NPR

Ovals wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 12:13 am

Ymx wrote: ↑Thu Feb 04, 2021 9:11 pm

Marylandolorian wrote: ↑Thu Feb 04, 2021 6:44 pm Well, fuck that, turned well. last time I congratulate the brits

Don’t worry. Some just get quite upset when the govt are praised, and can’t be criticised on their handling of something.

The congrats was bound to attract some poison.

You think this is bad - try reading the Planet Rugby thread - it's a real shit show and getting worse everyday as more and more ignorant trolls join in.

We've done brilliantly with the vaccine - it's been a huge success. Just a shame we'd done so crappily beforehand.

But at least there's room for optimism now - as long as Boris doesn't give way to the 1922 committee and end the lockdown.restrictions too soon. It's time to really put this thing to the sword now - I'm desperate to be able to see my Grandkids again - but I'd rather stay locked down for too long than too little.

Dinsdale Piranha wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 12:32 am

Ovals wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 12:13 am

Ymx wrote: ↑Thu Feb 04, 2021 9:11 pm

Don’t worry. Some just get quite upset when the govt are praised, and can’t be criticised on their handling of something.

The congrats was bound to attract some poison.

You think this is bad - try reading the Planet Rugby thread - it's a real shit show and getting worse everyday as more and more ignorant trolls join in.

We've done brilliantly with the vaccine - it's been a huge success. Just a shame we'd done so crappily beforehand.

But at least there's room for optimism now - as long as Boris doesn't give way to the 1922 committee and end the lockdown.restrictions too soon. It's time to really put this thing to the sword now - I'm desperate to be able to see my Grandkids again - but I'd rather stay locked down for too long than too little.

The PR thread is quite fascinating in a car crash fashion. You have the full set, the Irish rubbing themselves raw at the prospect of problems in the UK, the obvious trolls on all sides (Russia, UK) The EU apologists. It's like an ensemble piece disaster movie.

I nearly posted there just to keep some of the crossover posters from infecting this thread.

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 04, 2021 5:13 pm

Marylandolorian wrote: ↑Thu Feb 04, 2021 4:47 pm Good job UK, in regards of the vaccine, pretty sure that a growing number of people are happy not be part of the EU right now.
Covid-19 is going to be a Waterloo or Austerlitz for a lot of governments.

Given we've gone past 120k deaths I don't think it's quite that simple.

Ovals wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 12:39 am

Dinsdale Piranha wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 12:32 am

Ovals wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 12:13 am

You think this is bad - try reading the Planet Rugby thread - it's a real shit show and getting worse everyday as more and more ignorant trolls join in.

We've done brilliantly with the vaccine - it's been a huge success. Just a shame we'd done so crappily beforehand.

But at least there's room for optimism now - as long as Boris doesn't give way to the 1922 committee and end the lockdown.restrictions too soon. It's time to really put this thing to the sword now - I'm desperate to be able to see my Grandkids again - but I'd rather stay locked down for too long than too little.

The PR thread is quite fascinating in a car crash fashion. You have the full set, the Irish rubbing themselves raw at the prospect of problems in the UK, the obvious trolls on all sides (Russia, UK) The EU apologists. It's like an ensemble piece disaster movie.

I nearly posted there just to keep some of the crossover posters from infecting this thread.

Our success with the vaccine has sent the thread into meltdown - The swarm really haven't taken it well.

Enzedder wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 6:26 am

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 04, 2021 5:13 pm

Marylandolorian wrote: ↑Thu Feb 04, 2021 4:47 pm Good job UK, in regards of the vaccine, pretty sure that a growing number of people are happy not be part of the EU right now.
Covid-19 is going to be a Waterloo or Austerlitz for a lot of governments.

Given we've gone past 120k deaths I don't think it's quite that simple.

And yet the voters seem to have forgotten/forgiven based on that earlier poll result. Seems to be a weird result, or is it because Labour are so bad there?

France furious as Britain snatches Covid vaccine Valneva deal from under its nose

February 5 2021, The Times

A French vaccine financed by Britain is at the centre of a row over the Macron government’s failure to ensure supplies for its people.

The French government refused to fully fund research by Valneva, a Franco-Austrian startup that has developed its vaccine at its headquarters near Nantes in the Loire region.

Instead, the British backed the development, securing an agreement to supply 60 million doses from a plant in Livingston, West Lothian, starting in October. France will get the vaccine only next year.

Franck Grimaud, the company’s chief executive, said that several governments had been contacted at the launch of the project. “The UK responded the fastest,” he said.
“In large part no doubt because we already had a base there and also because they believed straight away in our ‘inactivated’ vaccine. They took all the risks . . . and immediately forwarded €96 million to use before the end of December. It’s logical that, under contract, we undertook to deliver to them first.”

“Inactivated” vaccines are considered to have advantages over “live” ones because they can boost previous vaccinations. Critics in France said the failure by Paris to back Valneva was symbolic of the government’s poor management of the vaccine race, in which Britain has stolen a march.

Sanofi, France’s pharmaceutical champion, has failed to produce a vaccine yet. After pooling its procurement with the EU in Brussels, France is suffering a shortage of supplies of the Pfizer-Biontec, Moderna and forthcoming Astrazeneca vaccines.

The conservative, far right and leftwing opposition to President Macron’s centrist administration said that the Valneva situation was a symptom of France’s failure to back its own research and development despite the country’s long history as a medical pioneer.

The far-right National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, said: “We are above all paying for the abandonment of our sovereignty in favour of other emerging powers in globalisation.”

The party claimed that French know-how and talent was leaving the country. The government said it fully supported Valneva’s work and argued that Sanofi’s vaccine would probably be available before the smaller firm’s serum. The Valneva product is still undergoing clinical trials.

Agnès Pannier-Runacher, the minister for industry, said that the government had negotiated with Valneva from April but the company had received a favourable offer from Britain.

Media reports said that the UK offered a total of €470 million. French laws against 100 per cent state financing of private enterprises hampered the talks with the company.

Nadine Levratto, an economist and a director at the National Centre for Scientific Research, suggested Britain offered more than France or the EU because it was suffering more than others from the pandemic.

Jean Castex, the French prime minister, said last night that the vaccination drive would be sped up.
An extra 1.7 million vaccine appointments would be offered “in the coming days”, he said. So far only 1.6 million people have received a first dose, far below Britain and Germany.

This week Mr Macron pledged that by the end of August all French people would have been offered a vaccination.
Mr Castex said that though the coronavirus situation remained delicate, there was no need for another national lockdown.

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 6:43 am

Enzedder wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 6:26 am

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 04, 2021 5:13 pm

Given we've gone past 120k deaths I don't think it's quite that simple.

And yet the voters seem to have forgotten/forgiven based on that earlier poll result. Seems to be a weird result, or is it because Labour are so bad there?

The latter. Labour have looked just as indecisive and jumpy

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 8:51 am

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 6:43 am

Enzedder wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 6:26 am

And yet the voters seem to have forgotten/forgiven based on that earlier poll result. Seems to be a weird result, or is it because Labour are so bad there?

The latter. Labour have looked just as indecisive and jumpy

Errrrr

I'm pretty sure that's nonsense. Labour have been consistent in their views (ignoring the fact that you can't be indecisive if you're not the ones who can make the decisions) and what does jumpy even mean in this context?

The tories are winning the poll battle because they're a populist government with a captive media and a huge amount of free airtime with their briefings.

Ymx wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 7:34 am Another nail in the coffin

France furious as Britain snatches Covid vaccine Valneva deal from under its nose

February 5 2021, The Times

A French vaccine financed by Britain is at the centre of a row over the Macron government’s failure to ensure supplies for its people.

The French government refused to fully fund research by Valneva, a Franco-Austrian startup that has developed its vaccine at its headquarters near Nantes in the Loire region.

Instead, the British backed the development, securing an agreement to supply 60 million doses from a plant in Livingston, West Lothian, starting in October. France will get the vaccine only next year.

Franck Grimaud, the company’s chief executive, said that several governments had been contacted at the launch of the project. “The UK responded the fastest,” he said.
“In large part no doubt because we already had a base there and also because they believed straight away in our ‘inactivated’ vaccine. They took all the risks . . . and immediately forwarded €96 million to use before the end of December. It’s logical that, under contract, we undertook to deliver to them first.”

“Inactivated” vaccines are considered to have advantages over “live” ones because they can boost previous vaccinations. Critics in France said the failure by Paris to back Valneva was symbolic of the government’s poor management of the vaccine race, in which Britain has stolen a march.

Sanofi, France’s pharmaceutical champion, has failed to produce a vaccine yet. After pooling its procurement with the EU in Brussels, France is suffering a shortage of supplies of the Pfizer-Biontec, Moderna and forthcoming Astrazeneca vaccines.

The conservative, far right and leftwing opposition to President Macron’s centrist administration said that the Valneva situation was a symptom of France’s failure to back its own research and development despite the country’s long history as a medical pioneer.

The far-right National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, said: “We are above all paying for the abandonment of our sovereignty in favour of other emerging powers in globalisation.”

The party claimed that French know-how and talent was leaving the country. The government said it fully supported Valneva’s work and argued that Sanofi’s vaccine would probably be available before the smaller firm’s serum. The Valneva product is still undergoing clinical trials.

Agnès Pannier-Runacher, the minister for industry, said that the government had negotiated with Valneva from April but the company had received a favourable offer from Britain.

Media reports said that the UK offered a total of €470 million. French laws against 100 per cent state financing of private enterprises hampered the talks with the company.

Nadine Levratto, an economist and a director at the National Centre for Scientific Research, suggested Britain offered more than France or the EU because it was suffering more than others from the pandemic.

Jean Castex, the French prime minister, said last night that the vaccination drive would be sped up.
An extra 1.7 million vaccine appointments would be offered “in the coming days”, he said. So far only 1.6 million people have received a first dose, far below Britain and Germany.

This week Mr Macron pledged that by the end of August all French people would have been offered a vaccination.
Mr Castex said that though the coronavirus situation remained delicate, there was no need for another national lockdown.

Saint wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 9:06 am

Ymx wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 7:34 am Another nail in the coffin

France furious as Britain snatches Covid vaccine Valneva deal from under its nose

February 5 2021, The Times

A French vaccine financed by Britain is at the centre of a row over the Macron government’s failure to ensure supplies for its people.

The French government refused to fully fund research by Valneva, a Franco-Austrian startup that has developed its vaccine at its headquarters near Nantes in the Loire region.

Instead, the British backed the development, securing an agreement to supply 60 million doses from a plant in Livingston, West Lothian, starting in October. France will get the vaccine only next year.

Franck Grimaud, the company’s chief executive, said that several governments had been contacted at the launch of the project. “The UK responded the fastest,” he said.
“In large part no doubt because we already had a base there and also because they believed straight away in our ‘inactivated’ vaccine. They took all the risks . . . and immediately forwarded €96 million to use before the end of December. It’s logical that, under contract, we undertook to deliver to them first.”

“Inactivated” vaccines are considered to have advantages over “live” ones because they can boost previous vaccinations. Critics in France said the failure by Paris to back Valneva was symbolic of the government’s poor management of the vaccine race, in which Britain has stolen a march.

Sanofi, France’s pharmaceutical champion, has failed to produce a vaccine yet. After pooling its procurement with the EU in Brussels, France is suffering a shortage of supplies of the Pfizer-Biontec, Moderna and forthcoming Astrazeneca vaccines.

The conservative, far right and leftwing opposition to President Macron’s centrist administration said that the Valneva situation was a symptom of France’s failure to back its own research and development despite the country’s long history as a medical pioneer.

The far-right National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, said: “We are above all paying for the abandonment of our sovereignty in favour of other emerging powers in globalisation.”

The party claimed that French know-how and talent was leaving the country. The government said it fully supported Valneva’s work and argued that Sanofi’s vaccine would probably be available before the smaller firm’s serum. The Valneva product is still undergoing clinical trials.

Agnès Pannier-Runacher, the minister for industry, said that the government had negotiated with Valneva from April but the company had received a favourable offer from Britain.

Media reports said that the UK offered a total of €470 million. French laws against 100 per cent state financing of private enterprises hampered the talks with the company.

Nadine Levratto, an economist and a director at the National Centre for Scientific Research, suggested Britain offered more than France or the EU because it was suffering more than others from the pandemic.

Jean Castex, the French prime minister, said last night that the vaccination drive would be sped up.
An extra 1.7 million vaccine appointments would be offered “in the coming days”, he said. So far only 1.6 million people have received a first dose, far below Britain and Germany.

This week Mr Macron pledged that by the end of August all French people would have been offered a vaccination.
Mr Castex said that though the coronavirus situation remained delicate, there was no need for another national lockdown.

The French arguments here don't really make a lot of sense to me - they didn't fund Valneva because they thought Sanofi would produce first? Haven't they heard of backing more than one horse?

Germany’s finance minister has attacked the European commission’s Covid vaccine strategy as “really shit”, Bild has reported, as Angela Merkel’s centre-left coalition partners seek to exploit anger over the issue before federal elections.

Olaf Scholz, who is also the vice-chancellor, reportedly criticised the commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, by name during a cabinet meeting on Monday, saying Berlin could not “let this shit repeat itself” and that the vaccine debacle was “a disgrace”.

Until a few weeks ago, the government’s track record on Covid was one of repeated failure. The death toll, the depth of the recession, the public disapproval of the government: Britain’s figures were among the worst in the world. But with vaccines, things have changed. The UK is now on track to be the first major country in the world to vaccinate its way out of lockdown.

SaintK wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 10:00 am Excellent article by Katy Balls in The Spectator on how and why the vaccine taskforce has been so successful
It does beg the question as to why PPE and Test Track and Trace was so badly handled and has wasted £billions

Until a few weeks ago, the government’s track record on Covid was one of repeated failure. The death toll, the depth of the recession, the public disapproval of the government: Britain’s figures were among the worst in the world. But with vaccines, things have changed. The UK is now on track to be the first major country in the world to vaccinate its way out of lockdown.

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/se ... cess/amp

tc27 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 9:56 am Jesus that PR thread

Saint wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 10:17 am

tc27 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 9:56 am Jesus that PR thread

Yeah, it's a bit nuts isn't

Insane_Homer wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 11:00 am James Absolutelynotsocleverlydumbass

Ymx wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 11:18 am

Saint wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 10:17 am

tc27 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 9:56 am Jesus that PR thread

Yeah, it's a bit nuts isn't

Any particular page or named shitfight worth reading for the shits and giggles.

Ymx wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 11:18 am

Saint wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 10:17 am

tc27 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 9:56 am Jesus that PR thread

Yeah, it's a bit nuts isn't

Any particular page or named shitfight worth reading for the shits and giggles.

SaintK wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 10:00 am Excellent article by Katy Balls in The Spectator on how and why the vaccine taskforce has been so successful
It does beg the question as to why PPE and Test Track and Trace was so badly handled and has wasted £billions

Until a few weeks ago, the government’s track record on Covid was one of repeated failure. The death toll, the depth of the recession, the public disapproval of the government: Britain’s figures were among the worst in the world. But with vaccines, things have changed. The UK is now on track to be the first major country in the world to vaccinate its way out of lockdown.

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/se ... cess/amp

SaintK wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 11:27 am

Ymx wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 11:18 am

Saint wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 10:17 am Yeah, it's a bit nuts isn't

Any particular page or named shitfight worth reading for the shits and giggles.

The Brexit and Coronavirus threads are just about unreadable largely thanks to the swarm, Backrow (and his bid to become a comedian) and Message# who appears to have more free time on his hands than is good for him and a few new multis like Sputnik who have recently joined in the headbanging!

SaintK wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 11:20 am

Insane_Homer wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 11:00 am James Absolutelynotsocleverlydumbass

Yet another scheme that we are weeks behind on because of dither and delay and poor decision m aking

tc27 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 11:45 am

SaintK wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 11:27 am

Ymx wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 11:18 am

Any particular page or named shitfight worth reading for the shits and giggles.

The Brexit and Coronavirus threads are just about unreadable largely thanks to the swarm, Backrow (and his bid to become a comedian) and Message# who appears to have more free time on his hands than is good for him and a few new multis like Sputnik who have recently joined in the headbanging!

Pretty much this - also from what I can gather the Brit haters/swarm are now focusing hard on bashing the AZ vaccine 'useless monkey virus'.

Someone created a multi called 'Sputnik V' with a shirtless Putin as the avatar.

tc27 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 11:45 am

SaintK wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 11:27 am

Ymx wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 11:18 am

Any particular page or named shitfight worth reading for the shits and giggles.

The Brexit and Coronavirus threads are just about unreadable largely thanks to the swarm, Backrow (and his bid to become a comedian) and Message# who appears to have more free time on his hands than is good for him and a few new multis like Sputnik who have recently joined in the headbanging!

Pretty much this - also from what I can gather the Brit haters/swarm are now focusing hard on bashing the AZ vaccine 'useless monkey virus'.

Someone created a multi called 'Sputnik V' with a shirtless Putin as the avatar.

robmatic wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 9:05 am

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 8:51 am

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 6:43 am

The latter. Labour have looked just as indecisive and jumpy

Errrrr

I'm pretty sure that's nonsense. Labour have been consistent in their views (ignoring the fact that you can't be indecisive if you're not the ones who can make the decisions) and what does jumpy even mean in this context?

The tories are winning the poll battle because they're a populist government with a captive media and a huge amount of free airtime with their briefings.

We probably shouldn't underestimate that Boris does have that personal popularity as well.

We reported earlier that the Cabinet Office said all UK adults aged 50 and over should receive a coronavirus vaccine by the start of May.
However, Downing Street dismissed the timetable in the government document – which said the first nine priority groups of people should have been offered a coronavirus vaccine by early May – prompting renewed confusion over the expected date.
Any programme for reopening the economy depends on the speed of what is officially termed phase 1 of the vaccination programme, which takes in the top nine groups by vulnerability to the virus, going as far as all adults aged 50 and above.
No 10 has said only that the target to reach this milestone is “spring”, refusing repeatedly to be more precise.

SaintK wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 1:24 pm Left hand not knowing what right hand is doing or saying...................yet again!!

We reported earlier that the Cabinet Office said all UK adults aged 50 and over should receive a coronavirus vaccine by the start of May.
However, Downing Street dismissed the timetable in the government document – which said the first nine priority groups of people should have been offered a coronavirus vaccine by early May – prompting renewed confusion over the expected date.
Any programme for reopening the economy depends on the speed of what is officially termed phase 1 of the vaccination programme, which takes in the top nine groups by vulnerability to the virus, going as far as all adults aged 50 and above.
No 10 has said only that the target to reach this milestone is “spring”, refusing repeatedly to be more precise.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021 ... -schedule

Fuck me, they are so fucking useless at comms
[media] [/media]

Ovals wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 1:19 pm

robmatic wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 9:05 am

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 8:51 am

Errrrr

I'm pretty sure that's nonsense. Labour have been consistent in their views (ignoring the fact that you can't be indecisive if you're not the ones who can make the decisions) and what does jumpy even mean in this context?

The tories are winning the poll battle because they're a populist government with a captive media and a huge amount of free airtime with their briefings.

We probably shouldn't underestimate that Boris does have that personal popularity as well.

JM is correct

Boris's approval rating is pretty poor - something like -20%. He'll get a bounce from the 'feel good factor' when things start getting back to normal - after that he might have an uphill task as other problems have to be solved.

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 8:51 am

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 6:43 am

Enzedder wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 6:26 am

And yet the voters seem to have forgotten/forgiven based on that earlier poll result. Seems to be a weird result, or is it because Labour are so bad there?

The latter. Labour have looked just as indecisive and jumpy

Errrrr

I'm pretty sure that's nonsense. Labour have been consistent in their views (ignoring the fact that you can't be indecisive if you're not the ones who can make the decisions) and what does jumpy even mean in this context?

The tories are winning the poll battle because they're a populist government with a captive media and a huge amount of free airtime with their briefings.

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 1:45 pm

Ovals wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 1:19 pm

robmatic wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 9:05 am

We probably shouldn't underestimate that Boris does have that personal popularity as well.

JM is correct

Boris's approval rating is pretty poor - something like -20%. He'll get a bounce from the 'feel good factor' when things start getting back to normal - after that he might have an uphill task as other problems have to be solved.

Boris' approval rating is misleading though, he's marmite so being -20 doesn't matter to him so much so long as he has dedicated fans. It is more of an issue for a Milliband/Cameron, and I suspect, Starmer type.

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 11:58 am https://www.independent.co.uk/news/worl ... 95894.html

"The event was in breach of the curfew, and there were also problems with masks and social distancing," an investigator said.

tc27 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 2:13 pm

Really feels like its going up a gear this week with the biggest days yet to come if the pattern repeats.

Openside wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 2:09 pm

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 8:51 am

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 6:43 am

The latter. Labour have looked just as indecisive and jumpy

Errrrr

I'm pretty sure that's nonsense. Labour have been consistent in their views (ignoring the fact that you can't be indecisive if you're not the ones who can make the decisions) and what does jumpy even mean in this context?

The tories are winning the poll battle because they're a populist government with a captive media and a huge amount of free airtime with their briefings.

That isn't true, you might not be able to act on your decisions but it doesn't stop them being able to be made otherwise why would the Opposition bother with a position at all (even if it is with the government)