General Chat

I'm still waiting to hear if anyone caught him paying a visit to Northumberland (where his wife's family is) while he was resident in Durham. :-0

It does not seem to be beyond the realms of possibility that a hop over the county border took place.

I fully agreed with J Van Tam's statement - the one that seemed to preclude him ever standing on the rostrum again.

I thought Van Tam was excellent. Explained things well and prepared to have a personal view.

Under UK law any medical treatment or test can only be administered with the consent of the person involved. The only exceptions are young children and people without capacity.

Tests relating to covid fall into this voluntary category. Thus nobody can be "told" to attend a test centre anywhere let alone a long way from home. People can only be invited to take a test, which they may decline if they wish, without giving any reason.

If the government wants to make covid testing mandatory then it would have to legislate. It would be up to the devolved parliaments whether or not to follow suit.

It is hardly a surprise that testing and tracing are going badly in areas of the country with a high rate of cases and low incomes. Isolating for two weeks is not really an option if your only income will be sick pay combined with a risk of becoming unemployed on top.

I think most people realised that, Rollo, judging by those who did not travel miles for a test.

Anyone see Tony Blair last night (midnight or thereabouts)?

He is not a person I would ever trust, I'm afraid, but he said one thing that I agreed with. When speaking about coronavirus and his family he said that for them as for the rest of us, Christmas this year will be different from previous ones because everyone will have to play it safe still so no parties etc and only immediate family for dinner.

He also said that if a viable vaccination is found in 2021 then we may be able to get back to what we think of as 'normal' Christmastimes.

They'll have to close the pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes if they expect the young ones to toe the line that way, I think ..... and even then they'll probably find ways and means. It'll just be a little harder for them to congregate in big numbers as the cold weather will preclude outdoor parties.

I wouldn't bank on that, JoyLouise. Judging by what I've seen some youngsters wearing in cold weather, they would probably be quite happy outside, as long as it's dry.

Talking of 75mile radius, I have just done some quick measuring on Google Maps, and, in a straight line (quite impossible round here!!) I could be asked to go to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Isle of Skye, Carlisle or Belfast. :-| :-|

I know what you mean Andysmum and, as I said 'ways and means' - but I do think that icy cold and snowy weather will put the kybosh on quite a bit of outdoor activity.

If we get this flu that has been mentioned several times we will all be in for a dreadful winter.

Gawd, it seems as though I am pessimistic when usually I am the opposite! :-(

An increase in 'cold calls' lately may be the result of genuine people/authorities trying to advise you of potential infection.