Coronavirus (2021) thread

[i kne albert davy]

Social media probably and the government wont be banging the drum over it as its completely untrue, not even a half truth, its just as transmissible with the vaccine than without.

Where have you picked your little snippet up from New Scientist, W.H.O.or perhaps NHS. Or the bloke who thinks you're being tagged by microsoft.

 

[MCFC1993]

Face masks in shops = yes

Face masks in pubs = No !

We know that'll change.

Probably go to wearing one when moving around and you can take it off when your drinking/seated.

 

[Tommy_Catons_Perm]

They will still reduce the transmission. Not prevent, but reduce.

So, for instance, *if* (very big if) the new variant were to cause a big spike in hospitalisation, that would be a smaller spike if everyone masked up. Not a silver bullet, not a game changer, but one small thing that would help a bit.

A few small things help. Social distancing, masks and vaccines.

Sadly, some people won't help us and prefer to help the virus instead.

Thankfully those people who are anti-vaxx / pro-virus are in a minority.

 

[Summerbuzz]

Face masks in shops = yes

Face masks in pubs = No !

I hate to say it, but this is possibly the thin end of the wedge.

The measures are small enough to be accepted. But because they are weak, because there are holes in them, we're more likely to end up with much harsher measures later on.

They're not ready to announce measures that people would seriously have a problem with. They would rather wait until there was no other option, and public opinion demanded them.

Not that it's guaranteed we will end up with more measures. But that's the way it's worked every single time, and not just in the UK. They're very much stuck following public opinion, rather than being proactive.

 

[andyhinch]

I've no problem with the face masks coming back, I've still been wearing mine most of the time, as there was no reason to stop with the virus still around.

I've usually picked up some sort of cold or virus by this point in winter but found I've been a lot healthier wearing one (on top of generally continuing to keep my distance).

Keeps your face warm as well

 

[roubaixtuesday]

What’s the figures on how effective a cotton face mask is? Without any filter etc. as that’s what most people use(d).

Genuine question as I’ve never seen a proper number on it, and my gut feeling says they do next to fuck all and it’s mostly theatre and psychology.

It's almost impossible to measure in real world - by definition you can't do a double blind trial. But the evidence I've seen suggests a small but worthwhile reduction.

An evidence review of face masks against COVID-19

The science around the use of masks by the public to impede COVID-19 transmission is advancing rapidly. In this narrative review, we develop an analytical framework to examine mask usage, synthesizing the relevant literature to inform multiple areas: population impact, transmission...

www.pnas.org

It could well be, as you suggest, that psychology as much as air filtration is what had the biggest impact.

 

[Gabriel]

Just to give context on the travel numbers, since Monday, some 5,000 people have flown into the Netherlands from Southern Africa. Would imagine that number is at least comparable and probably even higher for the United Kingdom.

 

[grunge]

I’d be happy with a work from home mandate too.

Would you shut pubs now?

work from home if you can would be a good step agreed.

personally no I’d not close them but I’d say masks should be worn tho.

Hopefully the surge testing and vaccines can help hold it off for a while.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

work from home if you can would be a good step agreed.

personally no I’d not close them but I’d say masks should be worn tho.

Hopefully the surge testing and vaccines can help hold it off for a while.

It’ll be schools and returning uni students that will spread it as and when it comes in.

 

[give it to gordon]

I am happy do what ever is needed. But I do find the new guidelines confusing, wear an mask in the shop but not in an office. Why not just say unless outside a mask must be warn.

I guess we will know more in a few days.

 

[RobMCFC]

Anybody else pick up on the fact that:-
1. Those at the press conference congratulated South African scientists on finding and identifying the new variant quickly.
2. The variant is responsible for 90% of cases in a province (can't remember the name, Guateng?).

If both these facts are true, this suggests that the mutation spreads rapidly and probably explains why they are worried.

 

[Bazzmand Show]

I am happy do what ever is needed. But I do find the new guidelines confusing, wear an mask in the shop but not in an office. Why not just say unless outside a mask must be warn.

I guess we will know more in a few days.

They should be asking companies to go back to WFH where possible now anyway.

Pandering to businesses is why they haven't.

 

[Quad]

Just been on nhs site was looking for booster information for partner was 607 on wait list

she booked hers , guessing people getting scared

 

[117 M34]

How long until they close the football stadiums and gyms?

 

[Bazzmand Show]

How long until they close the football stadiums and gyms?

Wouldn't even worry about that right now, lot of water to go under the bridge before thats considered.

They are not likely to understand what impact this mutation has on the vaccines for a few good weeks.

 

[Invisible Man's Bandage]

It will be interesting to see what the take up for masks in shops will be. Having been triple jabbed I don't see the point and I probably won't wear one.

 

[MCFC1993]

I am happy do what ever is needed. But I do find the new guidelines confusing, wear an mask in the shop but not in an office. Why not just say unless outside a mask must be warn.

I guess we will know more in a few days.

I would imagine it's coming.

I'm expecting there'll be an email in my inbox on Monday saying masks are mandatory on office days.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

Who has to take a PCR test? I’m in Benidorm now come back Monday have my lateral flow test, do I need a pcr test? Who’s paying fir that?

Off to Lanzarote Tuesday, like you have purchased a LFT, looks like a double sting unfortunately. But it is what it is.

 

[Bazzmand Show]

It will be interesting to see what the take up for masks in shops will be. Having been triple jabbed I don't see the point and I probably won't wear one.

Thats a pretty selfish attitude there, I've not had my third jab for a start and nor have many others.

I've already seen more people wearing them this week - so hopefully good.

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

It's almost impossible to measure in real world - by definition you can't do a double blind trial. But the evidence I've seen suggests a small but worthwhile reduction.

An evidence review of face masks against COVID-19

The science around the use of masks by the public to impede COVID-19 transmission is advancing rapidly. In this narrative review, we develop an analytical framework to examine mask usage, synthesizing the relevant literature to inform multiple areas: population impact, transmission...

www.pnas.org

It could well be, as you suggest, that psychology as much as air filtration is what had the biggest impact.

The way I look at it is that it is just another measure which may help to reduce transmission and so protect vulnerable people. Every little helps in my view. Keep your distance, wash your hands, wear masks indoors, take vitamin D and keep yourself as healthy as possible (ie not overweight), take the vacccines. All these things should reduce your chances of being killed by Covid (or infecting someone else). It is a pain in the arse for all of us but surely there are not many other options at present. Has anyone got any better ideas?