The UK response - Part II - read OP

serfboard

serfboard wrote: »

There's a lot of flaky software in use in all sorts of situations.

Fortunately, the consequnces aren't as important as they were in this case, but the fact that the software was flaky does not surprise me one bit.

I work for one of the largest IT companies in the world and some of systems are, well, let’s just say we don’t practice what we preach!

We still have some applications where data needs to be compiled on spreadsheets and bulk uploaded. They are being phased out though and none are business critical.

BonnieSituation

Aegir wrote: »

I work for one of the largest IT companies in the world and some of systems are, well, let’s just say we don’t practice what we preach!

We still have some applications where data needs to be compiled on spreadsheets and bulk uploaded. They are being phased out though and none are business critical.

I worked for one of the largest insurers in Ireland and and Britain and the whole company was built on legacy CSV files sent back and forth in excel and notepad with next to no QC outside of the fact that you just had to trust that it was being done right by the departmental specialist. In my case, it was GIS. It's at once fascinating and terrifying.

nacho libre

Well you can all stop fretting about Christmas, because Boris is going to "save Christmas" according to the Sun. I wonder do they have Friends in the Tory party who leak the good news...

UK Government now having the army knock door to door, handing out "free Covid tests".

Wonder if this is to get people used to more army presence in future? Some commenter (I know, I know) mentioned a relative had sent back the test without actually doing it. Result came back "positive".

Interesting times ahead.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaSTgLqFQH4

xhomelezz

Haha you'll have to try harder..

gmisk

[Deleted User] wrote: »

UK Government now having the army knock door to door, handing out "free Covid tests".

Wonder if this is to get people used to more army presence in future? Some commenter (I know, I know) mentioned a relative had sent back the test without actually doing it. Result came back "positive".

Interesting times ahead.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaSTgLqFQH4

"Some commenter" yep sounds legit...
I get all my news from youtube comments...(china?)...lol

Don't even get me started on the state of that youtube channel.

Timberrrrrrrr

LMAO now thats funny

3xh

Yep. Very strange. Similar here in Birmingham.

https://youtu.be/GU0BZuSwwjQ

Unsolicited free tests. They then return in time and collect for free too. I thought home kits were too unreliable.

I think the pace at which the 4 staff in the video in this post left the scene is very peculiar. Council staff doing something you’d think is noble and beneficial shouldn’t be clearing the area the way they did. They only left because they were told to by whoever was on the phone.

circadian

Ah **** off would ye. Why are the army on the streets? Maybe people should have been asking that for about 30 years from the 70's.

**** me. It's most likely the TA and like the young fella said, they're helping out the council. If it's an area of high incidence then they're going to need extra people to get around as quickly as possible. YouTube really has become a cesspit of conspiracy ****e.

Beasty

Threads merged

Thierry12

circadian wrote: »

Ah **** off would ye. Why are the army on the streets? Maybe people should have been asking that for about 30 years from the 70's.

**** me. It's most likely the TA and like the young fella said, they're helping out the council. If it's an area of high incidence then they're going to need extra people to get around as quickly as possible. YouTube really has become a cesspit of conspiracy ****e.

The man has a point

If people want to be tested they can go to a covid test centre or they can post the covid test

Non medical clowns knocking on peoples doors giving out tests is just weird

They look like bin men and cadets

Id laugh and close the door if they knocked on my door

3xh

3xh wrote: »

Yep. Very strange. Similar here in Birmingham.

https://youtu.be/GU0BZuSwwjQ

Unsolicited free tests. They then return in time and collect for free too. I thought home kits were too unreliable.

I think the pace at which the 4 staff in the video in this post left the scene is very peculiar. Council staff doing something you’d think is noble and beneficial shouldn’t be clearing the area the way they did. They only left because they were told to by whoever was on the phone.

Yeah, I found that odd as well. There's a lot of reports on the unreliability of the Covid tests. Plus, in the States at least, Doctors have admitted there's incentives for declaring deaths as Covid. That in particular seems scandalous. Californian Doctor talking about it here from about 1.20 if anybody is interested:
https://youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=PE3QfTnIazU

As for the other posters getting worked up: relax. Just sharing a video I was sent. Whatever that actual youtube account contains, it obviously doesn't belong to the person who recorded the video.

davetherave

Why are the Army on the streets? Firstly the female in the video is wearing RAF ranks but that didn't seem to bother the bellend shoving a camera in their face. Aid to the Civil Authority (Or whatever the Brit equivilant is). You have an easy accessible pool of people trained to take orders and carry out a **** task assigned to them in a smart, uniform, and soldier-like manner.

Need 1200 trained people at the drop of a hat when G4S fail to provide enough security for the London Olympics? Send in the Army
Need sandbags filled to stop a river flooding? Send in the Army.
Need the streets and paths cleared after a snowstorm? Send in the Army.
Need assistance for when the binmen go on strike, or the ambulance service go on strike, or the fuel tanker drivers go on strike? Send in the Army.
Need assistance distributing home testing kits to members of the public? Send in the Army.



This is the British Armed Services operating in the Uk though. We'd never see that over here.... That fact that when you go to the Aviva Stadium to get tested you are met by nothing but members of the Defence Forces is just a coincidence. Surely it's just a coincidence. Have I just been a pawn in someones game (Who is to blame? Are we back blaming Leo or is it still Michaels go?) Do you mean to tell me that when I have been detailed up to the Aviva on an Aid to the Civil Authority duty to assist with the testing, and I've been standing on the street in uniform, that they are just using me to get people used to seeing uniforms on the street? Fcuk... I think I need to go away and take a good long hard look at myself.

3xh

davetherave wrote: »

Why are the Army on the streets? Firstly the female in the video is wearing RAF ranks but that didn't seem to bother the bellend shoving a camera in their face. Aid to the Civil Authority (Or whatever the Brit equivilant is). You have an easy accessible pool of people trained to take orders and carry out a **** task assigned to them in a smart, uniform, and soldier-like manner.

Need 1200 trained people at the drop of a hat when G4S fail to provide enough security for the London Olympics? Send in the Army
Need sandbags filled to stop a river flooding? Send in the Army.
Need the streets and paths cleared after a snowstorm? Send in the Army.
Need assistance for when the binmen go on strike, or the ambulance service go on strike, or the fuel tanker drivers go on strike? Send in the Army.
Need assistance distributing home testing kits to members of the public? Send in the Army.



This is the British Armed Services operating in the Uk though. We'd never see that over here.... That fact that when you go to the Aviva Stadium to get tested you are met by nothing but members of the Defence Forces is just a coincidence. Surely it's just a coincidence. Have I just been a pawn in someones game (Who is to blame? Are we back blaming Leo or is it still Michaels go?) Do you mean to tell me that when I have been detailed up to the Aviva on an Aid to the Civil Authority duty to assist with the testing, and I've been standing on the street in uniform, that they are just using me to get people used to seeing uniforms on the street? Fcuk... I think I need to go away and take a good long hard look at myself.

I wrote a post but it’s missing from the thread yet is visible in my post history.

Forget the whys of the Air Force being on the streets. That’s a red herring.

The question is why is a council making unsolicited calls to residents with the offer of free tests. The tests are home kits too. The U.K. government themselves have said they’re unreliable.

Also, the Air Force guy said the offer is purely a take it or leave it one. Personally, I would wonder if the door knockers really do give that clear choice and no leading or subjective language is used to get the swab.

Leave aside the conspiracy stuff and just focus on the idea of free, door to door tests by a council and why they’re so coy about it. Surely, it’d be a perfect Covid good news story to do a piece on?

davetherave

davetherave wrote: »

That fact that when you go to the Aviva Stadium to get tested you are met by nothing but members of the Defence Forces is just a coincidence. Surely it's just a coincidence. Have I just been a pawn in someones game (Who is to blame? Are we back blaming Leo or is it still Michaels go?) Do you mean to tell me that when I have been detailed up to the Aviva on an Aid to the Civil Authority duty to assist with the testing, and I've been standing on the street in uniform, that they are just using me to get people used to seeing uniforms on the street? Fcuk... I think I need to go away and take a good long hard look at myself.

That's fine. They shouldn't be ordered to knock on people's doors for this nonsense, though.

it takes about two minutes to find out the actual facts.

https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/news/article/720/military_support_for_city_councils_drop_and_collect_testing_service

The Ministry of Defence is supporting a request from Birmingham City Council to provide personnel to support the ‘Drop and Collect’ Covid test distribution

Since the start of the pandemic, the Armed Forces have worked with colleagues across Government to increase the national testing capacity.

Under the Military Aid to Civilian Authorities system, approximately 100 RAF personnel will now be working with Birmingham City Council to support its Drop and Collect Testing initiative.

The Armed Forces are uniquely placed to help with the fight against Coronavirus and remain ready to provide support as and when the situation demands it.

Brigadier AJ Smith, Joint Military Commander West Midlands, said: “Since the start of the pandemic, the Armed Forces have worked with colleagues across Government to increase the national testing capacity. In response to a request from Birmingham City Council, the MOD will supply military personnel to support its COVID-19 Drop and Collect Testing initiative. We are well placed to help with the fight against Coronavirus and remain ready to provide support as and when the situation demands it.”

Birmingham City Council sought military assistance after it launched a new drop and collect service to provide citizens an easier opportunity to get tested for coronavirus.

Cllr Paulette Hamilton, cabinet member for health and social care, said: “I’d like to thank everyone involved in the drop and collect testing service: council staff, volunteers from across our partner agencies and the military personnel who are now supporting this effort. It is vital we drive down our infection rates and increased testing is an essential part of this. We can only do this by working together. I know it is hard, but if everyone sticks to the rules, maintains social distancing, wear a face mask whilst in public indoor settings and washing hands regularly we will get through this.”

Staff from across the council, NHS and wider public sector have volunteered to take part in this effort to increase access to testing in our city. The teams will be visiting households in different areas of the city to offer the test kits on the doorstep, even for those without symptoms, to support more testing. Testing is completely free and once dropped off, a volunteer will come back and pick up the completed kit within the next hour.

The test involves taking a swab of the inside of your nose and the back of your throat, using a long cotton bud. You can do the swab yourself; and can also do it for children or other people in the house who are unable to do it themselves.

The guy with the camera was quite fortunate he managed to get a couple of youngsters who seemed quite reserved. If he'd have asked an older RAF Regiment guy he probably would have ended up with first hand experience of an iPhone enema

Timberrrrrrrr

Aegir wrote: »

it takes about two minutes to find out the actual facts.

https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/news/article/720/military_support_for_city_councils_drop_and_collect_testing_service



The guy with the camera was quite fortunate he managed to get a couple of youngsters who seemed quite reserved. If he'd have asked an older RAF Regiment guy he probably would have ended up with first hand experience of an iPhone enema

Yup, TA would be more polite and reserved, full time squaddies would have told him to fùck off and mind his own business.

3xh

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

Yup, TA would be more polite and reserved, full time squaddies would have told him to fùck off and mind his own business.

Nice. The military telling the public doing things that aren’t illegal (Recording and asking questions of public service staff) to **** off or else.

In the meantime, how is the take it or leave it offer worded in the privacy of a doorway with no one around to listen in? I’ll guess you don’t know.

What re-course does a door-stopped homeowner have in the event they test positive (erroneously so) with these home test kits that the U.K. government have said themselves are too error prone? Can they ask for the actual sample swab back for independent testing? Another immediate-access test, perhaps?

Last question, when will these council-run initiatives be rolled out to the more affluent suburbs?

Timberrrrrrrr

3xh wrote: »

Nice. The military telling the public doing things that aren’t illegal (Recording and asking questions of public service staff) to **** off or else.

In the meantime, how is the take it or leave it offer worded in the privacy of a doorway with no one around to listen in? I’ll guess you don’t know.

What re-course does a door-stopped homeowner have in the event they test positive (erroneously so) with these home test kits that the U.K. government have said themselves are too error prone? Can they ask for the actual sample swab back for independent testing? Another immediate-access test, perhaps?

Last question, when will these council-run initiatives be rolled out to the more affluent suburbs?

They are doing it in Cheshire for the last week, "affluent" enough for you?

Seth Brundle

'Dr Johnny Bananas' and 'Dr Person Fakename' among medical signatories on herd immunity open letter
Other listed supporters include Dr Harold Shipman and Dominic Cummings of "Durham Univercity"

3xh

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

They are doing it in Cheshire for the last week, "affluent" enough for you?

Ah yeah. Couple of Man Utd players sleep around there. I wonder do they get offered a free test out of the blue.

As I said, the tests are described as not accurate enough by the very people who will latch onto any positives being returned by them now. I don’t remember seeing when they changed their public stance on them.

I still don’t know of the wording these delivery people use in the privacy of a doorway. Anything other than what that RAF guy said is not on, imo.

If someone tests positive, will they be given a chance immediately to try again? Or will they be ‘advised’ by the council/NHS to isolate for 14 days?

And none of your posts address why something so noble as delivering free tests to homes, with the RAF in tow would cause the council agency workers and said RAF service people to then vacate the area because 1 person with a camera is asking them what are you doing here, don’t answer them (to the resident) etc etc.

Hamsterchops

Northern England has it very bad, Northern Ireland too, but what can Boris do financially for these two regions? If he gifts out a shed load of money for NI then he must do likewise with the North of England regions, and if he does that then Scotland will want more, then Wales, then the West country, etc ....

Difficult to know what to do.

3xh

Seth Brundle wrote: »

'Dr Johnny Bananas' and 'Dr Person Fakename' among medical signatories on herd immunity open letter
Other listed supporters include Dr Harold Shipman and Dominic Cummings of "Durham Univercity"

Honest question, Seth, if you were 100% behind all government and national health authority actions like lockdowns, masks everywhere, no travelling anywhere, etc etc, would you be physically able to submit such joke names?

The first victim of war is truth, as they say. Propaganda is a powerful tool. Just like the Irish government’s wording of the advice not to leave Ireland and if you do, you must quarantine for 14 days. It’s taken a court case to prove the true meaning of the wording is simply advice and not some penal order.

I read those names and thought rather than the idea itself being stupid, it was simply people who fully agree with government guidelines and dismiss anyone with a different view as being conspiracy theorists that wrote those names in an attempt to discredit the idea.

No different to ‘the good guys’ putting trouble makers within a protest to cause trouble so as to discredit the movement.

Timberrrrrrrr

3xh wrote: »

Ah yeah. Couple of Man Utd players sleep around there. I wonder do they get offered a free test out of the blue.

They probably get one at work

As I said, the tests are described as not accurate enough by the very people who will latch onto any positives being returned by them now. I don’t remember seeing when they changed their public stance on them.

You would have to take that up with P.H.E

I still don’t know of the wording these delivery people use in the privacy of a doorway. Anything other than what that RAF guy said is not on, imo.

Why would he lie? Why would anything else be "not on"? What do you think the might have said?

If someone tests positive, will they be given a chance immediately to try again? Or will they be ‘advised’ by the council/NHS to isolate for 14 days?

As far as I am aware you are instructed to call 111 and arrange another test at your local test center.

And none of your posts address why something so noble as delivering free tests to homes, with the RAF in tow would cause the council agency workers and said RAF service people to then vacate the area because 1 person with a camera is asking them what are you doing here, don’t answer them (to the resident) etc etc.

It would be akin to Gemma O'Doherty approaching you in the street asking you what you are doing.

Why feed them when all they want is a reaction for youtube?

3xh

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

They probably get one at work



You would have to take that up with P.H.E



Why would he lie? Why would anything else be "not on"? What do you think the might have said?



As far as I am aware you are instructed to call 111 and arrange another test at your local test center.



It would be akin to Gemma O'Doherty approaching you in the street asking you what you are doing.

Why feed them when all they want is a reaction for youtube?

You can be sure they get one at work. You can be sure nobody from the council is buzzing their electric gates asking can they come in and offer a free test, we’ll come back in an hour to collect.

Yeah, I won’t take it up with PHE.

The guy going up to the door? He could lie so as not to return to the council depot with a bag full of unused kits. Door stoppers need ‘results’ (ie targets) for their bosses. You can’t return at 5pm and say sorry boss, nobody took a test from me but naturally I didn’t push it. As I said, the RAF guy was polite. You could say ‘he said the right things’ My point is who knows what the guy at the door is saying. I’d hope he is just as clear that the test is purely voluntary.
Cold-callers are generally pushy and do everything to keep the door open and the owner talking.

Great. So while waiting for the first test to come back you’re told to limit movements. If positive, you now have to arrange a new test. Probably be told there’s one 500 miles away in Scotland knowing you’ve no car attached to that address. The earliest vacancy they have for the test site nearest you is a week away. Ergo, free lockdown for the government.

There is a benefit payment for such forced requirement to stay at home. Try claiming it and see how long it takes to drop into your account. You think those RAF service folk will care and help you obtain it?

Regarding Gemma, as you say, all she wants is the reaction. The hand up to the camera. The F off! The threats. Just say hello, explain what you’re doing, say of course you’re welcome to shadow us but just please respect the homeowner’s privacy.
All very boring. Will quickly end up on the cutting room floor.

But those workers making that quick getaway is very unusual for what is an approved and noble cause, no?

Timberrrrrrrr

3xh wrote: »

You can be sure they get one at work. You can be sure nobody from the council is buzzing their electric gates asking can they come in and offer a free test, we’ll come back in an hour to collect.

Yeah, I won’t take it up with PHE.

The guy going up to the door? He could lie so as not to return to the council depot with a bag full of unused kits. Door stoppers need ‘results’ (ie targets) for their bosses. You can’t return at 5pm and say sorry boss, nobody took a test from me but naturally I didn’t push it. As I said, the RAF guy was polite. You could say ‘he said the right things’ My point is who knows what the guy at the door is saying. I’d hope he is just as clear that the test is purely voluntary.
Cold-callers are generally pushy and do everything to keep the door open and the owner talking.

Great. So while waiting for the first test to come back you’re told to limit movements. If positive, you now have to arrange a new test. Probably be told there’s one 500 miles away in Scotland knowing you’ve no car attached to that address. The earliest vacancy they have for the test site nearest you is a week away. Ergo, free lockdown for the government.

There is a benefit payment for such forced requirement to stay at home. Try claiming it and see how long it takes to drop into your account. You think those RAF service folk will care and help you obtain it?

Regarding Gemma, as you say, all she wants is the reaction. The hand up to the camera. The F off! The threats. Just say hello, explain what you’re doing, say of course you’re welcome to shadow us but just please respect the homeowner’s privacy.
All very boring. Will quickly end up on the cutting room floor.

But those workers making that quick getaway is very unusual for what is an approved and noble cause, no?

When some fùckwit with a camera in your face starts accusing you of tyranny then come back to me and tell me how you handled it.

As i said, why stand there talking to him when he will just twist what you say so he can score likes on his shìtty Facebook page or YouTube channel?

You're making a mountain out of a molehill but inthink you already know this.

3xh

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

When some fùckwit with a camera in your face starts accusing you of tyranny then come back to me and tell me how you handled it.

As i said, why stand there talking to him when he will just twist what you say so he can score likes on his shìtty Facebook page or YouTube channel?

You're making a mountain out of a molehill but inthink you already know this.

If they’re recording, any stupidity by them will be rightfully recorded. It gave you a laugh after all? Let them bury themselves by shouting tyranny etc. Just ignore/answer politely, suggest they shadow you for a day, show them the process, etc.

But pack up and scarper with RAF around?

Unfortunately I’m actually a firm believer in the right to record/photo out in public. I laugh when people say ‘you need my permission’ whilst standing out in public so I’d welcome anyone recording me. Genuinely.


Anyway, my issue is the running of this free door test facility, how it’s administered, the protocol involved with a positive result etc.

Timberrrrrrrr

3xh wrote: »

If they’re recording, any stupidity by them will be rightfully recorded. It gave you a laugh after all? Let them bury themselves by shouting tyranny etc. Just ignore/answer politely, suggest they shadow you for a day, show them the process, etc.

Would you be ok with some random stranger shadowing you recording your every move for a day? They did politely answer then chose to ignore.

But pack up and scarper with RAF around?

They didn't "pack up and scarper" for all you know they just went to the next street. And they are TA not full R.A.F

Unfortunately I’m actually a firm believer in the right to record/photo out in public. I laugh when people say ‘you need my permission’ whilst standing out in public so I’d welcome anyone recording me. Genuinely.

I have no issue with someone recording, its when they start grilling you with questions and accusing you of doing something wrong with no evidence for such accusations that I have an issue with.

Anyway, my issue is the running of this free door test facility, how it’s administered, the protocol involved with a positive result etc.

Are you in the UK? Have you written to/emailed/called anyone to find the answers to your questions? If the answer is no to any of those questions then you're not really that worried are you?

3xh

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

Would you be ok with some random stranger shadowing you recording your every move for a day? They did politely answer then chose to ignore.

>Someone being inquisitive, I would. I’d definitely try to answer any questions they had. The guy with the camera was clearly ‘agitated.’ I agree, it would appear nothing but all hi-viz wearers getting out of there would’ve calmed him down. More fool him. But the crux of his point was still worthy of asking; ‘what is going on here?’

They didn't "pack up and scarper" for all you know they just went to the next street. And they are TA not full R.A.F

>Yes, maybe they went to another street. But again, the point is the same. They left the immediate area. I did say this previously. But whether they went 100m away or 10 miles, they still left the area where their only ‘problem’ was a single mouthy guy with a camera. If their actions were as noble as they alluded to, and with the RAF crew (Territorial Army) present, you’d think they could stand their ground with a clear conscience.
Nothing to hide, nothing to fear, isn’t that what the authorities say?!

I have no issue with someone recording, its when they start grilling you with questions and accusing you of doing something wrong with no evidence for such accusations that I have an issue with.

>Big deal. ‘Tyrant!’ ‘This isn’t China!’ So what? Just words. Again, ignore that and address the point of his agitation. Maybe he didn’t get the leaflet from the council saying to expect this. I hope they made such an effort. Or ran a radio blitz saying to expect this. The point remains, people door stopping unsuspecting home owners offering free tests is strange. Especially when the narrative is that test centres in the midlands are full such that people are being directed to Scotland. And considering this virus is basically a bio-hazard, I’m of the view you shouldn’t have people unqualified in medicine/lab science door stopping the public like these altruistic folk.


Are you in the UK? Have you written to/emailed/called anyone to find the answers to your questions? If the answer is no to any of those questions then you're not really that worried are you?

>I’m not in the U.K.
However, it’s unfair to say I can’t be worried then. Or have an opinion on this free test initiative.
There’s a test centre in Heathrow. I’m there fairly often. It’s always empty. I mean empty. Not even a car, have I seen going through. There’s a test site in Milton Keynes on YouTube at the moment. Yes, yes, YouTube. I get it. But what transpired isn’t staged. The place was empty on both days it was recorded except for a couple of cars passing through in the 30 mins covered. There are two other midlands sites recorded. Both empty. Just staff standing around. Tents empty.

Where are all these ever increasing positive test numbers coming from? Bear in mind even if you’ve a 10% positivity rate, you’ve to multiple the number of cases by 10. We only hear of maxed out test centres.

3xh

Well that was posted all weird^^^