Plastic

My wife tells me that the kids at school have worked out that pouring one of the drinks from the vending machine on a lateral flow test results in a positive result, which they think is hilarious. I googled it and found this: https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/theconversation.com/amp/covid-19-kids-are-using-soft-drinks-to-fake-positive-tests-ive-worked-out-the-science-and-how-to-spot-it-163739

It was dull, but composed. 9.5 hours without conceding, can’t argue with that.

Wasn’t it pride month like 2 months ago? LinkedIn was covered with Rainbow flags and people forcing their pronouns on me then (spoiler, they were all the standard he/him she/her’s that I would have guessed without being told). It doesn’t seem to have ended, every other company you see has changed their logo to a rainbow flag, NatWest is the strangest - what the fuck is this?

Not just moving, it’s on fire. Incredible amounts of people moving, including around half the people in my small office. Interestingly, most of these are youngish (early 30s) either buying their first or second property.

Missed that one, fair enough! 👍

It would (although I don't think anyone here is advocating this). Volcanoes or methane hydrates?

That’s certainly true, but the side effects will be more traffic in and around Eastleigh, more noise and more pollution. My main objection is NIMBYism (as most of these flights come over fair oak and bishops Waltham) and I’m happy to disclose this - but more broadly, I fly much less than I used to and I find the obsession that many people have with taking multiple foreign holidays a year baffling. If the objective was to create a freight hub, I’d be less opposed.

I thought it was accepted that less flying would be the new normal, certainly from a business perspective. This quote from the head of ops for the airport is quite telling... ”There's nobody here denying a climate emergency. With a sound economy we can find a technological solution which would decarbonise the country.” Basically translates to ‘not my problem, give me more planes’

I can’t see a motive for something like this. Who benefits? Boris has slightly more control over a miserable population, and we suppress our GDP and productivity. What would be the point? /edit - just seen you’ve basically responded above!

Have to agree with this (despite the flippancy). I work for a small business in the private sector, and it’s brilliant. Overheads are down, everyone works from home and the business cares for its employees. We focus on building relationships with like minded organisations and it really feels like we are winning atm. If I was being told to tighten my belt and deliver more, I’d move. But I do have the luxury of being in a role that means I would be able to find another role quite easily (I believe). my wife on the other hand, as a teacher has had circa 1% pay increase over the past decade. I’ve told here many times to leave and find work somewhere (anywhere) else. She gets paid for 3 days a week but routinely works 60hrs. Think stacking shelves would be more lucrative!

The assumption here is that the children are (a) conducting the tests (b) performing the tests correctly and (c) reporting the correct results. You are correct, lateral flow. We all make mistakes...

She was interviewed on Radio 4 yesterday, didn't do a very good job of explaining her position. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56590789

Secondary school children are now self administering the hugely unreliable PCR test at home (if they feel like it). /edit I saw the cat‘s post as I was writing this. My daughter is at secondary school and this is the same for her.

Not a new story but I didn’t see it referenced. Boys at Australian school made to apologise for the crimes of their gender... https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.lbc.co.uk/news/brauer-college-school-assembly-boys-stand-up-apologise-gender-backlash/

No, no - you have me there. As you pointed out, kids can’t possibly transmit COVID, because if they did, they would be ‘ill’, and therefore not at school! We all know that it’s only ‘ill’ people that are contagious. I’m not arguing with you any more, it’s pointless.

I already said I agree with them having it you fool. You’ve basically just elaborated on my post. yes they are more likely to come into contact with “ill” elderly people, and teachers are more likely to come into contact with hundreds of “symptomless but infected” children.

So my question still stands then, why vaccinate 20 year old health staff early if the majority of the risk is carried by the elderly? Personally, I believe the government was right to vaccinate them due to their obvious proximity to the virus, and therefore elevated risk. this is also why I believe school staff should be prioritised for vaccination now, despite the logistical concerns. Separately, I’m pleased for all who have had the vaccine and think the government and specifically the NHS have done a great job.

No, but you clearly are. The point made by Weston was that 20 year olds are not at risk. You go ahead and hit that straw man though.

Probably Why vaccinate 20 year old nurses then?

Yes we have a years supply of the barely-functional rapid tests here, not the most reliable! At this point they are vaccinating 50 year old housewives who only leave home to go to Sainsbury’s. You honestly think those vaccines wouldn’t be better off being prioritised for teachers?

Nope. Also my wife is a teacher in her 40's, no offer of a jab there. Being as she comes into contact with circa 140 kids a day, you would think she would get on some kind of priority list at this point, but apparently not.

Disgraceful. Who would paint over such a beautiful mural? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-56555337

Thanks Steve. Seems fine atm but I'll clear caches if I see it again. Mainly seems to happen on my phone, normally fine on the PC.

Not been brilliant for the last few weeks. Slow loads common, now seeing time-out. @stevegrant any ideas? Thanks. /edit - as soon as I posted this it started working perfectly!

An interesting read on the history of Malaria in the UK, if you are having a slow day... https://europepmc.org/backend/ptpmcrender.fcgi?accid=PMC1291929&blobtype=pdf