I won't keep you long on this particular issue, but I just wanted to add a note to the previous post, because of the runaway train-like or not-so-slowed-down car crash of history in the making in our little corner of the world. (I may have to re-phrase this intro.)
Boris has been widely accused of acting too slow or too late when it comes to dealing with the virus, but he was extremely quick off the mark when it came to the vaccine. He even ordered millions of doses before it had been properly tested, let alone approved.
Europe, on the other hand, left it about three months before ordering theirs, accusing Britain of dangerously premature action. Now that a problem with supply has arisen, the E.U. are demanding that other countries outside of the Union - especially the U.K. - send them enough of their own stock to fulfil their late orders. They even considered banning imports to Northern Ireland to prove a point. This is the E.U. at its worst.
The at-cost manufacturers have been put in a very difficult political position, when all they want to do is stop the pandemic. They have said all along that this is a global problem and denying some countries adequate supplies will only make it worse for everyone as new variants evolve and arrive in the wealthier ones.
The Germans used a leak about the lack of data caused by the speed of our roll-out to scare us by saying that the Oxford vaccine was ineffective in the over sixty-fives, so why don't we give all those doses to them? They have since withdrawn the accusation and are now saying that it should not be a 'first come, first served' situation even if they did leave it three months to put their own arses into gear. This time, they didn't put their towels on the beach before breakfast.
I know that we should all be pulling together in the crisis, but I wonder how the E.U. would react if it were us that responded too late with ordering? I wonder if they would punish us further. I wonder if they would be allowed to punish us further.
I also wonder how the Brexiteers are going to react to the imminent arrival of 500,000 Hong Kong exiles, all looking for work. I don't think many of them will be plumbers.
I hope it's all posturing and people will realise they have to co-operate with each other whether they like it or not. I think there's going to be at least one sensational vaccine story in the media every week between now and the end (end?) of this crisis. I've tried to immunise myself against them!
ReplyDeleteThere will be sensations for months to come.
DeleteSend this up to The Times for their letters page Tom - it is worthy of a wider audience.
ReplyDeleteI'm only regurgitating news Weave.
DeleteCredit where credit is due, sponsoring, paying and ordering the vaccines may eventually turn out to be Boris's only good decision since becoming PM. However, the EU are now using it to try and cover up the huge error they have made. Apparently Germany and several other EU countries started to order vaccine supplies but were categorically told that this would be done by the EU Commission on behalf of all EU countries, which they plainly have not done. They now appear to be making out that we are the pariahs of Europe.
ReplyDeleteI was sick of the world beating bollocks months ago.
DeleteThe vaccine wars. Something else to worry about.
ReplyDeleteIt will revert back to food and water soon enough.
DeleteYou're soaring past us in Canada! Not only did our PM wait too long to put in orders, we are now told we will be receiving a fraction of what we are supposed to, and much of it later than expected (retooling in Belgium is part of it). I highly doubt the majority of the population, who aren't in senior's homes or front line workers will be vaccinated until the fall. I heard about Ireland this morning. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteIt was always tall order.
DeleteA lot will be health workers
ReplyDeleteEvidence?
DeleteThe vaccine wars! Even in my small town (rural New England, 5k people) our Board of Health ordered vaccine for 100 people. Later it was stated this was for first responders, yet they were already vaccinated. An order for 100 sounds more like a "friends and family" order.
ReplyDelete100? That is not serious.
DeleteIt will be one crisis after another. Vaccine wars do not bode well for ending--ever.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see you back.
I've been doing a little real work. It helps to pass the time.
DeleteDarling Tom,
ReplyDeleteSpare a thought for those of us isolated in Budapest since March where Sputnik, the sort to be injected in the arm rather than send us into space, will shortly arrive by the million of doses. Russian plumbing at its finest, don't you think?
So pleased to read that you are safe and well. xxx
H@@s! Where have you been? (don't tell me, Budapest) It's lovely to hear from you and it's good to know that you are both well. You had a moderating influence on me when you were here, but these days I go up and down. Drop by again soon please. XXX
DeleteP.S. I am still doing bits and pieces for Iford Manor and there are plans to replace the missing hand and trident of Britannia on the bridge. Planning permission, etc.
DeleteP.P.S. Their head gardener now is Troy Scott. Very prestigious.
DeleteIt is fun to be back. Stories to tell....
DeleteHow wonderful that you are still connected to Iford. they are lucky to have two prestigious personalities involved with the garden.
We shall return often xxx