COVID-19 — Coronavirus

[somapop]

If Vaccines are starting to be rolled out by end of December , then it would be silly to all rush and have xmas party's when we're so close to the finish line

Seems like we need this final push over the line during the next few months.
The vaccine news is very, very positive as is the story yesterday about the immunity potentially lasting years (though I've not seen any follow up on that).

In saying all that, I understand people getting highly anxious, frustrated and angry with all this...some of the strongest people I know are starting to crack a little.

I've resigned to writing this year off for a variety of reasons, but there's been some hard, but incredible lessons given to me during this.

Imagine those parties once the virus has all been eliminated.
Perhaps not quite shagging in the streets post war (did that actually happen?) but there's scope for some huge hair down events.

 

[johnnytapia]

More bollocks, you generally have to have symptoms to even get a test.

Not true. Booking the test online merely asks if you have one of the 3 symptoms. Click yes, fill in the rest of the application and you get tested, no further questions asked. I know several people who have done this.

 

[wattle]

If Vaccines are starting to be rolled out by end of December , then it would be silly to all rush and have xmas party's when we're so close to the finish line

This is so true. It’d be madness to fuck everything up for the sake of a few more weeks just because it’s Christmas

 

[mosssideblue]

You see that’s all relative.
Some believe they made sacrifices by legally getting on a plane and going to Spain rather than to the USA. Then returned here with over three hundred new and different strains of Covid.
Others cancelled all their holidays, never went to the pub or restaurant, worked from home but broke the rules by having an illegal social distancing bbq in the garden.

Who do you think contributed to the greater growth in cases?

I think you know what is needed

 

[wattle]

Seems like we need this final push over the line during the next few months.
The vaccine news is very, very positive as is the story yesterday about the immunity potentially lasting years (though I've not seen any follow up on that).

In saying all that, I understand people getting highly anxious, frustrated and angry with all this...some of the strongest people I know are starting to crack a little.

I've resigned to writing this year off for a variety of reasons, but there's been some hard, but incredible lessons given to me during this.

Imagine those parties once the virus has all been eliminated.
Perhaps not quite shagging in the streets post war (did that actually happen?) but there's scope for some huge hair down events.

Totally agree. I argue (especially on here) with people I’ve never argued with, and it’s the strain of all this getting to people including me. But if there’s light at the end of the tunnel now eg the vaccine, then it makes all this a bit more tolerable knowing this shit is going to end, or at least get so much better

 

[squirtyflower]

I think you know what is needed

Yes a coherent strategy that doesn’t criminalise the citizens for doing something less risky than other things they are expected to do.

 

[mosssideblue]

Yes a coherent strategy that doesn’t criminalise the citizens for doing something less risky than other things they are expected to do.

We could be so close to eradicating this thing yet some still want to break the rules over Christmas.

 

[johnnytapia]

I work in early years and the number of parents who said, when nurseries and schools reopened in June, ‘I’m not sending mine back until September when it will be safe(r)‘. Yes that worked well......

Our EYFS were in for 4 days then off for 14, back in for 2 days then off for a further 14. Currently we have year 5 out for 14 days. Year 1 and Year 2 have also had 14 days out. We went from planning half-termly, to fortnightly, to weekly, to daily and now we take things on an hour by hour basis. Utterly draining.
I was tested Friday, came back negative thankfully but subsequently diagnosed with acute bronchitis so doctor advised not setting foot back in school until antibiotics have run their course. Hence I can get my daily dose of Pete posting inane bollocks on this thread!

 

[inbetween]

We could be so close to eradicating this thing yet some still want to break the rules over Christmas.

We are a million miles from eradication and this will only come close to happening without a vaccine if we lockdown for 2-3 months like we did in March.

At the moment there are 30 working days(ish) until Xmas. You can goto work or kids can goto school and mix with an unlimited number of households. On December 2nd, it's likely we'll be able to goto the pubs, restaurants and go shopping again.

In terms of eradiction and reducing case numbers, why would mixing on a single day make any difference?

 

[inbetween]

Highlighted the problem there for you.

I am sure you are one who could behave responsibly but sadly you are a small minority. More so when you throw gallons of booze into the mix and millions of women hysterically buying as much shite as they can in the shops for weeks...presumably this year potentially condensed into days! Madness.

I understand how important Xmas is to many, but then to me the three trips to the Balkans and a couple to Portugal, not to mention several airshows gone down the bog this year...all much more important to me than Xmas. Of course it might be the last Xmas for some, but you cant think like that. It could be all of our last Xmas as there might be a nuclear war, or Yellowstone might blow......

There will be an Xmas next year, I will go to the Balkans and Portugal next year and probably appreciate them more than ever.

Now is the time to face a reality and that is just short of having a vaccine we could manufacture a catastrophe through pure stupidity. We should do everything possible to get through the next couple of months as unscathed as possible and if that means for just one year Xmas being binned then so be it in my book.

I agree but this depends on whether you consider christmas to be about the day itself or everything before it.

Personally I only want christmas day to be normal so I can see my gran because she's otherwise going to be alone for the whole period. I'm not bothered about the parties and booze ups beforehand because clearly they won't be allowed anyway. It's already going to be toned down so let's not make it worse by banning it altogether.

Given people can goto work and mix with others, their kids goto school and mix with others... I don't see how a single day makes any difference.

The most likely scenario I think is christmas day will be normal, new year will be cancelled and we'll likely be in lockdown throughout January to pay for it.

 

[johnnytapia]

To add a bit more detail on getting tested: our year 5 class had a child test positive on Sunday so all 30 children now isolate for 14 days as the index case (positive child) played in the playground in close proximity to many of his classmates - we were unable to identify who exactly - a Sisyphean task no school can realistically do. What we do know is that the teacher and TA did not come into close contact. They have no symptoms. Now, if they get tested and are negative, the guidance from PHE states they can return to school. However, to get tested, they should only do so if they have symptoms according to the government guidance. So: bend the truth, get tested and, if negative, come back to school and support other staff and set online work for their class or, don't get tested and isolate at home, setting online work.

 

[inbetween]

I know how you feel believe me but sadly we are dealing with an enemy that has no understanding of compromise. Even in the days where mass slaughter was seemingly acceptable they stopped a world war for Xmas....sadly the virus will respect no such arrangement.

I firmly believe the only sensible way now we have some light at the end of the tunnel is to strangle the life out of this bastard thing and finish it off as quick as possible,

The virus cannot be strangled away unless the whole world participates in that act but actually only Europe really is doing. The Asian countries have handled it far better and as a result they are in a good position. The American countries basically aren't handling it at all.

I'm not saying we should ignore it, I've been in favour of doing everything we can but we have to remain human throughout this and locking people away for the most important period of the year isn't right.

If strangling the virus was critical then why are people at work and why are the kids at school? We cannot prioritise the economy and life in general just around society remaining functional.

Christmas in itself could be a major morale booster, it's something for people to look forward to and if handled properly cases could actually be reduced with the right advice. The reason why is for example if I had to self-isolate to spend christmas day with my gran then I will.

 

[purplenose]

We are a million miles from eradication and this will only come close to happening without a vaccine if we lockdown for 2-3 months like we did in March.

At the moment there are 30 working days(ish) until Xmas. You can goto work or kids can goto school and mix with an unlimited number of households. On December 2nd, it's likely we'll be able to goto the pubs, restaurants and go shopping again.

In terms of eradiction and reducing case numbers, why would mixing on a single day make any difference?

A single day is not going to make much difference, the whole of December is the issue, and yes if all the pubs and shops open on Dec 2nd I think it will be confirmation that the government is not only inept but insane as there will be some fearsome outbreaks as a result.

Personally as someone who may have had the thing but cant be certain and classed as high risk (not massively I dont think.) I would be declining any invitations for festivity this year given I am likely to be jabbed in the early part of the new year. I cannot eliminate completely the risk of getting it but I will do what I can. Running round crowded shops pubs and every fuckers house to me at least sounds as daft as playing hopscotch in a minefield quite honestly and people talk about common sense!

 

[worsleyweb]

I really do despair, we are in the middle of a pandemic, lives are being lost yet still there is endless hysteria about fucking Xmas.

Ban it for the year, end off. Its a royal pain in the arse at the best of times but this year FFS? Thousands dead and people are still kicking off because they might not get to go on the lash wearing a cringe worthy jumper and behaving like a prick, and having all the relatives whom they dont like come round to eat mince pies and talk shit.

Get real, all that bullshit can wait until this thing has been beaten.

Sorry i have bought my jumper allready.

 

[LangleyBlue1970]

I agree but this depends on whether you consider christmas to be about the day itself or everything before it.

Personally I only want christmas day to be normal so I can see my gran because she's otherwise going to be alone for the whole period. I'm not bothered about the parties and booze ups beforehand because clearly they won't be allowed anyway. It's already going to be toned down so let's not make it worse by banning it altogether.

Given people can goto work and mix with others, their kids goto school and mix with others... I don't see how a single day makes any difference.

The most likely scenario I think is christmas day will be normal, new year will be cancelled and we'll likely be in lockdown throughout January to pay for it.

The schools is the problem. In theory if absolutely everyone was locked into their own homes for two weeks before Christmas, it would be possible to mix. That of course is not possible, but it is possible to close the schools for the entire month of December. It is then up to parents to ensure their children don't mix with others. All 3 of my step children have had to have 10 days off due to teachers and other pupils testing positive. The schools need to shut if mixing ovr Christmas has any possibility whatsoever without us having to completely lockdown in January.

 

[johnnytapia]

Without wishing to derail the thread, just thought I'd give this bloke a mention when discussing what Christmas is about as he can sometimes (often) get scant acknowledgement:

 

[mosssideblue]

We are a million miles from eradication and this will only come close to happening without a vaccine if we lockdown for 2-3 months like we did in March.

At the moment there are 30 working days(ish) until Xmas. You can goto work or kids can goto school and mix with an unlimited number of households. On December 2nd, it's likely we'll be able to goto the pubs, restaurants and go shopping again.

In terms of eradiction and reducing case numbers, why would mixing on a single day make any difference?

The alleged strategy was to use this period of lockdown to get the R rate down a little such that relaxation for Christmas could be a consideration. I guess they have modelled what they expect the R rate to be come 2nd Dec, based on the restrictions in place just now.

Hopefully, most will take this on board and contribute to lowering the R rate, but certainly down here in the SW, too many already saying bollocks and gathering in masses as some form of rebellion.

If come the end of this period, the R rate has not got better, then we should expect further measures.

Im sure there are plenty who will do all they can to make themselves and their loved ones safe such a meet a Christmas would be as safe as poss, but they would still be breaking the rules if they are still in force.

There are many positive vibes wrt a vaccine being available soon, so these next few weeks could be pivotol if we want normality back ASAP.

 

[squirtyflower]

We could be so close to eradicating this thing yet some still want to break the rules over Christmas.

I’m sorry mate but you are living in a parallel universe if you think this virus will ever be eradicated.
We will have to learn to live with it for ever, IMHO.

Vaccines will help considerably as will the new cleaning routines places are adopting. But we are not going to get rid of it.

 

[shemnel]

what's this about Portugal lifting the quarantine (in Azores only?) after finding PCR test unreliable? i can barely find any detail

i think this is important, this is the main battleground now for skeptics, the fact that quarantine is mandated by what is perceived to be an unreliable test and also the principle of false positives force feeding death stats. i am a natural skeptic but i believe this argument has been twisted beyond the slight kernel of truth that may exist deep within.

 

[artfuldodger]

Without wishing to derail the thread, just thought I'd give this bloke a mention when discussing what Christmas is about as he can sometimes (often) get scant acknowledgement:
View attachment 5504

Churches opening up over Christmas might be an idea. And anyone who thinks they are a risk hasn’t been in one lately. It is so important to some people. We persuaded a vicar to come and pray with mum in the garden when they were shut in the spring. Not an option now.