Coronavirus (2021) thread

[wolfie1988]

There’s enough facts about for most people to realise they need to be extra careful over the next couple of months.

But these facts are lost in a cesspit of absolute bullshit and sensationalised headlines. The press regulator needs to start doing their job.

 

[bluemoon32]

The problem with shutting the schools is that a lot of working parents then can't get childcare and drop off the kids at Grandparents, the very people we're supposed to be protecting.
During the first lockdown employers on the whole were helpful, a lot of them aren't this time going by stories i've heard from friends etc
No idea what the answer is

 

[Rammy Blue]

It's pretty irresponsible for journalists like Newton-Dunn to post sensationalist stuff like that when there is no real evidence to back it up yet.

A journalist being irresponsible? Perish the thought.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

These SAGE scientists should not be allowed to speak to the press. They are causing heartache and hurt by doing it with such regularity

Quite the opposite.

Far to much time is given to the tiny group of fringe scientists whose contrarian views are used by "libertarian" politicians and journalists to advocate avoiding action.

If scientific views were given more airtime and libertarian fools less we would not have so many dead and would have a clear route out.

 

[willipp]

It's pretty irresponsible for journalists like Newton-Dunn to post sensationalist stuff like that when there is no real evidence to back it up yet.

Like anything in the media these days, they seem to have total disregard for reputation and reporting facts. Whether it’s reporting on football and city, or in this case a new variant of the virus. No doubt it will generate lots of interest and clicks, but the fact there is no evidence to support it seems not to matter.

 

[Healdplace]

On the question of age of those catching it, The heat maps on the Gov UK site daily show for every area the numbers per 100K testing positive every day.

You CAN see from those that more young people (but not under 10s - teens and 20s and 30s - are driving these rises in cases. And that the over 60s are at lower levels than they were in the Spring.

But that does not in itself translate into hospital admissions but the sheer volume of younger people testing - even if there is no increase in potency in the young - will create a visual impression of that by weight of numbers.

Fewer older ones are likely to be catching it now for obvious reasons. Care homes are better guarded and patients less often hospitalised just for testing positive. Many of the really frail due to age and other conditions will have succumbed in the first wave before we knew what we were doing and the rules of this virus. And those who did not are most likely to still obey the rules as they will often have friends their age who caught it and/or sadly died so they do not need telling how serious it is.

Perception of a truth can be a true perception without it necessarily being an absolute truth.

 

[daztrueblue91]

On a side note, My wife belives rightly or wrongly that if the kids are to be tested in schools she will be expected to be part of the team to do this. Now given that 2 months ago we both went to a testing centre where testing kits we being passed through a small gap through a window at the end of handling tongs and whiteboard instructions rather than talking. i am keen to know what protective measures will be put in place to ensure her safety.

This is my biggest concern over schools being open. It contradicts government advice.

Secondary school age children cannot go into a shop without a mask but do not have to wear one in school.

You must keep a 1+ meter distance at all times but students can share a desk and sit 30cm apart.

No household mixing in tier 4 but year groups with cohorts of 300 students are all allowed to freely mix at break and lunchtimes. With no social distancing.

I personally think that, after a short 3 week lockdown, schools can and should reopen. But on the premise that schools must follow the same guidelines as wider society as much as possible. That would mean making drastic changes from the current provision.

 

[Tim of the Oak]

With or without being vaccinated everybody has to behave as if there is no vaccine for several months.

I agree mate. I’m treating the next couple of months like I’ve been sent down and I’m not talking relegation.

 

[Summerbuzz]

These SAGE scientists should not be allowed to speak to the press. They are causing heartache and hurt by doing it with such regularity.

The constant negativity is counterproductive to what we need to achieve to end this pandemic or at least get some form of control back.

There should also be a control on non factual reporting of something like this. This isn't something for rumours. People genuinely can't see a way out of this because there is constant negativity and stories based on outlandish predictions and not fact.

Maybe there isn't 'a clear way out of it'. The situation is changable.

That, IMO, is what people need to try to accept. It will be alright. Almost certainly. We're just not quite in a position to genuinely reassure people that we know how we're getting to that point.

I don't know what the problem is. Life was never guaranteed to be smooth sailing. Anxiety and uncertainty is realistic and ought to be healthy.

The problem seems to come when people say they are dealing with it but really they've accepted the word of someone who doesn't want them to worry. The short term relief wears off, and they haven't dealt with it.

You can't always rely on someone who puts a cure in front of you and tells you that's it sorted. That, is life. The truth is in some cases you can't truly rely on the best effort of your favourite and most qualified doctor being enough. That is the riddle and reality of health and mortality.

Please, don't get complacent. Look after yourselves and each other. We will get through this. There will be ups and downs. The scientists and doctors do the best they can. There are many many stories. You won't find many definitive answers in following them. You need to wait for the advice, their best effort in communicating what's important to you. And have in the back of your mind, that it's likely to change. Because they are testing reality and analysing and thinking on an ongoing basis.

Manage your own expectations and worries and not that of other people.

How can the rules of an open and free society, and a scientific process that relies upon open communication, be changed to meet your need that other people don't worry?

Because people are anxious? Good! There's a balance between the anxious and the confident. It's never perfect, it rarely settles, and that's all par for the course.

What I gather is that some people are uncomfortable that others are increasingly anxious. That drives their anxiety. But that's the job of each of the two parties on their own. Your anxiety is yours.

I'll reiterate, why is their expression of doubt and anxiety unacceptable? It isn't! Why is one scientific voice acceptable but another isn't? Because you're uneasy with the picture not being as rosy as you would like? Because you fear anxious people? Give over!

I couldn't cope without the optimists. And I hope optimists know I would never try to sell them a doubt unfairly.

It takes all sorts. It really does. Get on with it! Stop interfering with the next guy's right to be themselves. It has to be that way.

 

[Tim of the Oak]

But these facts are lost in a cesspit of absolute bullshit and sensationalised headlines. The press regulator needs to start doing their job.

I can’t imagine the toothless press regulator will do much mate but it might be worth contacting them.