COVID19

[Digby]

It's a better story than Boris going back on his word the virus isn't now more dangerous inside a day.

Did he give his word? Jesus he's a fuckwit. Can we have some politicians with even a rudimentary understanding of scientific method and that absence of evidence is not evidence of absence?

In the sense he spoke as PM yes, unless he thinks it's okay to do a Trump and be sarcastic about such things as sunlight and disinfectant. As so often he was trying to be ebullient, which is annoying when he knows better, and I can think back to his opening speech on all this when he warned people were going to die and thinking blimey, he's come across as reflective, sincere and concerned, but too often he's fallen back on let's just show a bit of bish, bash, bosh

[Galfon]

He's played the edge-man throughout with one eye on the economy.You could argue up to the arrival of the Canterbury-one he made a reasonable second half comeback...allowing crimbo/NY was far too variant friendy ( using his 'retrospectoscope' ), and we're getting hammered for this.
R rate < 1, cases falling, vaccination rates some positives.

[Portugal and latterly Spain are having their case surges right now so are just entering their hospital nightmares; hope they can pull it round quick..another lockdown avoidance scenario unfortunately.]

[Puja]

He's played the edge-man throughout with one eye on the economy.You could argue up to the arrival of the Canterbury-one he made a reasonable second half comeback...allowing crimbo/NY was far too variant friendy ( using his 'retrospectoscope' ), and we're getting hammered for this.
R rate < 1, cases falling, vaccination rates some positives.

[Portugal and latterly Spain are having their case surges right now so are just entering their hospital nightmares; hope they can pull it round quick..another lockdown avoidance scenario unfortunately.]

If only someone had offered the option of a circuit-breaker lockdown over the October half-term to pre-emptively cut cases and push the R-number down while the opportunity was there and schools were going to be closed already. {Sigh} Sadly, there was no-one with the foresight to see that early action was a good idea and such a thought could only be had with retrospectoscope.

Puja

[Son of Mathonwy]

He's played the edge-man throughout with one eye on the economy.You could argue up to the arrival of the Canterbury-one he made a reasonable second half comeback...allowing crimbo/NY was far too variant friendy ( using his 'retrospectoscope' ), and we're getting hammered for this.
R rate < 1, cases falling, vaccination rates some positives.

[Portugal and latterly Spain are having their case surges right now so are just entering their hospital nightmares; hope they can pull it round quick..another lockdown avoidance scenario unfortunately.]

If only someone had offered the option of a circuit-breaker lockdown over the October half-term to pre-emptively cut cases and push the R-number down while the opportunity was there and schools were going to be closed already. {Sigh} Sadly, there was no-one with the foresight to see that early action was a good idea and such a thought could only be had with retrospectoscope.

Puja

Yes indeed, if only SAGE had advised a lockdown in September or Starmer had called for Johnson to lockdown in time for half term. If either of those had happened, and Johnson ignored the advice, it would be obvious that most of the deaths since then were his responsibility.

[Digby]

Returning to a familiar theme, the total absence of clear communications from government, we're starting to see a rise in the purchasing of FFP masks, and some recommendations starting to come in across Europe for the more advanced products. Okay we haven't got that advice here but the purchase rates are going up, probably because people are getting the idea the more basic mask protects others and not you. And that's sort of okay but the purchase of FFP3 masks with the exhalation valves are included in that increase, and really that doesn't seem to be what we'd want.

I would like still much better advice on what sort of masks should be worn, when they should be worn and for how long. And I still wonder how many people are paying for them. We're over £200 on masks since the summer as a family unit and that's with minimal requirement to go out, so how are those on low incomes who do need to travel and go out to work possibly budgeting for sensible usage of masks?

[Stom]

Returning to a familiar theme, the total absence of clear communications from government, we're starting to see a rise in the purchasing of FFP masks, and some recommendations starting to come in across Europe for the more advanced products. Okay we haven't got that advice here but the purchase rates are going up, probably because people are getting the idea the more basic mask protects others and not you. And that's sort of okay but the purchase of FFP3 masks with the exhalation valves are included in that increase, and really that doesn't seem to be what we'd want.

I would like still much better advice on what sort of masks should be worn, when they should be worn and for how long. And I still wonder how many people are paying for them. We're over £200 on masks since the summer as a family unit and that's with minimal requirement to go out, so how are those on low incomes who do need to travel and go out to work possibly budgeting for sensible usage of masks?

We simply bought washable masks and then wash them...

I know they don’t give so much protection but the chances of us having it are minimal considering our contract groups and the rate of infection in our area (low as fook).

But I’ve avoided all public transport since this started. Don’t want to be trapped like bloody sardines when there’s this going round.

[Which Tyler]

Good news guys - looks like hospital bed occupancy has reached its post-christmas peak. Not dropping off again yet, but plateaud.
These are my local figures - but the dotted line is the national figure (divided by 120 in order to fit nicely on the same scale).

Hospital Beds recent.jpg

New infection numbers have dropped by about a third from their peak 2 weeks ago.

[Sandydragon]

Returning to a familiar theme, the total absence of clear communications from government, we're starting to see a rise in the purchasing of FFP masks, and some recommendations starting to come in across Europe for the more advanced products. Okay we haven't got that advice here but the purchase rates are going up, probably because people are getting the idea the more basic mask protects others and not you. And that's sort of okay but the purchase of FFP3 masks with the exhalation valves are included in that increase, and really that doesn't seem to be what we'd want.

I would like still much better advice on what sort of masks should be worn, when they should be worn and for how long. And I still wonder how many people are paying for them. We're over £200 on masks since the summer as a family unit and that's with minimal requirement to go out, so how are those on low incomes who do need to travel and go out to work possibly budgeting for sensible usage of masks?

They're not. Its a tenner spend on a pack of masks which are then used until they physically fall apart. I do wonder how many people are at least washing them?

[Which Tyler]

They're not. Its a tenner spend on a pack of masks which are then used until they physically fall apart. I do wonder how many people are at least washing them?

Which was a huge part of the delay in recommending masks in the first place.

In a country where everyone has access to clean water to wash masks in, people aren't; the WHO had to worry about countries where people don't have clean water to drink, let alone to wash face coverings.

[Digby]

Returning to a familiar theme, the total absence of clear communications from government, we're starting to see a rise in the purchasing of FFP masks, and some recommendations starting to come in across Europe for the more advanced products. Okay we haven't got that advice here but the purchase rates are going up, probably because people are getting the idea the more basic mask protects others and not you. And that's sort of okay but the purchase of FFP3 masks with the exhalation valves are included in that increase, and really that doesn't seem to be what we'd want.

I would like still much better advice on what sort of masks should be worn, when they should be worn and for how long. And I still wonder how many people are paying for them. We're over £200 on masks since the summer as a family unit and that's with minimal requirement to go out, so how are those on low incomes who do need to travel and go out to work possibly budgeting for sensible usage of masks?

We simply bought washable masks and then wash them...

I know they don’t give so much protection but the chances of us having it are minimal considering our contract groups and the rate of infection in our area (low as fook).

But I’ve avoided all public transport since this started. Don’t want to be trapped like bloody sardines when there’s this going round.

We've bought similar, although we do now have some disposable FFP2 masks too in case we need to go anywhere public, say a hospital in case of emergency. Though the washable ones do I'm led to believe become saturated more quickly after being washed a number of times and thus more permeable/less useful, thus we've bought sets for each of us 3 or 4 times now. And thusly means bigger picture many couldn't afford to be buying appropriate masks, can't avoid be using such as public transport, and aren't in the first place getting simple sensible messaging about masks

[Digby]

Returning to a familiar theme, the total absence of clear communications from government, we're starting to see a rise in the purchasing of FFP masks, and some recommendations starting to come in across Europe for the more advanced products. Okay we haven't got that advice here but the purchase rates are going up, probably because people are getting the idea the more basic mask protects others and not you. And that's sort of okay but the purchase of FFP3 masks with the exhalation valves are included in that increase, and really that doesn't seem to be what we'd want.

I would like still much better advice on what sort of masks should be worn, when they should be worn and for how long. And I still wonder how many people are paying for them. We're over £200 on masks since the summer as a family unit and that's with minimal requirement to go out, so how are those on low incomes who do need to travel and go out to work possibly budgeting for sensible usage of masks?

They're not. Its a tenner spend on a pack of masks which are then used until they physically fall apart. I do wonder how many people are at least washing them?

We very likely do have a very unhelpful mix of ignorance, lack of funds to purchase even if informed, poor usage where they do exist, and now (and what prompted today's musings, I've seen comment on the rise in sales of more protective masks for the weaker that are riskier for those exposed to them.

We have had hands, face, space. We haven't had remotely enough simple consistent messaging on masks (nor any moves to ensure people have suitable masks)

[Sandydragon]

Returning to a familiar theme, the total absence of clear communications from government, we're starting to see a rise in the purchasing of FFP masks, and some recommendations starting to come in across Europe for the more advanced products. Okay we haven't got that advice here but the purchase rates are going up, probably because people are getting the idea the more basic mask protects others and not you. And that's sort of okay but the purchase of FFP3 masks with the exhalation valves are included in that increase, and really that doesn't seem to be what we'd want.

I would like still much better advice on what sort of masks should be worn, when they should be worn and for how long. And I still wonder how many people are paying for them. We're over £200 on masks since the summer as a family unit and that's with minimal requirement to go out, so how are those on low incomes who do need to travel and go out to work possibly budgeting for sensible usage of masks?

They're not. Its a tenner spend on a pack of masks which are then used until they physically fall apart. I do wonder how many people are at least washing them?

We very likely do have a very unhelpful mix of ignorance, lack of funds to purchase even if informed, poor usage where they do exist, and now (and what prompted today's musings, I've seen comment on the rise in sales of more protective masks for the weaker that are riskier for those exposed to them.

We have had hands, face, space. We haven't had remotely enough simple consistent messaging on masks (nor any moves to ensure people have suitable masks)

And of course the slight issue of non-compliance.

[Digby]

They're not. Its a tenner spend on a pack of masks which are then used until they physically fall apart. I do wonder how many people are at least washing them?

We very likely do have a very unhelpful mix of ignorance, lack of funds to purchase even if informed, poor usage where they do exist, and now (and what prompted today's musings, I've seen comment on the rise in sales of more protective masks for the weaker that are riskier for those exposed to them.

We have had hands, face, space. We haven't had remotely enough simple consistent messaging on masks (nor any moves to ensure people have suitable masks)

And of course the slight issue of non-compliance.

Indeed, though not helped by the failures in messaging. Around here not many people aren't wearing them when going into shops I'm told (not that I go into shops myself or even much remember what that's like) but the buses/trains are still an issue, queueing is still a problem as is people not distancing and stopping for a chat to take on droplets

Still, that some people are idiots doesn't mean there shouldn't be a clear messaging on simple best practice, and I'm still minded to think there should be something in place for those families who can't possibly be looking to spend hundreds on masks for whatever combo of travel, work and school.

[paddy no 11]

Vaccine wars are unedifying spectacle

[Which Tyler]

New website set up specifically to counter claims by the vaccine deniers


https://www.covidfaq.co/

[Digby]

Surely published by Soros and Gates!

[Stom]

Surely published by Soros and Gates!

Another case of our glorious Viktator being a trend setter.

[Which Tyler]

Looking at Wiki, 100,000 is more than the (UK) civilian casualties from all wars of the 20th century

[morepork]

I wish the US and UK would just close their fucking borders properly while the vaccination is going on. Evey cunt just floats around the country/globe with relative ease. Aint going to contain shit like this.

[Which Tyler]

Boris is sorry, and accepts responsibility - just not consequences.

"The government did everything it could" - if by "everything" you mean "locked down too late, mixed our messaging, contradicted ourselves, demonstrated that the rules don't apply, still haven't closed the borders, and were more interested in handing contracts for things like T&T and PPE to friends tan anyone demonstrating competence"

[Sandydragon]

Vaccine wars are unedifying spectacle

Both sides need to grow the feck up. This is too important for squabbles.

[morepork]

Vaccine wars are unedifying spectacle

Both sides need to grow the feck up. This is too important for squabbles.

"both sides"? The laws of nature Vs. unsubstantiated anecdote?

[Stom]

I wish the US and UK would just close their fucking borders properly while the vaccination is going on. Evey cunt just floats around the country/globe with relative ease. Aint going to contain shit like this.

Yeah, and the Viktator is looking to do that, too. Just one problem: you get no say in which vaccine you get and Hungary is getting the Russian and Chinese vaccines.

Ok, the latter I know nothing about, but the stories about the Russian one...

If I could choose, Pfizer all the way.

[Stom]

Vaccine wars are unedifying spectacle

Both sides need to grow the feck up. This is too important for squabbles.

"both sides"? The laws of nature Vs. unsubstantiated anecdote?

I hope he was thinking about the squabbles over supplied between countries.

[morepork]

Both sides need to grow the feck up. This is too important for squabbles.

"both sides"? The laws of nature Vs. unsubstantiated anecdote?

I hope he was thinking about the squabbles over supplied between countries.

Ah. I see.