It really is a wonderful thing, I am sure there are many times we have all wished we had the luxury of hindsight. Unfortunately no one can see the future. It's easy for us all to look back and wonder how an unfolding situation might have turned out if we had taken a alternative path. No one can possibly say different choices would have made the outcome any better or worse. The journey might change, but who can honestly say if the end result would have been a better one. All we can really do is look back and learn from every decision made.
Every person has their own opinion on a variety of subjects and different topics. It's the coming together of minds and action that makes a vital difference.I am no exception, we all like to make our own decisions when it affects our lives and the lives of our Family and Friends. I'm not political, the important point now is to save lives, the best way to do that is work together and support each other.
It's doubtful that there are many who are enjoying the restrictions, but we know it's the right thing to do, keeping everyone safe. Whatever Government had been in power there would be many difficult decisions that would have to be made. They have followed health and scientific advice and taken into account information and data from many different experts. Despite all the criticism, they have chosen a path that they believe is best for the country at the time.
It was wishful thinking on my part, when I had hoped that the whole of parliament would join forces to fight this pandemic. It could have been an agreement between all parties or even a more formal route, creating a national or coalition Government for the duration, like I said in my last post. There has been so much condemnation and criticism, even more over the last 2 weeks. People are falling ill and lives are being lost, this really isn't time to be wasting valuable time, when it could be used for the good of the nation.
It's always welcome to hear the views from experts, but there is a limit. Surely the media must have exhausted their list of possible guests. The variety of opinions, advice and condemnation is mind blowing and serves no useful purpose, when so many of them contradict others. It's really not surprising that the mental Health of some has been affected. Watching and reading the news can be terrifying. If reporters, editors and those responsible for the nations news had acted this way during the last War, the outcome could have been very different.
I've talked to and heard from a fair few people and their morale has certainly suffered, by far the biggest reasons are the way the numbers are continually reported, time and time again. The inaccuracies on the Television news. The media regularly sensationalising along with misleading headlines.
It's been a mammoth task for the Government to create a variety of packages designed to support approximately 95% of the population and in turn the economy.It will offer some welcome relief to many that do need the assistance and ensure that many businesses, employers and employees do have some security in this desperate time.
However there have been many businesses & individuals receiving Taxpayers money that are in a position to help themselves or easily have plenty to see them through. To many to mention here, one in particular that has been in the news is Richard Branson and Virgin Atlantic. Virgin is largely owned by Delta Airlines in the USA (49%) & KLM in France (31%) leaving only a 20% stake owned by Richard Branson.
You might already know that Richard Branson has been a 'Self Confessed Tax Exile, paying no Tax in the UK. My personal view is that the Government should, under no circumstances use Taxpayers money to help any business that can help themselves. Certainly not when there are businesses who can't secure the help they need to remain in business. Honestly I can't believe he has the Gaul to ask when he has more than enough funds. Even worse asking after he sued the NHS for 2 Million, money they could well do without losing.
Then there are the businesses that for one reason or another are not eligible, despite being profitable before this pandemic. Many of these would have not been in such a predicament, but through no fault of their own, they have been put in this impossible situation. It's understandable that the Government has to be cautious with Taxpayers money and certain checks have to be put in place to avoid any fraudulent claims. But to see any of these profitable businesses destroyed would be an avoidable tragedy.
Supermarkets have had their rates scrapped, saving billions of pounds between them. Understandable if they were suffering financially, but this is simply not the case. The supermarkets are one of the biggest winners in our current climate. For example Tesco's Business rates scrap is set to save them 700 million (about 50% of their annual profits), interestingly they are also proposing paying 637 Million to their shareholders, so in effect the Taxpayer will be covering their dividend. The savings to Sainsbury is going to be upwards of 500 Million, twice their annual profit. It's a huge amount to be lost across all of the Supermarkets, when this could be used to benefit those really in need of help.
It's simply not acceptable, when some are unable to purchase the essential food they need to survive. Some 'In Demand' items have now risen by about 4.4% according to the ONS, most of them being the everyday essentials. What about the homeless, Disabled, those on Benefits and Pensioners, it's a disgrace that there is no help at all for those with so little. Those people in society with the very least don't qualify for any of the assistance on offer. On the other hand, it's unbelievable that help is available for some of those who just don't need the assistance but are more than happy to take it.
Choice in the supermarkets has been reduced, which is understandable, however a lot of those products available are the higher priced branded goods. The everyday, Basic or Economy choices have all but disappeared from the shelves, so the savings that people have come to rely on are gone. Those people now have a very difficult choice to make, Which essentials items do they have to go without?
It should be a priority to consider ways of helping those people, perhaps a temporary addition to their pension or benefit or even a short term increment. The Government should have ensured every person affected by the current climate and needed help, got the assistance with all essential costs such as food, rent, mortgage, gas, electric etc. But they have left the bottom 20% who are most desperate with absolutely nothing, relying on Foodbanks and public generosity. Some are not even eligible to access a Foodbank for help, leaving them in a dire situation. However there are also those that can access the various Foodbanks, only to find they are also struggling.
As I have said, whichever Government had been in power, there would have been the same problems and disagreements. I am more concerned about Friends and Family, making sure they are as safe as they can possibly be. My hope really was that the Party Politics would have been set aside for the duration of this Pandemic. It is something that happened during the last War and should be the norm in times of emergency, where action and time are of the essence.
Captain Tom Moore, What an absolute Hero, He is such an inspiration to us all. His fundraising efforts have raised nearly 3 Million Pounds for the NHS and it's still rising. What an amazing accomplishment! It is going to benefit the NHS and through them it will have a positive effect on so many. The single he has made with Michael Ball and The Voice of Care Choir, 'You'll Never Walk alone' is doing very well, but every download will help this reach and stay at Number 1. If you have not downloaded it yet, there is still time.
There have been so many positives that have come out of this dreadful Pandemic, it's very easy to overlook them when the TV and Media is filled with Covid19 news. Let us hope that over the coming weeks the good news and accomplishments outweigh the terrible stories we are all so used to hearing.
Lastly I want to share, Last Friday the Government published news of some additional new test sites, with more to come very soon. In this there is also a revised list of those entitled to a test and included the families of those people, where that is appropriate, the list is now quite comprehensive. It also has information of how to arrange a test. I have been sharing the link to as many as possible as the media have not been sharing it, which could explain why the uptake of tests remains low compared with the 40,000 capacity. I also had an email to say that Amazon and the Royal Mail are also sending out tests, which is great news for those on the list, who can't drive or get to the testing sites. Here is the link, so feel free to share, it could help: GETTING TESTED ADVICE
I'd love to hear your comments, views, experience and stories. It would be great to hear from you again or feel free to leave your comments below. I do hope that you are all keeping well. Take care and stay safe.
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