Not my words, copied from a friend. Humour with a serious message.

As someone with a Masters in virology, you can only imagine the sheer hell on earth that Facebook is for me at the moment.

From Chantelle who has impressively made the leap from bath bomb retailer to consultant virologist in a matter of weeks and can tell you exactly why the government and their experts are wrong, to Bob who claims to have secret intel from a secret government group on the secret programme of secret treatment measures that the government are definitely bringing in at 3pm next Thursday, only it’s a secret, but he’s posting it on Facebook so he feels like 007, to Steve who thinks it’s all a load of bollocks and if he wants to wander round town he bloody well can and why the pub is shut cos his granddad didn’t fight the nazis for him to be told to stay inside even if pornhub premium is now free.

I tried as hard as I could in my studies and in my work in disease control to avoid viruses like the plague (see what I did there?) because they are absolute bastards. Bacteria are so much easier to control and parasites are positively dreamy. Viruses are utter bastards (did I mention that?) because you can do almost nothing to them. To deal with viruses you have to deal with the viral vector instead. That’s the weak point for a virus. Its vector. Only in this case the vector is humans, bloody stupid, arsehole humans like Chantelle, Bob and Steve. Viral control is about psychology more than it’s about medicine and that’s what’s scary about it. Giving everyone a pill is easy, getting everyone to listen and change their behaviour is a fucking nightmare.

The virus is just chugging along being a virus, it’s living it’s best life. You can’t ignore it out of existence, scaremonger it away or become magically immune by gargling with vinegar, donning a decorating mask or sticking a live frog up your arse and swanning round town like an immortal dickhead. You have to actually do what you’re being told to do.

YOU. You can stop it. Do what you’re told. Stay inside. Stop thinking you’re an expert, stop thinking you know best, stop thinking you’re a rebel, stop trying to be a special little cupcake. Be a sheep. Do what you’ve been asked to do. This is NOT your time to shine sweet cheeks, this isn’t your opportunity to over throw the system and save mankind. It’s your opportunity to sit tight, watch Netflix and save mankind.

The virus does not give a shit about you. You’re just a stepping stone, a host, a nameless, faceless breeding ground and launchpad. All it gives a shit about is reproducing and finding new hosts. Don’t let it. Break the chain. Shut the hell up.

Stop spreading fake news and gossip. Let the experts be the experts and do what they tell you because all the googling, all the conspiracy theories, all the spoilt princess routines and all the voodoo bullshit in the world is not going to help you one little bit. This is not about YOUR ego, it’s about OUR survival. So act for the good of us all and do what you’re being asked to do.

Stay inside, protect the NHS, save lives.

That was the case in my bit of Brum earlier in the week. But today it seemed that more were out than previously. Which is a concern, given we’re a bit of a hotspot.

Most mental thing was that in a neighbouring suburb there have been reports of someone torching a mobile phone mast. You couldn’t make that sort of shit up.

We all know all of that, or should by now.

What she is saying is what I have been listening to since things started to get more serious. My kids have not even been in the car for three weeks now. It’s about staying away from each other as much as absolutely possible.

Liverpool played Atletico Madrid at Anfield in front of 54,000 people with 3,000 traveling fans from Madrid (just one of the virus’s major epicenters) at a point we were not allowed to have a game of five aside here. Cheltenham festival went ahead with huge crowds over a full week when most of the rest of the World had started to lock down. Public transport still runs, packed flights continue to come into the UK and people get off unchecked. I can’t enter a supermarket without getting my temperature taken (36.6 today). Why are the UK doing it different to everyone else? She is reiterating what all the people in the World are saying who should be listened to. It’s almost like herd immunity is still an unofficial thing in the UK the lockdown seems like it needs to be actually enforced to me but I also think it could be a bit late now.

The phone mast stuff is excuse the rather apt pun; batshit crazy. I could understand people trying to torch actual bats, not that I condone thar it’s more disgusting than eating them.

Time to end this post as I have just re-read the last paragraph especially in the voice of Alan Partridge.

Because herd immunity is still the only realistic way. It's just a case of managing the spread and therefore the demands on the NHS.

Ultimately the scientific advise has been implemented on a day to day basis. That advise will alter as the infection rate progresses. I'm happy to listen to real experts rather than people on messageboards and facebook who in the main have no expertise. (Compo aside).

Is that you Henrich Cummings? You have no expertise in this field yet are telling us the only way to deal with this. Culling our elderly and putting the economy before human life.

Nowhere else in the Western World thinks that is the only realistic way. Especially countries with healthcare systems and basic public services that are still fit for purpose. I reckon the major concern is if it spreads to more third World countries other than the UK and US, because they are the places who will have little choice other than to take that approach we could see a huge loss of human life.

I bow to your greater scientific knowledge and your daily attendance at the Cobra meetings.

I am not the person advocating a strategy as you are I just think everyone should stay at home, apart from absolute key workers and nobody should be traveling anywhere on public transport or crossing borders completely unchecked. Just about all of the rest of the World agrees with that and I am sure the decisions everywhere else they make are off the back of talking to experts.

NHS workers who haven’t been tested are going to work on the London Underground potentially mixing with people who have just come from Heathrow from wherever in the World then arriving at work. Do you need a title to suggest that is mental?

Mr I on Brexit. Ignore the economists, no one knows what’s going to happen, they’re just economic models. It’ll all be fine when we leave.

Mr I on Covid-19. Listen to the experts, they know what they’re doing.

Yes I agree. A very poor show from Boris not predicting this six months ago when he became Conservative leader. He is definitely to blame for austerity when he wasn't even an MP and the record level of funding that was announced pre budget should not be credited to him.

Ah but there are lots of experts on both sides of the Brexit debate and the doom mongers were proven wrong. This is a definitive science, its not a question of variables and opinions.

Dominic Bummings is as much a fucking expert on virology as I am on driving a tank
The WHO, you know, the experts, don’t advocate herd immunity, are they wrong?, I know who I trust, it’s the people who helped stop the spread of SARS and Ebola, Chris Whitty and even that fella who advises Trump, not some fifty years old goon in a daft hat and his jeans half way down is arse

And as you’re so suddenly willing to listen to experts, I work for an organisation full of them. We moved to working from home as much as possible a full two weeks before the government acted to enforce this lockdown. Two weeks. More importantly, the WHO, back in February, were telling governments across the world to prepare. This government didn’t listen to the experts. They dithered. It really is indefensible.

How were the doom mongers about Brexit proven wrong? It’s not even happened yet in real terms. Fuck knows when it will now if ever.

I’ll meet you next to the burning tyre pile in six months to discuss this.

We haven’t exited yet. Too early to say if the majority of economists were wrong. And believe me, it’s a majority. Don’t think we’ll ever know, given the economic effects of this pandemic will be huge.

Importantly, planning for this pandemic is also not an exact science. We don’t know enough about the virus (particularly here as we’re testing so little) to model it perfectly. The precautionary principle should be our guiding ethic. But that clearly hasn’t happened. And that’s why politics is still important; the science can take us so far; what we do with that knowledge is an ethical and political choice.

If you don't mind I'll listen to CMO's and CSO's. Thanks anyway.

As for Brexit, yes time will tell and none of us have anything new to add to the argument.

On PJ's venom of Boris, its just noise. Like an annoying whine from the back of an old car. You kind of put up with it but don't pay it much attention.

I have not even mentioned ‘Boris’ this government have been in charge for ten years. The last four especially have been just about the most negligent, farcical period we have ever seen. The country has never been so divided and toxic in modern times.

It’s not venom I just think he’s totally unfit and unsuitable for position he holds and it’s a very important position even more so in times like this. If you looked at the mans CV and past in relation to far lesser job he wouldn’t get an interview.

No it hasn't. 'This government has been in charge for three months, Boris six. You can't hold him to blame for stuff that he had no authority over and even less when he wasn't even an MP.

Mass murder isn’t the best start then.

Plus Johnson has been integral to the absurdity of the last four years. He’s the main player. He’s a populist he backed Brexit at the last minute, The Sun backed Boris/leave and people followed then he ran to the hills when to his horror they actually won.

It’s karma in a way that he has been landed with this awful situation.

And there we have it. You’ll listen to the experts who fit your political worldview and only those. That’s fine. Just don’t tell the rest of us to listen to the experts. In a couple of posts you’ve just undermined your whole argument.

Speaking of Karma this situation could ruin Arron Banks given his ulterior Brexit motive and this current situation. Health insurance.

This is horrible for everyone but that though has cheered me right up.

Just out of interest its just a normal saturday night out in Sweden.

The leftie nonsense echo chamber in full flow tonight. I hear that whining again.

If I wanted an expert on what a battlefield is really like, whether you had the right gear, whether you felt your commanders were competent, whatever, I'd listen to you, John, not to Margaret Thatcher.
In the absence of my dear departed dad, you are probably the best expert I know. And I'm pretty sure you're not a cabinet advisor.

So who am I going to listen to to know what's really going on in the battle against covid? The people who say yeah, sure, masks, bunch of nurses dead, I'm a minister get me out of confinement?

See it’s come out today that five London Bus drivers have died of the virus in recent days. Not five ill, five dead.

Keep that transport system running though London.

Classic , let us . the experts . the upper class deal with things, cos we are educated and we know best. If we had accepted that over the course of history few of us would be able to read and write and have a degree, because reading and writing and education was not for the likes of us , just stay up mill chimney and down pit and do as your told.

No one is saying they are experts , they are just voicing their opinions based on what they read and see on tv, even the experts disagree on things like face masks etc, some experts think the industrial revolution started in 1750 , others 1825 , what is your problem?.

And another thing, we all know how experts and people in high places can be blinded , bought off, leaned on, by dark forces , so people have every right to challenge and question what is being said and done , maybe its ruffling a few feathers.

So anyone who dare disagree with the status quo are lefties and talking nonsense ? I bet that makes a lot on here feel great. I would say I am probably the only true leftie on here , the others I would say just have an opinion that isn't follow like sheep right wing.

there is one good thing about experts from every field. you can find one who has the same opinion as you. two people even on here could set themselves up as experts on something. they read, listen watch and study the same things. guess what, at the end they will come out with different outcomes on the subject.

And just as Stagecoach stop drivers having the gloves to handle cash.
London drivers don’t handle cash it is all Oyster cards down there.

And still people in Hartlepool will not stay in.

You know what its like in here, if the tories say something then it must be wrong. Dont need to think about it or analyse it.

The know nowters and non-thinkers of all persuasions salute your insightful contribution to this thread.

The scens in the parks in london are shocking.

The times i've been out in hartlepool its been dead.

People are actually dying.

I couldn’t give a rats arse about the Tories, why is public transport open?

Public transport should be closed and the vehicles should be used to get key workers to work in a controlled and safer manner with enforced social distancing. The people driving them should have the correct PPE.

Does any of that sound unreasonable given bus drivers are now dying?

https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/full-list-mps ... se-1628286


Fucking state of that list eh, every single one of them is a hypocritical wanker of the highest order

So where is the evidence you have stated about the chancellor.

The point you totally miss Mr Talbot is that every single person on that list is democratically elected by the public.
If you don't want the public to elect them you have got to find an electable alternative to present to the public.
The first thing you have to do is understand that and then find a way to achieve it.
I'm not quite sure you are capable of understanding it, never mind achieving it. so why not take up knitting cos your continuous drivel is nauseating.
And I am on your side but you are hindering the general cause by continuously spouting shite. Mind you you are not the only one, if that is any consolation.
Just shut up mate.

How is it 'shite', a lot of people don't appear to think funding of the NHS is linked to the party in power, or so it appears

As a card carrying member of the Labour party, I feel I've done the right thing by voting for Keir Starmer

Your replies to anyone who has a valid opinion or states a fact which has hindered fighting the this pandemic is nothing short of mental

The only valid opinion Mr Talbot is the opinion that until you make the labour party electable all your hot air about Boris and the Tories is what it is and that is hot air.
But you are entitled to your opinion and your stance. Keep going mate and we'll see where it gets you.
I'm getting quite tired of trying to get the same point across. It's as if you and others like you actually want the Tories to keep power.

Ironically, Starmer has straightaway sacked all the corbynites, apologised to the Jewish community, stated that he’s supporting Boris through this and made Labour instantly more respectable.

Meanwhile halfwit Corbyn is claiming nonsensically that he was right all along. The bloke is fucking crackers.

Starmer looks to me like Tony Blair Mk2 so it’s bye bye momentum.

[quote="Mr Irrelevant"]Ironically, Starmer has straightaway sacked all the corbynites, apologised to the Jewish community, stated that he’s supporting Boris through this and made Labour instantly more respectable.

Meanwhile halfwit Corbyn is claiming nonsensically that he was right all along. The bloke is fucking crackers.

Starmer looks to me like Tony Blair Mk2 so it’s bye bye momentum.[/quote

Maybe the people on here who screamed for evidence of racism against the Jews and dismissed the idea as small and trivial will get the fact that Corbyn's Labour was massively racist and criticised me for highlighting that.

If that is what you want to believe, then believe it. I want good government and good opposition but above all I want democracy.
If you disagree with that then I suggest you find another country because those are the values of my country.

Couldn't give a shit young sausage, Hope that helps.

I agree, it has made Labout instantly more respectable. Such a breath of fresh air and a ray of hope for UK politics. A strong opposition snd a real choice for the electorate is so important.

I think there is plenty of scope (thankfully) to be the above without being either Blair or Corbyn.

I doubt it will be a strong opposition at all. Corbyn was a strong opposition , that's why he scared the shit out of tories and they threw everything but the kitchen sink at him , and just to make sure Socialism doesn't rear its ugly head again, started promising things that no ever tory party has ever done in the past , whether these things will be delivered remains to be seen.

What you will get with Starmer is a party that has the potential to gain power, but at what cost? sacrificing its principles , and throwing the left to the Wolves , which was the reason Corbynism came about in the first place , as the same thing happened in the 80s, so much for a broad church and democracy within the Labour Party. A lot of people were sick of the status quo , of politics and politicians in general , with their noses stuck in the trough , whilst the rest of us struggled on , having to pay the price of the banking crisis with austerity.

What we need is radical change not more neo-liberalism, Corbyn offered us that. What Starmer will offer will be similar to Bliar, it may result in Labour winning an election but there wont be the radical change that is needed , you will find there is only the thickness of a cigarette paper between Labour and the Tories and the status quo, that of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer will continue. We will have a political environment similar to that of the U.S where there is hardly any difference between the Republicans and the Democrats, one believing in rampant Capitalism , the other caring Capitalism , but its Capitalism that is the problem. Starmer will be attractive to those ex Labour voters , of whom there are many, who believe in free market Capitalism, and will be able to still live the high life, consuming as if there is no tomorrow, still have their buy to rent 2nd and 3rd homes, still have their stocks and shares but wake up with a clear conscience , because they voted Labour, the party of ordinary people, the party their dad and grandmother voted for. Lets face it , this is about money and ideology not principles, greedy , selfish and feckless people are shit scared of Socialism taking hold. More council houses would kill those making a killing from the renting of 2nd homes , nationalisation would kill off stocks and shares etc etc;

Still I would always prefer a Labour government to any Tory government , even if that means it having to sacrifice its principles, but I promise you, nothing much would radically change if Starmer ever became PM , other than maybe things may not get any worse , and I suppose in this day and age that's about the best we can hope for.

looked into my crystal ball.

1. A very deep depressing recession follows coronavirus.
2. A landslide Labour victory at the next election.
3. A realisation that the economy is even worse than Labour thought
4. Labour unable in the time of one term to turn the tide.
5. Just as the ecomony takes a slight upturn the Tories win the elecation after the labour victory.
6. ecomony recovers and the tories are our saviours.
7. Labour blamed for coronavirus and the recession.

kier Staremr could quite easily just be the whipping boy the tories will need when they lose the election they will want to lose.

should have added.

I give it no more than 12 months before the banks and financial institutions foreclose on businesses and mortgages all over the UK. Basically saying "Virus, what Virus"

I think the truth here is that the government have decided to let the virus sweep through the nation and run its course.

Late to shut things down, half hearted isolation measures, allowing the tube to still run and little help for social care workers with PPE this is counterbalanced with increasing NHS provision to house thousands of very sick people and efficiently despose of the dead.

Desired result being a quicker return to economic production with a side effect of culling people with poor medical health issues.

Is it a plan, I reckon so.

Jeez, is going out to buy tin-foil to make a hat consider ed an essential journey?

There were always only two choices , people first or the economy first , obviously we need both and both are important, but in which order, that is the big question facing our political leaders.

Tricky one. Rather them than me.

It shouldn’t really be tricky. Other countries haven’t found it as difficult economies recover people in coffins don’t.