Coronavirus outbreak

[kingrollo]

By the time we get to the next review date it will already be clear the lockdown is over.m

Yep - to much shrugging from Tory ministers !

 

[lane]

A lot not the cabinet are reputed to be keen to get the lockdown finished. I think you can tell the difference with different ministers at the briefing.

 

[mudsticks]

I think some farm workers would live on site so he wouldn’t need to drive?
Maybe @mudsticks knows how it might work

A lot of accomodation is on site in mobile home type billets.

Which will make 'social distancing' etc tricky.

Even if the person is very fit, and willing there is still a large amount of skill involved in crop harvesting.

Although other field work is available.
Pay will be at least minimum wage - the minimum legal requirement - with the chance to earn more once speed, and efficiency are achieved..

TThose 'unskilled' Europeans are anything but..

If the crop is harvested 'fast' but not of good enough quality for the grade, or is damaged then earnings will be less.

I took part in a webinar discussing all this, particularly aimed at young people interested in land based careers, who are considering joining the 'land army' of seasonal pickers, this year while they're off Uni / furloughed

My main message was - yes, go do it, find out how it is done, find out just how much exploitation of people, land, and ecology goes on to get 'cheap food' into the supermarkets.

Then come away, resolved to build, and do things better

 

[Unkraut]

By the time we get to the next review date it will already be clear the lockdown is over.m

That wouldn't necessarily be a disaster, it depends on how far the infection rate has been reduced, and if the figure is a reasonably constant R = <1 then distancing and hygiene and masks might be enough to stop a second wave or general increase in infections - at least low enough to prevent overcrowding of hospitals. It's essential you don't get masses of people crowding together.

 

[Julia9054]

A lot of accomodation is on site in mobile home type billets.

Can’t see three hours a day horn practice working well with that!

 

[lane]

That wouldn't necessarily be a disaster, it depends on how far the infection rate has been reduced, and if the figure is a reasonably constant R = <1 then distancing and hygiene and masks might be enough to stop a second wave or general increase in infections - at least low enough to prevent overcrowding of hospitals. It's essential you don't get masses of people crowding together.

You might be right. However if the situation isn't then conducive to ending the lockdown without a new wave it would probably be good to have the option of continuing for a while longer than it ending by default. Also not many scientists seem to think we can avoid a second a even third fourth waves.

 

[kingrollo]

That wouldn't necessarily be a disaster, it depends on how far the infection rate has been reduced, and if the figure is a reasonably constant R = <1 then distancing and hygiene and masks might be enough to stop a second wave or general increase in infections - at least low enough to prevent overcrowding of hospitals. It's essential you don't get masses of people crowding together.

But yesterday we had Chris Whitty saying (or implying) we wouldn't be going back to normal anytime soon - 24 hrs later all are sundry seem to be going into work - it looks like another Stealthy move to me.

 

[lane]

There are lots of variations on not going back to normal.

 

[mudsticks]

Can’t see three hours a day horn practice working well with that!

Be an excellent bird scarer to keep the pigeons off the brassicas

 

[kingrollo]

You might be right. However if the situation isn't then conducive to ending the lockdown without a new wave it would probably be good to have the option of continuing for a while longer than it ending by default. Also not many scientists seem to think we can avoid a second a even third fourth waves.

Perhaps the British public have got used to people dying.

 

[lane]

Perhaps the British public have got used to people dying.

To some extent yes. And we still have capacity in the NHS as they keep telling us.

 

[kingrollo]

There are lots of variations on not going back to normal.

Of course

Be interesting to see where we are next week. Right now would you bet against pubs and restaurants being open in some form by June ?.....I wouldn't.

 

[kingrollo]

To some extent yes. And we still have capacity in the NHS as they keep telling us.

TBF the hospital I work at now has capacity and PPE - there was a period where it got very tight though.

 

[Julia9054]

And we still have capacity in the NHS as they keep telling us.

Well Harrogate Coronavirus Hospital now not opening after all suggesting that Yorkshire and Humber hospitals currently have enough capacity

 

[Low Gear Guy]

The concern would then be non essential panic testers depriving care home workers of their chance to get tested.

The government had a choice of doing it quickly or accurately. They chose the quick option. It would not matter if sufficient testing capacity was available.