Except that the NY fireworks generate tens of millions of pounds for London's economy. So they are an investment.
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Heading into autumn - what next?
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Mainline421
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Right, despite all major restrictions being gone, including mass gatherings, Khan's decided there'll be no major fireworks display for New Year in London again:
London's New Year fireworks cancelled for a second year
The mayor's office blames "uncertainty caused by the pandemic", but other options will be planned.www.bbc.co.uk
That's an Orwellian re-witing of history there. Guess I must have imagined the massive fireworks display for 2021
On a lighter note, in London that night was pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere and number of partygoers, even with most things were closed. Crowds of people arriving off the late night trains into London dressed for a night out with BTP being reasonable about "Tier 4." And at least Five Guys was open
Its a damned nuisence getting home though. Went for a couple of beers with family in London new year before lockdown (can't be arsed with fireworks) but the journey back with all the tube stops closed (so the gawpers could get priority) means that it's not something I'll be bothering with again.
brad465
Established Member
Javid ahs come out criticising Khan's decision, suggesting he remains reluctant to impose restrictions for now:
London New Year fireworks perfectly safe - Sajid Javid
Health Secretary Sajid Javid says he "can't understand" the rationale for cancelling the display.
www.bbc.co.uk
Javid ahs come out criticising Khan's decision, suggesting he remains reluctant to impose restrictions for now:
London New Year fireworks perfectly safe - Sajid Javid
Health Secretary Sajid Javid says he "can't understand" the rationale for cancelling the display.www.bbc.co.uk
With the government's recent track record I'm taking "perfectly safe to stage the event" as an admission that we'll be welded into our houses over the festive period!
Joking aside, was there not a thread recently about local councils scrapping bonfire night fireworks displays "due to covid" which turned out to be a cover for "we can't get fireworks for love nor money at the moment" - I dare say there are parallels to be drawn
Well, today Khan's given the go-ahead for next week's Diwali celebration and fireworks *shrugs*Javid ahs come out criticising Khan's decision, suggesting he remains reluctant to impose restrictions for now:
London New Year fireworks perfectly safe - Sajid Javid
Health Secretary Sajid Javid says he "can't understand" the rationale for cancelling the display.www.bbc.co.uk
They've also said there is absolutely no risk of the gas supply running out this winter and then today stated that the winter is going to be mild. Tomorrow i'm going to buy a very thick jumper and a shovel.
How can they know that? Weather forecasts that far out (December is the first month of winter, so basically two months) are rarely that accurate. If the next season could be forecast so accurately, we'd all be able to make our summer holiday plans depending on whether the UK summer is likely to be good or not.
Regardless of what should be done about the new year firework display (cancellation seems silly given mass events are happening right now) I don't believe a word any member of this government says, and I certainly don't trust an alleged admirer of the work of Ayn Rand.
"Build Back Better" and its variation "Bus Back Better". Hmmm... better for whom? Wealthy Conservative supporters?
All I see is cuts, cuts, cuts - and of course the government is a party which is not known for having any moral qualms about swingeing cuts.
Sooner or later, people will see Bumbling Boris and the Conservatives for what they really are, and I think, for the reasons discussed in this thread, next year will be the year. Of course there's the risk 'Boris' will throw a snap election for next spring - early enough for the cuts to have not been felt fully yet.
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Eyersey468
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I don't believe a word any member of this government says either, especially given their track record.
When did he mention "for now"?
Where is the mention that the winter is going to be mild?
Maybe some very speculative forecast, which comes with probabilities attached. See: the "barbecue summer" of 2009, which produced a decent June, a washout July and a very average August.
Plus a bit of nowcasting, always a mistake people make. "It's mild now, so winter will be mild". Reminiscent of how some people thought summer 2012 would be a scorcher because March was unusually warm. In the event it was one of the wettest since the 1960s.
Where is the mention that the winter is going to be mild?
What has Ayn Rand got to do with anything, one way or the other?
Kwarteng mentioned it yesterday. A shared meeting with energy bosses and the Met Office where the most likely scenario would be mild and wet conditions through the winter.
Considering the Met Office cannot reliably tell me what's happening outside my door most hours of the day i'm not convinced.
I believe that a certain cabinet minister is something of a fan of some of her work - and as she was known as someone who appeared to espouse a philosophy of unlimited corporate power with no government control on corporations to do as they please, it makes me rather suspicious of anyone who has expressed admiration for her work.
While excessive cold would not be welcome I suspect few would want mild and wet. This year has been dull enough already; a winter like that (rather than the frosty, sunny variety) would send many people absolutely crazy I suspect from SAD and lack of the dry weather we need to get outside. Psycholoigically, I suspect many crave a bright, dry, calm winter with very average temperatures. Just as well forecasts that far out are inaccurate...
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brad465
Established Member
Admittingly I don't believe he mentioned it, I added it because I wouldn't be surprised if Javid has eventually backed into a corner hard enough to take action on covid.
That would indeed be the ideal winter. Rather unlikely I think, sadly.
My understanding of her ideas (I've not read her novels and they aren't on my to read list) is that it's not about corporate power, but personal power allied with complete individualism. Your concern about a subscriber to that philosophy having ministerial responsibility for a service whose benefits are not just personal is well justified.
Looking at the numbers it seems inevitable that we will soon invoke "Plan B" as the snails pace of the booster / kids roll out means things are going sideways in a hurry.
Will be really interesting to see how people react to restrictions being brought back - whether those who have "checked out" get on board again and if it finally leads to some dissatisfaction with Government.
I am just pleased I have been to a few events recently!
Will be really interesting to see how people react to restrictions being brought back - whether those who have "checked out" get on board again and if it finally leads to some dissatisfaction with Government.
I am just pleased I have been to a few events recently!
bramling
Veteran Member
I get the feeling re-imposition of restrictions won't go down well. I think a critical mass of people have "moved on" now, and aren't ready to retrace their steps. Witness how many people are, for example, openly defying Khan's attempt to mandate mask use on TfL.
There will, of course, be a core of people hoping for a return.
It is quite possible to accommodate both - those who want to wall themselves away should be made to feel very welcome to do so, but at their own expense. See how quickly their attitude changes then!
bramling
Veteran Member
Today's news has been (sadly) dominated by another story, but it's probably not going to be long before case numbers receive substantial media attention. This shouldn't in itself be a problem, if we had a prime minister able to robustly articulate that rising cases no longer equals unacceptable death rates.
Unfortunately there is a problem, namely that the government has allowed a narrative over the last 18 months that the measures are "to protect you from getting Covid". This was never the case, yet many people continue to have this belief, and the PM is too weak and frit to manage expectations.
"We're going to beat this" is about as sophisticated as it gets. Wasn't it supposed to have been "sent packing" 15 months ago?!
brad465
Established Member
Presenting, the next variant, being labelled as a Delta descendant and believed to be around 10% more transmissible than Delta (which is already highly infectious):
on.ft.com
Given how infectious delta is and how its ability to spread in the lockdowns in Australia and New Zealand forced them to accept zero-covid can't be achieved anymore, I doubt any restrictions being re-imposed will have any effect.
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Given how infectious delta is and how its ability to spread in the lockdowns in Australia and New Zealand forced them to accept zero-covid can't be achieved anymore, I doubt any restrictions being re-imposed will have any effect.
Presenting, the next variant, being labelled as a Delta descendant and believed to be around 10% more transmissible than Delta (which is already highly infectious):
Subscribe to the Financial Times
A subscription to the Financial Times provides you with the insights and perspective you need to succeed, now.
Given how infectious delta is and how its ability to spread in the lockdowns in Australia and New Zealand forced them to accept zero-covid can't be achieved anymore, I doubt any restrictions being re-imposed will have any effect.
10% more transmissable doesn't seem a great deal in the scheme of things.
Clearly any sort of restrictions will be pointless.
bramling
Veteran Member
Can't help but be slightly suspicious, this coming just before the October half-term week, which if we remember was at one point rumoured to be when a "circuit breaker" was being advised.
What's the betting that version 4.0 appears some time around 23rd December?...
Silver Cobra
Member
With the recent rise in cases, the organisers of the event I'm attending at the ExCeL this Saturday have changed their entry requirements regarding proof of vaccination, a negative test or prior immunity to now extend to anyone aged 3 and up requiring this (it was originally only for those aged 18 and up). Since vaccines are only available for children aged 12 and up, this means any children aged between 3 and 11 must take a lateral flow test 48 hours before attending, unless they have proof of prior immunity. I can just imagine the difficulties that will be involved with trying to do a lateral flow test on such young children, given how unpleasant an experience it is for us adults.
I note Kit Yates of SAGE has been quoted in the Guardian as saying the current level of cases and deaths is “unacceptable” and that “it didn’t have to be this way”. It’s totally inappropriate that a scientist should yet again be making value judgments and political proclamations which should be left to politicians. I have no doubt this is motivated by the fact that many of these scientists are frustrated that the country seems to be moving on from Covid, and are keen to keep themselves in the limelight for as long as possible.
Busaholic
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A lab in the West Midlands has been closed for producing five weeks' worth of false negatives, meaning infected people just carried on with their normal lives, so many others could have been infected. It was only that so many reported feeling unwell even after the all-clear that the 'rogue' lab was brought to account.
The way I read that, it was regulatory oversight which spotted the statistical outlier of low PCR:negative compared to LFT
Investigation ordered into Wolverhampton Covid lab test failings
A lab in Wolverhampton is suspended as 43,000 people in England and Wales are potentially affected.www.bbc.co.uk
ositive which raised doubts. I only see one family reporting feeling unwell after PCRostive results.Either way, it does appear that a larger proportion of people than usual who were likely positive were sent on their merry way.
Edit: Those emojis were entered as <colon><p>, like PCR:negative. If anybody knows how to prevent that, please advise.
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