Is it not the case that the U.K. has now joined the scheme after having not done so at the start (on an “associate basis”)? I wonder when the first batch of equipment , (which we won’t get), will arrive.

Originally Posted by: doctormog 

Get with the times, Michael. 

You can't have real equipment, it's a  health risk.  You can only have "virtual" equipment.  The UK has an unlimited supply of virtual equipment.  It's   stored right next to the place they keep the BS - We  appear to have an unlimited supply of that as well !

Originally Posted by: Bugglesgate 

You seem to be of that sort that thinks rights are kindly granted by authority rather than being natural given. Please tell me that I have misjudged.

Just a bit funny that while all of the pearl clutchers are commending state authorities for using fascistic means in order to 'save peoples lives' that people are still dying.

Originally Posted by: Chunky Pea 

The shipment from turkey was meant to be 400k clinical gowns. The shipment is only 2.5k.

Originally Posted by: Heavy Weather 2013 

Am I losing it? I watched yesterday's Covid-19 government briefing and heard Matt Hancock say clearly that he had been asked and had accepted the EU invitation to join their scheme for bulk supply of PPE and other equipment as an associate and he had said yes but nothing has to date been acquired. I read, however, that it is being claimed the scheme was not joined by the UK government. "Officials have insisted the UK did not receive an initial invitation in time because of communication problems. " although Brussels says: "...the UK was given ample opportunity to take part in the scheme."

Government facing fresh questions over EU equipment scheme
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-52377087

Questions over decisions made at start of outbreak
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-52377079

Here's my question: Who if anyone is misleading us?
I cannot believe Hancock would tell an outright lie on camera, although he did seem a bit agitated yesterday.

R

Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons 

Hancock is the biggest liar in the nest of liars known as the Government. He is so out of his depth in this crisis and so inept that his only options are to resign or to pile lie upon lie in the hope that the pandemic runs out of steam before he is dragged out of his hole and metaphorically clubbed like a Canadian seal.

Remember his candidacy for the Tory leadership? Remember him saying that No Deal was unconscionable? Remember rushing to sign up to Johnson's No Deal in order to stay in the Cabinet?

He is a pathetic little weasel. I for one am itching to dance on his political grave.

Originally Posted by: Justin W 

Here's my question: Who if anyone is misleading us?

Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons 

Another reason to avoid booking air tickets and package holidays as if there aren't enough already.

All big UK airlines and travel firms denying refunds, Which? finds

Up to £7bn owed for trips cancelled because of coronavirus - but operators fear bankruptcy if they pay out

All of the UK’s biggest airlines and most big holiday companies are systematically breaking the law by denying timely refunds to customers for travel cancelled during the pandemic, researchers have found.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/apr/22/big-uk-airlines-and-travel-firms-denying-refunds-which-coronavirus

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

About a month ago I mentioned pulse oximeters and hypothesised they could be useful in tracking a corona virus infection at home. The Times today has an article suggesting the same thing:

Coronavirus: Finger-clip device gives warning on oxygen level

A simple device that monitors oxygen levels at home could help to identify people who are falling severely ill with Covid-19, doctors have said.

Experts are concerned that significant numbers are not receiving care quickly enough, which leads to a hard-to-detect form of viral pneumonia.

Richard Levitan, an American doctor, said that the volume of patients who need a ventilator could be reduced if people with symptoms such as fever and cough monitored themselves using pulse oximeters. These are small devices that clip on a finger to measure oxygen levels in the blood.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/coronavirus-finger-clip-device-gives-warning-on-oxygen-level-v35qkzz0p

They can be bought relatively cheaply from Amazon. Non-referral link here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=pulse+oximeter&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

If you buy one there is guidance on what is normal here:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/hypoxemia/basics/definition/sym-20050930

In summary from the Mayo Clinic: Normal pulse oximeter readings usually range from 95 to 100 percent. Values under 90 percent are considered low.

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

Hancock is the biggest liar in the nest of liars known as the Government. He is so out of his depth in this crisis and so inept that his only options are to resign or to pile lie upon lie in the hope that the pandemic runs out of steam before he is dragged out of his hole and metaphorically clubbed like a Canadian seal.

Remember his candidacy for the Tory leadership? Remember him saying that No Deal was unconscionable? Remember rushing to sign up to Johnson's No Deal in order to stay in the Cabinet?

He is a pathetic little weasel. I for one am itching to dance on his political grave.

Originally Posted by: Justin W 

About a month ago I mentioned pulse oximeters and hypothesised they could be useful in tracking a corona virus infection at home. The Times today has an article suggesting the same thing:

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

Tests to be offered to NHS staff after initial checks suggest they were floored.

Yet another shambles. Where were these test procured.

Originally Posted by: Heavy Weather 2013 

Tests to be offered to NHS staff after initial checks suggest they were floored.

Yet another shambles. Where were these test procured.

Originally Posted by: Heavy Weather 2013 

I bought one while I was suffering with a cough (following a fever and sore throat, those eased but a cough set in. I still have the remnants 4 weeks on!)

If nothing else, it's excellent for giving peace of mind that yes, things are as they should be!

Originally Posted by: Retron 

Another reason to avoid booking air tickets and package holidays as if there aren't enough already.

All big UK airlines and travel firms denying refunds, Which? finds

Up to £7bn owed for trips cancelled because of coronavirus - but operators fear bankruptcy if they pay out

All of the UK’s biggest airlines and most big holiday companies are systematically breaking the law by denying timely refunds to customers for travel cancelled during the pandemic, researchers have found.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/apr/22/big-uk-airlines-and-travel-firms-denying-refunds-which-coronavirus

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze