Coronavirus: General discussion (see opening post for rules)

[Ditto]

Soon after I posted I see this from the BBC - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-63009813. One of the data points is about the the impact of secondary schools. Only this week I attended 2 parent information presentations evenings that were in school only, no online option. I'd estimate across the 2 events there were 200-300 parents in a packed hall - I saw only one mask. The school was positively revelling in the fact that it was so great to see parents face-to-face and in some way it was, but I'm afraid this virus isn't done yet with impacting our lives. Only tonight I heard from a sport club contact that had a 63 year old associate succumb to the virus.

[Andrew_C]

You don't suppose that the super-spreader event last Monday is going to have an effect?

[elsiegee40]

You don't suppose that the super-spreader event last Monday is going to have an effect?

 

I attended another one at the O2 last night. Apart from us, I saw one other person in the 17,500 crowd wearing a mask to watch the Laver Cup tennis.

[Brax]

Soon after I posted I see this from the BBC - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-63009813. One of the data points is about the the impact of secondary schools. Only this week I attended 2 parent information presentations evenings that were in school only, no online option. I'd estimate across the 2 events there were 200-300 parents in a packed hall - I saw only one mask. The school was positively revelling in the fact that it was so great to see parents face-to-face and in some way it was, but I'm afraid this virus isn't done yet with impacting our lives. Only tonight I heard from a sport club contact that had a 63 year old associate succumb to the virus.

ONS data is showing the increase by age group is mostly those in secondary schools. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/articles/coronaviruscovid19latestinsights/infections

[6Foot2]

NOTE: Not a political post: No political replies are expected, nor are they invited.

 

Link: UK COVID inquiry begins, vowing to expose any culpable conduct | Reuters

 

A public inquiry into Britain's response to and handling of the COVID-19 pandemic got underway on Tuesday, with a promise it would get to the truth, and expose any wrongdoing or culpable conduct.

 

Britain has recorded almost 20 million COVID infections and more than 166,000 deaths - the seventh highest fatality total globally - and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his ministers have faced criticism for their handling of the crisis.

 

Last year, Johnson ordered the inquiry to look into the preparedness of the country as well as the public health and economic response.

 

The investigation is being led by former judge Heather Hallett, who held a minute's silence at the beginning of the hearing in memory of those who died.

 

"The inquiry will analyse our state of readiness for the pandemic and the response to it ... and to determine whether that level of loss about which we've just been reflecting was inevitable, or whether things could have been done better," she said.

 

She said she was determined the inquiry would not "drag on for decades" and her aim was to produce timely reports and recommendations "before another disaster strikes".

 

Hugo Keith, the lead counsel who provides legal advice to its chair, said the inquiry would be an unprecedented and vast undertaking. It will be divided into a number of modules, beginning with the how prepared Britain was.

 

Its duty was "to get to the truth, to ensure that the full facts are revealed, that culpable and discreditable conduct is exposed and brought to public notice, that plainly wrongful decision-making and significant errors of judgement are identified, and that lessons may be properly learned," he said.

 

"The bereaved and those who have suffered are absolutely entitled to no less."

 

Last year, a report by the government's spending watchdog said the government was unprepared for a crisis like the pandemic and had been distracted by Britain's departure from the European Union.

 

Another joint report by lawmakers on parliament's health and science committees also concluded that the delay to England's first coronavirus lockdown was a serious error and that failures in testing positive cases and tracing their contacts exacerbated the crisis.

 

Johnson's own former top adviser, Dominic Cummings, has said Britain's early plan to combat COVID was a "disaster" and "awful decisions" led to the government imposing lockdowns that could have been avoided.

 

"The disease has caused widespread and long-term physical and mental illness, grief and untold misery," said Keith, adding there had been more than 609 million confirmed cases worldwide with some estimates of the number of deaths put at 17.5 million.

 

"Its impact will be felt worldwide, including in the United Kingdom for decades to come."

[elsiegee40]

Just trying to book our covid boosters… there is nowhere offering it in Tonbridge (a good sized town with trains, buses, etc).

 

The nearest is in a village 4.5 miles away with poor public transport or further still in Tunbridge Wells. I cannot think that this is managing this effectively.

[Andrew_C]

Apparently, us old f**ts will be summoned "between Oct & Dec" for our boosters.

[elsiegee40]

Apparently, us old f**ts will be summoned "between Oct & Dec" for our boosters.

 

You can book now without a summons.

[BOOT]

Nowhere to book though, unless you're living in a major city.

[elsiegee40]

Nowhere to book though, unless you're living in a major city.

 

Or a tiny village miles from anywhere in Kent [emoji57]

Edited October 14, 2022 by elsiegee40

[howartp]

My parents both have theirs tomorrow at a localish village clinic; we're certainly not a large city.

[LeMarchand]

We live in a medium sized town and the nearest walk-in is some way away and bookable is in the "rich" village down the road.

[Ditto]

You can book now without a summons.

That's interesting and I was looking yesterday and it appeared, other qualifying conditions excepted, that over 65 was necessary. But indeed, going to https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/ is saying over 50 and let's me get to the booking point. Is anyone weighing up whether leaving it a bit longer to have protection later in to Winter/early Spring. Also I discovered I can book free flu jabs now providing the date is after 15th, which isn't a challenge now! Those booking covid booster, are you getting flu jab too?

[LeMarchand]

Also I discovered I can book free flu jabs now providing the date is after 15th, which isn't a challenge now! Those booking covid booster, are you getting flu jab too?

 

Was going to try, but the Lloyds a short walk away normally does walk-ins if I can't.

[elsiegee40]

That's interesting and I was looking yesterday and it appeared, other qualifying conditions excepted, that over 65 was necessary. But indeed, going to https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/ is saying over 50 and let's me get to the booking point. Is anyone weighing up whether leaving it a bit longer to have protection later in to Winter/early Spring. Also I discovered I can book free flu jabs now providing the date is after 15th, which isn't a challenge now! Those booking covid booster, are you getting flu jab too?

 

Mr gee40 and I have had flu jabs booked for some time for 24th in Tonbridge where we live. Mr gee40 had to go to the surgery this morning and they gave him his flu jab while he was there so he has cancelled his booked appointment.

 

We have now booked our covid jabs also for the evening of the 24th at the village option.

[Ditto]

Literally seconds ago received a text saying I was able to book due to health conditions - presumably asthma. Bit late given I can book for tomorrow onwards! It's almost as disorganised as..... oh, no, oops, can't talk about that

[BOOT]

Just looked again... nearest to me is 40 miles away. Pretty sure Swindon is closer but no option for booking there.

[Ditto]

I can get it within 5 miles, but going to book one that's just over 7 miles away I went there for my last jab and they were so super-efficient and had readily available free parking, they are going to get my custom again.

[Andrew_C]

Booked! Two weeks away, at the park and ride on the way to work.

[smurfomatic]

Booked! Two weeks away, at the park and ride on the way to work.

 

Misjudged what thread this was, and thought "that's a really low budget fortnight's holiday..."

[Andrew_C]

"We lived in a cardboard box..."

[Ditto]

Flu and C19 booked with a 2 week gap. Not based on strong medical advice, but have heard some people have a strong reaction having had both at once. Going with my instinct not to overload my immune system and have a bit of recovery time after flu jab.

[6Foot2]

Flu and C19 booked with a 2 week gap...

 

I'll be doing the same (only the gap is currently unknown) My surgery set me a text calling me for a flu jab [Entitlement criteria: I'm over 60]

 

I will arrange the coronavirus booster when 5Foot2 returns from visiting her parents.

[FN-GM]

How many jabs have you guys had? I have had 3 and have been eligible for number 4 for a while. I’m not sure of the UK situation.

[6Foot2]

How many jabs have you guys had?...

 

I had my first dose as two injections and I have had a booster. I will have another booster shortly. That will be a total of four injections at that point.