Be giving home games a miss for the time being. 2 people that my brother knew personally have died of Covid in the last week, and they were both fully jabbed, and had the booster.
Very sorry to hear that Penguin. My boss at work and his whole family are recovering from the virus now. Fortunately none had to go to hospital, but two of them at least had it very bad - heavy flu-like symptoms. And all the adults in the family are either double jabbed or double + booster. I've also heard the effect of the booster begins to wear off after just 10 weeks when it comes to Omicron. I'm glad the vaccine makers are working on an Omicron specific jab. I too am now very cautious of crowds of any size. I might go to the Valley again, but probably only for a 'quiet' midweek fixture if I can get there. Can cope with 5 or 6 thousand, but no more than that really. If TS keeps giving away tickets the crowds that generates will, ironically, keep me away.
Although today’s figures look bad with 189,000 new cases and 332 deaths, I think these are still catch-up figures from over Xmas. The average number of deaths over the past seven days is 100. The average number of deaths over the previous seven days was 110. That includes the figures since Omicron took hold, so on the face of it it doesn’t look too bad. We’re not out of the woods yet as we need to wait another couple of weeks to be sure that the massive increase in cases doesn’t lead to a tidal wave of serious illness and death, but at the moment it looks promising. Of course that in no way diminishes the sadness of anyone who has lost someone within those figures. I’m just trying to find something positive within them.
I don't mind them coming across the border to spend their money in English pubs and venues. Their safety or otherwise is a personal choice while they're in this country. Unless the load on English hospitals rises a lot, I'm broadly in agreement with the Government's approach right now. In England you get a choice. In Wales or Scotland you're told what to do. That's a political difference. I don't believe the vulnerable should be left to fend for themselves (traditional Tory thinking) but I do believe in freedom to choose wherever possible. I'm no fan of the Big Brother Socialist State telling me how to live.
189,000 new infections in the last 24 hours. 11,000 people now in hospital (it was around 8,000 a few days ago) Just over 200 fatalities yesterday. 1 in 25 people in England are now estimated to be infected. Probably more in London. That will likely mean that if 15,000 fans go to the Valley tomorrow, there will be hundreds of infected people in the crowd. Not dozens. Stay safe everyone.
162,000 new infections today, (162 fatalities) but those are just the figures for England. It seems Scotland, Wales and NI just didn't release figures today. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59848634 Because it's New Years Day I assume. Lots of shops and other places closed or on reduced hours today. I guess that goes for many government facilities too. It's a little frustrating to be aware that we won't really know where we stand until about Wednesday or Thursday next week. Not that we can do anything about it. I do wonder sometimes though whether the nations within the Union are no longer cooperating much now when it comes to keeping track of what is going on. Differences seem more political than science based now.
Twatter bans another anti-vacc nut spreading lies about vaccines causing deaths... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-59854916 That's very good Depressing though that she's a US Congresswoman (who, even these days, you would hope might know better) According to her, Twatter is an enemy of America and is funding a Communist revolution Not sure about you, but I don't recall seeing many hammers & sickles among the rednecks who stormed Congress a year ago. Still, I expect the Donald is proud of her.
To be honest Omicron may yet be a help, although in a disastrous sort of way. The fact that it is ripping through the population means that a lot of people are going to have some sort of immunity, either through catching it, or the vaccines and boosters, so we may yet see a big calm after the storm. Obviuosly that is of small comfort right now to the health workers who have to battle through another wave and also see beds needed for other patients get filled with anti vaxxers who's selfishness causes damage to everyone else. But at some point, this many infections must mean that a lot of people will have their immune system reinforced, and that through a new variant which while horrible, isn't as bad as the original version was whe nobody had any resistance at all.
It’s a worry just how contagious it is and how they’re just starting to see more over 50’s being hospitalised . We had a family gathering of 15 on Christmas Monday of which 9 have gone down with covid , one being my 2 year old granddaughter, we all carried out lateral flow tests that morning and all were clear - keep safe ! Or at least try to
As if we needed reminding that there's one rule for us plebs, and no rules for the Elite... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-59876203 His opponents should refuse to play him.
Hospital admissions... Up from 8,000 to 11,000 in a couple of days. Now a couple of days later up from 11,000 to 14,000. A huge strain for NHS staff. But I'm not sure ICU admissions are rising as fast. If they don't, that will be an immeasurable mercy. Very worryingly, Omicron is now spreading among older generations.
New cases and particularly deaths are both down on this day last week. Still a few days left of Xmas and New Year anomalous figures to get through, but I’m beginning to be hopeful that Omicron has peaked without the massive increase in serious cases that would have happened without our vaccination program. I wonder if Sturgeon and Drakeford are regretting their decisions to increase restrictions ? And as for Novax Djocovid - while he is safely isolated in an Aussie hotel, his country is about to feel the full force of Omicron, but without the mitigation of a highly successful vaccination program. I wonder how many will die in Serbia as a result of following their ‘heroes’ advice. Like Blaire with his honour, Djocovid should hang his head in shame, but like Blaire he won’t.
I'm not sure we are out of the woods when it comes to ICU numbers, deaths and very long recovery times, because Omicron is now infecting more older people. The young (under 30) generation has come through in fair shape. But they were never really in much danger from Alpha or Delta either. Boris seems set on riding this wave out. Probably the pattern for future years as well. It may be that Corona will be 'allowed' to take several thousands of older and more vulnerable people every winter, in order that the economy as a whole be permitted to return to longer term viability. One definition of "living with the virus". Something of a disincentive to save up for your old age pension though, among the young They might as well enjoy their youth and spend their money now. Because in decades to come they may be more likely (than we oldies are are now) to die from an endemic viral disease before they reach retirement age.
There must not be any gloating about who gets it right. All governments walk a fine tightrope and have to make horrible decisions for what they believe is the best.
