Coronavirus General Discussion

I'm not sure that's entirely correct... the vaccination does stop the spread of infection because those who are vaccinated tend to have milder cases (less virus present in the host's system) and tend to be contagious for shorter periods of time (the virus drops below the level needed for transmission within a few days).

"Public health benefits of vaccination may have been underestimated, as COVID-19 vaccines not only protect against acquisition of infection, but also appear to protect against transmission of infection." From www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-28199-7

"For previous variants, the World Health Organisation said symptoms could begin to develop anywhere between two days and two weeks after infection.

"However, the incubation period for Omicron is believed to be much shorter – between three and five days.

"It is believed people are at their most infectious one to two days before the onset of symptoms, and during the two to three days afterwards."
From inews.co.uk/news/health/covid-contagious-when-most-how-long-symptoms-last-omicron-incubation-period-explained-1386600
(I apologize for the sneaky video that auto-starts...)

I quite agree. How anyone who works for the NHS can think they are in the right for not being vaccinated is beyond me.

My mother was discharged from hospital just this morning, after a three and a bit week stay. So on her behalf, I'd like to add my two penneth, direct from the real world.

She couldn't give a tinker's cuss if those caring for her were vaccinated or not. Respectfully, the stakes are somewhat higher for her than the vast majority of TB members.

She's from the wartime generation, you see. Nothing fazes them.

I always use the seatbelt analogy with regards to masks and I think that is comparable.
This is a vaccination, which I personally think is different as it’s more invasive than an external application of a mask or seatbelt.
The role of Covid vaccines has changed a lot since Delta and even more so since Omicron. We originally thought the vaccines would stop us getting Covid and with the OG or Alpha versions that probably was the case for the majority of people. But it no longer stops infection and whilst it reduces how long you’re infectious for, you will still be infectious. I mean, where do we draw the line? Do we force nurses and care workers to take vitamins so that it’s less likely they will get a bad cold or the flu and pass that on to their patients?
Anyway, I respect your opinion on this and if we didn’t have Delta and Omicron and the vaccine would actually stop infection and infectiousness, I would probably (very reluctantly) side with the mandate. But with the variants we’re dealing with now, I personally don’t agree with it anymore.

Regarding the 534 deaths yesterday that figure was cumulative I can’t remember exactly what it was but it wasn’t the actual deaths yesterday. If you’re on Twitter a couple of accounts I’d recommend are covid fact check and coronavirus good news! 

The scenario you’re worrying about is statistically impossible! It might feel like everyone’s got covid at the same time but they haven’t. People recover and then others get ill etc. I know 
People who’ve had it 2 or 3 times and been fine and some people (myself and my parents) have never had it! And it’s not like we stay at home or do much mitigation other than mask wearing and have our jabs! 

I think covid is mutating to become a milder but more infectious virus, which is what nearly every virus does. Viruses exist to replicate and spread and they can’t do that effectively if they’re too deadly so they evolve so they can spread rapidly and make the host (us) not ill enough to die or be confined cos then how does it spread easily? 

with regards to medical staff, a lot of medical staff Don’t want the vaccine. They’re not anti vaxx it’s a personal choice. I’ve got a doctor friend who is not having the vaccine because he thinks he doesn’t need it and he is concerned there’s no long term safety data and about the incidences of heart inflammation . If anything, I respect the choice of medics not to get vaccinated more so because they will have made an educated decision rather than listening to Facebook memes! We can’t force vaccines on people via coercion it’s unethical.

Finally Dawnstar, I’ve noticed from your other posts that you are very anxious about covid still, and I understand. I have anxiety and I was an absolute  MESS at the start of the pandemic but I came through the other side with help and I’m feeling pretty chill now tbh. I’ve kinda done a 180 in that now I feel like life has to go on and we have to make the most of it! That’s me though, we’re all different! If you are suffering anxiety to the point it’s ruining your life, there is help available. I urge you to go to your GP if you’re struggling, and my DMs are always open if u wanna chat

As regards the vaccines for NHS frontline/Care/Homecare staff surely it is a no brainer to have it in the rules that ALL new staff or those rejoining the profession having gone to another vocation HAVE to be vaccinated. This gives existing staff the right of choice but it becomes clear that ALL newbies have to have it. This may be a very slow change but it would eventually mop up all the refuseniks as they leave or retire.

The unions cannot argue this as terms for existing staff are protected and any company can change perameters of T and C's for new staff. Where I work I get more annual leave than newbies who will unlikely ever get what I get but I've worked for them for well over 30 years.

Deaths are certainly much down on this time last year and seem to be flattening out. Hospital numbers have fallen steadily in last couple of weeks since festive and early new year peak.


As regards deaths in the UK up to end 2020 we had had 73,512 deaths

By end of 2021 we were up to 148,624 so a shade over 75k deaths last year with a slightly higher number than year before despite the vaccine being available to everyone eligible who wanted it.

We are now up to 157,730 deaths which may indicate we are on for another heavy year of deaths but by this date last year we were up to 109,335 deaths so you could say up to Feb 2021 there had been that many deaths and since then there have been a far more moderate 48,400 deaths so is the vaccine making this difference, is the virus weakening or have a lot of more vunerable people sadly seccumbed to it already.

I think a lot of countries will start phasing out reporting numbers in the coming months. 

Your 'oh boy' surprised me?? Have I misread your post?

Take care and get well soon.

Current isolation rules for people in England will be replace by guidance, the PM’s spokeperson said.

People will continue to be advised to stay away from work if they have Covid. He said:

"What we would simply be doing is removing the domestic regulations which relate to isolation. But obviously in the same way that someone with flu, we wouldn’t recommend they go to work, we would never recommend anyone goes to work when they have an infectious disease."

And we also won't allow you to move your theatre tickets anymore, so just sit next to someone while you know you have covid. Oh and if you wear a mask is also up to you in that situation, cos we know people are going to be super sensible about this. **NOT**

I mean, I figured it was going to happen but was hoping at the very least he'd wait til the end of March, rather than rushing this through to continue distracting from his power struggles.