Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Covid-19

You mean work for us not themselves ?

I do love a good optimist!

Interesting dilemma posed Luddite. I think that, pre-Covid, the government had said that it supports long term, larger infrastructure projects partly for such reasons but it will be interesting to see whether the change in people's working arrangements have permanently changed their propensity to travel by train in the longer term. I would imagine that the business cases for such projects are now being carefully scrutinised but I can't imagine anyone can forecast accurately at this stage the impact of this unprecedented situation.

Rob T, it seems we may think alike re the huge unknown effect that Covid will be in shaping the future, whether people will travel or not and to what degree may be less important than the transportation of goods, and it would seem that initially it may be safer to apply automation to transport on tracks than on wheels, at least until the systems have advanced beyond where they seem to be today..?

Having typed the above, my main line of thought (no pun intended) initially the Hoover Dam principal would seem more important in the early stages of Covid, to keep those folk who NEED to have a sense of place and a sense of purpose in life fulfilled, and it seems such a project has potential to provide that at so many levels in terms of abilities of those involved...?

Here's the view of Kirsty Brimelow QC of Doughty Chambers as to whether Cummings broke the law and ignored government guidelines.

She states

"the legal position is that the Regulations were introduced for “preventing, protecting against, controlling or providing a public health response to the incidence or spread of infection or contamination” (section 45C(1) of the 1984 Act).

How does the movement of potentially infectious persons around the country comply with purpose of the Regulations ?"

Also

"Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Jenny Harries said that being in a car for hours means that there is a "higher risk" of infection. If Mr. Cummings's wife was displaying signs of Covid-19, sitting next to her in a car for hours would have increased the risk of spreading COVID-19 in his household (as opposed to staying at home and following NHS guidance on distancing in the home).

And as to the potential need for someone to care for their child, it is important to consider whether there were family or friends near his home in London who were able to assist if required? They may not have been first choice but the pandemic and emergency laws passed in response to it introduced restrictions on all of us doing what we would prefer."

She concludes

"Currently there are questions to be answered as to how Mr. Cummings says that he acted legally.

Indeed, unlike all those people who have been prosecuted to date, Mr. Cummings' household actually did have COVID-19.

As to the responsibility of his actions, it is completely clear that Mr. Cummings breached government guidance which is presumed to be responsible.

Whilst the strategy of attempting to argue that Mr. Cummings' conduct was within government guidelines is insulting and distressing to those who have made terrible sacrifices by staying indoors away from family, it also clears the "we're all in this together" smokescreen to reveal a political plane where different rules apply."

It really is not adequate for the PM to just assure the public that the law was not broken, without entering fully into the specifics of what has happened.

https://insights.doughtystreet.co.uk/post/102g80l/did-dominic-cummings-act-responsibly-and-legally

Sums it up well.
If Cummings had owned up and apologised sincerely from the start then it might have been able to minimise or sort it out.
The denial, twisting of the rules to attempt justification, continued defence with less than convincing reasoning are a massive hole that Boris has dug for himself. Even those cabinet members who have been quizzed about it are clearly struggling to go along with the justification.
This morning there was a report that police stopping motorists are being confronted with Cummings style excuses.
This has seriously undermined the lockdown process and enraged many who have already been pulled and fined.
I cannot see how Cummings, who has shown no contrition or regret, can stay. Boris’s position has also been dragged into the scenario. His actions and judgement pose a serious question.
Politics has been sliding down for many years. History is full of it. Today it is more widely seen due to advances in tv, internet, mobiles, social media, whereas there were The Times or Penny Dreadfulls as sources for news so less opportunity for exposing things.
Spin doctors rule. They help create deniability.

Arrogance, stupidity, elitism and entitlement all rolled up into one.

Not the first. Won't be the last.

+1

Cummings and Boris are acquiring a lot of form in this area

Anybody else noticed the blatant disregard for Social Distancing by the press whilst crowding on Creepy Cummings? Plus the BBC journalist had a techie fix his sound issue by leaning over his shoulder.
No reporting on those issues I see, is that also a privilege of position, being able to endanger colleagues while pursuing their jobs?

This made me laugh, apologies if it's been posted elsewhere.