OK, disaster is a bit OTT, but I cooked some chestnuts that smelt gorgeous, but were hard – I should have cooked them as soon as I was given them 2 weeks ago.
COVID BRISTOL
CHEESE AND ONION
Just saying’ – putting cheese in the fridge in a container with half an onion – cheese and onions taste, brilliant!
FOOTBALL AND HEADING THE BALL
Interesting hearing Sir Geoff Hurst on this issue. he made the point that it was practice that was the problem, not actual matches where he might head the ball once or twice. I guess that might be true for a forward meeting crosses, but a defender heading back goal kicks might be different. possible rule changes here?
AID
I am sad about this. Aid shows that we as one of the richest nations on the planet can help others. Not under the mean tories though! It seems a no brainer to me that aid to countries in need would restrict the spread of virus’s and others like it. But populism (basically saying what you think people want you to think), is a sensible way of government.
WHAT HAVE THEY BEEN DOING?
The second wave has been predicted sinceJune, been happening since the start of October. And still there is no clear message from the government. Apart from stay at home unless you have to go out, work from home unless you have to go to work. Hey you incompetent excuse for a human being – yes you Johnson – stop spending hours making your hair look like a mess and get a grip.
Your first job should be to emphasise the horrific nature of this virus and the number of deaths and the impact on the NHS. Secondly a strategy for dealing with it, not reactive rumblings that would embarrass a 14 year old, but a proactive policy.
Some suggestions. Shut schools early for xmas. 2 more weeks, but cut Easter and summer holidays. Possibly staggered across the country. teaching unions will complain, but I am sure a deal could be reached. Bars to be shut until further notice. Restaurants with enough space and proper arrangements could stay open with reduced hours/numbers. Quarantine all from flights abroad, all lorry drivers to be tested on arrival back in uk (should not be a problem as they will be spending days waiting to get on ferries etc.). There lots of spy cameras around, especially on major routes. Everybody with a car has to register to confirm address and then not allowed to travel outside a certain area/radius. And omg that is total government control – there should be both parliamentary approval and an automatic cessation of rules once stats come down. This would need to be passed into law by parliament who would add necessary provisos.
Oh and M.P.’s taking a pay cut, and maybe moving Parliament to Wentworth House. It is big enough, M.P.’s also need to adapt how they work – video calls etc. A compulsory purchase order would be interesting as I would expect the cost to come in close to £1 billion. But with 365 rooms and huge outbuildings and stables it could house Parliament no problem.
Covid – stats
Latest stats. No real let up in increase in NorthSomerset and Bristol. Cornwall and Plymouth still increasing, as is Chelmsford. Wales and Northern Ireland both falling. National average is 223. Liverpool and Manchester are the only parts of the UK to have a falling infection rate since Locdown 2.0. The BBC web site seems to be slowing down? Government instructions?
GREEN INITIATIVE
£12 billion is a small amount. Banning petrol/diesel cars is good, and by 2030 is good. Off shore wind ok, on-shore wind needs to be allowed where appropriate. Hydrogen is interesting. Small nuclear plants is fraught with problems. Insulation of housing, why has it taken so long? Carbon capture is not proven. Planting trees is greenwash! It would be better to have a more holistic approach to land use.
VACCINE
BREXIT
Time is running out. If a deal is reached there will inevitably be more red tape for trade, whether with Europe or anywhere. Unfortunately business’s do not know what this will entail. Chaos at the ports is likely. Even with a deal there will be new red tape, health checks, etc. I am sure the Daily Mail has already written the headlines blaming the EU for any and all problems. The problem is with those who voted to leave!
Why have deals not been done regarding crime and policing? And the same for education and science?
Brexiteers will be happy with new immigration controls – or will they? Universities will have fewer foreign students paying high fees, farms suffer labour shortages, NHS is still desperate for doctors and nurses (and care homes).
Food prices and possible shortages? Fresh food of which 40% comes from the EU may become subject to price rises (red tape costs) and shortages due to delays in ports.
Cars, planes and chemical industries are all expecting problems.
So am I being pessimistic? I don’t think so. We have left the EU. There will be more red tape. Deals with other countries are far and few between (and further away thinking about climate change). Any deal with the EU needs to be ratified by each country, and as we live in a democracy, by our parliament which has a limited number of sitting days before the Xmas break. Perhaps Johnson should move Dildo Harding to be in charge of the transition in January due to the world beating success of track and trace!