vaughan45

If I was in a belligerent mood I could say what is the point of conventional schooling anyway as the economic situation, the advances in AI etc. mean many will unfortunately not have jobs to go to, in which case a good grounding in life skills is probably what is required. But that is all considerably off topic.

Looking at the key trend drivers since lockdown 1, the three key ones where there were noticeable infection step changes were when pubs and restaurants reopened possibly aided by the Eat Out campaign, the return of schools in September and then Universities / Colleges slightly later. These all occurred before the change in seasons also added to the mix. The virus has been mutating constantly and it appears that this 'new' one was being seen in some test results as early as September. The only way to get a grip on this is for schools etc. to remain closed in January / February and for a speeding up of the vaccination campaign, although this won't occur until more vaccine types have been approved. These matters would hopefully mitigate against the growing non-compliance of the population. It is interesting to realise that if there was mass civil disobedience in more than a few areas of the country then HMG would have no way of controlling it as the police and armed forces are already overstretched.

It should also be remembered that the document linked too was produced by the CDC in the USA. Whilst I appreciate they quote some UK examples, it would be necessary to see the primary source of this information (and background notes) to verify the data is being correctly interpreted in this secondary document. All vaccinations carry some risk, particularly if the recipient has allergies (known or unknown) in the same way that the protection provided by the jab will never be 100% for all the population. The possibility of a reaction that can occur in a small number of patients is why recipients of any vaccination (seasonal flu etc.) are ask to wait a specified period, although many people don't. It is also the reason why regardless of who is administering the vaccination, there must always be suitably trained clinicians in attendance to mitigate the risk. Personally I would rather risk the jab, where the risk is minimal, than spend 15 minutes in a supermarket scrum where the risks of catching Covid-19 are considerably higher. Indeed it is interesting that HMG have reintroduced full 'Shielding' in Tier 4 areas and one of the key aspects of this is that the extremely vulnerable should not go food shopping due to the increased infection rate of the mutation. The last time this advise was issued was in lockdown 1, since then the advice has been to go at the quietest periods of the day.

Exactly.

I suspect that very early in the new year we will be into lockdown 3. The chief spreaders during Christmas are likely to be children who will have picked up the condition in their last few days in school and reach peak immediately before and during Christmas. Whilst most will either be asymptomatic or only mildly affected, a couple of days exposure is likely to be enough deliver a fatal dose to grandma and grandad.

Blast you Sirs, I already have a couple of skirted J70s and now I am going to have to acquire one without skirts for the street running extension I am building for my cameo Kingfisher Wharf (a cameo within a cameo??) What a wonderful image though.

They always seemed more like scratch building aids to me. (MTK products not the Romans)

I have just purchased 3 Bachmann wagons from AC Models and they arrived within 2 days, which is excellent considering the current delays within the postal system due to lockdown overload, Black Friday etc. Have always had good service from this retailer.

Similar effects can be gained using 'Night Nurse', which is why I understand in prison, this medication has to be taken and swallowed in the sight of the nursing officer.

It appears Peco have been sharing the code 75 Bullhead items around as fairly as possible, so all dealers (large & small) got some. The big mail order suppliers probably used up their allocations filling back-orders. I know I have been quite lucky in obtaining my requirements from smaller dealers.

Now sorted, Regards Vaughan

I am trying to acquire a Model Rail / Dapol OO gauge Sentinel loco - any livery, preferably a 'runner'. Immediate payment available

Unfortunately out in rural Norfolk, Parcelforce drivers use the 'Address Problems' non-delivery reason for I can't be arsed to deliver this. I have had experience of this with both overseas and UK deliveries, despite the correct address has being printed on the parcel.

Has anyone else noticed that the Pocketmags version of the September 2020 Railway Modeller has pages 722 to 725 missing? This is supposed to be the layout article about Loctern Quay by Michael Campbell, but it is not present.

Man travels to Newcastle and gets shot dead

Probably all the fault of the 'Roads' lobby - you go to a Bus Station to catch a bus, therefore you must go to a Train Station to catch a train

Silly Burgers - never mind as obesity is one of the key risk factors for Covid-19, particularly in males, many of them may soon be candidates for the morgue.

It should also be remembered that hospitals are not simply doctors and nurses. Assisting these are an army of 'other ranks' such as Health Care Assistants, Theatre Assistants, Cleaners, Porters, Ward Clerks who without their shift allowance premiums would be lucky to earn more than £18k in any year (outside of London). Would I wipe peoples bottoms, clear their vomit and do all those basic care tasks that are absolutely necessary for under 20k per year? - No I wouldn't. I speak as someone who has recently retired from the NHS, earnt the same as a senior ward sister for 'shuffling bits of paper' and always felt slightly guilty about it

Probably all the excess perishable items they panic bought a few weeks ago?

I suspect many of these characters would normally be in 'Ibeefa' or on stag and hen do's in eastern Europe by now. Probably wouldn't visit these areas of the UK in normal times. If the toilets were open do they actually know how to use them?