And only 1 in 5 pay for prescriptions any way. A large amount is for old people who are being given multiple drugs to counter one that doesnt agree with them. I wonder if as many people would notice if they were given placebos. A lot is mind over matter. The body is an amazing evolved bit of kit really.

More testing maybe but they have hit 1000 dead so doesnt prevent that. I think they will catch us up so test test test makes no difference by the looks of it. Social distancing is the only way atm to stop this. Sweden will see a huge rise soon I'm sure but liberty not affected. Might be the wrong choice farther on for them.

A dive back into austerity is bound to be the response after these war time spending levels. I still have trouble accepting this pathway but hey tough t1tty I suppose, that's what has happened.

I don't think enough of the public at large really comprehend how much is being spent, they just hear, 'stay in to save lives', they aren't being told they are going to pay for it.

Do you really see the public at large accepting another non ending clamp down on spending?..... Surely they will vote in a much higher spending Labour party at the next election......What will that look like.

Perhaps the future for the UK is to be an economic Italy.

It's all rather depressing.

In terms to changes to social dynamics. I think you will see faster and more extensive balkanization by the wealthier and the country becoming more and more regionised between city and rural.

In terms of social practicals, it will probably differ by group. I certainly feel that the government should adopt Japanese like hygiene requirements for work and business establishments. So instead of just seeing hand sanitizer at the hospital you see it everywhere and hand shaking with some will go bye bye.

Edited by Stirlingsays (03 Apr 2020 2.02am)

Sweden are in the denial stage unless somehow hardly anyone in Sweden has come into contact with a carrier. But they are clinically clean anyway so maybe they’ll escape without many cases, deaths and problems for the country. Their investment in high taxes might shield them from the worst of it.

Some of the Eastern bloc countries will be interesting to observe, including Russia. Their analysis and opinion on the virus is comical.

Boilers and plumbing yes I am an authority.
Dont patronise me maple as unlike you I have a layman's opinion on most things. Do you not see that by the way I post. Boy oh boy some of the posters on here are so up themselves they probably lick themselves in front of the mirror before bed.

Okay so here is further evidence of sticking my neck out for my lack of specialist knowledge re: Economy ...however we are by no means the only country in the world printing or borrowing money like it is going out of fashion. Why is it not possible for global agreement to write off debts given the size of the crisis and that record austerity measures are not in anybody's interests?