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Newbury Today Forum _ Random Rants _ Track and Trace

Posted by: Mr Brown Sep 25 2020, 06:54 AM

Does any Government sponsored IT development ever work properly? It seems that the much delayed App doesn’t work on older (in some cases by 18 months) ‘Smart’ phones. Still, it’s only little people disadvantaged by this. Government for the few takes off!

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Sep 25 2020, 08:12 AM

QUOTE (Mr Brown @ Sep 25 2020, 07:54 AM) *
Does any Government sponsored IT development ever work properly? It seems that the much delayed App doesn’t work on older (in some cases by 18 months) ‘Smart’ phones. Still, it’s only little people disadvantaged by this. Government for the few takes off!

Works for me. Get an upgrade.😂

Posted by: SirWilliam Sep 25 2020, 09:15 AM

QUOTE (TallDarkAndHandsome @ Sep 25 2020, 09:12 AM) *
Works for me. Get an upgrade.😂


Does it work on my landline? rolleyes.gif

Posted by: newres Sep 25 2020, 10:22 AM

"What should I do if I get a notification saying that I’ve been in ‘close contact’ with someone who has coronavirus (COVID-19), but I do not believe I have?
The app will send you a notification if it calculates that you have been in ‘close contact’ with someone who then tests positive for coronavirus. The alert will not identify the individual in any way. A scientific calculation, using an “algorithm”, has been developed by NHS doctors and scientists to work out which app users are ‘close contacts’.

‘Close contact’ generally means you have been within 2 metres of someone for 15 minutes or more. Read more about how the risk scoring algorithm works.

If you have questions about how the advice applies to you, or are struggling with self-isolation, please call 111."

We're expected to trust a government algorithm? laugh.gif

Posted by: Mr Brown Sep 25 2020, 10:28 AM

QUOTE (TallDarkAndHandsome @ Sep 25 2020, 09:12 AM) *
Works for me. Get an upgrade.😂


That’s just the point - you can’t, new handset needed. I appreciate no one here is poor or disadvantaged and only the green nutters don’t like dumping what is really perfectly serviceable stuff. So, if you are at the wrong end of the economy and worry where the next few hours work is coming from. If you are getting behind with the rent because your ‘self employed decorating work’ isn’t picking up. If you’ve let your old mum have your old iPhone believing the track and trace app pre publicity would help then you might just have a different opinion! I’d also hazard a guess and say the cynics in our society might even be suggesting that this is an Apple marketing ploy. Anyway, glad you are alright Jack.

Posted by: SirWilliam Sep 25 2020, 11:26 AM

QUOTE (newres @ Sep 25 2020, 11:22 AM) *
"What should I do if I get a notification saying that I’ve been in ‘close contact’ with someone who has coronavirus (COVID-19), but I do not believe I have?
The app will send you a notification if it calculates that you have been in ‘close contact’ with someone who then tests positive for coronavirus. The alert will not identify the individual in any way. A scientific calculation, using an “algorithm”, has been developed by NHS doctors and scientists to work out which app users are ‘close contacts’.

‘Close contact’ generally means you have been within 2 metres of someone for 15 minutes or more. Read more about how the risk scoring algorithm works.

If you have questions about how the advice applies to you, or are struggling with self-isolation, please call 111."

We're expected to trust a government algorithm? laugh.gif


A common sense approach to the issue has been overwritten by those who believe that modern technology is the answer to EVERYTHING let alone this little exercise. Little doubt in some sectors of society this can be a useful tool, but as the case with any implement, it is only as good as it's weakest part. And as far as I can ascertain it has completely overlooked that section that are the most vulnerable; the elderly. There are countless thousands of pensioners who do not own a mobile phone, let alone a "smart" one and have no wish too, assuming they could afford one. As happened at the start of this pandemic they have once again been thrown "under the bus" when it comes to protecting them. The rise in infection may now be with the younger demographic but it is still the elderly that are succumbing.
But of course they are the right wing, brexit loving, white supremacy bigots that society could well do without. angry.gif angry.gif

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Sep 25 2020, 12:14 PM

QUOTE (SirWilliam @ Sep 25 2020, 12:26 PM) *
A common sense approach to the issue has been overwritten by those who believe that modern technology is the answer to EVERYTHING let alone this little exercise. Little doubt in some sectors of society this can be a useful tool, but as the case with any implement, it is only as good as it's weakest part. And as far as I can ascertain it has completely overlooked that section that are the most vulnerable; the elderly. There are countless thousands of pensioners who do not own a mobile phone, let alone a "smart" one and have no wish too, assuming they could afford one. As happened at the start of this pandemic they have once again been thrown "under the bus" when it comes to protecting them. The rise in infection may now be with the younger demographic but it is still the elderly that are succumbing.
But of course they are the right wing, brexit loving, white supremacy bigots that society could well do without. angry.gif angry.gif


It's just Logans Run by Stealth. Get on the Carousel, Sir Will. Greenest thing to do would be to kill 5 or 6 billion. 👍

Posted by: Mr Brown Sep 25 2020, 12:30 PM

QUOTE (SirWilliam @ Sep 25 2020, 12:26 PM) *
A common sense approach to the issue has been overwritten by those who believe that modern technology is the answer to EVERYTHING let alone this little exercise. Little doubt in some sectors of society this can be a useful tool, but as the case with any implement, it is only as good as it's weakest part. And as far as I can ascertain it has completely overlooked that section that are the most vulnerable; the elderly. There are countless thousands of pensioners who do not own a mobile phone, let alone a "smart" one and have no wish too, assuming they could afford one. As happened at the start of this pandemic they have once again been thrown "under the bus" when it comes to protecting them. The rise in infection may now be with the younger demographic but it is still the elderly that are succumbing.
But of course they are the right wing, brexit loving, white supremacy bigots that society could well do without. angry.gif angry.gif


Quite the best response I’ve ever seen on here, seriously!

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Sep 25 2020, 04:34 PM

QUOTE (Mr Brown @ Sep 25 2020, 01:30 PM) *
Quite the best response I’ve ever seen on here, seriously!

The remainers will be happy and Greta!

Posted by: user23 Sep 26 2020, 10:04 AM

What should they be using instead?

Posted by: SirWilliam Sep 26 2020, 12:16 PM

QUOTE (user23 @ Sep 26 2020, 11:04 AM) *
What should they be using instead?


One is inclined to answer "common sense" coupled with "taking responsibility for your lifestyle". But we all know that not only by-passes HMG directives but also adds ammunition to the doom and gloom mongers who are quite happy for us to bankrupt the country as long as they don't have to meet the cost.
No one should have been under any illusion that this virus was going to return to it's home town anytime soon, so on that premise it is logical that everyone is going to come in contact with it over the next 6 to 12 months. Herd immunity is the only way forward for those who are reasonably healthy, but they need to be aware that the vulnerable must be protected and this is where common sense applies.
By taking responsibility for our lifestyle should, in theory, remove the obese, unfit and generally unhealthy element that are are at present being subsidised by the elderly, the long term sick and those with disabilities.
None of the above is being helped by a testing system that is being used as a prognosis indicator as opposed to diagnostic one. It only needs one person in the testing queue to be a carrier in order to infect everyone else. This is common sense and I am at a complete loss to understand why the scientific brigade are condoning such action when a much more sensible approach would be via home testing kits that are only used when there are obvious indicators.

Posted by: SirWilliam Sep 26 2020, 12:16 PM

QUOTE (user23 @ Sep 26 2020, 11:04 AM) *
What should they be using instead?


One is inclined to answer "common sense" coupled with "taking responsibility for your lifestyle". But we all know that not only by-passes HMG directives but also adds ammunition to the doom and gloom mongers who are quite happy for us to bankrupt the country as long as they don't have to meet the cost.
No one should have been under any illusion that this virus was going to return to it's home town anytime soon, so on that premise it is logical that everyone is going to come in contact with it over the next 6 to 12 months. Herd immunity is the only way forward for those who are reasonably healthy, but they need to be aware that the vulnerable must be protected and this is where common sense applies.
By taking responsibility for our lifestyle should, in theory, remove the obese, unfit and generally unhealthy element that are are at present being subsidised by the elderly, the long term sick and those with disabilities.
None of the above is being helped by a testing system that is being used as a prognosis indicator as opposed to diagnostic one. It only needs one person in the testing queue to be a carrier in order to infect everyone else. This is common sense and I am at a complete loss to understand why the scientific brigade are condoning such action when a much more sensible approach would be via home testing kits that are only used when there are obvious indicators.

Posted by: SirWilliam Sep 29 2020, 01:03 PM

This article has some interesting facts for those who think the end is nigh.

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/05/how-many-people-die-each-day-covid-19-coronavirus/

For those who can't read, the global deaths form corona virus are on a par with suicide, yet very little is done to prevent such tragedies.

Posted by: newres Sep 29 2020, 01:28 PM

QUOTE (SirWilliam @ Sep 29 2020, 02:03 PM) *
This article has some interesting facts for those who think the end is nigh.

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/05/how-many-people-die-each-day-covid-19-coronavirus/

For those who can't read, the global deaths form corona virus are on a par with suicide, yet very little is done to prevent such tragedies.

Covid 19 is being kept in check by social distancing measures. Cases were doubling every 2/3 days in March. Think what the cases and deaths would be without those measures.

Posted by: SirWilliam Sep 29 2020, 05:34 PM

QUOTE (newres @ Sep 29 2020, 02:28 PM) *
Covid 19 is being kept in check by social distancing measures. Cases were doubling every 2/3 days in March. Think what the cases and deaths would be without those measures.


Or one could equally argue that the infection rate would have been the same had we done nothing. Without a viable control model we are reliant on a speculative assessment. Any virus is completely unpredictable in it's "life cycle" owing to it's ability to mutate at whim, which is one of the reasons it is so difficult to produce a viable vaccine. The important figure is the fatality rate per 100 infected cases and that is below 1%. Highly distressing for those involved but is it really worth the hysteria when placed alongside other terminal conditions? I agree social distancing is beneficial, but surely it doesn't take a master's degree to work that one out?
Smoking kills, yet they still sell cigarettes, even though their use is a personal choice, so why haven't they banned them completely, or at least legislated against their use in public?

Posted by: newres Sep 30 2020, 11:46 AM

QUOTE (SirWilliam @ Sep 29 2020, 06:34 PM) *
Or one could equally argue that the infection rate would have been the same had we done nothing. Without a viable control model we are reliant on a speculative assessment. Any virus is completely unpredictable in it's "life cycle" owing to it's ability to mutate at whim, which is one of the reasons it is so difficult to produce a viable vaccine. The important figure is the fatality rate per 100 infected cases and that is below 1%. Highly distressing for those involved but is it really worth the hysteria when placed alongside other terminal conditions? I agree social distancing is beneficial, but surely it doesn't take a master's degree to work that one out?
Smoking kills, yet they still sell cigarettes, even though their use is a personal choice, so why haven't they banned them completely, or at least legislated against their use in public?

Hard to argue with some of your points but it's hard to think it wasn't the total lockdown that all but eradicated infections.

You say social distancing is obvious, but it isn't to most. Especially when drinking. We had a spike after VE Day in some areas. Around 50% of people I pass make to effort to keep 2 metres. If they aren't told what to do, they're too stupid to do the right thing.

On a slightly different subject. I had a chuckle on Facebook the other day when somebody blamed the "educated middle class" for panic buying.

Posted by: SirWilliam Sep 30 2020, 01:35 PM

QUOTE (newres @ Sep 30 2020, 12:46 PM) *
Hard to argue with some of your points but it's hard to think it wasn't the total lockdown that all but eradicated infections.

You say social distancing is obvious, but it isn't to most. Especially when drinking. We had a spike after VE Day in some areas. Around 50% of people I pass make to effort to keep 2 metres. If they aren't told what to do, they're too stupid to do the right thing.

On a slightly different subject. I had a chuckle on Facebook the other day when somebody blamed the "educated middle class" for panic buying.


I saw something the other day regarding a resurgence of stockpiling, though not sure if it was specific to an area. This could well be exacerbated due to a bad harvest this year which in turn will push the price of wheat up. If there is a run on flour by the "new cooks" that seem to be flourishing we may be in for a dodgy time, but it would only be short term.
Return of the Corn Laws anyone? tongue.gif tongue.gif

Posted by: newres Sep 30 2020, 02:21 PM

QUOTE (SirWilliam @ Sep 30 2020, 02:35 PM) *
I saw something the other day regarding a resurgence of stockpiling, though not sure if it was specific to an area. This could well be exacerbated due to a bad harvest this year which in turn will push the price of wheat up. If there is a run on flour by the "new cooks" that seem to be flourishing we may be in for a dodgy time, but it would only be short term.
Return of the Corn Laws anyone? tongue.gif tongue.gif

Tell you what, if a no deal Brexit looks likely, I will stockpile a few bits. Probably only of limited use as the main shortages food wise will be fresh goods, but I'll make sure we've got pasta and rice in abundance well before December if there's no deal by mid October.

Posted by: je suis Charlie Sep 30 2020, 07:31 PM

Buy a cow....and a chainsaw.

Posted by: SirWilliam Sep 30 2020, 09:21 PM

QUOTE (je suis Charlie @ Sep 30 2020, 08:31 PM) *
Buy a cow....and a chainsaw.


Pig is a preferred option. Quite handy as a consumer of all the corona related fatalities that we are about to experience and bacon sandwiches is one luxury that would be hard to forsake.

Posted by: newres Oct 1 2020, 11:37 AM

QUOTE (je suis Charlie @ Sep 30 2020, 08:31 PM) *
Buy a cow....and a chainsaw.

I’m reducing my meat eating. Although thinking about Hannibal Lector a knife and a sewing kit might be sustainable.

Posted by: SirWilliam Oct 1 2020, 12:08 PM

QUOTE (newres @ Oct 1 2020, 12:37 PM) *
I’m reducing my meat eating. Although thinking about Hannibal Lector a knife and a sewing kit might be sustainable.


If we weren't so darned fussy we would have a ready supply of protein at the mortuary.
Shocked? Give it a hundred years and they won't even wait till you are dead.

Posted by: je suis Charlie Oct 1 2020, 01:41 PM

QUOTE (SirWilliam @ Oct 1 2020, 01:08 PM) *
If we weren't so darned fussy we would have a ready supply of protein at the mortuary.
Shocked? Give it a hundred years and they won't even wait till you are dead.

Yummy, Solent green for tea.

Posted by: Turin Machine Oct 1 2020, 07:40 PM

I would tell you a covid joke, but 99.6% of you won't get it.

Posted by: SirWilliam Oct 1 2020, 07:55 PM

QUOTE (Turin Machine @ Oct 1 2020, 08:40 PM) *
I would tell you a covid joke, but 99.6% of you won't get it.


Don't give up the day job. laugh.gif laugh.gif

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Oct 5 2020, 11:41 AM

QUOTE (SirWilliam @ Oct 1 2020, 08:55 PM) *
Don't give up the day job. laugh.gif laugh.gif

210 billion spent on the pandemic...and we are relying on an excel speeadsheet for Big Data...Dear God...


https://mobile.twitter.com/MaxCRoser/status/1313046638915706880



Posted by: newres Oct 5 2020, 05:05 PM

QUOTE (TallDarkAndHandsome @ Oct 5 2020, 12:41 PM) *
210 billion spent on the pandemic...and we are relying on an excel speeadsheet for Big Data...Dear God...


https://mobile.twitter.com/MaxCRoser/status/1313046638915706880

Without doubt the most incompetent government ever and during the biggest national crisis since WW2 I’d think.

Posted by: SirWilliam Oct 6 2020, 09:02 AM

QUOTE (newres @ Oct 5 2020, 06:05 PM) *
Without doubt the most incompetent government ever and during the biggest national crisis since WW2 I’d think.

Complete agreement, (collectors item), but I am coming from the other direction. This is literally making a mountain out of a molehill.
No one is arguing that the virus is not a nasty little fellow to have round to tea but it could have been handled so much better at a fraction of the price.
It should cost the Tory's the next election but are the others any brighter?

Posted by: newres Oct 6 2020, 10:15 AM

QUOTE (SirWilliam @ Oct 6 2020, 10:02 AM) *
Complete agreement, (collectors item), but I am coming from the other direction. This is literally making a mountain out of a molehill.
No one is arguing that the virus is not a nasty little fellow to have round to tea but it could have been handled so much better at a fraction of the price.
It should cost the Tory's the next election but are the others any brighter?

Ok. So explain to me why the most libertarian government we’ve ever seen and whose core voters believe Covid is a hoax would over react? I just don’t see a motive.

Posted by: SirWilliam Oct 6 2020, 12:03 PM

QUOTE (newres @ Oct 6 2020, 11:15 AM) *
Ok. So explain to me why the most libertarian government we’ve ever seen and whose core voters believe Covid is a hoax would over react? I just don’t see a motive.


For starters anyone who considers a viral pandemic a hoax should be given sanctuary in a padded cell.
Do not confuse libertarian with weak. I have no reason to suppose the present incumbents of Downing St, are liberal, (with a small L), but they have shown weakness when they needed to be strong, and that "weakness" has undoubtedly cost lives. Now they are trying to show "strength" but the populace can see through their charade and are questioning every directive and some of the answers are unpalatable.

The question remains though that will the electorate show their disapproval at the appropriate time or will it be forgotten if the economy undertakes one of those "road to Damascus" phases?

Posted by: SirWilliam Oct 7 2020, 10:00 AM

One can debate till the cows come home the pros and cons of present government strategy but anyone want to argue with the Lancet?

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31201-0/fulltext

Maybe it's time we started taking this a little more seriously?

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Oct 7 2020, 11:06 AM

QUOTE (SirWilliam @ Oct 7 2020, 11:00 AM) *
One can debate till the cows come home the pros and cons of present government strategy but anyone want to argue with the Lancet?

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31201-0/fulltext

Maybe it's time we started taking this a little more seriously?

Dont worry. Matt is on the case...

https://mobile.twitter.com/ThatTimWalker/status/1313574781787275269



Posted by: SirWilliam Oct 7 2020, 11:29 AM

QUOTE (TallDarkAndHandsome @ Oct 7 2020, 12:06 PM) *
Dont worry. Matt is on the case...

https://mobile.twitter.com/ThatTimWalker/status/1313574781787275269


Now I am seriously concerned.

Posted by: newres Oct 7 2020, 11:56 AM

QUOTE (SirWilliam @ Oct 7 2020, 11:00 AM) *
One can debate till the cows come home the pros and cons of present government strategy but anyone want to argue with the Lancet?

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31201-0/fulltext

Maybe it's time we started taking this a little more seriously?

If the government could get track and trace working we'd be a lot further along. The WHO have been shouting from day 1 that this is the key. Instead of awarding contracts to their mates, they should have given the money to the NHS and local authorities.

Posted by: je suis Charlie Oct 7 2020, 01:57 PM

QUOTE (newres @ Oct 7 2020, 12:56 PM) *
If the government could get track and trace working we'd be a lot further along. The WHO have been shouting from day 1 that this is the key. Instead of awarding contracts to their mates, they should have given the money to the NHS and local authorities.

Because of course the NHS has such a stellar record of success with anything IT.

Posted by: newres Oct 7 2020, 02:39 PM

QUOTE (je suis Charlie @ Oct 7 2020, 02:57 PM) *
Because of course the NHS has such a stellar record of success with anything IT.

It isn't just IT though. The private sector can't get the tests carried out. The errors being made are schoolboy errors. Not expecting high demand when schools and universities return?? Come on, it's been a cluster ****. And before you say anything, I would sincerely much sooner be heaping praise.

Posted by: SirWilliam Oct 7 2020, 03:12 PM

[quote name='je suis Charlie' date='Oct 7 2020, 02:57 PM' post='127328']
Because of course the NHS has such a stellar record of success with anything IT.
[/quo
They are also quite efficient at killing off one sector of their clientele in order to protect another. Beginning to wonder if we would not be better off being run by St Barts' 6th form.

Posted by: newres Oct 12 2020, 02:08 PM

I’m in Kendal atm. This morning in 1/2 hour I saw one chap come out of a shop, take his mask off and proceed to start coughing. Another chap coughing as walking along and a third man spit phlegm. I’ve not witnessed anything like that in Newbury since this started.

Posted by: SirWilliam Oct 13 2020, 09:28 AM

QUOTE (newres @ Oct 12 2020, 03:08 PM) *
I’m in Kendal atm. This morning in 1/2 hour I saw one chap come out of a shop, take his mask off and proceed to start coughing. Another chap coughing as walking along and a third man spit phlegm. I’ve not witnessed anything like that in Newbury since this started.


The "murky" waters of the pond spread exponentially without some form of control. Beautiful part of the country, but that has little to do with the inhabitants, local or otherwise.
Anyway enjoy your stay and I am sure Newbury will still be much the same on your return.

Posted by: je suis Charlie Oct 13 2020, 10:15 AM

QUOTE (newres @ Oct 12 2020, 03:08 PM) *
I’m in Kendal atm. This morning in 1/2 hour I saw one chap come out of a shop, take his mask off and proceed to start coughing. Another chap coughing as walking along and a third man spit phlegm. I’ve not witnessed anything like that in Newbury since this started.

What did you expect? Thy's Oop t'north lad.

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