Coronavirus (Covid19) Corner

[Stanley]

I always had fun when twin town delegations visited Ellenroad Engine. One of them was from Bielefeld and the town manager (who had held the post for many years and was a famous 'fixer'.) took me on one side and asked whether I knew the Audi motto, 'Vorsprung durch Technik' I passed that test. Then he asked if I understood 'chutzpah' and I said it was peeing through a letter box then knocking on the door and asking how far it went. He said "Good! I suggest the motto for Ellenroad should be 'Vorprung durch chutzpah!'
Nothing to do with the topic but I thought you'd like that one....

[Whyperion]

Hopefully it'll 'slap down' the conspiracy theorists.

I doubt it. It's a big coincidence that an Institute of Virology was nearby. The 'science' is largely beyond my understanding, but I'd be very wary of depending on any information coming with the approval of the Chinese Government,

There are two institutes in the town/city. I read two of the research papers on SARS (published I think in 2018/19) we know they were experimenting on gene editing to find why SARS was not as contagious (and possibly as dangerous), as first expected. What I didnt know was a later suggestion (not checked the truth), that some of this research was being funded by the USA ( presumably as general or specific science collaboration budgets rather than a chemical warfare one). Could these (academic) papers still be found or were they withdrawn or so difficult to search given all the informational noise since then i dont know. Could (any?) a safety protocol have been compromised, given the death of one (not one of the named so far as I know) reasearchers and China good at not sharing fully any lack of robustness, we dont know for certain. We also know that Bat Virus similar too ,if found in Laos , was also brought back to Whuhan for investigation. We also know the format of the market was a hygienic mess. So three potential areas of possibility, the lab leak could only be ruled out if we trust fully Chinese information and record keeping, it remains a possibility, if not a probability.

[Tizer]

It's no coincidence that an Institute of Virology was nearby. It was originally (from 1950s) a general microbiology research institute but when they began to realise the potential dangers to humans from animal-borne viruses they focused on that area of research. It was done in collaboration with US and UK (and probably other nationality) scientists and institutes. Foreign scientists visited regularly and worked in their labs. The institute was recognised for its progress in understanding these viruses and we've all benefited indirectly from their research studies.

[Big Kev]

I have a sore throat and a mild headache which is marvellous
2 paracetamol have done their job for now, I've refrained from testing unless any other symptoms show themselves. Professor Francois Balloux says it's nothing to be concerned about, with a name like that I want to believe every word he says (my childish sense of humour showing itself again)

[Tripps]

I have a sore throat and a mild headache

Nothing to worry about. Covid seems to have finished. No numbers of new cases on Worldometers for several weeks now, so I guess there are not even enough for the Government to count. Nothing in the press recently, and no restrictions on almost anything.

They think it's all over . . . .

[Big Kev]

I have a sore throat and a mild headache

Nothing to worry about. Covid seems to have finished. No numbers of new cases on Worldometers for several weeks now, so I guess there are not even enough for the Government to count. Nothing in the press recently, and no restrictions on almost anything.

They think it's all over . . . .

To be honest, if it is Covid I've not even broken step.

[Stanley]

I think it's still being taken seriously in places like care homes but in most places now Masks are voluntary. I still use on in the supermarket.....(and gloves as well because I have always been in the shed first so no point taking them off.)
The 'New Normal'?

[Whyperion]

Cousins in Wales have had covid over the last month, and felt pretty rough. I seem to get odd days of sore throats and sneezing , dont know if it has been the odd instance of the last of the hay fever, but seems to clear up by afternoon If I up my red fruits juice intake

[Tizer]

An update with some info on the strains in the vaccines...
`Flu and Covid could make this a hard winter for UK' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-63045190LINK

[PanBiker]

We have just booked our Covid Autumn boosters. Next Monday at one of the chemists in Nelson. We could have gone to the booster bus which is in Barlick tomorrow but we have this weekend's Alan Parkinson tribute to help with on Saturday and Sunday. Last Phizer booster made us both feel rough for a few days so we decided on the Monday option. Sally' birthday later next week so we hope Monday will be about right.

[Tizer]

Mrs Tiz's sister and her hubby got Covid a week or so before us but they're still suffering from it while we're well out of it. Perhaps they had a different strain. I notice that BBC report says: `The UK is using an updated vaccine for the Covid booster, targeting both the original and the Omicron version of the pandemic virus'.

[Stanley]

At the moment any reactions I am having have more to do with the flu jab I think than Covid..... But of course I can't be certain!

[Tizer]

I dug this info on the composition of the 22/23 flu vaccine from a 61-page UK Health Security Agency document...
`This vaccine composition differs from the 2021 to 2022 vaccine composition as 1 of the influenza A virus strains and 1 of the influenza B virus strains have been replaced'.
This might account for some mild side effects because we might not have had those strains in the vaccine previously.

[Stanley]

If it protects us from the virus that Australia has had to deal with this winter it will do Peter. Reports are that their strain has been vicious.

[PanBiker]

We had our Covid boosters this morning over at Nelson. Pharmacy had a steady stream so we were in and out in about 5 minutes. See how this one goes, the last one made us both rough for a few days.

[Wendyf]

We had ours this morning at Taylors Pharmacy in Nelson, straight in and out with no waiting around.

[PanBiker]

That's where we went Wendy, there were about four in front of us after we had checked in.

[Wendyf]

We were there a bit early for a 10.30 appointment. We are both starting to feel a bit under the weather already!

[plaques]

This coming Wednesday afternoon at Colne Health centre for us. We hope.

[Gloria]

We had our Covid jabs on 17th sept and felt rough for a few days.

[Stanley]

Quite a lot of people reporting after effects. Not sure whether from Booster or Winter Flu jab. In my case the latter I think. Daughter Susan reports all the symptoms of winter flu and is testing negative for Covid. She's been exposed to Covid at Thornton Care home as they have a flare-up there. Sounds to me like winter flu jab last week is the culprit.
(I don't suppose it really matters.... If it protects against what is reported as a particularly nasty flu strain this winter it will be worth while.)

[PanBiker]

Not had our flu jabs yet so the fact that we both feel like we have been hit by a train is definitely the Pfizer Covid booster. Couldn't get comfy in bed last night so we both feel like we haven't slept very well. Doing nothing today apart from Paracetamol and lots of fluid as recommended.

Hoping to feel a bit better for tonight, it's our monthly cancer support meeting at the centre.

[Whyperion]

There is a pretty strong normal cold going about too ( poss enough to finish some people off ). Seems to be more in city areas where we all rub shoulders with one another but any indoor event will be a risk too ).

[Stanley]

That's interesting Ian and it knocks my theory about the flu jab on the head. Susan reported exacly the same symptoms as you. Yesterday she said "Rough night last night, I feel like I’ve been hit by a bus!". The good news is she feels as though she is mending now. I think it took me five days to get over it.....
Best of luck with the recovery for both of you!

[Wendyf]

I was aching all over by last night having had just a sore arm for 24 hours. Early bed and a couple of paracetamol seem to have sorted me out. Colin was busy in his workshop most of the day and felt nothing!