Re: Coronavirus
 

Except we've already had delta variant and we have a good percentage of the population vaccinated.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Agreed, tweetiepooh, and this is the point people keep missing.

Re: Coronavirus
 

We have, not had, the Delta variant, and it’s still infectious from those vaccinated - a point people keep missing…

Re: Coronavirus
 

Re: Coronavirus
 

The Delta variant is now dominant in the UK, Hugh, and I think the difference the vaccines have made is plain for all to see.

And those who do succumb and have been double vaccinated have much milder symptoms. Which is not something the scaremongers like to acknowledge.

Re: Coronavirus
 

You’ve had freedom day mate what more do you want? People can do what they wish to do, mask or no mask.

Re: Coronavirus
 

But can still infect those who have not been vaccinated, which is not something the covidfans/virus-supporters like to acknowledge...

Re: Coronavirus
 

Yet as per usual you miss the obvious, the higher the rate of infection, the greater the chance of a mutation leading to either vaccine escape or a significant reduction in the amount of protection offered by current vaccines.

Consider the Lambda variant, whilst not yet marked as a variant of concern the scientists do have some worries as research/investigation continues.

Whilst we do (and have) need to get back to a degree of normality. We should exercise caution & be planning for what's required in the event a new variant that could escape the vaccine etc. this means balancing people's freedoms with ensuring that we're significantly better prepared than we were.

To think that this is all over is at best folly, at worst utter stupidity.

Re: Coronavirus
 

All the more reason for them to get vaccinated if possile.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Why change the habit of a pandemic.

It's over. Mission accomplished. No more state diktats.

But why is nobody spending money? :confused:

Re: Coronavirus
 

I still think that once we can lower the (critical) hospitalisation levels of known variants that unless new variants are markedly different it's possible our body's own systems will get to recognise CV19 variant and deal with it. Yes I know I've said it before!



CV19 is novel in "all" it's forms so has hit badly. We vaccinate as we can to protect the NHS mostly so systems can cope but our own immune systems aren't simply passive. They will learn what CV19 type viruses look like. There maybe some illness and it will be a good idea to get boosters but we can't live in fear of the next wave all the time.

Re: Coronavirus
 

That's some sweeping assumptions you're making there.

Re: Coronavirus
 

They can indeed. It doesn’t address my point, though, which didn’t mention masks. Or Freedom Day, for that matter, which hasn’t arrived yet as far as I’m concerned.

---------- Post added at 13:12 ---------- Previous post was at 13:11 ----------

Those who are unvaccinated by choice are on their own.

Re: Coronavirus
 

True but history does show that populations can "get used" to a changing virus (flu, cold) but these are (initially) devastating to groups for whom these are novel. It's not hard to extrapolate that something similar could happen with CV19.



Vaccines made against initial variants are effective to those variations encountered so far. So either they were designed more "generically" or mutations are small enough. If continuing changes are also gradual those infected say with delta may have enough response for epsilon, zeta and eta. Zeta infection "protects" down to theta and so on. (Lambda is quite a big (alphabetical) step from delta, maybe the others didn't emerge enough).



The problems come if the change is large so neither vaccine nor "learned" immunity has an effect and that variation causes major symptoms. Hopefully we have mechanisms in place to deal with another pandemic better in any event.

Re: Coronavirus
 

And for how long do we hide in the cupboard under the stairs this time?

No way, the vaccinations are out there and these will be modified with boosters to tackle the variants.

The time for locking down and donning space masks has had its day. Time to move on and realise that this is not a 100% safe world. Never has been, never will be.

---------- Post added at 13:19 ---------- Previous post was at 13:15 ----------

It is now for the scientists to monitor this virus and to take the necessary steps to factor in the changes to the vaccination boosters.

The public can start to relax now, adjusting their habits to align with the nature and intensity of any changes in the threat posed by the virus. Legislation to enforce restrictions is not necessary now in this country.