Coronavirus

[Diamond Lights]

Actually one of the bigger issues we had was that the EU made it harder and harder for us to employ qualified people from our previous colonies who did things such as nursing and medical roles qualified to our UK standards of education
Hence why the more recent push into EU staff
I should add that was an explanation given to me by our neighbours who are both drs and a first generation indian couple

Without turning this into Brexit debate as that happens enough with me, that's entirely incorrect. This was fact checked during the Brexit debate. For immigration outside the EU (i.e. former colonies), it WAS entirely depending on UK determination and not on the EU. It was obviously easier to recruit from EU, but the EU had no rights nor determinations to how we determine immigration from non-EU based countries. Fact check below.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-35969235

 

[Bedfordspurs]

Without turning this into Brexit debate as that happens enough with me, that's entirely incorrect. This was fact checked during the Brexit debate. For immigration outside the EU (i.e. former colonies), it WAS entirely depending on UK determination and not on the EU. It was obviously easier to recruit from EU, but the EU had no rights nor determinations to how we determine immigration from non-EU based countries. Fact check below.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-35969235

Hey I’m just saying what they told me

 

[Glenda's Legs]

They're still working it out on the back of a fag packet.

Oh well at least it will be a duty free one.

 

[monkeybarry]

Actually one of the bigger issues we had was that the EU made it harder and harder for us to employ qualified people from our previous colonies who did things such as nursing and medical roles qualified to our UK standards of education
Hence why the more recent push into EU staff
I should add that was an explanation given to me by our neighbours who are both drs and a first generation indian couple

People from our former colonies get paid a lot more in that former colony for essential jobs like nursing and teaching and with lower costs of living - that's why we've needed them to do those jobs on working holidays.
Few of them are coming here "for a better life" - they are coming for an experience for a few years to enjoy the London playground and see Europe.
Compare with Polish, Hungarian etc who did come for an improved life and contributed as such.

A pandemic removes the ability to do that and is likely to reduce the long term desire - depending on how the next few years go.

 

[monkeybarry]

Oh well at least it will be a duty free one.

Can't travel so it'll have to be posted - probably stuck in customs.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

People from our former colonies get paid a lot more in that former colony for essential jobs like nursing and teaching and with lower costs of living - that's why we've needed them to do those jobs on working holidays.
Few of them are coming here "for a better life" - they are coming for an experience for a few years to enjoy the London playground and see Europe.
Compare with Polish, Hungarian etc who did come for an improved life and contributed as such.

A pandemic removes the ability to do that and is likely to reduce the long term desire - depending on how the next few years go.

I don’t live in London to comment. I do know several Indian families who have moved to my town to work as Drs. Well two couples actually. Weirdly it’s a split of paediatricians and anaesthetists.
When we have asked why it’s because they value the education here and the jobs are great. Admittedly their kids do go to private school here, which we have a lot of where I live

 

[Mikey10]

That's it till May -

Not if they can actually do something right for once and sort out a plan for mass vaccinations.

Not holding my breath, though.

 

[scaramanga]

These bloody radical left-wingers like Hunt...

I wouldn't lump him in with those monsters.

Although he does appear to share a coin trait with them - a complete lack of testicular fortitude.

 

[Mikey10]

Right, rules for Boris Bingo at 8.00pm.

Alas = a shot
Any Latin phrase = a double
South African variant = can of beer or cider in one
Of course it pains me to do this... (or any close relation of this phrase) = Jaegermeister
By Easter things will appear very different = triple shot
I must tell you that...= finish any open bottles of alcohol in your house
Admission of any mismanagement of the pandemic = collect £1 million from me

 

[monkeybarry]

I don’t live in London to comment. I do know several Indian families who have moved to my town to work as Drs. Well two couples actually. Weirdly it’s a split of paediatricians and anaesthetists.
When we have asked why it’s because they value the education here and the jobs are great. Admittedly their kids do go to private school here, which we have a lot of where I live

Firstly we have a very generous approach to qualified Indians for immigration.

But you initially mentioned the EU made it difficult for nurses (and other medical), then used the top end of that professional as your example.
We've never had an issue with attracting top level people.
It's the front line people that we need - the nurses and teachers. Especially in the case of primary school teachers we have a significant amount from Canada, NZ and Australia (and that's not to mention the bar staff!). Cost of living is lower and wages higher in those places, so we can't retain them.
We need the "lower wage" migrants - for that to work they have to come from poorer countries with lower living standards.
The UK has good standards, but not as good as we think, especially when compared to English speaking developed nations.
Leaving the EU has turned that flow off - we are going to have to find a way to attract the right profile and most of those approaches are unlikely to be politically popular.

 

[monkeybarry]

Right, rules for Boris Bingo at 8.00pm.

Alas = a shot
Any Latin phrase = a double
South African variant = can of beer or cider in one
Of course it pains me to do this... (or any close relation of this phrase) = Jaegermeister
By Easter things will appear very different = triple shot
I must tell you that...= finish any open bottles of alcohol in your house
Admission of any mismanagement of the pandemic = collect £1 million from me

Dude the NHS is already stretched - that'll give everyone liver failure

 

[Bedfordspurs]

Firstly we have a very generous approach to qualified Indians for immigration.

But you initially mentioned the EU made it difficult for nurses (and other medical), then used the top end of that professional as your example.
We've never had an issue with attracting top level people.
It's the front line people that we need - the nurses and teachers. Especially in the case of primary school teachers we have a significant amount from Canada, NZ and Australia (and that's not to mention the bar staff!). Cost of living is lower and wages higher in those places, so we can't retain them.
We need the "lower wage" migrants - for that to work they have to come from poorer countries with lower living standards.
The UK has good standards, but not as good as we think, especially when compared to English speaking developed nations.
Leaving the EU has turned that flow off - we are going to have to find a way to attract the right profile and most of those approaches are unlikely to be politically popular.

Honestly I’ve only ever met British born and bred primary school teachers where I live.

 

[Aldo]

Honestly I’ve only ever met British born and bred primary school teachers where I live.

What, no one else lives there?

 

[Dicko]

What are the obstacles preventing us just blitzing through the population with the vaccination? Is it physical issues like not enough qualified stuff, places to vaccinate etc or is it bureaucracy issues such as problems keeping track and establishing databases and such?

Edit. Just found this data that shows we had given 944k as of 27th Dec. How is that possible when we were told we only received 400k of that first Pfizer order?
If true then almost 1mill done already a week ago with the AZ one starting today doesnt seem to bad. I just don't understand that figure.
https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations

 

[djp82]

Well looks like another lockdown is on the cards.

The sad thing is the fact that we are in a position where the NHS is about to fall over so we need to take drastic action again.

The lives of so many are going to be permanently damaged by another lockdown. Loss of homes , marriage break ups, Child and spousal abuse. Loss of jobs etc. So so sad and equally as tragic as the loss of life from the virus. Lives changed forever.

Our Children’s education and sporting aspirations damaged. Teachers I respect you but you can’t tell me online learning is anywhere close to the engagement needed for a lot of pupils. Schools have tried I agree but I speak as a father of a year 8 student what work is set is not a lot. Some teachers have engaged and others have not given a toss.

Another thing that’s disgusting is some celebrities calling for it and telling the common man to suck it up. The hypocrisy stinks. They will not understand the plight of a vast majority of the nation.

The NHS thing seems to happen every winter you see the headlines of a struggle or collapse sad thing is nothing is ever done about it. Tory government of the past decade plus. Labour were no better either.

Also in this thread is the constant back and forth between some and the Aussies. Fair play to Australia they handled it well but you just can’t compare to the UK. It’s just a vastly different living situation.Population density alone kicks all comparison into touch. Enjoy your Summer Aussies.

Wish you and yours all safe and well people but this second lockdown is going to be so rough for so many for so many reasons. Sad times.

 

[markysimmo]

We moved out to the Mrs Dad's place week before xmas, he is on his own so we're his support bubble
Out in the country loads of room for us to work, school, etc, lovely for exercise too
Lockdown in our small flat would have been awful especially with winter weather

 

[Bedfordspurs]

What, no one else lives there?

Where I live?
We have loads of nationalities.
It’s one of the most diverse towns in the country. Hell we even had an Italian consulate and a very very old polish church
Still haven’t met a primary school teacher yet who isn’t British though
Maybe that’s just odd or the demographic of primary teachers at the schools opposite my house

 

[scaramanga]

Where I live?
We have loads of nationalities.
It’s one of the most diverse towns in the country. Hell we even had an Italian consulate and a very very old polish church
Still haven’t met a primary school teacher yet who isn’t British though
Maybe that’s just odd or the demographic of primary teachers at the schools opposite my house

All English around here too as far as I've seen.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

All English around here too as far as I've seen.

Just googling it and it appears that it’s inner cities that have the mix of nationalities
I’d guess that’s a reflection of the demographic of the pupils too

 

[Hotshot-Tottenham]

What are the obstacles preventing us just blitzing through the population with the vaccination? Is it physical issues like not enough qualified stuff, places to vaccinate etc or is it bureaucracy issues such as problems keeping track and establishing databases and such?

Edit. Just found this data that shows we had given 944k as of 27th Dec. How is that possible when we were told we only received 400k of that first Pfizer order?
If true then almost 1mill done already a week ago with the AZ one starting today doesnt seem to bad. I just don't understand that figure.
https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations