Re: Coronavirus
 

Never felt I had the need to, and not daft enough to take a randomly spontaneous one ;)

Re: Coronavirus
 

I'm just waiting for around the 20th December.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Which year . . . or will it be every year? ;)

Re: Coronavirus
 

Will Boris save xmas or will he save us by banning xmas.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Boris is probably more concerned with saving his own hide and swerving nappy duty right now.

Re: Coronavirus
 

He's a super hero, our saviour, he'll save us at the expense of crimbo again.

Re: Coronavirus
 

He's a naughty boy and he'll do what's best for him. :)

Re: Coronavirus
 

Not been in contact with anyone that tested positive?

Re: Coronavirus
 

Not as far as I know, but there's a possibility of it ;)

Re: Coronavirus
 

Ditto.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Sorry but I think those who have never had a test are totally irresponsible and tbh it angers me that they can be so selfish. For all you know you could have spread it unknowingly and maybe even killed someone.

I take a test before I leave the house and I take a test if anyone is visiting me or I am visiting someone and I wear a well fitted mask and have done all along

Re: Coronavirus
 

Do you take a test for other things which could kill people too, such as flu?


Not saying you're wrong, just maybe a touch over-cautious. If you're in a crowded place with a lot of people you don't know taking a LFT beforehand is absolutely the right thing. But visiting friends - unless they're CEV - perhaps less important.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Maybe I am over cautious but I prefer that to being pig headed and selfish like some in this thread obviously are. A lot of my friends have elderly and infirm parents still and a good number of my circle are elderly or have health issues

End of the day when we come through all this and God willing I am still breathing. I will know I have done all I can for my fellow man so my conscience will be clear. I know the selfish will not give a toss but I hope one day it will dawn on them what kind of person they are

Re: Coronavirus
 

Because they didn’t do something, that they didn’t need to do…….ok

Oh, I’ve had several tests PCR and LFT, but regardless of that, I always go out unknowingly hoping to kill someone. Yes, I’m sure everybody does. I sometimes go out dressed as the Grim Reaper, just for the hell of it.

But you must be taking LFT tests then, and they’re woefully inaccurate, so just by leaving the house you’re risking other people you selfish *******. Stay indoors granny killer. Don’t you ever leave the house ever again murderer.


But in your head You’re a model citizen, I hope you feel superior.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Hahahahaha was that guilt creeping in there ?? my comment was directed at those who have gleefully admitted they have never had a test so that does not include you

Go and have a lie down and calm yourself a little old bean

Will just add this little link for you https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-...-find-12433421

And another :) https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2021/oct/...tting-covid-19

Re: Coronavirus
 

You prefer being morally superior, in your own head. You obviously have a lack of status elsewhere in your life and can make up this quite quickly and cheaply by taking a perceived moral high ground against your peers. Whatever works for you.

Chances are you will be canonised, statues will be built and children will see sing songs about how pure you were.

I’m absolutely convinced they won’t give a toss, and will sleep very soundly at night, not caring about how virtuously corrupt they were compared to St Jay of the Virgin Moss.

---------- Post added at 22:29 ---------- Previous post was at 22:26 ----------

Do I come across as someone that carries any guilt?

I know but it’s the self righteousness I can’t abide.

Re: Coronavirus
 

You consider yourself a peer of mine? I do not think so somehow.
I am a highly thought of member of my congregation and help a lot of other members out with IT support and host most of our Zoom meetings so my status in real life where it matters is just fine ta

I am pretty sure Mr P not many care that much about you here really either.

Now talking of giving a toss I do not give one for what you do not like, just so you know

Re: Coronavirus
 

Re: Coronavirus
 

Once the Government makes it a rule (law) that everybody - no matter what age, gender, race, religion, marital status, occupation, disability, or political affiliation - has to take a test once a day, then, and only then, can people have a 'pop' at those who have had no reason to take one.

When that day comes however, it will be the day we all become chickens in cages . . .

Re: Coronavirus
 

Not necessarily, I was referring to……well, the rest of the country. Some of them might be applicable

So happy for you.

oh, that’s guaranteed.

That’s the spirit.

---------- Post added at 22:39 ---------- Previous post was at 22:34 ----------

Not that I am ever one to question a moderation instruction, but I think if someone on here accuses members, and indeed, moderators of this forum of “Killing” people. They should expect to be attacked.

Re: Coronavirus
 

There is a whole world of difference between saying "maybe" a "has"

I made no such accusation

Re: Coronavirus
 

“Maybe” or “has” are indeed accusations. In fact in our legal system any “accusation” can indeed only be a “maybe”

It is only then made definitive in a court of law.

Re: Coronavirus
 

I stand by what I said

and it is more likely with those who take no or minimal precautions over those who try their best

Re: Coronavirus
 

Good, then don’t complain if I think you’re being a self righteous narcissist.

Re: Coronavirus
 

So my whole point is about caring for others and you call me a narcissist. You are funny

Re: Coronavirus
 

I do, because (especially espousing about it on a forum like this) tells me that it’s all about you. You’re just telling everybody you’re a good person and if they don’t emulate your actions, they obviously are not.

It’s all about you……..I.e. narcissism.

Re: Coronavirus
 

I know no one here personally and only a couple away from CF

The actions I take in real life I take because I care.

This is just a forum and just type, you have absolutely no idea the type of person I am in the real world.

In this thread I have posted my opinion and my honest feelings on the subject. It is all about the subject not me. OK

Re: Coronavirus
 

OK , no problem.

You’re all bad

I’m very good.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Re: Coronavirus
 

:tu:

Re: Coronavirus
 

Oh the irony :shocked:

Re: Coronavirus
 

How so? But don’t bother replying until tomorrow as it’s bedtime.

Re: Coronavirus
 

So not taking covid tests is a sign you don't care about others what a load of bovine excrement and making that assumption about people without knowing anything else about them is so 2021. If you want to take tests everyday hell two or three times a day knock yourself out I have better things to do as does everyone I socialise with and work with and apart from one person at the company I don't know anyone that's had covid though I now know five people that have had the flu and we've all survived that as well.

The fear mongering is ridiculous given the reality most of us are living with.

Re: Coronavirus
 

You should be sorry for posting such utter nonsense. Take a break.

---------- Post added at 04:12 ---------- Previous post was at 04:09 ----------

Everyone get back to the subject.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Every cloud has a silver lining. Who's round is it now?

Re: Coronavirus
 

Like previously Boris wants to avoid being the grinch so some extended rules and hopefully some common sense to prevent hitting the NHS all at once.
I'd still work from home as moving 2 monitors, keyboard, PSU's, mouse etc too much of a bother. And at the pub you can still distance more than at the office and likely you aren't squeezing onto public transport. It's also likely pubs will attract locals so even it becomes a spread point it will be more limited geographically than offices.

Re: Coronavirus
 

I see the NHS waiting list has hit an all-time high since records began of six million. 1.55m patients were added to the list since February 2020 ie since Covid.

I think this large waiting list is helping to drive a cautious approach towards the new variant.

Re: Coronavirus
 

hmm I wonder if, possibly, somewhere in all these stories about waiting lists and the 'overstretched' NHS, there's a subtle attempt to push people towards private health care . . . where the big money is ;)

Re: Coronavirus
 

I desperately need to be with family this Christmas, me, my dad and brother-in-law have had our booster, my sister is due before NYE.


On top of that, her company has gone back to working from home rather than the 3 days at home.


But I have a Turkey leg and bits in our freezer should Christmas be cancelled again.

Re: Coronavirus
 

I highly doubt that would happen, it would be political suicide for Boris, straight after however……

Re: Coronavirus
 

Thats not exactly new, you could do that in the previous lockdowns [while the pubs were actually open].
I actually would not want to, the general atmosphere and activity would be very distracting, not to mention I hate using my actual Laptop keyboard and screen.
Its good for a Team meeting now and then, but not great for full time working.

Re: Coronavirus
 

More of a reflection of how inept and mis-managed the NHS is.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Re: Coronavirus
 

Yup, I agree with that, it would be interesting to know what our population was at the time when the NHS was doing a great job.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Rough guess . . . 1985 . . 56 million

Re: Coronavirus
 

Well thats probably not too hard to find, what year would you be refeerring to ?

Edit, well there you go, see above. :)

Re: Coronavirus
 

I think I agree, I can get private gp services through my partners work for about £10 a month, same day consultation, take as long as you need within reason, obviously sick notes and prescriptions are considerably more expensive but the reason I don't sign up is because that's what the government want, a two tired health system where if you can afford it you get excellent quick treatment and the poor can just suffer, I've resisted so far but my resolve is tested with every interaction I have with my gp, still waiting to be referred for an mri scan, seven months on

Re: Coronavirus
 

Cheers mate, so a quick check tells me our population has gone up by approx 12 million, but have we increased the number of hospitals to cope with this increase? If not, you can understand why the NHS is in such a mess.

Re: Coronavirus
 

It was just a rough guess, looking into it further shows the NHS was getting to be a shambles 10 years earlier (mid 70's) and they were trying 'new ideas' to stop the rot . . some worked, some didn't.

From an old article in the Mail (Sept 2017) https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/a...e-decades.html

Re: Coronavirus
 

Re: Coronavirus
 

I came across this ;

https://www.cableforum.uk/board/atta...chmentid=29454

Re: Coronavirus
 

Vast majority of Britons have NO PROTECTION against Omicron:

After 100 days two AstraZeneca doses offer virtually zero defence while two Pfizer jabs provide just 37% protection against new variant



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...t-Omicron.html

Re: Coronavirus
 

Misleading reporting (quelle surprise)

The nearly no protection refers to against symptomatic infection, both vaccines offer higher levels of protection against serious illness and death (as reported by sky news, however they didn’t provide specific numbers)

The 75% protection by booster is also for those initially double jabbed with Pfizer, for those (the majority) who were double jabbed with AstraZeneca it drops to 70%

Re: Coronavirus
 

I see, just because it's the DM it's misleading reporting and you ,obviously didn't bother to read the report.

Misleading? No. Clickbait headline? Yes.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Not really Pip, as per my previous posts you’ll see I’ve called out all sides of the media for sensationalist reporting.

Nice try though, well, it wasn’t really but never mind.

To add

‘Clickbait is a text or a thumbnail link that is designed to attract attention and to entice users to follow that link and read, view, or listen to the linked piece of online content, being typically deceptive, sensationalized, or otherwise misleading. ‘

So you agree it’s misleading, enjoy your Saturday

Re: Coronavirus
 

Crikey . . and all this time I thought 'clickbait' was a headline (or similar) to entice people onto a web page (or similar) so as to improve the 'viewing figures' of that page, in order to show the advertisers on that page that the money they laid out for the adverts was well worth it.

silly me, bugger all to do with advertising and money after all then :rolleyes:

Re: Coronavirus
 

Well ....

That "content of dubious value or interest" it is often on advert heavy pages.

---------- Post added at 15:42 ---------- Previous post was at 15:41 ----------

Also, this isnt really related to Coronavirus, so lets not wander off on another tangent.

Re: Coronavirus
 

scientists warn variant could lead to MORE hospitalisations than last winter and kill up to 75,000

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ert-warns.html

They suggested the measures should be brought in as soon as Boxing Day to stem the tide of admissions and deaths and added that upping the booster rollout to the Government's 500,000 per day target will do little to reduce the toll.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Project fear is in full swing.:rolleyes:

Re: Coronavirus
 

Really ? How so ? As the article states thats their worst case scenario and even then they admit the modelling isn’t precise. They’re trying to give information as best as they possibly can & the issue is that information is going to fluctuate wildly as it’s constantly shifting sands.

It’s also only one of the modelling scenarios that has been requested.

Would you have them say nothing ?

Re: Coronavirus
 

Base on the News - Scotland maybe in it 3rd Lockdown by Christmas.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-59617249

Re: Coronavirus
 

Yes, and let us get on with our lives.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Your thinking appears (at least currently) to be in the minority. Thankfully.

Re: Coronavirus
 

:clap::clap::clap: We are all going to die anyway.

Re: Coronavirus
 

We are 4 adults in this home, and the only ones to have had a test so far is my wife prior to going into hospital for a day surgery, and our daughter who was advised by our GP to take one when she was feeling "a bit poorly".

We tend to stay home apart from the rare shopping trip or hospital clinic, and have no visitors or visit others. Such is life when 3-out-of-4 are considered "high risk" due to covid and flu. The twins get their boosters on Monday, so we'll all be fully inoculated.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Then why not go and play on the fast lane of a motorway?


Here’s the thing about quite a few of the the people who use the ‘live our lives’ and other similar reasoning. If they lost a close family relative to this, the nhs would be getting blamed left right and centre for failing to protect/save them. Ultimately they just want to argue.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Maybe so, but we cannot, and I for one will not, go on like this anymore, they can ram their advice right up their proverbial jacksies!

Re: Coronavirus
 

The lady doth protest too much, methinks

Re: Coronavirus
 

Nope, not had one so far, but, that may change soon....:D

Re: Coronavirus
 

you will not go on like what any more?

Re: Coronavirus
 

Re: Coronavirus
 

Ah, so just keyboard mashing at the moment, fair enough we all do it :D

Here’s the thing had Omicron not surfaced we would be in a relatovely good place, yes cases are fairly high but resulting hospitalisations & deaths were relatively low. Life would be as pretty much as normal as can be.

We’re now in a position where we have a relatively unknown new variant to deal with. We’re trying to buy time to learn as much as possible as we can. Was the timing of the new restrictions suspect ? Absolutely

Are the public weary and fed up ? Absolutely

Are we being asked to sacrifice a lot ? Not really (imho)

---------- Post added at 21:03 ---------- Previous post was at 20:59 ----------


Totally get you, that is not the scientists fault however…. As I’m sure you’re aware/agree.

The messaging from the government is as always mixed and confusing, along with a weary & fatigued public well…..

Re: Coronavirus
 

Working from home is a much, much more effective mitigation than masks.


If you're working from home, you stay at home all day. You only talk to colleagues on video calls, or phone calls, you don't go out to get lunch from the canteen or shops nearby, you don't interact with the colleagues sitting near you or wherever you go, you don't touch or share facilities such as toilets or kitchens in the workplace. You also don't travel which reduces the numbers on public transport or driving / lift sharing to work. All of this reduces the number of interactions you have a day. Of course not every job can be done from home but it helps doesn't it?


The exemption for singing is not so you can walk around a supermarket singing, or singing along to the music they're playing. It is to allow people who are there to sing as part of a job they are doing, such as those in choirs, to remove face coverings whilst singing (the exception even extends to allow choir members in a church service to not mask up at all, even during the parts of the service they are not singing). It just allows these people to do their job without having the hassle of a mask hokey-cokey or the impediment of singing with a mask on (which for those who are actual trained singers, is not far off an impossibility).

Re: Coronavirus
 

Because Project Fear doesnt care what the article says.

The media will typically run with the bold headline "Scientists warn of 75,000 deaths" - and that's all people will see.
They wont read the small print, or care thats its an unlikely worst case scenario, and still totally uncertain - fear instilled, job done.

---------- Post added at 22:48 ---------- Previous post was at 22:31 ----------

On a separate note :

So if the new measures are not law yet, how can they say they must be followed from last Friday ? What happens if they dont get passed ?

Re: Coronavirus
 

Sounds spot on to me Paul, media playing the tune and the public dancing along.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Ah, it would appear that Project Fear actually should be named Desperate Media

Re: Coronavirus
 

Agreed. There is no Project Fear, just websites seeking clicks and newspapers seeking to sell copies.

Re: Coronavirus
 

We have the absurd position where any opposition to the government’s actions is coming from within the party in power and not from the Opposition party.

Any Opposition leader with any skill would be able to totally pull apart the Governments response to this, but Starmer and the Labour Party are totally politically impotent.

Re: Coronavirus
 

The scaremongering is coming from the media though.


Right now, even before Plan B measures have even been voted through in Parliament (of which there is never a guarantee, likely as some may be) we have non-existent Plan C and Plan D being mooted, whilst it's not going to be unlikely that they are indeed planning what the next stages may be, certainly formally there is no such thing, it's all to just get people emotional about it again. Stopping hospitality serving inside in the winter is just ridiculous, they might as well just close them because no-one would go. None of those measures really do a lot anyway, if they can't go to the pub people will just have house parties anyway which is much harder to control. Boosters is the only real solution.

Re: Coronavirus
 

You have no idea if c,d,e and whatever else are in planning stages.

Surely it makes sense to governments to have options in place for differing future potential scenarios? Unless you would rather they just make stuff up as they go along.

Oh, hang on….


Boosters are only going to be unfortunately a part of the solution, vaccines whilst highly effective are not the silver bullet that was promised.


The biggest issue we have is we have possibly the worst ever government in charge at the worst possible time.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Here's an example of the Media scaremongering/clickbait:

Covid: First people in UK hospitals with Omicron variant

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59627188

Great headline isn't it, rather eye catching if I may say so.

However, once on the page itself, the only mention of it - on a rather large page of writing - is this:

and halfway down the page:

Nothing else . . no details of where, how many, how serious, age, ethnicity, background illnesses . . nothing, nada, zilch.

The rest of the article is simply repeating what we've already been told over the past week.

I can't think of any reason for that headline with no follow up, not at all.

Re: Coronavirus
 

They’ve reported exactly what the vaccine minister said on sky news this morning.

Now….

Should they have tried to get more details prior to publishing? Probably

Should the vaccine minister opened his mouth without providing clarification? Probably

Would the vaccine minister know how the media would take his statement? Absolutely

Re: Coronavirus
 

Not sure Labour would have been much better. At least Boris is doing his best to keep things open and keep supporting people where this can't be permitted. We may well have been locked down for longer and with no furlough scheme under others.


Admittedly the ideal vaccines now would be more than just producers of original spike proteins, but there's evidence now, that the 3rd mRNA vaccine does make a huge difference on symptomatic infection, and even without does reduce hospital admissions.



And yes they do need a plan, but it's unhelpful for the media to speculate what this may involve. Most of it is rehashing stuff which they have introduced before, such as QR codes/taking details of people going to pubs (but why not shops), banning indoor mixing, table/outdoor service only. They can't really go much further with masks because anywhere else it's silly to put one on (for example the previous rule in pubs), they can't ask anyone else to WFH because doing that would then shut businesses. Banning or limiting indoor socialising is logical from the virus perspective but is difficult to police or enforce, and may now get little compliance.


I think it's quite bad that everyone is being treated as though they have the virus. Yes you can infect others whilst being asymptomatic, but that's not as common as having symptoms. Encouraging asymptomatic people to do LFTs before higher risk activities or things where you're in a crowded place and can't distance is probably more useful than masks or vaccine passports, if you don't have the virus on a (properly done) LFT then you're not going to infect others, and if you have had 3 doses, you're not as likely to have the virus anyway. Most people here have some immunity, whether that's from a vaccine or having covid, or both, and how much use that is against Omicron is open to debate, but it will help.


On a positive note, it does appear the outbreak in Gauteng is at or past the peak...

---------- Post added at 13:57 ---------- Previous post was at 13:55 ----------

He's not the vaccine minister any more, he took over education from Williamson.


Without context, it isn't a particularly useful statement.


Did these people contract Omicron in the community, get covid, symptoms severe enough for them to go to hospital? (That's what most people would assume).

Did they get Omicron but aren't ill with it and went into hospital for something non Covid related and then test positive as part of the admissions checks?


Did they get admitted whilst not positive for Covid and get Omicron off someone else (if not another patient, a staff member or visitor for example)?


All of these count as a "hospital admission" on the stats and as a "person in hospital with covid".

Re: Coronavirus
 

Steve Baker MP.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Deliberate or incompetence ?

---------- Post added at 17:09 ---------- Previous post was at 15:20 ----------

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59629916

Boris due to give press conference regarding booster scheme later.

Interestingly according to the article level 4 implies social distancing continues, but apparently no new restrictions are to be introduced.

I wonder if that scale was developed prior to vaccines and hasn’t been updated ?

Re: Coronavirus
 

Good point, you may well be correct.

Re: Coronavirus
 

We already increased the restrictions on level 3, not by much but we still did. At present, considering reports from SA senior medics are still saying it's generally mild (though still not enough data here) and that we do really still need to keep as much open as possible (people will risk assess themselves naturally) and not jump in too hard for it to be a false alarm (whilst at the same time not presuming it's too mild to matter).


The vaccines do still protect, and yes it was developed prior to vaccines, but it's about the circulation of the virus and certainly there are signs Omicron can take over from Delta and is rising quite quickly even though the overall numbers aren't.


Key point here is the scale is just the CMOs' assessment of the situation in the UK and that it doesn't bear any resemblance necessarily to the actual situation with restrictions. In fact I'd suggest we should already have been on 4 since May.


Boris is apparently going to tell us nothing new. Those of us in the 30-39 group who just keep trying the NHS site to book our boosters have already done so...

Re: Coronavirus
 

So, 40m jabs delivered in three weeks ?
A tidal wave of omicron is coming

But restrictions……

Re: Coronavirus
 

That is the scaremongering bit, we also don't know how severe or otherwise this strain is, and by all accounts, it seems to be less serious than the Delta, according to South African reports.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Re: Coronavirus
 

three things

1. Boris whilst brushing his hair with a balloon looked petrified making that statement

2. South Africa has vastly different population demographics to us. And as they said this morning that’s still just a thesis

3. A very large quantity of cases even where the majority are mild, could lead to sustained severe pressure on the NHS

I get the feeling Boris as per was hiding something (yes it was prerecorded)

---------- Post added at 20:37 ---------- Previous post was at 20:36 ----------


This….

Cheers Sephi me dear x

Re: Coronavirus
 

I predict a rise in infections.

But no real discernible rise in deaths or hospitalisation above levels in we saw in late Aug / late Oct.

Infections will of course be the metric we terrify everyone with, although with vaccines it’s the least important.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Reports (I have read) from various places all seem to say its no more severe than delta, and seems mild.

However, as you say, its too many cases at the same time could present a problem.
Once again however, they are using fear statements "A tidal wave of omicron is coming", they may as well have just added "all hope is lost".

The isolation rules are actually being relaxed next week.
For Omicron however ...
(Doesnt this contradict the above :confused:)

Re: Coronavirus
 

All the recent media hysteria reminds me of the children's story,Chicken Little..The Sky is Falling.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Just a thought (perhaps somewhat cynically)

Is the end game here to blame the public for the reintroduction of further restrictions?

40m Jabs to be administered in twenty days my half asleep fag packet maths says 2m jabs a day (ish)

That would be four times todays booster doses issued

Is that even remotely achievable ?

Re: Coronavirus
 

I was thinking The The Emperor's New Clothes ;)

Re: Coronavirus
 

AIUI, the first rule supersedes the second.

As per the BBC:
"It means people in close contact with suspected or confirmed Omicron variant cases no longer always need to isolate."

Re: Coronavirus
 

I thought they were particularly concerned in Africa because of the low level of vaccination and the high level of immunodeficiency (lots of AIDS cases).


Very odd in church on Sunday. Masks on, off to sing, on again, off to sing etc and then off for coffee. Numbers a bit down.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Re: Coronavirus
 

Aaaand you can’t order lateral flow tests from the government website because they’ve run out…..