theweekuk--2020-10-09--Instant Opinion: ‘can the world survive four more years of Donald Trump’?

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
on the US president ’ s global threat Can the world survive four more years of Donald Trump ?
“ A world order designed to function through slow consensus and underwhelming compromise , on a good day , has had virtually no coping mechanism for the American president ’ s disruption .
In the name of putting America first , Trump has pulled out of one global deal after another , unpredictably reversing course on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priorities and moral commitments .
He has snubbed democratic leaders and longtime allies while cozying up to Vladimir Putin and other autocrats .
While the most important Western institutions - NATO , the European Union , the United Nations , the World Trade Organization , the World Health Organization - are still standing , it ’ s an open question whether they will be able to survive another four years of pummeling and disinvestment by the world ’ s superpower.
” How to Beat the Nazis in 2020 “ The experience of Golden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroyed in a matter of years—offers lessons… It had openly sought to undermine democracy , yet it was largely using the tools of democracy that it was defeated - through the justice system , and at the ballot box .
The party is financially broken , and in recent months has been forced to close dozens of offices across Greece .
At least partly as a result , its electoral support has more than halved since it first entered Parliament , with Golden Dawn failing to meet the 3 percent support threshold required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” As his Fox interview this morning proved , Trump knows he ’ s losing and he ’ s panicking about it “ As he ranted and raved as the sun rose in a list of key East Coast and Rust Belt swing states , the president did not exert confidence about a November victory .
Trump ’ s every word , tweet and action since he was airlifted to the military medical facility suggests projecting the kind of strength a high school football coach uses to fire up teenagers on Friday nights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his reelection golf bag.
” on the sound of silence We ’ re bereft of all the hubbub of normal life “ I am not sure what the auditory equivalent of ‘ a sight for sore eyes ’ might be called but you know what I mean .
This refers to those sounds of everyday life that we no longer hear in lockdown , or semi-lockdown , or whatever this is ( very hard to tell most days ) .
Now the New York Public Library has come up with a brilliantly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to sound like , with a digital album called Missing Sounds of New York .
Its eight tracks , described as ‘ an auditory love letter to New Yorkers ’ , include sounds from a baseball game , a busy restaurant and ( apparently a favourite ) ‘ The Not-Quite-Quiet Library ’ .
” In Afghanistan , as we enter our 20th year , it 's time to come home “ The war in Afghanistan is officially in its twentieth year .
It ’ s difficult to appreciate how so much time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first news clips of warplanes launching from aircraft carriers , and grainy night vision images of the first Americans on the ground bringing retribution for the September 11 , 2001 , attacks .
Yet as someone who volunteered for service , fought in Afghanistan , and watched good friends give their lives for the mission there , it ’ s difficult to accept that 19 years hasn ’ t been enough .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Ryan Heath on Politico
on the US president’s global threat
Can the world survive four more years of Donald Trump?
“A world order designed to function through slow consensus and underwhelming compromise, on a good day, has had virtually no coping mechanism for the American president’s disruption. In the name of putting America first, Trump has pulled out of one global deal after another, unpredictably reversing course on some of America’s biggest global priorities and moral commitments. He has snubbed democratic leaders and longtime allies while cozying up to Vladimir Putin and other autocrats. While the most important Western institutions - NATO, the European Union, the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the World Health Organization - are still standing, it’s an open question whether they will be able to survive another four years of pummeling and disinvestment by the world’s superpower.”
2. Yiannis Baboulias in The Atlantic
on Golden Dawn’s twilight
How to Beat the Nazis in 2020
“The experience of Golden Dawn - from riding high to effectively destroyed in a matter of years—offers lessons… It had openly sought to undermine democracy, yet it was largely using the tools of democracy that it was defeated - through the justice system, and at the ballot box. The party is financially broken, and in recent months has been forced to close dozens of offices across Greece. At least partly as a result, its electoral support has more than halved since it first entered Parliament, with Golden Dawn failing to meet the 3 percent support threshold required to win seats in 2019 legislative elections.”
3. John T. Bennett in The Independent
on Trump’s growing desperation
As his Fox interview this morning proved, Trump knows he’s losing and he’s panicking about it
“As he ranted and raved as the sun rose in a list of key East Coast and Rust Belt swing states, the president did not exert confidence about a November victory. Trump’s every word, tweet and action since he was airlifted to the military medical facility suggests projecting the kind of strength a high school football coach uses to fire up teenagers on Friday nights. It is the last club left in his reelection golf bag.”
4. Ann Treneman in The Times
on the sound of silence
We’re bereft of all the hubbub of normal life
“I am not sure what the auditory equivalent of ‘a sight for sore eyes’ might be called but you know what I mean. This refers to those sounds of everyday life that we no longer hear in lockdown, or semi-lockdown, or whatever this is (very hard to tell most days). Now the New York Public Library has come up with a brilliantly evocative way of reminding us what life used to sound like, with a digital album called Missing Sounds of New York. Its eight tracks, described as ‘an auditory love letter to New Yorkers’, include sounds from a baseball game, a busy restaurant and (apparently a favourite) ‘The Not-Quite-Quiet Library’.”
5. Nate Anderson on Fox News
on America’s ‘forever wars’
In Afghanistan, as we enter our 20th year, it's time to come home
“The war in Afghanistan is officially in its twentieth year. It’s difficult to appreciate how so much time has gone by as we remember those first news clips of warplanes launching from aircraft carriers, and grainy night vision images of the first Americans on the ground bringing retribution for the September 11, 2001, attacks. Yet as someone who volunteered for service, fought in Afghanistan, and watched good friends give their lives for the mission there, it’s difficult to accept that 19 years hasn’t been enough.”


theweekuk--2020-10-10--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 10 Oct 2020

Boris Johnson is to make a statement to MPs on Monday setting out details of new restrictions to slow the @ @ @ @ @ .
A letter from the prime minister ’ s chief strategic adviser to MPs in @ @ @ @ @ by the BBC states “ it is very likely that certain local areas will face @ @ @ @ @ , experts have told the Daily Telegraph that stricter measures are “ too hasty ” @

Johnson to announce new restrictions on Monday
Boris Johnson is to make a statement to MPs on Monday setting out details of new restrictions to slow the spread of coronavirus in England. A letter from the prime minister’s chief strategic adviser to MPs in the north-west of England seen by the BBC states “it is very likely that certain local areas will face further restrictions”. However, experts have told the Daily Telegraph that stricter measures are “too hasty”.


theweekuk--2020-10-11--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 11 Oct 2020

Labour and the Tories are neck-and-neck again , according to the latest Opinium poll for The Observer .
The two @ @ @ @ @ , with Labour ’ s three-point lead from a fortnight ago evaporating .
The public @ @ @ @ @ they prefer as prime minister , with 32 % opting for Boris Johnson and 33 @ @ @ @ @ Some 42 % think Johnson is out of his depth handling coronavirus .

Labour level with Tories after losing three-point lead
Labour and the Tories are neck-and-neck again, according to the latest Opinium poll for The Observer. The two parties recorded 40% support, with Labour’s three-point lead from a fortnight ago evaporating. The public is also split over who they prefer as prime minister, with 32% opting for Boris Johnson and 33% backing Keir Starmer. Some 42% think Johnson is out of his depth handling coronavirus.


theweekuk--2020-10-12--US election: can Joe Biden do the impossible and win Texas for the Democrats?

Jill Biden is set to visit Texas this week as part of a major push by her husband ’ s party to win the traditionally Republican-voting state in the presidential election .
The would-be first lady is set to make stops in Houston , Dallas and El Paso on Tuesday , the first day of early voting , as the Democrats look to do the unthinkable and flip the state from red to blue .
Joe Biden ’ s campaign is targeting Texas with an advertising blitz reportedly worth $ 6m ( £4.6m ) - “ the biggest investment from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 years ” in the state , according to The Texas Tribune .
The Lincoln Project - a group led by former Republican strategists now working to defeat Trump - has also launched a $ 1m ( £768,000 ) pro-Biden digital ad campaign in the state .
Doug Emhoff , the husband of Biden ’ s running mate Kamala Harris , has joined the Texas campaigning push too , visiting Edinburg , San Antonio and Dallas last week , as polls showed that the battle for the Lone Star state was looking unusually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans have nothing to worry , however .
In a tweet on Friday , the incumbent said : “ Biden is against Oil , Guns and Religion , a very bad combination to be fighting in the Great State of Texas .
We are Winning Big , in the Real Polls , all over the Country !
!
!
NOVEMBER 3rd .
VOTE !
!
!
” What are the numbers saying ?
Though his claim to be ahead nationally is incorrect , Trump does currently lead in Texas .
The president commands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely voters to Biden ’ s 45 % , according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll .
A Yougov poll from 8 October also shows Trump ahead by 5 % .
Some analysts see Texans ’ voting intentions as an indication of their negative attitude towards Trump , rather than a clear endorsement of Biden .
In the University of Texas poll , 55 % of respondents who identified as Democrats said they were voting for Biden because they want him to be president , while 45 % said he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t want his rival to remain in the White House .
By contrast , a vast majority of Trump ’ s supporters - 81 % - said they want him as president , while 19 % said their main motivation was to stop Barack Obama ’ s former vice president from securing the top job .
“ What it really shows you is just how much of this is about Trump , ” said Daron Shaw , a professor of government at the university and co-director of the poll .
“ The race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It really is a referendum.
” Democrats have already made great strides in Texas since Trump first assumed the presidency .
In 2014 , Democratic nominee Wendy Davis lost her bid for governor to Republican Greg Abbott by 20 points .
But just four years later , former Texas congressman Beto O ’ Rourke mounted an “ insurgent campaign ” against Senator Ted Cruz , losing by only 2.5 points - “ an implausible jump ” forward in terms of support , says The Texas Tribune ’ s Washington bureau chief Abby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to become a candidate in the race to become the Democratic presidential nominee , before dropping out and throwing his support behind Biden .
In a recent op-ed for The Washington Post , O ’ Rourke and Tory Gavito , president and co-founder of the progressive donor network Way to Win , urged Biden to aggressively fight for and win the state .
“ Democrats have historically failed to invest in Texas , despite the size of this prize , because they believed the door is closed to Democratic presidential candidates , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many things in 2020 , this year is different - Biden has his foot in the door and needs to kick it open for a quick end to the election .
”

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theweekuk--2020-10-12--Why everyone’s talking about Project Big Picture and the Premier League

Two of England ’ s biggest football clubs are behind plans to radically reform the Premier League , it was revealed at the weekend .
In a “ world exclusive ” The Daily Telegraph broke the news that Liverpool and Manchester United are proposing the “ biggest changes to English football in a generation ” and an “ extraordinary overhaul ” of the country ’ s top division .
A document titled “ Revitalisation ” , which was seen by the Telegraph , has been authored by Liverpool ’ s American ownership Fenway Sports Group with support from Man Utd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reshape the finances of the game , following the impact of Covid-19 , meanwhile the Premier League would be reduced to 18 teams and controlling power put in the hands of the biggest clubs .
In reaction to the story , the big clubs have been called out for their “ power grab ” attempt .
Premier League bosses and the UK government have also spoken out against the plans .
Proposals include reducing the Premier League from 20 to 18 teams , increasing funding for the English Football League ( EFL ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shield .
Another major proposal is for the big clubs to “ gain control over the running of the top flight in return for redistributing greater funding down the football pyramid ” , The Guardian reports .
The nine longest-serving top-flight clubs would be given preferential votes under the new proposals .
The Telegraph says that the remarkable set of plans , which will “ send shockwaves through the game ” , will see 25 % of the Premier League ’ s annual revenue go to the EFL clubs with £250m paid up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis .
There would also be a gift of £100m to sustain the Football Association .
While the Premier League would be reduced to 18 clubs , the Championship , League One and League Two would each retain 24 teams .
The bottom two sides in the Premier League would be relegated automatically and the 16th-placed team would join the Championship play-offs .
Who is backing the plans ?
No other clubs are yet on the record supporting the proposals created by Liverpool and Man Utd , BBC Sport reports .
But “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the EFL , says the Guardian .
Current EFL boss Rick Parry , who was the original Premier League CEO and a former chief executive of Liverpool , has publicly endorsed the project and calls it a “ great idea ” .
Parry said : “ This is two of our great clubs showing leadership and exercising responsibility .
The message from Liverpool and Manchester United is that they do genuinely care about the pyramid .
“ The Premier League could have come up with a plan like this at any time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rescue package ?
Months .
It was May when the government was saying we need the Premier League to step up to the plate .
What ’ s wrong with us talking about a plan that is demonstrably in the best interest of the pyramid and our clubs ?
We genuinely think that this is in the best interests of the game as a whole.
” Who is against it ?
The Premier League says the proposed plans could have a “ damaging impact ” .
A statement read : “ Football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be carried out through the proper channels enabling all clubs and stakeholders the opportunity to contribute .
In the Premier League ’ s view , a number of the individual proposals in the plan published could have a damaging impact on the whole game and we are disappointed to see that Rick Parry , chair of the EFL , has given his on-the-record support .
“ The Premier League has been working in good faith with its clubs and the EFL to seek a resolution to the requirement for Covid-19 rescue funding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Department for Culture , Media and Sport said it was “ surprised and disappointed ” by “ backroom deals being cooked up ” , the BBC reports .
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told BBC Breakfast : “ Now is not the right time .
The challenge facing football is ensuring particularly the EFL has the resources to enable its clubs to survive .
This deal does not command support throughout the Premier League at all .
“ There are the resources there .
I have to say that if they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sort this out , we will have to return to what we promised in our manifesto , which is a fan-led review of football governance because I think many fans will be concerned about what they are reading today.
” Project Big Picture dominates today ’ s newspaper back pages .
The Guardian says football is “ at war ” with the big clubs ’ plan to reshape the game sparking Premier League “ anger ” .
The Daily Star says it ’ s “ revolting ” and the project has caused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times reports the “ fury ” at the plans .
In the Daily Mail Martin Samuel says Liverpool and United ’ s Project Big Picture is “ nothing but a disgusting power grab ” .
He wrote : “ This is about six clubs controlling the wealth and seizing the power , right down to deciding who gets into their competition .
This is about closed shop protectionism that will end the Premier League as a vibrant competition .
This is about getting your round in with another man ’ s money .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ saving our game , all it would do is reduce .
Reduce what makes football fun .
Reduce its unpredictability , reduce the excitement , reduce the chances for Wolves or Leicester or Aston Villa .
Reduce the hope of a change of ownership at Newcastle .
Reduce your chances of promotion .
Reduce your hopes of success if you get there .
Reduce , reduce , reduce.
” The Telegraph ’ s chief football correspondent Jason Burt agrees that the “ brazen power grab ” is a “ hostile takeover spun as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ We need to be clear this plan is not what it seems and would surrender control of English football to six clubs and empower them as a cartel .
”

Two of England’s biggest football clubs are behind plans to radically reform the Premier League, it was revealed at the weekend.
In a “world exclusive” The Daily Telegraph broke the news that Liverpool and Manchester United are proposing the “biggest changes to English football in a generation” and an “extraordinary overhaul” of the country’s top division.
A document titled “Revitalisation”, which was seen by the Telegraph, has been authored by Liverpool’s American ownership Fenway Sports Group with support from Man Utd.
“Project Big Picture” would reshape the finances of the game, following the impact of Covid-19, meanwhile the Premier League would be reduced to 18 teams and controlling power put in the hands of the biggest clubs.
In reaction to the story, the big clubs have been called out for their “power grab” attempt. Premier League bosses and the UK government have also spoken out against the plans.
What is Project Big Picture?
Proposals include reducing the Premier League from 20 to 18 teams, increasing funding for the English Football League (EFL) and axing the League Cup and Community Shield.
Another major proposal is for the big clubs to “gain control over the running of the top flight in return for redistributing greater funding down the football pyramid”, The Guardian reports. The nine longest-serving top-flight clubs would be given preferential votes under the new proposals.
The Telegraph says that the remarkable set of plans, which will “send shockwaves through the game”, will see 25% of the Premier League’s annual revenue go to the EFL clubs with £250m paid up front to see it through the current crisis. There would also be a gift of £100m to sustain the Football Association.
While the Premier League would be reduced to 18 clubs, the Championship, League One and League Two would each retain 24 teams. The bottom two sides in the Premier League would be relegated automatically and the 16th-placed team would join the Championship play-offs.
EXCLUSIVE The biggest changes to the Premier League since its inception, driven by Liverpool & Manchester United. Full story: https://t.co/EDm1RjHs3c — Sam Wallace (@SamWallaceTel) October 11, 2020
Who is backing the plans?
No other clubs are yet on the record supporting the proposals created by Liverpool and Man Utd, BBC Sport reports. But “crucially” it has been approved by the EFL, says the Guardian.


theweekuk--2020-10-12--Disunited kingdom: the Covid rules rebellions facing embattled Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson is braced for a fresh onslaught of resistance as he today reveals Downing Street ’ s hotly anticipated three-tier system for enforcing local lockdowns .
The new measures are intended to simplify the patchwork of rules currently covering more than 15 million Britons - approximately a quarter of the UK population - as Covid-19 infection rates and related deaths continue to increase .
But the plans are already under fire from across the political spectrum , with a senior Conservative MP telling Politico London Playbook ’ s Alex Wickham that “ we are back to where we were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be shit and it may get shitter yet ” .
In a lone breakthrough for the government , Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram released a statement yesterday outlining what will happen when Merseyside enters the highest tier of restrictions .
“ Pubs and bars , betting shops , casinos and adult gaming centers and gyms will close , ” says the statement , which omits any mention of restaurants .
Liverpool will also get an “ enforcement package , with laws , not just guidance and advice ” , a devolved “ local Track @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ a specific package of financial support ” .
Rotheram had previously said that he would refuse to back economically damaging measures to curb infections , so his statement is a win for the government .
But local leaders elsewhere are still proving to be a thorn in Downing Street ’ s side .
The leaders of Lancashire County , Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool last night issued a joint statement calling for “ more detail from government about their proposals and in particular what the differences will be between the tiers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for greater clarity has been echoed by Sheffield City Mayor Dan Jarvis .
In a separate statement , the Labour MP calls on Johnson to provide a “ substantial package of powers and resources we need to get the virus under control ” .
“ As it stands , we are trying to fight this virus with one hand tied behind our back because the government is providing inadequate support , ” Jarvis adds .
Liverpool ’ s mayor is one of only a handful of northern politicians backing Johnson ’ s Covid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Tory leader .
Labour MP Andrew Gwynne , who represents Denton and Reddish in Stockport , last night tweeted that he would not support “ the closure of hospitality ” , adding that “ like the daft 10pm curfew , it will drive people from Covid secure businesses where measures can be enforced into illegal mixing in homes ” .
MPs on Johnson ’ s own backbenches are voicing dissenting opinions too .
William Wragg , who holds the Hazel Grove seat in Greater Manchester , tweeted that “ talk of closing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , given that very limited transmission of covid seems to take place there ” .
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told Sky News this morning that “ we are taking the measures that are necessary in order to protect people through this difficult period ” .
But even ministers loyal to the prime minister have admitted that the local lockdown measures will be “ very challenging ” for staff from hospitality businesses .
And Johnson is “ facing a rebellion ” from Tory MPs who “ want the prime minister to improve his Job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about to be placed under tight restrictions , the Financial Times reports .
An unnamed Tory MP who represents a constituency in northern England told the paper that if “ the government is shutting people ’ s businesses down and preventing people from working , it probably should make up their entire pay ” .
The rebel Tories want “ the lowest-paid workers to receive 80 % of their wages ” , as was the case under the original furlough scheme , rather than the two-thirds being promised by Chancellor Rishi Sunak under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Johnson was chairing a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee this morning to finalise the three-tier plans .
The most contentious issue still on the table is the “ the infection rate at which each tier will kick in ” , a point that is dividing the “ hawks ” and “ doves ” in Johnson ’ s cabinet , according to Politico ’ s Wickham .
Various local leaders are also continuing negotiations with Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick and Cabinet Office officials over which tiers of the new restrictions will apply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been ironed out - or even if they are not - Johnson will deliver a statement to the House of Commons at 3.30pm outlining the new system , before leading a televised press conference at 6pm to explain the measures to the public .

Boris Johnson is braced for a fresh onslaught of resistance as he today reveals Downing Street’s hotly anticipated three-tier system for enforcing local lockdowns.
The new measures are intended to simplify the patchwork of rules currently covering more than 15 million Britons - approximately a quarter of the UK population - as Covid-19 infection rates and related deaths continue to increase.
But the plans are already under fire from across the political spectrum, with a senior Conservative MP telling Politico London Playbook’s Alex Wickham that “we are back to where we were in March - this is going to be shit and it may get shitter yet”.
Local holdouts
In a lone breakthrough for the government, Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram released a statement yesterday outlining what will happen when Merseyside enters the highest tier of restrictions.
“Pubs and bars, betting shops, casinos and adult gaming centers and gyms will close,” says the statement, which omits any mention of restaurants. Liverpool will also get an “enforcement package, with laws, not just guidance and advice”, a devolved “local Track, Trace and Isolate package” and “a specific package of financial support”.
Rotheram had previously said that he would refuse to back economically damaging measures to curb infections, so his statement is a win for the government.
But local leaders elsewhere are still proving to be a thorn in Downing Street’s side.
The leaders of Lancashire County, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool last night issued a joint statement calling for “more detail from government about their proposals and in particular what the differences will be between the tiers in the planned system”.
This demand for greater clarity has been echoed by Sheffield City Mayor Dan Jarvis. In a separate statement, the Labour MP calls on Johnson to provide a “substantial package of powers and resources we need to get the virus under control”.
“As it stands, we are trying to fight this virus with one hand tied behind our back because the government is providing inadequate support,” Jarvis adds.
Westminster rebels
Liverpool’s mayor is one of only a handful of northern politicians backing Johnson’s Covid strategy, with many others openly criticising the Tory leader.
Labour MP Andrew Gwynne, who represents Denton and Reddish in Stockport, last night tweeted that he would not support “the closure of hospitality”, adding that “like the daft 10pm curfew, it will drive people from Covid secure businesses where measures can be enforced into illegal mixing in homes”.


theweekuk--2020-10-12--NHS cuts 2,000 test and trace jobs as Covid rates soar across UK

A total of 2,000 contact tracer roles has been slashed from the NHS Track and Trace service in recent weeks despite growing pressure on the system amid rising infection rates , Whitehall sources have revealed .
The Department of Health last night “ said the move was about allocating more roles to regional teams to work with councils following criticism that the centrally run system was failing to tackle local outbreaks ” , the Daily Mail reports .
But MPs told the newspaper there was “ no evidence ” that resources are being redeployed locally .
Former culture minister Ben @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said that “ it has been clear for a long time that the tracing element of test and trace is in collapse ” .
The tracer role cuts come after a further 6,000 Test and Trace staff were axed in August .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has repeatedly said that effective testing and tracing is vital in tackling the coronavirus pandemic .
That message was echoed by Professor Devi Sridhar , chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh , in an article published in The Guardian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” tool to bringing infection rates under control is “ a robust system for testing , tracing and isolating , where test results are returned within 24 hours , at least 80 % of people ’ s contacts are reached and there is high adherence to a rule of 14 days ’ isolation for those exposed to the virus ” , Sridhar wrote .
Last week , just 69 % of close contacts of people in the UK who tested positive were reached - the lowest rate since test and trace launched .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases , and 65 related deaths .
The total official death tally for the nation now stands at 42,915 , according to latest figures .
Newly published polling results reveal that just 20 % of the public think the current test and trace system is working .
The survey of 3,000 people for Politics Home last week found that 62 % did not think the test and trace system is effective , while the remaining 18 % were undecided .

A total of 2,000 contact tracer roles has been slashed from the NHS Track and Trace service in recent weeks despite growing pressure on the system amid rising infection rates, Whitehall sources have revealed.
The Department of Health last night “said the move was about allocating more roles to regional teams to work with councils following criticism that the centrally run system was failing to tackle local outbreaks”, the Daily Mail reports. But MPs told the newspaper there was “no evidence” that resources are being redeployed locally.
Former culture minister Ben Bradshaw, the Labour MP for Exeter, said that “it has been clear for a long time that the tracing element of test and trace is in collapse”.
The tracer role cuts come after a further 6,000 Test and Trace staff were axed in August.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly said that effective testing and tracing is vital in tackling the coronavirus pandemic.
That message was echoed by Professor Devi Sridhar, chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh, in an article published in The Guardian on Saturday.
The “most important” tool to bringing infection rates under control is “a robust system for testing, tracing and isolating, where test results are returned within 24 hours, at least 80% of people’s contacts are reached and there is high adherence to a rule of 14 days’ isolation for those exposed to the virus”, Sridhar wrote.
Last week, just 69% of close contacts of people in the UK who tested positive were reached - the lowest rate since test and trace launched.
The UK yesterday reported 12,872 new Covid cases, and 65 related deaths. The total official death tally for the nation now stands at 42,915, according to latest figures.
Newly published polling results reveal that just 20% of the public think the current test and trace system is working. The survey of 3,000 people for Politics Home last week found that 62% did not think the test and trace system is effective, while the remaining 18% were undecided.


theweekuk--2020-10-12--Chief of staff wanted: the runners and riders to be Boris Johnson’s right-hand man

Boris Johnson is in the market for a chief of staff as part of a bid to shore up his Downing Street operation that could weaken the influence of No .
10 strategist Dominic Cummings .
The prime minister has already tapped up former Conservative Party chair Andrew Feldman , aka Lord Feldman of Elstree , for the role , The Sunday Times reports .
But Feldman is said to have turned down the job , with a source telling the newspaper that “ Dom was one of the issues ” .
The recruitment drive has “ got tongues wagging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eyes are on ” Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden as the next most likely candidate for the role , says Politico London Playbook ’ s Alex Wickham .
Having previously served a special adviser under David Cameron , Dowden has the required experience , although questions remain as to how much of a “ Boris person ” he really is , Wickham adds .
Other possibles include Isaac Levido , the Australian political strategist credited with masterminding the Tories ’ landslide victory at last December ’ s election .
Levido is “ in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cummings without being his lackey ” , but the “ hirsute Aussie ” has also just launched a new agency , “ so Johnson probably can ’ t afford him ” , says Wickham .
Mulling the other likely candidates , the Politico pundit notes that George Bridges , a former Department for Exiting the European Union minister , is said to be “ exactly the sort of ‘ graybeard ’ Johnson is said to be after ” , while Vote Leave veteran Paul Stephenson has the advantage of being a “ huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Johnson regime to do the job ” .
Ben Gascoigne , the PM ’ s long-time political secretary , and Munira Mirza , Johnson ’ s policy chief , are also believed to be in the running for the new role .
Whoever Downing Street has in mind , the exact brief and title for the job could both prove crucial .
When Cummings joined Johnson ’ s No .
10 team , the senior aide did not wish to be known as the PM ’ s chief of staff but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone else with that title .

Boris Johnson is in the market for a chief of staff as part of a bid to shore up his Downing Street operation that could weaken the influence of No. 10 strategist Dominic Cummings.
The prime minister has already tapped up former Conservative Party chair Andrew Feldman, aka Lord Feldman of Elstree, for the role, The Sunday Times reports. But Feldman is said to have turned down the job, with a source telling the newspaper that “Dom was one of the issues”.
The recruitment drive has “got tongues wagging” in Westminster, and “all eyes are on” Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden as the next most likely candidate for the role, says Politico London Playbook’s Alex Wickham. Having previously served a special adviser under David Cameron, Dowden has the required experience, although questions remain as to how much of a “Boris person” he really is, Wickham adds.
Other possibles include Isaac Levido, the Australian political strategist credited with masterminding the Tories’ landslide victory at last December’s election. Levido is “in the unusual position of having the respect of Cummings without being his lackey”, but the “hirsute Aussie” has also just launched a new agency, “so Johnson probably can’t afford him”, says Wickham.
Mulling the other likely candidates, the Politico pundit notes that George Bridges, a former Department for Exiting the European Union minister, is said to be “exactly the sort of ‘graybeard’ Johnson is said to be after”, while Vote Leave veteran Paul Stephenson has the advantage of being a “huge Cummings ally” and “trusted enough by the Johnson regime to do the job”.
Ben Gascoigne, the PM’s long-time political secretary, and Munira Mirza, Johnson’s policy chief, are also believed to be in the running for the new role.
Whoever Downing Street has in mind, the exact brief and title for the job could both prove crucial. When Cummings joined Johnson’s No. 10 team, the senior aide did not wish to be known as the PM’s chief of staff but also said he would not serve under anyone else with that title.


theweekuk--2020-10-12--UK unemployment predicted to hit nearly three million by Christmas

Almost three million people in the UK may be unemployed by Christmas as up to 1.5 million more jobs face the axe in the run-up to the festive season , two leading think tanks are warning .
With Covid-19 still “ battering the economy ” and the government ’ s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme coming to an end on 31 October , more companies will be forced to lay off staff , says The Guardian .
The predicted “ surge in unemployment ” would drive the unemployment rate above 8 % for the first time in almost a decade , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Centre for Economics and Business Research ( CEBR ) found that UK businesses are planning to lay off more than a third ( 35 % ) of furloughed workers after the scheme ends this month - equivalent to 1.2 million staff .
And a further 300,000 jobs are also at risk , according to the think tank , which is echoing Chancellor Rishi Sunak ’ s warning of a “ tough ” winter ahead .
The CEBR agrees that “ as the chancellor said , he can ’ t be expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a readjustment of the economy will be required ” .
But “ as hopes for an early return to normal recede and it indeed looks like some businesses in Covid hotspots will need to close in the coming weeks and month , the chancellor needs to act now despite the fiscal cost ” , the economies consultancy adds .
The Institute of Public Policy Research ( IPPR ) is also warning of major job losses to come .
The think tank believes that the government ’ s new Job Support Scheme ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ halt rising unemployment ” , The Times reports .
The IPPR says that almost two-thirds of the three million people presently on furlough had been working in “ viable ” roles - jobs that are likely to become available again once Covid-19 restrictions are lifted .
But “ we find that the new schemes will only save 230,000 of these jobs .
As such , 1.8 million viable jobs which could otherwise be preserved will be lost , at great individual and wider economic cost , ” the experts predict .

Almost three million people in the UK may be unemployed by Christmas as up to 1.5 million more jobs face the axe in the run-up to the festive season, two leading think tanks are warning.
With Covid-19 still “battering the economy” and the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme coming to an end on 31 October, more companies will be forced to lay off staff, says The Guardian. The predicted “surge in unemployment” would drive the unemployment rate above 8% for the first time in almost a decade, the newspaper adds.
The latest study from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) found that UK businesses are planning to lay off more than a third (35%) of furloughed workers after the scheme ends this month - equivalent to 1.2 million staff.
And a further 300,000 jobs are also at risk, according to the think tank, which is echoing Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s warning of a “tough” winter ahead.
The CEBR agrees that “as the chancellor said, he can’t be expected to save every job throughout the crisis and a readjustment of the economy will be required”.
But “as hopes for an early return to normal recede and it indeed looks like some businesses in Covid hotspots will need to close in the coming weeks and month, the chancellor needs to act now despite the fiscal cost”, the economies consultancy adds.
The Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) is also warning of major job losses to come.
The think tank believes that the government’s new Job Support Scheme (JSS) “will do little to halt rising unemployment”, The Times reports.
The IPPR says that almost two-thirds of the three million people presently on furlough had been working in “viable” roles - jobs that are likely to become available again once Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.
But “we find that the new schemes will only save 230,000 of these jobs. As such, 1.8 million viable jobs which could otherwise be preserved will be lost, at great individual and wider economic cost,” the experts predict.


theweekuk--2020-10-12--Why the European Union is wargaming for a no-deal Brexit

European Union nations have begun “ wargaming ” plans for a no-deal Brexit that could see the resumption of talks next year if the December deadline is missed , according to insiders .
Ahead of crunch talks in Brussels this week , a senior EU diplomat told The Telegraph that although there would be a “ period of chaos ” if no agreement is struck , “ there is nothing that says that just because there is a no deal there can never be trade negotiations again ” .
Other sources also insist that eventually “ UK-EU trade negotiations would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which handles negotiations on behalf of the bloc , after no deal on 1 January ” , says the newspaper .
But the insiders warn that London would continue to face the same demands and would have lost any goodwill and leverage .
Not everyone is convinced that the talks could resume , however .
A separate EU source reportedly said that there would be no resumption of trade negotiations in the aftermath of no-deal and that Britain would be forced to strike bilateral agreements with individual member countries .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Emmanuel Macron are expected to insist on stringent enforcement rules for any UK trade deal , amid widespread concerns that Boris Johnson ’ s decision to supersede the Brexit treaty has shown that London can not be trusted .
In a sign of the erosion of trust that Johnson ’ s move caused , the bloc wants any agreement to be backed by the right for Brussels to take “ rapid retaliatory action ” if Britain were to breach its commitments , the Financial Times reports .
The EU ’ s chief negotiator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week that any hint of compromise , especially on fishing rights , would weaken the bloc ’ s position .
Michel Barnier is encouraging European leaders to resist Johnson ’ s efforts to turn this week ’ s summit , on Thursday and Friday , into a de-facto negotiating deadline .

European Union nations have begun “wargaming” plans for a no-deal Brexit that could see the resumption of talks next year if the December deadline is missed, according to insiders.
Ahead of crunch talks in Brussels this week, a senior EU diplomat told The Telegraph that although there would be a “period of chaos” if no agreement is struck, “there is nothing that says that just because there is a no deal there can never be trade negotiations again”.
Other sources also insist that eventually “UK-EU trade negotiations would have to resume with the European Commission, which handles negotiations on behalf of the bloc, after no deal on 1 January”, says the newspaper. But the insiders warn that London would continue to face the same demands and would have lost any goodwill and leverage.
Not everyone is convinced that the talks could resume, however. A separate EU source reportedly said that there would be no resumption of trade negotiations in the aftermath of no-deal and that Britain would be forced to strike bilateral agreements with individual member countries.
Meanwhile, EU leaders including France’s President Emmanuel Macron are expected to insist on stringent enforcement rules for any UK trade deal, amid widespread concerns that Boris Johnson’s decision to supersede the Brexit treaty has shown that London cannot be trusted.
In a sign of the erosion of trust that Johnson’s move caused, the bloc wants any agreement to be backed by the right for Brussels to take “rapid retaliatory action” if Britain were to breach its commitments, the Financial Times reports.
The EU’s chief negotiator told a meeting of European ambassadors last week that any hint of compromise, especially on fishing rights, would weaken the bloc’s position. Michel Barnier is encouraging European leaders to resist Johnson’s efforts to turn this week’s summit, on Thursday and Friday, into a de-facto negotiating deadline.


theweekuk--2020-10-12--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 12 Oct 2020

The top US government scientist says an edited clip of him used in a Trump campaign ad is misleading .
@ @ @ @ @ Fauci saying he “ ca n't imagine that anybody could be doing more ” to @ @ @ @ @ is referring to the US president , but he was in fact talking about himself @ @ @ @ @ “ I have never publicly endorsed any political candidate , ” said Fauci in a @ @

Dr Fauci says Trump campaign ad twists his words
The top US government scientist says an edited clip of him used in a Trump campaign ad is misleading. The video shows Dr Anthony Fauci saying he “can't imagine that anybody could be doing more” to fight Covid-19, implying he is referring to the US president, but he was in fact talking about himself and other medical officials. “I have never publicly endorsed any political candidate,” said Fauci in a statement.


theweekuk--2020-10-12--Killer whales declare war on Spanish fishing boats

Killer whales have declared war on Spanish fishing boats .
Since July , there have been at least 30 attacks on small boats in which the mammals ram the vessels .
Most have taken place off Spain ’ s north-west coast , but some were rammed by the mammals in the Straits of Gibraltar and five ships were attacked in Portuguese waters .
A woman who was onboard one of the ships said that the attack felt “ totally orchestrated ” .
A dog owner was embarrassed when the pet she was walking found a sex toy .
Klara Robson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought he was playing with a stick .
Thinking he looked happy , she took a photo to send to the dog ’ s owner .
It was only then she realised that the one-year-old pup had actually found a sex toy and was carrying it around in his mouth .
A passenger has given birth prematurely to a baby boy on a flight in India .
Flight attendants helped deliver the infant during a flight last week IndiGo flight from Delhi to Bengaluru .
The crew have been praised for their “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were assisted by a senior gynaecologist who was , luckily , on the flight .
“ Thank you God and entire @ IndiGo6E crew , ” tweeted one passenger .

Killer whales have declared war on Spanish fishing boats. Since July, there have been at least 30 attacks on small boats in which the mammals ram the vessels. Most have taken place off Spain’s north-west coast, but some were rammed by the mammals in the Straits of Gibraltar and five ships were attacked in Portuguese waters. A woman who was onboard one of the ships said that the attack felt “totally orchestrated”.
Labrador puppy picks up sex toy during walk
A dog owner was embarrassed when the pet she was walking found a sex toy. Klara Robson was walking a labrador named Charlie and thought he was playing with a stick. Thinking he looked happy, she took a photo to send to the dog’s owner. It was only then she realised that the one-year-old pup had actually found a sex toy and was carrying it around in his mouth.
Baby boy delivered in mid-air
A passenger has given birth prematurely to a baby boy on a flight in India. Flight attendants helped deliver the infant during a flight last week IndiGo flight from Delhi to Bengaluru. The crew have been praised for their “amazing team work”. They were were assisted by a senior gynaecologist who was, luckily, on the flight. “Thank you God and entire @IndiGo6E crew,” tweeted one passenger.


theweekuk--2020-10-09--David Remfry: Hollywood puppy love at the Chelsea Hotel

Having housed some of history ’ s most famed writers , poets , musicians and artists , New York ’ s legendary Chelsea Hotel is remembered for its wild , creatively fecund and often tragic past .
Andy Warhol famously threw up on the hotel ’ s dining room carpet during a fundraising luncheon organised by his patron Peggy Guggenheim .
Leonard Cohen and Janis Joplin enjoyed a secret tryst here , as did Jack Kerouac and Gore Vidal .
Stanley Kubrick penned 2001 : A Space Odyssey at the hotel while Nancy Spungen met a grizzly end in Room @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lover Sid Vicious .
From bohemian love-ins and spells of creative genius to decadent parties and death - the Chelsea Hotel has seen it all .
The hotel was closed to guests in 2011 for extensive renovation works which are still ongoing and many of the 100 long-term residents who were allowed to stay have since moved on .
But despite this exodus , it ’ s hard to associate the iconic address with a quieter tempo or as a place where A-listers might have curled up with a cup of tea , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place in a hedonistic whiskey haze - though perhaps that was just Dylan Thomas .
The poet apparently drank 18 straight drams in his Chelsea Hotel room before slipping into a coma .
And yet - in more recent times at least - the Chelsea Hotel has possessed a softer , more relaxed identity , thanks to this one-time artistic community of residents , among them British-born painter David Remfry who occupied an apartment at the hotel from 1996-2016 .
Best know for his life-sized watercolours of urban scenes and night clubs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of portraits that celebrate the relationship between dogs and their owners .
Among his sitters are a string of high-profile names , including the actress Susan Sarandon who posed for the artist with her pups Penny and Rigby .
“ I think there ’ s a little bit of a softness that comes into [ the sitters ’ ] demeanour when they ’ re with their dogs , ” explains the 77-year-old Royal Academician .
“ Dogs have canny way of knowing how you are feeling and responding to people .
They are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want you to love them and it ’ s not too difficult.
” Remfry ’ s portrait of a reclining Alan Cumming with his dog Honey ( below ) summons a sense of calm and reassurance .
The artist has deftly captured the special language of trust that exists between the actor and his pet ; in that moment , they are a unit : companions and inseparable sofa slobs .
His etching of a languid Ethan Hawke and his dog Nina ( below ) is similarly touching .
The actor looks like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friend while she is only half listening , her rigid pose betokening a sense of protectiveness .
An exhibition , titled We Think the World of You : People and Dogs Drawn Together by David Remfry , is currently on show until 3 January 2021 at Woking ’ s Lightbox gallery .
The show includes 18 portraits completed at the Chelsea Hotel .
Wouldn ’ t it be nice to think that one of these canine tributes might one day find its way home ?
While it ’ s clear that the Chelsea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the barking mad antics that went on behind its walls will surely never be forgotten .

Having housed some of history’s most famed writers, poets, musicians and artists, New York’s legendary Chelsea Hotel is remembered for its wild, creatively fecund and often tragic past.
Andy Warhol famously threw up on the hotel’s dining room carpet during a fundraising luncheon organised by his patron Peggy Guggenheim. Leonard Cohen and Janis Joplin enjoyed a secret tryst here, as did Jack Kerouac and Gore Vidal. Stanley Kubrick penned 2001: A Space Odyssey at the hotel while Nancy Spungen met a grizzly end in Room 100 when she was stabbed by her lover Sid Vicious. From bohemian love-ins and spells of creative genius to decadent parties and death - the Chelsea Hotel has seen it all.
The hotel was closed to guests in 2011 for extensive renovation works which are still ongoing and many of the 100 long-term residents who were allowed to stay have since moved on. But despite this exodus, it’s hard to associate the iconic address with a quieter tempo or as a place where A-listers might have curled up with a cup of tea, as opposed to drunkenly stagger around the place in a hedonistic whiskey haze - though perhaps that was just Dylan Thomas. The poet apparently drank 18 straight drams in his Chelsea Hotel room before slipping into a coma.
And yet - in more recent times at least - the Chelsea Hotel has possessed a softer, more relaxed identity, thanks to this one-time artistic community of residents, among them British-born painter David Remfry who occupied an apartment at the hotel from 1996-2016. Best know for his life-sized watercolours of urban scenes and night clubs, Remfry spent 15 years on a series of portraits that celebrate the relationship between dogs and their owners. Among his sitters are a string of high-profile names, including the actress Susan Sarandon who posed for the artist with her pups Penny and Rigby.
“I think there’s a little bit of a softness that comes into [the sitters’] demeanour when they’re with their dogs,” explains the 77-year-old Royal Academician. “Dogs have canny way of knowing how you are feeling and responding to people. They are floozies most of them! They just want you to love them and it’s not too difficult.”
Remfry’s portrait of a reclining Alan Cumming with his dog Honey (below) summons a sense of calm and reassurance. The artist has deftly captured the special language of trust that exists between the actor and his pet; in that moment, they are a unit: companions and inseparable sofa slobs.
His etching of a languid Ethan Hawke and his dog Nina (below) is similarly touching. The actor looks like he’s chatting to his furry friend while she is only half listening, her rigid pose betokening a sense of protectiveness.
An exhibition, titled We Think the World of You: People and Dogs Drawn Together by David Remfry, is currently on show until 3 January 2021 at Woking’s Lightbox gallery. The show includes 18 portraits completed at the Chelsea Hotel.
Wouldn’t it be nice to think that one of these canine tributes might one day find its way home? While it’s clear that the Chelsea Hotel will never be the same again, the barking mad antics that went on behind its walls will surely never be forgotten.


theweekuk--2020-10-09--Are NHS Nightingale hospitals about to reopen as Covid cases soar?

NHS Nightingale hospitals in Manchester , Harrogate and Sunderland have been put on standby as coronavirus infections in the regions soar .
Revealing that there are now more patients in hospital with Covid-19 than when the government ordered the lockdown in March , the medical director of NHS England , Professor Stephen Powis , said : “ As the infection rate has begun to grow across the country , hospital infections have started to rise .
“ In the over-65s - particularly the over-85s - we are seeing steep rises in the numbers of people being admitted to hospital so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be fenced off from risk is wishful thinking.
” A leaked email sent to medics had fuelled speculation that fresh Covid outbreaks would trigger the reopening of emergency hospitals built to increase NHS capacity during the first wave of infections .
According to Politico London Playbook , nurses who worked in the London Nightingale hospital during the early days of the pandemic were last week sent a “ hint , hint ” reminder that their training remains valid .
Four further Nightingale hospitals currently remain on standby , but have not been told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases [ have been ] repurposed or ... considered for alternative use ” , says The Guardian .
London ’ s Nightingale hospital - based at the ExCeL conference centre in the east of the capital - “ would be the largest intensive care unit in Europe if fully operational ” , but treated a only small number of patients during the initial wave of infections , adds the newspaper .
Discussions are reportedly already under way about using Bristol ’ s dormant Nightingale hospital , at the University of the West of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide additional capacity for the city ’ s Eye Hospital .
And councillors in Harrogate had called for the Nightingale facility there to be used as a flu vaccination centre in the run-up to winter .
Meanwhile , the Nightingale hospital in Birmingham “ is being readied again to take patients at 48 hours ’ notice , according to a hospital CEO in the city ” , The Guardian reports .
And the emergency hospital in Exeter is being used for a Covid-19 vaccine study .
Sunderland ’ s Nightingale Hospital , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dec in May , is also ready to be used in the event of “ another surge of coronavirus ” , says regional news site ChronicleLive .
The seventh hospital , in Washington , Sunderland , has not been used but will remain available as long as necessary , health authorities have said .
When the emergency medical centres were first set up , the government boasted about the swiftness of their response , with the London Nightingale hospital built in just nine days .
But a leaked document seen by The Telegraph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital was “ turning away more coronavirus patients than it is treating ” , owing to a lack of staff .

NHS Nightingale hospitals in Manchester, Harrogate and Sunderland have been put on standby as coronavirus infections in the regions soar.
Revealing that there are now more patients in hospital with Covid-19 than when the government ordered the lockdown in March, the medical director of NHS England, Professor Stephen Powis, said: “As the infection rate has begun to grow across the country, hospital infections have started to rise.
“In the over-65s - particularly the over-85s - we are seeing steep rises in the numbers of people being admitted to hospital so the claim that the elderly can somehow be fenced off from risk is wishful thinking.”
A leaked email sent to medics had fuelled speculation that fresh Covid outbreaks would trigger the reopening of emergency hospitals built to increase NHS capacity during the first wave of infections.
According to Politico London Playbook, nurses who worked in the London Nightingale hospital during the early days of the pandemic were last week sent a “hint, hint” reminder that their training remains valid.
Four further Nightingale hospitals currently remain on standby, but have not been told to mobilise staff and “in some cases [have been] repurposed or... considered for alternative use”, says The Guardian.
London’s Nightingale hospital - based at the ExCeL conference centre in the east of the capital - “would be the largest intensive care unit in Europe if fully operational”, but treated a only small number of patients during the initial wave of infections, adds the newspaper.
Discussions are reportedly already under way about using Bristol’s dormant Nightingale hospital, at the University of the West of England’s Frenchay campus, to provide additional capacity for the city’s Eye Hospital.
And councillors in Harrogate had called for the Nightingale facility there to be used as a flu vaccination centre in the run-up to winter.
Meanwhile, the Nightingale hospital in Birmingham “is being readied again to take patients at 48 hours’ notice, according to a hospital CEO in the city”, The Guardian reports. And the emergency hospital in Exeter is being used for a Covid-19 vaccine study.
Sunderland’s Nightingale Hospital, which was opened by TV presenters Ant and Dec in May, is also ready to be used in the event of “another surge of coronavirus”, says regional news site ChronicleLive. The seventh hospital, in Washington, Sunderland, has not been used but will remain available as long as necessary, health authorities have said.
When the emergency medical centres were first set up, the government boasted about the swiftness of their response, with the London Nightingale hospital built in just nine days.
But a leaked document seen by The Telegraph back in April revealed that the London hospital was “turning away more coronavirus patients than it is treating”, owing to a lack of staff.


theweekuk--2020-10-12--Instant Opinion: ‘there are more vaccine sceptics than we think’

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The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Clare Foges in The Times
on the rise of quiet vax-sceptics
There are more vaccine sceptics than we think
“We are well acquainted with the anti-vaxxer movement. We have seen their protests in Trafalgar Square, the crackpots chanting ‘Freedom from tyranny!’ and wearing T-shirts bearing 5G conspiracy theories. My concern is that the focus on this noisy but relatively small group has led us to a kind of complacency, because if this rabble of online warriors constituted the total resistance to a vaccine, well, so what?... And so, dismissing the lunatic fringe, we can lazily believe that vaccine refusal is a niche, extreme thing that won’t affect take-up in any meaningful way. But my growing impression is that scepticism about this vaccine is rather widespread.”
2. Benjamin Zephaniah in The Guardian
on the importance of Black History Month
Black people will not be respected until our history is respected
“I wish we didn’t need a Black History Month. But we really do... We need Black History Month now more than ever before. If we really want to understand what’s happening in the world, and change it for the better, we must confront the past and learn from the past. Good or bad. We owe it to ourselves, and future generations. Now, go and listen to some reggae. Go on. Turn up the bass.”
3. Luke Pollard in The Independent
on banning trophy hunting
Trophy hunting is a colonial hangover that should be consigned to the history books
“As we celebrated the many magnificent creatures that walk our earth on World Animal Day on 4 October, an extinction crisis is in our midst. The truth is, in a few years’ time there might not be as many animals to celebrate. A wild lion hunting a gazelle or an African elephant enjoying a mud bath might be something we only see in wildlife documentaries past. Animal exploitation, loss of habitat and the climate emergency have all played their part. Yet even now it is still legal for trophy hunters to travel around the world and kill some of our most iconic species.”
4. Christopher Orr in The Atlantic
on the UK’s new golden age of police dramas
Why British Police Shows Are Better
“The British detective story is enjoying a golden age unparalleled since the days of Agatha Christie or perhaps even Sir Arthur Conan Doyle… While American viewers shake off the hangover from our long bender of forensic TV franchises (did I only imagine Law & Order: Special Veterinary Unit and CSI: Wichita?), Britain has been doing a booming export business in tidy, ruminative detective series: Broadchurch, Happy Valley, Shetland, Unforgotten, River, Vera, The Loch, Hinterland, and more. Reliable viewership numbers are hard to come by, but if you begin questioning friends and family, before long you’re likely to discover a semi-fanatical devotee of the genre among them.”
5. Yanzhong Huang in the New York Times
on souring Sino-US relations
When the U.S. and China Fight, It Is the Environment That Suffers
“President Trump likes to cast U.S.-China relations as a zero-sum game: During the 2015 presidential campaign he said, ‘I beat the people from China. I win against China. You can win against China if you’re smart.’ But when it comes to environmental protection, decoupling is a lose-lose proposition for both countries.”


theweekuk--2020-10-12--Central Europe engulfed by Covid cases after dodging first wave

As the first wave of coronavirus swept across Europe earlier this year, one region of the continent remained relatively untouched by the global pandemic.
Central Europe spends less on healthcare than its western neighbours yet reported significantly lower infections rates after clamping down “hard and fast” to prevent outbreaks, says Politico. Slovakia was even cited alongside New Zealand as a nation setting an example for the rest of the world to follow.
But now, as a second wave threatens Europe, the continent’s central countries are seeing “a huge surge in infections” that threatens “to overwhelm the medical systems of many of the EU’s poorer member countries”, the news site reports.
Czech the numbers
Another country previously hailed as a success story in the battle against Covid, the Czech Republic now has the highest rate of infections in the EU, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
Infection rates among the nation’s 10.9 million-strong population lingered at around 200 new cases a day through the summer, but began rising in September and hit a record high of 8,618 cases on Friday.
The Czech Republic has now “surpassed a previous worst-case scenario advanced by the health minister, Roman Prymula, an epidemiologist who was appointed last month with a brief to combat soaring infection rates”, The Guardian reports.
Prymula “said when he took office that without tougher measures, numbers could reach between 6,000 and 8,000 a day, which would would be beyond the health system’s capacity to cope”, the newspaper adds.
Neighbouring countries are also reporting sudden rises in Covid cases.
ECDC figures show that the number of daily new cases in Slovakia is now ten times higher than in the summer, while Poland recorded a national record of 5,300 new cases on Saturday. Hungary has gone from only nine cases at the start of August to 1,374 on Saturday, while Romania’s average daily tally has tripled from the summer to 3,517 on Friday.
Death rates are also rising, and hospitalisations and demand for respirators are increasing significantly too - creating major problems in a region where, with the exception of the Czech Republic, “healthcare spending, and the number of doctors and nurses, is well below levels in Western Europe”, Politico reports.
Extreme measures
When the coronavirus pandemic first began, back in early spring, many central European countries locked down quickly and shut their borders to avoid the spread of the virus.
The Czech authorities imposed a nationwide lockdown on 15 March, when the nation had reported just 293 cases, and made mask-wearing in public mandatory three days later.


theweekuk--2020-10-13--Instant Opinion: the red wall ‘wants a U‑turn’ from Boris Johnson on universal credit

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
“ In March , the chancellor promised to do ‘ whatever it takes ’ to help people and businesses get through the coronavirus crisis .
‘ We want to look back on this time and remember how we thought first of others and acted with decency , ’ he told MPs .
Alongside the furlough scheme , he announced a temporary boost to the basic rate of universal credit .
It was a clear recognition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the growing number of families who would rely on the benefit .
But the uplift is due to end in April and in his recent winter economic plan Mr Sunak refused to guarantee that the additional support would continue .
If the government sticks to its plan and gets rid of the £20 increase , it would take the level of unemployment support to its lowest in real terms since 1990-91 and its lowest ever relative to average earnings .
Of course the uplift was always supposed to be time-limited but voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more likely to be furious when money is taken away from us than to be grateful if we receive more.
” on ruining the state ’ s ability to function The failure of test and trace shows the folly of handing huge contracts to private giants “ The multibillion pound surge in outsourcing of public services during Covid-19 has attracted many headlines , but it is not just a public spending scandal .
It is a vivid demonstration of our government ’ s inability to perform the essential roles society asks of it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to profit-driven companies undermines any promise to ‘ build back better ’ .
After drastic public health services cuts over the past decade – coupled with extensive outsourcing of procurement to commercial logistics companies – a stripped-down health service was under-resourced for the challenge of a pandemic .
The only feasible response was what is increasingly the default choice across government : outsource the work required .
Covid-19 has prompted a gold rush for government contracts not seen since the heady days of New Labour ’ s private finance initiative.
” “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be okay , simply because we know the routine .
The casualness with which local lockdowns have been imposed and lifted , as well as the poor messaging , suggests that this government thinks rounding us up and shutting the gate as and when infections rise is straightforward .
It isn ’ t .
If we are required to do it , our mental health can not be disregarded .
As we become increasingly used to living under lockdown , whatever form that takes , the risk is that we accept feeling low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal ’ .
That should never be the case and the government must ensure that adequate support is put in place .
A long , hard winter awaits .
There is no sugar-coating it , I ’ m afraid .
The temptation will be to hibernate – wake me up when this is over , folks .
But succumb and we ’ ll be doing ourselves and those around us no favours.
” on the oncoming queues at job centres “ When the furlough scheme comes to an end in a few weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ painful realisation for many employees that their jobs no longer exist .
The Jobs Support Package — set to replace furlough — takes us well into the new year .
Some workers who would have discovered this month that their job was no longer viable may now discover that later on when that package draws to a close .
In this sense , unemployment still looms large : the IFS Green Budget , published today , expects the rate to increase to around 8 to 8.5 per cent ( 2.8 million ) in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well , revisions to the ONS ’ s methodology for collecting unemployment data have revealed a weaker labour market over the summer than was initially published .
As Capital Economics reports : ‘ whereas previously employment was thought to have fallen by 94,000 since February , after adding in August ’ s fall it has now declined by 482,000 ’ — a significant revision .
Meanwhile , redundancies between June and August increased by a record 114,000 on the quarter , totalling 227,000.
” 5 .
Katelyn Beaty in The New York Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Have It All “ In the Christian tradition , icons are meant to remind flawed humans of what they could become .
Paintings of Jesus , the Virgin Mary and the saints remind the devout to aspire to holiness and sacrifice in their daily lives .
Meditating on an icon can be a form of prayer : Lord , make me more like them .
Amy Coney Barrett , whose Supreme Court confirmation hearing began Monday , is a living icon for conservative Christian women .
Judge Barrett has combined the dual pathways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showing that both can be holy vocations .
Her judicial record holds out the renewed possibility of a conservative Supreme Court majority for decades ; her role as a mother of seven , including two adopted children and one with special needs , is a testament to the ways her pro-life views bear out in her personal life .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Rachel Sylvester in The Times
on halting a multi-billion pound benefits cut
Red Wall Tories want a U‑turn from Johnson
“In March, the chancellor promised to do ‘whatever it takes’ to help people and businesses get through the coronavirus crisis. ‘We want to look back on this time and remember how we thought first of others and acted with decency,’ he told MPs. Alongside the furlough scheme, he announced a temporary boost to the basic rate of universal credit. It was a clear recognition that the previous level was too low for the growing number of families who would rely on the benefit. But the uplift is due to end in April and in his recent winter economic plan Mr Sunak refused to guarantee that the additional support would continue. If the government sticks to its plan and gets rid of the £20 increase, it would take the level of unemployment support to its lowest in real terms since 1990-91 and its lowest ever relative to average earnings. Of course the uplift was always supposed to be time-limited but voters are loss averse — we are far more likely to be furious when money is taken away from us than to be grateful if we receive more.”
2. Richard Brooks in The Guardian
on ruining the state’s ability to function
The failure of test and trace shows the folly of handing huge contracts to private giants
“The multibillion pound surge in outsourcing of public services during Covid-19 has attracted many headlines, but it is not just a public spending scandal. It is a vivid demonstration of our government’s inability to perform the essential roles society asks of it. Furthermore, this dependency on outsourcing to profit-driven companies undermines any promise to ‘build back better’. After drastic public health services cuts over the past decade – coupled with extensive outsourcing of procurement to commercial logistics companies – a stripped-down health service was under-resourced for the challenge of a pandemic. The only feasible response was what is increasingly the default choice across government: outsource the work required. Covid-19 has prompted a gold rush for government contracts not seen since the heady days of New Labour’s private finance initiative.”
3. Rupert Hawksley in The Independent
on the cold, dark coming months
Don’t kid yourself – a long, hard winter of lockdown awaits
“The government must not assume that we will be okay, simply because we know the routine. The casualness with which local lockdowns have been imposed and lifted, as well as the poor messaging, suggests that this government thinks rounding us up and shutting the gate as and when infections rise is straightforward. It isn’t. If we are required to do it, our mental health cannot be disregarded. As we become increasingly used to living under lockdown, whatever form that takes, the risk is that we accept feeling low as another part of the ‘new normal’. That should never be the case and the government must ensure that adequate support is put in place. A long, hard winter awaits. There is no sugar-coating it, I’m afraid. The temptation will be to hibernate – wake me up when this is over, folks. But succumb and we’ll be doing ourselves and those around us no favours.”
4. Kate Andrews in The Spectator
on the oncoming queues at job centres
Britain’s unemployment crisis is closing in
“When the furlough scheme comes to an end in a few weeks’ time, there will be a painful realisation for many employees that their jobs no longer exist. The Jobs Support Package — set to replace furlough — takes us well into the new year. Some workers who would have discovered this month that their job was no longer viable may now discover that later on when that package draws to a close. In this sense, unemployment still looms large: the IFS Green Budget, published today, expects the rate to increase to around 8 to 8.5 per cent (2.8 million) in the first half of 2021. As well, revisions to the ONS’s methodology for collecting unemployment data have revealed a weaker labour market over the summer than was initially published. As Capital Economics reports: ‘whereas previously employment was thought to have fallen by 94,000 since February, after adding in August’s fall it has now declined by 482,000’ — a significant revision. Meanwhile, redundancies between June and August increased by a record 114,000 on the quarter, totalling 227,000.”
5. Katelyn Beaty in The New York Times
on the Supreme Court nominee
Why Only Amy Coney Barrett Gets to Have It All
“In the Christian tradition, icons are meant to remind flawed humans of what they could become. Paintings of Jesus, the Virgin Mary and the saints remind the devout to aspire to holiness and sacrifice in their daily lives. Meditating on an icon can be a form of prayer: Lord, make me more like them. Amy Coney Barrett, whose Supreme Court confirmation hearing began Monday, is a living icon for conservative Christian women. Judge Barrett has combined the dual pathways of motherhood and career into one, showing that both can be holy vocations. Her judicial record holds out the renewed possibility of a conservative Supreme Court majority for decades; her role as a mother of seven, including two adopted children and one with special needs, is a testament to the ways her pro-life views bear out in her personal life.”


theweekuk--2020-10-13--Design: the artisan and the automator

Design: the artisan and the automator

Do you like your design slow or fast ?
Traditional techniques or cutting-edge technology ?
Both are equally relevant today , as these two very different masters of their craft reveal .
‘ I ’ d probably be fired from a commercial workshop .
Everything I do takes hours ’ Rory Stride grew up surrounded by beautiful pieces of furniture due to his parents ’ family business , Stride & Son , a Chichester auction house .
After an apprenticeship with local furniture maker Ted Jefferis of TedWood , he began Stride & Co in 2017 making handmade furniture from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His furniture has been bought by private clients , interior designers like Christopher Howe and organisations like Soho House .
“ I ’ ve always made things by hand - I started making speaker cabinets when I was 15 .
I like the pace of it – working with wood is slow and considered .
Nothing can be rushed .
You ’ re working to fine tolerances and finesses .
You have to think of the right joints , using the right cut of wood .
“ The responsibility of working with wood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s a contradiction because I really really love trees – and if something has that much beauty when it ’ s standing in a field , you really have to think about what you ’ re going to make – is it beautiful , is it functional , and will it last ?
You owe it to a 250-year-old oak tree to try to do your best by it .
“ I ’ m trying to make something that will last .
There ’ s a lot of fast fashion in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to London , I see perfectly good kitchens being ripped out and burnt after five years ’ use – I don ’ t want to be part of that .
My furniture is neither in fashion nor out of it , and it ’ s freestanding so it can be treasured and passed down .
“ I don ’ t draw designs .
I have an idea in my head , and you need to see and feel the piece come together in front of your eyes .
It ’ s a process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trick and stifle the end product if you ’ re too committed to a particular design .
“ I ’ d probably be fired from most commercial workshops – everything I do takes so many hours .
I live one minute from my workshop .
I get in , have a cup of tea , light the woodburner , have another cup of tea… I have perhaps four pieces on the go at any one time .
I ’ ll work the morning on one , then when I reach a natural break @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I ’ ll hop onto another.
” ‘ Designing at faster speeds will force us to become more economical with materials ’ Manuel Jiménez García is the co-founder of madMdesign , a computational design practice based in London , and co-founder of robotic manufacturing startup Nagami , based in Avila , Spain .
His work has been exhibited in Paris ’ s Centre Pompidou , London ’ s Victoria & Albert Museum , the Royal Academy of Arts and the Zaha Hadid Design Gallery .
He ’ s also professor at UCL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London .
“ I ’ ve always been a bit against tradition , but that ’ s not the only reason I was attracted to robotic 3D printing .
Technology can really help in making things faster and cleaner to produce , reduce waste , be better for the environment and safer – I mean , we ’ re still hanging people off great heights to build skyscrapers !
“ We made a small robot first which could only do a chair .
But it was useful for investigating how we ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now we can build a house just using three pieces of 3D-printed material .
There ’ s always been a link between furniture and architectural design – think of Gaudi or Le Corbusier .
“ It ’ s basically a robot holding a tube of toothpaste and squeezing it , depositing the material in layers .
The Voxel chair ( commissioned by Paris ’ s Pompidou Centre ) was made out of a 2.4km continuous line of plastic .
It led us to start our design company Nagami and use the tech for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Nital vase .
“ This technology has been around for a long time – most people have seen a desktop 3D printer .
But working on a larger scale is what makes our technology unique .
Most large 3D printed objects are a slow process – but we ’ ve optimised it so we can make a chair in 31/2 hours and charge €940 for it , where previously it would have taken days and cost €20,000 .
“ Designing and building at faster speeds will force us to be more economical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while still being efficient .
I strongly believe that these processes will not only allow us to design differently , but also to materialise schemes which we thought were out of our reach as an industry .
”

Do you like your design slow or fast? Traditional techniques or cutting-edge technology? Both are equally relevant today, as these two very different masters of their craft reveal.
‘I’d probably be fired from a commercial workshop. Everything I do takes hours’
Rory Stride grew up surrounded by beautiful pieces of furniture due to his parents’ family business, Stride & Son, a Chichester auction house. After an apprenticeship with local furniture maker Ted Jefferis of TedWood, he began Stride & Co in 2017 making handmade furniture from an old grain barn in Sussex. His furniture has been bought by private clients, interior designers like Christopher Howe and organisations like Soho House.
“I’ve always made things by hand - I started making speaker cabinets when I was 15. I like the pace of it – working with wood is slow and considered. Nothing can be rushed. You’re working to fine tolerances and finesses. You have to think of the right joints, using the right cut of wood.
“The responsibility of working with wood is something I take very seriously. It’s a contradiction because I really really love trees – and if something has that much beauty when it’s standing in a field, you really have to think about what you’re going to make – is it beautiful, is it functional, and will it last? You owe it to a 250-year-old oak tree to try to do your best by it.
“I’m trying to make something that will last. There’s a lot of fast fashion in the interiors world. When I come to London, I see perfectly good kitchens being ripped out and burnt after five years’ use – I don’t want to be part of that. My furniture is neither in fashion nor out of it, and it’s freestanding so it can be treasured and passed down.
“I don’t draw designs. I have an idea in my head, and you need to see and feel the piece come together in front of your eyes. It’s a process of discovery. You might miss a trick and stifle the end product if you’re too committed to a particular design.
“I’d probably be fired from most commercial workshops – everything I do takes so many hours. I live one minute from my workshop. I get in, have a cup of tea, light the woodburner, have another cup of tea… I have perhaps four pieces on the go at any one time. I’ll work the morning on one, then when I reach a natural break such as waiting for glue to dry, I’ll hop onto another.”


theweekuk--2020-10-13--Minister calls for BAME candidates to sign up for Covid vaccine trials

A government minister is joining researchers in a plea for more people from black , Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds to sign up for Covid vaccine trials .
Scientists hope to sign a total of 500,000 volunteers for the projects , but “ of the 270,000 already recruited , only 7 % are people belonging to ethnic minorities , who are at higher risk of complications if they develop Covid-19 ” , the BBC reports .
The volunteering push is being backed by Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch , who is taking part in a vaccine trial being conducted by US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and St Thomas ’ Foundation Trust in London .
“ With less than 0.5 % of people on the NHS Vaccine Registry from a black background , we have a lot more work to do , ” she said .
“ That is why I am urging more people from the ethnic-minority backgrounds to join me in signing up to the NHS Vaccine Registry and taking part in a trial.
” Scientists in the UK are currently testing a total of six different potential vaccines , “ each of which urgently requires thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ development ” , says The Guardian .
According to analysis by the Office for National Statistics , black people in England and Wales are 1.9 times more likely to die of Covid than their white peers .
Other groups who are also more vulnerable to the virus , including the over-65s , are also being encouraged to sign up for the trials .
Dr Maheshi Ramasamy from the Oxford Vaccine Group , said it is “ really important that we can demonstrate to people from these communities that we have evidence that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who chairs the government ’ s vaccine taskforce , added that “ researchers need data from different communities and different people to improve understanding of the vaccines .
“ The only way to get this is through large clinical trials.
” For more information on how to take part , go to nhs.uk/researchcontact .


theweekuk--2020-10-13--First-class ‘in-flight’ dining on an A380 pop-up restaurant

Airline food has never had the greatest of reviews - but that could all be about to change .
Singapore Airlines has announced it will transform two of its Airbus A380 double-decker superjumbos into pop-up restaurants .
Taking place for two weekends only - 24-25 October and 31 October-1 November - the A380 dining experience will see passengers board the aircraft and sit down for an in-flight meal .
However , there ’ s no need for take-off or landing as the aircraft will remain parked at Changi Airport .
Prices for the “ Restaurant A380 @ Changi ” concept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ book tickets for .
An economy class ticket costs SG $ 53.50 ( £30 ) , premium economy is SG $ 96.30 ( £54 ) and business is SG $ 321 ( £181 ) .
Diners who really want the luxury A380 experience can book a suite for SG $ 642 ( £362 ) .
It ’ s proved very popular with tickets for the initial dates of 24-25 October selling out in 30 minutes , Bloomberg reports .
Singapore Airlines extended the offer for a further two days the following weekend and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all four days .
According to the airline ’ s website guests can enjoy a pre-dining restaurant tour before sitting down for international cuisines and dishes designed by acclaimed Singaporean chef Shermay Lee .
Two complimentary alcoholic drinks , a free flow of other beverages and in-flight movies will also be available .
With the pandemic bringing the aviation industry to a halt this year , airlines have had to be creative to keep business going .
Australian airline Qantas recently had a “ flight to nowhere ” which took off and landed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flight looped around the country giving passengers the chance to view sights such as Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef from the skies .
As well as its dining experience , Singapore Airlines has also offered other schemes including behind-the-scenes tours of its training facilities that include a grooming workshop and a spin in a flight simulator , says the Daily Mail .
Goh Choon Phong , the airline ’ s CEO , said : “ With Covid-19 drastically reducing the number of flights operated by the SIA Group , we have created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engage with our fans and customers during this time .
”

Airline food has never had the greatest of reviews - but that could all be about to change.
Singapore Airlines has announced it will transform two of its Airbus A380 double-decker superjumbos into pop-up restaurants.
Taking place for two weekends only - 24-25 October and 31 October-1 November - the A380 dining experience will see passengers board the aircraft and sit down for an in-flight meal. However, there’s no need for take-off or landing as the aircraft will remain parked at Changi Airport.
Prices for the “Restaurant A380 @Changi” concept reflect the cabin class in which passengers book tickets for. An economy class ticket costs SG$53.50 (£30), premium economy is SG$96.30 (£54) and business is SG$321 (£181). Diners who really want the luxury A380 experience can book a suite for SG$642 (£362).
It’s proved very popular with tickets for the initial dates of 24-25 October selling out in 30 minutes, Bloomberg reports. Singapore Airlines extended the offer for a further two days the following weekend and has also added a dinner option on all four days.
According to the airline’s website guests can enjoy a pre-dining restaurant tour before sitting down for international cuisines and dishes designed by acclaimed Singaporean chef Shermay Lee.
Two complimentary alcoholic drinks, a free flow of other beverages and in-flight movies will also be available.
Creative concepts
With the pandemic bringing the aviation industry to a halt this year, airlines have had to be creative to keep business going.
Australian airline Qantas recently had a “flight to nowhere” which took off and landed in Sydney, CNN reports. The flight looped around the country giving passengers the chance to view sights such as Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef from the skies.
As well as its dining experience, Singapore Airlines has also offered other schemes including behind-the-scenes tours of its training facilities that include a grooming workshop and a spin in a flight simulator, says the Daily Mail.
Goh Choon Phong, the airline’s CEO, said: “With Covid-19 drastically reducing the number of flights operated by the SIA Group, we have created unique activities that would allow us to engage with our fans and customers during this time.”