shocking news, wishing him the best. Can't imagine the distress his partner is in.
The press statements just seem bizarre, obviously downplaying it which is terrible when the events start to make the statements seem ludicrous. Sort of like they all had a cup of tea and decided that a wee trip to the ICU would be a sensible thing to do, just to be ultra cautious. All while Boris is reviewing official docs and running the county via a constant stream of Skype calls and WhatsApp.
I hope he recovers. Someone has to think of the careers of Kuensberg and Peston. At least it’s not the queen, can you imagine what that would be like?
@tomd You didn’t expect anyone in this government to tell the truth did you?
All that I can say is that I wouldn't wish Covid-19 upon Johnson.
I've save any glib comments for another, more appropriate time.
Unfortunately I think the odds of ICU are 50:50 I hope he pulls through
I’d imagine Rees Mogg and plenty of Boris’s buddies are asking similar questions right now.
This.
It is possible to aim for a higher standard of behaviour.
Regardless of what I think of the man and his politics I genuinely hope he pulls through on this one
same here, I loathe his politics but wouldn’t wish this on him or any of the other ......
Wasn't it 50/50 in Italy for those put on ventilators not put in intensive care per see? Or are they the same thing?
Should people stop vaping in public for the duration of this crisis?
Additionally, scientific advisor Tom McLean has recently claimed that "respiratory droplets" contained in clouds created by vape products could actually be spreading the virus.
Speaking to the Glasgow Times, he said: "Blowing vapour out is as good as someone spitting in your face.
"The vapour itself contains respiratory droplets including saliva, mucus and bacteria and when it’s blown out, it travels for a long distance and hangs in the air at head height."
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/health/what-nhs-says-coronavirus-risk-18036260
Wasn’t it 50/50 in Italy for those put on ventilators not put in intensive care per see? Or are they the same thing?
Can someone post a link to this 50:50 stat. My google fu is weak.
Apparently he's not on a ventilator so far, although Raabs shiftiness in the presser earlier abut when he last spoke to Johnson & the suspicious statement from No10 when he went in implied he was iller than was being let on. So not sure if thats true, could be that they are just bbeing extra cautious
Must be a terrible for him & his families. I think hes a grade A shit, but wishing him well.
If he does end up on a ventilator then even if he makes it out will take a long time to recover, we could be stuck with Raab for sometime.
Bye bye swedish matt - no loss there.
One thing I did notice is how easily Hancock lied on Sunday
"I've been speaking to him everyday. I've spoken to him several times today"
.
Then Raab today
"last spoke to him on Saturday morning"
Don't tell me either of them didn't know exactly what the state of play was and I can't believe that the PM would not have briefed his deputy, Raab yesterday if he could have,
Raab could have lied today but he didn't. Hancock is a toad.
Buckingham Palace says the Queen has been kept informed of the prime minister’s condition by No 10.
I wonder which version the queen gets ?
Hancock is a habitual liar, hes been caught out so many time lately, he just cant help himself
Unfortunately I think the odds of ICU are 50:50 I hope he pulls through
I’m pretty sure the 50:50 statistic which came out a while ago was misleading. And that the fatality rate in ICU is likely not as bad as that. I do not know what it is thought to be now.
Apologies if this has been posted before, might be useful for someone.
It is possible to aim for a higher standard of behaviour.
It is, but then again, people only learn when they walk in others shoes or see a reflection of themselves and their own behaviour in others and especially their opponents.
You forget that time and time again, throughout history, that populations who have pointed guns at out groups only learnt what it was like when they were bombed to oblivion and made to think about their mistakes down the barrel of a gun.
I think the 50/50 odds are if you end up on a ventilator rather than just in the ICU but I have no idea how accurate that number is.
Data from the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre (ICNARC) showed that of 165 patients treated in critical care in England, Wales and Northern Ireland since the end of February, 79 died, while 86 survived and were discharged. The figures were taken from an audit of 775 people who have been or are in critical care with the disease, across 285 intensive care units. The remaining 610 patients continue to receive intensive care.
That said, it's not like flipping a coin is it? Presumably outcomes also differ according to factors like age and underlying chronic conditions, so in reality his chances may be considerably better than 50/50.
It hasn't half made flagging closet Tories on Facebook easier.
Presumably outcomes also differ according to factors like age and underlying chronic conditions, so in reality his chances may be considerably better than 50/50.
seen some data that suggests 30+ bmi shortens the odds
You forget that time and time again, throughout history, that populations who have pointed guns at out groups only learnt what it was like when they were bombed to oblivion and made to think about their mistakes down the barrel of a gun.
I'd take more water with it.
I was idly reading this before I go to bed, and the phrase 'the standard you walk past is the standard you accept' came to mind.
Boris has a pregnant girlfriend. All this casual chat about 50:50 chances and so on; really? Would you be happy if it was your partner being discussed in this way?
Have a little think, have a word with yourselves; this is not a video game, this is real people...
Thanks BWD.
Unless I'm miss-reading it 79, died. 696 hadn't died (but might have died later). That aint 50:50 https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/mar/28/coronavirus-intensive-care-uk-patients-50-per-cent-survival-rate
Data from the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre (ICNARC) showed that of 165 patients treated in critical care in England, Wales and Northern Ireland since the end of February, 79 died, while 86 survived and were discharged. The figures were taken from an audit of 775 people who have been or are in critical care with the disease, across 285 intensive care units. The remaining 610 patients continue to receive intensive care.
Have a little think, have a word with yourselves; this is not a video game, this is real people…
Well said fella.
Prime Minister is a role, not just a title.
Pretty sure Bojo was only ever interested in the latter.
Have a little think, have a word with yourselves; this is not a video game, this is real people…
Roll out of universal credit, windrush scandel, disability sanctions/testing.....I could go on but I imagine you get the picture.
yeah, all real people
Roll out of universal credit, windrush scandel, disability testing…..I could go on but I imagine you get the picture.
Two wrongs...
was idly reading this before I go to bed, and the phrase ‘the standard you walk past is the standard you accept’ came to mind.
Boris has a pregnant girlfriend. All this casual chat about 50:50 chances and so on; really? Would you be happy if it was your partner being discussed in this way?
Have a little think, have a word with yourselves; this is not a video game, this is real people…
Sorry if you are a little too sensitive for the current situation. I think everyone who has ‘speculated’ have done it relatively sensitively (apart from that Swedish Matt who thankfully the mods squashed - good move). He is (many?) people’s father and partner but he is also the elected leader of the nation. I’m afraid with that comes more robust speculation of your circumstances.
Not the BBC’s greatest moment just now on 10 o’clock news. Let’s send a journalist into the itu where Covid patients are being treated and then have same man sit in the studio what looked like a lot less than 2m from the newsreader.
Johnson has spent years persuading everyone he's a character he plays in his own one man show.
He's not a friend of a friend or someone I care about. However, what happens to him could shape what happens to the country for years to come. Speculating about his odds of survival is no different to speculating about the odds of a storm hitting land.
But you crack on with your outrage if it makes you feel superior.
That said, it’s not like flipping a coin is it? Presumably outcomes also differ according to factors like age and underlying chronic conditions, so in reality his chances may be considerably better than 50/50.
the report goes into some detail about this
https://www.icnarc.org/DataServices/Attachments/Download/76a7364b-4b76-ea11-9124-00505601089b
Critical care unit outcomes have been received for 690 patients, of whom 346 patients have died and 344 were discharged alive from critical care
thats out of about 3000 people in ITU as of 28th March
at the moment the majority of people that have entered ITU (2300) with covid are still in there,a long stay in ITU means that your body is going through hell
I got this from a colleague who is working on an ITU ward today
This virus is weird, and we barely understand the immunobiology. I have never seen so many patients deteriorate so rapidly right in front of your eyes. We've had a bad two days on the wards. It truly is a virus that does not discriminate, old, young, medical problems or not, it is an absolute lottery. Please all keep safe, wash your hands and keep away from each other.