Boris of course I suspect is being economically driven to state that he’s not seeing any causes for concern currently we’ll be going ahead.
I don't doubt part of his thinking is I need to save the economy and really he does. He needs minimal covid devs and minimal economic disruption sadly they don't go hand in hand. However Johnson has this absolute desire to please people which i think overrides his economy thinking... hes basically the worlds worst beg friend. What this does mean is u-turn after u-turn depending on which person hes trying to get to like him.
We vaccinated loads of 18+ in Eastbourne last weekend as we had a fridge full of short-dated Pfizer that needed using up. The queues were massive!!!
Joepud nails it.
Surge vaccinations not ruled out says No 10
The younger age groups will be offered the vaccine from next week, when surge testing will also take place, Blackburn and Darwen Council said.
Seems very sensible
So there is good in the world - our company have just told us we all have Friday afternoons off until 1st October to "enjoy lost time with our friends and families over the summer period.
Blimey.
Seems very sensible
But no masks in schools from Monday.
And indoor social eating/drinking is back.
I suppose it’s fingers crossed time.
Very worried that we’re acting as if the only tool that matters is vaccinations, perhaps because it’s the only tool that’s been delivered well. Not sure vaccinations are really key to containing these new variant related outbreaks.
https://twitter.com/smyth_chris/status/1392835390399291393?s=21
According to the PHE the highest prevalence is in the 10-19 y/o.
Kids went back after Easter 2 weeks ago, since when the cases have risen amongst them.
So from Monday we are removing the need for masks amongst that exact age group.
Following the science my a@@e!!!!
Not sure the Blackburn system is well set-up anyhow. Folk from non-Blackburn postcodes can book in, reportedly.
But no masks in schools from Monday.
And indoor social eating/drinking is back.
I suppose it’s fingers crossed time.
If we had a working track and trace system this shouldn't be an issue. However it seems to be dysfunctional for some reason and is letting things slip through its fingers every time we get close to suppression of the virus.
They've been giving a vaccine to 18+ in Elgin area too due to a surge in positives amongst younger folk there.
Feels like we are rapidly approaching another "following the science" crossroads, where Boris is going to ignore SAGE until the Indian strain is rife among at least the unvaccinated young throughout England, until it's too late in a few weeks time.
But then so far, Sturgeon and Drakeford haven't beaten Boris to the reactive punch.
At least the secondary school kids don't have to wear masks from Monday and people can have a pint inside and out of the cold, eh?
Schools are safe.
Unlocking is irreversible.
Let the bodies pile up.
our company have just told us we all have Friday afternoons off until 1st October to “enjoy lost time with our friends and families over the summer period.
That's fantastic. Hope you can make the most of it.
Jnr's college are encouraging mask wearing from next week but not enforcing it. He's just got his joining instructions for their DofE gold expedition after half term.
Leaving aside the Boris dithering aspect, bloody annoying to have another fast spreading variant appear as we are unlocking again.
In other news, a mate who works in IT has just been taken on to look at the track and trace system. He says its as bad as we think it is.
Rather him than me.
In other news, a mate who works in IT has just been taken on to look at the track and trace system. He says its as bad as we think it is.
Why doesn't that surprise me. I have worked with gov on the odd thing a few years ago (im a digital designer) and their grasp of technology and how stuff work its truly baffling. A serious lack of digital maturity
My lad's school secondary school is keeping mask use, including in classrooms. Anyone else heard similar? It's based on government advice... do we think the government are preparing parents for this?
No, mine are going with gov guidance. 😣
That’s the thing, this is gov guidance. For regions where cases are high in that age group. The messaging seems to be that the no masks thing is the whole of England, but the details say otherwise.
This is worth reading in full. Research on airbourne transmission was misinterpreted for decades and doctors believed that particles over 5 microns weren't a problem - the number should have been 100 microns.
https://www.wired.com/story/the-teeny-tiny-scientific-screwup-that-helped-covid-kill/
Japan will declare a state of emergency in three more prefectures hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said on Friday, in a surprise move reflecting growing concerns about the virus’s spread.
Hokkaido, Okayama and Hiroshima will on Sunday join Tokyo, Osaka and four other prefectures under a state of emergency until May 31, said Nishimura, who is also in charge of coronavirus countermeasures.
The government had originally proposed a more targeted “quasi-emergency” declaration for Hokkaido, Okayama and Hiroshima, and two other prefectures. The lesser declaration now covers eight of Japan’s 47 prefectures.
“There were various views expressed at the meeting (with experts). Based on those views, we retracted our original proposal and came up with this new one and got approval for it,” Nishimura told reporters after the meeting.
The rising state of emergency declarations come as Japan grapples with a surge of a more infectious strain just 10 weeks before the Tokyo Olympics are due to start.
Experts say medical resources are being pushed to the brink, while Japan’s vaccination drive has been the slowest among advanced nations with just 3% of the population vaccinated, according to Reuters data.
A serious lack of digital maturity
We sold off the expertise in the 80's. A policy failure of gargantuan proportions similar to the fibre mistake made by the same government.
We should remember these when politicians claim to be infallible and point out that some curiosity and humility are better traits.
My kids' school are keeping mask wearing due to being in close proximity to the school closed with 100+ cases
My kids’ school are keeping mask wearing due to being in close proximity to the school closed with 100+ cases
Friesland?
My lad’s school secondary school is keeping mask use, including in classrooms.
Sound decision. It's madness to ditch the mitigation at this point, especially in the north of England. My two are into the final furlong of their assessments now. Can't come soon enough.
That’s the weird thing, why remove this mitigation at all right now? Rather than finish what is left of the term with mask wearing, and hopefully be able to offer a more normal experience in September? Mask wearing could well make the difference between keeping schools open to finish the term or not.
Will 'reminder' invitations be sent out in the future to people who have not had a vaccine in the 50 plus aged groups?
Surely a doctor's surgery will have the information as to who has or hasn't had the jab in the more vulnerable aged groups.
Research says it's a combination of mask wearing and ventilation that reduces transmission. One without the other doesn't work. Madame handed out a detention last week to a kid who tried to close a window. What's the advice on ventilation in British schools?
Same Ed (well today anyway)… windows open.
Ventilation advice carries on from Monday actually (but without the masks)....
7. Keep occupied spaces well ventilated
Good ventilation reduces the concentration of the virus in the air, which reduces the risk from airborne transmission. This happens when people breathe in small particles (aerosols) in the air after someone with the virus has occupied and enclosed area.
When your school is in operation, it is important to ensure it is well ventilated and a comfortable teaching environment is maintained.
These can be achieved by a variety of measures.
Mechanical ventilation systems
These should be adjusted to increase the ventilation rate wherever possible and checked to confirm that normal operation meets current guidance and that only fresh outside air is circulated.
If possible, systems should be adjusted to full fresh air or, if not, then systems should be operated as normal as long as they are within a single room and supplemented by an outdoor air supply.
The Health and Safety Executive guidance on air conditioning and ventilation during the COVID-19 pandemic and CIBSE COVID-19 advice provides more information.
Natural ventilation
Opening windows (in cooler weather windows should be opened just enough to provide constant background ventilation and opened more fully during breaks to purge the air in the space) and opening internal doors can also assist with creating a throughput of air.
If necessary external opening doors may also be used (as long as they are not fire doors and where safe to do so).
To balance the need for increased ventilation while maintaining a comfortable temperature, consider:
- opening high-level windows in colder weather in preference to low level to reduce draughts
- increasing the ventilation while spaces are unoccupied (for example, between classes, during break and lunch, when a room is unused)
- providing flexibility to allow additional, suitable indoor clothing
- rearranging furniture where possible to avoid direct draughts
Heating should be used as necessary to ensure comfort levels are maintained particularly in occupied spaces.
Here's the new face coverings advice...
Based on the current state of the pandemic and the positive progress being made, it is no longer necessary to recommend the additional precautionary face covering measures put in place from the 8 March.
From 17 May, in line with Step 3 of the roadmap, face coverings will no longer be recommended for pupils in classrooms or communal areas in all schools. Face coverings will also no longer be recommended for staff in classrooms.
In all schools we continue to recommend that face coverings should be worn by staff and visitors in situations outside of classrooms where social distancing is not possible (for example, when moving around in corridors and communal areas).
Where schools are delivering education and training, including extra-curricular activities and wraparound childcare, in a community setting (for example, library or community centre), staff and pupils will be exempt from the legal requirement to wear a face covering if they are in a private room or the premises has been exclusively hired for the sole use of its pupils and staff.
The reintroduction of face coverings for pupils, students or staff may be advised for a temporary period in response to particular localised outbreaks, including variants of concern. In all cases, any educational drawbacks should be balanced with the benefits of managing transmission. The Local Action Committee structure (bronze/silver/gold) should be used in such circumstances to re-introduce the use of face coverings. Immediate outbreak response (at the level of individual settings or a cluster of settings) remains for local directors of public health to advise on.
Children and young people aged 11 and over must still wear a face covering on public transport. In accordance with advice from PHE, they must also wear a face covering when travelling on dedicated transport to secondary school or college. This does not apply to children and young people who are exempt from wearing face coverings.
posted in error
O think I posted last week about the primary school my youngest daughter attends nursery at, it had reception and years 2 to 5 isolating. They went back Monday. Yesterday year 1 got sent home to isolate. Today the school say, confirmed Indian variant cases, siblings of isolating kids also to stay home and next week phe have PCR surge testing at the school.
This is crystal palace btw, not Bolton.
We kept our daughter off nursery a few days last week, she's been back this week.... Will make a decision over the weekend about next week.
Wife had her 2nd dose of az yesterday, feeling bkeurgh again but not so bad as 1st time.
Yesterday I heard on the radio that the Indian variant was the second most prevelant in the UK, and may even overtake the Kent.
Only about 2 weeks ago I'm sure we were all wringing our hands about flights from, and red listing India; to not let this new variant in.
Is there a way to know how long its actually been around, and where it came from?
MCTD
Friesland?
yup - fairly obvious from the not so posh end of Risley 🙂
Just had my Pfizer jab! Looks like they've got to the 36 year olds in my area (West berks) as my mate also got the text as the same time as me (i'm 39).
So far maybe a little bit of a sore arm?
RDL -82 – As I understand it, you won’t get a choice. You’ll only know when you get to the vaccination centre.
You can have a choice, or at least you can in west berks - when I got the text from my surgery, I called them and asked if I got to express a preference as I was under 40. She gave me the number of the covid team for the area, and they were seemingly delighted to tell me the choice (Pfizer or AZ) and booked me on the Pfizer day. From her reaction to the question, it sounded like they were geared up to dealing with it like that.
From what I understand the pzifer jab has a slightly higher effectiveness and less bad side effects - seems like a no brainer.
Just had my Pfizer jab! Looks like they’ve got to the 36 year olds in my area (West berks) as my mate also got the text as the same time as me (i’m 39).
How west - I'm 30 in Bracknell? Trying to work out the schedule, some places seem to get through a decade in a week.
Yesterday I heard on the radio that the Indian variant was the second most prevelant in the UK, and may even overtake the Kent.
Will overtake. The Kent variant will vanish almost as quickly as it turned up, as something more transmissible has arrived.
We've just been told to invite everyone over 16 for a jab. We're in inner city Manchester
How west – I’m 30 in Bracknell? Trying to work out the schedule, some places seem to get through a decade in a week.
I'm in woolhampton, my mate is in Stratford Mortimer.
Mrs TiRed has her second injection today and Son1 (23) is going to see if he can beg a dose based on the fact she’s in late.
UK variant will be replaced by June. One either believes in cross-reactive immunity or not. I am of the opinion that vaccine-induced antibody immunity will protect from morbidity and mortality. I am not privy to decision-making, but would not rule out some form of localised intervention where there is obvious evidence of undesirable effect. We will of course monitor and decide.
We’ve just been told to invite everyone over 16 for a jab.
Is it approved for under 18s yet? Great if it is.
Do we think local lockdowns will work better this time, with vaccination in place as well? My new base office is Leicester, think they had two weeks with no form of lockdown last year, it just never got low enough.
No vaccine is approved in the U.K. for U18 at this stage. Pfizer is approved in the US. Pfizer have asked the MHRA for approval and n adolescents.
I thought Pfizer approval was over 16. The other vaccines are over 18.
It's actually 16 and over...
