Coronavirus (2021) thread

[M18CTID]

Health of the nation indeed. Every public health principle has been abandoned and Covid is the only game in town. Truth is, if you’re under 60 and in reasonable health Covid is no real risk (compared to life in general) but we are writing off a whole generation of people to fight a single disease which is not a reasonable strategy, in my opinion. Locking down and mask wearing is not doing much to control the spread of this, but it’s making everything else a whole lot worse.
Decades of reversing worldwide poverty has gone. Over 700,000 in the U.K. pushed into poverty with up to 150 million worldwide. Poverty will kill many, many times more than Covid will ever do and we’ve lost sight of that. It’s really not encouraging idiots or being hyperbolic, it’s just asking for some balance of risk when addressing the health of this and other nations.

Did you really just say that? At the start of this latest lockdown we were up as high as nearly 70,000 cases per day. Now it's around 3000. Deaths hit a peak of around 1800 per day. Now it's between 10 and 30. At the peak there were nearly 40,000 in hospital. Now it's less than 4000, so anyone who says lockdowns don't work in controlling the spread is taking the fucking piss.

There is of course a very reasonable argument that the knock-on effect of lockdowns does indeed cause deaths from other things but it's impossible to put a figure on that and I'd argue that if the world carried on as normal throughout this then we'd be looking at 30 million Covid deaths absolute minimum rather than 3 million and surely no-one thinks that's an acceptable figure, and I bet even now that the actual figure of Covid deaths eclipses all those other deaths that will occur as a result of countries locking down due to the pandemic.

 

[AlgarveBlu]

Lets hope they get the messaging right on this in terms of putting the numbers into context or otherwise public faith in AZ will take another nosedive and it will end up being used just for cats and dogs.

 

[St.Pauli support]

They are reporting links this morning of blood clots to AZ . it was difficult to report side effects because the site was set up extremely difficult.
in the end I tried the doctor, and the dentist to report side effects

EU watchdog EMA will come out with a public statement this week about an updated AZ recommendation.

The idea of different vaccines for different target groups are being discussed in UK now too:

https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/c...viewing-astrazeneca-vaccine-use-in-under-30s/

 

[shackattack]

I find the best way to protect yourself is to minimise how much you absorb from the government and media output. A year in and the message is the same - social distancing and personal protection and hand washing. Am tested weekly and have had my 2nd jab re vaccine but the fear of what lies ahead will prevent many from returning to normality. The whole 2 metre thing will take a long time to eradicate in itself. The reaction has to be proportionate to the threat and most people stand a 99.7% chance of recovery. Imagine going your GP and them telling you that.

 

[Marvin]

Locking down and mask wearing is definitely doing a lot to control the spread of this virus - I don't see how you could argue otherwise. However, I agree with your point about it being the only game in town. It is disgusting how large numbers of cancer patients, and sufferers of other physical and mental health conditions, have been abandoned during the pandemic.

I think the speed we are coming out of lockdown is correct, but I think people have to think long and hard about how they interact over the next 12 months. Full normality is probably 2 or 3 years away

If you walk down Oxford Rd, Manchester 2 years ago pre-pandemic you'd come across loads of Chinese students with masks. They have grown up with SARS and particle pollution so their habits change. What is normal?

It's not clear how long we will be in pandemic fighting mode. It depends on the interaction of people, virus and vaccine. And no one really knows or if they do they are as yet unheard.

 

[shemnel]

They obviously have their flaws but I think some testing is better than none. Realistically if they stop even 1 outbreak it may be worth it. Most importantly the Gov. needs to support people taking them seriously and sticking to the rules.

I just wonder though, with this extreme level of testing proposed, that's a lot of furlough/support money, I would have thought the employer will be expected to stump up as well. And if loads of your staff are testing many times over a year, I think the appetite from an employer's point of view will diminish greatly. I agree though, without the support system for staff it's a pretty pointless exercise.

 

[Kirkstall Blue]

Public faith has already been destroyed the hype over AZ vaccine has been ridiculous but when I went to the centre they told me 50/60yrs. were not turning up for the vaccine.

 

[carlosthejackal]

In a fit and healthy 23 year old? Love to see the evidence you’re basing that on.

Correct me if I’m wrong but blood clots are one of the biggest killers when people contract COVID , a risk is taken for side effects every time anybody takes any medication, the contraceptive pill carries a risk from developing blood clots as my late wife found out in her youth . Unfortunately a percentage of people who believe they are fit and healthy are not and are oblivious to the fact until something goes wrong . The younger someone is the less chance COVID will kill them but the risk is always present , it’s a decision for the individual.

 

[kevin horlocks wand]

I just wonder though, with this extreme level of testing proposed, that's a lot of furlough/support money, I would have thought the employer will be expected to stump up as well. And if loads of your staff are testing many times over a year, I think the appetite from an employer's point of view will diminish greatly. I agree though, without the support system for staff it's a pretty pointless exercise.

its pointless anyway as it’s voluntary.

those who abide by the regs will continue and test themselves , those who don’t will continue to visit mates houses and not bother testing.

 

[paulchapo]

Yes that’s the one round in circles I tried several times. In the end the vaccine centre refused to give me the second dose. One dose is 60% effective and if you have allergy’s take advice from a specialist

It's utterly hopeless. My arm is still painful when I move it in certain directions and at times throbs. Thankfully I can use it for everyday activities. I'm due the second jab in a couple of weeks and have serious doubts whether to go ahead.