Main Coronavirus / Covid-19 Discussion Thread

[Weststander]

Personally, I’m pleased with this precautionary approach by the 4 UK governments, scientists and backed by Starmer for example.

Our hospitals are packed, I’ve twice had an op cancelled, let’s be on top of this to an extent, allow the amazing Booster programme to tick off the millions. Then see where we stand.

Scientists/ministers/devolved governments are not doing this lightly.

 

[Napper]

Absolutely no doubt about this.

I also suspect they're lining themselves up to take the credit when it turns out deaths and hospitalisations go down as Omicron takes over.

i reckon they know that omicron is no less deadly than other variants. Its just a case of getting as many boosters in arms as possible before this can be announced / leaked.

Amazing the control and seeing the fear back

 

[atomised]

Personally, I’m pleased with this precautionary approach by the 4 UK governments, scientists and backed by Starmer for example.

Our hospitals are packed, I’ve twice had an op cancelled, let’s be on top of this to an extent, allow the amazing Booster programme to tick off the millions. Then see where we stand.

Scientists/ministers/devolved governments are not doing this lightly.

Boosted today at Churchill square. Was very busy with a large queue outside. Bringing the importance home whilst in the queue I received the news a good friend had passed away last night after a short battle with covid

 

[Billy the Fish]

Real world study says Omicron is less severe

https://www.reuters.com/business/he...isation-during-omicron-wave-study-2021-12-14/

 

[crodonilson]

Wales braced for further restrictions and frustrated England not doing so also as it prevents them the opportunity to go close to or as far as lockdown.

Welsh Health Minister:

The Welsh government will do what we need to do to keep the people of Wales safe and to protect the NHS.

It will be more difficult to instigate a full lockdown without the support of the UK government and conversations are always ongoing with the UK government in terms of what is possible.

We are still assessing the situation but there is a likelihood we will see some additional restrictions being introduced at the next review. [Friday]. We will need multiple layers of protection to keep Wales safe from a large Omicron wave that is heading our way.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Seems Johnson is threatening the rebels with lockdown if they dont vote for the passport.

 

[beorhthelm]

Seems Johnson is threatening the rebels with lockdown if they dont vote for the passport.

is that a real threat or paper talk? reckon they'd be writting letters to the 1922 committee if he went through with that. only need 54.

 

[Weststander]

Boosted today at Churchill square. Was very busy with a large queue outside. Bringing the importance home whilst in the queue I received the news a good friend had passed away last night after a short battle with covid

Sorry to hear that, it drives home the messaging I think.

 

[Weststander]

Wales braced for further restrictions and frustrated England not doing so also as it prevents them the opportunity to go close to or as far as lockdown.

Welsh Health Minister:

The Welsh government will do what we need to do to keep the people of Wales safe and to protect the NHS.

It will be more difficult to instigate a full lockdown without the support of the UK government and conversations are always ongoing with the UK government in terms of what is possible.

We are still assessing the situation but there is a likelihood we will see some additional restrictions being introduced at the next review. [Friday]. We will need multiple layers of protection to keep Wales safe from a large Omicron wave that is heading our way.

Restrictions or just guidance?

Sturgeon in the last hour decided to only issue new guidance, she made it plain she wants families to have exactly the Christmas they’d always planned. According the bbc, because the Scottish public were clear in demanding that.

 

[Notters]

alot of countries are baffled with our response to all this.

It's about pushing the boosters

I thought it was all about taking the Christmas parties off the front page?

 

[Poojah]

Had a weird one earlier. Was sat working in my home office as I do all the time these days, when I suddenly felt absolutely freezing cold to the point of shaking. Muscles starting to ache out of absolutely nowhere, heart rate was about 100bpm, and I simply could not get warm even when literally hugging the radiator. It’s really not the day for it, but I had to go and get in bed, fully clothed, for a couple of hours and try to nap it off. This is very out of character for me - I’ve only felt the need to retire ill to bed a couple of times in the last decade or so and in the days when it was socially acceptable to rock up to the office with all kinds of lurgy, I’ve always done so unless I was properly incapacitated.

Anyway, woke up feeling a bit light headed and spaced out, but the cold tremors and muscle aches have subsided. Managing to get back to my day now (just about), but this just came out of the blue and started slapping me about. Very strange, I’m triple jabbed but obviously need to go and do a lateral flow test now (if I can get hold of one).

Anyone had a similar experience with Covid? Hopefully it’s something else. Will find out.

 

[beorhthelm]

another note on the dodgy omicron numbers, there were 1,576 new cases yesturday to a total of 4,713. way its seems to be reported is the later was the new cases. thats about 2.8% of cases.

and when Prof Ferguson says its doubling, remember thats his mathematical model that says it should be doubling, not real world evidence.

 

[Weststander]

As backbencher Liam Fox just spoke in the Commons, an elderly MP directly behind him had a loose cravat only covering his mouth.

Paisley pattern of course.

No doubt a liberation. Who doesn’t give a jot about the health of others, as Omicron sweeps these isles.

 

[crodonilson]

Restrictions or just guidance?

Sturgeon in the last hour decided to only issue new guidance, she made it plain she wants families to have exactly the Christmas they’d always planned. According the bbc, because the Scottish public were clear in demanding that.

The Welsh Health minister clearly stated restrictions, the guidance is only so good if people follow it, put will they actually follow it? I think Sturgeon asked people to keep Christmas celebrations 'as small as your family circumstances allow'.

 

[PeakGull]

In the UK, Dr Paul Burton, chief medical officer at Moderna, has been speaking to MPs on the Commons science and technology committee.

Burton said he expects data in the coming days to show how well the Moderna booster improves protection against the Omicron variant.

He cautioned against claims, largely from South Africa, that the variant is causing milder disease, and warned that Omicron and Delta are likely to circulate together for some time.

“I do not think Omicron is a milder, less severe version of the current virus,” he told the committee.

He added:

The idea it will push Delta out of the way and take over may occur in the future, but I think in the coming months these two viruses are going to co-exist, and Omicron, which I would maintain is actually a severe disease, will now infect people on a background of very, very strong Delta pressure.

It will also lead to a situation where individuals will become co-infected … which gives the opportunity for this virus to further evolve and mutate which is a concerning and worrying situation.

We certainly don’t have to panic, we have many many tools at our disposal, we’ve learnt so much about this virus over the last two years, and we can continue to fight it, but I think Omicron poses a real threat.

When you look at the data in SA about 15% of people who are hospitalised are in the intensive care unit, and while there’s variability, if you look back earlier in the year, at a time of delta surge in August, those numbers are about the same, 15%.

So while the mortality rate we are seeing right now is mercifully lower, I think as a disease it is a very fit virus and it’s severe.

 

[BLOCK F]

Had a weird one earlier. Was sat working in my home office as I do all the time these days, when I suddenly felt absolutely freezing cold to the point of shaking. Muscles starting to ache out of absolutely nowhere, heart rate was about 100bpm, and I simply could not get warm even when literally hugging the radiator. It’s really not the day for it, but I had to go and get in bed, fully clothed, for a couple of hours and try to nap it off. This is very out of character for me - I’ve only felt the need to retire ill to bed a couple of times in the last decade or so and in the days when it was socially acceptable to rock up to the office with all kinds of lurgy, I’ve always done so unless I was properly incapacitated.

Anyway, woke up feeling a bit light headed and spaced out, but the cold tremors and muscle aches have subsided. Managing to get back to my day now (just about), but this just came out of the blue and started slapping me about. Very strange, I’m triple jabbed but obviously need to go and do a lateral flow test now (if I can get hold of one).



Have just heard from our youngest offspring who lives in London. He woke up this morning feeling rough and very cold. He also had a temperature. He took a lateral flow test which showed positive. He went to the engagement party of a friend on Saturday and is pretty sure that is where he contracted the dreaded lurgy.
Hope all turns out ok for you.
Sorry Poojah, something went awry when I copied your post!

 

[Yoda]

In the UK, Dr Paul Burton, chief medical officer at Moderna, has been speaking to MPs on the Commons science and technology committee.

Burton said he expects data in the coming days to show how well the Moderna booster improves protection against the Omicron variant.

He cautioned against claims, largely from South Africa, that the variant is causing milder disease, and warned that Omicron and Delta are likely to circulate together for some time.

“I do not think Omicron is a milder, less severe version of the current virus,” he told the committee.

He added:

The idea it will push Delta out of the way and take over may occur in the future, but I think in the coming months these two viruses are going to co-exist, and Omicron, which I would maintain is actually a severe disease, will now infect people on a background of very, very strong Delta pressure.

It will also lead to a situation where individuals will become co-infected … which gives the opportunity for this virus to further evolve and mutate which is a concerning and worrying situation.

We certainly don’t have to panic, we have many many tools at our disposal, we’ve learnt so much about this virus over the last two years, and we can continue to fight it, but I think Omicron poses a real threat.

When you look at the data in SA about 15% of people who are hospitalised are in the intensive care unit, and while there’s variability, if you look back earlier in the year, at a time of delta surge in August, those numbers are about the same, 15%.

So while the mortality rate we are seeing right now is mercifully lower, I think as a disease it is a very fit virus and it’s severe.

I love a good lie that can easily be debunked with real world accessible data. This is from a live feed of daily hospital surveillance website in South Africa showing how many people diagnosed with Covid are currently being treated in ICU, Higher Care and on standard normal wards. IF there were 15% bases on the figure of 6,900 patients admitted then there would be over 1,000 in ICU, as you can see, there isn't any where near that number.


I also think this is another key measure, the number of people requiring oxygen treatment and ventilation:


Source: https://www.nicd.ac.za/diseases-a-z...ts/daily-hospital-surveillance-datcov-report/

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

is that a real threat or paper talk? reckon they'd be writting letters to the 1922 committee if he went through with that. only need 54.

A little bit of Option 1 and 2

https://twitter.com/SamCoatesSky/status/1470716575225421824?s=20

 

[Sea Cider]

Anyone know whether they are providing Pfizer booster shots at the Churchill Square site?

 

[Weststander]

The Welsh Health minister clearly stated restrictions, the guidance is only so good if people follow it, put will they actually follow it? I think Sturgeon asked people to keep Christmas celebrations 'as small as your family circumstances allow'.

The first minister asked people in Scotland “to limit socialising to three households at a time in the run-up to Christmas

The limit DOES NOT apply to people's main Christmas celebration”.

So, the same basis that the 4 governments were lambasted for last Christmas, by opponents later on.