The virus isn’t dangerous till Boxing Day

This is the saddest Christmas I can remember. Because I really thought we’d be meeting up with family in one way or another. But, if I am going to catch covid (and with the new variant it’s unlikely that I will at some point) I don’t want to risk catching Delta, having protected myself thus far.

I really don't think they can tell people they cannot enjoy Christmas with their family.

I just went to pick up my meat order and our village pub looked so quiet, so although I sad about that as I'd like to visit myself I think I've take enough risk and I think others must feel the same?

To hell with being lonely/ alone, I'd rather be alive !

Just been reading the local Echo and hospitals in Liverpool are inundated with age 30's and under fighting for their lives---non-vaccinated. How frightening is that ? They're very sick. So what * Daisymae* says is true about the younger ones. Many young ones died during the Asian and Hong Kong 'flu epidemics.

Aveline

It may be that the UK govt has got it right after all and that Wales and Scotland jumped to restrictions too soon. It must be hard trying to judge what might be the case until more data becomes available.
Meanwhile, we all know what we should be doing - taking personal responsibility.

I agree with the steps England are taking at this time Scotland Wales and NI May have more restrictions but will they actually do anything so much effort made in trying to go round this virus without any great success
We have been vaccinated we have access to lateral flow tests hospitalisation or deaths are not going through the roof and yes personal responsibility
I believe our greatest problem will be employees being off work but the reduction in isolation time should help out

It's may well be milder, but many infections are with younger age groups. We don't know how this is going to play out in January after Christmas mixing. With this level of infection there's going to be a massive amount of sickness, that's a certainty. (Knocking head against brick wall).

It may be that the UK govt has got it right after all and that Wales and Scotland jumped to restrictions too soon. It must be hard trying to judge what might be the case until more data becomes available.
Meanwhile, we all know what we should be doing - taking personal responsibility.

So the government have just announced that they’re not going to make an announcement. I despair when I see the informative updates we get from Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

With you all the way on this one Maw!

Sparklefizz To save you having to read my previous post. Here is the key text:

'the South African experience of omicron suggests that it milder than previous variants,* even when they broke the figures down by age, older people were doing better than expected.*

It couldn't be more explicit.

Just seen my typo of damned - oops!

MayBeMaw

I think the powers that be are dammed if they do and damned if they don’t!
But much is also down to the individual - just because pubs are allowed to be open - doesn’t mean going is obligatory.
Just because restaurants are open doesn’t mean you have to eat in them.
Likewise with travelling by train , going to the supermarket /church/ shops/cafes /whatever.
Face coverings can still be worn and there is nothing to stop us keeping a discreet social distance from those around us, or abstaining from hugging or kissing

Do you see where I am going?

Agree 100%.

My friends and family are choosing to prioritise.

Footfall in the local shops and cafés is dropping.

Naturally, I'm sorry for restaurateurs and shopkeepers but certainly round by me people are choosing not to take risks.

Also Sparklefizz we have a much higher vacination rate than Africa

Scientists have said that there is no point in comparing completely different countries. It's not like for like.

South Africa has a younger population than the UK. It's also the middle of summer there so people are not indoors with windows closed and the central heating blasting.

It has been said from the start that the South African experience of omicron suggests that it milder than previous variants, even when they broke the figures down by age, older people were doing better than expected.

For the last week while numbers in the UK with omicron have rocketted, hospital admissions and deaths haven't, and more and more evidence is coming out that most of those in hospital are unvaccinated.

Yes, the danger isn't over, we all need to continue to wear masks an socialise with caution, but once again the Sage forecasts have been unduly doom laden.

MayBeMaw

I think the powers that be are dammed if they do and damned if they don’t!
But much is also down to the individual - just because pubs are allowed to be open - doesn’t mean going is obligatory.
Just because restaurants are open doesn’t mean you have to eat in them.
Likewise with travelling by train , going to the supermarket /church/ shops/cafes /whatever.
Face coverings can still be worn and there is nothing to stop us keeping a discreet social distance from those around us, or abstaining from hugging or kissing

Do you see where I am going?

A great post ?

I don’t need Boris to tell me how to stay safe or protect anyone else.

Saw a scientist on tv from Edinburgh University late last night. His department has apparently made a very positive discovery regarding the Omicron virus. He said he is going to bed with a smile on his face for the first time in months. I think we should be encouraged but vigilant.

Goady, urms? Contrary is the word that best describes Drakeford IMO.

If Boris followed one path, he’d go opposite purely because he hates him (check out a YouTube video where he discusses Boris with a colleague - our FM has a face like chewed up toffee!). Drakeford is a Corbyn groupie so not a lot of common ground methinks.

As for the UK positive tests yesterday, as a proportion of the total tests done in the UK (approx 1.5 million) it was less than 10% - and Wales figures were approx 4,500 positive in 25,500 tests so what on earth is Drakeford crowing about?

By the way, here in Spain cases have doubled in days - from 25-30,000 positives to 60,000 yesterday and they, along with most European countries, don’t test anywhere near the numbers the UK do - seek and you shall find eh?

I stopped taking any notice of WHO a while back. You are better off listening to your own scientists who don't have political motives.

MayBeMaw

I think the powers that be are dammed if they do and damned if they don’t!
But much is also down to the individual - just because pubs are allowed to be open - doesn’t mean going is obligatory.
Just because restaurants are open doesn’t mean you have to eat in them.
Likewise with travelling by train , going to the supermarket /church/ shops/cafes /whatever.
Face coverings can still be worn and there is nothing to stop us keeping a discreet social distance from those around us, or abstaining from hugging or kissing

Do you see where I am going?

Totally agree a very sensible post

I know, right?

The virus had an alarm that is activated at 12/26 at midnight (sarcasm on)

The latest three pieces of research from England, Scotland and South Africa appears to indicate that this variant is not as serious as first thought. Yes, it is very transmissible but fewer people are hospitalised compared to the Delta outbreak, those in ICU are mainly unvaccinated and people who are double vaccinated or have had Covid are less likely to be seriously ill.

These reports were in several newspapers and the BBC News tonight. Some scientists are now revising their models to much lower figures.

However, it is very days, the research using data from Scotland is based on very few cases so I feel somewhat optimistic but it’s a knife edge at the moment and the data could change. Maybe in a few days it will be the case that the government made the right decision not to rush into stricter measures, I really hope so.

I think everyone is aware by now there is a dangerous virus spreading fast, and how to avoid catching it. So people should make their own decisions on how to protect themselves. We should take responsibility for ourselves.

Casdon

Boris isn’t listening to the scientists, they are urging greater measures now. Drakeford is listening to them however - as are Scotland, NI, and the other European nations.

I agree, Casdon. All the scientists I follow are tearing their hair out over the ridiculous decision to prioritise Christmas over a rapidly progressing highly infectious covid variant. 102,000+ new cases recorded today, the highest ever. Hospital admissions rising. Goodness knows how many people off work sick with it. Every day delaying will make the situation worse.

But our lame duck PM seems to think that 'saving Christmas' will regain him some of his lost popularity. And he daren't antagonise his loony right wing.

I would link to to a good twitter thread on 'modelling' and the interpretation of 'models' but I don't think that the person who really needs to read it would bother.

The WHO aren't opposed to boosters, they're concerned that rich countries are now focussed on boosters - rather than helping poor countries with immunisation and vaccine supply.

They have a very good point, in that Covid will just continue to circulate at unacceptable levels until there's a worldwide effort to limit it. We can't and won't shut ourselves off from it. We don't have very effective testing or quarantine arrangements.