Tag: Economy

It’s Still about the Virus

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US virus spread is increasing with Trump continuing to press for the states to open up their economies. He has pardoned his friend Stone who was convicted of lying to the Senate. By the end of the month he is promoting the use of masks.
The introduction of security laws in Hong Kong by China is widely condemned. US pressure to get HUAWEI out of 5g infrastructure has meant the UK has decided not to allow them participation here. This was largely due to the US banning their chips in HUAWEI products.

The Brazilian president, who downplays the virus and refused to wear a mask, has tested positive.
In the Uk, the chancellor, Sunak, announces plans for stimulating the economy including government subsidies for eating in restaurants Mon to Wed during August. The government has confirmed plans to get all children back to school in September. Travel, without the need for 14 day quarantine on return, has been announced for 70 countries. Spain is removed from the list on 25th July. Changes were introduced for 24th July including the opening of covid prepared gyms and pools and the requirement to wear masks in shops.
There are localised virus outbreaks (mainly in factories where distancing is difficult or in crowded multi occupancy household areas) resulting in restrictions in Leicester, Blackburn and Greater Manchester.

000’s Cases Deaths
Feb March April May June July Feb Mar April May June July
World 85 863 1985 2957 10550 17744 3 43 234 382 519 682
UK 0 22 171 249 283 303 0 2 27 37 40 41
USA 0 193 1099 1855 2730 4714 0 5 64 109 130 157
Brazil 0 6 85 515 1408 2666 0 0 6 29 60 93
India 0 1 35 190 586 1697 0 0 1 5 17 37
Spain 0 96 239 265 273 324 0 8 25 28 28 28
France 0 52 130 152 165 188 0 4 24 29 30 30

Its All About The Virus

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Fortunately the lockdown weather has been good – 6 weeks sunshine, one a bit rainy
UK reaches 30k dead by 5th may. On the 9th some UK easing –  go to work if you can safely but work from home if you can.  Target for start and end primary classes to return and  limited secondary on 1st of June.  Some shops planned to open 15th June. Testing planned for all with symptoms. Track and trace started. Deficit £62b April.
Johnson aid cummings breaks lockdown rules with a trip – gets stonewalling support from Johnson.
Europe starts easing
Trump claims that USA has ‘World best testing’ at White House briefing which resembles an electioneering event. Under press questioning from an asian woman he insults her and walks off ! A black man was killed by police sparking riots and a “Black Lives Matter ” movement. Trump promotes an unproven covid drug and paints protesters as violent mobs.
Little Richard dies.
Plane crash in Pakistan
China plans to introduce a widely criticised security law in Hong Kong which will significantly reduce freedoms.
Virus status month end
000’s Cases Deaths
Feb March April May Feb Mar April May
World 85 863 1985 2957 3 43 234 382
China 78 82 83 83 3 3 5 5
Italy 3 106 205 233 0 12 28 34
USA 0 193 1099 1855 0 5 64 109
Spain 0 96 239 265 0 8 25 28
UK 0 22 171 249 0 2 27 37

Lockdown

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UK plans for dealing with the virus seem to be in place. The focus is on flattening and delaying the peak demand on hospital ICU while increasing its capacity, avoiding a health service collapse. The oft repeated tag line is “Stay at Home-Protect the NHS-Save Lives”.
Italy is on lockdown with serious issues in the north.
Worldwide there is fast expansion of infections.  Football off UK and Europe then most sports events are cancelled worldwide. Olympics deferred 12 months
UK moves from contain (identify then trace contacts) to delay (distancing and isolating). Seems to be working.

  • 16th stopped social contacts.Europe closes borders
  • 20th UK shuts pubs, restaurants and cafes
  • 23rd significant lockdown – all shops except food/essentials. “Shielding” (ie isolation) of 1.5 million vulnerable – 750,000 volunteer to provide assistance.
  • 26th Only allowed out for essential shopping, one hour exercise or essential work or it cannot be done from home. No meetings of more than two people. Social distancing outside household groups
  • Massive government spending program to support people – £330bn support to businesses. 80% employee furlough from government. similar for self employed
  • Virus growth 25% daily UK. Italy has a major issue, about two weeks ahead of the UK
  • USA overtakes china for cases – trump a joke, his daily briefings turning out to be self justification events in a year when re-election looms.
  • Boris is performing well at daily briefings flanked by scientific and medical leaders. The theme is that action will be driven by the science (which is not perfect and still requires subtle political judgement)
  • Boris, the chief medical officer and the health minister all go down testing positive for the virus. The health minister is back within a week, Boris is not.

Stats vs Last Month (000’s)

Cases Deaths
Feb March Feb Mar
World 85 863 3 43
China 78 82 3 3
Italy 3 106 0 12
USA 0 193 0 5
Spain 0 96 0 8
UK 0 22 0 2

Boris Brexit

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MC win charity shield
Football season starts MC Liv look good
England loose 1st test draw 2nd win 3rd at the last gap
Boy thrown from tate modern 8th floor
USA 2 mass shootings in 24 hrs (250 in 7 months!)
USA and China stepping up trade war
Boris at G7 putting pressure on European leaders. Announcing spending pledges as though there were an election coming….Prorogues parliament for a few days for a queens speech (or maximise pressure on Brexit hating MPs). MPs likely to try to prevent No Deal option and go for another extension. How can you negotiate with the EU if you take no deal off the table!! Boris will likely try to get an election under these circumstances.
Pound at new lows against dollar and Euro
Rain forest fires in Brazil
2 hot spells – Europe and UK records
Big hurricane causing destruction in the Bahamas, may be heading for central Florida

Boris made it

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Trump ‘go back to where you come from’ to coloured Democratic women
England win world cup cricket – luckily
Ursula von de Leyen elected eu commision president
50 yrs since moon landing
golf open in NI – irish winner
ebola spreading
Boris PM – brexit supporting cabinet – 17 changes ‘bloodbath’
No ifs or buts leave 31st October – backstop must go – means it – 2bn funding
EU say deal cannot be changed
NHS immediate funding released
?election soon
Conservatives loose welsh seat to Lib Dems – tactical voting and Brexit party drain Conservative votes
Pound weakens
38.7C record – flooding in Derbyshire – Dam cracking causes evacuation of village

Footie Fab Politics Poor

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Champions league Liverpool Barcelona 4-0 vs 0-3 , Ajax vs Tottenham 3-3 agg (2-1 down then 2-3)
so Liv v Tot final!!
ManC win Premiership by 1 point vs liverpool
Chelsea and Arsenal in Europa Cup Final!!
Local Elections indicate “plague on both your houses”
Economy still doing well
May in Brexit talks with Labour ends in predictable nothing
Farage creates Brexit party which goes on to dominate Euro elections – Lab and Con decimated
Trump China talks stall and increased tariffs result
US bans trading with Huawei (scared of there technology leadership?)
May resigns leading to enough leadership candidates to make a football team including subs
Will Boris make it??

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O2 data network out for 24 hours
China launches robot mission to moon
Party has vote of no confidence in May – she wins
Brexit vote deferred to January – would have lost – EU not helping
Apple iphone sales poor vs expectations – share price has big drop
FTSE down by 10% since earlier in the year
Corbyn seen to mutter ‘Stupid Woman’ in parliament – denies it