Coronavirus (2021) thread

[M18CTID]

Interesting news coming out of Austria. Mandatory vaccines for everyone from February 1st. Presumably exemptions will apply for medical reasons and the very young, but I doubt anti-vaxxers will be able to wing it and avoid being jabbed by saying Bill Gates wants to kill everyone off!

 

[True_Blue69]

Mask wearing is scientifically proven to reduce the spread of COVID (and other colds & flu).

Surely that is reason enough, no?

RE a UK surge, there's hope that we might stay at the same levels throughout winter. But I'd argue that's incredibly optimistic.

Why is it? We have stayed at the same levels for months now so why is it incredibly optimistic to think that this will carry on?

 

[grunge]

Why is it? We have stayed at the same levels for months now so why is it incredibly optimistic to think that this will carry on?

just winter really. cases have stayed "stable" over summer, winter and being in doors more will increase it. by how much is the question. while I dont think we'll see a catastrophic spike its gonna increase im sure of it,

Edit: Personally I would't be surprised is we double where we are at now in Dec/Jan.

 

[True_Blue69]

just winter really. cases have stayed "stable" over summer, winter and being in doors more will increase it. by how much is the question. while I dont think we'll see a catastrophic spike its gonna increase im sure of it,

Summer ended a long time ago. This time last year we were already spiking and then delta came along to make it worse. Only thing I can see making it worse is a new variant, reports are saying there may be one that’s more contagious but it’s a lot less likely to make you ill. Aka the common cold.

 

[Bluewonder]

Mask wearing is scientifically proven to reduce the spread of COVID (and other colds & flu).

Surely that is reason enough, no?

RE a UK surge, there's hope that we might stay at the same levels throughout winter. But I'd argue that's incredibly optimistic.

The countries with such mandates you were using as shining examples are now seeing surges.

 

[Octavian]

Interesting news coming out of Austria. Mandatory vaccines for everyone from February 1st. Presumably exemptions will apply for medical reasons and the very young, but I doubt anti-vaxxers will be able to wing it and avoid being jabbed by saying Bill Gates wants to kill everyone off!

For the general population? I’m no anti vaxxer, in fact I think they are wankers, but I do not support forcing anyone to have a vaccine against their wishes. How is it even legal?

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Why is it? We have stayed at the same levels for months now so why is it incredibly optimistic to think that this will carry on?

Unless you can claim to understand the reasons behind the "same levels for months" then I don't think you can claim it's likely to continue. And there were a few rapid up and down turns within those months too.

After all, Germany could claim similar through August, Sept, Oct.

There's a complex interplay between weather, behaviour, immunity waning, infections and vaccinations. Beware anyone making confident predictions IMO.

 

[grunge]

Summer ended a long time ago. This time last year we were already spiking and then delta came along to make it worse. Only thing I can see making it worse is a new variant, reports are saying there may be one that’s more contagious but it’s a lot less likely to make you ill. Aka the common cold.

we're not in winter yet though either. the Winter spike is what we're starting to see in Europe now.

Flu season is driven by the same pattern and that's Dec/Jan/Feb.. while we have certainly "flattened the curve" as it were with the way we have handled it, there will be a winter increase in my view.

Small point, it was Alpha ( Kent ) this time last year. Delta was April/May this year. its why the final unlocking was delayed a few weeks.

Also no new variant will be less likely to kill you yet. its our immunity ( Natural and Vaccine ) that is helping make it more like a common cold. anyone unvaxxed and not had it is at the same risk as before.

 

[M18CTID]

For the general population? I’m no anti vaxxer, in fact I think they are wankers, but I do not support forcing anyone to have a vaccine against their wishes. How is it even legal?

Seems that way:

Austria plans compulsory Covid vaccination for all

Country goes into fourth lockdown amid soaring cases and announces jab mandate from February 2022

www.theguardian.com

I've mixed feelings on it to be honest. I'm not fully on board with the idea of mandatory vaccinations but I can't help thinking it will be funny as fuck seeing the anti-vaxxers and Covid deniers lose their shit over it.

As for legalities, I'd have thought as long as Austria follow whatever protocols their own country has with regards to making it legal then it won't be an issue.

 

[Manchester33]

The countries with such mandates you were using as shining examples are now seeing surges.

So are you saying that science is wrong and mask-wearing doesn't reduce spread?

The countries where people are wearing masks are actually coping better right now:

• Masks in Europe 2020 | Statista

You've clearly made your mind up though - ignore science and facts if that's what you want. Don't complain when further restrictions are imposed though, because if everyone wears masks now there's a better chance we avoid that.