Coronavirus (Covid19) Corner

[Marilyn]

Disturbing to hear about this new strain of Covid in UK. Hope the vaccine can cover it.

[Stanley]

So no danger at all in contact with people you come into contact with? And how about the mental effects of travel if you don't like this because of your age? I only feel comfortable these days if I am close to home.
So perhaps not irrational in my case.
Maz, no panic over possible mutation. There have been others and none of them to date is immune to the vaccine.
What is causing concern is the sudden spike in infections in the south east. They're talking about shutting schools early and not reopening immediately after Xmas. Looks as though they relaxed too soon at the time when all eyes were on the North as the hotbed.

[Tizer]

Disturbing to hear about this new strain of Covid in UK. Hope the vaccine can cover it.

Just because it's a new strain doesn't mean the present vaccines won't work on it. New strains are appearing all the time and have done so since the virus was first identified at the beginning of the year. Predictions might get made but the only way to find out properly is to see if vaccinated people get affected or not. Meanwhile detailed research is trying to detect exactly which proteins are changed in the new variant. There's more hype about this one because it coincides with a sharp rise in infections in parts of the UK. Even if this variant is more infectious it might have less serious effects on health - with viruses increased infectiousness often correlates with lower symptoms and vice versa.

[Tripps]

Nice to hear a sensible response to the situation.
Not the CMO trying to panic the entire nation then?

[Big Kev]

[Big Kev]

The BBC medical editor is on the Jeremy Vine Radio 2 programme saying the same thing 'if this variant is more infectious it might have less serious effects on health - with viruses increased infectiousness often correlates with lower symptoms and vice versa'.
It seemed to take the wind out of Vine's sails as he sounded to be in full 'scaremongering' mode to me...

[plaques]

Listening to Jeremy Vine the media makes it sound like the Virus holds a top level cabinet meeting discussing what to do next.

Top of today's agenda will be 'Our spies report there's a vaccine coming out soon what can we do do get round it'?
We could get stronger and kill people.
No point in that its self defeating nobody left to kill then no virus.
How about spreading quicker?
Could work if people don't think its worthwhile taking the vaccine.
Right then that's what we'll do. Next meeting in two weeks time. Thank you for your input.

[PanBiker]

Same on the BBC TV news. They were presenting it as if the virus was a sentient being.

[Tizer]

Another cock up...
`UK's 'test to release' Covid scheme for travellers gets off to chaotic start: Most private providers are unable to offer the service, which should have cut quarantine from to 10 days to five' Guardian

[plaques]

Report back from up north on the vaccine deployment. 80+ age group asked to attend local hospital for their jab. Apparent administration cockup with hundreds arriving with the same appointment time. Away the Lads.

[Stanley]

" he sounded to be in full 'scaremongering' mode to me..."
Most news presenters seem to be operating like that. They are all looking for the killer quote. I hate it when they ask the same question over and over again hoping to get a slip of the tongue.

[Cathy]

805BA09F-827A-4655-B2D9-E65DC1C2E8E7.png

[Stanley]

So true Cathy!

[Sue]

" he sounded to be in full 'scaremongering' mode to me..."
Most news presenters seem to be operating like that. They are all looking for the killer quote. I hate it when they ask the same question over and over again hoping to get a slip of the tongue.

And written headlines miss off key words like COULD.

[Stanley]

Yes Sue. They're having a hay-day with the mutant strain at the moment.
If you want common sense seek out MD in Private Eye.

[plaques]

Covid vaccinations moving closer. Now taking bookings at the Yarnspinners Health Care centre Nelson. (next to Morrisons) A friend booked in for this coming saturday. Patience mon brave.

[Tizer]

We've had a text message from our local surgery to say they're going to be doing vaccinations but I guess it'll be a while before we under-80s (me) and under-70s (her) are summoned.

[Stanley]

I haven't heard anything yet but that doesn't worry me. They will get round to me in time.

[Stanley]

Growing numbers of reports that the rise in cases is so bad that even stronger regulations should be put into effect before and during Xmas. We may yet have to have a revision of the 'Xmas Rules'. This revision is already unofficially there in the shape of 'guidance' but may have to be strengthened.

[Tizer]

The scientists continue to advise caution. The number of infections and deaths due to covid shot up in America after Thanksgiving. They've even been able to show how the virus spread from place to place.

[Big Kev]

I haven't heard anything yet but that doesn't worry me. They will get round to me in time.

I'm sure you'll be getting the call soon, Thomo did...

Screenshot_20201218-161437_Metal Pro.jpg

[Sue]

I have just been looking at the hospital figures for Greater Manchester and the NW. it is these figures that supposedly kept Manchester in tier 3. The numbers in hospitals peaked 3 weeks ago and the numbers are going down and where they were at the beginning of November, in some cases lower. We have been told the beds are on average in England 90 % full. The figures for London and the S E are 98-99%, in Manchester they are the seasonal norm of 87-88% . We are told the R value for England is greater than 1, in the NW it is less than one and falling.

This is definitely a case of what happens in London controls what happens in the rest of the country.

[Sue]

Yes Sue. They're having a hay-day with the mutant strain at the moment.
If you want common sense seek out MD in Private Eye.

I don’t need Private Eye, I studied it and taught it for years

[Big Kev]

This is definitely a case of what happens in London controls what happens in the rest of the country.

Certainly looks that way. The country has been Londoncentric for years...

[Tripps]

The news tonight is all about the 'mutant strain'. Said to be a lot more infectious than the 'regular strain', and possibly the reason for the recent increase in infections - but 'don't worry the vaccine will still work against it'. (probably).

Whether it does or not - they could hardly say anything else could they - after all the rejoicing at the arrival of the vaccine, just a few days ago. The post truth era - writ large.

Can't help thinking that the flu vaccine is reformulated each year to take into account new variants. Often based on what has been seen in Australia.

That is an influenza virus though, not a corona virus. Let's hope they are not the same.