Exit music

For my sins, I am a professional in the realm of Quality.

I am an auditor. A lead auditor. And I seek documented evidence.

Meaning that unless I see something that proves what has been claimed has been done, I can't accept it.

Therefore, when I look into the background of Government figures regarding infection and death rates, what it leaves out means I don't believe they have the full picture.

Something close to that lags at least a week behind.

Accurate and current data is needed to constantly re-assess actions and potential changes.

In addition, most current ministers have lied or told mistruths in the Brexit sphere, so when they claim COVID-19 was under control, that they had the required equipment, I was skeptical.

We have seen the Health Secretary blame NHS workers for the shortage of PPE for not using what they have correctly. Does he have evidence for this? If not, it should not have been said.

So, if most of the data being released is not current, how can the Government accurately decide if an when restrictions are lifted?

And once lifted, there has to be mass testing of the population to see if there is a second wave of infections, detect it early to re-impose said restrictions. Ending the lockdown with no plan for testing and tracing contacts would be foolhardy.

Meanwhile, Brexit talks, of a kind, are continuing. In papers submitted today the UK rejects any EU fishing in UK waters. Most fish caught by whats left of the UK fleet is exported. To the EU. Fishing right has long been a totem for Brexiteers, but is a tiny percentage of total UK GDP, so something like services which is over 50% of that total GDP will be sacrificed. And anyway, if no EU fishing is allowed, then the UK will find something it wants will be blocked, there is always cause and effect.

UK GDP could drop 37% in the first quarter, but bounce back after, but there will be over 3 million unemployed. Put Brexit on top of that to kill any green shoots of recovery. But sure, they know what they're doing.