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Covid and Work, Covid Advice and General Chat

The trouble is that, at this point in time we don't know for certain who is at risk. We have some wide parameters, but they are not definite enough to safely rely on them when considering exposure to the virus.
 
I always think that each and every one of us are so very different that it really is down to many, many factors which nobody could possibly group into who is at more risk than others, beyond the acceptance that certain conditions in and of themselves are higher risk. Whether we all share a condition (ie diabetes) or a cholesterol level or IBS or any other thing, we still have our very own DNA and sheer luck factored into it so our risk really is attuned to ourselves. Some people die naturally at 80 and others at 100, as others have said, some smokers suffer less than other smokers or non smokers and on and on. All we can do is accept what conditions we have and do our very best to try and increase our general health whenever we are able to. I read a lot about people thinking they are 'failures' when they are doing their very best yet things don't go according to plan, they are NOT failures, they are humans. x
 
Max68 said:
Some more articles suggesting again that Sweden "didn't get it right!"

https://www.news.com.au/world/coron...y/news-story/ada9705eb2a9b31161aa41d8a09bba16

https://www.ft.com/content/81299a7a-ec53-41fa-bf33-7ea40f4bca07

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...rkers-are-quitting-leaving-icus-short-staffed

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/13379457/sweden-shut-schools-january-anders-tegnell/
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People are rather gleefully imagining that Sweden is getting their comeuppance and I note that these articles are mainstream media reporting on ICU levels in Stockholm yet. This is more data based:
They haven't completely destroyed their economy and are 22nd in the mortality list in Europe with no excess mortality over 5 year average and are not wondering around in pointless masks hiding in fear which sounds great to me!
Euromomo shows this graphically - you can see the areas where there is excess mortality.
https://www.euromomo.eu/graphs-and-maps#map-of-z-scores
 
Ah a video from that Fat Emperor bloke, who isn't too worried about Covid... Ok well we all have different opinions on who we listen too. I'm certainly not gleefully imagining Sweden might get their comeuppance, just interested that the Swedish PM is bringing in tougher restrictions considering a few months ago they said they would be at herd immunity by now which would stop any second wave,. Not hiding in fear either, just think it's sensible to wear a mask.
 
NicoleC1971 said:
People are rather gleefully imagining that Sweden is getting their comeuppance and I note that these articles are mainstream media reporting on ICU levels in Stockholm yet. This is more data based:
They haven't completely destroyed their economy and are 22nd in the mortality list in Europe with no excess mortality over 5 year average and are not wondering around in pointless masks hiding in fear which sounds great to me!
Euromomo shows this graphically - you can see the areas where there is excess mortality.
https://www.euromomo.eu/graphs-and-maps#map-of-z-scores
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'Pointless masks hiding in fear'?. wow, is that how you see us mask wearers? I doubt anybody is 'gleeful' about Sweden getting their comeuppance as you put it. Most of us are simply trying to stay as safe as possible and recognising that ourselves and other Countries are doing the best they can no matter what approach they are taking. Whether I agree totally with how this Country has gone about is is immaterial personally, I have respect for those 'mask wearers' and those who at least recognise some people are more vulnerable than others.
 
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I would never be gleeful or gloating about death or illness, no matter how it happened.

Every country is still learning and trying different ways to get on top of this virus.

No country has completely destroyed their economy.
 
NicoleC1971 said:
They haven't completely destroyed their economy and are 22nd in the mortality list in Europe with no excess mortality over 5 year average and are not wondering around in pointless masks hiding in fear which sounds great to me!
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To read your post that a mask is pointless for people 'wandering around' makes me :mad: I will tell you for one thing, I am NOT hiding in fear by wearing a mask, I will never hide from Covid, but I will try to take good care of myself, which I seem to have done so far, to stay safe and well, which I would want for others too.
I have to wear a mask for working in a school environment.
 
I have not been contacted by my council today regarding going back to work, so it looks like it will be still be Wednesday, unless I hear from them in due course.
It's a friends birthday today. both him and his wife, who is 83, are really good friends of mine and I can't even pop down to see them, it's been a while now, but I did telephone this morning to wish him a happy birthday.
 
One tricky virus this little parasite is!!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55308211

Having said that -

Fergus Walsh - Medical editor

  1. There are lots of variants and at this stage, I wouldn't interpret too much into it because it's what viruses do, they mutate a bit.

    Certainly I've heard virologists talking about 40 or more variants

    What's interesting about this one is the suggestion that it may be associated with faster spread in the south east.

    Now initially you would say that's a bit worrying if the virus is spreading faster and that could be concerning.

    But sometimes the variants that come through spread quicker but they become less deadly, less effective.

    So what we don't know is whether it's associated in any way with more serious disease. And Matt Hancock said that there was no evidence of that at the moment.

    And also the vaccines we have (and there are three that we now know have efficacy) - there's nothing to suggest that a variant would make the vaccine less effective.

    Nothing to panic about now but absolutely right that the geneticists at Porton Down and elsewhere do all the due diligence and look at this.

    It sounds immediately very scary but I don't think there's anything to be unduly alarmed about.
 
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Max68 said:
One tricky virus this little parasite is!!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55308211

Having said that -

Fergus Walsh - Medical editor




    • There are lots of variants and at this stage, I wouldn't interpret too much into it because it's what viruses do, they mutate a bit.

      Certainly I've heard virologists talking about 40 or more variants

      What's interesting about this one is the suggestion that it may be associated with faster spread in the south east.

      Now initially you would say that's a bit worrying if the virus is spreading faster and that could be concerning.

      But sometimes the variants that come through spread quicker but they become less deadly, less effective.

      So what we don't know is whether it's associated in any way with more serious disease. And Matt Hancock said that there was no evidence of that at the moment.

      And also the vaccines we have (and there are three that we now know have efficacy) - there's nothing to suggest that a variant would make the vaccine less effective.

      Nothing to panic about now but absolutely right that the geneticists at Porton Down and elsewhere do all the due diligence and look at this.

      It sounds immediately very scary but I don't think there's anything to be unduly alarmed about.
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It's the comments that I found really interesting, a feeling of Déjà vu. I am in the South East region
 
Robinredbreast said:
It's the comments that I found really interesting, a feeling of Déjà vu. I am in the South East region
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Same here although not far from the coast. See on other sites some people really think the government have "invented" this strain as a way of keeping people locked up and I've seen comments such as "old people don't offer anything in way of the economy so why are we protecting such a small percentage". Considering my mum paid her taxes all her life and now pays over £1000 a month to stay in care, not forgetting the obvious hit of IHT eventually I shudder at the uncaring attitude of some of the human race. People moaning that they won't be able to spend Christmas with family without even considering those who would give anything to have members of their family alive to spend it with! This pandemic has shown both sides of mankind, the very best and the very worst and it really saddens me.
 
NicoleC1971 said:
ITs sad but with anything Today R4 says I check the data behind it. Both sides do want to validate their own narrative on Covid but I don't think the BBC et al should be taking sides!
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I was wondering who had been "gleeful", I gave up on Today as they never ask the questions I would like asked and they give the government such an easy ride, the editor is a true blue apparatchik. Can't say I notice the BBC taking sides, they bend over stupid sometimes trying not.... climate change being the main one..... way more than a passing virus.
 
hankjam said:
I was wondering who had been "gleeful", I gave up on Today as they never ask the questions I would like asked and they give the government such an easy ride, the editor is a true blue apparatchik. Can't say I notice the BBC taking sides, they bend over stupid sometimes trying not.... climate change being the main one..... way more than a passing virus.
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I'm not a fan of the BBC for many things but in my post #1873 both the link and the reply are from the BBC website.
 
Max68 said:
I'm not a fan of the BBC for many things but in my post #1873 both the link and the reply are from the BBC website.
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I probably would describe myself as a fan of the BBC, most of my radio presets are BBC stations.
I think Fergus Walsh and Hugh Pym(?) do a fair job.
 
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