COVID-19

Useful graphs, but they tell barely half the story, don't they? The gross amount of money going into the system at any one time -- under any government -- would probably suffice if it were used wisely. But how much is lost due to various forms of wastage -- e.g. doctors overbilling or overprescribing, purchases of nice but non-essential items taking away funds from essential purchases, administrators multiplying like rabbits and rewarding themselves well for their fruitfulness? If one could cut down the wastage, we'd be far better off.

And that applies as much to the NHS as to the various provincial health systems here, where we have the same problems no matter which party is in power. Actually, I suppose it applies all over. We certainly have the same problems in the universities, where contract/sessional faculty are shafted continuously and permanent faculty have to get a strike mandate before central admin. will even start bargaining seriously, but there is always room to hire another vice-president, and always enough money around for that class to vote themselves pay increases that we, the faculty, could only dream of.

RCB

 

I said earlier that the NHS has enough money to do its job well. Unfortunately there is a lot of wastage at local level that burns money for fun.

Adequately managed then the NHS would be fit for purpose in all areas.

I had recent dealings with St Lukes hospital. One day I received an envelope with NINE letters in it.
4 booked me an appointment and 4 cancelled it.

The 9th letter gave me the confirmed booking.

I mean wtf.

 

Marketisation of higher education is another absolute scandal in this country. Not everyone should go to university and certainly not 50% of any given generation. All its done is devalue degrees in the workplace because those jobs that weree school leaver jobs 30 years ago are now graduate jobs, with no commensurate increase in pay. Casualising academic staff is another disgrace but the Tories have always despised the education service as well.

 

In a small way the NHS reminds me of football where less and less of the money put in is reaching the lower level where it is needed. As Blair showed its easy to put more money in whether it be for infrastructure or essentials. The problem comes with whos paying for it. Its never ever the rich and famous, they have expensive accountants to get round such things, its never the poor, they don't have owt. If your in the middle of this, you're getting squeezed no matter what.

 

At the risk of digressing wildly... You're right in almost all your points. It's happened here as well -- I should say it already happened decades ago. Employers switched to expecting degrees for just about everyone, students then saw degrees as passports to wealth, and so the cycle went. Universities have become another type of factory. Part of the problem is that vocational schools, as they were known over here, became associated with delinquents and drop-outs -- you went there because you were a mental and behavioural loser. The trades were stigmatised; everyone wanted a nice clean white-collar job, and everyone seemed to forget just how much we need suitably-trained tradespeople.

And so everyone goes to university, when a rather large proportion would be better off in a technical college, or out on an apprenticeship. As you say, not everyone is suited for academic studies. And from the faculty point of view, it is soul-destroying to be lecturing to a class when you know that all but 5 or 6 of the 30+ students don't really belong there. The few good ones, though, do make it worthwhile.

I would disagree with limiting criticism to just the Tories, though perhaps the differences there have been more pronounced. Over here, I worked under Conservative, Liberal, and New Democratic Party parties provincially, and under Conservative and Liberal parties federally. With one exception, the Mike Harris Tories of a few decades ago, the problem was not so much who was in power, but what university administrations wanted, and also what society has wanted.

Right...back to the virus!

RCB

 

I'm sure you analysis is correct but it really makes no difference now, I was obviously delighted when the result came through a thumping majority for the only party that said they would honor the referendum result, I couldn't as explained vote for a party that stalled the vote in parliament and offered before the General election to renegotiate a deal with the EU then vote against it, most voters could see what they were doing.
Maybe the other parties should have backed Mays deal and put as much effort into getting as much alignment with the EU as they could.

 

Only one thing will hopefully stop this virus and that is an anti virus vaccine, reading an article this morning from one of the top scientist he was saying it will be 12 months minimum before an anti vaccine is available and this virus will return again and possibly a third time before it's found, a frightening comment.
Some seem to think it's OK for the oldies to die but I very much doubt their families think the same.

 

Not only hospitals but schools as well, who ever negotiated those PFI deals wants locking up.

 

Or us oldies

 

Certainly the vast majority will be, but what a horrible thing to wish and any fellow human being.
We have family out in Costa del Sol and she say the police out there don't mess about with regards people on the street, only one in a car, one only allowed to shop at the nearest supermarket.

 

No one wants anyone to die but I just can't figure out how we move forward. Unless the governments pays everyone their salaries and we have a full lockdown for 12 months I just don't know how people can avoid it.

They'll have to be tough measures like 70 + can't see their families and friends until vaccine is found.

I see parliament is opening again on the 21st of April. I am starting to get cheesed that these politicians are planning on working while we can't even do nothing.

 

So you can call them a hypocrite or make them feel guilty for clapping on a Thursday at 8PM?

Just answer my original question. Its not that hard really.

 

The other day you were saying we would be back working in weeks. Now you have no clue.

 

An anti vaccine?

 

Well the politicians will be.

I think middle of May

 

What makes you think the politicians ever stopped working?

 

That's not what you were saying last week.

I usually like your posts. But I am wondering if you are trying to get a rise out of people, or have completely lost the plot, because a lot of what you have posted in the last week or so on here is complete drivel

 

Of course I wouldn't refuse treatment. Idiotic suggestion.