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The Coronavirus Discussion Thread.

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@Drac
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Good news Poopscoop as I recall how worried you are that you took such important measures beyond what most would to protect her.

Some may recall my gran caught it back in March survived but knocked her mobility back. She went back into hospital this am with an infection but seems to be doing well. She wouldn’t let the Dr on the ward see her until she had her chicken sandwich.

I do recall. She's a fighter eh? Have to say, it was a chicken sarny so she has her priorities right!😁 Hope she is out of there asap mate.

@tenfoot Yep mate, went to a centre at Lordswood. I genuinely wasn't criticising the operation going on there. To be honest it was humbling. The urgency to "get this done" was palpable. Again, humbling. After mum had the injection I did get a bit of dust in my eyes as I thanked the lady that did it.lol


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 12:53 am
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So here in Staffs it looks like my folks were some of the last of the double dose lucky ones.

My wife's parents were due the 2nd dose on Sunday, but their appointment was cancelled yesterday. To say they are disappointed would be something of an understatement. I don't know where or why the cut off point was applied.

We have tried to put a positive spin on it with them - tbf there is something to be said for maximising the coverage in this way - but it still feels a little bit betrayal-y.


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 1:30 am
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^^ I get what you mean.

I'm expecting mum to get the second dose, well, at some point. I have to say though, at this point, I think I'd like as many as possible to get at least the first jab. To my massively hindered logic it makes some sense.

At the moment I know (for an as yet to be determined time) that in a few weeks she will have a decent amount of protection from Covid and the new variants hopefully. Over the next couple of months that gives me some comfort as it's not going to be pretty.

That said, I look at it as another safety net, nothing more. I'm doing what ever I can to keep her safe but if, if I bugger something up there is another fail safe of sorts.

In truth I won't be doing anything different than what I've been doing since Feb/ March. It's just routine now.

Now OH has had the jabs (both) and mum has had the first I will just wait till I get the text at some point to attend the clinic for my turn. It happens when it happens. I'm just fantastically happy there is any vaccine, let alone a few now.😁

Just going to hunker down as it's going to be a terrible few months by all accounts.

Thank goodness for this thread. It's terrified, informed and educated me all at the same time.

I wish more of the population had the opportunity to read it if honest.

It's the very best of STW, along with some other more poignant threads over the years/ of late.


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 7:08 am
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@dantsw13 couldn’t agree more. For me the acid test to covid secure, would be in the event of anyone confirming positive there is no one requiring to isolate thorough potential close contact. If it’s covid secure, then social distancing and PPE and policy should mean no one is at risk......

I know workplaces which are ‘covid secure’ yet people are meeting criteria for defined close contact and having to isolate. Doesn’t scan for me.


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 9:50 am
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It’s a bad name that gives false assurance.


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 12:23 pm
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Indeed. It’s purpose was more about reassuring as many people as possible to get back to being fully economically active over the summer. At this point, the government need to make it crystal clear that people should be avoiding sharing work spaces with lots of other people. Go back to working physically together when demand on hospitals has fallen.


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 12:29 pm
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I know workplaces which are ‘covid secure’ yet people are meeting criteria for defined close contact and having to isolate. Doesn’t scan for me.

A friend's office was in exactly that situation. The whole place got moved around, desks >2m away from each other, no-one facing anyone else, strict rules about how many people could use the kitchen, enhanced cleaning, no hot-desking.

"Covid-safe" / "Covid-secure"

Now it's closed again and everyone who was in there last week is self-isolating due to one known positive case and everyone in there is treated as a close contact since it was 6+hrs in the same room. Ridiculous when everyone could have quite realistically worked from home.


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 12:47 pm
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Last night my NHS worker friend received a text from work, declaring that 'our area are preparing to declare a major incident. Asking all staff to work some extra hours over the weekend, as they are in 'an exceptionally difficult position across the trust'.
'They may have to prioritise cases'.
'Pressures to the point of they may have to stop major life saving surgery'.
'May have to take patients from down south'.
'Things going to get worse over the next 2 weeks'.

poopscoop - so pleased your mother has the first jab, which affords her some protection.
Worrying though the amount of people you encountered in the vaccination centre.


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 1:00 pm
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Yep - its getting quite scary.


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 1:07 pm
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Just a post for transparency.

Mum complaining of shortness of breath this morning. Nothing dramatic I can notice but I know my limitations and I'm no doctor.

So I handle her saying that in my normal manner. I panic a bit. If she went into hospital at the moment I'd be terrified for her. I'm as reasonably certain as anyone can be that she does not have Covid. So... mind goes to the vaccine of course, not paranoia, just logic. Read leaflet again and check Pfizer online, no mention of shortness of breath as a side effect other than in those having a serious allergic reaction.

Being a born pessimist I'd bought an SP O2 machine back in February last year. Check her blood oxygen, 98%, check mine... mine is worse. Ironically that reassured me.

Check her temperature, normal.

Blood pressure high but she is obviously a bit agitated.

Call 111 as per guidance of vaccine. Get very fast call back, within 15 minutes.

Go through all the details and I mention a growing suspicion mum might be having a bit of a panic attack over the stress of last night. She didn't sleep well either, that's a huge deal for her. She never has a good day after a restless night. Doctor seems inclined to agree but says to obviously call back if things get worse.

Mum's blood pressure pretty much back to normal now.

So, a bit scary but all is well hopefully. Will be keeping a close eye on her.

Absolutely NOT looking to scare anyone off the jab, the opposite in fact.👍


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 4:01 pm
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I wish my mother had a son as diligent as you.


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 4:30 pm
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I’ve also heard third hand, that people in London were getting their 2nd vaccine shot pretty much on time.

My wife’s parents were due the 2nd dose on Sunday, but their appointment was cancelled yesterday.

Same for my parents (80/85) in Lincolnshire. Were due second jab tomorrow but just been put back until late March. At least one jab is better than none I guess.


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 4:42 pm
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My nan is 96 and still hasn't been contacted about her 1st jab. Norfolk


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 5:30 pm
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MIL, 85, very high risk (heart failure, AF, COPD and stroke), nursing home, no sign of vaccine yet. Staff have had two doses, but not the residents. South Manchester


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 5:47 pm
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@poopscoop - interesting to hear of your experiences which are local to me, of course.

Glad to hear your mum has had her jab and fingers crossed she settles down ok.


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 5:48 pm
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Still, at least the government planned ahead well for this. Well, they stopped saying "Black Alert" and told everyone to only call it OPEL 4 because that's less scary.


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 6:05 pm
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Thanks tenfoot, she seems ok this afternoon just tired which is to be expected after not sleeping well.

As far as the vaccine roll out, it does seem a bit of a lottery at the moment. There are a number of elderly people in our road as there are retirement bungalows further down. Some have had the jab but not all.


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 6:18 pm
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I wish my mother had a son as diligent as you.

I'm thinking of moving in with him to be honest, sounds more caring and sympathetic than MrsMC


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 6:28 pm
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Lol, thanks. That gave me a good chuckle.


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 6:36 pm
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Without trying to sound callous, the average stay in a nursing home is only 2 years IIRC, which probably means your average nursing home resident has significantly less than 2 years to live, so why make vaccinating them a priority?


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 6:57 pm
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They would still take up a bed in a hospital matey,there are other considerations too of course.

P.s. Not having a jab at you, that's a big reason I suspect anyway, helping with bed capacity?


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 7:00 pm
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A pppgreed, but with the numbers battlefield triage might take priority.

So far my mum who got jab in first week of roll out ( and had a shock at the amount of people, staff and patients) in one room, is still on for jab2 nect week

Unsure if this is local or national, get the over 85 crew both jabs, then extend timeline for everyone else. Potentially saving more in the next 3 months rather tham than 3 weeks.

What a horrible and soul searching decision to have to make, which, as other developed nations have shown, could have been e greatly reduced with some firmer actions


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 7:10 pm
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so why make vaccinating them a priority?

It’s not just people in nursing homes. It’s age-based. Also transmission reductions in the areas where it is most easily spread and has the most significant consequences. One nursing home reportedly lost half its residents to covid deaths over Christmas. With that level of mortality, the nursing home business ceases to be viable. Then what?


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 8:07 pm
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Plus, the logistics of vaccinating people in a care home are very simple; how many people can you vaccinate out in the wild for the same amount of effort?


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 8:30 pm
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Long time reader of this most excellent thread breaking cover....
Here in rural Ryedale, North Yorkshire, two of the bigger GP practices have been cracking on with vaccinations since 2nd week in December, covering all the small practices in the same group. Doing about 500/day, all slick and well organised by all accounts. Started with care home residents who could be brought in, care home staff, and 85+ as gov policy. Just before new year teams went out and did care home residents in situ.
My wife, on the district nursing team, got her vaccination (I'm not allowed to refer to it as a "jab"!) on the 31 december.
My mum, 83, got the phone call from surgery last wednesday, and went to Great Yorkshire Show ground in Harrogate the next day. Again very well organised, in, done, 15 minute wait and out. When she first heard about having to travel the GYS site, she was a bit put off and "can't get there, too many buses..", was firmly told by me, you're going, get a taxi, that's what your mobility allowance is for!

I'm group 9 (as would have been the wife if not NHS front line), been on furlough since Easter, keeping a very low profile and just being very careful when out, especially now.
Last year the Ryedale did pretty well, gov data shows 5 cases in the whole of June and July. North Yorkshire just gone into purple on the map, Ryedale now 332/100K 7 day case rate, not good. I was hoping to see the xmas surge starting to pass by now, but I fear it won't.


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 9:17 pm
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55602828

Certainly doesn't feel very lockdown-y out there at the moment...


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 9:24 pm
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Good to hear that vaccinations for over 80s speeding up again.

But as of yesterday, 75%, including my 86 year old Mum still hadn't been done - or contacted in the case of my mum ( and all her friends in the local old lady mafia)

There's a long way to go yet...


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 9:39 pm
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Certainly doesn’t feel very lockdown-y out there at the moment…

It does and it doesn't. Asda was very busy, the roads today weren't exactly busy but still plenty of cars in places, but mostly in surburban streets - quite quiet in the countryside. And LOADS of people just out walking around and about the place, more than cars at times.


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 9:44 pm
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Aldi was quieter than usual this morning, and Tesco was very empty (Aldi had no milk so went wild with two supermarkets in one day). Noticeable that people were making more effort to space out, waiting patiently for each other, that nice chilled shopping vibe from the first lockdown.

Really busy with people walking round the village, and out to Shipley Country Park. A pub and a cafe were doing takeaway drinks and cakes, and had well socially distanced queues. Both had put out extra bins a few hundred yards away, I think there had previously been issues with people hanging around and littering, so fair play.

Feels like more restrictions are needed urgently this week though


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 9:53 pm
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Out for a 5 mile run wi the wife at 5, roads were very quiet indeed, considering it's Saturday.


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 10:02 pm
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Our Asda felt very uncomfortable this morning (went in to pick up daughter's replacement glasses), overly full, no social distancing, lots of people downstairs browsing (non food).

Lots of vehicles out and the local riding school had outside lessons taking place ffs. Really doesn't feel very locked down to me.


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 10:06 pm
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Aldi was quieter than usual this morning, and Tesco was very empty (Aldi had no milk so went wild with two supermarkets in one day).

In true single track police fashion I feel someone needs to you that you should have just gone without milk. /Joke. In terms of it not being like the last lockdown I think people need to realise schools are open and more people are working so naturally more people will be out.

Feels like more restrictions are needed urgently this week though

What else would you propose? Everything apart from food places are shut. Do you want curfews, only supermarkets open? How about the gov' put special locks on all our doos that only let us out once a day. Surly we won't see the impact in the data for a few weeks then people can judge.


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 10:11 pm
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What else would you propose? Everything apart from food places are shut. Do you want curfews, only supermarkets open? How about the gov’ put special locks on all our doos that only let us out once a day. Surly we won’t see the impact in the data for a few weeks then people can judge.

The numbers are going up and experts are publicly saying we need stricter rules. The experts are saying the NHS is weeks away from properly falling over.

Since the end of lockdown one, the government has consistently acted 2 or more weeks after the experts told them they needed to.

I have no problem with a proper lockdown, only out for shopping, medical, caring, 1 hour a day of exercise from your door, and getting your vaccination. 4 weeks. Taxpayer picks up 80% of wages.

Let's strangle this bastard virus.

Yes, I've been drinking and I've not thought this through at all.


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 11:01 pm
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Just back from delivering supermarket food for 7 hours in Greater Manchester...roads were really busy today I thought. Much busier than I expected. Rochdale may as well not be in lockdown....had to fuel up, 3 taxi drivers in at the same time as me. None wearing face masks and 1 of them squeezed past me rather than following the one way system the ****ing moron. So many people out in various areas....all of the takeaways were heaving.


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 11:01 pm
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I have no problem with a proper lockdown, only out for shopping, medical, caring, 1 hour a day of exercise from your door, and getting your vaccination. 4 weeks. Taxpayer picks up 80% of wages.

What exactly is a "proper lockdown" and how do you suppose people's mental health will fair after 4 weeks of 20+ hours at home? especially those without the middle class luxuries. I haven't been drinking so maybe I'm over thinking it.

And I hope people can see the irony about moaning too many people are going out, when they must be out themselves to know this. 🤷‍♂️


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 11:22 pm
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I think an often overlooked thing is that we are in general, a nation of lazyish, fattish, TV binge watchers yet everyone is now craving being out of their homes in shitty weather. Weird.


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 11:27 pm
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@elshalimo yeah I'd thought that too!


 
Posted : 09/01/2021 11:58 pm
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Yeah odd isn't it, never seen so many people walking around the woods other than in lockdown.


 
Posted : 10/01/2021 12:00 am
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It's great that people are walking and cycling etc and I hope it continues but I think that people are just bored shitless at home and are out and about to relieve the boredom.

It was great to see loads of people out sledging in the snow today!

Not so great to see obvious multi-family/household groups parading about in very large groups. At least they were outside though


 
Posted : 10/01/2021 12:16 am
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how do you suppose people’s mental health will fair after 4 weeks of 20+ hours at home?

Going by New Zealand, Vietnam et al, it would appear that one big lockdown is better for people's mental health than 9 months of on and off lockdowns and 'tiers'...?

Supermarket question:

Are you better off going Tesco at 9pm, when it's dead but will have had people breathing in it all day, or 9am, when it's busier but has had all night to get some ventilation through?


 
Posted : 10/01/2021 12:21 am
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The numbers are going up and experts are publicly saying we need stricter rules. The experts are saying the NHS is weeks away from properly falling over.

Since the end of lockdown one, the government has consistently acted 2 or more weeks after the experts told them they needed to.

The problem for “experts”, is that joepud and Boris and millions of others know better.


 
Posted : 10/01/2021 12:26 am
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It’s great that people are walking and cycling etc and I hope it continues but I think that people are just bored shitless at home and are out and about to relieve the boredom.

Just a thought - the Govt should offer free SkyTV/Amazon/Netflix to the whole population for a couple of months. That would keep more folk locked up.


 
Posted : 10/01/2021 12:28 am
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Doris .- 0700 is a great time to shop in Tesco . Chavs still in bed , shelves full . aisles pretty much empty of shoppers


 
Posted : 10/01/2021 12:35 am
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@doris5000 erm supermarkets are Covid secure so fill your boots.....at least that's what folk that work in them are told. Being asked to do overtime literally every single day probably has nothing to do with staff catching Covid of course.....


 
Posted : 10/01/2021 12:37 am
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Are you better off going Tesco at 9pm, when it’s dead but will have had people breathing in it all day, or 9am, when it’s busier but has had all night to get some ventilation through?

Probably 9pm, but supermarkets are pretty high roofed warehouses with good ventilation

Probably one of the safest buildings you can be in, especially if mask & handsanitisibg observed etc


 
Posted : 10/01/2021 12:41 am
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