I know the newspapers are sickeningly biased, and unpleasantly so. But the British Broadcasting Company should be better than that. It's really gone downhill over the last 2 years.
The BBC has had political appointees in place for a good few years now, the managerial ones who are not in this category are under no illusion that the licence fee is under constant review, it's been that way since Cameron moved into No 10 and the people who have succeeded him don't have his restraint.
I remember Noam Chomsky writing that the UK had some of the most free and objective journalism and reporting in the world.
Tichtheid wrote: Mon Dec 27, 2021 10:52 pm
We had our three back for Christmas from various educational establishments. The Middle One had their booster jab cancelled early last week, with a new appointment on the 7th of January. The rest of us had our boosters.
Middle One tested positive on a LFT this morning, now waiting in isolation for the results of a PCR, us boostered ones all tested negative on the LFTs.
Things will now get tricky as we've had more testing kits on order for over a week, no sign of them as yet.
3 months ago you’d all have to isolate for 10 days. However the rules have changed in England and you could all go clubbing together tomorrow night.
salanya wrote: Mon Dec 27, 2021 10:12 pm
Maybe it's me and I'm getting more 'woke' over time...
... but I'm getting quite annoyed with the BBC (website). Big focus on the high level of infections in Scotland, and how the new regulations in Wales is confusing and damaging for pubs.
Yet you have to look for the 100k+ infections today, and any numbers over the weekend are ignored. Neither is there a mention of the deaths anymore, or the growing hospitalisations. Just a focus that there won't be any restrictions in England before NY.
Of course they mention the record number of footballers with Covid, as it affects their schedules, but no mention of the thousands of supporters in the stands, or the thousand of darts fans in Alexandra Palace.
Again, I don't want a full lockdown. But I do want good and balanced reporting: people need to be (able to be) fully informed to help them understand the situation and to make decisions.
Bah humbug.
Welcome to Covid Britain; where Steve Baker is PM, & the CRG are writing Health Policy.
Even if there were just common sense PH measures, like masks, & handwashing, & reducing numbers; that would do a good job of cutting the infections; but no; the Tory nut jobs prefer to pretend that people won't die.
My point isn't even about politicians and the management of Covid - I just want things reported properly. I don't want scare-mongering, but also not burying of facts or highlighting only certain topics to suit an agenda.
I appreciate there is Covid-fatigue, it's been a long 20+ months. But 2 weeks ago Boris was in full panic mode with Omicron (to hide his own misdemeanors and problems). But the second Christmas came under threat, suddenly this 'scary threat' was downplayed, and now the Beeb is mainly reporting on the devolved nations. Whatever happened to the state of emergency raised for London?
I know the newspapers are sickeningly biased, and unpleasantly so. But the British Broadcasting Company should be better than that. It's really gone downhill over the last 2 years.
On the Today programme they're clearly discussing the rise in cases and the rise in cases across the UK nations, and have been doing so again this morning. And you don't get more BBC than their flagship news programme
75% of the people in ICU with COVID are in their 50s, unvaccinated but no other commorbidities.
25% are 60 on average, vaccinated but with low immunity due to other chronical diseases.
100% are affected by the Delta variant.
No Omicron yet, though Omicron is affecting the staff to the extent that the head doctor is pleasing for the non symptomatic personnel to be allowed to work on COVID wards.
Welcome to Covid Britain; where Steve Baker is PM, & the CRG are writing Health Policy.
Even if there were just common sense PH measures, like masks, & handwashing, & reducing numbers; that would do a good job of cutting the infections; but no; the Tory nut jobs prefer to pretend that people won't die.
My point isn't even about politicians and the management of Covid - I just want things reported properly. I don't want scare-mongering, but also not burying of facts or highlighting only certain topics to suit an agenda.
I appreciate there is Covid-fatigue, it's been a long 20+ months. But 2 weeks ago Boris was in full panic mode with Omicron (to hide his own misdemeanors and problems). But the second Christmas came under threat, suddenly this 'scary threat' was downplayed, and now the Beeb is mainly reporting on the devolved nations. Whatever happened to the state of emergency raised for London?
I know the newspapers are sickeningly biased, and unpleasantly so. But the British Broadcasting Company should be better than that. It's really gone downhill over the last 2 years.
On the Today programme they're clearly discussing the rise in cases and the rise in cases across the UK nations, and have been doing so again this morning. And you don't get more BBC than their flagship news programme
The second Christmas came under threat or more likely the point at which further information became available reducing the uncertainty and fear. Also everyone cancelled their events on their own so not really a need to add more restrictions ( I prefer it that way, probably because I'm wary of the authoritarian tendencies of this government). Beeb reporting has got better I would say as the pandemic has progressed. FT comfortably the best of newspapers.
Really interesting thread from the NHS Foundation chief exec. Basically whilst admissions are up, it seems that there's a lot of incidentals whereby patients admitted for other things are testing positive but asymptomatic. Separating them from others and staff shortages seem to be big issues piling on the pressure
Welcome to Covid Britain; where Steve Baker is PM, & the CRG are writing Health Policy.
Even if there were just common sense PH measures, like masks, & handwashing, & reducing numbers; that would do a good job of cutting the infections; but no; the Tory nut jobs prefer to pretend that people won't die.
My point isn't even about politicians and the management of Covid - I just want things reported properly. I don't want scare-mongering, but also not burying of facts or highlighting only certain topics to suit an agenda.
I appreciate there is Covid-fatigue, it's been a long 20+ months. But 2 weeks ago Boris was in full panic mode with Omicron (to hide his own misdemeanors and problems). But the second Christmas came under threat, suddenly this 'scary threat' was downplayed, and now the Beeb is mainly reporting on the devolved nations. Whatever happened to the state of emergency raised for London?
I know the newspapers are sickeningly biased, and unpleasantly so. But the British Broadcasting Company should be better than that. It's really gone downhill over the last 2 years.
On the Today programme they're clearly discussing the rise in cases and the rise in cases across the UK nations, and have been doing so again this morning. And you don't get more BBC than their flagship news programme
An organisation that gives free reign to the nutcases on BBC Have Your Say has lost a chunk of my support.
mos_eisely_ wrote: Tue Dec 28, 2021 11:16 am
Really interesting thread from the NHS Foundation chief exec. Basically whilst admissions are up, it seems that there's a lot of incidentals whereby patients admitted for other things are testing positive but asymptomatic. Separating them from others and staff shortages seem to be big issues piling on the pressure
mos_eisely_ wrote: Tue Dec 28, 2021 11:16 am
Really interesting thread from the NHS Foundation chief exec. Basically whilst admissions are up, it seems that there's a lot of incidentals whereby patients admitted for other things are testing positive but asymptomatic. Separating them from others and staff shortages seem to be big issues piling on the pressure
<Touch wood> Omicron’s emergence coupled with the success of vaccinations does feel like the beginning of this really moving to something we just live with.
We’ve just heard that a recent arrival had a couple of days out and about at Auckland with Omicron and compared to August with Delta’s arrival and much lower vaccination rates, I think most people will be relatively relaxed.
In other news, CDC warns that antigen tests may not be sensitive to Omicron meaning the home self-test you use to protect your elders may return a false negative. When in doubt, seek a PCR.
TheFrog wrote: Wed Dec 29, 2021 7:02 am
180k yesterday in France
This is spreading like a wild fire.
In other news, CDC warns that antigen tests may not be sensitive to Omicron meaning the home self-test you use to protect your elders may return a false negative. When in doubt, seek a PCR.
Looks like the decision to ban the British has really paid off. Macron really is a grandstanding prick.
Ymx wrote: Wed Dec 29, 2021 8:30 am
He is playing on the French hatred of the English.
But 180k cases. Wow that jumped fast.
TBF he is just playing our fuckwits at their own game. Johnson has nothing beyond grandstanding and media bullshit. As France I think dropped the ban on SA before we did it is quite funny.
TheFrog wrote: Wed Dec 29, 2021 7:02 am
180k yesterday in France
This is spreading like a wild fire.
In other news, CDC warns that antigen tests may not be sensitive to Omicron meaning the home self-test you use to protect your elders may return a false negative. When in doubt, seek a PCR.
It’s is spreading so fast that I think I’m slowly changing my attitude slightly to the whole thing. Everyone is going to get this this unless you lock your door and don’t go out, and the data seems to be pointing to it being much less severe with all our jags in place, so maybe it is time to move the dial slightly.
I’m not going to be going out maskless and spending my time in packed pubs, but an invitation to a Hogmanay doo with 5 families, that I wouldn’t have considered last year, looks difficult to turn down this year.
All the money you made will never buy back your soul
Slick wrote: Wed Dec 29, 2021 10:04 am
I’m not going to be going out maskless and spending my time in packed pubs, but an invitation to a Hogmanay doo with 5 families, that I wouldn’t have considered last year, looks difficult to turn down this year.
Everyone I know with Covid got it from their school-age kids! The pub sounds much safer (and quieter)
mos_eisely_ wrote: Tue Dec 28, 2021 11:16 am
Really interesting thread from the NHS Foundation chief exec. Basically whilst admissions are up, it seems that there's a lot of incidentals whereby patients admitted for other things are testing positive but asymptomatic. Separating them from others and staff shortages seem to be big issues piling on the pressure
Ymx wrote: Wed Dec 29, 2021 8:30 am
He is playing on the French hatred of the English.
But 180k cases. Wow that jumped fast.
No hatred just scorn :P
any measure to stop the spread was done too late at this stage only the economy matters (and it's being wrecked because contaminated people are getting sick leave)
The French Goverment has dropped the ball by refusing to take serious steps.
mos_eisely_ wrote: Tue Dec 28, 2021 11:16 am
Really interesting thread from the NHS Foundation chief exec. Basically whilst admissions are up, it seems that there's a lot of incidentals whereby patients admitted for other things are testing positive but asymptomatic. Separating them from others and staff shortages seem to be big issues piling on the pressure
mos_eisely_ wrote: Tue Dec 28, 2021 11:16 am
Really interesting thread from the NHS Foundation chief exec. Basically whilst admissions are up, it seems that there's a lot of incidentals whereby patients admitted for other things are testing positive but asymptomatic. Separating them from others and staff shortages seem to be big issues piling on the pressure
I guess in Brexit Britain, only Great British Scientists can be listened to.
In this kind of situation, taking the experience of a country with a very different demographic (particularly age demographic), different levels of previous infection and different rates of vaccination as definitive would be monumentally fucking stupid.
The South Africans were listened to, that’s why the research and analysis into shorter timescales and milder disease has happened faster than it otherwise would. If it had been completely ignored, it would have been a couple of weeks before it was noticed in the numbers.
Another study suggesting omicron less able to infect and spread in lung tissue than Delta and ancestral sarsccov2
I think this is the fifth one now.
So all the Saffa doctors who were already saying a month ago that this variant is milder and less likely to result in pneumonia might have been on to something.
Worrying that everyone who has Covid assumes they've got the milder Omicron version. Do we think that Delta mutated into the new version everywhere & went away for ever in a couple of months?
Sandstorm wrote: Wed Dec 29, 2021 11:26 am
Worrying that everyone who has Covid assumes they've got the milder Omicron version. Do we think that Delta mutated into the new version everywhere & went away for ever in a couple of months?
Trying to get LFT tests is turning into a shambles. No LFT's available still online and none available at any of the nominated pharmacies as they are not being shipped fast enough. Yet the recurring message from the arseholes running this country is take a test before you do anything or see anyone. THERE AREN'T ANY FUCKING TESTS AVAILABLE!!!
PCR's are almost as bad. My daughter tested positive on Christmas Eve still can't order a PCR fro home delivery. She doesn't drive and the local walk-in centre is now being used as a booster vaccination centre.
SaintK wrote: Wed Dec 29, 2021 12:26 pm
My daughter tested positive on Christmas Eve still can't order a PCR fro home delivery. She doesn't drive and the local walk-in centre is now being used as a booster vaccination centre.
Is that really a problem? She has Covid, she should isolate for 10 days. Why does she need a PCR too?
So it looks like the omicron variant is leading to less hospitalisations, lower length of stays and fewer deaths. Those most acutely ill now are the unvaccinated who account for the majority of ICU patients. It also appears that it is now the dominant form of covid. This is good news and we might have struck lucky in seeing a new dominant mutation that although more virulant is less dangerous.
However in the short term we still need to protect the NHS over the winter. Whilst there might be fewer occupied bed days due to covid there is also a lower bed capacity due to staff being infected and/or isolating. 30% fewer nurses means significantly fewer beds available and with other winter pressures at their peak the NHS is under enormous pressure. We need to get to Easter without covid leading to any further major problems dealing with urgent/emergency/cancer patients, etc.
With a shortage of LFTs and PCRs currently and the impact of Xmas and NY it is difficult to get a handle on the actual numbers in the UK at the moment. For example the 129k of cases reported doesn't include Scottish figures so it will be well into the 130s/140s. Lack of testing capacity will lead to under reporting. Whilst omicron leads to a smaller % of hospitalisations there is still a danger that even a smaller % of a very large number is still a very large number. We should hopefully see a clearer picture early in January but there will be a significant peak in mid/late January due to NY celebrations.
There are also other questions that need to be addressed, such as - Does omicron still lead to long covid and if so at what rate? Does it still lead to other conditions such as myocarditis, blood clotting, etc in those infected? What is the reinfection rate from Omicron for folk who have previously been infected with covid? What impact does omicron have on unvaccinated kids under 12? What do we do about schools opening in the new year - do we adopt PH protections or just let them act as spreading centres?
Whilst things look very hopeful we still have a way to go yet and a few more answers to seek. It would be foolish in the extreme, despite what the 100 tory morons think, to expose lots of folk to a still relatively new virus mutation without understanding the full range of risks they may be exposed to. Plan of rthe worst and hope for the best.
SaintK wrote: Wed Dec 29, 2021 12:26 pm
My daughter tested positive on Christmas Eve still can't order a PCR fro home delivery. She doesn't drive and the local walk-in centre is now being used as a booster vaccination centre.
Is that really a problem? She has Covid, she should isolate for 10 days. Why does she need a PCR too?
From the Government Covid website
If you have COVID-19 symptoms you should stay at home and self-isolate immediately. You should arrange to have a PCR test as soon as possible. If this PCR test result is positive, you must continue to self-isolate.
And it's 7 days isolation following 2 negative LFD tests taken 24 hours apart, though the 1st one should not be taken before the 6th day
