Coronavirus: General discussion (see opening post for rules)

[mavhc]

Let's just hope the virus believes in Santa

[Garacesh]

Let's just hope the virus believes in Santa

 

Visiting literally everybody in one night?

That doesn't sound very socially distant, to me..

[maark]

Don't worry the government has a plan for loads of retired teachers to come back and help out.

They'll be arriving on flying pigs.

[E_G_R2]

Don't worry the government has a plan for loads of retired teachers to come back and help out.

They'll be arriving on flying pigs.

 

And who's going to show them how to hybrid teach?

[LeMarchand]

Don't worry the government has a plan for loads of retired teachers to come back and help out.

They'll be arriving on flying pigs.

 

The pigs will be staying on site as, given that retired people will generally be older and therefore more susceptible to infection, they'll be needed to fly the retired teachers to the nearest hospital after they've been in a room with a bunch of unmasked/unwashed kids.

[LeMarchand]

Psst! Mate! Wanna fake vaccine passport?

 

https://www.theregister.com/2021/12/16/fake_nhs_vaccine_passport_arrests_met_police/

 

Hey! Youse! Buddy! Wanna vaccine card? Knowwadimean?

 

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/2-nypd-supervisors-accused-of-allegedly-submitting-fake-covid-vaccination-cards/3453568/

 

Though at least enough of them could be bothered to deal with a protest using kids as weapons/props.

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/antivaxxers-storm-cheesecake-factory-applebees-b1977682.html

Edited December 17, 2021 by LeMarchand

[6Foot2]

Link: Covid latest news: Sadiq Khan declares ‘major incident’ in London as coronavirus cases rise [The Telegraph]

 

Sadiq Khan, the London Mayor, has declared a “major incident” in the capital as coronavirus infections continue to rise.

 

A major incident is an event or situation “with a range of serious consequences which requires special arrangements to be implemented by one or more emergency responder agency”, according to the London Assembly.

 

Mr Khan took the step, which allows for closer coordination between different public agencies, after Britain reported on Friday the largest 24-hour increase in the number of new cases since the pandemic began.

 

Hospital admissions and health worker absences are rising, Mr Khan said, "so I've taken the decision, in consultation with our partners, to declare a major incident today".

 

"This is a statement of how serious things are," he said.

 

The last time the Mayor declared a major incident was in January, when he warned that the capital was “at crisis point”, with health services risking being overwhelmed without immediate action.

 

It comes as the UK’s Covid cases hit a record high amid the spread of the omicron variant, with a further 93,045 cases reported yesterday.

 

A further 10,059 cases of the omicron variant were reported across the UK today, with the number of deaths with the variant rising to seven in England.

 

Earlier today, Mr Khan said he was "incredibly worried" about staff absences in vital public services including the NHS, fire service and police due to rapidly rising cases of the omicron variant.

 

Yesterday, the The Fire Brigades Union said that rising coronavirus cases had left the London Fire Brigade facing "unprecedented" staff shortages, resulting in nearly a third of London's fire engines being out of action in the last week...

[mavhc]

1 in 60 people estimated infected in England, 1 in 19 of 2-11 year olds

The 2 highest days of cases ever were the last 2 days

[kennysarmy]

1 in 60 people estimated infected in England, 1 in 19 of 2-11 year olds

The 2 highest days of cases ever were the last 2 days

 

Protect the vulnerable, mandatory vaccine for over 50's and then let's just get on with it!

[caffrey]

Finally found a booking, 23rd December - well that'll ruin Christmas if I get side effects :/ Oh well needs must. On another note, housemate went on a weekend trip to London at the weekend so it may be too late...

[JSpaced]

Had an amazing experience at the local drive through booster jab - it looked, for a bit, like they were overwhelmed, but the cars were all queued up and released in a steady stream and we were there, queued and out again in less than half an hour, both me and my wife done. They're doing amazing work on this vaccine program and I'm really impressed. No ill effects today (24 hours later) either so that's good...

[BOOT]

Still can't get a second jab. They're just assuming that everyone has access to a vehicle and that everyone is only getting a booster. Maybe things are better in Scotland or Wales?

[6Foot2]

Link: Good Morning Britain cancelled for Christmas over Covid fears

..

Flagship morning show Good Morning Britain has been pulled off air between Christmas and New Year amid Covid fears.

 

TV bosses have made decision to cancel the show following concerns among staff and presenters, according to reports.

 

While the pre-Christmas shows will go ahead presenters have been asked to do their own make-up with nobody else allowed in the studio, reports the Sun.

 

A spokeswoman confirmed to the Sun: “There is a special GMB Christmas Day show which airs from 7-9am.

 

“GMB was due to be on air from Weds 29th - Fri 31st December 2021 but due to the pandemic and to protect our teams, we have decided to give them an extended break.

 

“GMB will not broadcast next week, but will be back on air on Tues 4th Jan 2022.”

 

Good Morning Britain is fronted by Ben Shephard, Charlotte Hawkins, Kate Garraway, Ranvir Singh and Susanna Reid.

 

They have been joined by a series of guest presenters after Piers Morgan famously walked out of the studios in March amid a row with weather presenter Alex Beresford...

 

Good Morning Britain off-air until early January? No loss!

 

[Andrew_C]

Been looking for this graph on and off for some time.

[mikeprice]

Apparently retired (and other) ex teachers are being encouraged to apply from Monday to return to work

 

Because teachers are getting Covid and going off sick

 

 

OK - so - basically - you want a bunch of older people - who are therefore more vulnerable - to restart work in an environment where there are a large number of other people who may not have been vacinated fully as they are not old enough for that yet

 

 

and then they cn go home at night to their family - who are also older - and spend the rest of the day with them

 

 

what could possibly go wrong??

 

 

 

so - basically - I wouldn't mind as long as I was teaching something I know about (i.e. computing) and there was some decent lesson plans and not much marking

but Mrs mikeprice and I have only been married about 5 years (?????) and I was kinda hoping to get a few more in before one of us dies

 

so - sorry - not this time

[stevejp]

Apparently retired (and other) ex teachers are being encouraged to apply from Monday to return to work

 

Because teachers are getting Covid and going off sick

 

 

OK - so - basically - you want a bunch of older people - who are therefore more vulnerable - to restart work in an environment where there are a large number of other people who may not have been vacinated fully as they are not old enough for that yet

 

 

and then they cn go home at night to their family - who are also older - and spend the rest of the day with them

 

 

what could possibly go wrong??

 

 

 

so - basically - I wouldn't mind as long as I was teaching something I know about (i.e. computing) and there was some decent lesson plans and not much marking

but Mrs mikeprice and I have only been married about 5 years (?????) and I was kinda hoping to get a few more in before one of us dies

 

so - sorry - not this time

 

Perhaps the work experience kid who came up with this one might like to spend some reflecting on (and maybe even doing something about) the reasons why so many of them left in the first place?

[hardtailstar]

Got my booster today.

 

The centre was running to military precision, no walk ins. All pre-booked appointments. Got to the centre two minutes before my appointment, was called up at appointment time and out the door a minute later.

 

Just a tender arm at the moment as I walked into a door frame at home!

[Slarty66]

Booster yesterday, arrived 20 mins early. Two people in front of me. Was out in 5 mins.

Well run in a hindu temple, quite a venue for a booster!

No side effects apart from a sore arm today, mind you I'm getting over a bad cold so I probably wouldn't be able to tell ,lol!!

[Rob_D]

Apparently retired (and other) ex teachers are being encouraged to apply from Monday to return to work

Because teachers are getting Covid and going off sick

It's the same thing they did with nurses last year.

[Andrew_C]

Quarantine cut to 7 days. Desperate to get the wage-slaves back to work.

[LeMarchand]

Had my booster at 9. Trying to decide if it's that that is making me feel like curling up with the cat or just not wanting to get on with the jobs I should be.

[korifugi]

Nipping for my booster later on today - ruddy hell, I've become a responsible human!

 

 

stop sniggering you lot

[6Foot2]

Link: Daily Covid-19 cases in the UK exceed 100,000 for first time - BBC News

 

Daily Covid-19 cases in the UK have exceeded 100,000 for the first time, the latest government figures show.

 

The 106,122 cases top the previous record for daily infections, when 93,045 were reported on 17 December.

 

A total of 8,008 people were in hospital with Covid-19 as of Tuesday, the highest level since 22 November and up 4% from a week ago.

 

Boris Johnson has said no new restrictions will be introduced in England before Christmas.

 

However, speaking on Tuesday, the prime minister refused to rule out introducing fresh measures after Christmas with the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.

 

There were 140 deaths reported within 28 days of a positive Covid test on Wednesday.

 

A record number of boosters and third doses were reported on Tuesday, with 968,665 delivered - taking the overall total to more than 30.8 million - with 6.1 million in the past week alone.

 

The new daily reported cases figure is the highest since mass testing began in May and June last year.

 

The number of coronavirus cases has increased by 238,350 or 58.9% in the past seven days, compared with the previous week, while the number of daily deaths reported has decreased by 2.7% over the same period.

 

However hospital admissions and deaths are slower to show up in the figures, with changes generally observed after cases start to rise.

 

The peak of hospital admissions during the second wave earlier this year was 39,254 on 18 January.

 

Infections have remained at record levels in recent days, with eight of the 10 highest daily totals for reported cases coming since 15 December.

 

People with Covid in England have had their self-isolation requirement reduced to one week from 10 days, if they can test negative on days six and seven.

 

At the same time, UK government vaccine advisers have recommended vulnerable children aged between five and 11 should be offered a low-dose Covid vaccine, as well as boosters for 12 to 17-year-olds.

 

The other UK nations have already laid out plans for post-Christmas restrictions:

 

• In Wales groups of no more than six people will be allowed to meet in pubs, cinemas and restaurants from Boxing Day
  
• Limits to gathering sizes in Scotland from Boxing Day have seen the cancellation of Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations and other large events
  
• Nightclubs in Northern Ireland will have to close on 27 December, the BBC understands, with other restrictions awaiting approval from ministers.
  
• The announcements come as pressure mounts on the prime minister to lay out the government's plans for England.

Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford criticised the UK government for being in a "state of paralysis", as ministers disagree over whether further restrictions should be in place.

[6Foot2]

Link: UK hits 30 million boosters as push continues to Get Boosted Now - GOV.UK

 

• A record-breaking week for daily vaccinations with a rolling average of nearly 1 million top-up jabs in arms a day
  
• New vaccine sites have opened across the country making it easier than ever to get vital protection from Omicron
  
• More than 30 million people, over 56% of adults in the UK, have now had their COVID-19 booster during a record-breaking week for top-up jabs

Today saw a record number of daily vaccines administered, with a total of 1.06 million first, second and third jabs in arms. Of those, 968,665 were boosters as another daily record has been broken for UK top up jabs.

 

The expansion of the booster programme continues at rapid pace, with all eligible adults aged over 18 able to get their lifesaving jab by booking online through the National Booking Service, or by visiting their nearest walk-in vaccination centre. This week more vaccination sites have popped-up across the country making it as easy as possible to Get Boosted Now, including football stadiums and shopping centres.

 

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said:

 

"We’re continuing to smash booster and vaccine records – with 30 million total boosters in the UK and more than 1 million total vaccines on one day being an absolutely fantastic achievement. I am so grateful to people up and down the country for rolling up their sleeves to secure vital protection for themselves and their loved ones against Omicron this winter.

 

"Every top-up jab in someone’s arm means that as a country we are strengthening our wall of defence against the Omicron variant. Let me be absolutely clear – this festive season, the single most important thing you can do is come forward for your lifesaving booster jab.

 

"I am urging you – please, keep coming forward to Get Boosted Now."

 

Today also saw new guidance issued which will enable the 10-day self-isolation period for people who have tested positive for COVID-19 to be reduced to 7 days in most cases. Studies also demonstrate that LFD tests are just as sensitive at detecting the Omicron variant, as they are for Delta.

 

Vaccines Minister Maggie Throup said:

 

"I am absolutely overwhelmed by the public’s response to our national mission for everyone to Get Boosted Now. Today’s milestone of 30 million boosters is a phenomenal achievement and a true representation of the community spirit we share here in the UK. In the race between vaccine and virus, it is thanks to the work of our wonderful NHS that we are able to stay ahead and protect ourselves and our loved ones.

 

"Everyone can play their part. Please – keep coming forward for your lifesaving booster jab. It has never been easier, as you can book an appointment via the National Booking Service or choose to queue up at one of our vaccination centres around the country."

 

Dr Emily Lawson, head of the NHS vaccination programme, said:

 

"Our NHS staff have pulled out all the stops, aided by our fantastic volunteers, to accelerate the NHS COVID-19 Vaccination Programme ahead of Christmas and we have now administered more than 30 million doses across the UK, including 26 million in England alone.

 

"Being asked to accelerate the booster programme, the NHS has delivered lifesaving covid vaccines at an unprecedented rate, breaking daily and weekly records, and I would urge anyone yet to book in for their vital top-up dose to do so at the earliest opportunity – there are plenty of appointments available and it is the best way to guarantee protection for you and your loved ones this winter."

 

There is further positive news as more cutting-edge antiviral treatments for COVID-19 have been secured for NHS patients as the UK Government signs two new contracts to help tackle Omicron. The significant new deals have been accelerated following the emergence of the Omicron variant, to protect vulnerable people over the coming months. The move will help reduce hospitalisations and therefore ease pressures on the NHS.

[asteer]

Had my Booster (Moderna) on Tuesday, felt like absolute poop yesterday but coming back out of it now, first two where Pfizer and all i got from those were an achey arm