Coronavirus outbreak

[BoldonLad]

One thing's for sure, we need to take a long hard look at the NHS when this is all over. How the hell some hospitals can report no issues with PPE whatsoever whilst other ones are ripping up bin bags to wear isn't anything to do with government, it's to do with rank incompetence by some NHS managers. As a whole, the NHS has performed magnificently but some parts appear to have really screwed the pooch.

We also need to look at care homes. Again, some have been terrible but a lot of them have coped well, have zero infections and no issues. They don't make the news though.

As for the care homes that are increasing charges to residents to cover the costs of PPE...

To be sure.

The "N" in NHS presumably stands for National, in my experience, it is anything but National, it is a series of little kingdoms.

The "S" in NHS, presumably stands for Service, it is anything but a Service.

 

[BoldonLad]

Some people just don't get it: like, my neighborg upstairs, his colleague (both college teachers) lost her father, mother in law, father in law to the virus a couple of weeks ago.
He went to the funerals.
And yet, said colleague came visit, they spoke face to face for half an hour.
Elderly couple down the road (both over 80) has family support to bring them anything they want, plus me for bits and pieces should they need.
And yet, the both of them go queuing to the shops, they say they don't care if they catch the corona.
Why have I lost my job???

Good question.

Did anyone ask the "vulnerable" if they wanted to be "protected"?

 

[Rocky]

To be sure.

The "N" in NHS presumably stands for National, in my experience, it is anything but National, it is a series of little kingdoms.

The "S" in NHS, presumably stands for Service, it is anything but a Service.

The NHS has been reorganised so many times by various governments over the last 20 years that I've lost count. Do not blame the NHS for any of this mess. Blame the government and various Health Secretaries. One of the people who caused the greatest damage was Andrew Lansley - moving public health to local authorities was an act of untold hooliganism and we are currently experiencing the harm that this caused. The NHS is managed and staffed by dedicated individuals who spend much of their time trying to develop workarounds to circumvent the bureaucratic straightjackets left by both Labour and Conservatives. The NHS is not at fault. Politicians are.

 

[alicat]

What's stayed my hand about reporting them is apparently people with a short life expectancy are "excused" shielding. To be fair, she's visibly poorer as the weeks have gone by so it could be her family are determined to be with her near the end.

That's what happening with my neighbour. I was concerned about her failing memory so I contacted her daughter. The daughter helped me understand why they were visiting more than might otherwise be ideal.

 

[Rocky]

Good question.

Did anyone ask the "vulnerable" if they wanted to be "protected"?

If they'd seen the pain and lonely deaths from Covid that my junior doctor son has been witnessing over these last few months......they'd want to be protected.

 

[Andy in Germany]

If they'd seen the pain and lonely deaths from Covid that my junior doctor son has been witnessing over these last few months......they'd want to be protected.

Trouble is, I suspect many can't see that but do see the cold and lonely reality of not being able to talk to anyone. I many older people will be genuinely frightened, about either becoming depressed or losing their mental faculties because they're on their own.

 

[Mo1959]

I fear here in Scotland we are going to have a surge of the virus.

Sitting here watching the update with the window open. Cars passing every few seconds. Two weeks ago there was virtually none. It feels like people have lost patience and are reverting to normal.

 

[tom73]

The NHS has been reorganised so many times by various governments over the last 20 years that I've lost count. Do not blame the NHS for any of this mess. Blame the government and various Health Secretaries. One of the people who caused the greatest damage was Andrew Lansley - moving public health to local authorities was an act of untold hooliganism and we are currently experiencing the harm that this caused. The NHS is managed and staffed by dedicated individuals who spend much of their time trying to develop workarounds to circumvent the bureaucratic straightjackets left by both Labour and Conservatives. The NHS is not at fault. Politicians are.

Not forgetting Monitor and we'd no sooner seen off Andrew old Jeramy came along. Though we better not say too much about him

 

[BoldonLad]

If they'd seen the pain and lonely deaths from Covid that my junior doctor son has been witnessing over these last few months......they'd want to be protected.

You of course are at liberty to think that. It may or may not be true.

 

[BoldonLad]

The NHS has been reorganised so many times by various governments over the last 20 years that I've lost count. Do not blame the NHS for any of this mess. Blame the government and various Health Secretaries. One of the people who caused the greatest damage was Andrew Lansley - moving public health to local authorities was an act of untold hooliganism and we are currently experiencing the harm that this caused. The NHS is managed and staffed by dedicated individuals who spend much of their time trying to develop workarounds to circumvent the bureaucratic straightjackets left by both Labour and Conservatives. The NHS is not at fault. Politicians are.

I have worked in the NHS.

Mrs @BoldonLad worked in the NHS.

Eldest daughter works in the NHS.

Youngest daughter worked in NHS.

 

[BoldonLad]

Sitting here watching the update with the window open. Cars passing every few seconds. Two weeks ago there was virtually none. It feels like people have lost patience and are reverting to normal.

Very true.

In the area I live, traffic levels have increased, particularly motorcycles, examples of groups of (mostly, but not exclusively, young) people riding bicycles, are much more noticeable.

Hardly surprising with the constant media harping on an "end to lock down", before lockdown, the mantra was " we should;d have lock down", now we have it, the mantra is "when will it end". Laura Koronaberg and Robert Pestilence have a lot to answer for. IMHO.

 

[PK99]

Folks might be interested in the British Columbia restart plan, published today:

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/...y/covid-19-provincial-support/bc-restart-plan

and may care to note that BC, like New Zealand, has an in place an extensive system of Emergency planning - Tsunami, Forest fires, Earthquakes are ever present threats, they have systems that kicked in for Covid-19
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery

 

[Unkraut]

The NHS has been reorganised so many times by various governments over the last 20 years

Whereas over here ... it (healthcare) has been subject to major reorganisation 5 times in 10 years. This from my former GP who retired slightly early because he was in part fed up with the ever increasing amount of bureaucracy. Juggling ever new or expensive treatments with budgets is something afflicting all healthcare systems, this is by no means unique to Britain.

 

[oldwheels]

Out cycling last Sunday morning between 0930 and 1030 I was passed by more than a dozen cars. I lost count after 10. There seemed no pattern so far as direction was concerned but an increase of 100% on the previous Sunday.
On the other hand living in a small community still pretty well sealed off there is no evidence of relaxation. The Coop queue is well spaced and the numbers inside are strictly controlled. Cafes and some independent food shops are only doing carryout with prepayment by card and free delivery is offered. This also applies to the pharmacy.
I have a blood sample and B12 appointment next week which had to be discussed with a GP before being allowed. When I go for the appointment I wait in the car and phone my arrival to the office before a nurse will come for me. It seems to be assumed that everybody has a car and a mobile phone.
On the local Facebook page most are quite frightened of any relaxation and there is discussion about how this could be achieved with minimum risk.
The tourist accommodation outlets in general seem to be reconciled to losing the whole year's income. There are a few who favour opening all inward travel at once but this is not a popular idea as we have a fair proportion of elderly residents as well as those with known health problems.
For myself I am very frustrated at losing a large slice of any remaining active life I may have but equally I am not prepared for any undue risk so not happy but will sit tight.
Finally cycling yesterday morning at same time as Sunday no significant traffic to bother me.

 

[Rusty Nails]

If they'd seen the pain and lonely deaths from Covid that my junior doctor son has been witnessing over these last few months......they'd want to be protected.

I can understand the reasoning behind this, but again with several reservations:

Are we talking about anyone 70+ as vulnerable, or the clinically extremely vulnerable?

Are the restrictions designed to protect the elderly or the NHS (and by extension the government)? The shocking situation in care homes sadly makes me suspect the former is not 100% true.

Is it easier to just have broad age based restrictions rather than a more precise definition, which also takes into account vulnerability factors such as sex, ethnicity and obesity levels, but which would be much more controversial and divisive to implement?



I declare an interest here as a fit and relatively healthy 70+ with a distrust of authority and blanket restrictions, but who will try to obey the rules.