The issue is not that such meetings have observers there but that these meetings had that particular observer there. Cummings has a history and a well deserved reputation. There is plenty of circumstantial evidence that his influence goes well beyond that of "adviser". Look at how he has replaced the advisory team at the Treasury with his own, forcing Javid's resignation. Not wanting to publish the names of the attendees is more circumstantial evidence that they knew it would raise questions.

It doesn't seem likely he would directly interfere in the discussions but the way he would report them and interpret their conclusions is what concerns people, because of his history.

So there is plenty of smoke to search through to find the guns.

For the avoidance of doubt any comments in response to a previous post are directed to its ideas and not at any, or all, posters personally.

Restoring confidence that it's safe to be on board an aircraft in close proximity for what can be many hours is what is going to have to be established. Social distancing at airports is possible, but not on board a plane in a way which means they can operate in any financially viable way. Keeping the middle seats vacant feels like window dressing to me.

So I am wondering if regular flying won't resume until a vaccine has been developed and made available to all. Then the airlines could insist on everyone showing a certificate of vaccination on booking and prior to boarding, alongside your ID. Some countries may well demand vaccination evidence as a condition of an entry visa.

This won't be too much of a problem for us, where the anti vaccine people are a small minority but in the USA it could very well be.

For the avoidance of doubt any comments in response to a previous post are directed to its ideas and not at any, or all, posters personally.

I'll wear a hasmat suit if necessary

I agree that social distancing on an aircraft will be very difficult if not impossible, you have to also consider the well being/ safety of the crew.
If an airport is busy social distancing would be nearly impossible to achieve. Queues at check in (there is only limited space available) departure lounge where seating is at a premium at the best of times, Immigration hall, you can hold passengers back but how and where when SD is essential? Baggage reclaim, again where do you hold people to ensure SD is complied with? Despite the size of Gatwick, there are very few available holding areas, you have to also bear in mind, it will multiple flights arriving in close proximity to each other

All very possible. Air travel may very well stop being an expectation for quite a while. Makes the EU remain freedoms argument null and void. It’s going to be a different decade.

COYP

The way things are looking that seems very possible.

I don't know whether you are aware but right now there is a surge of conspiracy theories in the USA involving the idea that Bill Gates is promoting vaccines for some kind of population control and that the real cause of the lockdown is not C19 but the roll out of 5G. As a consequence people are stating they won't accept a vaccine.

For the avoidance of doubt any comments in response to a previous post are directed to its ideas and not at any, or all, posters personally.