Re: Coronavirus
 

Because you'll be in hearty forum discussions with Jaymoss and jfman instead? ;)

Re: Coronavirus
 

Five being enough to indicate there is probably community transmission in these 86 regions, rather than just the odd person who has travelled. So those who think "just lock down Bolton and Blackburn - problem solved" need to think again.

Regions mapped out here

Considering these vaccines were previously touted as preventing 100% of hospitalisations, yes it is.

Re: Coronavirus
 

This is the bit that seems to get lost on some every time. 6 hospitalisations isn’t high - nobody claims that figure is in it’s own right.

Off how many infections given they were likely infected two weeks ago is the rough estimate everyone is looking for. With that variant doubling every four days in some areas do hospitalisations follow in the next two weeks? Or, was it pure bad luck that these individuals got infected shortly after vaccination.

If it’s the former, despite vaccination, we are firmly into another lockdown territory. It’s only a matter of time until it spreads into more areas. If however vaccines have broken the link between the two figures - a doubling of cases only sees a 10% growth in hospitalisations - that is more manageable with other non-pharmaceutical interventions (masks, distancing, vaccine certificates). If one dose hasn’t broken the link but two has, or they both have to varying degree (either through time/second dose) that changes the dynamic again.

The proposal to sit back, wait and see what happens only triggering the alarm when hospitalisations is high leaves enough cases out there to keep adding pressure for weeks to come, and only drags the inevitable lockdown out longer as cases remain stubbornly high.

Re: Coronavirus
 

State broadcaster puff piece alert:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-57150871

"Agonising" decision. If it's that agonising there's one decision to make and one only.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Seems like the media are on a mission (Govt led? ) to ensure lock down continues for a while yet.

Rumours are that the timetables are now being finalised for the future roll-outs of the Moldovian, Icelandic, Madagascan, and Cricklewood variants.

Some ITK people even suggest the whole thing is a ruse developed by paper tissue manufacturers to increase sales of certain items, although this has been panned by critics ;)

Re: Coronavirus
 

The number of cases is increasing, and that is with certain restrictions in place. Therefore easing up of restrictions would lead to even bigger increases, eg when they start having weddings etc with 100+ people from around the world.

Re: Coronavirus
 

If the vaccinations are not effective, we are screwed. It is not sensible to keep having lockdowns when nothing works against the virus because yet another wave begins at the end of each lockdown, as experience tells us. Lockdowns simply put off the inevitable.

A lockdown can only be sensible if you are trying to slow the virus while a solution is rolled out (eg as in a vaccination programme). But if there is no solution, then there’s no point in such emergency measures.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Re: Coronavirus
 

Netflix Nostradamus has found the crystal ball again.

A mere few posts ago you told us how vaccines can be modified in a matter of weeks.

Re: Coronavirus
 

I said if vaccinations are not effective, which of course they are. You have a knack for getting hold of the wrong end of the stick.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Good Sky News clip below showing how poor India's situation was when we continued to let travellers in from that country.
https://twitter.com/Femi_Sorry/statu...26068104028160

Re: Coronavirus
 

Re: Coronavirus
 

Gosh . . Andrew posting a Tweet from an Anti Brexit person too :D

Who'd a thunk it eh :D

Re: Coronavirus
 

You can't be that confident if you've offered up the suggestion they may not be.

60 million Pfizer doses for Autumn and a change in current dosing strategy tells me the Government knows something you don't.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Just traditionally impossible to do trade deals with India. Protectionist and has 28 states each with their own set of rules. It will change in time.

I just hope Boris hasn't snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Hopefully, the intensified vaccination programme in Bolton will help put us back on track.