Coronavirus: General discussion (see opening post for rules)

[Koldov]

Covid seems to be on the rise here... Had an email from the Head saying they were meeting this morning to discuss the amount of cases (of children and adults) and what to do about it.

 

Can't see why this should be spiking right now, just before and during/after the holidays maybe, but we've been back over 3 weeks...?

[LeMarchand]

Can't see why this should be spiking right now, just before and during/after the holidays maybe, but we've been back over 3 weeks...?

 

I'd go for: "If the rules are finishing on the 26th, I don't see why we have to follow them now".

[LeMarchand]

Been reading about likely heathcare staff shortages due to mandatory vaccination regs (and protests against said regs).

 

It's worrying that so many NHS staff who must see first hand the effects of Covid would rather take the risk and pass on the risk. It's also worrying that, when already pushed to the limit, they could get further squeezed. I can understand why it's happening in care homes more (lots of unskilled/less educated staff - not that this means that they aren't good at caring) but again, most must have seen many of their residents die.

[bald_pig]

Been reading about likely heathcare staff shortages due to mandatory vaccination regs (and protests against said regs).

 

It's worrying that so many NHS staff who must see first hand the effects of Covid would rather take the risk and pass on the risk. It's also worrying that, when already pushed to the limit, they could get further squeezed. I can understand why it's happening in care homes more (lots of unskilled/less educated staff - not that this means that they aren't good at caring) but again, most must have seen many of their residents die.

 

I'm just surprised that there are seemingly loads of healthcare professionals who don't believe in vaccines!

[Ditto]

According to the Zoe study, SE and SW are rising already.

 

Historically I haven't looked at Zoe data, but perhaps I should. The measure I have consistently used is UK cases by date reported from gov site compared to the same day of the week before. Sadly today's does indeed show a near 5% uplift and I'd expected it to be a bit later in the week.

 

I fully understand this measure alone is not anywhere near the full picture, and hospitalisations are deaths are much more of a focus, but I can see headlines challenging reducing restrictions at this particular point in time. The hard truth is case numbers are rising from the current high level. Even though at a much lower level than pre-vaccine, and with a dominant less severe variant (but still dangerous for many), hospitalisations and deaths will continue to follow. There also a hard truth that restrictions are damaging; and I don't necessarily mean from a purely financial point, it is true from a health and wellbeing perspective too. Those factors are not so easily seen compared the raw data around covid.

 

As an example, I know from corporate data, late stage cancer diagnosis is higher than pre-covid and many cancer outcomes are very significantly improved with early detection and treatment.

[mavhc]

Fewer suicides in 2020 than 2019.

 

If we could actually bother with stopping the spread we could get back to treating everyone who needs to get treated for diseases we can't easily stop.

[Ditto]

Fewer suicides in 2020 than 2019.

 

If we could actually bother with stopping the spread we could get back to treating everyone who needs to get treated for diseases we can't easily stop.

The inferred linking of suicide figures to covid actions or inactions is not presented with any detail. If there is a view to express, it would be much better to add detail and explain the rationale. I am familiar with with the ONS studies and commentary about recent trends in England and Wales figures in a pre and post-covid world. Sadly on rare occasions with my job, I have a heightened awareness of child suicide. It'll come as no surprise to hear it is a highly complex, sensitive and emotional subject matter and I'd be very wary of jumping to any conclusions on 1 years worth of data.

[Ditto]

The last but one I ordered was the old school tonsil and nose ones. Most recent was back to the nose only.

My father has picked up some from pharmacies, and they have been all kinds of strange new names and techniques!

Interesting - would be good to understand the differences and data on sensitivity and specificity for each. Hers's my household observation. Old style throat and nose reported -ve yesterday (Day 5), OCON nasal only showing positive today for Day 6. Could be viral load change, could be one test is better at picking it up, could be technique due to approach - who knows?!

[Protec]

I prefer the Orient Gene and FlowFlex tests over the NHS ones as they don't require you to put the swab in your mouth and the NHS ones have hardly any buffer solution too. Edited January 24, 2022 by Protec

[6Foot2]

I have just heard from a former workmate. She's very unwell. In her words:

 

"...terrible cough, sore throat, eye infection etc. I seem to be combining Covid, flu and strep throat symptoms - worst sore throat I’ve ever had..."

 

I don't think she fully recovered from the bout she had a few weeks ago. She's not one to complain lightly.

 

I have just heard from her again. She is now in hospital on an isolation ward and on oxygen. She spent a few hours sitting on the floor in A&E, and has only recently "graduated" (her word) to a chair.

 

She has been vaccinated twice, and she has received the booster.

 

I am concerned for her, and anyone else in similar circumstances.

[RLR]

I prefer the Orient Gene and FlowFlex tests over the NHS ones as they don't require you to put the swab in your mouth and the NHS ones have hardly any buffer solution too.

 

We ran out of NHS covid tests and asked our neighbour if they had any. She gave us a box of these FlowFlex ones and they were so much better! More solution and it's ready to go straight away. No need to poor it into another tube.

[6Foot2]

I have just heard from her again. She is now in hospital on an isolation ward and on oxygen. She spent a few hours sitting on the floor in A&E, and has only recently "graduated" (her word) to a chair.

 

She has been vaccinated twice, and she has received the booster.

 

I am concerned for her, and anyone else in similar circumstances.

I have just heard from her again. She is improved, though she had no bed until 4:00 am.

 

-

Edited January 25, 2022 by 6Foot2
Removed the duplicated " - - Updated - - -"

[LeMarchand]

I have just heard from her again. She is improved, though she had no bed until 4:00 am.

 

-

 

But it's safe to relax restrictions as hospitals aren't stretched...

 

Glad she's feeling a bit better!

[6Foot2]

But it's safe to relax restrictions as hospitals aren't stretched...

 

Glad she's feeling a bit better!

 

She says that there are "...still loads of people on trolleys in corridors..."

 

This is early in the day, and early in the week.

[elsiegee40]

She says that there are "...still loads of people on trolleys in corridors..."

 

This is early in the day, and early in the week.

 

 

Not good. Hope she recovers quickly

[Ditto]

Pfizer/BioNTech start testing vaccine developed for Omicron https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-and-biontech-initiate-study-evaluate-omicron-based

 

They're running with 3 cohorts.

 

• One for those who have had two shots of Pfizer.
  
• A second where they have had three Pfizer jabs.
  
• And finally a third that they describe as "Vaccine-naïve".
  

 

Quite how they select for the final group isn't explained. I guess there are those who couldn't previously, but I can't see why this vaccine variant would be different. Then I guess it'll be those who have recently changed their attitude to vaccines.

[Duranis]

Quite how they select for the final group isn't explained. I guess there are those who couldn't previously, but I can't see why this vaccine variant would be different. Then I guess it'll be those who have recently changed their attitude to vaccines.

 

Could be people that couldn't have vaccines previously due to an existing condition that is no longer a factor, could also just be cold hard cash was offered.

 

Was talking about this with my Mrs this morning. Although Covid has been a complete nightmare, it has jumped some medical tech forward by a massive degree.

 

I see a near future where lateral flow tests for cold, flu and a bunch of other viral infections are the norm. Also mRNA technology is going to be huge for treating/preventing everything from the Flu to things like Cancer, Ebola and many genetic diseases.

[kennysarmy]

I find Dr. John Campbell's videos on YouTube very informative.

 

https://www.youtube.com/c/Campbellteaching

[Ditto]

Could be people that couldn't have vaccines previously due to an existing condition that is no longer a factor, could also just be cold hard cash was offered.

 

Was talking about this with my Mrs this morning. Although Covid has been a complete nightmare, it has jumped some medical tech forward by a massive degree.

 

I see a near future where lateral flow tests for cold, flu and a bunch of other viral infections are the norm. Also mRNA technology is going to be huge for treating/preventing everything from the Flu to things like Cancer, Ebola and many genetic diseases.

I had considered the hard cash option - I think it's a serious possibility! I agree about the advancements - it could have jumped us forward by a decade.

[HarryMonkey]

One of my schools is closing some classes this week due to rising covid cases amongst staff.

[Ditto]

I find Dr. John Campbell's videos on YouTube very informative.

 

https://www.youtube.com/c/Campbellteaching

Thanks for posting this. I agree, an excellent watch. When I get a moment I'll check some of his other videos. I noted one had "Freedom of Information" in it - that'll one for me to review.

[mavhc]

8% of classes here are now at home

 

Highest weekly deaths since May

[Andrew_C]

8% of classes here are now at home Highest weekly deaths since May

So, the perfect time for this...

[h=1]Covid rules: Schools should not defy orders to drop face masks for children in classrooms, says Nadhim Zahawi[/h]

[LeMarchand]

So, the perfect time for this...

Covid rules: Schools should not defy orders to drop face masks for children in classrooms, says Nadhim Zahawi

 

 

 

Tell you what, Nadhim, why don't you go to a few of these rebel schools and intermingle with a whole bunch of kids without anyone wearing a mask for a few days?

[Ditto]

The move to 5 day isolation may be having the opposite effect to that intend of reducing absenteeism - every case I know (admittedly not a large sample) is still LFT positive on day 5 and 6, even when all the symptoms have cleared. One case I know took a full 14 days before they stopped isolating after getting 2 negatives. Interestingly, the old 10 day rule to be released from isolation still applies even if you are still showing LFT positive, but clearly some keep going. It does take careful reading of the NHS documentation to realise this tough. Has anyone else on insight based on their experience or those you know?