Current Affairs Coronavirus Thread - Serious stuff !!!

[ForeverBlue92]

Looks like we are already preparing for lock down 2.

Coronavirus Ireland: Hospitals warned of second Covid-19 surge in summer

HSE officials are worried that any lifting of the Covid-19 restrictions next week will result in a second surge of the virus, piling pressure on hospitals across the country.

www.independent.ie

There is realistically no such thing as waves or surges - its basically the more people out in public the higher the numbers go up again.

Those believing that this current lockdown would solve all our problems were always going to be in for a shock. Its why I laugh at Karen on FB with the "stay home guys the more you go out the longer we are in lockdown for" no Kaz it has nothing to do with that - the numbers are only dropping now because no bugger is out and about - once life resumes infected numbers and deaths will rise again.

No stopping this thing without a vaccine or herd immunity in which mass antibody testing is essential to track the progress of that - stop arsing around with these dodgy home testing kits from China that are as reliable as Del Boys Russian VCR and start blood testing the population ffs! We dont need testing centres we have GP services scattered all around the country.

 

[Tea_drinker]

Johnsons back on Monday. He'll quote a bit of Latin and ruffle his own hair and the country will feel much better.

 

[LouReedwalkonthewildside]

The good weather is a massive contributing factor in this.

Needs a load of bad weather to drive them back inside.

Supposedly all change for us down here in the south - east from Tuesday, heavy rain coming in.

 

[Neiler]

Masks? Difficult to prove but for the past couple of years, during the seasonal winter flu and cold season, our local hospital CH Guéret has required visitors with coughs and colds to wear a mask. These are given out at reception /registration.
They obviously believe that masks reduce airborne virus transmission.

Anecdotally, working in health care the advise has evolved for us in recent weeks in wearing masks. Firstly we were advised to wear masks (and full PPE) working with or within two meters of anyone on droplet precautions, suspected or confirmed Covid.

In the last week we have been told by the HSE (Irelands NHS) that we have to wear masks on any clinical ward or within two meters of any patient regardless of clinical diagnosis or any other health care professional.

So essentially we are wearing masks all day every day in any and all clinical work or even just speaking to a colleague.

 

[BlueStevie35]

There is realistically no such thing as waves or surges - its basically the more people out in public the higher the numbers go up again.

Those believing that this current lockdown would solve all our problems were always going to be in for a shock. Its why I laugh at Karen on FB with the "stay home guys the more you go out the longer we are in lockdown for" no Kaz it has nothing to do with that - the numbers are only dropping now because no bugger is out and about - once life resumes infected numbers and deaths will rise again.

No stopping this thing without a vaccine or herd immunity in which mass antibody testing is essential to track the progress of that - stop arsing around with these dodgy home testing kits from China that are as reliable as Del Boys Russian VCR and start blood testing the population ffs! We dont need testing centres we have GP services scattered all around the country.

You’re weirdly obsessed with this Karen lady my friend

 

[spectateur]

The highest proportion of cases by far is in Belfast which is very densely populated.

And polluted air?

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Okay I understand that. I'm in the fortunate position of not having to go to a park for my exercise and can go to places where I see a few dog walkers at most and can keep my distance. It's really not hard - so common sense is used. Just like I wouldn't go on a 10-hour bike ride 50 or 100km away from home. I can do routes which are nearby like I've been through - so again, I'm using common sense. I had that fall and yes, I have been more careful since then. Stayed off the bike for a few days to stick to running so I'm not risking another bad fall and having to end up in hospital and waste resources. But I could quite easily get hit by an idiot driver doing 70 everywhere because the roads are quiet, couldn't I - and there are plenty of people doing that.

The government are allowing people to get out and exercise because it's important. It's important for mental and physical health. Keeping people locked in their homes like Spain and Italy have done is, I think, bordering on cruel, whatever the reasons for doing so.

The NHS hasn't said anything, as far as I'm aware, that is different to the message has come from the government. And the lockdown as it is seems to have worked like it has in those other countries badly impacted by this (not the ones which got ahead of it - and those countries have all allowed exercise too, i.e. Germany, Norway etc).

I've no doubt that you'll continue to go for your long bike rides, just as people will still go for a picnic in their local park, or will flock to markets or DIY stores when they're reopened. Ultimately only you, and everyone else, can decide if what you're doing is sensible, or whether you could do something else that would be less risky.

 

[COYBL25]

Okay I understand that. I'm in the fortunate position of not having to go to a park for my exercise and can go to places where I see a few dog walkers at most and can keep my distance. It's really not hard - so common sense is used. Just like I wouldn't go on a 10-hour bike ride 50 or 100km away from home. I can do routes which are nearby like I've been through - so again, I'm using common sense. I had that fall and yes, I have been more careful since then. Stayed off the bike for a few days to stick to running so I'm not risking another bad fall and having to end up in hospital and waste resources. But I could quite easily get hit by an idiot driver doing 70 everywhere because the roads are quiet, couldn't I - and there are plenty of people doing that.

The government are allowing people to get out and exercise because it's important. It's important for mental and physical health. Keeping people locked in their homes like Spain and Italy have done is, I think, bordering on cruel, whatever the reasons for doing so.

The NHS hasn't said anything, as far as I'm aware, that is different to the message has come from the government. And the lockdown as it is seems to have worked like it has in those other countries badly impacted by this (not the ones which got ahead of it - and those countries have all allowed exercise too, i.e. Germany, Norway etc).

I think you also need to mention that you live in the very rural Cornwall mate.

So cycling solo through quiet country lanes ( as long as you stay near to home ), isn`t the same as riding in a small group through built up areas.

 

[Tea_drinker]

The tories are going to put the focus on the wrong numbers as a distraction in the coming days. They'll fill the media with stories about 100,000 tests to over ride the much more important figure which reads 20,000 (widely regarded as way too low) deaths.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Well, I presume that a scientist isn't making up the findings of others.

Anyway, here's a group of scientists who have produced a discussion paper (link to a PDF file after abstract).

Face Masks Against COVID-19: An Evidence Review

The science around the use of masks by the general public to impede COVID-19 transmission is advancing rapidly. Policymakers need guidance on how masks should be used by the general population to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we synthesize the relevant literature to inform multiple areas...

www.preprints.org

Again, something peer reviewed would be good I have read that paper before though, and a central aspect of it seems to be the prevention of transmission if you cough directly at someone stood 8 inches away. I barely get that close to my wife, much less random strangers as I walk about during a period when social distancing is highly encouraged, and certainly not if I feel the need to cough or sneeze.

Just to emphasise this point. In most of the western world, personal space with someone we're intimate with is regarded as around 1.5 feet. With a stranger, even during normal circumstances, it's closer to 4 feet.

 

[Neiler]

There is realistically no such thing as waves or surges - its basically the more people out in public the higher the numbers go up again.

Those believing that this current lockdown would solve all our problems were always going to be in for a shock. Its why I laugh at Karen on FB with the "stay home guys the more you go out the longer we are in lockdown for" no Kaz it has nothing to do with that - the numbers are only dropping now because no bugger is out and about - once life resumes infected numbers and deaths will rise again.

No stopping this thing without a vaccine or herd immunity in which mass antibody testing is essential to track the progress of that - stop arsing around with these dodgy home testing kits from China that are as reliable as Del Boys Russian VCR and start blood testing the population ffs! We dont need testing centres we have GP services scattered all around the country.

This is it really. If people have been following some of the narrative, it appears the approach will be dance and hammer. Essentially multiple lock downs when cases spike and easing restrictions when the R0 drops to what the government feel is an acceptable level and the cycle begins again.

Despite much of the political language, this isnt about beating the virus completely, its protecting health services from being swamped and managing natural herd immunity and the period until artificial herd immunity (vaccine) can be achieved. The winter i am thinking may be nasty.

If a country stamps out the virus and manages its borders its won the lottery.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I think you also need to mention that you live in the very rural Cornwall mate.

So cycling solo through quiet country lanes ( as long as you stay near to home ), isn`t the same as riding in a small group through built up areas.

Don't encourage him ffs

 

[COYBL25]

Don't encourage him ffs lol

In all fairness to him, I`ve got a couple of mates doing 50 mile plus bike rides, one is out every day as he`s been furloughed, but they`re doing loops rather than " there and back " rides.

The lad who`s been furloughed is now smashing out personal bests every week lol

 

[davek]

Face masks are key to halting coronavirus and helping us leave lockdown

Remember the phrase, ''Say it don't spray it?'' Well, sadly it doesn't apply to Covid-19. Three important studies have just been published that say everyone should wear a simple cotton facemask when they go out, especially when they go to supermarkets or on public transport.

www.independent.ie

Professor Luke O'Neill FRS is professor of Biochemistry in the School of Biochemistry and Immunology at Trinity College Dublin.

Read the first bit of that but it's pay walled.

 

[jamieni]

And polluted air?

Not sure on that score compared to other cities in U.K. and Ireland. I do know people in NI tend to commute in private cars more so than use public transport. Probably because our infrastructure is rubbish after years and years of underinvestment due to the Troubles. Comparatively speaking we probably have high emissions from cars etc. There certainly aren’t the same levels of heavy industry that used to go on in Belfast though.