Chris Whitty for PM

My German shepherd would throw her hat into the ring if she had one. A very intelligent dog and people would disagree with her at their peril.

Sparklefizz

Yes, I like Chris Whitty, but I really liked that Army guy who spoke a couple of times at the press conferences earlier in the year while wearing fatigues. Can't remember his name but he filled me with confidence.

Oh that’s Brigadier Phil?

When he reappeared a few days ago I immediately felt better about the booster rollout.

What do you wish he was doing differently then? Another lockdown, or partial closings of some venues?
I know the huge daily rise in cases is scary but not enough is known yet. It could well be less dangerous than Delta as the early indications from South Africa seem to indicate.
I’m certainly not by any defending the PM about everything that’s happened recently, but he has got a tricky job on his hands.

Peasblossom

Sparklefizz

Yes, I like Chris Whitty, but I really liked that Army guy who spoke a couple of times at the press conferences earlier in the year while wearing fatigues. Can't remember his name but he filled me with confidence.

Oh that’s Brigadier Phil?

When he reappeared a few days ago I immediately felt better about the booster rollout.

He's in charge of logistics I think.

I must remember that name (Brigadier Phil). He instantly makes me feel he will get the job done, whatever it is.

EllanVannin

The only reason that BJ got in power was because of those who voted Brexit ( rolls eyes ) Let's get back into the EU again !

Well, that’s not going to happen so no use going on about it.

Sparklefizz

Yes, I like Chris Whitty, but I really liked that Army guy who spoke a couple of times at the press conferences earlier in the year while wearing fatigues. Can't remember his name but he filled me with confidence.

But you remembered the fatigues!

I know the huge daily rise in cases is scary but not enough is known yet. It could well be less dangerous than Delta as the early indications from South Africa seem to indicate.

Even if it's milder than Delta there are still going to be very large numbers of people infected or self isolating which will play havoc with the workforce. Economic damage is inevitable whichever course of action is taken.

And the NHS won't be able to cope if they have even more staff absence because of the virus. Mitigation eases the pressure on them. Doing nothing just about guarantees its collapse.

Is this a difficult thing to understand?

Calendargirl

EllanVannin

The only reason that BJ got in power was because of those who voted Brexit ( rolls eyes ) Let's get back into the EU again !

Well, that’s not going to happen so no use going on about it.

I have no idea what makes you so positive about that, calendargirl? All the polling shows that more and more people are realising what a silly mistake Brexit is.

I'm pretty sure that once we're rid of the tories we'll work our way back to rejoining.

It may be less serious but still some people may need to be hospitalised even if that is a smaller percentage than before.

A larger number of people with the virus could still mean large numbers in hospital and ICU.

To take a more serious note it takes some special sort of political party that turns on a man who has used his expertise to advise and guide the nation together with the fact that in his spare time (?!) he works in the NHS - now turn on that man because they seem to think the CMO is the problem.

Remember the Trump faction did exactly the same.

Consequence of populism folks.

I remind you - populism will always find someone to blame - othering it’s called or divide and rule if you prefer.

I well remember Trump and his supporters ridiculing Fauci. Obviously we are going down that road now......

Populism as you say WW2

Calendargirl

Sparklefizz

Yes, I like Chris Whitty, but I really liked that Army guy who spoke a couple of times at the press conferences earlier in the year while wearing fatigues. Can't remember his name but he filled me with confidence.

But you remembered the fatigues!

Yup

I do not think anyone is suggesting doing nothing, but there is no point in advocating measures that many people will ignore.

A balance has to be struck so that people are willing to follow the measures advised. Otherwise why bother?

Yes I can see all that and if cases rise too much I guess more restrictions will be needed.
The booster programme is going apace which should help.

M0nica

I do not think anyone is suggesting doing nothing, but there is no point in advocating measures that many people will ignore.

A balance has to be struck so that people are willing to follow the measures advised. Otherwise why bother?

In normal times with a strong leader who has kept to the rules there would be no problem.

To be honest, I think the pandemic would test the skills of the anyone. I don’t think BJ is the best person for the job, but who would be better? Theresa May? David Cameron? Tony Blair? Brown might have made a half decent job of it, but he might have dithered too much. Margaret Thatcher has been suggested before, at least I think she might have been more decisive, but would people prefer that? How about any of us? Well not me for sure!

I think any leader would have problems after nearly 2 years of restrictions. Regardless of whether they were good, bad or indifferent.

MaizieD

Calendargirl

EllanVannin

The only reason that BJ got in power was because of those who voted Brexit ( rolls eyes ) Let's get back into the EU again !

Well, that’s not going to happen so no use going on about it.

I have no idea what makes you so positive about that, calendargirl? All the polling shows that more and more people are realising what a silly mistake Brexit is.

I'm pretty sure that once we're rid of the tories we'll work our way back to rejoining.

Not in any of our lifetimes I bet.

M0nica

I think any leader would have problems after nearly 2 years of restrictions. Regardless of whether they were good, bad or indifferent.

Is that bearing out in other countries?

M0nica

I think any leader would have problems after nearly 2 years of restrictions. Regardless of whether they were good, bad or indifferent.

From what I’ve heard it is bearing out in other countries. My daughter tells me people are weary and fed up of Jacinda Adhern’s restrictions now, mainly because so many businesses have gone to the wall. There was apparently no support for businesses and very little support in terms of furlough out there. The various protests and marches going on in other countries in Europe suggests a lot of people are fed up of their leaders. The evidence is all around, we only have to watch the news.

While we are hearing that 25% of ambulances are sitting in queues outside hospitals we really can't afford a single case of Covid to be hospitalised if it can be avoided.

As a scientist DD says she always enjoys watching Chris Whitty listening to Johnson and obviously thinking "How can I turn this waffle into something that makes scientific sense?"

I presume he'll be on the wards again this Christmas.

I also like Brigadier Phil - a man who knows what he's doing!

Telling the truth can be done by politicians. On the other hand, a scientist tries to be objective, but politicians are influencers.

I agree withMOnica Chris Witty is very good at his job but probably not as PM. Horses for courses I think.