[COVID-19] General Discussion

[Which Tyler]

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

So we just need to air the finale of Single Female Lawyer and this will all be over?

 

[Kiwiwomble]

I still cannot get my head round why people make such a fuss about wearing a mask. It's only a chuffing mask, surgeons perform brain surgery wearing one so how is walking round Morrisons with one such a ******* problem

This, but also loads of tradies have to wear full breathing apparatus for many hours a day so not even just fancy lar dee dar surgeons

 

[Bada-Bing!]

This, but also loads of tradies have to wear full breathing apparatus for many hours a day so not even just fancy lar dee dar surgeons

Wore my mask at the office on Thursday all day - I wore a FFP2 grade mask with band to make it fit tighter. I was the only one; apart from a workman I came across. My Office is still not yet back to full capacity though, but we have no windows and told there is more fresh air being pumped into the building. But no communication of how much (certainly not the recommended 10 litres of fresh air per person per second). Only issues were getting slight fatigue around the nose where the wire part sit and when it comes to drinking and having to take it off to do so.

But yesterday with the tube strikes, there were so few in the office and the only other person in my area is also fully vaccinated, plus booster, I decided not to wear it. It's context and deciding when and where to wear it indoors and also for how long. With vaccines waning and each of us probably at different stage of when we had the second jab, we need all the effective measures to slow spread. Messaging on masks and how/when to wear them is not getting through in my experience of everyday life.

UK recorded 50,000 cases yesterday. Probably more and this is likely before this new Omicron variant eventually reaches these shores. Whether it displaces Delta as the dominant variant remains to be seen.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Omicron variant unlikely to reboot Covid in UK, expert says

Prof Sir Andrew Pollard cautiously optimistic that widely vaccinated population will avoid serious disease

www.theguardian.com

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Covid: Two cases of new variant Omicron detected in UK

Two people in the UK have been found to be infected with the new Covid variant, Omicron, the health secretary says.

www.bbc.co.uk

First 2 cases found in the UK. It's already here!!! Oh my Cron

 

[Reiser99]

Covid: Two cases of new variant Omicron detected in UK

Two people in the UK have been found to be infected with the new Covid variant, Omicron, the health secretary says.

www.bbc.co.uk

First 2 cases found in the UK. It's already here!!! Oh my Cron

With almost zero restrictions in place what are the chances of it not spreading further? It definitely seems to be far more infectious than other variants. I don't remember delta spreading this quickly between countries, but then I guess there were still more restrictions then.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

With almost zero restrictions in place what are the chances of it not spreading further? It definitely seems to be far more infectious than other variants. I don't remember delta spreading this quickly between countries, but then I guess there were still more restrictions then.

COVID-19: Two cases of Omicron variant detected in UK - with targeted testing to be rolled out in affected areas

Sajid Javid says the detection of two cases of the latest World Health Organisation variant of concern illustrates the urgent need for people to get vaccinated.

news.sky.com

Chelmsford and Nottingham and both cases linked apparently. Both households self isolating.

 

[Which Tyler]

With almost zero restrictions in place what are the chances of it not spreading further? It definitely seems to be far more infectious than other variants. I don't remember delta spreading this quickly between countries, but then I guess there were still more restrictions then.

Chances are that this variant has simply been circulating undiscovered for a few weeks before being picked up - and is now being found all over the place as it's being looked for

 

[Reiser99]

Chances are that this variant has simply been circulating undiscovered for a few weeks before being picked up - and is now being found all over the place as it's being looked for

True, I am curious as to how often samples are tested to see if it's a different variant. They are connected and there is a link to South Africa, but that to me doesn't suggest the people have travelled directly from South Africa, in which case someone has spread it to them and likely others.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Per BBC:


Key points announced in presser
The PM has announced a number of new measures to be introduced in England, following the announcement of the new variant of concern.

All travellers to the UK will have to take a PCR test by the end of day 2 of their arrival; travellers must self-isolate until they receive a negative test result

All contacts of suspected Omicron
cases must self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of their vaccination status.

They will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace

Face coverings will become compulsory on public transport and in shops - not including hospitality

The JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) will consider giving boosters to a wider age group, as well as reducing the gap between the second dose and booster.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

I can't speak for other poorer countries and then also of course not for all South Africans but I can tell you a huge percentage of our poor and not so poor at all are unvaxed precisely because they don't intend to be and not at all due to availability/accessibility. Even in my own family and certainly amongst others I have had dealings with who would be considered poor.

My point being that in SA if you WANTED to get vaccinated you probably have both your shots already apart from obvious exceptions like for instance I appreciate the uncertainty for pregnant women and people in.. not sure if this si the best word but.. exceptional circumstances. I remember we were clambering to get vaccinated even if just as a means to help curb spread and thus mutations but now you just don't see the regular vax spots even remotely as busy.

I'm all for choice but feel it should be informed choice and I just don't believe the general SA public is anything close to informed and we have a very real distrust for government and public institutions across most of our population and not for no reason sadly. But I'm rambling now, sorry.

A new Covid variant is no surprise when rich countries are hoarding vaccines | Gordon Brown

Western countries are destroying surplus vaccines while the poorest nations go without. This must change, says Gordon Brown, the WHO’s ambassador for global health financing

www.theguardian.com

I think that is the issue really how to get the vaccines into the arms of the poor in African countries. If in Europe we are hitting the buffers of being double jabbed at between 60-70% due to vaccine hesitancy and in the UK the under 12s not yet eligible for a first dose, the percentage in poorer African countries is going to be a lot worse, with vaccine hesitancy.

But richer western countries are not helping but not delivering on their promises.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

New Covid variant: Will new measures against Omicron work?

The new variant's genetic profile has raised concerns, but there's a shortage of real-world data.

www.bbc.co.uk

Better to overreact now with measures then look back and regret.

Masks compulsory in England in shops and public transport from Tuesday.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Better to overreact now with measures then look back and regret.

Ah, that's not the British way though, is it?

Avoid and ignore until Dec 23rd when everyone's done their shopping and then shut down completely: much better!

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Omicron symptoms mild so far - South African doctor

The South African doctor who found the new variant says patients are showing very mild symptoms so far.

www.bbc.co.uk

How bad will the Omicron Covid variant be in Britain? Three things will tell us | Devi Sridhar

A new variant identified in southern Africa is causing global panic – but its real impact will be shown by the data that scientists are racing to establish, says Prof Devi Sridhar, chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh

www.theguardian.com

Just found out that someone I knew passed away with a chronic illness and covid. He was only 40. I don't know if he had this variant or even if he was fully vaccinated, had an underlying condition. But just a reminder not to take this virus for granted.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Covid: JCVI scientists to announce decision on booster rollout

A reduction in time between doses and extending the scheme to younger age groups could be approved.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Scotland expands vaccine rollout after six Omicron cases found

The Scottish government says it will offer a third dose to all over-18s and a second vaccine to those aged 12 to 15.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Bada-Bing!]

How to stop your glasses steaming up with a mask on

Three simple tips to stop your glasses fogging up while you shop with a mask or face covering on.

www.bbc.co.uk

ready for tomorrow and those who wear glasses.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

The fraud who claimed the MMR vaccine caused Autism and directly led to a massive drop off in all vaccination rates has a LOT to ******* answer for.

Looks like Xi was skipped to avoid offending the Chinese...