Adobe Flash has reached its end of life

FOR many it was a massive part of their lives, but the internet browser plug-in has finally been laid to rest by Adobe. The application has been used to run games, stream videos, and animate graphics and text on websites since its release in 1996. The scripts became the most popular way to deal with graphics, audio, and videos, thanks to the growing dominance of Adobe within the graphic design community.

Sadly, Flash was plagued with security problems, leading to countless updates. But the biggest failing of Flash was that the Adobe application didn’t keep up with the transition to smartphones, making it increasingly out of step with consumers. The software company Adobe has said that it will now no longer issue security updates and urged people to uninstall the plug-in.

Liverpool Council leaders call for new National Lockdown

WE do not want it, but many agree that the situation to control the spread of the Coronavirus that is rapidly increasing is pointing to a National Lockdown as the only way forward. Now many leaders throughout the UK are saying, loudly and clearly, that we need proper controls put in place to stop the spread. The calls are on the back of an:- "alarming rise" within the North West Region’s case numbers being identified within both Tier 3 and Tier 4 areas.

On Sunday, 3 January 2020, the Acting Elected Mayor of Liverpool, Wendy Simon, along with the City Council’s Cabinet said publicly that:- "urgent action is needed now." They stated that it was:- "self-evident" that the current 4 Tier System was failing to curbed the new variant of this dangerous virus and the attempt to contain the spread of this variant was unsuccessful, as it is believed to be spreading quickly Northwards.

A good reason as to why the Tier system is failing and the concomitant dangers, is that many people are ignoring the rules by leaving Tier 4 areas. As most of the North West went into Tier 4, and despite repeated requests not to come into Tier 3 areas, people have persisted in doing so; just as they did over the Summer of 2020, when this led to major issues on the Merseyside Coast and the South Coast of England.

Over the weekend we heard unsubstantiated reports that people had been travelling into the Liverpool City Region from the Manchester and Salford areas, and even from further afield. On top of this we saw large numbers of people over the last few days parking on roads, both in and around Formby and Crosby, with occupants then flocking to the beaches, with a suspicion that many where far from local.

We can confirm that Merseyside Police had been doing checks within Town and City shopping centre areas, but this apparently being bypassed by those heading to Merseyside’s beaches, yet again. The last time this happened, it led to the Liverpool City Region becoming the 1st Region in the North West hit with tougher control measures. This is not just a North West issue as Wales has also been affected, with the Police turning away would-be visitors from the Brecon Beacons, many of whom had travelled from Hertfordshire and other South Eastern areas. Dyfed-Powys Police said more than 500 vehicles were in the area on Tuesday, including a minibus filled with mixed households which had travelled from Cheltenham.

The risk of fixed penalty notices being issued to those committing blatant breaches appears to be failing as a deterrent. The question is why the Government does not use the regulated media better, to drill home the consequences and to highlight the issues; also by naming those who have transgressed, where persuasion and common sense have obviously failed. This as well as issuing fixed fines. Others suggest that Court proceedings should be used for the worst offences, with a new law similar to the:- "Offences Against The Person Act 1861" which was used on the railways?

The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has since acknowledged that stronger measures may be required in parts of the UK in the coming weeks. Warning that restrictions could:- "probably get tougher" in order to curb the rise.

Calls to close Schools for another 2 weeks, especially for primary Schools, have fallen on deaf ears, with just Schools within London closing. A few other Councils have since written to the Education Secretary asking for Schools to close, like Cumbria, who have been refused. Also, Teaching Unions have also been calling for Teachers to stay at home and use the UK’s Health and Safety laws to protect themselves, pupils and those around them. Yet again, Boris Johnson reiterated:- "There is no doubt in my mind, that Schools are safe."

Another major issue still not addressed is that of the millions are still not getting financial support. This has persisted since March 2020, and many businesses are now facing a dive over the cliff edge, if funds don't come very soon to help cover the increasing losses. The Government appears to be just as intransigent as they are with the education system and the mess over PPE supplies.

What are your thoughts on this very difficult situation? Has Boris Johnson and his colleagues failed or is he doing the correct thing? Please do let us know your thoughts...