So, coronavirus...

[Biffer]

Very droll.

https://www.thejournal.ie/tucker-carlso ... 2-May2023/

Can't say I understand why anyone has stayed on Twitter at this stage and how someone hasn't made a viable alternative. Mastodon seems way over engineered

Because the secret of twitter is the ease of use, the huge userbase, and the fact that it's not the underlying tech that made it popular. Twitter is incredibly poorly designed and only getting worse, yet is better than all the alternatives currently.

It's almost unusable at the moment though, the "blue check replies get priority" thing is an absolute shitshow. Just reams and reams of the worst possible takes known to mankind. It's like being back on PR.

Twitter has found itself in the position that it's multiple different apps at the same time, and that leads to an impossible monetising model. You have content creators who provide entertaining and interesting output - if anything these people should be paid for their content, by those consuming it. Then you have companies using it as a customer service tool - in that case you can argue the companies should be paying. You have people using it as a social network - you might argue this should be advertising revenue based. There are groups using it for campaigning, it might be argued they should pay a fee for this. And many, many more. The monetisation of such a jumble is impossible, so either you have to accept it and crash or carve out the one or two sets of things that will make money, and damn the rest.

You could split the app, into things like Twitter News, Twitter business service, Twitter creator, and some of these would be free to subscribe to, some of them paid. In some os them the creators get paid for their content, in others, they pay to provide content (E.g. customer service use). But you have to break it up and make it radically different.

[Ymx]

And there it is. We’ve now gone full PR.

I’m sad at my part in it. Sorry.

[SaintK]

And there it is. We’ve now gone full PR.

I’m sad at my part in it. Sorry.

Fortunately we haven't.
Not compared to the rabid shitfight I looked at yesterday with Bimbo to the fore politely explaining that he is right and everyone else is wrong

[Ymx]

To be clear, I personally thought we locked down in the UK just about right. Unlike just about everyone else.

I appreciate there are those on opposite sides of this. But I don’t believe anyone here has used hindsight. Not ER, not me, not dpedin.

ER had clearly been against the level of locking down in Ireland, quite early on, and remained of that opinion as far as I know. He had full right to condemn the consequences of lockdown. But this has to be balanced with not knowing the what-if of being more Sweden-like as it applied to the culture and demographics of Ireland.

Dpedin experienced a life/death medical condition early on which I don’t believe was diagnosed as Covid but he’s certain it was. So his fear of it is warranted.

I had been keen on locking up shop until people had vaccination opportunities and whilst alpha and delta were around. I took up the offer. But after omicron emerged, and I and family had Covid, my concern/fear evaporated and was keen to remove lockdowns.

I don’t think anyone however has used hindsight to twist anything. Just that we all had different anecdotal experiences. And we seek out opinions, justifications and evidence to validate our own. There was plenty of material ! I wouldn’t suggest many authorities had it right either with much of the stuff thrown out there.

Why are people so angry?! Probably because we couldn’t independently choose our approach to it, and we were forced to follow laws. Why couldn’t we choose? I guess the main one was fear that the health service wouldn’t cope.

[Tichtheid]

I have the rona, the comedy shaking, tinnitus and increased urination, like every 15 minutes to half an hour were unexpected

[C69]

And there it is. We’ve now gone full PR.

I’m sad at my part in it. Sorry.

Not really, I see my self for instance as a light house in the sea of excrement and the 4 humours.

[petej]

To be clear, I personally thought we locked down in the UK just about right. Unlike just about everyone else.

I appreciate there are those on opposite sides of this. But I don’t believe anyone here has used hindsight. Not ER, not me, not dpedin.

ER had clearly been against the level of locking down in Ireland, quite early on, and remained of that opinion as far as I know. He had full right to condemn the consequences of lockdown. But this has to be balanced with not knowing the what-if of being more Sweden-like as it applied to the culture and demographics of Ireland.

Dpedin experienced a life/death medical condition early on which I don’t believe was diagnosed as Covid but he’s certain it was. So his fear of it is warranted.

I had been keen on locking up shop until people had vaccination opportunities and whilst alpha and delta were around. I took up the offer. But after omicron emerged, and I and family had Covid, my concern/fear evaporated and was keen to remove lockdowns.

I don’t think anyone however has used hindsight to twist anything. Just that we all had different anecdotal experiences. And we seek out opinions, justifications and evidence to validate our own. There was plenty of material ! I wouldn’t suggest many authorities had it right either with much of the stuff thrown out there.

Why are people so angry?! Probably because we couldn’t independently choose our approach to it, and we were forced to follow laws. Why couldn’t we choose? I guess the main one was fear that the health service wouldn’t cope.

Pretty similar. I wanted to lock down earlier during the initial wave. Thought some policies were a bit dumb (eat out to help out). Couldn't understand post Christmas why England delayed telling everyone schools will be closed till the night before. Agreed with approach post vaccination and by omicron (having had it and been vaccinated) I thought it was time to remove all restrictions.

Key lessons
1 You can't run your health service so lean with zero excess capacity.
2 Overall public health matters.
3 people and society in general behaved well following the rules and the laws were possibly unnecessary. Members of our government were amongst the worst behaved.

[Tichtheid]

No Covid or 'flu jabs for the under-65s in England this coming winter


https://www.theguardian.com/society/202 ... his-winter

[dpedin]

No Covid or 'flu jabs for the under-65s in England this coming winter


https://www.theguardian.com/society/202 ... his-winter

Covid I can understand given the most at risk have had numerous boosters plus I am not sure we have a vaccine for more current variants which dont seem to be causing any real issues. However not giving flu jab to over 50s is crazy given how much pressure the NHS is under at the moment. Surely it would be better to try and drive flu cases down to avoid pressure on hospitals over winter and allow them to focus on tackling the elective waiting lists?

[shaggy]

To be clear, I personally thought we locked down in the UK just about right. Unlike just about everyone else.

I appreciate there are those on opposite sides of this. But I don’t believe anyone here has used hindsight. Not ER, not me, not dpedin.

ER had clearly been against the level of locking down in Ireland, quite early on, and remained of that opinion as far as I know. He had full right to condemn the consequences of lockdown. But this has to be balanced with not knowing the what-if of being more Sweden-like as it applied to the culture and demographics of Ireland.

Dpedin experienced a life/death medical condition early on which I don’t believe was diagnosed as Covid but he’s certain it was. So his fear of it is warranted.

I had been keen on locking up shop until people had vaccination opportunities and whilst alpha and delta were around. I took up the offer. But after omicron emerged, and I and family had Covid, my concern/fear evaporated and was keen to remove lockdowns.

I don’t think anyone however has used hindsight to twist anything. Just that we all had different anecdotal experiences. And we seek out opinions, justifications and evidence to validate our own. There was plenty of material ! I wouldn’t suggest many authorities had it right either with much of the stuff thrown out there.

Why are people so angry?! Probably because we couldn’t independently choose our approach to it, and we were forced to follow laws. Why couldn’t we choose? I guess the main one was fear that the health service wouldn’t cope.

Pretty similar. I wanted to lock down earlier during the initial wave. Thought some policies were a bit dumb (eat out to help out). Couldn't understand post Christmas why England delayed telling everyone schools will be closed till the night before. Agreed with approach post vaccination and by omicron (having had it and been vaccinated) I thought it was time to remove all restrictions.

Key lessons
1 You can't run your health service so lean with zero excess capacity.
2 Overall public health matters.
3 people and society in general behaved well following the rules and the laws were possibly unnecessary. Members of our government were amongst the worst behaved.

Do you really believe government were the worst behaved? I knew of gatherings of several houses on my street from day 1 of first lock dock, moving on to bigger ones as it progressed. A neighbour had their elderly parents around the house every day as their allotment was behind, multiple groups of young mums meeting up for walks in parks right from the start, kids sleepovers masquerading as childcare, etc, etc. Our green spaces were full on parties most nights with boxes of beer stacked at bins every morning. Yes the government were poor and not setting the right standard but the worst? Not a chance.

[Sandstorm]

EG51 is going to be deadly!

[dpedin]

EG51 is going to be deadly!

Not sure it is - apparently more infectious than previous versions of omicron but not any more virulent. Unfortunately the vaccine for this strain is still in development.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2 ... 5-omicron/

[Biffer]

To be clear, I personally thought we locked down in the UK just about right. Unlike just about everyone else.

I appreciate there are those on opposite sides of this. But I don’t believe anyone here has used hindsight. Not ER, not me, not dpedin.

ER had clearly been against the level of locking down in Ireland, quite early on, and remained of that opinion as far as I know. He had full right to condemn the consequences of lockdown. But this has to be balanced with not knowing the what-if of being more Sweden-like as it applied to the culture and demographics of Ireland.

Dpedin experienced a life/death medical condition early on which I don’t believe was diagnosed as Covid but he’s certain it was. So his fear of it is warranted.

I had been keen on locking up shop until people had vaccination opportunities and whilst alpha and delta were around. I took up the offer. But after omicron emerged, and I and family had Covid, my concern/fear evaporated and was keen to remove lockdowns.

I don’t think anyone however has used hindsight to twist anything. Just that we all had different anecdotal experiences. And we seek out opinions, justifications and evidence to validate our own. There was plenty of material ! I wouldn’t suggest many authorities had it right either with much of the stuff thrown out there.

Why are people so angry?! Probably because we couldn’t independently choose our approach to it, and we were forced to follow laws. Why couldn’t we choose? I guess the main one was fear that the health service wouldn’t cope.

Pretty similar. I wanted to lock down earlier during the initial wave. Thought some policies were a bit dumb (eat out to help out). Couldn't understand post Christmas why England delayed telling everyone schools will be closed till the night before. Agreed with approach post vaccination and by omicron (having had it and been vaccinated) I thought it was time to remove all restrictions.

Key lessons
1 You can't run your health service so lean with zero excess capacity.
2 Overall public health matters.
3 people and society in general behaved well following the rules and the laws were possibly unnecessary. Members of our government were amongst the worst behaved.

Do you really believe government were the worst behaved? I knew of gatherings of several houses on my street from day 1 of first lock dock, moving on to bigger ones as it progressed. A neighbour had their elderly parents around the house every day as their allotment was behind, multiple groups of young mums meeting up for walks in parks right from the start, kids sleepovers masquerading as childcare, etc, etc. Our green spaces were full on parties most nights with boxes of beer stacked at bins every morning. Yes the government were poor and not setting the right standard but the worst? Not a chance.

I genuinely didn't see anything like that

[Marylandolorian]

No Covid or 'flu jabs for the under-65s in England this coming winter


https://www.theguardian.com/society/202 ... his-winter

Covid I can understand given the most at risk have had numerous boosters plus I am not sure we have a vaccine for more current variants which dont seem to be causing any real issues. However not giving flu jab to over 50s is crazy given how much pressure the NHS is under at the moment. Surely it would be better to try and drive flu cases down to avoid pressure on hospitals over winter and allow them to focus on tackling the elective waiting lists?

The OP is misleading. It’s no free jab for the under 65, nurses etc…. Anyone willing to pay will be able to get it

[Ymx]

Pretty similar. I wanted to lock down earlier during the initial wave. Thought some policies were a bit dumb (eat out to help out). Couldn't understand post Christmas why England delayed telling everyone schools will be closed till the night before. Agreed with approach post vaccination and by omicron (having had it and been vaccinated) I thought it was time to remove all restrictions.

Key lessons
1 You can't run your health service so lean with zero excess capacity.
2 Overall public health matters.
3 people and society in general behaved well following the rules and the laws were possibly unnecessary. Members of our government were amongst the worst behaved.

Do you really believe government were the worst behaved? I knew of gatherings of several houses on my street from day 1 of first lock dock, moving on to bigger ones as it progressed. A neighbour had their elderly parents around the house every day as their allotment was behind, multiple groups of young mums meeting up for walks in parks right from the start, kids sleepovers masquerading as childcare, etc, etc. Our green spaces were full on parties most nights with boxes of beer stacked at bins every morning. Yes the government were poor and not setting the right standard but the worst? Not a chance.

I genuinely didn't see anything like that

You’d have needed to go outside to see such things. You know, leave the bunker.

I missed this thread!



(To be fair I never saw that level of breaking the guidance either)

[Tichtheid]

No Covid or 'flu jabs for the under-65s in England this coming winter


https://www.theguardian.com/society/202 ... his-winter

Covid I can understand given the most at risk have had numerous boosters plus I am not sure we have a vaccine for more current variants which dont seem to be causing any real issues. However not giving flu jab to over 50s is crazy given how much pressure the NHS is under at the moment. Surely it would be better to try and drive flu cases down to avoid pressure on hospitals over winter and allow them to focus on tackling the elective waiting lists?

The OP is misleading. It’s no free jab for the under 65, nurses etc…. Anyone willing to pay will be able to get it

"No Covid or 'flu jabs for the under 65s" is not misleading, Shirley?

You can't buy a covid jab privately, as is said in the linked article and the 'flu jab is no longer being offered to that age group on the NHS, which I think might be a big mistake, as per dp's post.

[Marylandolorian]

Ok Karen you are right.

The government said in May that people in England under 65 would not be offered flu jabs this winter. It means about 12 million people aged 50 to 64 are no longer eligible for either free flu or Covid-19 vaccines.

Last year everyone over 50 was offered both. The Covid jab is not available privately in the UK, so those ineligible this year will be unable to buy the jab themselves.

[Tichtheid]

Ok Karen you are right.

The government said in May that people in England under 65 would not be offered flu jabs this winter. It means about 12 million people aged 50 to 64 are no longer eligible for either free flu or Covid-19 vaccines.

Last year everyone over 50 was offered both. The Covid jab is not available privately in the UK, so those ineligible this year will be unable to buy the jab themselves.

I'm lost as to what your point is to be honest.

[dpedin]

Here is JCVI recommendation re flu vaccinations

'JCVI is of the view that whilst there would be a clear health benefit in vaccinating low risk 50-64 year olds, it is uncertain whether this would be cost effective. As in recent years, JCVI supports vaccination in this group in principle if funding is available but remains concerned that it might not meet strict cost-effectiveness requirements and could divert from more cost-effective interventions. The overall priority should be to extend the childhood programme in secondary schools as this would be more cost effective and likely to have a greater impact on morbidity and mortality compared with vaccinating 50- 64 year olds.'

Also

'For JCVI to formally revisit the question of whether to routinely vaccinate the low risk 50-64 year old age group an up-to-date impact and cost effectiveness analysis would be required. However, there is currently too much uncertainty regarding the impacts of COVID-19, influenza, and behaviour changes within the population for a robust cost effectiveness analysis in the short term. Therefore, a pragmatic decision will be required as to whether to continue to vaccinate low risk 50-64 year olds in the 2023/24 season, if funding is available, in the context of the uncertainty of a potentially more intense influenza season, and continued COVID-19 circulation, as well as operational considerations.'

So it would seem their decision has been a 'pragmatic one' without any formal impact and cost benefit analysis, in effect a best guess? Also for 'operational considerations' read can the NHS and GPs deliver the vaccination programme, doe sit have capacity to do so, it would seem they have their doubts. Well it looks like fingers crossed and hope we have a quiet flu season which doesn't impact too much on the NHS.

[Sandstorm]

Covid and flu jabs are expensive. Not just the drugs, but the GP surgeries charge NHS to administer them.
If they can get away with not offering 12 million jabs in Winter 2023, it's a big win for the bean counters.

[petej]

Covid and flu jabs are expensive. Not just the drugs, but the GP surgeries charge NHS to administer them.
If they can get away with not offering 12 million jabs in Winter 2023, it's a big win for the bean counters.

Could be a short term win for the bean counters if we have a bad flu season but if it is a different set of bean counters then they probably couldn't give a shit.

[Sandstorm]

Covid and flu jabs are expensive. Not just the drugs, but the GP surgeries charge NHS to administer them.
If they can get away with not offering 12 million jabs in Winter 2023, it's a big win for the bean counters.

Could be a short term win for the bean counters if we have a bad flu season but if it is a different set of bean counters then they probably couldn't give a shit.

Yup

[Simian]

Ok Karen you are right.

The government said in May that people in England under 65 would not be offered flu jabs this winter. It means about 12 million people aged 50 to 64 are no longer eligible for either free flu or Covid-19 vaccines.

Last year everyone over 50 was offered both. The Covid jab is not available privately in the UK, so those ineligible this year will be unable to buy the jab themselves.

I'm lost as to what your point is to be honest.

As far as I can tell, their point is that you were right?

But are apparently called Karen?

I’m more surprised by the former than the latter, tbh ;)

[Line6 HXFX]

I have covid having avoided it up till now (even with a nurse Mrs, who works/worked on Covid wards).

Feels like my brain is melting.
Sweating profusely.
Coughing.
Headaches..

I am also now the proud owner of a Micro Penis.

Shrunk my dick, it has disappeared practically...scary shit.


NPR..the place to come if you want the real skinny.(..trying to slip into a 1920s journalist character.. but my brain hurts man..).

[Biffer]

Here is JCVI recommendation re flu vaccinations

'JCVI is of the view that whilst there would be a clear health benefit in vaccinating low risk 50-64 year olds, it is uncertain whether this would be cost effective. As in recent years, JCVI supports vaccination in this group in principle if funding is available but remains concerned that it might not meet strict cost-effectiveness requirements and could divert from more cost-effective interventions. The overall priority should be to extend the childhood programme in secondary schools as this would be more cost effective and likely to have a greater impact on morbidity and mortality compared with vaccinating 50- 64 year olds.'

Also

'For JCVI to formally revisit the question of whether to routinely vaccinate the low risk 50-64 year old age group an up-to-date impact and cost effectiveness analysis would be required. However, there is currently too much uncertainty regarding the impacts of COVID-19, influenza, and behaviour changes within the population for a robust cost effectiveness analysis in the short term. Therefore, a pragmatic decision will be required as to whether to continue to vaccinate low risk 50-64 year olds in the 2023/24 season, if funding is available, in the context of the uncertainty of a potentially more intense influenza season, and continued COVID-19 circulation, as well as operational considerations.'

So it would seem their decision has been a 'pragmatic one' without any formal impact and cost benefit analysis, in effect a best guess? Also for 'operational considerations' read can the NHS and GPs deliver the vaccination programme, doe sit have capacity to do so, it would seem they have their doubts. Well it looks like fingers crossed and hope we have a quiet flu season which doesn't impact too much on the NHS.

Suggests to me that JCVI are, between the lines, saying govt spending on preventative healthcare isn't good enough.

[Ymx]

I have covid having avoided it up till now (even with a nurse Mrs, who works/worked on Covid wards).

Feels like my brain is melting.
Sweating profusely.
Coughing.
Headaches..

I am also now the proud owner of a Micro Penis.

Shrunk my dick, it has disappeared practically...scary shit.


NPR..the place to come if you want the real skinny.(..trying to slip into a 1920s journalist character.. but my brain hurts man..).

WTAF ??

[Line6 HXFX]

Its not funny...hopefully it's temporary (when you are seriously ill your dick shrinks)...but it is a common side effect.


Can be permanent.

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north- ... n-22735894

Shit..

[Line6 HXFX]

Jesus I have had covid for years

Hah..

[C69]

Jesus I have had covid for years

Not that's just your Irish genes

[Ymx]

Which poster is this??



What a nutter

[Biffer]

Which poster is this??



What a nutter

Are you still on the 'what's right with masks now was right three years ago' bullshit?

[Ymx]

Wut?

Some nutter split with his missus (Aug 2023) because she’s just now stopped wearing a mask.

I really thought it must be parody, but it might actually not be.

[Sandstorm]

Wut?

Some nutter split with his missus (Aug 2023) because she’s just now stopped wearing a mask.

I really thought it must be parody, but it might actually not be.

I think she had shitty teeth and bad breath.

[David in Gwent]

I've just helped dispose of 50K plus individual masks that a company had stock piled during the Covid years.

It was quite cathartic.

[David in Gwent]

Did anyone else here not have a single vaccine or booster?

[Sandstorm]

Did anyone else here not have a single vaccine or booster?

Troll is obvious

[David in Gwent]

Did anyone else here not have a single vaccine or booster?

Troll is obvious

Not at all, now the dust has settled it's cool to talk, right?

I supported, thoroughly, everyone's right to have them or not too have them.

What people do with their own bodies is entirely up to them.

[petej]

Did anyone else here not have a single vaccine or booster?

Troll is obvious

Not at all, now the dust has settled it's cool to talk, right?

I supported, thoroughly, everyone's right to have them or not too have them.

What people do with their own bodies is entirely up to them.

Upto a point. There are responsibilities to your family, friends, work colleagues and society as a whole. The vaccines were a short cut out of the pandemic which meant less people getting ill, lowering impact on an over stressed health service etc... if a significant proportion (40-50% particularly in the more at risk demographics) of the population had rejected them then the pandemic lasts longer with more people getting ill, a health service more stretched and unable to treat other conditions, more jobs lost, kids not in school for longer etc... as the risk diminished from covid the less shits I gave about people not having the vaccine so I couldn't care less if people had boosters or not.

[David in Gwent]

Troll is obvious

Not at all, now the dust has settled it's cool to talk, right?

I supported, thoroughly, everyone's right to have them or not too have them.

What people do with their own bodies is entirely up to them.

Upto a point. There are responsibilities to your family, friends, work colleagues and society as a whole. The vaccines were a short cut out of the pandemic which meant less people getting ill, lowering impact on an over stressed health service etc... if a significant proportion (40-50% particularly in the more at risk demographics) of the population had rejected them then the pandemic lasts longer with more people getting ill, a health service more stretched and unable to treat other conditions, more jobs lost, kids not in school for longer etc... as the risk diminished from covid the less shits I gave about people not having the vaccine so I couldn't care less if people had boosters or not.

Look, some may see this as trolling, it's really not, just my honest opinion.

Once it became clear that, despite being told the opposite in the early days, you could still transmit and still catch the covid after being vaccinated I just didn't want to take it. Being brutally honest, they way they created it so quickly also set off spidey senses.

I may have had a different mindset if I had been living in close quarters with people who were "at risk" but I didn't.

However, I don't agree with "upto a point" it really is my body and I will retain autonomy.

[Tichtheid]

This is from the Canadian Medical Association Journal April 2022



We found that the risk of infection was markedly higher among unvaccinated people than among vaccinated people under all mixing assumptions. The contact-adjusted contribution of unvaccinated people to infection risk was disproportionate, with unvaccinated people contributing to infections among those who were vaccinated at a rate higher than would have been expected based on contact numbers alone. We found that as like-with-like mixing increased, attack rates among vaccinated people decreased from 15% to 10% (and increased from 62% to 79% among unvaccinated people), but the contact-adjusted contribution to risk among vaccinated people derived from contact with unvaccinated people increased.

Interpretation:

Although risk associated with avoiding vaccination during a virulent pandemic accrues chiefly to people who are unvaccinated, their choices affect risk of viral infection among those who are vaccinated in a manner that is disproportionate to the portion of unvaccinated people in the population.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9054088/


I believe that people do have the right to decide if they want a vaccine or not, but they should then act in a responsible manner and not mix with the general population if they choose to not get vaccinated.


I'm going to unashamedly cut and run here.


On another note, I'm being referred to a Long Covid clinic - the shortness of breath and cough won't go away.