82,886 new cases reported today. But we all know Sunday & Monday figures are skewed low. The big moment will be Tuesday. If we're still below 100,000 infections announced on Tuesday 21st December, then there will be hope that the growth of Omicron is being affected, at least to some extent. If on the other hand it's well over 100,000 then we're all in trouble. Harsher restrictions will become vital. My boss at the small firm I work for has it in his family now. Two of his close relatives have got it bad - not quite bad enough to have to go to hospital yet, but like a real bad dose of flu. Both of them are fully vaccinated. One of them is in their early 40's too, not elderly by any stretch. He is isolating now along with his kids. Don't let anybody tell you this Omicron variant is causing only mild symptoms in everyone. That's wishful thinking at best, denial at worst. Stay safe everyone.
It is depressing, the way the Government explains away every revelation about dodgy gatherings (parties) going on at and around No.10 since the pandemic began. But it is not surprising in the least. Nothing could be more bizarre and unbelievable than the way Boris explained away what Dominic Cummings did. They way Johnson & Cummings as good as called the British people fools for not understanding how they could flout the spirit of lockdown rules, while still 'obeying' the letter of them. How dumb we were, for not knowing we could all drive 300 miles to a relative's home, then go and sight-see at some beauty spots. And how dumb we are now, not to realise we can have essential wine & cheese shindigs at work even if there is another lockdown. The woman who could only invite 10 guests to her son's funeral while this outdoor party was going on in Downing Street must be feeling particularly dumb. Not to say dumbfounded.
The byelection results show us that they aren't getting away with it any more, which is a relief. They say they "get it", but their actions say otherwise. I wonder if we're seeing the beginning of one of those sea-changes that happen in British politics, like in 1979 after the Winter of Discontent, or 1992 after Black Wednesday?
The next two weeks are critical in my opinion. At the moment the evidence from South Africa suggests that it really is the case that Omicron generally causes much less severe symptoms in the fully vaccinated. That’s not to say that there are no exceptions as Lardi highlights, so anyone sensible still needs to be careful. They are now over two weeks into their Omicron wave and there has only been a very slight increase in the death rate and it’s nowhere near the levels of previous variants. Unfortunately with 10% of the UK still not having had a single jab, we, like all other countries, still have a problem with numbers because of this idiotic group. We MUST clamp down on these idiots who are affecting everyone else. Compulsory vaccination won’t work as no Doctor will jab someone against their wishes while they’re held down by security guards, but we must curtail their civil liberties to such an extent that they want to have the jab. No jab and you can’t leave your home. That ought to get most of them onside.
Well if I were in charge I’d declare it a National emergency (if this isn’t, then what is ?) and have the army on the streets patrolling with the Police and anyone that was out and couldn’t/wouldn’t prove they’ve been at least double jabbed and after a set date triple jabbed, then they’d be locked up until they could prove it. Of course you can never get everyone, but it would send a strong message that you need to get vaccinated or else face consequences which you wouldn’t like.
Agree 100%, but plod have been nowhere to be since the pandemic began. Consequently, the animals have been able to do what they like.
On the Sunday Andrew Marr program Sajid Javed made quite a strong attack on the refuseniks, the first time a government minister has done so. Most countries have even more refuseniks than us, it has to be remembered. Austria started getting tough on them a few weeks ago, but I can't find how successful they've been in dealing with these brainwashed zombies.
NHS staff absenteeism up 300% in ten days due to COVID19 in London. For every staff member off sick on December 10th, there are 4 off sick now. And that's even allowing for some of the staff away 10 days ago being back by now. The same is happening in the Police, fire service, and across the board. Over 1,200 infections per 100,000 in the Capital. Higher than it has ever been. Mostly among younger folk, but in five days time there will be a great deal of mixing among the generations.
That's a bit unfair Elfs The Rozzers have been very busy beating up women during vigils, and taking selfies with bodies at murder sites... Remember, if you're out late at night and one tries to stop you, don't assume that bulge is his warrant card - run for the nearest bus
All sports events in Wales to be closed to supporters from Boxing Day onwards https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-59729129 This includes all Boxing Day events. That's a pretty drastic move. The harshest yet when it comes to restricting the traditional Christmas activities of millions of people. But a move that could not be accused of downplaying the seriousness of the situation. Also, the Trafalgar Square New Years Eve event has been cancelled https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-59734081 Probably no bad thing. Apparently only 6,500 were supposed to be attending. But you can be pretty sure a lot more than that number would have turned up. Will the Police now be under orders to disperse any crowds that gather in Trafalgar Square that evening?
The public appear to be applying their own restrictions, with large numbers of cancellations in the hospitality industry, which faces even more hardship now. And with the country £3trillion in debt there will be limited assistance. By not applying any more legal restrictions the government will not be under obligation to pay compensation, which may affect decision-making.
People are now being left to make up their own minds. Our society in the UK is remoulding itself to live with the reality of massive infection. The leisure industries - travel, restaurants, pubs, social gathering places of all kinds - are being left to go to the wall. If you traditionally make 75% of your income in December, basically you're buggered. Every winter will now be like this. We are now living in a Government sanctioned Realm of Fear. I wonder whether the modern era of free market Capitalism will come to an end soon in this country. A big Socialist State that 'looks after' the People could be just a few years away.
The same gloomy stuff here in Catalunya. The measures on offer are hardening now - covid passport to get into a restaurant, discos going to be closed from thursday, and I'm seeing some stuff about a return to lockdown if things get worse. Sadly, given the fact the hospitals have barely recovered from the previous waves of infection, they'll have to do it to protect the nurses. A lot of the hospitality sectors got help from the EU (which the Spanish government made very very hard to access) but the last bail out the EU offered was turned down by the government, which I can only assume was because it was in the form or a loan which would be tough to pay back rather than a gift. Whatever, it's another battering for the ecomomy, the health sector, and everything else.
The government needs to start a deradicalisation program for the brainwashed zombies who believe the weird conspiracy theories. They were outside a local school harrassing kids and their parents. Not a pretty sight.
These facts might be a good place to start ; they show the death rate from Covid in various categories - Unvaccinated - 6 deaths per 100,000 Double vaccinated - 0.5 deaths per 100,000 Double + Booster - 0.1 deaths per 100,000 So basically you are 60 times more likely to die from Covid if you are unvaccinated as opposed to if you’re jabbed and boosted. What don’t these idiots understand about that exactly ?
Yes, but it's freedom of choice, it's my right to defend my body against a foreign invader, and Bill Gates is already controlling my mother in law since she had the booster.
90,000 new cases today. Sounds strange, but it could have been worse. I know it's bad in London, but Omicron does not seem to be doubling every 2 days. If it was we'd have way over 100,000 new cases today. Deaths at 172 - again an awful figure for the loved ones of those who have gone, but not a steep increase - yet. Hospital admissions around 7,500 - about one fifth of those in London. That isn't great. A week from now we'll know much more about where this is heading.
