Just For Information For Those In The Greater Manchester Area

[Apc2604]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53602362

[Mamyalynne]

Yes, my skype has been a bleeping - as have I.

[Ken4155]

We have had 4 new cases in Burnley this week and we are on the list. Yet pubs and restaurants can remain open in the area. No wonder folk are in a constant state of confusion.

[Gromit]

// Health Secretary Matt Hancock said an "increasing rate of transmission" had been identified in those areas.
"The spread is largely due to households meeting and not abiding to social distancing," he said. //

How do the Government know if we have or have not been social distancing in our homes?
So instead of meeting at home, we can all go to the pub and that is fine.
Utter bonkers. I predict a backlash.

[fiction-factory]

It's an Eid thing though Ken. Might look better to shut the pubs as well though

[fiction-factory]

Gromit- I think the politicians and health experts know what's been going on in these areas and what's going to happen in the run up to Eid. It;s not uncommon in some areas for 10 people to stay over for a few nights as families get together for Eid.

[Ken4155]

Gromit; "I predict a backlash." I predict that many will stick 2 fingers up at Hancock and co. There have been many people in Burnley who have responded to the ongoing survey by Ipsos Mori and the Imperial College London. My son in law has just today received confirmation that he has not had the virus. I've volunteered to have a test to see if I have the virus. I dare say that these 4 new cases are as a result of these tests and are in no way indicative that we are not following the guidelines.

[DTCwordfan]

Just over 5% of the population in Manchester are Muslim...vs nearly 8% Asian....

[Ken4155]

FF; if it was all about Eid (pun intended), do the government believe that there are no Muslims down sarf?

[fiction-factory]

KEn- if you live in Burnley I think you'll know there are some areas where the Asian/ Muslim population is at least 30% and sometimes much higher. The same applies to parts of Rochdale, Oldham, Blackburn, Bradford, Leicester- all areas where the figures have shot up.
Of course down sarf (below Leicester) there are similar areas in terms of ethnicity but the figures mustn't have reached these levels.

[fiction-factory]

Same applies to DTC's comment.
The government couldn't say the lockdown only applies to certain groups. They are also aware that people who were planning to gather in Blackburn for example might choose to gather in a neighbouring town- so they apply the restriction to a wider area

[Gromit]

// It’s not uncommon in some areas for 10 people to stay over for a few nights as families get together for Eid. //

Do you have the same surveillance system as the Government seem to have to know what is happening in my house?

If you are right, and this is about the Government controlling the 3% of the population in my area that are muslim, then Boris, Hancock and Co really are barking mad.

[Gromit]

The muslim population of Burnley is not 30%. It's less than 10%.
Will the Government be offering any evidence that muslims are responsible for the spike if one exists, and that muslims don’t social distance in their homes? It must be really compelling to merit nearly 3 million barred from seeing their family.

[Ken4155]

FF; "Some areas where the Asian/Muslim population is at least 30%...." Some areas? Just how big do you think Burnley is? There is an area of town where the majority of our Asian community live but I wouldn't have a clue as to how that relates to your figure of 30%. Whatever the figures, I do feel that we are being returned to 'lock-down' because of something that 'may' happen and not because of any spike in the number of cases in the town - 4 new cases.

[margarettom]

As Muslims don't drink alcohol there is no reason to close pubs, if the cause of the spike is the gatherings for Eid. Celebrations for Eid are not held in pubs.

[Ken4155]

^
What spike?

[Barsel]

I live in Greater Manchester, but nowhere near any of those places mentioned,why can't they be more specific? You cant meet other household in your home , but you can go to pubs and restaurants where there will be other households? My Grandchildren have just got to seeing me again and now they can't.Nice one Mr Hancock, do you want to try explaining that to them.

[jno]

Hancock's too busy trying to persuade you never to visit your doctor again

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jul/30/all-gp-consultations-should-be-remote-by-default-says-matt-hancock-nhs

[Bobbisox1]

Sorry Apc, just seen your post after I put a similar one up this morning

[Apc2604]

No need to apologise Bobbi. It happens. Gromit posted about it about the same time as me, but in a nasty way about the government. I decided to leave mine there because it was basically a warning to those in that area. I think the government have done the right thing, but should have been stricter and quaranteened the whole area!