The angles in the first clip may be deceptive, I think that’s much less crowded than it looks. But nevertheless it shows that the policy, to scare people into social distancing, has failed. As it was bound to, the longer this goes on with most people not having been ill, and knowing very few people who have, fear weakens. Every time you go out and come home without catching the virus is another time you get away with it and feel that it’s worth taking risks, because the risks are small (actually the risks of catching it are quite low, the risks of getting seriously ill are very low and the risks of dying tiny, compared to, say, persistent drunk driving). What might work is social disapproval, if people are brave enough to voice it. The so called ‘libertarians’ and conspiracy theorists who won’t wear masks, social distance or doubtless take a vaccine shot when it is available will also, for the most part, likely get away with it. But then they have the incessant noise and scared anger in their own heads to live with, so good luck to them.
Libertarianism shouldn't become a dirty word. I'm not a conspiracy theorist or an anti-vaxxer, but I am very troubled by the powers that have been assumed by the state in the name of fighting this virus. I consider myself a proud egalitarian libertarian (I had to look this up to determine that there was such a thing and confirm that I wasn't alone in this respect). I am confused, though.
Firstly that’s a booking for simulation. Hardly touched him. Secondly, why try and walk through a police line?
It’s hard to use such terms within the context of a pandemic though Strolls. Great values for day-to-day general life I agree (ie non-pandemic). Is it fair to increase utilitarianism, in the short-term, in such times as we endure now and to think of the greater good of the majority and not focus on the social and economical inequalities and freedoms we all are challenged with in normal life? Surely equality and freedom rights are different challenges/battles that should not be focused on a pandemic (unless only the elite had vaccine access for example, which would not happen in this country).
I was referring to the people on the march, and I doubt you would keep that company. I also deliberately put “libertarian” in inverted commas, indicating (in my confused and nearly empty head) that the word has been hijacked, just like “anarchist” has been quite brilliantly hijacked by the establishment to mean people who throw bricks at occupy demonstrations or those idiots in Portland. Nowt you or I can do about it, the words are tainted.
Yes, I agree with all of that in principle. I understand and accept that during a pandemic it's necessary for certain restrictions to be put in place. I do have a problem, though, with laws being passed that don't seem to me to be proportionate or to sometimes even make any sense. No, I wouldn't associate myself with the people on the march, nor would I with those on the right for whom libertarianism means unrestricted capitalism and the rolling back of the welfare state - the freedom to exploit and the freedom to starve. I don't think I would have called myself a libertarian at all before all of this happened, but some of this **** doesn't sit easily with me. As I said, I'm confused.
Well done Pfizer, first cut results of their vaccine look very good, offering 90% plus protection from infection, no major safety risks (early days, especially with a vaccine). The UK has ordered 30 million doses (Pfizer reckons it can supply 50 million in total, for the world, by the end of the year, so we won’t all get it fast.). This will cover 15m people as you need two doses, 3 weeks apart. The tricky problem of storage, as it needs to be kept at minus 80C, to be solved.
With Brexit stockpiles over the last two years, various COVID vaccines, and convalescent plasma, investing in cold storage companies two years ago could have made anyone a small fortune.
From what I've read it's a lack of proof that it will be effective over a longer time period rather than that it won't be effective beyond six months, which makes sense given how quickly they've had to run the trial.
I don’t think they know how long it will be effective for yet, not enough time has passed. I’m not sure if the virus mutates to the extent that new vaccines, or evolved vaccines, will be required, like for flu. But you would hope annually, at worst. Of course if enough people take the vaccine in a short enough period of time it will have no one to infect. With the other vaccines in development and hopefully ready soon I’d be cautiously optimistic. But many months still to go.
Good news on the vaccine today. One word of caution, this strain coming from mink farms potentially could make current vaccines far more ineffective.
