“We” have been stockpiling too much
Be proud! “We” have new ‘national treasures’! They’re those who got the first jabs yesterday – and none of them have keeled over and died! And BJ is going to Brussels to have a chat with Ms vdLeyen! Something surely will happen … but rest easy! The Fear & Hysteria campaigns in ‘Our MSM’ continue unabated: fear because: “Brexit!!!” and fear because: “Covid!!!”.
For instance, take yesterday evening’s report in the DT, about food rotting, factories shutting down and Christmas peasants not being delivered because “we” horrible plebs have been stockpiling too much:
“Felixstowe, which handles 40pc of Britain’s container traffic, has been grappling with a jump in imports due to Covid stockpiling and preparations for a possible no-deal Brexit. It is now feared that chaos could spread to smaller container ports such as Southampton – which was also disrupted last week due to bad weather – and London Gateway. There are backlogs at the Channel Tunnel too, with French hauliers complaining in the run-up to the deadline for a Brexit trade deal. Around 2,000 extra trucks are crossing daily through the tunnel, mostly in the direction of the UK.” (paywalled link)
Did you notice the little remark about ‘bad weather’? Hm …. Meanwhile, here’s an observation which puts the whole ‘scare’ into context:
“Tim Morris, boss of the Major Ports Group trade body, said: “What the UK is experiencing is a global phenomenon. There is disruption in global supply chains the world over. We are reaping the whirlwind of an imbalance which has grown over some time.” (paywalled link)
How astonishing: other places beside the UK were affected by covid! I recall the reports about trade from China being severely disrupted by their Lockdown earlier this year, and how this would have a long-term effect on shipping. Even more astonishing is this:
“Larger numbers of staff than usual at some ports are thought to be off sick due to Covid self-isolation rules, adding to the pressure.” (paywalled link)
Strange – haven’t we read this also in reports about NHS staff shortages, with nurses for example having been forced into quarantine thanks to our wonderful T & T ‘measures’? Could it be that the backlogs in those ports are also due to staff shortages, thanks to T & T measures, rather than because we peasants have been stockpiling like mad, driven by the MSM ‘scare’ reports? Perhaps the already forgotten little event called ‘Lockdown’ might have had something to do with this backlog as well?
No – it’s about creating more hysteria, getting more people to panic-buy stuff for Christmas – after all, even amazon has told people to ‘order early’. It goes without saying that Brexit simply had to be mentioned. It’s the Remainers’ fondest panic-tale: that “we” are unprepared and will suffer, especially if BJ will come back with ‘No Deal’.
Unsurprisingly, RemainCentral has another, slightly different ‘scare & panic’ headline about that spectre of a No Deal Brexit: “No-deal Brexit ‘nightmare scenario’ squad sets up at No 10” (link, paywalled). Omigawd! Government expects a ‘nightmare’! We must all be afraid, very afraid! However, here’s the explanation, from the horse’s mouth:
“Boris Johnson has set up a secretive unit in Downing Street to co-ordinate the government’s response to the “nightmare scenario” of a no-deal Brexit added to a surge in Covid-19 cases and extreme winter weather. The winter control and co-ordination cell, based in No 10, will provide daily confidential briefings to the prime minister on emerging threats. It is part of a wider government contingency operation, known in Whitehall as D20, designed to anticipate and respond to disruption over winter.” (link, paywalled)
Dearie me- there’s another ‘cell’ in No 10, not just that GCHQ one about covid! How these ‘cells’ can be ‘secretive’ when The Times is able to report about them – no, I dunno either. The explanation from a “Whitehall source” seems reasonable enough to me:
“We’re trying to anticipate what happens if you have no-deal gridlock in Kent, combined with flooding and a massive spike in Covid cases,” a Whitehall source said. “Winter is always one of the most challenging times for the government with pressures on the NHS alongside the risk of things like adverse weather events. The question is what happens when you combine all that with Covid and a no-deal Brexit.” (link, paywalled)
Is it really heinous of government agencies to work out plans, to prepare for events which hopefully won’t occur? Do our esteemed MSM Westminster dwellers believe that preparing for something ‘just in case’ means it’s destined to happen? Have they already forgotten the outrage over lacking PPE at the start of the covid outbreak, or how they accused government of not being prepared for covid? Government seems to have learned that lesson, but this is now ‘bad’ – why? Or is it only ‘bad’ because there might be a No Deal Brexit?
Perhaps the Westminsterite Remainers have clung too long to their faith in Barnier and Brussels, to somehow sabotage Brexit during those trade talks and above all avoid that dreadful No Deal . They must be in deep shock now, especially when they read about Barnier’s last briefing to EU ministers yesterday:
“[…] Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, struck a downbeat tone as he warned that the bloc must not sacrifice its long-term interests to avoid no-deal. “The foundation of our future co-operation with the UK is more important than the rush,” he said, according to diplomatic sources. “We cannot sacrifice our long-term interests for a short-term political goal.” He added that the EU also needed to start preparations for no-deal. “We are close to the moment of needing urgent measures — a contingency plan for no deal,” he said.” (link, paywalled)
While it seems that cher Michel is now resigned to a No Deal outcome – let’s not forget though that BJ might still snatch defeat out of the jaws of a No Deal victory! – that last sentence is quite extraordinary. According to Barnier, the EU has made no preparation for a No Deal – really?
Is there no ‘cell’ in Brussels to prepare for ‘worst case scenarios’? How astounding! I would however assume that politicians and industries in different EU member states have been preparing quietly for such an outcome, just in case. It would be a dereliction of their duty had they not. Our government after all has been preparing for this for months, unreported by Our MSM.
And so to the inevitable look at covid and vaccination. Is it a rearguard action by Messrs V & W when they warn that, vaccine or not, face nappies and ‘restrictions’ will be with us for at least another year (paywalled link)? Or are they trying to cling to the power this covid government has conceded to them? See this:
“However, the joy [over the vaccine roll-out] was tempered by warnings from ministers that those who receive the vaccine should not be able to expect extra freedoms, such as to hug a grandchild. And the chief scientific advisor went further, to suggest that the public may be expected to still be wearing masks next winter, because of a lack of evidence to show whether the vaccines prevent transmission, as well as stopping the virus take hold.” (paywalled link)
If getting these jabs mean we will still be covid lepers and will still have to muzzle up, to live with ‘tiers’ and T & T – why expose ourselves to long-term side effects which are obviously unknown as of now? If, as the manufacturers say, their jab causes ‘covid-like’ symptoms, is it naive to wonder if there might also be some patients who might suffer from ‘long covid’ in consequence of that jab?
As for the Oxford vaccine: they have published their findings in the Lancet, and now confusion reigns. One scientist remarked to the DT:
“Unfortunately, this [study] cohort […] did not contain any older participants (age 55 or over) and it remains possible that if the regulators allowed the vaccine to be used in this manner, the most at risk group may not be protected.” (paywalled link)
Isn’t that ‘most at risk group’ already being protected by the mRNA vaccine? Furthermore, are we to understand that ‘protecting the old’ is more important than having a vaccine which apparently protects the working population? Is it perhaps about having a ‘one size fits all’ vaccine?
The Times has also picked up on the published Oxford report but emphasise their remarkable findings in their article:
“The Oxford vaccine may stop asymptomatic infection in a crucial sign that it could provide herd immunity. The team behind the drug today became the first to provide preliminary evidence that theirs did more than just stop illness.” (link, paywalled)
Ah! We then read that the Oxford Team trialists had weekly swabs taken, to check for infections:
“[…] unlike the other vaccines to have passed late-stage trials, it also includes data on asymptomatic cases. The primary aim of a vaccine is to stop illness. Unless it can also stop people getting an infection, whether asymptomatic or symptomatic, then it is not clear it will be able to provide herd immunity.” (link, paywalled)
Ah again! Even as no data are available on long-term side effects, just as they aren’t for the mRNA vaccines, it looks as if the Oxford vaccine might do what it says on the tin: stopping that bugbear of the covid czars – ‘asymptomatic infection’. It’s this, as we’ve been told, which is so dangerous because any of us who is asymptomatic could still be a horrible covid leper, infecting all around them.
Did you notice the mention of ‘herd immunity’? Can this now be used without a concerted outcry from the covid MSM? How … interesting! I couldn’t possibly comment however on why the mRNA vaccines have been rushed through without all those ponderous considerations now attached to the Oxford vaccine. Let’s better not mention ‘vested interests’, alright?
To round up the covid ‘news’, there was a report in the DT yesterday evening (paywalled link) about ‘case numbers’, used to scare us into accepting lockdown, having been ‘modelled down’. LockdownSceptics in this morning’s Newsletter gives chapter and verse (link). I fully concur with their concluding observation that it is “Hard to follow “the Science” when the compass needle never stops moving.”
And so we wait for BJ to come back with ‘a paper’ from Brussels, in the hope that it won’t be a repeat of Neville Chamberlain’s ‘Peace in our Time’ performance. We better not chew up our fingernails right up to our elbows. Instead, why not go on that ‘shopping spree’ and stockpile Christmas presents, ready for 2021! After all, a No Deal Brexit would spell disaster upon catastrophe for Christmases yet to come, according to Remain.
Photo by iansand 
In answer to Ralph Prothero’s comment, Dec.10, 10.39am. If the Withdrawal Agreement is part of UK law can’t the UK repeal it? Just asking.
The Commons could vote to repeal the deceptively named Withdrawal Treaty. But considering that three quarters of the MPs then in the Commons campaigned for Remain before the 23rd June 2016, there are probably enough of them left to defeat a vote for its repeal.
Who’d have guessed that there wouldn’t have been progress in the latest futile talks between the European Union president Ursula von De Leyen and Boris Johnson over dinner this evening. No progress made and still very wide gaps was reported, now who would have guessed that. Then there was an utterly pointless photo shoot with Johnson with hands in jacket pockets and hair uncombed looking as if he has been dragged through a hedge backwards, and von De Leyen with a smug smile on her face. And yes you’ve guessed right even though these pointless talks have been an utter waste of time, energy and money, Johnson wants to go on talking. About exactly what, may I ask. Hasn’t he yet grasped the fact that the European Union will not accept a deal unless we back down all the way. Come on Johnson grow a backbone for once and tell the European Union how it really is, that the United Kingdom is an independent country and will not be bullied by the EU and will make our way in the world on our own feet, and without their help, and will control our own laws, borders and finances, and trade with whom we like. And as for Brie forget, it we’ll be buying Cheddar and home produced cheese from now, stick that in your proverbial pipe and smoke it.
The best Brie comes from Somerset!
It absolutely does!
I thought we made it in Stoke.It comes in a’Cheesepot’ specifically designed by an American Generic Patent Trawler.to contain the spread of the over ripe soft cheeses made in the hidden vaies of the Stafforshire Moorlands and a factory near the Trent Canal.The spread of these invaders is only slowed by wearing masks whilest washing.
I prefer cannon balls but it stinks out the fridge, so I don’t buy it anyway!
Perhaps if B.J. smoked a pipe he wouldn’t be such a Fatman now.
Colin Husssey. I hope you followed Debbie’s link and emailed the PM’s office.
“lack of evidence to show whether the vaccines prevent transmission” Is there any evidence that SD and muzzles prevent transmission? Lockdown? Still waiting for it.
My heart sunk when I heard Fathead was scurrying over to Brussels. Nothing good will come of that for us.
Nigel Farage reckons he’s waiting in the wings in the event of a sellout.
On a lighter note, sn’t it wonderful how we have all behaved like squirrels hoarding our acorns in our drays for winter.
Reminds me of what Viv is recording all those companies overstocking, never mind we won’t need many more deliveries, particularly from the EU, I would imagine at least 3 months possibly more.
Should give us time to make alternative arrangements for future supplies or at least beat the Europeans down to competitive prices
Boris the PM who will be know for destroying the Tory party
I suspect all this panic is a cover up for Boris’ expected capitulation on key issues which compromise our sovereignty.
The Withdrawal Treaty & Political Declaration have already compromised our sovereignty on key issues.
Does anyone remember when during the Greek financial crisis the then Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, while making a stand against the EU, was constantly called to Brussels for meetings. In the end Tsipras caved in to the EU, I’m sure at these meetings the Eurocrats put him under extraordinary pressure until he gave in to their demands.
This is how the EU operate, they are thugs and crooks, Johnson should not be scurrying off to Brussels at their beck and call, they will do to him what they did to Tsipiras. Boris Johnson is still trying to negotiate with criminals, he hasn’t the spine for it and he will cave in like Tsipiras did.
Pathetic!
Good point Flyer. Yannis Varoufakis is a man who knows and his advice to the Maybot was, ” don’t even think of negotiating with the Eurotocracy”, or words to that effect.
Tony..Maybot did take his advice. She never negotiated, was given a text and accepted the surrender terms. Boris resigned but then won an election campaigning with the ‘Oven ready’ surrender deal- AKA: the vassal state/Brino.
That’s right Matt, when May’s misnamed Withdrawal Agreement came out in November 2018 Boris Johnson called it a vassalage treaty and Raab & Rees-Mogg agreed. Then the third time that May failed to get it through the Commons was when Johnson, Raab & Rees-Mogg voted for it. When Boris got it through Parliament at the fourth time of asking he’d improved bits of it, but most of the dark slime remains.
Yes, but is only “An Agreement ” How binding is that.? I would assume you can just disagree any longer.
TGS (09 December 2020, 10.17pm), the Withdrawal Agreement Act voted through our Parliament in January made the Withdrawal Agreement part of UK law. So it is now more than an agreement, since January it has been the Withdrawal Treaty and part of UK law. (Even if its name is a lie, because it keeps UK courts subject to the Court of Justice of the EU.)
So Ralph re your comment of 10.39 today can the commons just re unmake it again, or has calling it a treaty some significance.?