Rishi Sunak is one of the key architects of our pandemic disaster:
-constantly reinforced the false dichotomy of health vs the economy
-always prioritised (his version of) the economy
-insufficient or no economic support to huge sections of the populace 1/7
-eat out to help (a virus) out.
-had to be critically involved in the massive diversion of public funds to party cronies and donors
-took Henegan, Gupta and Tegnell to Downing Street in October 2020 and blocked the October circuit breaker and led to the Nov 2020 lockdown
2/7
-opposed vital public health measures citing the costs involved
-screwed the poor massively in his last budget
-selling the NHS to US private healthcare
-despite constantly talking about protecting the economy, doing little to support businesses.
3/7
-not attending yesterday's COBRA meeting where the lack of economic support for pandemic control was a key issue.
-questioning accuracy of modelling to oppose vital public health measures being put in place now.
4/7
Sunak is full on GBD. He talks about protecting the economy but this is largely to oppose doing anything to control the pandemic. On his watch, there has been a massive transfer of money to the wealthy, both in the present and in the future.
5/7
He's used the pandemic to plunder the nation.
And Boris and his managed callous chaos has provided the cover for this.
'Have you met the asshole at No. 11?'
'There's one at No. 11 as well?! I've been too focused on the one at No. 10.'
6/7
And just to head off my usual reply guys.
Look at the last 21 months before you reply with 'But look at the good things he's done!'.
He's the Chancellor, he doesn't get points for doing little bits when his responsibility is to look after the nation.
7/7
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Brief update
🧵COVID-19 in the UK: We're SO SO fucked
This last thread👇was written in the golden days when daily case numbers were only in excess of 70,000. Since then a lot has happened and in response, the govt has taken masterful, decisive and definitive inaction.
1/16
Here are our case numbers over the last week:
14/12: 59610
15/12: 78,610
16/12: 88,376
17/12: 93,045
18/12: 90,418
19/12: 82,886
20/12: 91,743
21/12: 90,629
These numbers may plateau soon because we are close to maxing out our testing capacity.
2/16
Things are very grim indeed.
The best case scenario SAGE models are horrifying.
The worst case scenario models are to awful to even contemplate.
The govt has taken the shortest route to find a solution and done away with the issue of contemplation.
3/16
When one door closes...
The day started like most days did, with waking up. He was in his bed, which was, he looked around, yes, still in his house & he wasn't screaming. So far, it was looking like a good day random shit-wise.
He wondered if should pray for it to continue.
1/25
Then he remembered he was an atheist and went to take a shit.
15 minutes later, he's dressed and surprisingly over-caffeinated & checking his inbox for the day's jobs. There's just one. Maybe it'll get busier later.
On the way out he spots the dog curled up in the armchair.
2/25
In about 40 minutes, he'll suddenly remember that he doesn't have a dog.
He makes his way to the address in the job email.
He knocks on the door.
There is no response.
A second knock is no more successful.
This is baffling.
3/25
Today UK case numbers set a new pandemic record, a milestone so portentous that, despite having nothing to say and no plan to announce, Boris Johnson had to hold a briefing, even if it was only for the symbolism.
And it was.
1/25
Chris Whitty did his best to inject some vital reality into the briefing and the title of this 🧵 is an homage to his valiant efforts, too little and too late, but at least a true communication of some of the harsh realities we face.
2/25
But the bottom line is the govt is going to continue to do just about enough to defend against the charge that it is doing nothing. A case that it will fight on a technicality.
Btw, for those who might point to Plan B and the booster plan, I offer you this analogy.
3/25
Update:
So, the flesh eating bacterium, having done a number on the first leg, is now quite literally ploughing through leg No.2 (I know, I am shocked as you are).
It's probably getting pretty critical now.
What's that you say?
N=2 is just one better than N=1?
(1/6)
Yes, that is strictly true but I don't think you're going to be able to increase sample size much further.
You could add in a trial arm I suppose...
But I do think we have enough to be going on here, you may not (literally), but we do.
2/6
I see your point that leg 2 is not quite so bad as leg 1 but that is just the lag.
You don't agree? I see, you think that leg 2 has acquired some immunity so is fighting back better.
Well, your hope and optimism gladden my cynical heart but I do think-
3/6
🧵 Research study: Psychotic experiences in borderline personality disorder (BPD)
Psychotic experiences are common in BPD but are under researched and often dismissed. We are looking to better understand these experiences and how they might arise. tinyurl.com/rnjs8xs7
(1/4)
BPD is associated with a huge amount of suffering and it is one of the most stigmatised psychiatric conditions. For research it is important to use established diagnoses but we are very mindful of the issues with the diagnosis as discussed 👇
(2/4)
The study will involve a brief screening session to determine if you are eligible to take part. If eligible, you will be sent a link to fill out a set of questionnaires and some computer based tasks that will take ~ 1.5 hours. You will be paid £20 for your time.
(3/4)
🧵 The problematic diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
BPD (aka EUPD, emotionally unstable PD) is arguably the most stigmatised diagnosis (Dx) in MHservices and in the general hospital.
This 🧵is going to cover some of the problems with this Dx.
(1/51)
Many of the people (predominantly women) given this diagnosis are survivors of complex trauma, who continue to experience recurrent trauma in mental health and physical health services, as well as in other areas of their lives (a frequent & painful legacy of trauma).
(2/51)
Despite this being fairly well known, in reality the trauma and suffering often receive little consideration, and the Dx is heavily stigmatised, leads to frequent dismissal and EXCLUSION from care, and even frank discrimination, with far too many people taking their lives.
(3/51)