Forum Topics

Clinical trials of Coronavirus Drug

Are any tests taking place here? There are a number of countries testing an anti maleria drug as a treatment.

Nicholas Beard ● 2362d1 Comments ● 2360d

Air quality?

I wonder how these readings are going now?  Just seen pictures of the canals in Venice running clear for the first time in recent memory.

Sarah Felstead ● 2369d3 Comments ● 2361d

Gobsmacked!

Yet again this morning the recyclers did not take the Textile box, so I just dropped a line to Cllr. Guy Lambert to tell him - as this is a regular occurrence - realise there are far more important things going on and thought we'd just leave it and put the box out again next week rather than report it - but had noticed people dumping bags near rubbish bins. If the recyclers don't do their part this a) makes us wonder why we bother and b) encourages people to dump. Well, lo and behold - a lorry has just arrived to take said box! To say we are gobsmacked would be understating things, so a big Thank-you to Guy for exemplary service.

Vanessa Smith ● 2362d7 Comments ● 2361d

Horizon:  7.7 Billion and Counting

If you are concerned about the rising population then this is for you.https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000dl6qAnd learn how the situation is perhaps not quite as simple or straightforward as you think.  Also look at your family tree several generations back and look at it today.Populations also change in particular areas not just in numbers but in ages.

Philippa Bond ● 2418d19 Comments ● 2361d

GOOD NEWS.

Although we are going through a worldwide crisis, possibly never known so bad in human history, things are going to get better. The Bible promises: "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." ( Revelation 21 v 4.) At present the whole world is going through a period known as the "last days" of a system that is about to be put right.2 Timothy 3:1-5 New International Version (NIV) says:(1)"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. (2) People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, (3) without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, (4) treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— (5) having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people."Is that a huge coincindence or is that an apt description of how many people in the world are today?Luke 21:10-11 New International Version (NIV) states:10 Then he (Jesus) said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events........"What is happening worldwide surely qualifies as seeing fulfillment today.This is the storm before the calm.“ALL creation keeps on groaning together and being in pain together until now.” So said the apostle Paul. (Romans 8:22) Despite advances in medical science, sickness and death continue to plague the human race. How wonderful, then, the promise that climaxes this part of Isaiah’s prophecy! Imagine the time when “no resident will say: ‘I am sick.’” (Isaiah 33:24)

Neil Milkins ● 2364d11 Comments ● 2362d

Unintended consequences.

Although the current situation with Coronavirus is appalling, the changes it is going to force on those in power when life finally returns to normal will right more than a few wrongs - we hope. This massive increase in spending of government money to support people in a desperate time with support for business and public services, and the realisation that the people so disparaged as being'low skilled' are a lot of the very people we are looking to to keep the country moving. Delivery drivers, check-out operators, cleaners, care workers, refuse collectors and so many more, and that's without the people keeping the NHS working, and the other emergency services, many of whom do much of this on low wages. Surely the wake up call has at last penetrated that we should value everyone because our lives would be much poorer without these people. Also the role our many lovely parks (not a statutory provision for a local authority)  - looked on for sometime now as an asset to make money for local councils  - have come into their own as the local open space to be valued and enjoyed, hopefully this will not escape the notice of our local representatives and the government.

Vanessa Smith ● 2363d0 Comments ● 2363d

Curtains

Does anyone have a recommendation for a local curtain maker?

Emma Rowlatt ● 2363d0 Comments ● 2363d

Self employed and council tax

All of the self employed who I work with have already lost their entire incomes over the last few weeks and little chance of any help. A tax break is of little help if you have no income in the first place. No tax is calculable.That does not pay the bills that people in PAYE will get help with.Most proper self employed pay full tax and NI except (rather ironically) those who are high earning who get a lot more allowancesBut no telephone or online help over council tax. Self employed still have all their outgoings just like any other business and most cannot be stopped as it would render impossible to restart whenever that may be.Does LBH and others have any form of help and advice for what is a significant proportion of the local and London workforce and a phone number or a web page that has proper advice and not full of irrelevant copied info?Anyone in the know?

Raymond Havelock ● 2363d1 Comments ● 2363d

Council tax

Is it safe to assume that the Council's bank details for paying our Council tax is the same as last year?  For some reason they don't show this on the demand.  Thanks.

Pat Kingham ● 2365d2 Comments ● 2363d

Doh!

Hounslow council have closed Spaceway (rubbish dump) to all but trade waste and have urged people to use their 'bulky waste service' at £40 a throw for five items. I don't think it requires a genius to work out that this will lead to an increase in illegal fly-tipping, how short-sighted can you be? The consequent cost of clearing fly-tips will thus be down to the council tax payer - really smart move!

Vanessa Smith ● 2365d6 Comments ● 2364d

BRENTFORD FOUNTAIN

See the front page article bringing the Gothic Brentford Fountain back to its rightful home in Brentford.   Constructed from Cornish granite, it is a Grade II listed structure and it is a magnificent example of Victorian Gothic design.   It was opened in 1877 opposite The Express Tavern.   There are no comparable fountains remaining elsewhere in London.   This magnificent fountain will not only provide fresh drinking water, its 4 lamp columns will be illuminated with low intensity lights.   It would look really good in Waterman's Park or perhaps sited in Brentford High Street as a super focal point.   Brentford Voice want your suggestions. Brentford Voice have been working for over 9 months to find a way to bring the Fountain back home. The costs would be substantial but they  are optimistic that sufficient funds can be secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund and from other sources. There would be no direct cost to the London Borough of Hounslow or to Brentford residents.    I don't even live in Brentford so come you local folk - support this super project by sending your vote and suggestions to the link info@brentfordvoice.co.uk or post them on this Forum.

Jennifer Selig ● 2396d68 Comments ● 2365d

World Wide information on Covid - 19

To find out what is happening elsewhere in the world concerning this problem, I have discovered an amazing web site which discusses and shows EVERY aspect of Covid - 19 every where. Please tell your friends as this site gives all the knowledge you could possible need. For instance if you go down to listed countries and start digging, for instance for Hong Kong, they show a map with the location of all cases.https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?source=122648

Philip Weaver ● 2365d1 Comments ● 2365d

Fed-up with this rubbish.

So people over 70 are to be 'quarantined' in their homes for four months are they? Why does the government suppose that everyone over that age is in poor health and/or frail? That most certainly is not the case - there are people of all ages who suffer with varying health problems who may be vulnerable to this virus. We all need to be sensible and heed the hygiene advice, but surely those who have no symptoms should be allowed to live their lives as usual. We've so far survived Thatcher and Cameron, heralding another 10 years of Tory government and the huge damage to our NHS which is now coming back to bite Johnson on his a*se, we are not over the hill, knackered or clapped out, so please just give it a rest.............................

Vanessa Smith ● 2371d31 Comments ● 2365d

Kew Bridge roadworks

I wonder just when these interminable roadworks will be completed.Continents drift at a faster pace.I have to go to and from work this way and quite often there is no one working on them at all.But I forgot, sod the motorist let him wait.What makes it worse is that Hammersmith Bridge is also closed indefinitely, although I wonder if  the bright spark (no doubt an 'expert')took this into account when planning(ha ha) these works.

Keith Iddon ● 2403d57 Comments ● 2366d

Bogus NHS callers

Bogus NHS Callers
  Dear Watch Member, We’ve heard from other boroughs via OWL about individuals knocking on doors claiming to be conducting virus testing in some areas. The police have indicated that the NHS are NOT conducting any door to door initiatives to test individuals for the Coronavirus. Please help raise awareness and if anyone knocks on your doors pretending to be doing those tests, please call 999. If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: ealingowl@hotmail.com Regards,
Suzanne Tanswell
Community Coordinator
Email: ealingowl@hotmail.com

N V Brooks ● 2367d1 Comments ● 2366d

If you are self employed or a sole trader/operator

Many self employed are finding all their bookings and contracts being cancelled or postponed indefinitely.  Worse still many are having invoiced payments deferred using Coronavirus as justification.Many of these larger companies will be receiving help and directors may well be keeping their huge salaries and bonuses.There are several petitions to help long term self employed who pay Tax and NI in full but do not get any assistance that people in PAYE get.Govt on TV today stated Local Authorities have a remit to help but both Govt and Local council websites are full of hot air and no actual proper contact or pragmatic adviceHowever The House of Commons are asking for specific questions from this quite large sector of society so, as forwarded to me from others and asked to circulate and forward for others for whom this maybe a worrying concern.  Please copy and forward to anyone who may be in this vacuum“Include self-employed in statutory sick pay during Coronavirus”:https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/300336As the result of the large numbers of petitions and signatures we've received on coronavirus, we will be putting your concerns and questions directly to the Government at an evidence session (a question and answer session with representatives from the Government) in the coming days.Tell us what question(s) you'd like us to the ask the Government and experts in this short survey: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/petitionscommittee/We'll email you again to let you know more about the session, including when it's going to happen, who'll be taking part and how you can watch it live.We will also email you a link to the video and a transcript of the session afterwards.Who are we?We are the House of Commons Petitions Committee. We are a cross-party group of MPs that looks at e-petitions submitted on petition.parliament.uk. We are independent from Government. You can find out more about us and our work on our website: http://www.parliament.uk/petitions-committee/role

Raymond Havelock ● 2368d0 Comments ● 2368d

Good news

According to the Pending Decisions planning list both the proposed 'link road' through Syon Park to London Rd. and the alterations to the Coach House are to be refused. All that is needed now is for the Northumberland Estate to stop trying to build all over the Park Rd. allotments and Hounslow to stick with the decision of the planning inspector.

Vanessa Smith ● 2373d0 Comments ● 2373d

Smart Motorways

I think most people thought they were not a good idea. Now MP's are wondering. I read somewhere 38 fatalities on them. No hard shoulder! A wet dark evening and you breakdown! Frightening! Run is the best policy.

Nicholas Beard ● 2416d11 Comments ● 2375d

Dream on...........

Do the government really think that they are going to get enough retired doctors and nurses back into the NHS? For a start off, they would have to re-register to practice - and who is paying for that? Depending on how long they've been retired they may require some training, and as they are older they will also be some of the most vulnerable to infection. Given there is a lot of unhappiness over the way their pensions have been treated, not sure we'll see droves of them hurrying back.

Vanessa Smith ● 2375d0 Comments ● 2375d

ITN are looking for a family to be on TV

Hello!ITN are on the hunt for a family with young children who lives near or in London for an exciting experiment for a topical TV documentary. Get in touch!Scarlett.maguire@itnproductions.com

scarlett maguire ● 2376d0 Comments ● 2376d