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In dealing with the coronavirus, the British government’s scientific advisers recommend against restricting public gatherings and mass transit systems because the likely health benefits are not significant. They say that maintaining business as normal is crucial to maintaining health services, supply chains, food distribution, and essential services such as utilities, banking and transportation. The emphasis should instead be on encouraging all those who have symptoms to stay at home and avoid spreading their illness. Do you agree?

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The brit nuke expert got Fukushima totally wrong,

What? Who? We know for sure that the Japanese got Fuskushima totally wrong. In the words of the report:

"What must be admitted – very painfully – is that this was a disaster 'Made in Japan.' Its fundamental causes are to be found in the ingrained conventions of Japanese culture: our reflexive obedience; our reluctance to question authority; our devotion to 'sticking with the program'; our groupism; and our insularity."

don't trust brits period!

I wouldn't trust someone who makes racist statements like this.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

That was step one, but they are gradually changing the scenario. Watch for the UK to become like Japan today in a week or two, or less.

Hand sanitizing gels have already sold out.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Aside from actually being in a bunker, it appears theres nothing you can do to stop the spread. Even asymptomatic people can spread it. At some point we'll probably all going to just have to get it if we get it and get over it (god willing). We can't stop the world from turning.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

John Kemp, the journalist who wrote the Reuters article this poll is based on, leads a group of specialist energy and commodities analysts for Reuters. His expertise lies in oil and gas, refining, energy policy, international trade, and the financial and foreign policy aspects of energy.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Keep Calm & Carry On.

And have a nice cup of tea.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Seems that capitalism must be upheld and damn the people, eh.

And if you believe Sadiq Khan, that the London Underground is safe from the virus, then you clearly need to read up on how viruses are spread, and then decide for yourself - don't forget to remember his advice the next time you vote - whichever way, you made your mind up.

Bit surprised he's say something like that. Very Trumpian of him. More surprised, mind, that JT readers are voting in the London Mayoral elections. How does that work?

Coughs and Sneezes Spread diseases, and all those other Traditional British things, and made this into a rallying call for coming together as a Nation to work together to beat this virus in a way that only the British can do.

That's well Brexit that is. One expects to hear "spirit of the blitz" and "Dunkirk" next.

Having a knees up round the old Joanna isn't going to stop this virus.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

By the time you have symptoms, you've already spread the virus.

And if you believe Sadiq Khan, that the London Underground is safe from the virus, then you clearly need to read up on how viruses are spread, and then decide for yourself - don't forget to remember his advice the next time you vote - whichever way, you made your mind up.

That all said, the Government is right, in that we should Carry on, perform our duties as best we can, lest the Country seize up, they should have said we should urge caution, reminded us of the War time slogan - Coughs and Sneezes Spread diseases, and all those other Traditional British things, and made this into a rallying call for coming together as a Nation to work together to beat this virus in a way that only the British can do... sadly, that call didn't happen - and what we've been left with is a bit like a balloon being deflated like a fart cushion.

:(

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Huh? Sources please! Thank you.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The brit nuke expert got Fukushima totally wrong, don't trust brits period!

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

You can see some of what their plans are here, even as the NHS declares a Level 4, their highest state of alert.

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-cases-in-the-uk-rise-to-51-11948376

Boris continues to shake hands, though. Perhaps foolish, in light of how the Iran leadership is coming down with coronavirus, and the Queen is wearing gloves.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

That was step one, but they are gradually changing the scenario. Watch for the UK to become like Japan today in a week or two, or less.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The British government seems to be more concerned about business than it's citizens.

Easy to poo-poo the economy when you are comfy. But without a healthy economy, people starve and die.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

We need to wait until end of the year to see which countries had solid plan and execution.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

As they say, “Keep calm and carry on”.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Not only the British.. The Japanese public health experts also advised against closing schools without an ongoing outbreak of the virus.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

John-SanMar

Stay at home, until the vaccine is ready, stock up with food and meds. Do online shopping until stocks run out, , only go out if really necessary, like to chop wood or to obtain fuel for warmth, use AC heating if available. because it will only be a week before fuel run out. when this really kick off. We live in a "just in time" market place and a week is the max before run outs occur. Start it now, don't wait any longer.

It the Elites that want us to keep up normality because they are and will be the biggest finical lossers. Protect yourself and family first.

Seriously? Well, you crawl off back to your bunker and prepare for the apocalypse. For the rest of us, the alternative to the government's advice is to panic: run about like headless chickens, buying up all the bog roll and staying alive on Pot Noodles and tea.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51714703

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The problem with this approach is this virus is carried undetected (a-symptomatically), in many of those infected. So just ignoring things will not help and just speed the spread of the virus. It's a tough problem to deal with. Most likely there are many more cases of the virus in Japan and in the USA that have just not been detected. Many younger healthy people may have the virus, with only mild or very weak symptoms, and never actually require treatment. These people don't really feel that bad and continue with their normal activities - all the while spreading the virus unbeknownst to all around them. Again, this is a difficult situation to work through.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

For some there is no choice but for life to go on.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

At my daughter's workplace in London they have been told conflicting things. Many of them went skiing in Italy recently, and one of their customers was saying how she had been at Milan Fashion Week. They have been asked not to hold their regular meetings, and those who feel they should are allowed to self-quarantine... .

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Bear in mind Britain is still in the containment phase, so far with a degree of success as the infection rate is currently quite low. Therefor until circumstances start to change it would cause more harm than good to over react. There are processes in place to monitor if the infection rate is increasing, at which point no doubt measures will change.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The more the politicians are thinking of their own benefit, the more citizens in Japan would be asked to be inside their house. Think others, not yours.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

In dealing with the coronavirus, the British government’s scientific advisers recommend against restricting public gatherings and mass transit systems

Does anyone know the source of this? I could only find a Reuters article, but its comments on UK policy seem related to historical policies regarding pandemics, and not specifically the current coronavirus situation.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Stay at home, until the vaccine is ready

Most people can't stay at home for a year, at current estimates. Public transport is good. We do need to make it safe. It's been a while since I was last in the UK, but while London's "Tube" is less busy than Tokyo's lines, it was also dirtier - though that may have changed. I think hiring more cleaners to clean up the trains more frequently would be a good idea. Happy to be corrected by a scientist, though.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

but public gatherings that are not absolutely necessary are no help either.

The Manchester derby is scheduled for next weekend.  Surely you are not advocating this is cancelled.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Common sense.

The odds that consequences of mass panic overwhelms the benefit of "life continues" are very low.

Get wise.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Stay at home, until the vaccine is ready, stock up with food and meds. Do online shopping until stocks run out, , only go out if really necessary, like to chop wood or to obtain fuel for warmth, use AC heating if available. because it will only be a week before fuel run out. when this really kick off. We live in a "just in time" market place and a week is the max before run outs occur. Start it now, don't wait any longer.

It the Elites that want us to keep up normality because they are and will be the biggest finical lossers. Protect yourself and family first.

-15 ( +6 / -21 )

Not exactly. It's a gamble. They are going to be proved right, or wrong.

In particular they should be encouraging healthy but elderly or at-risk citizens to stay home as much as possible, not simply people with 'with symptoms'.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

It’s about right.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Yes from me.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

The British government seems to be more concerned about business than it's citizens.

-9 ( +15 / -24 )

mass transit is unfortunately a neccessity to combat climate change. We can't have everyone in the UK driving, and many people don't own a car. BUT unneccessary gatherings SHOULD be discouraged to attempt to control the Virus. We can't turn society upside down on its head but public gatherings that are not absolutely neccessary are no help either.

-1 ( +12 / -13 )

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