Catherine Blyth

Writing about time, conversation, pleasures. Oh, and also breast cancer. #oneinsevenwomen. I spy a feminist issue

[Catherine Blyth @CatherineFBlyth]

One in seven women. Yes, breast cancer is a feminist issue. And it can be oddly funny too, if only as anthropology. So I’ll be sending occasional postcards from cancer country. Laugh, cry — I know I will. You don’t have to read them. But please, please check your breasts.

[Catherine Blyth @CatherineFBlyth]

@misterhsk Hi

[Catherine Blyth @CatherineFBlyth]

@NiamhNiamhohall Just found this. I’m so pleased

[Catherine Blyth @CatherineFBlyth]

@Amelia_Torode I feel you. Different variation on the same theme. We had four days of pretend school then they cut em loose. Umpteen weeks of trying to convince a seven year old of the merits of subordinate clauses and division and I’m feeling v subordinate. No clue what the nine year old did

[Catherine Blyth @CatherineFBlyth]

@simonjedge Interesting. How does this square with Stonewall’s new CEO’s assertions in today’s Guardian?

[Katy Lindemann 💙 @katylindemann]

@ashers011 @FosterChangeUK @devisridhar Every country sat the same exam paper, WHO gave us the same 'how to' cheat sheet, we *chose* not to act. Singapore copied a UK pandemic preparedness plan: the difference is they implemented it. With hindsight, perhaps we could have followed the plan we developed with foresight?

[Catherine Blyth @CatherineFBlyth]

‘Relax while the enemy exhausts himself.’ Keir Starmer must be a fan of The 36 Stratagems of War

[Tales of Britain and Ireland @BritIrelandTale]

This seems too perfect. From Brewer's Britain and Ireland, 2005.

"That's Barney Castle" meaning "That's a pathetic excuse"

[Claire Phipps @Claire_Phipps]

This is going well (with screenshot for when it’s deleted) https://t.co/EEct6di6KK

[Catherine Blyth @CatherineFBlyth]

@RealMattLucas The have-cake-and-eat-it strategy strikes again

[Stewart Wood @StewartWood]

A political decision by Ministers to tell the top civil servant in the Foreign Office to apologise for saying that not participating in the EU ventilator scheme was a political decision by Ministers.

[lord snooty @lordsnooty]

@tnewtondunn Interesting.

So, look at the numbers.
ICU beds per 100,000 pple
Germany - 29.2
UK - 6.6
Hosp beds per 1000 pple
Germany - 8
UK - 2.4
Covid-19 tests per day
Germany - 80,000
UK < 10,000

See a pattern?

Germany invested in their health service; the Tories want to sell ours off.

[Chris Bryant @RhonddaBryant]

Please can all politicians stop talking about the PM having a lot of fight in him. I wish him well. But as one who has had cancer I can tell you this suggestion that disease respects those with “fight” is deeply offensive. It implies that those who lose are somehow to blame.

[Catherine Blyth @CatherineFBlyth]

Let us not forget: our government’s initial scientific response to Covid 19 was led by a non-medical behavioural scientist. Beliefs have obscured facts.

[Mark Easton @MarkEastonMedia]

Government #coronavirus science advisor Dr David Halpern tells me of plans to ‘cocoon’ vulnerable groups.

[Catherine Blyth @CatherineFBlyth]

Ideology before lives https://t.co/dVKZgjmWko

[Emma Barnett @Emmabarnett]

'What about tax or VAT rebates? We have mechanisms to get cash to people now. We must to save businesses.June won't do. Those in government have little experience running things; we should make bank workers key workers & re-open high street branches'. Fascinating from Mervyn King

[Ken Hom, CBE @ChefKenHom]

Chef Andrew Wong, His restaurant is closed because of coronavirus but he has kept his staff & they are producing cook-at-home boxes (50-100) free of charge for vulnerable people. He is not only a gt chef but has has a heart of gold! #nhs #andrewwong @awongSW1

[Catherine Blyth @CatherineFBlyth]

Reading ‘Right Ho, Jeeves’ for comfort in the dark hours of the morning, I stumbled across this terrifying description of a hangover cure...

[Catherine Blyth @CatherineFBlyth]

Different supply chain operating on Portobello Road today

[Daniel Dale @ddale8]

Asked if he's been briefed that up to 100M could ultimately be exposed, Trump: "I've been briefed on every contingency you could possibly imagine. Many contingencies. A lot of positive. Different numbers, all different numbers, very large numbers, and some small numbers too."