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The Coronavirus Dis...
 

The Coronavirus Discussion Thread.

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Pupils now off school with constant coughs but cannot book a test, so as long as its unconfirmed the bubble stays in school!! Well done omnishambles.gov


 
Posted : 16/09/2020 9:40 am
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I thought this analysis from a Sky news reporter was really good and easy to understand.


 
Posted : 16/09/2020 10:03 am
 loum
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Pupils now off school with constant coughs but cannot book a test, so as long as its unconfirmed the bubble stays in school!! Well done omnishambles.gov

Government has screwed schools on this.

The schools are running on risk assessments that conclude they're "covid safe" when the key part that reduces risk is out of their control and failing.

In a more traditional "risk assessment" industry, eg construction or similar, that would invalidate the risk assessment and method statement and potentially stop the work until it's sorted.

Could be worth a read through your own RA and maybe writing a little email to whoever signed off the procedures as safe asking whether they still recommend using them as is.


 
Posted : 16/09/2020 11:24 am
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@Kelvin - in fairness, the Dr taking it apart is a cardiologist who quit government over the Cummings row, published a book about Dr's experiences with the first wave and publicly stated his fear of a 2nd wave. So not exactly neutral! That being said, anyone who experienced that in hospital early this year has my respect and I absolutely get where he is coming from wanting to avoid a repeat of that.

I just watched it with an open mind. It hasn't convinced me to ditch Covid measures, but some of it does give me both pause for thought and hope. As does the Sky guy above, which follows the same basic narrative (the worst is over, cases are being exaggerated, deaths are not following) without speculating much on the reasons why.

What neither address and is under-reported is the non-fatal effects. A Chinese study showed 55% of recovered patients had some neural structural damage 3 months after recovery. Exhibiting prolonged issues with memory, smell, taste etc. We don't know what scale of a problem that might be here yet.


 
Posted : 16/09/2020 11:38 am
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Would that be wise do you think? Or is R more useful?

Python for data science. R is much more specific. You can do basic stats and presentation in Python, but serious analysis and complex modelling requires the functionality of R/SAS.

You can run SAS for free on their servers too. https://www.sas.com/en_gb/software/university-edition.html


 
Posted : 16/09/2020 11:43 am
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Isn’t the common cold a coronavirus?

About 1/6 of colds are caused by a coronavirus. The remainder are rhinovirus.


 
Posted : 16/09/2020 11:45 am
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Python 100% have a look at Jupyter Notebook


 
Posted : 16/09/2020 12:41 pm
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I’ve never seen the likes of this september before, bad colds are rampant, is this because the kids have been kept apart for 5 months? The teachers are dropping like flies too.

Our immune systems have barely been challenged for 5 months, have stepped back and are now being hit as we expose them again.   My daughters cold lasted 24hrs and she was one of 5 in her class.  No other issues, and gladly no panic from parents or the school.


 
Posted : 16/09/2020 12:41 pm
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I just watched it with an open mind.

As long as you did some research into who the guy is before you listened to him. And that goes for all self proclaimed experts... there are plenty of very knowledgeable and genuine people contributing to our understanding currently... and engineer who knows how to use social media to gain attention to sell his diet is incredibly low down my list of people to listen to.


 
Posted : 16/09/2020 12:50 pm
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Python for data science. R is much more specific. You can do basic stats and presentation in Python, but serious analysis and complex modelling requires the functionality of R/SAS.

You can run SAS for free on their servers too. https://www.sas.com/en_gb/software/university-edition.html
/blockquote>

Tried SciPy?

SAS makes me want to jump off a tall building.


 
Posted : 16/09/2020 12:51 pm
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Almost as bad as this crowd of kooks n' charlatans selling bleach as a covid remedy , id make them drink the stuff on live tv


 
Posted : 16/09/2020 12:54 pm
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Stop moaning its a free service (according to Matt Handjob) and dont worry he is going to prioritise cases?

We're self-isolating (again) after my six year old spiked a temperature last night.

Can't get a test anywhere local. Mrs is an NHS Consultant. She couldn't go in to work today and couldn't book a test through her hospital because even though they have the facilities, the supply of reagent required for the test is being rationed by government.

We're in Northumberland and currently the nearest available test, according to the NHS site, is Dundee!


 
Posted : 16/09/2020 1:17 pm
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the star slowly turning into the mash


 
Posted : 16/09/2020 1:35 pm
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@kelvin I'm a sceptic whoever I'm listening to. The key parts of the video that I found interesting where taken from other sources - scientists, epidemiologists. His T-cell cross-reactivity hypothesis (that the Dr downplayed) has been proven in labs as a mechanism and proposed for the low number of deaths in Africa. Accepting that isn't proof, it's still interesting.

It's worth considering the foundation of our knowledge of bacteriology came from a fabric seller who built microscopes to inspect the quality of cloth, not a doctor. Without wanting to encourage anyone to ignore the experts (or imply this guy is legit), sometimes solutions do come from unlikely places!


 
Posted : 16/09/2020 1:58 pm
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taken from other sources

Misattributed, taken out of context, or just plain misrepresented. It might sound good to you, but look into who he is, and what people more knowledgeable than you, I, or him say about his “hot take” attention seeking video. Or better still, just ignore it.


 
Posted : 16/09/2020 2:22 pm
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Rhondda Cynon Taff going into local lockdown from 6pm Thursday. That's the 2 areas closest to me now, how long before most of South Wales is under restrictions again?


 
Posted : 16/09/2020 2:52 pm
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This has been tested today.

Go online for a covid test, accept any location, get a QR code, jog slong to local test centre, present QR code, get tested.....


 
Posted : 16/09/2020 2:58 pm
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how long before most of South Wales is under restrictions again?

Having just got back from there (Pembrokeshire), I'm amazed it's taken this long. We were gobsmacked when we got down there, coming from Greater Manchester where we've already had another lockdown. We went to the supermarket on the second day and we were literally the only people in there wearing facemasks. The first thing we witnessed in there was a bloke massively kicking off when being asked to stick to social distancing rules. Some gammon giving it the full 'its an infringement of my human rights' bullshit

The pubs were rammed with big groups, with absolutely zero social distancing going on anywhere. We cancelled some restaurant bookings we'd made for the week because it just looked like nobody was taking it remotely seriously.


 
Posted : 16/09/2020 3:03 pm
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We are meant to be going on holiday next week - wondering if a) we'll actually be allowed to go and b) if its a good idea.
Regarding b) my thinking is that as we'll be in self catering accom it doesnt really make a difference where we are and if anything we'll be less at risk ourselves as child won't be in nursury. Any thoughts?


 
Posted : 16/09/2020 3:06 pm
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Where are you going ferrals? We're off to CP Whinfell on friday, wifes colleague was there last weekend and reckoned it was great, really well organised and quieter than ever.

Really looing forward to it as the wee one is 13 now, taking a pal, so plenty running and cycling time. Happy days.


 
Posted : 16/09/2020 3:10 pm
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Regarding b) my thinking is that as we’ll be in self catering accom it doesnt really make a difference where we are and if anything we’ll be less at risk ourselves as child won’t be in nursury. Any thoughts?

I'd go along with you on that. We were in self-catering accommodation so thought we'd be right. We were just out walking and riding during the day, so didn't encounter many people. We'd booked some places for meals in the evening, which we canceled because we just werent convinced they were taking it seriously enough

I'd definitely just go away


 
Posted : 16/09/2020 3:17 pm
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We're off down to Cornwall via a stop off at my folks (who are, foolishly imo, not concerned and seeing friends so we aren't a greater risk to them than their standard behaviour). Basically planning on picnics on the beach.. my wife has her heart set on going to one restaurant which we've reserved but we can always skip that depending on situation.


 
Posted : 16/09/2020 3:28 pm
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Go online for a covid test, accept any location, get a QR code, jog slong to local test centre, present QR code, get tested…..

What if you don't have a smart phone?


 
Posted : 16/09/2020 3:36 pm
 loum
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Pupils now off school with constant coughs but cannot book a test, so as long as its unconfirmed the bubble stays in school!! Well done omnishambles.gov

They'll be telling you to use their predicted results next.


 
Posted : 16/09/2020 4:37 pm
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Isn’t the common cold a coronavirus?

Either a corona virus or rhinovirus

If a cold runs through A school doesn’t it mean that all the alleged “Covid secure” plans are complete rubbish?

No not at all... Boris has a ring of steel for schools, just like the one for nursing homes.
Also the Covid-19 virus will act differently on British soil..
Besides, when has a kid ever caught a cold at school?


 
Posted : 16/09/2020 5:53 pm
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Another 4000 today, here we go, gulp.


 
Posted : 16/09/2020 6:34 pm
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Tests are taking days to get back so this is a snapshot of what the situation was ~4 days ago

There's also 1000s who have been unable to get a test at all


 
Posted : 16/09/2020 6:52 pm
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Another 4000 today, here we go, gulp.

Its not 4k yet.

[Begin pedantic argument]


 
Posted : 16/09/2020 7:35 pm
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There’s also 1000s who have been unable to get a test at all

I'm now on day 5 of trying both online and calling 119; no test sites found and being on a an interminable voice message loop respectively.
Referred to hospital 2 days ago due to breathlessness and wheezing following an hour long coughing fit; discharged after 6 hours with all clear following respiratory function tests.
Emailed my surgery asking for help to get a test; as expected, my GP said we can't do anything but was openly critical of the failed system.
Emailed my tory MP who is a hospital doctor; template response from her office with a bit of personalisation - telling me it must be frustrating but keep on trying; quoting numbers of tests carried out last week in her constituency but that's an irrelevance.
I have responded pointing out this is a failure of public health policy; asking how long does she think I should continue trying; stating that her government has proven incapable of delivering a fit for purpose testing system 6 months after the pandemic outbreak; that I had expected a more constructive and focussed response from her as a public health professional.
Waiting for her response.
Emailed matt hancock in his capacity as Sec of State for Health.
Went to nearest test centre asking for test; expected to be refused as I didn't have a booking - and was; observed traffic visiting the site for 30 mins early afternoon - 5 cars each with a driver only so not exactly busy; have shared this with my MP.
What a shambles.
That re-inforces my view this is a flawed and failed system.


 
Posted : 16/09/2020 11:23 pm
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A customer of mine was advised to take an Aberdeen QR code (Huddersfield based) then take that to his nearest centre and it worked. Seems it works as has been suggested.


 
Posted : 16/09/2020 11:29 pm
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Excellently, it turns out that the government's stats for "average distance to a test" only includes people who actually attend. Can anyone think of any reason that would skew the results towards a low number?


 
Posted : 17/09/2020 12:18 am
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Hopefully an incorrect rumour
https://twitter.com/EdConwaySky/status/1306360104598601731


 
Posted : 17/09/2020 12:42 am
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The maths make sense to me. The advice is probably correct as well. It won’t happen though.


 
Posted : 17/09/2020 12:49 am
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It’s hardly surprising if it is.

The way to make school opening a success was to screw down the numbers as hard as possible over the summer, have a rigorous testing scheme ready to expand.

Calling something “Covid Secure”doesn’t apparently Scare off the virus!!


 
Posted : 17/09/2020 1:15 am
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I should expand on that… if the assumption was that doubling time was 7 days (or even ten days) when term started in England, there is no way it would stay that slow once the push back into schools (and pupils’ parents back into workplaces) occurred, in one Big Bang… a jump to a doubling time of 3 days wouldn’t surprise me, and wouldn’t be picked up via current testing (that’s a mess, not successfully scaling up when it was obvious it would be needed) or be obvious from track and trace (that is also a mess, and manual and failing to scale when needed - an app might have helped). The government made it clear back during lock down that the return to school and workplaces would only be possible to do safely, given the lack of a (near) eradication plan, with the right testing, tracking, tracing and isolate plans… they didn’t get it all in place, but pushed on anyway. Hopefully the figures are wrong, and the doubling time is more like 5 or 6 days… but it won’t be as it was at the start of September… it can’t be. The rule of six should help to reduce the speed of the spread again… but by how much?


 
Posted : 17/09/2020 1:22 am
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Anthony Costello
@globalhlthtwit
·
7h
I’m hearing from a well-connected person that government now thinks, in absence of testing, there are 38,000 infections per day. Chris Whitty is advising PM for a two week national lockdown.


 
Posted : 17/09/2020 7:49 am
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Chris Whitty is advising PM for a two week national lockdown.

Why would we need that when shutting pubs an hour early in a small number of local authorities will get a handle on it?

Those who do not learn from their mistakes are doomed to repeat them.


 
Posted : 17/09/2020 8:27 am
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Our immune systems have barely been challenged for 5 months, have stepped back and are now being hit as we expose them again.

This isn't how immune systems work btw. It's a common misconception, it's not like going to the gym. Unless you've been exposed to the specific infection then you can have the 'strongest' immune system going and you'll still run the full gamut of symptoms before developing immunity.


 
Posted : 17/09/2020 8:30 am
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Quick get down the pub in Newcastle, its going to be closing early soon!!


 
Posted : 17/09/2020 9:04 am
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Thousands.....thats a drop in the ocean!!


 
Posted : 17/09/2020 9:17 am
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Indeed, some drips of positive news will be needed in the next few weeks though… thought I’d share one.


 
Posted : 17/09/2020 9:19 am
 Nick
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Had a pretty unpleasant night, high temperature and definite change in taste, feel better this morning, not perfect but no temperature and only slight metallic taste in mouth.

So, as per gov instructions I am now trying to get a test, in the meantime son (2nd year of A Levels) has to stay at home and miss football training tonight etc.

Was close to being able to book a test in Burton on Trent (46 miles away), but the site crashed and now no tests available.


 
Posted : 17/09/2020 9:43 am
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Update from my barber shop for those interested. Well over 50%, maybe 75% favour just getting on with it and letting whatever deaths occur just happen. They can't see the connection between what we have done and the drop in death rates, In fact, they can't see that we have even lost anybody extra, only lost a few old folk that were dying anyway. This opinion is just as prevelant in the old folk. It's just flu and flu kills more people anyway.

These aren't my opinions as I spend way too much time on this thread but I think its only right to share this as not everyone gets to talk to as many people as I do.


 
Posted : 17/09/2020 9:54 am
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Thousands…..thats a drop in the ocean!!

Follow that Tweet and it suggests around 8 million.


 
Posted : 17/09/2020 10:00 am
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