Coronavirus Death Thread

[Magic]

Sounds like you.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Let's say we get all the over-sixties vaccinated by [the end of] April, and the Europeans are a good couple of months behind, could they conceivably overtake our death total even without a wacky New Variant of their own?

We will piss the over 60s by the end of April (certainly with one jab). Will probably have done most of the over 50s by then. Maybe even some others.

For their deaths to get to 100,000 they would need to have a massive case spike similar to our New Variant one.

The bigger concern with them is that, as that graphic suggests, no one on the ground seems arsed. Over here everyone is arsed - there's a hugely high vaccine takeup, the NHS are motivated, the ministers/leaders are motivated, and the country is basically on tenterhooks waiting for it to happen. In France (and other European countries, but especially France) the takeup levels are horrible, the procurement has been a mess and the infrastructure doesn't seem there at all.

[Lewis]

They're at four-hundred a day, so two more months of that would bring them close enough. It's ON. Italy could overtake us easily as well (what are they playing at without a super version doing the rounds?).

[Jimmy Floyd]

To tell you the truth I haven't looked at the international death figures for a while, I didn't know Jean-Pierre was as close as 30,000 behind us on deaths. If they really fuck it up then yes, it's plausible they could inch near our total. I would expect our deaths to inch down for the next 2-3 weeks and then divebomb after that.

We have also had superb lockdown compliance this time, I think - either that, or the New Variant is a bit of a soft lad under pressure. Meanwhile the French seem to be in a massive squabble about whether Manu is going to introduce a third 'confinement' at all. It seems he hasn't, yet, they're just stuck to their stupid curfews.

[Lewis]

It seemed a bit shite early on, so maybe Joran Mormont calling us murderers has turned it round (slightly hypocritical given how cavalier he was about spreading his scales around).

[Spikey M]

Your boy on the ground in lawless Essex can confirm that compliance has stepped up big time since the New Year.

[Boydy]

You seeing this shit, Giggles?

[Spikey M]

Your boy on the ground in lawless Essex would like to point out that he had no part to play in the wishing of death upon our French friends.

[Jimmy Floyd]

*friends, allies and partners.

[Giggles]

You seeing this shit, Giggles?

I gave up on the sad bastards and just avoid it altogether now. I can imagine there’s been an even greater amount of testicle clutching and chest beating though. Vile.

[Ian]

When you've voted in a rabble of incompetents it's important to dial up the smugness as far as possible when the law of averages dictated that they eventually got something right.

[Kikó]

I agree with the arguments made in this piece:

https://mike-93476.medium.com/why-i-became-sceptical-of-the-lockdown-sceptics-e8fb57dae68

[Jimmy Floyd]

There's no question that lockdowns work, people thinking otherwise just haven't looked at the data, or otherwise aren't intelligent enough to warrant a hearing.

My only concern would be what will governments do in the future in other situations now that the lockdown has been added to their arsenal. And also that the 'zero covid' zealots want to lock us down for six or nine or twelve months, which is clearly not necessary.

[Shindig]

The mean age of death is 80, and it causes on average a reduction in life expectancy of 10–15 years.

Excuse me? I want to know stats like that are figured out.

[Spikey M]

Lockdown is effective but also punishing. The (blindingly obvious) key is doing it quickly and harshly so it can be over in days or weeks rather than a whole fucking year save for short interludes.

We've obviously had no choice but to do that, but I do wonder where we would be now had we taken the Australian route straight off the bat. Alot less miserable with alot less death and an economy alot less fucked, I imagine.

[Jimmy Floyd]

A scenario where we shut the borders in, say, mid March 2020 would be interesting (don't think there is any world in which they close earlier than that).

I think the first peak would be largely the same, maybe very slightly less deadly, as the thing was clearly already in strong circulation here well prior to that. The huge mistake we made was letting people go on foreign holidays and bring back other strains. I'm 100% convinced based on the data I've seen that this was a big cause of the initial 'second wave' and the more infections you have, the more chances of a New Variant to cripple us as it did in December. Foreign holidays definitely shouldn't be allowed this year, but I see Boris was blundering on about maybe allowing them yesterday.

So I think we would still have had a bit of a second wave (inevitably) but it wouldn't have been anywhere near as bad, and deaths would overall be about half what they are.

There hasn't been a single European or American country that took the approach used in SE Asia and Australia/NZ, which is probably for a reason.

[Spikey M]

Yeah, there's no way we would have locked down until it was too late the first time round. Memories of Swine Flu, Bird Flu and Sars gave us all a false sense of security. It will be interesting to see what we do the next time one of these things rocks up though.

[Don]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/02/monoclonal-antibodies-great-hope-in-covid-treatments-fails-against-variants

Drug treatment failure has been achieved. Bring on vaccine failure baby.

[Lewis]

The summer holidays look like the big unforced balls up, but even then you see how reluctant we are to close borders now and you could probably put that down to Whitehall dogshit ice cream idiocy.

[7om]

Excuse me? I want to know stats like that are figured out.

Really poor form to put such a bold statement in like that and not even reference it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Given the current excess death stats you would think the population life expectancy would be affected by maybe 0.5-1 years - 10-15 years would be the Black Death.

Maybe it means for a person of 60 who contracts the virus, or something.

[Lewis]

I can't remember what it is exactly, but basically if you get to eighty you actually stand a reasonable chance of getting to eighty-five/ninety, rather than simply measuring it against the average life expectancy. That said, if half the deaths have been in care homes, why is age rather than physical/mental condition the primary measure of anything?

[Spikey M]

Given the current excess death stats you would think the population life expectancy would be affected by maybe 0.5-1 years - 10-15 years would be the Black Death.

Maybe it means for a person of 60 who contracts the virus, or something.

They've been saying there's 40 year old Long Covid sufferers that now have hearts and lungs comparable to 60 year olds, so that could well be what they mean.

[Yevrah]

I can't remember what it is exactly, but basically if you get to eighty you actually stand a reasonable chance of getting to eighty-five/ninety, rather than simply measuring it against the average life expectancy. That said, if half the deaths have been in care homes, why is age rather than physical/mental condition the primary measure of anything?

It really shouldn't be, should it? Effectively in almost all cases it fucks with unwell/unhealthy people.

[7om]

I can't remember what it is exactly, but basically if you get to eighty you actually stand a reasonable chance of getting to eighty-five/ninety, rather than simply measuring it against the average life expectancy. That said, if half the deaths have been in care homes, why is age rather than physical/mental condition the primary measure of anything?

I guess because that would be a lot harder to objectively quantify compared to mortality.

[Lewis]

Please collect any and all of your family members currently residing in care facilities by 18 March 2020, otherwise we will assume that you do not really care all that much and let them die (in the event of which the state shall also receive any inheritance you would otherwise have been due).

[Lewis]

Speaking of which, why is 'Captain Tom' allowed his family in the hospital? What happened to all of those dying alone sob stories?

[Jimmy Floyd]

I hope he sticks it out until the summer, I can't be doing with another round of clapping just now. Also he's not French so it wouldn't help the count.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I hope he sticks it out until the summer, I can't be doing with another round of clapping just now. Also he's not French so it wouldn't help the count.

Oh well.

[Lewis]

If they make some sort of state occasion out of this I'm looking at emigrating.

[Don]

The geezer popped up on the London fireworks, he ain't being laid to rest discretely. Hold a minute's silence in the prem games for peak lols.

[Lewis]

What's the least mawkish country in the world that isn't also a third world one? Taiwan?

[Spikey M]

Speaking of which, why is 'Captain Tom' allowed his family in the hospital? What happened to all of those dying alone sob stories?

Millionaire in superior treatment shocker.

[Jimmy Floyd]

What's the least mawkish country in the world that isn't also a third world one? Taiwan?

Finland innit.

[Alex]

Is it Finland that are governed largely by a group of thirty-something women? Or am I mixing them up with somebody else?

[Don]

Media seems a little restrained about blaming COVID for his death. And yet he will be a +1 on their counter which they've throatfucked us with for the past 12 months. How ironic.

[niko_cee]

He became the oldest person to have UK number one when he performed You'll Never Walk Alone with Michael Ball.

I'm really glad I missed this happening.

[Lewis]

Is it Finland that are governed largely by a group of thirty-something women? Or am I mixing them up with somebody else?

Yeah, I can do without being 'nudged' to death by the minge mafia. Molton's settee it is.

[Yevrah]

Semi-permanent darkness aside, Finland's a cracking place that really has its shit sorted.

[Lewis]

1356627768625274888

The wins keep coming (RIP Captain Sir Tom).

[7om]

Christ, that is one hell of an e-victory for the MHRA.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Single Dose Twitter going for an early bath with the French and James O'Brien.

[Shindig]

Really poor form to put such a bold statement in like that and not even reference it.

https://mike-93476.medium.com/why-i-became-sceptical-of-the-lockdown-sceptics-e8fb57dae68

Y'know, the link in Kiko's post a couple of posts above mine.

[7om]

https://mike-93476.medium.com/why-i-became-sceptical-of-the-lockdown-sceptics-e8fb57dae68

Y'know, the link in Kiko's post a couple of posts above mine.

No, I meant it was poor form for him to say life expectancy was reduced by 10-15 years and not provide a reference.

[Shindig]

Ah, fair. I do wonder where that sprang from. Even the long covid stuff is too early to draw conclusions from. Commiserations to Taz all the same.

[Don]

10-15 years seems about right, one day I'll detail the full list of issues I've battled as a result of it. Harrowing stuff.

[Boydy]

1356657671517126659

Some more good news.

[Lewis]

I told my mother I'm not getting my fingers burnt mourning another pensioner who raised loads of money for hospitals, and she goes 'You'll lose your job if people hear you saying that'. She's probably right as well.

[Don]

:D

I'd love to have stole that but I've already reacted. Now hoping for the claps to be a thing so I can use it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Just reading some stuff from the Zero Covid people (this in the Lancet and refers to Germany but is being pushed for UK by some).



As many countries continue to struggle with a third wave of COVID-19—Hong Kong is suffering its fourth wave and is contemplating a fifth and sixth—all governments and public health authorities will need to remain open to new ideas for controlling the pandemic. This past week, Ilona Kickbusch, founding director of the Global Health Centre at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, shared a proposal being widely discussed in Germany. The approach devised by a group of clinicians and academics, which in addition to Kickbusch includes Melanie Brinkmann, Michael Hallek, Matthias Schneider, and others, is a “No-COVID strategy”.

There are three elements to their plan, based on the twin objectives of No-COVID and the creation of virus-free green zones. First, a rapid reduction in numbers of infections to zero. Second, avoidance of further virus transmission or reintroduction through rigorous test, trace, and isolate systems, together with local travel restrictions. Third, rapid outbreak management if new cases of COVID-19 occur sporadically. Experience from several east Asian countries shows that complete elimination causes the least harm to society. Every infection is one too many. The German proposal recommends a regional focus—when the incidence of infection in an area falls to zero, the region should be declared a green zone. Strict protective contact and travel restrictions should be imposed around this zone, with robust test, trace, and isolate protocols. Individual motivation and social consensus to support this plan—a collective objective for the entire population—would be assisted through daily communication with the public. Messaging would now focus less on positive test results, hospitalisations, and deaths. Instead, public support would be built around the broader goals of societal wellbeing, returning to work, and the restoration of civil liberties. To maintain public commitment, cohesion, and morale, authorities need to offer a clear reopening plan based on progress to No-COVID. The eventual aim would be to expand and fuse green zones across Germany. This strategy could also be implemented across Europe if governments could agree to a common No-COVID goal. The German team argue that the first realistic assessment of their plan came with the way Melbourne successfully handled its recent outbreak. The “path to normality” would consist of four phases. Phase 1: lockdown to achieve an incidence of infection below ten cases per 100 000 population per week. Phase 2: continued measures to reach below five cases per 100 000. Phase 3: reaching zero incidence. Phase 4: declaration of green zone status.

You can see why socialists are all over this stuff. You can do it from a low start but not from where Europe now is. 'Phase 1', by my reckoning, under the current UK lockdown arrangement, would take minimum six months in many regions. Maybe longer. Then you'd spend the rest of your lives dicking about with Phases 2, 3 and 4.

And what sort of fluffy shit are they imagining with this bit: 'Individual motivation and social consensus to support this plan—a collective objective for the entire population—would be assisted through daily communication with the public. Messaging would now focus less on positive test results, hospitalisations, and deaths. Instead, public support would be built around the broader goals of societal wellbeing, returning to work, and the restoration of civil liberties.'

Have these people ever left a classroom?

[Boydy]

1356652781315256322

What :D

[Lewis]

Is that our version of when Marvel had their supervillains help with the 9/11 rescue efforts?

[Ian]

Immortal is a poor choice of word at this difficult time.

[Spikey M]

https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations

15% of people vaccinated roughly.

I knew Israel were doing well, but not that well and the UAE are flying too.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Both have the advantage of having various Unmentionables in the citizenry who they probably don't count as being in the population.

[Kikó]

Is that our version of when Marvel had their supervillains help with the 9/11 rescue efforts?

I have a really good Spiderman with this. It's very well done.

[Yevrah]

https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations

15% of people vaccinated roughly.

I knew Israel were doing well, but not that well and the UAE are flying too.

Israel is a very interesting one to watch as they're where we'll be in a few weeks yet are apparently still under lockdown, which makes no sense to me whatsoever.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It takes a bit of getting your head around, but this is the graphic to look at where Israel is concerned (obviously they vaccinated the oldies first):

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EtKUPKJXMAYoVkL?format=jpg&name=4096x4096

They are in lockdown because their overall cases are still pretty high (their third wave started a bit later than ours).

[Spikey M]

Israel is a very interesting one to watch as they're where we'll be in a few weeks yet are apparently still under lockdown, which makes no sense to me whatsoever.

Presumably they're waiting for the hospitals to empty out a bit, which takes time, but I haven't seen their case data.

Edit: Right on Cue, Jimmy.

[Yevrah]

Makes sense. Have you got those charts for us?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Makes sense. Have you got those charts for us?

Nope, a little bit early to say for us, and also won't be comparable as our vaccine drive really kicked in from 4/1 and also we are using a shitload of AZ - they are only using Pfizer with a shorter gap to 2nd dose.

In about 10-15 days we should have the beginnings of an idea whether this is replicated in UK.

[Spikey M]

Some good shit from Chinese Jimmy.

1356893162468474883?s=19

[Don]

We got to be opening the clubs this year at some point, surely. Don't give me another winter of discontent.

And if saunas aren't open from 8 March, rest assured, I will, without fail, complain about it in here and call Giggles a cunt.

[Lewis]

:D

I'd love to have stole that but I've already reacted. Now hoping for the claps to be a thing so I can use it.

The clapping has been ordered for tonight. Go forth.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Oh god, I have a zoom call at that time. Are the participants going to stop and make me do it? Maybe I'll just have to clap for Matt Hancock, but say I'm doing it for Sir Captain Tom.

[Spikey M]

Has the Queen of Clapping approved this?

[Lewis]

The state of change.org today. State funerals. Bank Holidays and bank notes. Statues in Trafalgar Square/Westminster Abbey. One maniac wants 2 February to be 'Saint Tom's Day', which is putting the cart before the horse a bit, and another demands 'A COLLOSAL [sic] statue in Memory of the Captain up there with the likes of Statue of Liberty'. How we have the balls to laugh at Americans is beyond me.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Almost all those things would cost the state coffers more than he raised for them.

[Spikey M]

Either him going for a stroll around the garden is being assigned more value than it's worthy of or I have been massively short changed for my own garden based exploits.

[Lewis]

I'm Team Major Mick (https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/majormicktintanic100challenge), with his superior service record, but nobody cared about him.

[Spikey M]

:cool:

[Offshore Toon]

https://i.imgur.com/LSZB1j6.jpg

RIP!

[Baz]

What a waste of time.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Enjoyed this one, which I think is genuine, via twitter:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EtTpMRHXcAIWi1P?format=jpg&name=medium

[Don]

The clapping has been ordered for tonight. Go forth.

It went down a storm in my Whatsapp groups, owe you one big man. Lee wasn't keen.

[SvN]

I mostly missed all of the bullshit around him at the time by never watching TV or listening to the radio. I only learned yesterday that he actually had a number one single. What the fuck is going on? Why is this particular pensioner so special? Why has the country decided he needs celebrating so much?

I get that he raised money for charity, but haven't millions of people?

I feel so out of touch, I genuinely don't understand.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The unstoppable power of facebook mums and breakfast TV. I feel miles away from it too.

[Kikó]

I think he timed his outstanding fundraising at a time when the country needed a good news story. Then he ruined his legacy with his lockdown breach in Barbados.

[Don]

He doesn't seen to have been vaccinated. Was it because he was on the way out by that time?

[Kikó]

Shame really. 10-15 years lost.

[Boydy]

I mostly missed all of the bullshit around him at the time by never watching TV or listening to the radio. I only learned yesterday that he actually had a number one single. What the fuck is going on? Why is this particular pensioner so special? Why has the country decided he needs celebrating so much?

I get that he raised money for charity, but haven't millions of people?

I feel so out of touch, I genuinely don't understand.

The country's got fucking brain worms.

[Waffdon]

He doesn't seen to have been vaccinated. Was it because he was on the way out by that time?

Had pneumonia which stopped him from having it or something

[7om]

I am devastated by this news. I want the country renamed Great Britom and our Sir Captain Colonel made Eternal President.

[Lewis]

Are they going to follow Wor Boris from this briefing to the clapping like a Goldberg entrance?

[Shindig]

https://media.tenor.com/images/37aafa7829dc578aa887e8dc0f50d7f7/tenor.gif

[Jimmy Floyd]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EtVT9d4XcAIxJab?format=jpg

Here it comes already - the 'Tories vs Caution' dust-up I've been predicting for February. Choose your side and call the others cunts on twitter. It's going to get proper nasty, with vicious screaming from both sides. Ultimately the Tories are on the side of human instinct so can, and should, win.

Now that the 'single dose doesn't work thing' is dead, the next thing the Caution Crowd latch onto will be the control-based fantasy of zero covid (remember, rather than needing the pandemic to end like the rest of us, these guys need the government to fail). Meanwhile, on the other side, the always idiotic ERG seem to have no idea of the difference between COMPLETE NORMALITY and the life-enhancing freedoms that could be enjoyed with gradual easing of restrictions. As usual, the rest of us will be caught between both showers of shit.

My latest look at the numbers sees no clear vaccine effect yet; at the moment I'm thinking continuation of the current gradual decline for a couple of weeks, with the potential for the start of a vaccine-related dive bomb from around the 20 Feburary. If that happens it will mercifully allow schools to reopen on the 8th as planned.

Our case level is now lower than its November (2nd lockdown) peak. On current trends, in around two weeks we will reach the lowest case level seen since September.

[Don]

How the fuck have India defeated it with that culture and infrastructure of theirs (no offence Diljeet)? I'm on fucking tilt here.

[John Arne]

Some bloke just got rumbled by the track and trace here :D Gov pulled no punches and revealed a trip to Saigon to meet a "friend" and also go for a nice relaxing massage.
Good luck explaining that to the missus.



His test result was confirmed by the Ministry of Health on Wednesday. He was then coded ‘patient No. 1,883.’

S. had come into close contact with an infected patient at Notary Office No. 3 at 6 Duy Tan Street, Dich Vong Hau Ward, Cau Giay District, Hanoi on January 27, according to the health ministry’s epidemiological investigation.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health released his detailed travel history on January 29.

At 6:30 am, S. took flight VN7245 operated by Vietnam Airlines to Ho Chi Minh City. His seat was 23C.

He arrived in Ho Chi Minh City at 9:00 am and caught a taxi to a coffee shop on Bui Vien Street in District 1.

The coffee shop is 50 meters from Sabroso Café, located at 211 Bui Vien.

He sat on the sidewalk at the coffee shop for 15 minutes. A waiter and a Filipino customer were present at the venue at that time.

Patient No. 1,883 then walked to Sabroso Café to meet his friend D. and the latter’s wife and kid for an hour.

Two servers got into contact with S., one of whom lives and Nha Be District, Ho Chi Minh City while the other dwells in Binh Duong.

At 11:00 am, D. drove S. in a car to meet L.

D. then went home in the same car.

Around noon, S. and L. had lunch at Bun Bo Hanh on Banh Van Tran Street, Ward 7, Tan Binh District.

Both went on to have coffee at 149/12 Banh Van Tran Street Ward 7, Tan Binh District, where they had contact with two staff members.

From 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm, they used services at a massage parlor on Nguyen Chi Thanh Street in District 5, where they came into contact with 10 employees.

At 5:00 pm, the two men visited T. in Tan Binh District.

L. left T.’s house after 5-10 minutes whereas S. stayed there.

T.’s wife, son, and nephew were upstairs when S. and L. were present downstairs.

T. took S. by motorbike to Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Tan Binh District and returned home.

At 7:45 pm, S. caught flight QH242 operated by Bamboo Airways to Hanoi and arrived at Noi Bai International Airport at 10:00 pm. His seat was 35C.

[Kikó]

How the fuck have India defeated it with that culture and infrastructure of theirs (no offence Diljeet)? I'm on fucking tilt here.

I'd go with weather and average age.

[Shindig]

It's the same for Pakistan. Average age over there is like 23.

[Baz]

Another negative test for me today. Easy, this.

[randomlegend]

I've never even needed a test.

[Spikey M]

Asymptomatic murder ftw

[John Arne]

110 cases on day 2, 58 on day 3 and 34 yesterday. Over 4,000 tests completed and some like 10,000 F1-F4 traced . Oh, and 2 makeshift hospitals built in the affected city - in 48hrs. We fucking got this.


Only 9 new cases today and track and trace that works :cool:



There are 65,451 people who had close contact with confirmed cases or came from pandemic-hit regions under quarantine at present, including 413 at hospitals, 24,312 at other quarantine sites, and 40,726 at home./.

[Shindig]

Annoyingly, my parents haven't went for their jab yet. They have the letters but they're waiting on a GP invite for my mam.

[Kikó]

The end of Covid will mean the end of these:

https://youtu.be/lgGmYeAm0jk

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm watching it now, it's pure art.

[Kikó]

It starts with a glorious fuck off.

[Don]

Jesus, stick it front and centre of the British Museum's COVID exhibition :D

[Kikó]

"I'd like to make a point of order"
"We're not in a meeting so we can't make points of order but you can make one anyway"

"Is that as Clark or proper officer? You just know the law"

😂

[7om]

God bless this country :D

[Lewis]

This (https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/secrets-of-the-vaccine-taskforces-success) vaccine taskforce story is good. Between the Army/private sector logistics and Matt Hancock ordering huge amounts of vaccines against 'official advice', side-lining Public Health England seems to have been crucial to the result. :happycry:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Jeremy Hunt wants us to stay in full lockdown until sub 1,000 cases (this will be mid April I would think). Sometimes I wonder about him and then I remember he has a Chinese wife and his entire political career has been one long obsession with us turning into China/Korea/Taiwan.

[Spikey M]

Worth remembering he'd have been pushing for Homeopathy over vaccines too, the whopper.

[Alex]

The end of Covid will mean the end of these:

https://youtu.be/lgGmYeAm0jk
"You have no authority here Jackie Weaver! No authority AT ALL!"

:D

[Lewis]

They're the people who stop houses getting built.

[Spikey M]

The end of Covid will mean the end of these:

https://youtu.be/lgGmYeAm0jk

The British Citizenship test should be structured around this video.

[Don]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EtU93q0XAAEWdHg?format=jpg&name=900x900

[Yevrah]

Can you do me one of those with pubs instead of clubs Don?

[Lewis]

https://i.imgur.com/8vR0GV1.png

[Don]

Tears in my eyes :D

[Pepe]

Fuckin' hell :D

[Spikey M]

:lol:

[Jimmy Floyd]

If anyone wants to know just how insane the Zero Covid people are, get some of this:

https://www.endcoronavirus.org/blog/an-argument-for-ongoing-travel-quarantines

[Magic]

Shlomyia Lightfoot.

[Spikey M]

If anyone wants to know just how insane the Zero Covid people are, get some of this:

https://www.endcoronavirus.org/blog/an-argument-for-ongoing-travel-quarantines

It started with "Scientists are saying that more pandemics are on the way" and I was all on board. I was ready for their suggestions, but within 2 paragraphs I'm spending 2 weeks in solitary confinement both before and after my holiday? I left it there.

[Yevrah]

We're just one massive science experiment to them and that, can fuck right off.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It started with "Scientists are saying that more pandemics are on the way" and I was all on board. I was ready for their suggestions, but within 2 paragraphs I'm spending 2 weeks in solitary confinement both before and after my holiday? I left it there.

The idea is that you're not having a holiday, aside from 'web holidays' which they have just dreamed up as an alternative. You're also not travelling for weddings, conferences etc, and you're not seeing your family who live abroad, unless you can 'save up' three months off work to do so. They're quite open about that.

The tone of it (and of a lot of the zero covid logic) is very 1930s let-us-shape-a-better-society type stuff. Opportunistic, to say the least.

[Shindig]

Just test me each day of the holiday and if I'm positive, I stay put until I turn a negative result.

[Foe]

Yeah that’s not happening either.

The world will cool down from this pretty sharpish and those who aren’t comfortable won’t travel.

The green lot and zero covid lot are preaching a similar insular view of the world. We’ve globalised but it’s been bad. We should just go back to staying where we are because it’s better for the environment and wont let stuff spread.

Fuck off.

[Baz]

Shlomyia Lightfoot.
:sherlock:

[Jimmy Floyd]

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/feb/05/ursula-von-der-leyen-uk-covid-vaccine-speedboat-eu-tanker


“I am aware that alone a country can be a speedboat, while the EU is more like a tanker,” Von der Leyen said. “Before concluding a contract with a pharmaceutical company, the 27 member states had five full days to say whether they agreed or not.

“This naturally delays the process. Indeed, we must constantly put pressure on ourselves so that each step of the decision-making process is as fast and efficient as possible.

“But I am absolutely convinced that the European approach is the right one. On these vaccines, we worked faster than usual. I can’t even imagine what it would have meant for Europe, in terms of unity, if one or more member states had access to vaccines and not the others.”

Does she know what she's saying here?

[Waffdon]

Over 700k people vaccinated in Scotland and I’m still unaware of anyway that has been done or even scheduled.

Nice of Lewis to speed up the process though as with his post the other day - administering more than the English whilst taking a rest day on Sunday’s :drool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

We're still doing the 70-75s at the moment aren't we? Doubt many live that long in your circles.

[Spikey M]

I know loads of people that have had it. Including some mates at Southend Council that have been vaccinated for reasons that are a mystery to me.

[Waffdon]

We're still doing the 70-75s at the moment aren't we? Doubt many live that long in your circles.

Can’t be that bad, I’ve never even been to a funeral or know anyone personally who has died. Well, my uncle but he topped himself before I was born.

[-james-]

Can’t be that bad, I’ve never even been to a funeral or know anyone personally who has died. Well, my uncle but he topped himself before I was born.

:chortle:

[Waffdon]

Has Jimmy not watched It’s a Sin? I’d be wary of his friendship group seeing a decent age

[Magic]

Can’t be that bad, I’ve never even been to a funeral or know anyone personally who has died. Well, my uncle but he topped himself before I was born.

I know a couple of people that have died since this all kicked off but not from COVID. Probably on the death cert though. :eyemouth:

[Baz]

My nan (92) has had both doses of the vaccine and my mums (66) booked in for her first (are they still doing 2?) next Saturday. Once that’s done, everyone else I know would probably survive Covid, so it’s looking good.

My condolences to all those who’ve lost loved ones, etc.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Has Jimmy not watched It’s a Sin? I’d be wary of his friendship group seeing a decent age

HIV is very treatable these days; alas I fear there is no such relief yet available for the effects of battered suppers.

[Spikey M]

I've not seen It's a Sin, so didn't catch that joke. Sort yourself out Waff you cunt.

[Waffdon]

Issa joke. Jimmy is a great guy and I’m sure he will outlive myself. Peace and love x

[Andy]

I know loads of people that have had it. Including some mates at Southend Council that have been vaccinated for reasons that are a mystery to me.

I think all councils and housing associations are getting it. I know a few people who work directly for a housing association who have their first jab.

I sub contract to a housing association for 100% of my work but as its not a direct employment I'm not in line to get one early. Doesn't bother me though, I'd rather someone vulnerable got it before me.

[Waffdon]

1357658056839069698

:lol:

[Mike]

I’ve felt utterly awful all week and woke up today feeling slightly better. So of course today my smell then my taste have both gone over the course of the day.

[niko_cee]

If anyone wants to know just how insane the Zero Covid people are, get some of this:

https://www.endcoronavirus.org/blog/an-argument-for-ongoing-travel-quarantines

That's just an awful read from start to finish, and is also horrifically American, once every two years vacations, travel/quarantine cruises, erm no thanks love.

In other news, on the stats front I recently found out that of the c 650 cases we've had here all in since the beginning of the pandemic (representing about 1% of the population) at least one poor bugger has managed to have it twice. :cab:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Long distance ships of course famously free of all infectious disease.

[Spikey M]

I’ve felt utterly awful all week and woke up today feeling slightly better. So of course today my smell then my taste have both gone over the course of the day.
Feel better soon Mike.

*Insert joke about still having better taste than Baz here*


Long distance ships of course famously free of all infectious disease.

Indeed. There hasn't been a cruise in history that hasn't needed a stomach bug warning at some point.

All inclusives are just as bad mind. On our last holiday (80 years ago) there was a woman sat in reception talking to a rep about how her son had sickness and diarrhoea with the rep telling her to keep him in their room. Fast forward 5 hours and he's sat at their table in the buffet restaurant looking like he'd rather be anywhere else on earth. Cunts.

Team Panic are right Jim. Shut it all down.

[John Arne]

Only 9 new cases today and track and trace that works :cool:

Day 9: zero new community cases.

24,000 in quarantine during Lunar New Year (:D) and 55,000 self-isolating.

Looks like the 4th wave is under control. 🤞

[Queenslander]

:cool:

[Queenslander]

Perth has come out of their 5 day lockdown in clear it appears.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Just had the AstraZenaca vaccine.

[Spikey M]

How did you fraud your way into that?

[Shindig]

Primary carer, innit?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I registered as a carer for my Sister when it all kicked off.

[Spikey M]

Have you noticed an improvement in your phone reception?

[Lewis]

His step-mum is getting his second dose.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

His step-mum is getting his second dose.

I doubt it's enough.

[Yevrah]

This is a disaster, surely?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-55975052

[Don]

I can almost taste that sweet sweet vaccine failure.

[Shindig]

I believe the other ones (Moderna, maybe Pfizer?) have better results.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This is a disaster, surely?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-55975052

Almost certainly not. It is very likely to protect against severe disease, and in around six months they will have tweaked it (and the other vaccines) to deal with the effects of the mutation.

[Yevrah]

Within six months the broom will be dead and I'll be rocking back and forth in a chair, tears falling over her corpse.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We'll be reasonably out by April. Some outdoor things mid-March. Pubs probably May. Clubs June 2093. The lefties will shed salt tears about it - 'too early!' they will cry, ignoring the fact that at no stage so far have we unlocked too early - but thankfully we are currently governed by a party who won't allow permanent lockdown.

Independent Sage put something out earlier saying we should lock down until one case in a million. I did some fag packet workings out on that and it would be first week of August, assuming current decline continued at the same pace. They are dangerous lunatics.

[Shindig]

I'm not going to count any chickens til they're vaxxed.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Vaccination won't have a huge effect on when we come out of this lockdown. It will, hopefully, have a huge effect on us not going into another one.

[Yevrah]

One case in a million. :D

Do they think it's fucking airborne Ebola?

[Magic]

Has the NHS collapsed yet?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Not slept a wink.

At around 4 I had serious chills which lasted for around an hour but felt like a lot more. Also feel a touch of nausea.

[Magic]

Are you still grotesquely unfit.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I am however they are listed as very common side effects of the vaccine.

[Kikó]

Has the NHS collapsed yet?

You'd like that wouldn't you?

[Spikey M]

I know he was damaged goods long before this shit, but Magic has been more broken by Covid than most.

[Magic]

I have been.

[niko_cee]

Not slept a wink.

At around 4 I had serious chills which lasted for around an hour but felt like a lot more. Also feel a touch of nausea.

This is just the effect of having stayed up to watch the very much unsuperb owl.

[Spikey M]

I bet Giggles corndogs have had a similar effect. :sick:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I bet Giggles corndogs have had a similar effect. :sick:

I've never seen the appeal of them.

[Spikey M]

I've never tried them but I just can't forsee a world where they aren't terrible and knowing Giggs is a decent cook he has ne excuse for putting himself through such a thing.

[Spikey M]

147 cases of the Sith Afrikin strain confirmed over here now. All thanks to those dirty soap dodgers in Surrey.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Won't matter if the vaccines prevent severe disease.

The media reporting today is the worst yet, borderline criminal - they are absolutely gagging for a disaster that just isn't there.

[Lewis]

It would be worth everything completely failing just to see what new reasons could be found for not closing the borders.

*literally everyone over sixty-five dies within two months*
'Many care workers travel from overseas...'

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm a bit undecided on the borders issue, but it has been good to see the people who have been screaming about freedom of movement for the last five years now pivot to 'Keep them all out!' and presumably thinking the same about refugees, families of recent immigrants, etc.

There's something very sinister about, at policy level, reducing human beings to 'potential carriers of disease'.

[Lewis]

I can see the argument as to the point of it, but the people saying it's too difficult and/or restrictive like we're having the discussion in last February are everything wrong with the country. We're testing half the country and vaccinating the other half. I'm sure we could have rustled up some sort of room service system with a month to get it going.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Yes, we certainly could do it. I'm just not convinced that we should.

800k tests a day is a hell of a resource allocation, and soon probably won't be a useful one.

[Spikey M]

Won't matter if the vaccines prevent severe disease.

The media reporting today is the worst yet, borderline criminal - they are absolutely gagging for a disaster that just isn't there.

It absolutely does matter, we had an early cluster of cases down Sussex way, we have a Kent Strain, a Surrey caused South African Strain and London caused 1st nation wide lockdown. Shit all over the shoes of the Home Counties, but Essex stands firm. :cool:

[niko_cee]

Our recent originating cluster confirmed as THE KENT VARIANT, and hence it has spread like wildfire. Things seem to be coming uder control now but still probably a few weeks away from unlockdowning.

[Don]

Spent £150 on tickets for a festival on 10 July. Quinton Fortune and Benni McCarthy are gonna join their friend Phil Masinga if I can't be in a warehouse with thousands of others.

[Offshore Toon]

Our recent originating cluster confirmed as THE KENT VARIANT, and hence it has spread like wildfire. Things seem to be coming uder control now but still probably a few weeks away from unlockdowning.
In hindsight, it probably was a bit too cocky to host a dance festival during a global pandemic.


Spent £150 on tickets for a festival on 10 July. Quinton Fortune and Benni McCarthy are gonna join their friend Phil Masinga if I can't be in a warehouse with thousands of others.
Field Day? Feels a bit early to have festivals back in July, but Drumsheds would be glorious this summer. :drool:

[Baz]

Emails gone out asking for [paid] volunteers to go door to door in Southport to give out testing kits. Er, no.

[Don]

Ya. I can't see it happening but they're more than welcome to hold on to my cash for a few months and let me dream the dream. If they attempt to do some socially distanced bollocks I'll bomb the gaff.

[niko_cee]

In hindsight, it probably was a bit too cocky to host a dance festival during a global pandemic.



:D

They should be banned forthwith.

Don't think that was what caused it though, probably didn't help in terms of the spread. I've not really had my ear to the ground on the rumour front, but focus a while ago seemed to be on a pub, and the possibility that some off-island hauliers went for a pint whilst they were supposed to be isolating in their cabs (I guess) before going back to the UK, which seemed mental on a number of levels.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I was sat in my car in the library car park, enjoying a quite marvellous vegetarian sushi lunch (I know), when there was a tap-tap-tapping at my window and some mouldy crone wanted to know where the vaccination centre was. Still sat in my car, I said 'It's over there,' pointing at it. She said 'Where?' I said 'There.' She said 'Where?' and so on until eventually she spotted it, the lone brick building in a sea of empty air. Then she grabbed my wrist, through the open car window, and said 'Thank you, love, I'm so nervous', before walking off, shaking like a leaf.

If I contract covid from her I'm going to launch legal action against the entire British working class.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

RIP Jimmy.

Can you pass on The Computer to someone?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Absolutely not. When I die, golf insight dies with me.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Fuck that old lady.

[Spikey M]

I can't see how that would help.

[Boydy]

BBC News - Coronavirus: Motorists 'turned back' at Irish border
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-55966155

Giggles' dreams coming true.

[niko_cee]

Is preserving the Good Friday Agreement an essential reason for travel?

[-james-]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-55986646

The tweet sent shortly after war hero's death last Tuesday read: 'The only good Brit soldier is a deed one, burn auld fella, buuuuurn"

:lol:

[Spikey M]

What's the crime there for fuck sake?

[Luke Emia]

What's the crime there for fuck sake?

Saw this earlier. It's obviously in bad taste and you would have to be an absolute helmet to post it but I can't see how that is a crime?

[Spikey M]

Unless they're trying to frame it as incitement to murder (which would be lol) I can't understand that at all. Or is the mourning of "heroes" mandatory?

[Shindig]

You could flimsily count it as an anti-terror thing. Probably.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Charged "under communication offences" is a bit vague. Still, they'll have to guillotine him, just to be on the safe side.

[Shindig]

No, we need a public apology first. Like the one Cummings never gave. On the South Africa stuff, we're lucky this hit during a proper-ish lockdown.

[Kikó]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-55986646

The tweet sent shortly after war hero's death last Tuesday read: 'The only good Brit soldier is a deed one, burn auld fella, buuuuurn"

:lol:

That's an outrageous abuse of power. Free Waffles.

[Mike]

It’s my last day of isolation tomorrow. My girlfriend tested positive at the weekend, apparently because she got symptoms and a positive during my isolation I don’t have to extend mine, which seems ridiculous to me.
Like I’m living with someone who is very much poorly with Covid but I’m fine to go into work.

[Spikey M]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-55986900

OH MY GOD the Kent Variant has been confirmed in Manchester! Testing has had to be stepped up! Ahhhhhh!

Except... hadn't they already confirmed low levels of the variant up and down the country when they first confirmed the existence of the thing? So, nothing to see here then? Right.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This variant panic is a load of absolute gubbins. It means nothing as long as the vaccines prevent severe disease, which they do. Once that has been done, the risk to the public will be so low that if there are variants which escape the vaccines (but which the vaccines still prevent severe disease in) then the vaccines can just be tweaked and rolled out as boosters to the elderly, much like we do with the flu jabs.

I've been trying to work out why the media are so keen to run with these scare stories rather than do any kind of background reading or basic analysis - I think they are so trained to just bang stories out there / look for any kind of 'scoop' that they don't know how to operate any differently when the public interest demands it. These bollocks stories about the efficacy of the AZ vaccine will be so damaging to takeup.

[Ian]

The media will print / broadcast what people will read or tune into it, and as much as everybody wants things back to normal nobody's picking up a paper because of the headline 'BREAKING NEWS - THINGS PROBABLY ALRIGHT, ACTUALLY.'

Not sure why you'd expect the media to start acting in the public interest now. It's simply not the nature of the thing.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I therefore find it odd that a paper like the Guardian (normally among the least susceptible to the above) is among the worst offenders here.

[7om]

This variant panic is a load of absolute gubbins. It means nothing as long as the vaccines prevent severe disease, which they do. Once that has been done, the risk to the public will be so low that if there are variants which escape the vaccines (but which the vaccines still prevent severe disease in) then the vaccines can just be tweaked and rolled out as boosters to the elderly, much like we do with the flu jabs.

I've been trying to work out why the media are so keen to run with these scare stories rather than do any kind of background reading or basic analysis - I think they are so trained to just bang stories out there / look for any kind of 'scoop' that they don't know how to operate any differently when the public interest demands it. These bollocks stories about the efficacy of the AZ vaccine will be so damaging to takeup.

Like you say, the media are wankers when it comes to reporting science, almost deliberately deceptive. But this isn’t unique to the COVID era. The advent of Facebook and Twitter and the mongs that populate these platforms has rapidly accelerated the anti-medicine and anti-science movement.

[Boydy]

I therefore find it odd that a paper like the Guardian (normally among the least susceptible to the above) is among the worst offenders here.
Their headline yesterday of "OXFORD VACCINE ONLY 10% EFFECTIVE AGAINST SOUTH AFRICA VARIANT" while the subheading said people only got mild to moderate symptoms was ridiculous.

[Jimmy Floyd]

NEW: Health Sec Matt Hancock announces TEN year jail sentence for passengers who lie over where they've been.
PLUS:
- 4,600 hotel rooms secured for quarantine (costs £1750)
- Up to £2k fine for failing to take a test in isolation
- £10k fine for escaping hotel isolation

Not dystopian at all. No, no, no. Just protecting OUR KIDS and OUR NHS.

Definitely carrying a knife: maximum four years
Possibly carrying a virus: TEN YEARS AND THROW AWAY THE KEY

[Yevrah]

As I think I've said here before and definitely have elsewhere, there's something about all of this that isn't just as straightforward as keeping a virus at bay. The conspiracy theories are all useless, so the answer isn't in any of those, but there's something motivating the language, approach and deterrents used that no one has twigged yet.

[Yevrah]

Their headline yesterday of "OXFORD VACCINE ONLY 10% EFFECTIVE AGAINST SOUTH AFRICA VARIANT" while the subheading said people only got mild to moderate symptoms was ridiculous.

And this. Why are the BBC reporting it like that? Mild and moderate instances of it clearly aren't pleasant, but if that's all it had ever caused we wouldn't be where we are now, or even anywhere close.

[Jimmy Floyd]

As I think I've said here before and definitely have elsewhere, there's something about all of this that isn't just as straightforward as keeping a virus at bay. The conspiracy theories are all useless, so the answer isn't in any of those, but there's something motivating the language, approach and deterrents used that no one has twigged yet.

It's the fact that they've realised the Facebook mums are onside with any and all, allied to absolutely useless opposition, so they end up just 'following the science' (now, as a year ago, a terrible idea).

[Spikey M]

Not dystopian at all. No, no, no. Just protecting OUR KIDS and OUR NHS.

Definitely carrying a knife: maximum four years
Possibly carrying a virus: TEN YEARS AND THROW AWAY THE KEY

It's mental, but there's no chance anyone ever serves time over this shit (maybe a night or 2 in the cells).

[Lewis]

Hopefully this ten year sentence is part of a general enough public safety/virus law to nail that insulting Captain Tom tweet.

[Yevrah]

If you can't ascertain how it spread from animals to humans, how is it escaping from a laboratory still 'extremely unlikely'?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-55996728

[John Arne]

What if this never ends. What if these variants become stronger, more transmissible and more deadly? What if we can't keep up with it?

We are all going to die.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Yevrah's decade-plus-long war on the WHO since the Margaret Chan days is worth about 5 regular e-victories.

I am quite cautious on this at the moment but maybe, only maybe, the first tentative signs of a vaccine effect are just starting to edge into the picture in the UK. Deaths are on the puzzlingly low side for a few days (relative to usual rate of decline) and over 80 deaths are sniffing closer to being a sign of what's driving it. Will need another 2-3 days to confirm or deny.

[John Arne]

What if this never ends. What if these variants become stronger, more transmissible and more deadly? What if we can't keep up with it?

We are all going to die.

So far 0.0003036% of the population has been ended by this.

I think we may be ok.

[niko_cee]

Replying to yourself moments after posting. Is that a symptom? Enjoy being cleansed.

[Spikey M]

So far 0.0003036% of the population has been ended by this.

I think we may be ok.

Why are you being a sarky cunt to yourself? :D

[John Arne]

:D Had to talk myself down from the ledge.

EDIT: It was sincerity, not sarkyness :(

[Ian]

Why are you being a sarky cunt to yourself? :D

:D

"Yeah, yeah, nice one dickhead. Get a load of this guy, eh lads?"

[Raoul Duke]

:D

"Yeah, yeah, nice one dickhead. Get a load of this guy, eh lads?"

Jack Torrance strikes back

[Shindig]

It's mental, but there's no chance anyone ever serves time over this shit (maybe a night or 2 in the cells).

The bigger deterrent is probably the hotel stay ballooning your costs. If anyone serves decent time over this, it'll be because they boarded a plane with symptoms, wound up positive and still tried to worm their way out of the quarantine.

[Yevrah]

Yevrah's decade-plus-long war on the WHO since the Margaret Chan days is worth about 5 regular e-victories.


They're a dangerous organisation that managed the breathtaking feat of both acting as a puppet for China and spreading manifest nonsense on how to deal with the virus. Their part in this has been nothing short of a shambles.

[7om]

Not saying they haven’t made mistakes, but what has the WHO to gain by being China’s puppet?

They got it wrong at the start, but I’m not sure that equates to them being dangerous.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-56005488

A French nun who is Europe's oldest person has survived Covid-19, just days before her 117th birthday.

Lucile Randon, who took the name of Sister Andre in 1944, tested positive for coronavirus on 16 January but didn't develop any symptoms.

She told local media she "didn't even realise I had it".

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/16934/production/_116886429_gettyimages-1200012759.jpg

Are they sure she's not dead?

[Queenslander]

Terrifying.

[Kikó]

Not saying they haven’t made mistakes, but what has the WHO to gain by being China’s puppet?

They got it wrong at the start, but I’m not sure that equates to them being dangerous.

I think what it shows is how stupid the funding for it is. A properly funded WHO would remove reliance or bias towards a donor. They play an important role in world health, they should be treated as such.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Speaking of the WHO, lol at this:

1359519585251323908

[Jimmy Floyd]

A Cabinet office spox told PA: "Playgrounds are primarily for use by children who do not have access to private outdoor space, and while parents, guardians or carers are allowed to take children to a playground for exercise, they must not socialise with other people while there."

They're really enjoying the power, aren't they?

I see Boris was steadfastly denying there is a visible vaccine effect in the data even though there clearly fucking is. These people are maniacs. Just tell the truth.

[Lewis]

I was more worried about Wor Boris' hair. He's the last person in the world that would suit baldness anyway, and he clearly can't grow any sort of facial hair to balance it out like them quality bald/beard Trump mock-ups.

[Shindig]

Is there any vaccine effect data? Are less over 70s picking it up?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Over 80s fatality rate is dipping compared to under 80s. In a few days it should be plain and obvious.

Every time I think maybe some kind of freedom is on the horizon, no, here come the Facebook mums again:


Britons on facing up to ten years in jail for lying on a passenger locator form in order to avoid quarantine:

Too harsh: 30%
About right: 51%
Not harsh enough: 13%

'Not harsh enough'

[Kikó]

This government are the most dangerous we've ever had. No doubt.

[Shindig]

The NWA of governments.

[Raoul Duke]

I was more worried about Wor Boris' hair. He's the last person in the world that would suit baldness anyway, and he clearly can't grow any sort of facial hair to balance it out like them quality bald/beard Trump mock-ups.

His political career is finished once he's turned fully into Matt Lucas

[Jimmy Floyd]

https://twitter.com/PaulBrandITV/status/1359638587378180096

Why is this sort of absolutely irrelevant bullshit having a siren emoji and BREAKING put onto it in an alarmist tweet? All variants can reinfect vaccinated people, the point is that they don't get severe disease or die from it. All this does is discourage people from taking the vaccine.

Journalists at this point are quite ill, broken people, as indeed it appears are members of SAGE.

[Queenslander]

Airborne transmission is still big big news down here.

[niko_cee]

https://twitter.com/PaulBrandITV/status/1359638587378180096

Why is this sort of absolutely irrelevant bullshit having a siren emoji and BREAKING put onto it in an alarmist tweet? All variants can reinfect vaccinated people, the point is that they don't get severe disease or die from it. All this does is discourage people from taking the vaccine.

Journalists at this point are quite ill, broken people, as indeed it appears are members of SAGE.

Interesting cast list in the replies.

They're all raging against the dying of the light, although you'd think some of them would know better.

[Lewis]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56019995

'Woah-oh-oh, we've got the best virus in the world...'

[Kikó]

And they said brexit would hamper our global influence.

[Ian]

It's a beautiful British virus what loves the Queen and will show them bloomin' foreigns what-for.

[Spikey M]

Rule Corona, Corona rule the waves, we shall never never never share our vaccines.

[Jimmy Floyd]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56019995

'Woah-oh-oh, we've got the best virus in the world...'

You can add this person to the list too. They fucking love the limelight, these people.

[Spikey M]

The news has just had one of their little "ask the public" bits on and we are absolutely fucked as a country. Half the cunts would have us spending 2 weeks in quarantine before and after leaving the fucking house.

[phonics]

The news has just had one of their little "ask the public" bits on and we are absolutely fucked as a country. Half the cunts would have us spending 2 weeks in quarantine before and after leaving the fucking house.

Same as it's ever been. Same vox pops were falling to pieces over 100 pennies to a pound.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yE-wA24xJ8

[Jimmy Floyd]

The base authoritarianism of the Facebook mums has been the biggest revelation to me during this. I probably should have known really. What you don't realise, when you try to lead a reasonably varied life and do stuff that interests you, is that most people don't do that. Most people sit in cold houses, eat frozen food, watch Coronation Street, lead the most mundane existences possible, and harbour immense hostility towards anyone who does anything else.

[phonics]

Yeah it's been a big thing on the other side of the pond with QAnon as well. Lots of mumsnet types self radicalising each other. I think it's why they're so terrified of trans people despite probably never having met one. Self radicalization.

[Yevrah]

So it turns out my 91 year old gran, who fell victim to the biggest transmission vector by far (the care environment) has beaten COVID. What a woman.

And Jim, tell more more about SAGE losing the plot/annoying you.

[Kikó]

Great news yev!

[Baz]

Get her in the hot tub for a celebration.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Well done Granny Yev.


And Jim, tell more more about SAGE losing the plot/annoying you.

Everyone seethed when a couple of weeks ago, Rishi Sunak accused SAGE (via leak/brief) of 'moving the goalposts'. People accused him and the government of having caused the second wave via Eat Out to Help Out (very little evidence for this), or the third wave via opening up for Christmas (absolutely zero evidence that Christmas had any effect, but it still gets trotted out), and that we are not learning lessons having allegedly opened up too early before (there is no evidence whatsoever that we have opened up too early at any stage. People just think there is, because it suits their childish a to b reasoning, much in the same way that busy beaches probably have almost no impact on Covid spread).

What SAGE, and their individual members, are currently doing is indeed moving the goalposts. In last spring's lockdown we locked down until pressure was off the NHS and then we gradually re-opened, to a large degree, with masks and social distancing measures etc. Everyone had a fairly acceptable couple of months of summer. Cases then began to pick up again at the back end of September, i.e. 2 months after the last re-opening stage and 3/4 months from the first re-opening. This was with no vaccine. It therefore follows that gradually opening up society, in and of itself, does not cause an instant case surge. It's possible that foreign holidays, school re-opening, seasonality, mutation or a combination of several led to the case surge from September (we have seen this in all other European nations too), but we know that re-opening society along the lines seen last summer did not cause it. We then did a mini-lockdown in November (schools still open) and cases dropped again, until the Kent variant saw them skyrocket in December.

Fast forward to now, and cases, hospitalisations and now deaths are dropping like a stone AND we have the vaccines, the effects of which are only just starting to filter into the outcomes data. As such, a reasonable position would be that - having protected Our NHS in a few weeks' time - a cautious re-opening should again occur. This was the basis on which Boris Johnson put us into lockdown. But no. SAGE have it differently, all of a sudden.

First of all there's the guy above spouting absolute nonsense about what a variant 'may' be able to do vs the vaccine (if he is right, this will cause asymptomatic/mild cases - which is what we want, right?)

Then, there's this clown, another SAGE member, and a knight of the realm no less:

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I'm not sure where he gets the 725,000 figure from, but let's suppose he has access to some super secret data that is not publicly available (I don't see any reason why any covid data would not be made publicly available at this point, but there we are). In this tweet, and the thread above it, he is spaffing the same junk again as described above. Why has this moved from a situation where we have to protect the health service to a situation where transmission needs to be brought down to some arbitrary level he deems acceptable? Why will transmission matter to such a great extent in a country where the vulnerable will all have been vaccinated? Why are variants now such a red line, when variants are quite literally inevitable in the short, medium and long run? And why will 'opening too soon' make a difference when as seen last year we know that, if done gradually and sensibly, it will not? How, armed with a vaccine, can there possibly be a risk of a 'return to 2020'?

I seem to remember mandatory masks being brought in mid-last summer, so if anything, we were taking extra precautions at that time to keep transmission down whilst allowing life to go on.

I've racked my brains trying to work out why SAGE have become so hawkish all of a sudden, and why they have suddenly decided that the conditions for opening up are now not deaths/pressure on the NHS but transmission (even of asymptomatic/mild cases which is what it will be after the vaccines), and my only conclusion thus far is that they are collectively loving being at the centre of things and want it to go on a little longer yet.

Even if that isn't true, it's definitely the case that scientists shouldn't ever be put in the position of communicating directly with the press/general public, because they've repeatedly shown they are incapable of doing so without spreading unnecessary alarm. For what it's worth, the government are basically lying to us every day as well, but I think people build that into their assumptions.

[Jimmy Floyd]

And as if on cue, fucking Peston tweets this:

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The entire British journalistic establishment needs to be hauled into the back of a truck and blown up when this is over, and replaced with new ones who actually think about what they are doing and saying.