The HIV connection is odd.

Obviously I don't know and viruses can and do mutate. But you bet our scientists are on it. The biggest worry must be for the poor Chinese - all those millions in the sticks. Thanks for your appreciation.

When they reviewed the stats in 2003 the overall figure was higher, esp. for the over-65s: www.cidrap.umn.edu/.../estimates-sars-death-rates-revised-upward

But in the current case there is concern that this virus seems more transmissible (the doctor who handled the first cases has come down with it, and presumably he will have taken all possible precautions); and the delay in tackling the problem has allowed millions of potential carriers to move out of area. The timing is terrible - imagine an outbreak in the US around the Thanksgiving homecoming period.

LBJ's tent comment on Hoover was apt in more senses than one, if you know the alternative British meaning of "camp"!

Hi David, and thanks for your comment.I think we will eventually see that the escape was worth it. Imagine if Blair had actually managed to get us into the Eurozone. This is not going to be cost-free, but many of the bad things that will happen were on their way anyway, because of longstanding economic mismanagement - Conservative as well as Labour. The EU is about to tighten its grip on the remaining members and the disparities between them will worsen, perhaps to the point of major crisis. As to buyer's remorse, people have had years to consider their position, and must take responsibility for their actions.

Thanks for your comments, Kelvin, and the historical perspective. The argument that seems wilfully misheard, especially by the Remain camp, is that we need controlled immigration - not none, not all. The immoderate passion on both sides makes one doubt the value of direct democracy, but on the other hand our representatives appear not to represent us.

I also think that while education is important, we also need a national economic plan so that our deals are not so one-sided: we buy x from you, you buy y from us. I don't see many in Parliament who have the capacity to be deal-makers. They watch from the sidelines as iconic and strategic British businesses are broken up, sold off or off-shored; unless we stop the haemorrhage, this will not end well economically or socially.

Hi Gary, thanks for commenting. I just thought the fiscal arguments might not stack up. And should a nation care for its people?

Mistake: the gap between the two green lines in the second graph is two percent, not three. Sorry.