Coronavirus: General discussion (see opening post for rules)

[mikeprice]

This is the clearest risk guide I've found:

 

[ATTACH]59421[/ATTACH]

 

It's from July and it is American, but it was produced by medical professionals and it's easy to understand. I think something similar (potentially with the option to drill down further) would be really useful to allow politicians explain to the public what the options are and what the impact is likely to be. Even if there isn't any further lockdown, it would allow people to make better informed decisions on their personal choices.

 

Have you a link to the original - that image is a bit difficult to read

 

 

 

OK who said something about me getting old?????

[sigma]

Why have people gone to university? Just learn from home, not like you need your parents to stay home with you, perfect people to do it.

 

Except for those that have physical tasks involving specialist equipment. Even so, I agree.

[the_quick]

Short lockdown or circuit break, whatever you want to call it has ,main purpose of buying time. The most important is how this time is used. It should be used to fix track and trace system, better testing regime - faster results. Yes, we know that we test more than any other country in Europe, but it should not be badge of honour - we test so many because previous measures failed and we have many cases and it is getting out of hand. We should be looking at countries that manage better and learn from them.

 

Spring lock down helped in reducing amount of cases, to build up testing numbers, but other system to help to stop this pandemic didn't work - so in some way that time we bought was wasted. It is political, clearly - as govt now is not "following the science".

 

I think short lockdown is a good idea, but it has to come with a good plan and support measures for those who going to be affected - business owners and workers. Otherwise there is really no point. I have sad feeling that a decision was made to give up and just pretend something is being done, as they don't want throw any more money at it.

Edited October 14, 2020 by the_quick

[Duranis]

I have sad feeling that a decision was made to give up and just pretend something is being done, as they don't want throw any more money at it.

 

This was pretty much their plan at the beginning and what I feel they have been working their way back to. They kept the lockdown in place just long enough for people to get fed up with it so then people would be more willing to take the more risky options. Doesn't take a genius to see how quickly the figures went up once they opened everything up again.

 

Worst case scenario for peoples health but best case for the economy.

 

Having said that though it's easy for me to say "keep everything shut" when it's not my business or livelihood on the line.

 

 

Edit: Interesting on that poster that pumping gas is a lot lower risk then I thought it was (still going to be using a disposable glove and pay at pump though). Also interesting that going to the pub is one of the highest risk factors but also one of the things the UK Government seems most concerned about keeping going.

Edited October 14, 2020 by Duranis

[Rob_D]

Edit: Interesting on that poster that pumping gas is a lot lower risk then I thought it was (still going to be using a disposable glove and pay at pump though). Also interesting that going to the pub is one of the highest risk factors but also one of the things the UK Government seems most concerned about keeping going.

Don't Americans still have attendants to help you fill your car in a lot of places? If true, it might be artificially lowering the risk value.

[jthompson]

American football will be much higher risk than actual football. Either move it or just scribble 'touch rugby' over the top of it. Other than that, the list is pretty much good to go.

[LeMarchand]

American football will be much higher risk than actual football. Either move it or just scribble 'touch rugby' over the top of it. Other than that, the list is pretty much good to go.

 

Judging by our local cinema I'd place that risk on a par with "Eating in a restaurant (outside)".

[jmak]

Have you a link to the original - that image is a bit difficult to read

 

 

 

OK who said something about me getting old?????

https://hartfordhealthcare.org/about-us/news-press/news-detail?articleid=26936&publicId=395

 

It's a descriptive article, image is linked at the bottom.

[mavhc]

Edit: Interesting on that poster that pumping gas is a lot lower risk then I thought it was (still going to be using a disposable glove and pay at pump though). Also interesting that going to the pub is one of the highest risk factors but also one of the things the UK Government seems most concerned about keeping going.

 

It's outside, not really a problem, the fumes from the petrol are killing you just as fast.

 

People were worried when they thought it was spread by touch more

[mikeprice]

My wife was in the 'extremely clinically vulnerable' group - aka shielding

 

so we are VERY keen to get the flu jab this year

 

just got a message from the doctor's surgery saying that the appointment has been cancelled

 

next appointment available is in a month

 

 

Oh good

 

email to MP being composed

 

 

edit

having rung the surgery - apparently part of the problem is that they would normally expect that people will make appointments and the not turn up

 

Not one single person has failed to turn up for a flu jab appointment- hence they have run out and the next delivery is in November - in 4 weeks time!!!

 

 

so the good thing is that people are taking it seriously

Edited October 14, 2020 by mikeprice

[LeMarchand]

My wife was in the 'extremely clinically vulnerable' group - aka shielding

 

so we are VERY keen to get the flu jab this year

 

just got a message from the doctor's surgery saying that the appointment has been cancelled

 

next appointment available is in a month

 

 

Oh good

 

email to MP being composed

 

Haven't tried booking this year, but one of my schools gives out vouchers. Last year I just wandered into Tesco and booked for my next planned shop. Was going to try for 1/2 term on my Friday shop. Obviously not as good as the docs, but if you pick a quiet time? (Also available at other supermarkets).

[mikeprice]

Haven't tried booking this year, but one of my schools gives out vouchers. Last year I just wandered into Tesco and booked for my next planned shop. Was going to try for 1/2 term on my Friday shop. Obviously not as good as the docs, but if you pick a quiet time? (Also available at other supermarkets).

 

Thanks - will ask when I go tomorrow

 

may have to end up paying

[Garacesh]

My current school doesn't offer flu jabs

I mean I always had to pay for it anyway, but that never bothered me. It's just the last place arranged for a pharmacy to come in and administer them.

Only a minor inconvenience, but still. I'd like to avoid out there *vague gesturing* as much as possible at the moment lol.

[mikeprice]

My current school doesn't offer flu jabs

I mean I always had to pay for it anyway, but that never bothered me. It's just the last place arranged for a pharmacy to come in and administer them.

Only a minor inconvenience, but still. I'd like to avoid out there *vague gesturing* as much as possible at the moment lol.

 

I'm quite happy about 'out there' - I like being outside in the fresh air

 

it's just the people that I want to b****r off and let me ride my bike happily up the path

 

except that bloke I saw with the Gyr Falcon - he can hang out anywhere he wants because

a) he seems to be hard as rocks

b) he has a Gyr falcon - if he just lets me stand and watch her fly - my world will be happy

[Rob_D]

Haven't tried booking this year, but one of my schools gives out vouchers. Last year I just wandered into Tesco and booked for my next planned shop. Was going to try for 1/2 term on my Friday shop. Obviously not as good as the docs, but if you pick a quiet time? (Also available at other supermarkets).

 

We've been told the staff voucher scheme isn't available this year due to shortages. Same when I popped into the local chemists. Doesn't look like I'm going to be able to get one this year.

[StevieM]

so we are VERY keen to get the flu jab this year

just got a message from the doctor's surgery saying that the appointment has been cancelled

 

By strange coincidence, I’ve just had a message from the surgery inviting me for a flu jab next Wednesday afternoon.

[DrBeaker]

I'm quite happy about 'out there' - I like being outside in the fresh air

 

it's just the people that I want to b****r off and let me ride my bike happily up the path

 

...

 

I want to ride my bicycle

I want to ride my bike

I want to ride my bicycle

I want to ride it where I like

 

Sorry - couldn't help it

[Andrew_C]

Worst case scenario for peoples health but best case for the economy.

That could be excusable - if our economy wasn't the worst performing in Europe. I know there are other factors here as well, but that excuse is just that. An excuse for failing us utterly.

[Duranis]

That could be excusable - if our economy wasn't the worst performing in Europe. I know there are other factors here as well, but that excuse is just that. An excuse for failing us utterly.

 

Yeah, I didn't mean to imply that I actually had any faith in their plan or try to portray that it was in any way, shape or form effective

 

RE: Flu Jab's. My school actually offered them for the first time this year so I managed to get mine. My daughter got hers done at the Dr's because she is 3 but my Mrs and 2 older boys had their appointments cancelled because there was not enough vaccine. Tried to book in literally everywhere within 40 miles of us but no available appointments until November. My MIL who is at risk, older, and has COPD is also struggling to get an appointment. Initially she was told she wasn't eligible, despite having COPD and other health complications.

[mikeprice]

Noticed that the town where I grew up was in the news yesterday - so I checked

 

Apparently the is a Gym there now - near the roundabout - and the owner was in the paper saying he was going to keep open anyway and ignore the new rules

 

the article says he was on the TV news as well

 

so this morning - strangely - he opens up and the cops turn up and warn him that he will get fined is he doesn't close

they left but he stayed open

So - strangely - they came back - and he got a £1000 fine

 

he is expecting a GoFundMe campaign to pay for it

 

idiot

[StevieM]

Noticed that the town where I grew up was in the news yesterday - so I checked

 

Apparently the is a Gym there now - near the roundabout - and the owner was in the paper saying he was going to keep open anyway and ignore the new rules

 

the article says he was on the TV news as well

 

so this morning - strangely - he opens up and the cops turn up and warn him that he will get fined is he doesn't close

they left but he stayed open

So - strangely - they came back - and he got a £1000 fine

 

he is expecting a GoFundMe campaign to pay for it

 

idiot

 

I wouldn't worry about it. He'll end up going to prison and/or having his operating licence revoked.

[witch]

The problem is that many small business owners are seeing their life's work going down the pan and many are in areas where they have never seen or heard of anyone with Covid-19, so it is very hard for them to be all altruistic and feel that the lockdowns and restrictions are for the greater good.

I did a quick straw poll this morning and no child in the school - 350 pupils - has presented with Covid-19 symptoms, no adult has had it and we have one member of staff isolating as a relative might have it, and one whose Uncle died of Covid-19 and other complications back in March.

Most of my friends don't know anyone who has had it other than one who, with her husband, had it the week before lockdown.

So everything seems pretty normal around here at the moment.

[Pink_Panda]

We've been told the staff voucher scheme isn't available this year due to shortages. Same when I popped into the local chemists. Doesn't look like I'm going to be able to get one this year.

 

We got given our vouchers here, but when I checked availability at my local chemist, all I could do is register my interest.

[jmak]

Yep, there have been zero cases in the council District I live in over the last 6 weeks. Most people are doing mostly normal things. I also have friends who work in the performing arts industry and they have had no income since March and know people who were furloughed before, but don't know how they'll pay the bills if it happens again.

 

However, a family friend who is in his mid-fifties but otherwise healthy was very unwell for two weeks - close to hospitalisation. His 22 year old son was then unwell for two weeks - not dangerously, but bed-bound.

 

My partner works in a hospital. In May a quarter of their team was off with confirmed Covid-19 at the same time, never mind the ones who were isolating due to contact with them. All operating theatres were converted to additional intensive care capacity and it was 80% occupied (equivalent to over double normal ICU capacity) meaning that all other operating stopped.

 

In March there were lots of unknowns so it was just about forgivable to make mistakes and they just about got there in the end. It's difficult to say they made the best guesses when we've done so badly by almost any international comparison. Now there's strong evidence about what works and what doesn't. To choose a path that is known to cause more harm is a failure of government. The crazy thing is that it doesn't even make sense economically.

 

People's mental health, their businesses and income and a return to some kind of normality are all essential. Thousands of deaths and an overwhelmed health service won't help that.

[elsiegee40]

Plans for son to come home this weekend have been scuppered by London moving to Tier 2

Covid alert level: London, Essex and other areas moving to Tier 2

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54551596

 

The areas to go into high alert restrictions this weekend are:

London

Essex

Elmbridge in Surrey

Barrow in Furness, Cumbria

York

North East Derbyshire

Chesterfield

Erewash, Derbyshire

 

Covid alert level: No Tier 3 agreement yet, say Greater Manchester leaders

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54554107

Edited October 15, 2020 by elsiegee40