Forum Topic

Chiswick / LBH  Covid infection rate

178 cases per 100,000 people in the latest week 17 Oct-23 Oct. The average area in England had 137.484 cases in the latest week 17 Oct-23 Oct+160 compared with the previous week3,007 total cases to 26 OctEveryone be careful, avoid crowds and socially distance 2m if possible and wear face coverings. Stay safe.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2194d27 Comments

Flower market will increase the spread.

Steve Taylor ● 2194d

StevePotentially yes, however the Organisers have said they've upgraded their protocols to minimise any risk of spreading this awful virus.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2194d

Mmmm. But they would say that. It’s a nice little money earner.  If the factor in a few deaths as collateral damage? Latest from the Borough Medical “ COVID-19 cases are increasing across Hounslow, especially in older residents. These residents are more at risk of serious illness, hospital admissions and death. Stop now, read and take action to slow the spread. You must not meet with anybody outside your household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place. You must not meet in a group of more than 6 outside, including in a garden or other space. You should reduce the number of journeys you make where possible. Walk  where possible, or plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport.“

Steve Taylor ● 2194d

"They say they have consulted with Hounslow Council’s Director of Public Health, Kelly O’Neill, scrutinised the government’s Covid regulations and kept an eye on what other markets are doing."LB Hounslow have given it the 👍

Loraine Pemberton ● 2194d

"LB Hounslow have given it the 👍"Yep and most people wouldn't trust those clowns to organise a p'up in a brewery!  It's all about money, money, money and political favours!!!  Other markets have also failed - hence the north is in such a state!! Why does Hounslow now want to copy them?

Steve Taylor ● 2194d

I was following the Covid-19 infection rates for the W4 area quite closely in the weeks after the first flower market. There was no indication it led to any noticeable rise in local infections which remained quite low compared to neighbouring areas.More and more research seems to be suggesting that Covid-19 infection risk is much more limited outdoors.There were failures of organisation at the first event but hopefully lessons have been learned. The organisers need to get out of the mindset that the success of the event is measured by the number of people attending.There is quite a lot of evidence that it provided a boost to many local retailers. The High Road was very busy on the day of the market. The main worry about this Sunday is transport in my view. There is no District line to Chiswick. One of the people behind the event has made the worryingly complacent claim that very few people drove to the last market because their overflow car park wasn't used. As anyone living within walking distance of the High Road will have told them, ample use was made of the free parking available on residential streets much nearer the event than the paid for parking. A significant number of people drove to the last market and an even higher proportion will use their cars to get to this one because of the lack of a tube service.The Acton Lane closure is expected to still be in place on Sunday at the moment so traffic is going to be bad anyway. It might be a good idea for the organisers to request a suspension of the Turnham Green Terrace restriction for a day to mitigate the situation.

Paul Corcoran ● 2194d

It might be a good idea for the organisers to request a suspension of the Turnham Green Terrace restriction for a day to mitigate the situation.In yer dreams - greedy Hounslow wouldn't be capable of that!  They can't be arsed to cancel all fines issued by the incorrect Thames Water diversion!  Greed greed until they've completely wiped out the cash cow of Chiswick.  The Flower Market sounds lovely - no way I can visit but good luck to all and stay safe.

Jennifer Selig ● 2194d

"There were failures of organisation at the first event but hopefully lessons have been learned."But we can't live in 'hope'. The fact is that the virus is spreading rapidly again and it is irresponsible to do ANYTHING, other than what is absolutely necessary, that risks spreading the virus. There is of course the evidence that the last show provided a boost to local traders but we can't risk a boost which is caused by a mass surge of people. The boost to the local economy can be achieved by allowing normal safe footfall in the High Street. Stopping the ridiculous traffic jams caused by LTNs, having more parking available and getting rid of the ridiculous cycle lanes. These are the things that are destroying the local economy for many.

Steve Taylor ● 2194d

No kissing under the mistletoe, folks.

Roger Talbot ● 2194d

No wonder people are confused. We are currently being told to avoid all unnecessary journeys and contact with other people, sports events are mostly taking place in empty stadia while large areas of our neighbourhood are in chaos because of traffic measures designed to provide more space for walking and cycling. And here we have a flower market taking place - a flower market!  This is a hangover from those halcyon pre-covid days when such a thing sounded like just the thing to make W4 a bit more lovely than it already was. It has no place in the world we are currently forced to inhabit. Sorry, but this is another bit of illogical nonsense designed to keep happy small pressure groups who have somehow gained the ear of those with the power to grant such favours.

Bruce Hammal ● 2194d

"It has no place in the world we are currently forced to inhabit. Sorry, but this is another bit of illogical nonsense designed to keep happy small pressure groups who have somehow gained the ear of those with the power to grant such favours"Totally agree. And if the Borough medical advisor is warning of the huge increase in Covid cases and at the same time authorising the Council to approve the mass gatherings at a flower market, she is surely in the wrong job because her contradictions render her 'not fit for purpose'

Steve Taylor ● 2194d

She's in good company then. Presumably modelling herself on Dido Harding, serial incompetence being no barrier to elevation in Boris's world.

Bruce Hammal ● 2194d

Don't worry folks "lessons have been learnt"from the last flower market so all is "corvid safe"  now. Sure about that?Ring-a-ring o' roses,A pocket full of posies,A-tishoo! A-tishoo!We all fall down.

Adrian Irving ● 2194d

See front page article.I now wonder should the Flower Market go ahead ?

Loraine Pemberton ● 2194d

Cllr Julian Bell writes;"However this week Ealing now appears the highest rate in London. Latest figures from Public Health England show its weekly rate in the last seven days up to October 22 as 201.9 per 100,000.Ealing and Hammersmith and Fulham are the only two authorities to exceed the 200 per 100,000 mark so far in the capital."Before anyone says, ah, but those areas are not Chiswick, as you know, markets attract people from surroundings areas. You won't see me there for sure and sincerely hope we don't have to suffer cringe worthy photos afterwards of our council leader and or minor celebrities getting their mugs in the press to show us what wonderful people they are. Ugh!

Adrian Irving ● 2194d

If TGT were to be opened to assist the Flower Market when it wasn't to assist during the Thames Water works, there will be an almighty surge of anger, as if there isn't one already.

Maggie Dodge ● 2193d

"Nearly 100,000 people are catching coronavirus every day in England, a major analysis suggests.The study, by Imperial College London, says the pace of the epidemic is accelerating and estimates the number of people infected is now doubling every nine days." As much as I support the Flower Market, I ask the question should it still go ahead especially as the Covid-19 infection rate is so high and predicted to carry on rising ?

Loraine Pemberton ● 2193d

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/207534/coronavirus-infections-rising-rapidly-england-react/

Loraine Pemberton ● 2193d

Firstly I must congratulate the Flower Market organisers on their initial publicity campaign to launch the enterprise, something I know a little about myself albeit more hot metal than dot com. Good job.As a result unfortunately the ’on the ground’ side of the equation didn’t match up and as a result they were overwhelmed by the numbers of people attending. Fair enough, that’s what can happen when you are still on a steep learning curve.Should it go ahead? Well it’s probably too late to cancel it now anyway and I suspect most sensible people will think twice before attending this time so let see how things go.What I find dumfounding is the utterances from some  local leaders.  Extracts below.Curran is quoted as saying, “It’s great news to hear that a Covid-secure way has been found for it to go ahead in November,Leader of Chiswick’s Conservative councillors Gerald McGregor added, “Given the precautions being put in place, the market will be safe and well organised.”“Corvid secure,” “ the market will be safe”  ......What?Both those sentiments are, to put it mildly, misleading. Nowhere is secure or safe, safer maybe.A more honest approach from them would be to say, we have done our best to make as safe as we can but there is still risk, a risk that we are unable and unqualified to quantify.To be fair one of the founders, Bridget Osborne, has said she is confident that our Corvid preparations are amongst the best which is some cold comfort I suppose but very different from what the two council members have said. SHOP ‘TILL YOU DROP FOLKS! (Sorry, that’s a little callous of me I know)PS If you are reading this Councillor McGregor I mostly like the cut of your jib  but this time I do think you have erred.

Adrian Irving ● 2193d

"Corvid secure" eh? You can't be too careful when those pesky crows are about! Looking at the weather forecast I think overcrowding may turn out not to be so much of a problem after all. It is a misguided move though with London on the brink of another lockdown - only being held at bay by a dithering Prime Minister and his conflicted advisers.

Bruce Hammal ● 2193d

I have just read this which is not surprising. Thought we had learnt our lesson in March when we were to slow to lock down. Look at France and Germany yesterday, meanwhile, we are dithering and our leaders seem to think we have a much better "world beating" system! Now, here is how i see this playing out. The Govt know they will have to go in a second lock down and the noises coming out is, "it's your responsibility to follow our complex rules and if you don't then it is your fault" while the numbers keep going up. Nothing to do with this inept bunch in charge. They blamed the students for the resurgence and now it will be all our fault. I can see the blonde Buffoon outside 10 Drowning St addressing the nation, " we warned you (clasped hands with bent forefinger pointing at the camera) and because you ignored the rules, you leave us with no option but to go into a second lock down." Thanks Bozzo!

James Smith-Jones ● 2193d

Yes Bruce, corvid secure is like that other oxymoron, SMART Motorway.Dare I mention another, Cycle Super Highway ?

Adrian Irving ● 2192d

Sorry Adrian, the amusing spelling mistake seems to be lingering. Covid is the virus, Corvid is a crow. Obviously my joke fell flat. It's the way I tell'em!

Bruce Hammal ● 2192d

Yes Bruce, you little joke got the bird alright!

Adrian Irving ● 2192d

What I find astounding is that the study, by Imperial College London, says "the pace of the epidemic is accelerating and estimates the number of people infected is now doubling every nine days." Yet Hounslow's Kelly O’Neill, Director of Public Health, ignores all this and gives the thumbs up for the mass gatherings at the flower market to go ahead! What a  hypocrite. On the one hand she is on social media  telling people how to be careful and avoid spreading the virus and on the other hand she approves this money making event. "Prof Steven Riley said he was "really disappointed" when the data started coming in and said it meant the "current measures are not sufficient". Source: BBC James Gallagher, Health and Science Correspondent " Covid-19 is now spreading fastest in the London, according to the latest official estimates.The ‘R rate’ — the rate of spread of infection — has catapulted to a best estimate of 2.9 in London, the highest rate in the country. And Hounslow is in the top four worst infected Boroughs. Which part of this does Kelly O'Neill or Steve Curran not understand?But hey, she asserts that hand sanitiser is to be provided at the entrance and at all stalls and marshalls will be monitoring compliance of these new arrangements throughout the day of the event. Wow - 'monitoring'!  I love that word. It must be comforting to people to know that their death is being monitored.  Hopefully all responsible people will stay away from this event if the Hounslow Director of Public Health and the Leader of the Council are acting so incredibly irresponsibly whilst several European Capital Cities are going into full lockdown.

Steve Taylor ● 2192d

"Which part of this does Kelly O'Neill or Steve Curran not understand?"Sontarans are not affected by Covid-19. It is being used by them as an excuse to increase the power of the Sontaran Empire and the prevent their human subjects from going about their lawful business.

Richard Greenhough ● 2192d

"The second wave of coronavirus in England has reached a “critical stage” with a new report suggesting that, on average, every infected person in London is passing on the virus to nearly three other people - the highest estimated R rate in England."Sadly, I definitely won't be going anywhere near the Flower Market on Sunday - way too risky.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2191d