So, coronavirus...

[TB63]

Cardiff squad stuck out in SA as 1 of the team tested positive..

[Uncle fester]

Cardiff squad stuck out in SA as 1 of the team tested positive..

Same with Munster.

[petej]

Not great reading that the first 2 cases were both admitted to hospital

Both had very mild symptoms despite being admitted to hospital

David Hui, a respiratory medicine expert and government adviser on the pandemic in Hong Kong, said that even though it is not clear if current coronavirus vaccines are effective against the new variant, the city's vaccination rate should be increased and booster doses should be implemented as soon as possible.

He said that the two people who tested positive for the omicron variant had received the BioNTech-Pfizer shot and exhibited very mild symptoms, such as a sore throat.

I think all 13 Dutch cases and both Australian cases were asymptomatic or had mild symptoms, same for many of the SA cases. Anyway, saying at this stage that it definitely causes milder disease is as inaccurate as British scientists saying it's horrendous and the worst ever .


Interesting bit on twitter

If we're unlucky, omicron's ability to (re-)infect immunised hosts doesn't significantly impact its high replication rate (and the damage it causes to host tissues).

If we're a bit lucky, its ability to (re-)infect immunised hosts does reduce its replication rate, and hence would be expected to cause on average less severe symptoms, send fewer people into hospital and reduce fatality rates if it spread

If we're really lucky, omicron not only replicates less well in host cells, but also causes less systemic infections by replicating preferentially in cells of the mucosa of the upper airways, which are poorly protected by vaccine induced immunity

.

I assume that was from a Francois Balloux thread.

[petej]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/ ... dam-fears/
60 people out of 600 is an unexpectedly high proportion.

[JM2K6]

Not great reading that the first 2 cases were both admitted to hospital

Both had very mild symptoms despite being admitted to hospital

David Hui, a respiratory medicine expert and government adviser on the pandemic in Hong Kong, said that even though it is not clear if current coronavirus vaccines are effective against the new variant, the city's vaccination rate should be increased and booster doses should be implemented as soon as possible.

He said that the two people who tested positive for the omicron variant had received the BioNTech-Pfizer shot and exhibited very mild symptoms, such as a sore throat.

I think all 13 Dutch cases and both Australian cases were asymptomatic or had mild symptoms, same for many of the SA cases. Anyway, saying at this stage that it definitely causes milder disease is as inaccurate as British scientists saying it's horrendous and the worst ever .


Interesting bit on twitter

If we're unlucky, omicron's ability to (re-)infect immunised hosts doesn't significantly impact its high replication rate (and the damage it causes to host tissues).

If we're a bit lucky, its ability to (re-)infect immunised hosts does reduce its replication rate, and hence would be expected to cause on average less severe symptoms, send fewer people into hospital and reduce fatality rates if it spread

If we're really lucky, omicron not only replicates less well in host cells, but also causes less systemic infections by replicating preferentially in cells of the mucosa of the upper airways, which are poorly protected by vaccine induced immunity

.

Which British scientists?

[Sandstorm]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/ ... dam-fears/
60 people out of 600 is an unexpectedly high proportion.

PCR testers in SA are incompetent or corrupt.


Rinky in 5……4…..3…….

[petej]

This frequently updated chart is one of the best ways of seeing the impact of vaccines. You can even see the impact of boosters in October and November

[SaintK]

I really don't get this!! Other than political expediency?

[Margin__Walker]

Ones at the top are the ones they can do with less friction.

There's clearly not a difference in risk.

[tabascoboy]

It is a bit inconsistent, when I shop in the supermarket early there aren't many people in it and it seems decidedly lower risk than a crowded pub/ nightclub or whatever. Maybe the argument is that a supermarket has a much higher footfall during its opening hours than entertainment venues but truly it would surely be better just have a blanket rule to cover all public indoor spaces.

[robmatic]

It is a bit inconsistent, when I shop in the supermarket early there aren't many people in it and it seems decidedly lower risk than a crowded pub/ nightclub or whatever. Maybe the argument is that a supermarket has a much higher footfall during its opening hours than entertainment venues but truly it would surely be better just have a blanket rule to cover all public indoor spaces.

But then you basically need to close cafes, restaurants and pubs to have the effect because nobody actually wears a mask when they are eating/drinking. And if people need to wear a mask in the office for 8 hours continuously then actually they probably shouldn't be there and should be working from home. I'm not saying that these things shouldn't happen but it's a whole different level of intervention.

[Paddington Bear]

The ask on to enter a pub then take it off when you sat down just struck me as so performative and not making a meaningful difference. If hospitality is open in the winter it will spread covid, simple as.

[tabascoboy]

It's a mixed message on the prevention/mitigation of the spread during winter, and not surprisingly they have chosen a middle ground of "least resistance". Appeasing the hospitality sector and "saving Christmas" (again) isn't so much a risk as last year thanks to the vaccine and booster rollout, I'll grant.

[Slick]

Has anyone had a spot of long covid?

Feel like I have it at the moment, constantly knackered, particularly in the afternoon. Feels like a slight fever occasionally, sometimes waking in the morning with swollen glands, little headache now and then. Basically feels like day 2 of a big hangover. Been going for 3-4 weeks now and sick of it

[yermum]

Has anyone had a spot of long covid?

Feel like I have it at the moment, constantly knackered, particularly in the afternoon. Feels like a slight fever occasionally, sometimes waking in the morning with swollen glands, little headache now and then. Basically feels like day 2 of a big hangover. Been going for 3-4 weeks now and sick of it

yep more or less the same but getting better after about 6 weeks.

still get little HR spikes every now and again...

[Torquemada 1420]

There’s a plan A with Boris???

Borders won’t open before January and therefore local lockdowns are inevitable in December too unfortunately.

Nicola has been quiet up here for a while so I’m sure there will be something incoming

If everyone just wore a mask it would be ok.

Assume this is sarcasm?

[Hal Jordan]

The anti-mask freedom fighters are out in force on the old Twitter today. Some of them are willing to go to jail before they're masked.

[Slick]

Has anyone had a spot of long covid?

Feel like I have it at the moment, constantly knackered, particularly in the afternoon. Feels like a slight fever occasionally, sometimes waking in the morning with swollen glands, little headache now and then. Basically feels like day 2 of a big hangover. Been going for 3-4 weeks now and sick of it

yep more or less the same but getting better after about 6 weeks.

still get little HR spikes every now and again...

Cheers. Never actually tested positive for it though

[dpedin]

Has anyone had a spot of long covid?

Feel like I have it at the moment, constantly knackered, particularly in the afternoon. Feels like a slight fever occasionally, sometimes waking in the morning with swollen glands, little headache now and then. Basically feels like day 2 of a big hangover. Been going for 3-4 weeks now and sick of it

yep more or less the same but getting better after about 6 weeks.

still get little HR spikes every now and again...

Cheers. Never actually tested positive for it though

Ex workmate has the same type of symptoms. Been signed off work, feels very tired and lackadaisical but slowly getting better now.

[SaintK]

The anti-mask freedom fighters are out in force on the old Twitter today. Some of them are willing to go to jail before they're masked.

Some were sat behind Javid in the House of Commons today!!!

[GogLais]

I really don't get this!! Other than political expediency?

I'll be the one with my mask on in the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall this Thursday.

[Glaston]

I really don't get this!! Other than political expediency?

I'll be the one with my mask on in the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall this Thursday.

2 lots of Mrs Browns boys over Xmas.
F U to the BBC.

[Sandstorm]

Has anyone had a spot of long covid?

Feel like I have it at the moment, constantly knackered, particularly in the afternoon. Feels like a slight fever occasionally, sometimes waking in the morning with swollen glands, little headache now and then. Basically feels like day 2 of a big hangover. Been going for 3-4 weeks now and sick of it

yep more or less the same but getting better after about 6 weeks.

still get little HR spikes every now and again...

Cheers. Never actually tested positive for it though

Sounds like your hormones

[JM2K6]

yep more or less the same but getting better after about 6 weeks.

still get little HR spikes every now and again...

Cheers. Never actually tested positive for it though

Sounds like your hormones

Looking at the mortality rate for Covid among fully vaccinated people, I was struck by the similarity with how many of your jokes are funny

[Sandstorm]

Looking at the mortality rate for Covid among fully vaccinated people, I was struck by the similarity with how many of your jokes are funny

Blow me, you uptight dickhead

[JM2K6]

Looking at the mortality rate for Covid among fully vaccinated people, I was struck by the similarity with how many of your jokes are funny

Blow me, you uptight dickhead

definitely can't take what he tries to dish out

[Rinkals]

Looking at the mortality rate for Covid among fully vaccinated people, I was struck by the similarity with how many of your jokes are funny

Blow me, you uptight dickhead

He's right, though.

[Uncle fester]

Pretty chilling description of how Covid actually kills you.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/202 ... dApp_Other

[Jockaline]

I really don't get this!! Other than political expediency?

Seems sensible and reasonable to me. The places were masks are required are essential / semi essential services, whereas the others aren't. Those needing to shield/semi-shield or just want to be extra cautions can avail themselves of services the need with the reassurance of mask usage, but can easily opt out the services where masks are not required, nobody needs to go a Cinema. Presume employers are responsible for heath and safety of employee in offices, and would facilitate WFH if needed. My work does, but also has some mask rules if you do go in.

[Ymx]

I’ve not really been up to play with this. But what is the point of masks at this stage?

[Uncle fester]

I’ve not really been up to play with this. But what is the point of masks at this stage?

To reduce transmission.

[Ymx]

I’ve not really been up to play with this. But what is the point of masks at this stage?

To reduce transmission.

Got it, thanks.

[Tichtheid]

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfr ... ublic-good

Marina in good form

[C69]

Pretty chilling description of how Covid actually kills you.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/202 ... dApp_Other

It's fecking horrific watching people die and not responding to treatments you have used inthe past and thought would work.

That was certainly the case in the first few waves but now it's getting much better and statistically you are much more likely to die of pneumonia if ventilated than from Covid pneumonitis if ventilated.

Many more people who get ventilated with Covid are surviving now, I guess the big thing is to not get onto a ventilator in the first place tbh.

This is an interesting article
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lane ... 5/fulltext

[petej]

I’ve not really been up to play with this. But what is the point of masks at this stage?

To reduce transmission.

Got it, thanks.

Probably not much really at this point. The author of the guardian article recently stating "53% fall in incidence of disease" (I would recommend them at least quote the range not a single point) quoting a metastudy which contains this " The results of additional studies that assessed mask wearing (not included in the meta-analysis because of substantial differences in the assessed outcomes) indicate a reduction in covid-19 incidence, SARS-CoV-2 transmission, and covid-19 mortality" also " Mask wearing and covid-19 incidence—Six studies with a total of 2627 people with covid-19 and 389 228 participants were included in the analysis examining the effect of mask wearing on incidence of covid-19 ---- Risk of bias across the six studies ranged from moderate to serious or critical". Quite frankly if I was looking for papers relating to material properties and it said equivalent shit i certainly wouldn't be using it to concess or approve anything going on an aircraft. Too many variables in a dynamic system and no control.

[Ymx]

I should add, I still wear a mask in supermarkets myself, by choice, and perhaps OCD. I don’t demand others do.

But I guess my question is, what’s the point in relation to the new variant which will prevail and has enough space to “drive a bus” through the holes in our pathetic face coverings?

[Slick]

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfr ... ublic-good

Marina in good form

She really is brilliant

[fishfoodie]

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfr ... ublic-good

Marina in good form

Yeah. There was a short series a couple of years ago about some of the worst raids in the UK, in WWII.

I know everyone talks about the East End; but the one that struck me; was the raids on Glasgow.

You had guys who went off to their shift; & they came back to the hovel their Government decided was fit & proper housing; & found that the hovel was gone; & so was two generations of their family .... & the next day they went back to work in the shipyards. All they had was the clothes the stood up in; & the few hours they'd get off; while 10 or 12 members of their family were put in a mass grave, with fifty of sixth others; or as much of them that the firemen could throw into sacks for burial The poor bastards in Glasgow didn't even have a Tube to shelter in.

... and these pieces of shit call others snowflakes.

[petej]

I should add, I still wear a mask in supermarkets myself, by choice, and perhaps OCD. I don’t demand others do.

But I guess my question is, what’s the point in relation to the new variant which will prevail and has enough space to “drive a bus” through the holes in our pathetic face coverings?

I still wear a mask in shops etc as required in Wales which has been pretty consistent compared to England. The impact of masks is variable depending on the type of mask itself, the ventilation of the area, the vaccination status (vaccinated individuals tend to emit less and for a shorter duration), the wearing of masks might induce behaviour changes like giving people more space, knowledge of the levels of virus in an area also can lead to more cautious behaviour in population. The honest answer to your question is we don't know enough about the omicron variant at this time.

[Uncle fester]

Pretty chilling description of how Covid actually kills you.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/202 ... dApp_Other

It's fecking horrific watching people die and not responding to treatments you have used inthe past and thought would work.

That was certainly the case in the first few waves but now it's getting much better and statistically you are much more likely to die of pneumonia if ventilated than from Covid pneumonitis if ventilated.

Many more people who get ventilated with Covid are surviving now, I guess the big thing is to not get onto a ventilator in the first place tbh.

This is an interesting article
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lane ... 5/fulltext

Overall ICU mortality was 30·7% (n = 1166), without significant differences between study periods (first wave 31·7% vs second/third waves 28·8%, p = 0·06).

Is that saying that 30% of people going into ICU with Covid didn't come back out?