The Only One With The Brains.

[teacake44]

I watched Chris Witty last night giving a speech / lecture, not sure if it was a repeat of earlier, or the first time its been on, but on for a good hour. An in depth look at not only this virus, but past ones, and the response to drugs and vaccines. Can't say I fully understood all the technical science at times but for a man of his intelligence explained the present problem very well to the not so clued up, along with pretty simple slide show throughout.

This man is in my opinion the key to fighting this virus, and its a good job we have him.
Listening to this guy gave me the impression, he has up to a point, not been listened to in full by other government ministers in the very early stage of this virus hitting the UK, in fact at more than one occasion seemed to imply such, ( in my opinion) I get the feeling this guy has been gagged up to a point, but now for what ever reason allowed to give his full opinion and expert advice.

I'm in hope that Matt Hancock takes more note of what he says and follows his advice to the letter, because has yet he doesn't have appeared to do so in many ways. And I still believe even with all the advice from Chris Whitty has made a pigs ear of the whole situation.
There's only 3 people you need at these briefings ( and not every day) Boris because at least you seem to get the truth, ( no false statements or promises it is has it is) Raab and Chris Whitty. I for one won't ever believe what Matt Hancock says again.

[teacake44]

Correction, should have been Sunak not Raab

[New Judge]

Is it personal, this thing you have against Mr Hancock?

[teacake44]

Everyone in any job is judged on their performance, and no not personal at all.

[woofgang]

Do you think that Matt Hancock is allowed to say whatever he likes?

[fiction-factory]

He is fascinating to listen to.

As regards "Listening to this guy gave me the impression, he has up to a point, not been listened to in full by other government ministers in the very early stage of this virus hitting the UK, in fact at more than one occasion seemed to imply such, ( in my opinion )"....

I'm not sure about that. When Prof Neil Ferguson was making high projections and stressing urgency he was a lone voice in SAGE- Whitty and others were less concerned initially- but were persuaded by Ferguson's data and switched their advice and this prompted the lockdown measures

[fiction-factory]

I think Hancock is working well with Whitty, Valance, Jenny Harries and Prof Newton and especially the Tann bloke. They always seem to endorse what he says.
I feel more comfortable with Raab, Boris or Shaps leading them. I'm less keen on Patel. Jenrick was okay but he has slipped up before with the Turkey PPE announcement a while ago which he'd been advised not to mention

[teacake44]

What went on behind closed doors at the beginning no one will know. I'm just going on what CW was saying last night.

[teacake44]

The briefings to me are just a show ground most times, hence they couldn't possibly start disagreeing with each other, even if they did disagree behind closed doors.

[fiction-factory]

He's certainly better than Yvonne Doyle- I never feel convinced by her whereas Chris Whitty looks and sounds sincere and very much on top of all the issues

[fiction-factory]

Well you never get the scientists shuffling and looking at their feet to avoid Hancock's eye- he's had no 'could we inject disinfectant?' moments

[Canary42]

/// Boris because at least you seem to get the truth ///

"seem" being the operative word - he's been sacked from 2 jobs so far for lying.

[teacake44]

A lot of people may have been sacked from previous jobs, but gone on to be successful in others. Sadly he won't have the opportunity to show what he really wanted to do for the UK for some time to come, if ever.

[MartinMillar]

//Sadly he won't have the opportunity to show what he really wanted to do for the UK for some time to come, if ever/:
Who? Boris? He has already made it plain that this won’t stop his plo.

[MartinMillar]

Sorry plans

[teacake44]

Well I hope your right, but that might depend on how long this goes on for , as no government has got a bottomless purse.

[bednobs]

Yes I think they ought to start cutting benefits and pensions to 80%

[woofgang]

why cut my pension bedknobs? I, and many others, have also had the pension goalposts moved once and our pensions reduced....we have paid for them during our working years.

[iluvmargie]

Why, what have pensioners done??

[fiction-factory]

>Why, what have pensioners done?? Nothing.
But I think bednobs may be thinking neither have the workers and self employed done anything to bring on the 80% furloughing they are experiencing.
I'm not saying I agree - and it won't happen - but if we are all in this together perhaps everyone should have to pay something. Actually pensioners may pay in time as income tax and possibly VAT will go up and that will hit some pensioners, but it will hit those still in work hardest as NI will go up too. I reckon I think those on benefits won't suffer any cuts going forwards- in fact the realisation of many new UC claimants as to how low UC is for couples (but not hose with lots of children) may put pressure on governments to maintain or increase UC

[woofgang]

the problem with cutting pensions is that it will take many pensioners into benefits territory...so more work by civil servants to give them the same amount of money.