In the UK last November, the most frequent locations people with the COVID-19 virus had been prior to testing positive was supermarkets. Two months on, that may still be the case. It makes sense, then, that if you are going to a supermarket, you wear a face mask for your own protection as well as that of everyone else. Unless you have valid exemption, wearing a face mask when in an enclosed public place like a supermarket is also the law now. It seems straightforward enough, right? But … [Read more...] about The uneasy case for face masks and enforced wearing
lockdown
Boris Johnson’s self-isolating kerfuffle
Yesterday evening, I watched Boris Johnson deliver the daily coronavirus briefing from No 10, with questions from the media entirely devoted to the Dominic Cummings kerfuffle (view on that from the Guardian and the Telegraph). If Boris had thought that his measly statement about it would have been enough so he could move on, he was sorely mistaken. In essence, he robustly defended his advisor saying he had spoken to him at length and was satisfied that his actions in driving over 250 miles to … [Read more...] about Boris Johnson’s self-isolating kerfuffle
FIR ZoomChat 8: Evil Fictitious Corporations
The eighth weekly Zoom conversation with FIR hosts and listeners covered a lot of ground, including a look at Phil Gomes’ collection of mugs featuring the logos of evil corporations from movies. Not to worry, there was lots of communication-focused conversation, too. Watch Now You can also listen to or download the MP3 audio file. Join us on Thursday May 21 at 1pm EDT / 6pm UK time for the next episode of FIR Zoom Chat. You’ll need the specific Zoom URL for this meeting: contact … [Read more...] about FIR ZoomChat 8: Evil Fictitious Corporations
FIR ZoomChat 7: Conference Ribbons
The seventh weekly Zoom Chat featuring listeners and FIR co-hosts Neville Hobson and Shel Holtz in conversation took place last Thursday. As with each of these informal chats, we do them live via Zoom, recording each one as we go. The recording is published after the live conversation usually within a few days of the event or, as is the case with this episode, quite a few days later. Whether sooner or later, we hope you enjoy these unstructured, unfiltered, authentic conversations. You get … [Read more...] about FIR ZoomChat 7: Conference Ribbons
SDF 35: We would have recorded you a shorter podcast …
The May episode of the Small Data Forum podcast gave Sam, Thomas and I a lot of space to get a few things off our chests about the present lockdown status in the UK we're all experiencing in one form or another. Recorded last week via Zoom, episode 35 is dominated by some big topics. Government communication with daily TV briefings, big-brand marketing and face masks; the politics of priorities in the wrong order; Colonel Tom, and more. It's actually the topic of priorities in the wrong … [Read more...] about SDF 35: We would have recorded you a shorter podcast …
FIR ZoomChat 6: Short Memories
Last Thursday, Shel and I recorded the sixth weekly ZoomChat where we engage in informal discussion with FIR listeners. Each episode is typically up to an hour although I'm usually there only for the first 30 minutes (part of my Zoom fatigue management). This episode is just over the hour. In this episode, the conversation ranged wide as usual, from the fun and games of lockdown life with kids (and without grandkids); views on lockdowns far and wide across the US, in Brazil and in the UK; … [Read more...] about FIR ZoomChat 6: Short Memories
FIR Zoom Chat 5: How We’ll Get Back to Work
The fifth weekly Zoom Chat featuring listeners and FIR co-hosts Neville Hobson and Shel Holtz. Our primary discussion continues to focus on coronavirus and lockdowns, and how communicators, businesses, and whole industries - automotive and airlines to name but two - are managing, although a shift in focus is emerging: getting back to work once this crisis is on the wane. And what might the new normal look like? Watch Now You can also listen to or download the MP3 audio file. Links … [Read more...] about FIR Zoom Chat 5: How We’ll Get Back to Work
FIR 194: The Great Toilet Paper Shortage of 2020
The April episode of “The Hobson & Holtz Report” continues the coronavirus theme from March with conversations about… Our experience being ZoombombedThe role of social media during Covid-19How toilet paper companies are responding to online criticism over shortagesMicrosoft’s belief that coronavirus will forever change the way we work and learnThe UK Automobile Association’s belief that coronavirus will transform UK work and travelEmojis in the time of coronavirusThe big data behind … [Read more...] about FIR 194: The Great Toilet Paper Shortage of 2020