(5 May 2020) There has been much in the media recently on testing for Covid. It does not seem to be going as well as it should though, in consolation, limited coverage of VE day in the press, which though important, would have been far too prevalent.
If the Germans had won it would probably have not been very nice but they would have sorted out this testing. I am uncertain why we have the most deaths in Europe
Continuing on testing I remain puzzled why the government do not carry out some random testing of a large sample of the population. This would provide more solid evidence for the next steps i.e. to understand:
- What % of the population have it- even with limited or non-existent symptoms
- What % have had it as shown by the presence of anti-bodies- and are thus immune for at least a while
- What % could potentially get it.
This would help greatly in developing the next steps.
Key Workers. My internet service was down recently but yesterday two nice engineers came along and fixed it by working on a box in the next street- a blockage in the internet pipe or something. I was grateful that they were designated “Key Workers” (KW)
I ruminated on this having had milk delivered in the morning by a KW, my refuse taken away (not by the milkman) another KW brought the post and then, while walking the dog, noticed that some others had cut the grass in the recreation ground and were emptying the bins, while the local shop was busy. Then a train rumbled by on the nearby railway line. With restored internet I then had an email from a social worker who was pleasant, helpful and also working hard
So, in a complex society every job seems important to keep the ever threatening chaos at bay. But then I wondered if every single job was actually needed in a sane society. Who are the Non-Key workers we could do without?
I have started a list with two suggestions- perhaps my readers could add some more
Jobs that Need Not Exist:
- “Hedge Fund Manager” – not privet related. A Hedge Fund is an offshore investment fund, typically formed as a private limited partnership, that engages in speculation using credit or borrowed capital.
I.E. they make money for the rich, while being very well paid themselves through complicated, obscure financial transactions which benefit only themselves and their investors- not the population at large. If they get it wrong, they have limited liability so they are not responsible for the losses.
Jacob Rees-Mogg owns 15% of a Hedge Fund.
- “Tax Avoidance Expert” Everything they do is completely legal but uses a combination of loopholes in the complexity of the tax system along with the use of off shore companies and all that. The only serve to help the rich keep more of their money and deprive the government (i.e. us) of money for much needed public services.
I could rant on for ages- to cheer me up here are three nice kittens.
