Current Affairs Coronavirus Thread - Serious stuff !!!

[peteblue]

Merkel getting a bit of stick now over the ‘pause’....

“ Her main coalition partners, the Social Democrats (SPD) publicly condemned the decision as a “U-turn” that suggested the government has “no clear policy”. Germany, France and the Netherlands all said the vaccine was safe last week before later suspending the jabs.

One senior SPD politician went further, describing the move as a “disaster” and calling on the health minister, Jens Spahn, to resign. The opposition Free Democrat Party called for an inquiry and said Mrs Merkel’s government had “unnecessarily endangered human lives”.

“The bottom line, sadly, is that this good and effective vaccine is not being accepted by the public in many countries because of the row and the suspension,” said Frank Ulrich Montgomery, the German head of the World Medical Association.”

 

[peteblue]

“ Thousands of Germans were informed that their appointments for the jab had been cancelled because of the suspension, leaving them with no idea when they will be vaccinated. There is now talk of people who have received one AstraZeneca jab needing to start again and be given two jabs of a rival vaccine.

The Institute for the German Economy warned that suspending use of the vaccine for just one week could cost the German economy €2bn (£1.7bn), as Germany prepares for September elections for a successor to Mrs Merkel.

“This is how trust is lost”, said Eugen Brysch of the German Foundation for Patients’ Protection, accusing Mr Spahn of “igniting a conflagration”.

 

[Paulie]

I haven't got anything to hand right atm but the principles behind the methodology are explained in this piece from Medical Research Council in Cambridge (from last December).

It's essentially looking at the 'N' core protein within the virus and adapting the new generation of Covid vaccines accordingly. It's a little bit complicated for non scientists but does have diagrams and gives a far better overview of the ideas behind it rather than just explaining through words alone.

COVID vaccines focus on the spike protein – but here’s another target

New research shows why the N protein might be a good target.

theconversation.com

There is also a new multi variant Covid booster vaccine using the existing mRNA techniques being developed atm by CureVac in conjunction with GSK which will be able to be adapted quickly to add new variants.

Nice one.

 

[Goat]

Just got back after having mine.

Gnats piss.

It wasn't a great experience, it has to be said.

I didn't think the place was up to it; staff were vigilant, like: wiping down and making sure the people intent on having a chin cradle rather than a mask pulled up were instructed to wear their masks correctly. But the social distancing was appalling, IMO. A windowless room; entrance permanently open but the exit door swung open only when we were vaccinated and let out. As I counted, 60 people in that room at the one time and I was back to back with one feller, and I could easily reach out in front to touch the chair of two other people in front of me. I waited for 35 minutes for my shot. I rolled up earlier and I was allowed in 10 minutes before my appointment, which was no doubt leading to the large number of people in the room (which wasn't that big - certainly nowhere near gym-size). So the stewarding outside was the first line problem.

I think the volume they're trying to get through is compromising the system they have in that particular location - which I'll leave un-named as I dont want people not turning up on my account and missing their jabs.

Cant wait for the side effects.

How odd that out of everybody whos had the vaccine you had the worst experience.

I mean I'm not saying your lying, but, I think you are lying.

 

[peteblue]

“ On Tuesday Belgium’s health minister attacked the EU suspensions as “irresponsible”.

Frank Vandenbroucke said, “It's a kind of waterfall of decisions. I spoke to my Portuguese colleague yesterday. There they decided to suspend the vaccination campaign, but they have no data to do so.

“We are never going to get Europe vaccinated like this. Then we're going to get a third, fourth, fifth wave. We have to be careful with those chain reactions,” he said.

Marc von Ranst, Belgium's leading virologist, said that stopping the vaccinations would have meant Covid hospitalisations, long-term organ damage and deaths.

Poland has also refused to delay use of AstraZeneca. Michal Dworczyk, the Polish prime minister's chief of staff told the Polish Press Agency, "In my opinion, it is possible that we are dealing with a planned disinformation campaign and a brutal fight of medical companies."

I think the last comment sums it all up......

 

[Spadge Vernacular]

Merkel getting a bit of stick now over the ‘pause’....

“ Her main coalition partners, the Social Democrats (SPD) publicly condemned the decision as a “U-turn” that suggested the government has “no clear policy”. Germany, France and the Netherlands all said the vaccine was safe last week before later suspending the jabs.

One senior SPD politician went further, describing the move as a “disaster” and calling on the health minister, Jens Spahn, to resign. The opposition Free Democrat Party called for an inquiry and said Mrs Merkel’s government had “unnecessarily endangered human lives”.

“The bottom line, sadly, is that this good and effective vaccine is not being accepted by the public in many countries because of the row and the suspension,” said Frank Ulrich Montgomery, the German head of the World Medical Association.”

That it has been conflated with the Brexit squabble is extremely disappointing. It should never have been about one-upmanship from either side of the channel.

 

[davek]

What a surprise that issues that you claim people you'd spoke to have said were an issue actually happen to be the same issues that you've now found... whereas the vast majority of people have had far differing experiences.

Anyway, glad you've got it. Hopefully you don't suffer any side-effects and it works for you. As you say, it's likely location, especially in a city area?

What are you implying?

 

[peteblue]

That it has been conflated with the Brexit squabble is extremely disappointing. It should never have been about one-upmanship from either side of the channel.

Don‘t drag the U.K. or AZ into a political argument stirred up by European countries. I’ve said all along that Germany will do anything to push Pfizer forward and do down AZ, it’s all about politics and money.....

 

[davek]

Just in....

Macron has said that if the AZ is good enough for @davek then it’s good enough for him and the French population. Frau Merkel said she’d wait and see how Dave is tomorrow before lifting the ban. The EMA have sent Dave a token of appreciation. Meanwhile Davek himself said that it was a doddle, has no side effects, and looks forward to many more years of Tory rule......

If I start saying all that you know there';s something dodgy about it.

 

[Spadge Vernacular]

What are you implying?

I think he is saying that are not a real orange, Dave.

 

[davek]

How odd that out of everybody whos had the vaccine you had the worst experience.

I mean I'm not saying your lying, but, I think you are lying.

I wish I was lying.

 

[peteblue]

What are you implying?

...summat about porkies or something......

 

[Goat]

I wish I was lying.

Ive spoken to a LOT and I mean a LOT of people who have had the vaccine and not 1 of them had your experience or anything even close to it.

I find the fact you wont say the location the most telling, its almost like you know others would have been there and would expose your web of lies.

Anyway, glad you are now protected from death Dave.

Hope you thank Boris for the remaining years.

 

[peteblue]

Ive spoken to a LOT and I mean a LOT of people who have had the vaccine and not 1 of them had your experience or anything even close to it.

I find the fact you wont say the location the most telling, its almost like you know others would have been there and would expose your web of lies.

Anyway, glad you are now protected from death Dave.

Hope you thank Boris for the remaining years.

I heard he sent a thank you card......

 

[gav1985]

All very bizarre this. Given the odds I would pick the AZ vaccine every time rather than chance catching Covid. I would say leave them to do what they want to do but if they don't protect themselves against it then the virus could mutate in such a way it finds us here as well. Needs sorting out one way or another.