[Spoonman]

I understand Northern Ireland is one of the biggest, if not thee biggest, Covid hostpots in Europe. picardFacepalm.gif

[The All New KevS]

Javid with serious face on earlier advising that Omicron is now clearly circulating freely with community transmission.

Not going to do anything else about it, but never mind, eh?

[kreuzberger]

I understand Northern Ireland is one of the biggest, if not thee biggest, Covid hostpots in Europe.

Come to Saxony, they can double that and are on course to reach 2800 by the end of the year.

The region that gave world heritage some of the most beautiful baroque architecture, (Dresden), the ceramics of Meißen and the calming grandeur of the Sächsische Shweiz is full of the most vehement AfD-voting, anti-vax thundercunts imaginable.

[Cyclist]

The Corps Sergeant-Major tested positive this morning. Cue a flurry of LFTs by the people who were in contact with him yesterday.

Twenty minutes in and I have a thick red line by the "C" and nothing by the "T". I think I may have dodged that particular bullet.

[Malcolm Armsteen]

As you were, Cyclist, as you were...

[MisterMuncher]

I got a text about half six on Sunday morning telling me one of the waitresses I'd worked with the day before had tested positive and to get checking myself. Uppermost in my mind was that I'd picked up some shopping for the in-laws on the way home Saturday night, and had stood chatting with them for a good while after. Oh, and the father in law had a pacemaker put in on Thursday.

Turns out she'd just went on the tear and didn't fancy working, but hey, thanks for the panic and the protracted worry about having killed the wife's ould fella.

[RedSparrows]

Urgh, if you're gonna lie just say you feel shit, took a test and negative.

Better yet, don't lie!

[Nigredo]

This might be reassuring to some but if it's a false dawn please feel free to delete my post.

EDIT: the salient point is made in the first 4 minutes of the video

[Boiler]

I'd just rather not catch any variant, ta.

[Nigredo]

https://archive.md/3TxLo

FT writing about cautious optimist on Omicron in SA as well. Though probably best to just batton down the hatches, enjoy Christmas and see what develops by then.

[mattomac]

I’m getting my booster on Sunday which is about 2 months early (from the 6) but fine by me, had a massive break out at work but as I’ve been home due to some personal issues it’s not affected me however I’m not bothering with the Christmas meal now.

With the personal situation I’d rather go home for Xmas.

[The All New KevS]

Seeing rumours that immediate implementation of Plan B for will be announced later.

Now why would they want to do that today suddenly, I wonder?

[The All New KevS]

It's not normally a news source I rate, but I have to say, hats off to ITV for their work here. If Tom Bradby's frankly livid introduction had been on the BBC, there'd be emergency legislation being tabled for immediate licence fee removal as we speak.

PMQs in 26 minutes. You just know if Magic Grandpa was still about, the six questions would be about lamp posts in rural Rutland.

[Boiler]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/ ... or-england

Someone's not reading the Tory playbook:

One Conservative backbencher said it would be a “a big dead cat” – referring to the strategy of diverting attention away from a negative story – and “bring the whole Covid policy into disrepute”. They suggested Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer, should “refuse to share a platform for this announcement”.

[Nigredo]

TL;DR get your booster as soon as you can

[Boiler]

So.... Plan B it is then.

[Cyclist]

I suppose I'd better ring my mum and tell her Christmas is cancelled then.

Months ago, when Johnson announced that the Slithey Gove was being put in charge of saving Christmas, we all joked about Christmas being off again this year. How did we know?

[Tubby Isaacs]

Great logic here. Down with Covid regs because some people broke them before.

[The All New KevS]

I think Christmas has gone again. My reasoning as follows:

1. Omicron is rampant. Yes, it might only result in 1% of people going to hospital, but if you're getting 70 or 80k cases a day (which, by say the 18th, is perfectly feasible the rate this thing is going) that's still a high number of people who will need emergency treatment.

2. There will be those who will now definitely not follow the guidance after the events of the last 48 hours.

3. New mandates come into force next week. Why not before the weekend? There'll be a full programme of sport. Considering the time of year, the pubs and clubs will be rammed.

Suffice to say, we are fucked.

[Boiler]

3. New mandates come into force next week. Why not before the weekend? There'll be a full programme of sport. Considering the time of year, the pubs and clubs will be rammed.

Suffice to say, we are fucked.

Isn't this because it has to be put to a vote in the Commons for it to become law (amongst other reasons)?

I think Christmas is probably over too.