Johns Hopkins Medical Centre - World Coronavirus infection Map by Country.

[Macca]

In theory the politicians decide policy and the Civil Service carry out those policies but that's only in theory.

In reality the politicians do what is best for the politicians and the Civil Service does what is best for the Civil Service. Very occasionally that pans out well for the rest of us too but that's purely by chance.

[Marco]

It's not remotely indisputable regardless of political leanings or lack of them in my case. The gov had one priority in this crisis and that was to prevent the health service being overwhelmed and that has been achieved. The handling of the crisis has not been perfect but then it is impossible to handle a new and unexpected crisis perfectly. Way too many poorly-informed 'Captain Hindsight' comments on this thread.

Governments in general do not handle things well at the best of times, achieving sub-optimal outcomes and poor value for money. Those who would like the government to run everything would do well to bear that in mind. Taking that into account it has not done too badly at all. As for the actual politicians it seems it needs to be pointed out again that they actually 'handle' very little themselves. That's what the Civil Service is for.

All of course, in your humble opinion!

I completely disagree, and think the way that the Tories have handled this crisis has largely been a grossly mismanaged incompetent shambles, full of massaged figures and blatant lies, in contrast to the very clear, concise and efficient way that Nicola Sturgeon has dealt with the *exact same* crisis [born from the same cause] in Scotland.

But the weather is way too nice to be stuck inside arguing the toss with you on this, so I'll let you have the last word, while I return to my crystal flute of chilled Prosecco!



Marco.

[Pigmy Pony]

Probably LESS funding for testing, too... And the poorer areas are PROPER poor, unlike in England, where they're just playing at it

Undoubtedly though, to anyone with half a brain and the ability to examine things rationally, 'The Strurge' has handled the lockdown in Scotland, and this pandemic in general, far better than Boris the Blundering Buffoon has done in England!

Marco.

Not if she has allowed Scotland's testing to go underfunded without commenting though. So which is it - Scotland going underfunded and Nic not bothering to kick off, or are they doing as well as the rest of us, ie not so well?

I'm not saying this to defend Boris Blank-head, but if I may use a building trade metaphor, it's much easier for me to criticise the standard of a plasterer's work than to do the plastering myself. Just sayin'

[Pigmy Pony]

It's not remotely indisputable regardless of political leanings or lack of them in my case. The gov had one priority in this crisis and that was to prevent the health service being overwhelmed and that has been achieved. The handling of the crisis has not been perfect but then it is impossible to handle a new and unexpected crisis perfectly. Way too many poorly-informed 'Captain Hindsight' comments on this thread.

Governments in general do not handle things well at the best of times, achieving sub-optimal outcomes and poor value for money. Those who would like the government to run everything would do well to bear that in mind. Taking that into account it has not done too badly at all. As for the actual politicians it seems it needs to be pointed out again that they actually 'handle' very little themselves. That's what the Civil Service is for.

Wish I'd read this before posting my reply. As always you put it so much better. And you're probably better looking too

[AJSki2fly]

Probably LESS funding for testing, too... And the poorer areas are PROPER poor, unlike in England, where they're just playing at it

Undoubtedly though, to anyone with half a brain and the ability to examine things rationally, 'The Strurge' has handled the lockdown in Scotland, and this pandemic in general, far better than Boris the Blundering Buffoon has done in England!

Marco.

Probably LESS funding for testing, too... And the poorer areas are PROPER poor, unlike in England, where they're just playing at it

Undoubtedly though, to anyone with half a brain and the ability to examine things rationally, 'The Strurge' has handled the lockdown in Scotland, and this pandemic in general, far better than Boris the Blundering Buffoon has done in England!

Marco.

Have a read of this article, and no I am not a Guardian reader with a beard, wearing socks in sandals before you ask. A friend posted on Facebook.

https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...DAb10P9mFI-Qok

[InThe Sticks]

It's not remotely indisputable regardless of political leanings or lack of them in my case. The gov had one priority in this crisis and that was to prevent the health service being overwhelmed and that has been achieved. The handling of the crisis has not been perfect but then it is impossible to handle a new and unexpected crisis perfectly. Way too many poorly-informed 'Captain Hindsight' comments on this thread.

Governments in general do not handle things well at the best of times, achieving sub-optimal outcomes and poor value for money. Those who would like the government to run everything would do well to bear that in mind. Taking that into account it has not done too badly at all. As for the actual politicians it seems it needs to be pointed out again that they actually 'handle' very little themselves. That's what the Civil Service is for.

This ^

[Marco]

Not if she has allowed Scotland's testing to go underfunded without commenting though. So which is it - Scotland going underfunded and Nic not bothering to kick off, or are they doing as well as the rest of us, ie not so well?

As Guy said earlier, it depends on who's figures you want to believe! I mainly go by how people conduct themselves in public, what they say, and how much of it becomes reality. And for me, Nicola has a better record of that during this pandemic than hapless, dim-witted BJ-boy, and his bumbling backroom staff.

I'm not saying this to defend Boris Blank-head, but if I may use a building trade metaphor, it's much easier for me to criticise the standard of a plasterer's work than to do the plastering myself. Just sayin'

That's absolutely fine, but in agreeing with Martin you're in effect saying that, in terms of the government's handling of this crisis, it's simply "not been perfect". I'm afraid for myself and many others it's been a damn sight worse than that, which is why I wrote what I did!!

IMO, they've been a bloody disgrace - and worse, guilty of crimes against humanity, which one day they'll pay for.

Marco.

[Marco]

Have a read of this article, and no I am not a Guardian reader with a beard, wearing socks in sandals before you ask. A friend posted on Facebook.

https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...DAb10P9mFI-Qok

Thanks for that Adrian. I'll have a read later. However, as far as the title of the article goes:

"How can Britain trust this floundering crew of fibbers to tackle coronavirus?", I completely agree! Indeed, it's exactly what I've been saying, and I bet if you polled the nation now on the matter, the majority would agree!!

Too many dyed-in-the-wool Tories here, with blue-tinted specs on, clouding them from reality.

Right, back out to the sunshine!

Marco.

[Ali Tait]

It's not remotely indisputable regardless of political leanings or lack of them in my case. The gov had one priority in this crisis and that was to prevent the health service being overwhelmed and that has been achieved. The handling of the crisis has not been perfect but then it is impossible to handle a new and unexpected crisis perfectly. Way too many poorly-informed 'Captain Hindsight' comments on this thread.

Governments in general do not handle things well at the best of times, achieving sub-optimal outcomes and poor value for money. Those who would like the government to run everything would do well to bear that in mind. Taking that into account it has not done too badly at all. As for the actual politicians it seems it needs to be pointed out again that they actually 'handle' very little themselves. That's what the Civil Service is for.

Having the highest death rate in Europe is “Not done too badly”. Seriously??

[Marco]

Nail > head, mate!

Marco.