tier ????

[guest311]

just had a call from a relation is aus, seems they actually have a government that is not afraid of imposing rules, rather than giving out advice, that changes every day, it seems.

result....

they are living nearly normal lives, or as near normal as you can manage at this time.

can anyone explain to me why I am less at risk if I have a meal with my drink, than if I sit at a table by myself and just have a dram or two ?

perhaps we should import some aussie politicians, they seem to have a grip, unlike our pratts.

[woodbury22uk]

I feel wearing of mask's is no way the silver bullet in reducing the risk of this virus from spreading, although when in close proximity of other people, masks could reduce aerosols being directly sprayed in your direction if someone coughs or sneezes that's wearing one. 

Seems to be a bit of a problem with coughing. I have been out once in the past 7 seven days and saw two people take off their face covering to cough. doh!

[zwilnik]

I feel wearing of mask's is no way the silver bullet in reducing the risk of this virus from spreading, although when in close proximity of other people, masks could reduce aerosols being directly sprayed in your direction if someone coughs or sneezes that's wearing one. 

Peoples attitude, behaviour and hygiene is the main factor.

This new strain of virus is highly contagious, I know of many people now that have caught it. In my direct family we have now 11 members that are currently infected, two yesterday rushed to hospital.  Three friends have now died from this new strain, one very close aged 54 died on Christmas day.

All it takes is just one slip up being in contact with the wrong person, family, friend or a stranger!

It's all about probability and reducing that probability. Masks, distance, avoiding enclosed spaces etc. don't 100% prevent Covid, but each of them reduces the chance you'll infect someone else by a significant amount. It also reduces the viral load and thus the lethality of the transmission.

Think of it as rolling dice. Roll three dice, if all of them come up 1 then you or someone you know is dead. That's with a mask, social distancing etc. For each of those you or each person you meet don't do: Roll them again and again...

[daffy]

can anyone explain to me why I am less at risk if I have a meal with my drink, than if I sit at a table by myself and just have a dram or two ?

No explanation (it's all mad in my view) but it's even less of a risk to stay at home and knock back as many drams as you like, with or without a meal.

[guest311]

and I can read posts on the forum as well !!

[Alcazar]

perhaps we should import some aussie politicians.

Isn't ex-PM Tony Abbott advising the Board of Trade?

Seriously, though, no politician has it easy in the current situation, although they could think before they speak sometimes. We had one politician here in Germany playing to the crowd by saying that Pfizer/BioNtech should license other companies to produce the vaccine, as though it was like making beer or coca-cola. Actually, Lonza built new production facilities in record time in Visp, Switzerland to produce the Moderna vaccine and started production in December. 250 million doses a year just waiting for approval.

We've had the same mixed messages here too, mostly due to the federal structure, but at the same time because health is a matter for local authorities, more success in fighting the pandemic. At the moment all state premiers are in agreement: only essential shops and services are operating, we are limited in the number of people we can meet and we have a curfew from 8 pm to 5 pm every day. This was relaxed over Christmas, but will be in force on New Year's Eve, when normally most people would gather on the streets and let off fireworks. Looks like 2020 is going to end like a damp squib.

Peter

[daffy]

and I can read posts on the forum as well !!

Up to a point. A saturation point.

[Mr Sprue]

I feel wearing of mask's is no way the silver bullet in reducing the risk of this virus from spreading, although when in close proximity of other people, masks could reduce aerosols being directly sprayed in your direction if someone coughs or sneezes that's wearing one. 

Peoples attitude, behaviour and hygiene is the main factor.

This new strain of virus is highly contagious, I know of many people now that have caught it. In my direct family we have now 11 members that are currently infected, two yesterday rushed to hospital.  Three friends have now died from this new strain, one very close aged 54 died on Christmas day.

All it takes is just one slip up being in contact with the wrong person, family, friend or a stranger!

It's all about probability and reducing that probability. Masks, distance, avoiding enclosed spaces etc. don't 100% prevent Covid, but each of them reduces the chance you'll infect someone else by a significant amount. It also reduces the viral load and thus the lethality of the transmission.

Think of it as rolling dice. Roll three dice, if all of them come up 1 then you or someone you know is dead. That's with a mask, social distancing etc. For each of those you or each person you meet don't do: Roll them again and again...

Or just stay at home and wait when its your turn for the jab!

[njee20]

And being on the mental health crisis the impact of which far outstrips COVID 

[gc4946]

Great news - the first patient to receive a Covid vaccine had her second dose today

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-55478675

[Mr Sprue]

Great news - the first patient to receive a Covid vaccine had her second dose today

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-55478675

It would be nice to get the 1st one!

[The Q]

The astra Zenica vaccine is approved..so that can now be shipped.
As it only needs a domestic fridge to store it, all surgeries can issue it. This will vastly increase the numbers of people vaccinated per day.

[Alcazar]

Isn't this for the less effective full dose/full dose regime?

I thought that the more effective half dose/full dose regime is still under test because the control group was not large enough (a fortunate mistake by someone). It seems the EU is waiting for these results before they consider approval in March.

Peter

[daffy]

Happily my locale has moved into Tier 4 along with three quarters of the population of England.
Better still, my GP Surgery has announced vaccinations will begin at a venue in my nearest town very soon. They are ready, the exact timings will be dependent upon the supply from the NHS of the vaccines, but they are hoping to be up and running in the next week or so.

With the Pfizer vaccine, as an example, only reaching its maximum efficacy rate soon after the second dose has been administered 21 days after the first, it will be sometime yet before any relaxation of strictures or personal controls can be considered. And even then we shall have to be a lot more circumspect about the way we live together.

A lot will depend on how many take up the vaccines, and how effective they each ultimately prove to be. But it is a start.

Light at the end of the tunnel?   I hope so.

[Newportnobby]

I am led to believe the second dose of vaccination is now going to be delayed by up to 12 weeks.
It seems someone has decided it's far better to have many half dosed than few fully dosed