Current Affairs Coronavirus Thread - Serious stuff !!!

[ToffeeTim]

Im only going on opinion polls, im not saying its right or wrong just the reasons for labours strategy

I don't believe those polls at all. People answer the way they think others think they should respond, but don't have any intention of following any new rules thenmselves. There's some weird perception out there that you are selfish if you don't support lockdowns. I blame the media and their scaremongering.

 

[Jebus_lives]

They support them yes

Broadly the public do support them.

Interestingly, I've also seen suggestion that the public understanding of seriousness is linked to the measures the government bring in - Ie harsher measures people assume it's more serious.

 

[NilSatisOptimum]

Dark days for hospitality. Would imagine Kerrridge ride it out himself with his restaurants so is speaking up for the industry.

COVID: Tom Kerridge warns 'restaurants will crumble' after hundreds cancel bookings due to new coronavirus restrictions

The Michelin starred chef is among those in the hospitality sector who fear venues may have to close permanently if the government does not provide more financial support.

news.sky.com

 

[Walken]

Restrictions can be justified but where is the support for the industries damaged by these measures? Over 30% drop off in hospitality.

When are they reviewing the measures again? I thought it would be done before Christmas but I just heard on the radio there are no current plans for additional restrictions?

All very good points

 

[Ghost Rider]

Not sure I've seen any scientific evidence to suggest that it is a guarantee. The consensus among scientific advisors is that we don't have enough evidence to make definitive statements.

Very true but the thinking is on the worst case scenarios as it always has been. Which is fine, better to be over prepared than under prepared.

But I stand by the thought that a 90% vaccinated population and all of the weeks of data from South Africa that we do have. That this new variant won't emulate the alpha version when the world had no antibodies. Just because more people may catch it doesn't make it more dangerous , as there is still a big gulf between weekly cases and weekly admissions, due to the vaccine.

But that is the worst case scenario, that despite being told repeatedly about the more milder symptoms and lower admissions and all the rest of it. That we will still could potentially end up like we were at day one of the pandemic.

I refuse to believe that 90% double vaccinated population can hit those figures. I also believe that the data in terms of hospital and deaths over the course of the winter will not be different no matter which variant is involved , those who will catch it and get seriously ill will do so no matter which version they catch.

Which is why I say measures should have been put in place on July 19th for the winter rather than a reactionary approach as we have saw. It's not the what they have done but the why.

 

[Jebus_lives]

Restrictions can be justified but where is the support for the industries damaged by these measures? Over 30% drop off in hospitality.

When are they reviewing the measures again? I thought it would be done before Christmas but I just heard on the radio there are no current plans for additional restrictions?

Difference between advice and rules. If you only advise something shouldn't be done, you don't have to financially support it.

 

[coollino]

Dark days for hospitality. Would imagine Kerrridge he ride it out himself with his restaurants so is speaking up for the industry.

COVID: Tom Kerridge warns 'restaurants will crumble' after hundreds cancel bookings due to new coronavirus restrictions

The Michelin starred chef is among those in the hospitality sector who fear venues may have to close permanently if the government does not provide more financial support.

news.sky.com

He has a fair few now, i'd be surprised if one didn't close down.

It will prob change the landscape forever. There is this Polish semi fine-dining place near us where we used to go quite often, it was brilliant. Now they do more fast food (still good) and discos/DJ's fri and sat night. You can't blame them as they need to survive but its not far off a place lost for us now. we just pick up the odd sandwich from there now and again

 

[Ghost Rider]

Im only going on opinion polls, im not saying its right or wrong just the reasons for labours strategy

Who actually gets offered these opinion polls? ?

I don't think I have ever been asked to take part in one. Have been stopped by radio city once to ask me about our then manager.

 

[Walken]

I've asked the 3 people in my social circle loaded questions and formed a demographic of an entire nation, will add some fluff to this about their job titles and in the know status later for some really solid anecdotal data

 

[woomy]

Restrictions can be justified but where is the support for the industries damaged by these measures? Over 30% drop off in hospitality.

When are they reviewing the measures again? I thought it would be done before Christmas but I just heard on the radio there are no current plans for additional restrictions?

I think the rebellion last night has put an end to any further restrictions.
Get the feeling it was a warning to the front bench. No more. They knew everything would pass last night. So it was a chance for some to say, that's enough.

 

[Jebus_lives]

Very true but the thinking is on the worst case scenarios as it always has been. Which is fine, better to be over prepared than under prepared.

But I stand by the thought that a 90% vaccinated population and all of the weeks of data from South Africa that we do have. That this new variant won't emulate the alpha version when the world had no antibodies. Just because more people may catch it doesn't make it more dangerous , as there is still a big gulf between weekly cases and weekly admissions, due to the vaccine.

But that is the worst case scenario, that despite being told repeatedly about the more milder symptoms and lower admissions and all the rest of it. That we will still could potentially end up like we were at day one of the pandemic.

I refuse to believe that 90% double vaccinated population can hit those figures. I also believe that the data in terms of hospital and deaths over the course of the winter will not be different no matter which variant is involved , those who will catch it and get seriously ill will do so no matter which version they catch.

Which is why I say measures should have been put in place on July 19th for the winter rather than a reactionary approach as we have saw. It's not the what they have done but the why.

There is not yet enough evidence to say either way. The measures being introduced, which despite some of the rhetoric around them, aren't actually that restrictive, are there as preventative because the strain is obviously more transmissible but we are yet to determine if it is milder.

Similarly, we don't know if Delta and Omicron will coexist in the population or if one will replace the other.

Once again, we should be wary of the data (something I've maintained throughout the thread) regarding the gulf between weekly cases and weekly transmission because of the usual lag between infection > hospitalisation > death. More time is needed to understand the severity.

Unfortunately answering these things takes time and is uncertain... Uncertainty and time for it to fester are a bad mix.

 

[Jebus_lives]

I've asked the 3 people in my social circle loaded questions and formed a demographic of an entire nation, will add some fluff to this about their job titles and in the know status later for some really solid anecdotal data

My clinical director is very concerned.
A friend who is an ICU nurse is concerned.
Another friend who manages mental health services for a trust thinks it's all nonsense and hasn't been fully vaccinated.
My colleagues in UKHSA are cautious.
Another friend who is a front line nurse doesn't see what the fuss is about.

Just because you work for the NHS doesn't mean you are an authority on epidemiology or public health.

 

[COYBL25]

Gonna go and book a table tonight my local curry place, and leaving a decent sized tip.
I do think it is important to support your local businesses. I wasn't planning to. But the owners, staff etc have families to feed and mortgages to pay. It's not right people are being scared in to not going out and do basic things.
I believe people should grow a pair and go live their life.
You never know when your last day is coming.
Go enjoy, spend time with your friends and family. Turn the news off and go make memories.

Bravo.

 

[Jebus_lives]

My big worry from this is despite this being possibly the first time the government have been proactive in their activities and put early preventative measures in place, if Omicron is milder and does not require continued measures, this period will be jumped on by self interested people as an opportunity to prevent further restrictions in future where they may be needed more.

(Not helped by the shambles we have as a PM who engenders no trust at all).

 

[tsubaki]

I think the rebellion last night has put an end to any further restrictions.
Get the feeling it was a warning to the front bench. No more. They knew everything would pass last night. So it was a chance for some to say, that's enough.

Which is a damning state of affairs in and of itself TBF - governments, even one as catastrophic as this one, need to be able to do what’s necessary. If they don’t do that because the Bufton-Tuftons of the world will wail and gnash teeth then that’s a very bad thing.