Your take was for boris to die so you do have a political persuasion.

Really interesting analysis here if you have time: [Link]

In essence: The Fed, the BoE and the ECB have all taken the decision to lend money to whatever length it takes to shore up the economies of the West. This may be unfeasible if this goes on for months, but for now, it allows our societies to continue to operate at something like a functional state.

Biggest problem, and what will dominate politics in aftermath: as investors have sold off everything in a bid to buy currency - namely, dollars - those who owe debts to American banks are gonna be screwed. Half of the world's countries have applied for loans from the IMF, African economies, who don't have the luxury of investing heavily via a central bank in their own economies, are going to be severely squeezed.

Question is: will the US allow them to default on their loan payments on a massive scale? Will they have some kind of Marshall plan in place for those countries? Or will they all pivot towards China, who are opening up for business again?

I'm thinking the latter is the most likely.

If punk ever happened I'd be preaching the law, instead of listenin to Lydon lecture BBC4

There is no resentment of tourists in Cornwall. It's just at the moment, where everyone is being asked to stay at home.

Incomers who choose to live here are made very welcome as they bring their money and work for 12 months a year and not just a week or two.

Second home owners who keep their places empty other than for a few weeks each year but then rush down here to "isolate" are not so welcome, especially in the popular coastal villages where homes have increased in cost way beyond the levels the local people can afford. You may well be right that some new taxation scheme will be devised to discourage this and even force such homes to be sold.

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.

Someone needs to give wolfie a call.

My dad was evacuated to Redruth in the War, to a fantastic family called the Webbs who ran a shop in Northe Street.

Their outside lav backed on to Redruth Rugby Club. A passionate lot, as I recall from my visits as a lad.

Living down here does have some advantages. At least you can see them cry.

The situation across the world has the potential for the following outcomes for many Governments.

* Increased surveillance, both on CCTV, monitored movements and internet usage.

* Huge amounts of personal data gathered.

* Harvesting of massive amounts of DNA data under the guise of 'testing'.

* Mass suppression of civil liberties

All under Governments guises of "We're protecting you. It's for your own good"

On the downside there will be mass unemployment and degradation of national economies.
Global movement will be massively restricted due to Government guidance and failing airlines/travel companies.

There will be massive financial 'winners' out of this,....but the world just got a big dose of George Orwell and environments are entering a dynamic state of change.

Edited by Forest Hillbilly (03 May 2020 3.23pm)

I disengage, I turn the page.