For what it's worth, while I have mixed feelings about what the next steps ought to (and can be), 2m is almost assuredly a massive understatement, and they know it. 2m in 90 days is actually a lower per day average than the UK has had over the past 10 days. With full opening I'd be surprised if it was less than 3-4m confirmed cases from opening day through mid-October. I'd bet on more than 5m before I bet on less than 3m.
All the pre-match excitement and anticipation tempered by family news from Indonesia. Over the last few days, two of my wife's cousins have died a third very ill. It's the delta variant plus, exacerbated by an overwhelmed health service and a desperate lack of oxygen. They can't even keep the doctors and nurses from getting sick. I would just like to politely request those that advocate a complete relaxation of restrictions to go and **** themselves.
Thanks Chilcs, Mrs Jab needs support and understanding being so far away from loved ones. We're one of many families separated by the virus, whether by the North sea or the best part of the planet. From what we understand there's much more airborne transmission with the variant ravaging Indonesia that may well be the case in UK/Europe too seeing the projected increase in cases.
Dreadful news, Jabs. Quite agree with you re the last remark, though I think you’re quite reasonable to ask impolitely given the situation. Feel for you - I have a good friend in South Africa who’s fighting it at the moment and pretty bad …..
I was going to add. "If this offends then good it was intended to". All the best for your friend in SA and all those suffering wherever.
Sorry to hear that . Stay strong .Agree with your last sentence fully . I will be wearing a mask when in ANY shop / pub etc for a long time yet !
Thanks N1J. We'll continue with our cautious approach to, avoiding crowds and limiting distanced contacts to those that are doing similar. There seems to be some sort of herd instinct at work for some A big problem appears to be the increased airborne transmission. Another problem is the small cuts on my fingers I forget about until I use an alcohol based handwash. Those in earshot wondering what the expletives are for.
I wonder how the anti-vaxxers are going to fare when the restrictions are eased and they will be more exposed to infection ? Thus far they have been protected by the vaccination programme (and by those who have been vaccinated), and by the restrictions that have been in place thus far.
Sorry to hear your news, St Jabbo. It does worry me the way things are going because I do not feel that sufficient people are likely to be responsible to prevent the situation going out of control. It will also only be a matter of time before the Delta-plus variant starts to make an impact in the UK beyond the current , small levels. Picking up on Tom's comments, the hidden cost is the number of people who would otherwise be in hospital being treated for ailments such as cancer who will now find treatment being delayed by people who have been admitted following visits to pubs and nightclubs. If Tom's position is taken by many of his contemporaries and given that we are aware that double-jabbed people are spreading the infection (this is being reported this morning as the cause of the current increases in the US), the infection levels are going to be catastrophic and the self-isolation figures of 5-6 million to not seem wide of the mark. The measures should have been strengthen by Boris as opposed to being lessened and I have no doubt he will be back-tracking before the end of next month.
The numbers in this from the BMJ put the real count above 200,000 https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1188
My next door neighbours have been jabbed twice. Their son, who hasn’t had a jab, now has Covid. They (his parents) told me this morning (via text) that they have both tested positive ……. So ….. Tom and others ….. 2 jabs do NOT protect you - nor stop it being transferred to others (I don’t know if they caught it from their son or they gave it to him) I’m keeping my mask on - I’m keeping well away from other people and I’m not going to any place where there are crowds of people. And I don’t give a flying **** what the government or anyone else says ……
Well, 2 jabs do protect you - they keep you from getting ill. No vaccine is 100% effective but the vaccines are here to prevent people dying and getting seriously ill. It won't prevent all deaths - that's part of life at the end of the day. I'll wear a mask in the supermarket (I don't use public transport as I've got a car) and moving around indoor crowded places but I don't see the need of wearing a mask in a football stadium if you need a negative test or proof of vaccination to get in. If they insist on it I'll buy a bottle of Sprite and spend all match drinking it.
What is it you don't understand about infection, transmission and variants? Some posts ago you said you would ignore any restrictions and go back to your normal whatever that may be and here you are wearing a mask.
So what are we supposed to do? Sit at home 24/7 and rot away? ****. That. I'll take the precautions that I see fit.
Just take the sensible cautious approach, wear your mask when appropriate, avoid crowds and stay safe. Nothing about staying home 24/7 in anything I've said. What has a vaccine passport and regular (available, reliable and accurate) testing got to do with anything other than giving you a less restricted life whilst keeping those around you safe?
I know people don't like the idea of restrictions on the unvaccinated, but...they work. The percentage vaccinated in France has ticked up, but has lagged behind other countries in the West. You're always going to have some percentage of free-riders, but in a situation where they comprise such a large part of the population, they're going to need a bit of a nudge. Otherwise, this will never end.