So, coronavirus...

[JM2K6]

Here's a good thread on the potential future for omicron vs delta:

[Rinkals]

No.
The telegraph more than any other paper in the UK including the tabloids is pretty much a Johnson fanzine. He worked for them for a very long time.

My mother and two sisters have a subscription and I'll swear that they have become ultra fascists as a direct result.

Mind you, that they listen to Julia Hartly-Brewer doesn't help, either.

They regard the pandemic as a ploy to cow a pliant population over what they regard as nothing more than a mild cold.

Under the Barclays ownership it has gone batshit. A lot of elderly readers (the vast majority are elderly) won't have realised and will still think it is a respectable newspaper. It has fired some of its better journalists and replaced them with bullshitters.

Thanks.

That is what I thought.

Between Uncle Rupe and these Barclay cunts, these press barron types have way too much power.

[Margin__Walker]

Why it 'being offered' a big distinction? We don't live in a state that compels vaccination so so it can be taken as said.

My recollection isn't perfect so I can't quote him verbatim but as far as I recall the PM made it sound as though everyone who wanted to be would be vaccinated by the NY, hence discussion after the programme on what a huge undertaking this would be. Being offered by the NY is almost meaningless, you might end up getting it weeks into 2022.

Your memory is correct. He did make it sounds like that, but they screwed up the messaging and had to clarify today.

[Rinkals]

Mate, your sister is a moron. Anything she tells you is wrong or stupid.

She is an experienced and highly regarded Architect and a lead Architect for the Michaelangelo Towers in Sandton among other iconic buildings, both here in South Africa and in India.

I'm afraid that you are basing your opinion of her on your opinion of me, and it doesn't quite work that way.

I'm no fan of the Telegraph, but I find that a far fetched premise for an article. Even by them. You'll have to provide a link if you're going to successfully defend her honour.

As I say, I do not read the rag, but I'm told it's an Op-ed by the chairman of the 1922 committee.

[SaintK]

She is an experienced and highly regarded Architect and a lead Architect for the Michaelangelo Towers in Sandton among other iconic buildings, both here in South Africa and in India.

I'm afraid that you are basing your opinion of her on your opinion of me, and it doesn't quite work that way.

I'm no fan of the Telegraph, but I find that a far fetched premise for an article. Even by them. You'll have to provide a link if you're going to successfully defend her honour.

As I say, I do not read the rag, but I'm told it's an Op-ed by the chairman of the 1922 committee.

Sir Graham Brady is chair of the 1922 committee.
The Telegraph is behind a paywall and welcome to stay there
Google says the last article he wrote for them was 1st December

[JM2K6]

I'm no fan of the Telegraph, but I find that a far fetched premise for an article. Even by them. You'll have to provide a link if you're going to successfully defend her honour.

As I say, I do not read the rag, but I'm told it's an Op-ed by the chairman of the 1922 committee.

Sir Graham Brady is chair of the 1922 committee.
The Telegraph is behind a paywall and welcome to stay there
Google says the last article he wrote for them was 1st December

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/1 ... t-liberty/

To be clear, he doesn't appear to have written anything about the parties or the virus being a hoax.

[Happyhooker]

Why it 'being offered' a big distinction? We don't live in a state that compels vaccination so so it can be taken as said.

My recollection isn't perfect so I can't quote him verbatim but as far as I recall the PM made it sound as though everyone who wanted to be would be vaccinated by the NY, hence discussion after the programme on what a huge undertaking this would be. Being offered by the NY is almost meaningless, you might end up getting it weeks into 2022.

Your memory is correct. He did make it sounds like that, but they screwed up the messaging and had to clarify today.

This

[SaintK]

As I say, I do not read the rag, but I'm told it's an Op-ed by the chairman of the 1922 committee.

Sir Graham Brady is chair of the 1922 committee.
The Telegraph is behind a paywall and welcome to stay there
Google says the last article he wrote for them was 1st December

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/1 ... t-liberty/

To be clear, he doesn't appear to have written anything about the parties or the virus being a hoax.

I'll take your word for it.
Still behind a paywall and therefore unreadable

[JM2K6]

Sir Graham Brady is chair of the 1922 committee.
The Telegraph is behind a paywall and welcome to stay there
Google says the last article he wrote for them was 1st December

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/1 ... t-liberty/

To be clear, he doesn't appear to have written anything about the parties or the virus being a hoax.

I'll take your word for it.
Still behind a paywall and therefore unreadable

I'm using a plugin to bypass paywalls. Anyway, I can't see anything on the Telegraph site matching the description.

[GogLais]

Why it 'being offered' a big distinction? We don't live in a state that compels vaccination so so it can be taken as said.

My recollection isn't perfect so I can't quote him verbatim but as far as I recall the PM made it sound as though everyone who wanted to be would be vaccinated by the NY, hence discussion after the programme on what a huge undertaking this would be. Being offered by the NY is almost meaningless, you might end up getting it weeks into 2022.

Your memory is correct. He did make it sounds like that, but they screwed up the messaging and had to clarify today.

Cock-up or conspiracy - Boris unaware of the difference or a deliberate attempt to mislead? A sacking offence in either case.

[petej]

My recollection isn't perfect so I can't quote him verbatim but as far as I recall the PM made it sound as though everyone who wanted to be would be vaccinated by the NY, hence discussion after the programme on what a huge undertaking this would be. Being offered by the NY is almost meaningless, you might end up getting it weeks into 2022.

Your memory is correct. He did make it sounds like that, but they screwed up the messaging and had to clarify today.

Cock-up or conspiracy - Boris unaware of the difference or a deliberate attempt to mislead? A sacking offence in either case.

Wouldn't it be about 1 million doses a day? Chief bullshitter over promising. Again.

[tabascoboy]

Is one million boosters a day really achievable?

Michelle Roberts, Health Editor, BBC News Online:

One million doses is an ambitious plan. When the first doses of the Covid vaccine were offered earlier in the year, the jabbing rate hovered around 450,000 a day.

In order to reach the new target, the PM has said family doctors can postpone some of their other work, such as certain routine medical appointments.

The military is also being brought in to help, and it’s hoped that volunteer vaccinators will also be recruited. There will also be more vaccine sites and longer opening hours.

Some really massive queues today as people started to turn up hoping to get "walk-ins"

[dpedin]

Your memory is correct. He did make it sounds like that, but they screwed up the messaging and had to clarify today.

Cock-up or conspiracy - Boris unaware of the difference or a deliberate attempt to mislead? A sacking offence in either case.

Wouldn't it be about 1 million doses a day? Chief bullshitter over promising. Again.

It's fully deliberate - he knows he had the headlines and the captive BBC audience on Sunday night. The vast majority who heard him and believed him will not hear or see the 'corrections' required to be made to what he said. This is a tactic he has used any number of times in HoC and elsewhere. It is all about the headlines, hence the 8pm timing to allow press to print the headlines for the next day without time for the 'corrections' to be made clear. Before the deadline for hitting this target he will have some other diversionary tactic or dead cat to distract the public and lead the press another merry dance so he won't be held accountable for not telling the truth nor hitting the target he himself promised he would.

[Big D]

Will be interesting to see what the devolved administrations do. Recently there is definitely less people up here wearing masks. If Sturgeon announces tough restrictions tomorrow there'll be a bigger push back than many might expect.

[Sandstorm]

Will be interesting to see what the devolved administrations do. Recently there is definitely less people up here wearing masks. If Sturgeon announces tough restrictions tomorrow there'll be a bigger push back than many might expect.

Only the vocal and smallest minority in England have pushed back on mask wearing here. Everyone else has just got on with it again.

[Slick]

Will be interesting to see what the devolved administrations do. Recently there is definitely less people up here wearing masks. If Sturgeon announces tough restrictions tomorrow there'll be a bigger push back than many might expect.

Round here it’s only really some students and the shitter types who have stopped, the vast majority are still wearing masks.

[dpedin]

Will be interesting to see what the devolved administrations do. Recently there is definitely less people up here wearing masks. If Sturgeon announces tough restrictions tomorrow there'll be a bigger push back than many might expect.

Round here it’s only really some students and the shitter types who have stopped, the vast majority are still wearing masks.

Mostly everyone wearing masks round where I am, very few if any twats without masks in supermarkets, shops or bars (unless seated).

[Big D]

Will be interesting to see what the devolved administrations do. Recently there is definitely less people up here wearing masks. If Sturgeon announces tough restrictions tomorrow there'll be a bigger push back than many might expect.

Round here it’s only really some students and the shitter types who have stopped, the vast majority are still wearing masks.

Mostly everyone wearing masks round where I am, very few if any twats without masks in supermarkets, shops or bars (unless seated).

Still more wearing than not, but it has been noticeable when I was out and about over the weekend that more aren't even if still very much a minority. Was pretty surprised at the Kings Theatre on Saturday despite the announcements to wear one at number who weren't.

In semi related news Allan Stewart is a national treasure.

[fishfoodie]

Cock-up or conspiracy - Boris unaware of the difference or a deliberate attempt to mislead? A sacking offence in either case.

Wouldn't it be about 1 million doses a day? Chief bullshitter over promising. Again.

It's fully deliberate - he knows he had the headlines and the captive BBC audience on Sunday night. The vast majority who heard him and believed him will not hear or see the 'corrections' required to be made to what he said. This is a tactic he has used any number of times in HoC and elsewhere. It is all about the headlines, hence the 8pm timing to allow press to print the headlines for the next day without time for the 'corrections' to be made clear. Before the deadline for hitting this target he will have some other diversionary tactic or dead cat to distract the public and lead the press another merry dance so he won't be held accountable for not telling the truth nor hitting the target he himself promised he would.

He's going to get another filleted in PMQs on Wednesday; & that'll be the headline on Thursday morning; & then, the By-Election on Thursday, that'll be the headline on Friday; & that gets him thru the week.

He's the laziest cunt imaginable. He just wants to get to Christmas intact; & then his people will try & mend fences over Christmas & New Years; but if they do get turned over in Shropshire; that'll be another bunch of letters into Brady.

I'll bet the Leadership candidates will all be doing their own lobbying over the break; & we'll see them all trumpeting their imagined triumphs in the New Year.

[Glaston]

He's going to get another filleted in PMQs on Wednesday; & that'll be the headline on Thursday morning; & then, the By-Election on Thursday, that'll be the headline on Friday; & that gets him thru the week.

He's the laziest cunt imaginable. He just wants to get to Christmas intact; & then his people will try & mend fences over Christmas & New Years; but if they do get turned over in Shropshire; that'll be another bunch of letters into Brady.

I'll bet the Leadership candidates will all be doing their own lobbying over the break; & we'll see them all trumpeting their imagined triumphs in the New Year.

Paternity leave?

[fishfoodie]

He's going to get another filleted in PMQs on Wednesday; & that'll be the headline on Thursday morning; & then, the By-Election on Thursday, that'll be the headline on Friday; & that gets him thru the week.

He's the laziest cunt imaginable. He just wants to get to Christmas intact; & then his people will try & mend fences over Christmas & New Years; but if they do get turned over in Shropshire; that'll be another bunch of letters into Brady.

I'll bet the Leadership candidates will all be doing their own lobbying over the break; & we'll see them all trumpeting their imagined triumphs in the New Year.

Paternity leave?

If he took Paternity leave, for all the sprogs he's paying for; he wouldn't be working for the next ten years.

[Rinkals]

I'm no fan of the Telegraph, but I find that a far fetched premise for an article. Even by them. You'll have to provide a link if you're going to successfully defend her honour.

As I say, I do not read the rag, but I'm told it's an Op-ed by the chairman of the 1922 committee.

Sir Graham Brady is chair of the 1922 committee.
The Telegraph is behind a paywall and welcome to stay there
Google says the last article he wrote for them was 1st December

Thanks.

I shall seek clarification.

[Ymx]

Can someone tell me why they are making a big deal of a single (unspecified condition) person dying of omicron? And 10 hospitalised? And trying to use that as a basis to worry? The link between paragraph 1 and 2 below, ffs!!!!

Surely many people/media will then look at what percentage that represents and say, what’s the big deal as it completely neutralises the increased infection rate?? Hospitalisation rates are still very low. Let’s see in 2 weeks.

Sadly at least one patient has now been confirmed to have died with Omicron," Johnson told reporters at a vaccination centre in London.

"So I think the idea that this is somehow a milder version of the virus - I think that's something we need to set (to) one side - and just recognise the sheer pace at which it accelerates through the population."

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the variant now accounted for 44% of infections in London and would be the dominant strain in the capital within 48 hours. New Omicron infections are estimated at 200,000 per day, Javid said.

[Wrinkles]

Can someone tell me why they are making a big deal of a single person dying of omicron? And 10 hospitalised? And trying to use that as a basis to worry?

Surely many people/media will then look at what percentage that represents and say, what’s the big deal as it completely neutralises the increased infection rate?? Hospitalisation rates are very low.

Has it been confirmed they died of Omicron rather than with it? When the first confirmed UK fatality occurred last year the details were immediately publicised (a woman from Berkshire in her 70s who’d been a regular patient due to non-Covid reasons), but in this instance no details have been forthcoming.

[Rinkals]

Can someone tell me why they are making a big deal of a single (unspecified condition) person dying of omicron? And 10 hospitalised? And trying to use that as a basis to worry? The link between paragraph 1 and 2 below, ffs!!!!

Surely many people/media will then look at what percentage that represents and say, what’s the big deal as it completely neutralises the increased infection rate?? Hospitalisation rates are still very low. Let’s see in 2 weeks.

Sadly at least one patient has now been confirmed to have died with Omicron," Johnson told reporters at a vaccination centre in London.

"So I think the idea that this is somehow a milder version of the virus - I think that's something we need to set (to) one side - and just recognise the sheer pace at which it accelerates through the population."

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the variant now accounted for 44% of infections in London and would be the dominant strain in the capital within 48 hours. New Omicron infections are estimated at 200,000 per day, Javid said.

I fear you appear to be trusting Boris to speak the truth.

[Biffer]

Can someone tell me why they are making a big deal of a single (unspecified condition) person dying of omicron? And 10 hospitalised? And trying to use that as a basis to worry? The link between paragraph 1 and 2 below, ffs!!!!

Surely many people/media will then look at what percentage that represents and say, what’s the big deal as it completely neutralises the increased infection rate?? Hospitalisation rates are still very low. Let’s see in 2 weeks.

Sadly at least one patient has now been confirmed to have died with Omicron," Johnson told reporters at a vaccination centre in London.

"So I think the idea that this is somehow a milder version of the virus - I think that's something we need to set (to) one side - and just recognise the sheer pace at which it accelerates through the population."

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the variant now accounted for 44% of infections in London and would be the dominant strain in the capital within 48 hours. New Omicron infections are estimated at 200,000 per day, Javid said.

Because people were making a big thing of there being none.

[TheNatalShark]

Tested positive on an LFT on Sunday after negative on Friday.

By God last night was rough. Don't think I slept more than 5 minutes a pop.

Thank fuck for the vaccines and not yet being an old bastard.

[Calculon]

Can someone tell me why they are making a big deal of a single (unspecified condition) person dying of omicron? And 10 hospitalised? And trying to use that as a basis to worry? The link between paragraph 1 and 2 below, ffs!!!!

Surely many people/media will then look at what percentage that represents and say, what’s the big deal as it completely neutralises the increased infection rate?? Hospitalisation rates are still very low. Let’s see in 2 weeks.

Sadly at least one patient has now been confirmed to have died with Omicron," Johnson told reporters at a vaccination centre in London.

"So I think the idea that this is somehow a milder version of the virus - I think that's something we need to set (to) one side - and just recognise the sheer pace at which it accelerates through the population."

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the variant now accounted for 44% of infections in London and would be the dominant strain in the capital within 48 hours. New Omicron infections are estimated at 200,000 per day, Javid said.

Potential reasons people might fear monger/ emphasize worse case scenario

financial
Sell more papers, more views, more PPE, more test, etc
Extra funding from government/industry
More publicity

Others
They like extra publicity/fame
Makes politicians, scientists, etc feel important
Politicians distracting from other news
The feeling of belonging and being part of something "big"
Virtue signaling "look at me, I'm prepared to sacrifices so much for the greater good by not going on a foreign holiday, and I'm not even complaining about it"
Serves to encourage people to get vaccinated, boosters, wear masks, keep social distancing etc
Some people are naturally more pessimistic and/or risk adverse
Some people enjoy social isolation and would like it to continue in some form or another
It's become political so you identify with your tribe and against those that want zero restrictions and minimize the risks

[Ymx]

Tested positive on an LFT on Sunday after negative on Friday.

By God last night was rough. Don't think I slept more than 5 minutes a pop.

Thank fuck for the vaccines and not yet being an old bastard.

Doesn’t sound pleasant at all. How was it rough and keeping you awake if you don’t mind me asking? Sweats/shivers/etc?

[Sandstorm]

Tested positive on an LFT on Sunday after negative on Friday.

By God last night was rough. Don't think I slept more than 5 minutes a pop.

Thank fuck for the vaccines and not yet being an old bastard.

Doesn’t sound pleasant at all. How was it rough and keeping you awake if you don’t mind me asking? Sweats/shivers/etc?

Covid is shite. Just because you won't die doesn't mean you should be blase' about catching it. Many people feel like utter shit for a week!
Everyone I know over 40 who caught Covid (about a dozen people now) wishes they hadn't!

[Tichtheid]

Tested positive on an LFT on Sunday after negative on Friday.

By God last night was rough. Don't think I slept more than 5 minutes a pop.

Thank fuck for the vaccines and not yet being an old bastard.

Doesn’t sound pleasant at all. How was it rough and keeping you awake if you don’t mind me asking? Sweats/shivers/etc?

Covid is shite. Just because you won't die doesn't mean you should be blase' about catching it. Many people feel like utter shit for a week!
Everyone I know over 40 who caught Covid (about a dozen people now) wishes they hadn't!

A guy I know has had long covid since January, he's still not really able to do very much and feels shit almost all of the time, he's early sixties and luckily had taken early retirement a couple of years ago.

[Blackmac]

So 4000 confirmed Omicron cases but PHE stating there has likely been over 200000 cases. Does that not suggest that 98% of Omicron sufferers either have no symptoms or symptoms so mild they aren't getting tested.

[JM2K6]

So 4000 confirmed Omicron cases but PHE stating there has likely been over 200000 cases. Does that not suggest that 98% of Omicron sufferers either have no symptoms or symptoms so mild they aren't getting tested.

Or don't have access to tests. You can't book a PCR in London at the moment and LFT stocks are minimal.

[GogLais]

I was walking the streets of Birkenhead in the rain yesterday - someone has to - when I noticed stickers to the effect of "What sort of virus is it if you need a test to know you've got it?". Words fail.

[Biffer]

Can someone tell me why they are making a big deal of a single (unspecified condition) person dying of omicron? And 10 hospitalised? And trying to use that as a basis to worry? The link between paragraph 1 and 2 below, ffs!!!!

Surely many people/media will then look at what percentage that represents and say, what’s the big deal as it completely neutralises the increased infection rate?? Hospitalisation rates are still very low. Let’s see in 2 weeks.

Sadly at least one patient has now been confirmed to have died with Omicron," Johnson told reporters at a vaccination centre in London.

"So I think the idea that this is somehow a milder version of the virus - I think that's something we need to set (to) one side - and just recognise the sheer pace at which it accelerates through the population."

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the variant now accounted for 44% of infections in London and would be the dominant strain in the capital within 48 hours. New Omicron infections are estimated at 200,000 per day, Javid said.

Potential reasons people might fear monger/ emphasize worse case scenario

financial
Sell more papers, more views, more PPE, more test, etc
Extra funding from government/industry
More publicity

Others
They like extra publicity/fame
Makes politicians, scientists, etc feel important
Politicians distracting from other news
The feeling of belonging and being part of something "big"
Virtue signaling "look at me, I'm prepared to sacrifices so much for the greater good by not going on a foreign holiday, and I'm not even complaining about it"
Serves to encourage people to get vaccinated, boosters, wear masks, keep social distancing etc
Some people are naturally more pessimistic and/or risk adverse
Some people enjoy social isolation and would like it to continue in some form or another
It's become political so you identify with your tribe and against those that want zero restrictions and minimize the risks

There's also a case, not for fearmongering, but emphasising worst cases that is scientific. Using the precautionary principle is important when you've only got one of something, like a global environment or a global population. If we'd applied it more in earlier waves in the UK, there might not be as many dead.

[Biffer]

I was walking the streets of Birkenhead in the rain yesterday - someone has to - when I noticed stickers to the effect of "What sort of virus is it if you need a test to know you've got it?". Words fail.

Wow. That's mind numbingly fucking stupid.

Edit - the stickers I mean, not the walking in Birkenhead. Although now I come to think about it...

[petej]

So 4000 confirmed Omicron cases but PHE stating there has likely been over 200000 cases. Does that not suggest that 98% of Omicron sufferers either have no symptoms or symptoms so mild they aren't getting tested.

Indeed. The account calculon shared is very interesting @pieterstreicher for numbers in Gauteng and SA

The CFR of Delta was 3% up to late November.

The CFR of #Omicron is estimated at 0.42% and the IFR at 0.05%.

Obviously with large enough case rates that would still represent a problem for the nhs.
You expect London to peak within a week.

[Uncle fester]

I was walking the streets of Birkenhead in the rain yesterday - someone has to - when I noticed stickers to the effect of "What sort of virus is it if you need a test to know you've got it?". Words fail.

Wow. That's mind numbingly fucking stupid.

Edit - the stickers I mean, not the walking in Birkenhead. Although now I come to think about it...

I skipped a recent rugby reunion night because I'd have had to listen to a few of those types all night.

[GogLais]

I was walking the streets of Birkenhead in the rain yesterday - someone has to - when I noticed stickers to the effect of "What sort of virus is it if you need a test to know you've got it?". Words fail.

Wow. That's mind numbingly fucking stupid.

Edit - the stickers I mean, not the walking in Birkenhead. Although now I come to think about it...

I did catch a glimpse in the dank grayness of one the Type 45 destroyers that's having tens of millions spent on it at Cammell Laird to fix its hot-running problem. Good thing it's being done here, bad thing it needs doing in the first place.

[Blackmac]

So 4000 confirmed Omicron cases but PHE stating there has likely been over 200000 cases. Does that not suggest that 98% of Omicron sufferers either have no symptoms or symptoms so mild they aren't getting tested.

Or don't have access to tests. You can't book a PCR in London at the moment and LFT stocks are minimal.

There is that, but I don't think it accounts for a significant factor of the difference.