Main Coronavirus / Covid-19 Discussion Thread

[Weststander]

Boris Johnson won the last election by 11% and he has seemingly blown that lead so it isn't always the case. I don't think the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales engaging in political manoeuvres to try and secure a better deal for their countries is really that surprising.

Covid reproduces via face to face contact (it can remain on a surface and spread but that isn't that common) and we will never know what would have happened if England and Wales swapped restrictions. Certainly we have seen in the past areas seem to take turns being badly effected, London seems to have peaked now and it might just be Wales turn. Other than banning large events, which is admittedly a big decision with impact, I am not sure you could describe the current restrictions in Wales as that Draconian by the standards of the last couple of years.

The argument about stopping treating other illnesses and mental health has often been brought out during the pandemic and I would simply point out of there was no restrictions more people would be in hospital, causing other treatments to be delayed and extending the pandemic.

As I said, Westminster has taken the flak. In the same way that Macron is loathed, other governments are despised and even Merkel faced flak towards the end. Blamed for all the Covid woes.

It’s a balance. With a far more mild variant, albeit more virulent, ministers need to consider all parts of the economy and society. Not making it a Covid NHS, not making nations reactive solely to Covid news.

Cancer charities have hard facts with their 50,000 missing diagnoses number, it’s a time bomb, significant numbers of people will later unavoidably die.

We’re in a whole different ball game to the awful position of April 2020 and January 2021. Drakeford and Sturgeon acting and talking in a similar tone, is not giving them beneficial Covid metrics and is damaging non-Covid parts of their remit, of their nations.

 

[LamieRobertson]

He did also lend England 4 million Covid tests so let's not run away with the Wales Bad, England Good narrative.

So you re criticising him for being overly cautious - over restrictions - and for not being cautious enough over the Rugby? Which one is it?

Waled did move to what they call Level 0 on the 5th if August which as far as I can see was the same as England part from face coverings being worn more (which we did reintroduce later).

Ever thought of moving to Wales…seems you think they currently are doing a far better job …be careful though you might get fined £60 for popping into the office

 

[LamieRobertson]

Boris Johnson won the last election by 11% and he has seemingly blown that lead so it isn't always the case. I don't think the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales engaging in political manoeuvres to try and secure a better deal for their countries is really that surprising.

Covid reproduces via face to face contact (it can remain on a surface and spread but that isn't that common) and we will never know what would have happened if England and Wales swapped restrictions. Certainly we have seen in the past areas seem to take turns being badly effected, London seems to have peaked now and it might just be Wales turn. Other than banning large events, which is admittedly a big decision with impact, I am not sure you could describe the current restrictions in Wales as that Draconian by the standards of the last couple of years.

The argument about stopping treating other illnesses and mental health has often been brought out during the pandemic and I would simply point out of there was no restrictions more people would be in hospital, causing other treatments to be delayed and extending the pandemic.

Oh that’s ok then ..we shouldn’t concern ourselves with their plight …those running pubs…restaurants..cafes ..gyms…nightclubs etc…well those that have survived these past two years

 

[LamieRobertson]

My point is some people are talking like we have won the war. We are doing very well in the battle so far (although obviously one person dying of it is one person too many).

I have been a contractor for the last decade or so so don't get sick pay and have had three days of sick, two for vertigo and one for, shall we say, over doing it the night before, but I have dragged myself in with all sort of coughs and sneezes because I remember the return to work interviews you used to have when coming back to work (I have sat on both sides of the desk doing them) and if you were off ill more than a couple of times in a few months it was looked down on. Granted this will vary from employer to employer and might have changed since I was a permanent employee but it hardly encouraged you to keep an infectious disease out of your workplace.

I know it will vary from job to job but with home working where possible people should be encouraged to stay at home when ill.

Who?

 

[e77]

As I said, Westminster has taken the flak. In the same way that Macron is loathed, other governments are despised and even Merkel faced flak towards the end. Blamed for all the Covid woes.

It’s a balance. With a far more mild variant, albeit more virulent, ministers need to consider all parts of the economy and society. Not making it a Covid NHS, not making nations reactive solely to Covid news.

Cancer charities have hard facts with their 50,000 missing diagnoses number, it’s a time bomb, significant numbers of people will later unavoidably die.

We’re in a whole different ball game to the awful position of April 2020 and January 2021. Drakeford and Sturgeon acting and talking in a similar tone, is not giving them beneficial Covid metrics and is damaging non-Covid parts of their remit, of their nations.

Macron was struggling pre-Covid but I wouldn't bet against him winning this year (although admittedly if this involves running against Le Pen again the job is made easier for him). I wouldn't take the same bet on Boris Johnson if we had a snap General Election. Regardless Drakeford and Sturgeon have held support and probably aren't that bothered what the English think of them.

Without wishing to repeat myself, the quicker we get on top of Covid the quicker hospitals can do other things.

 

[e77]

Ever thought of moving to Wales…seems you think they currently are doing a far better job …be careful though you might get fined £60 for popping into the office

If you like Russia so much why don't you go and live there.

The only difference in England is people have been asked to work at home but from my experience hardly anyone who doesn't have to is anyway.

If people went to the office there would be more face to face contact and more spreading of the virus. The two countries (not sure what they are doing in Scotland) have a slightly different approach but it is for the same reason.

 

[e77]

Oh that’s ok then ..we shouldn’t concern ourselves with their plight …those running pubs…restaurants..cafes ..gyms…nightclubs etc…well those that have survived these past two years

Apologies, I didn't realise you were so passionate about night clubs in the Principality.

The Welsh government made a decision to do it to reduce face to face contact. Do you really believe it wasn't seriously considered in England? I am not here to defend the Welsh Government but they made a decision in what they thought was in the best interests of the Welsh people.

As ever, let's wait until the end until we judge the methods employed.

 

[e77]

Who?

For one thing the government flying a kite in the Sunday press that free tests might stop. There is a constant picking at the data on here although not when it doesn't suit their argument. Funny that, it isn't?

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

He did also lend England 4 million Covid tests so let's not run away with the Wales Bad, England Good narrative.

So you re criticising him for being overly cautious - over restrictions - and for not being cautious enough over the Rugby? Which one is it?

Waled did move to what they call Level 0 on the 5th if August which as far as I can see was the same as England part from face coverings being worn more (which we did reintroduce later).

Tests the UK paid for, not really lending us something we’ve all paid for.

No, I’m saying if he was that concerned about it he would be telling the Rugby Union under no circumstances can they play in England with a crowd, but he won’t because he knows how unpopular that would be.

 

[Fat Boy Fat]

For one thing the government flying a kite in the Sunday press that free tests might stop. There is a constant picking at the data on here although not when it doesn't suit their argument. Funny that, it isn't?

Yes, my wife was distraught at hearing this leaked “news”. At present she knows that anyone she comes into contact with can take an LFT test before meeting - as per government advice.

It seems this small level of comfort could be snatched away. Vulnerable people, what vulnerable people?

 

[Weststander]

Macron was struggling pre-Covid but I wouldn't bet against him winning this year (although admittedly if this involves running against Le Pen again the job is made easier for him). I wouldn't take the same bet on Boris Johnson if we had a snap General Election. Regardless Drakeford and Sturgeon have held support and probably aren't that bothered what the English think of them.

Without wishing to repeat myself, the quicker we get on top of Covid the quicker hospitals can do other things.

Good morning night owl

The signs are very positive already. 35.5 million Brits have had the booster and growing, the elderly are not filling Covid wards, other wards and staff outside London are not being seconded to Covid, ICU numbers are less than a quarter of a year ago, England’s not in a lockdown and anecdotally the NHS are chasing me for minor surgery (that wouldn’t have happened in Jan 21).

 

[LamieRobertson]

If you like Russia so much why don't you go and live there.

The only difference in England is people have been asked to work at home but from my experience hardly anyone who doesn't have to is anyway.

If people went to the office there would be more face to face contact and more spreading of the virus. The two countries (not sure what they are doing in Scotland) have a slightly different approach but it is for the same reason.

Remind me where I have mentioned Russia

 

[Napper]

I'm just glad the football season wasnt halted like many on here said would happen.

Looks like we are nearly there now.

Time to downgrade and treat like we do the flu

 

[Fat Boy Fat]

I'm just glad the football season wasnt halted like many on here said would happen.

Looks like we are nearly there now.

Time to downgrade and treat like we do the flu

Agree, of course unless you are vulnerable and have no knowledge as to whether the vaccine and boosters have offered you any protection.

They can just hide away and stop being an inconvenience to the rest of society.

 

[LamieRobertson]

Agree, of course unless you are vulnerable and have no knowledge as to whether the vaccine and boosters have offered you any protection.

They can just hide away and stop being an inconvenience to the rest of society.

Interesting…mind if I just ask the following

What knowledge other than what’s already in the public domain would you like them to have …and how?
At what stage do you go back to normal?

 

[dazzer6666]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/01/09/covid-cases-approach-peak-parts-england-data-show/

Extract :

Covid cases approaching their peak in all parts of England, data show

‘It’s beginning to look quite hopeful’, say experts, as number of people on mechanical ventilators reaches lowest level since October

By
Joe Pinkstone,
SCIENCE CORRESPONDENT
9 January 2022 • 4:58pm

New case numbers are beginning to fall in the South East and the East of England, as well as in London which peaked before Christmas

Covid cases are now falling outside of London, and all parts of England are showing signs of nearing their peak, data show.

Official records show that as of January 8, new case numbers are beginning to fall in the South East and the East of England, as well as in London, which peaked before Christmas.

Cases are still increasing in all other regions, but at a much slower rate than before.

It comes as the number of people on mechanical ventilators in England drops to its lowest level since October despite experts believing there may be around half a million infections a day.

Daily figures for Covid cases, hospitalisations and deaths have been disrupted due to the Christmas period, but are now beginning to return to normal.

Prof Paul Hunter, a professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia and an adviser to the WHO, says people often delay medical appointments over Christmas and schedule them for the new year, leading to a lull at the end of December but a spike in demand in early January.

 

[BLOCK F]

Drakeford,
the Welsh windbag and control freak who once cordoned off sections of supermarket aisles, including baby clothes, just to make a difficult situation even more of a pain in the arse.

Wee Jimmie Krankie would do anything as long as it is different to what the Westminster crew do, just to show how wise and statesmanlike she is.
I have to say, their tactics this time round seem to be wide of the mark and they don’t like being criticised for it.

 

[Fat Boy Fat]

Interesting…mind if I just ask the following

What knowledge other than what’s already in the public domain would you like them to have …and how?
At what stage do you go back to normal?

I have no problem with people going back to "normal" whatever that may be.

It just seems whenever someone brings up a concern or qualm regarding the path we are going along, that those with concerns are advocating restrictions, lockdowns, etc.

We, as a family, now have our own "normal", which I'm guessing is a long way detached from your version.

This may be of interest to you and shows the concerns that some have regarding vaccine efficacy.

https://bloodcancer.org.uk/support-for-you/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-vaccine-blood-cancer/covid-vaccine-efficacy-blood-cancer/

 

[LamieRobertson]

I have no problem with people going back to "normal" whatever that may be.

It just seems whenever someone brings up a concern or qualm regarding the path we are going along, that those with concerns are advocating restrictions, lockdowns, etc.

We, as a family, now have our own "normal", which I'm guessing is a long way detached from your version.

This may be of interest to you and shows the concerns that some have regarding vaccine efficacy.

https://bloodcancer.org.uk/support-for-you/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-vaccine-blood-cancer/covid-vaccine-efficacy-blood-cancer/

Yes It can be a case of who’s shoes you walk in…much as it is in many things.

Interesting link.

 

[Fat Boy Fat]

Yes It can be a case of who’s shoes you walk in…much as it is in many things.

Interesting link.

100% agree. All I've ever asked for, and still do, is general consideration for those that can't be "normal".

The vulnerable need to know someone has their backs, it doesn't feel like that at the moment in the drive to "live with" Covid.