Coronavirus Outbreak : Plan B

[arista]

Making a new thread as the
other reaches 10K.
The last thread
https://www.thisisbigbrother.com/forums/showthread.php?p=10977193#post10977193
And Shaun's first thread
https://www.thisisbigbrother.com/forums/showthread.php?t=364573

Today
55,892 Caught Covid-19

964 have Died
73,512 total deaths

Patients in hospital
Latest available
23,813

Patients on ventilation
Latest available
1,847


https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/



https://e3.365dm.com/20/12/768x432/skynews-tiers-tier-system-england_5222743.jpg?bypass-service-worker&20201230191824

[arista]

https://c.files.bbci.co.uk/17F2B/production/_116319089_telegraph.jpg

[smudgie]

Just heard my daughter in law has tested positive, so she can’t see the kids yet.
My 90 year old aunt Mary has it, hopefully she is over the worst of it and seems to be doing well.
Let us hope we get this on the run this year.:fist:

[arista]

Just heard my daughter in law has tested positive, so she can’t see the kids yet.
My 90 year old aunt Mary has it, hopefully she is over the worst of it and seems to be doing well.
Let us hope we get this on the run this year.:fist:


Sad news
I hope they can get through this.

[Zizu]

Apparently the new Oxford vaccine will next week hit an immediate ‘red tape’ bottleneck in the form of ‘diversity training’ as all the thousands of volunteers ( ex nurses and doctors) will have to go through that training and have to complete and sign 21 documents , be certified in ‘preventing radicalisation’ and certified in ‘fire safety ‘ and certified in ‘conflict resolution’ ... after all this they are given a one hour online training session ....


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[bots]

well at least the majority of people have taken notice of the serious **** we are in right now and seem to be taking note of the guidelines

[Cherie]

Just heard my daughter in law has tested positive, so she can’t see the kids yet.
My 90 year old aunt Mary has it, hopefully she is over the worst of it and seems to be doing well.
Let us hope we get this on the run this year.:fist:

Oh no Smudge, hope they are both okay

[arista]

Covid Breaches last night in
London and Manchester and other places
amounted to 100's of Fines.


LBC.

[Zizu]

Can’t see this helping the situation much ... surely has to put even more stress on all the services and the NHS

/////


BRITAIN is bracing for 25 inches of heavy snow to strike in hours as a ferocious polar bomb hits, according to the latest forecasts.
Bitterly cold air from the Arctic is predicted to hit the UK as 2021 begins, as maps from WXCHARTS show northerly winds sweeping over the UK. The low pressure is expected to bring "disruptive" wintry weather during the first part of January, including heavy snow over a 16 day period from January 1 to 16.


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[arista]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EqpaeYLXUAAirSF?format=jpg&name=small

[Josy]

Can’t see this helping the situation much ... surely has to put even more stress on all the services and the NHS

/////


BRITAIN is bracing for 25 inches of heavy snow to strike in hours as a ferocious polar bomb hits, according to the latest forecasts.
Bitterly cold air from the Arctic is predicted to hit the UK as 2021 begins, as maps from WXCHARTS show northerly winds sweeping over the UK. The low pressure is expected to bring "disruptive" wintry weather during the first part of January, including heavy snow over a 16 day period from January 1 to 16.


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Sounds like an Express weather report

[Josy]

Just heard my daughter in law has tested positive, so she can’t see the kids yet.

My 90 year old aunt Mary has it, hopefully she is over the worst of it and seems to be doing well.

Let us hope we get this on the run this year.:fist:Best wishes for them getting well

[DouglasS]

My test came back negative at 6am today. Shame it didn’t come back before New Year’s Eve, had to spend it in my room isolating :laugh:

[AnnieK]

I've just signed up to be an NHS Volunteer Steward to help at vaccination centres. You're not guaranteed to get called on but thought I'd sign up anyway

[Zizu]

I've just signed up to be an NHS Volunteer Steward to help at vaccination centres. You're not guaranteed to get called on but thought I'd sign up anyway

That’s a wonderful and brave thing to do !!



Interestingly , the bloke in charge of the volunteers was interviewed on LBC radio this morning ..

Sooo
Apparently the new Oxford vaccine will next week hit an immediate ‘red tape’ bottleneck in the form of ‘diversity training’ as all the thousands of volunteers ( including ex nurses and doctors) will have to go through that training and have to complete and sign 21 documents , be certified in ‘preventing radicalisation’ and certified in ‘fire safety ‘ and certified in ‘conflict resolution’ ... after all this they are given a one hour online training session ....


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[Zizu]

:joker:

Sounds like an Express weather report



I truly hope it’s wrong !!!


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[Zizu]

Hopefully we don’t have anyone like this ...

A Wisconsin hospital worker was fired after they admitted to deliberately damaging hundreds of doses of a Covid vaccine.

According to the Aurora Medical Center in Grafton, Wisconsin, a worker at the hospital admitted to deliberately sabotaging some 500 doses on Wednesday


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[arista]

Today

613 have Died

53,285 have caught Covid-19

Patients in hospital
Latest available
23,823

Patients on ventilation
Latest available
1,847


Total UK Deaths :74,125



https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/

[Cherie]

Will there be anyone left who hasn’t caught it by the end of Jan if these figures keep going

[Cherie]

I've just signed up to be an NHS Volunteer Steward to help at vaccination centres. You're not guaranteed to get called on but thought I'd sign up anyway

:love:

[arista]

Will there be anyone left who hasn’t caught it by the end of Jan if these figures keep going


Lets hope so.

[arista]

https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map

For England only
put your postcode in

[Cherie]

https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map

For England only
put your postcode in

Omg only 65 cases ...minus 4% ...below average :dance:

[AnnieK]

Omg only 65 cases ...minus 4% ...below average :dance:

My postcode has 17 cases but up 240% as there have been 12 new.

[Cherie]

My postcode has 17 cases but up 240% as there have been 12 new.

We have been topping or near the top of the London Boroughs for months ...think the message might be sinking in finally : laugh:

[AnnieK]

We have been topping or near the top of the London Boroughs for months ...think the message might be sinking in finally : laugh:

:fc:
Let's hope that happens everywhere

[arista]

[Police attacked at huge French rave
People at a New Year's Eve party that drew
at least 2,500 people in western France
attacked police sent to shut them down.

One police car was torched and officers pelted
with bottles and stones, said officials.
There were some minor injuries.

Hundreds of vehicles had gathered
for the party in Lieuron, Brittany,
where first aid workers were giving
out masks and hand gel to limit
the spread of coronavirus.

On Friday morning, 2,500 ravers from
France and other countries were
still partying, watched by a
reinforced police presence, said a statement.

France is currently in a 8pm to 6am nationwide curfew.]


SkyNewsHD

[reece(:]

Will there be anyone left who hasn’t caught it by the end of Jan if these figures keep going

Is there a figure on total cases so far?

[AnnieK]

Is there a figure on total cases so far?

2.49 million
Although that number would be higher if we were testing everyone at the start if the pandemic

[Zizu]

Isn’t that 250,000 new infections in FIVE days ??

These will all translate to hospital cases and then sadly , deaths .

If we’re getting a third of a million new cases per week in a virtual lockdown situation then surely out school should remain closed for a short while ??

I mean COMPLETELY closed not on of those year 11 and key worker kids still in schools.



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[bots]

my local area has a rate of 23 ... which is much better than the council area which is 702 all per 100k .... but even that is better as it was of 900 last week

[arista]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EqrcDkHVQAEz0pe?format=jpg&name=small

[Zizu]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EqrcDkHVQAEz0pe?format=jpg&name=small


Excuse copy and paste !

:;;;;:

Things are about to get interesting. It seems that the NEU are getting ready to urge members to refuse to go to school on grounds of Section 44 of the Employment Rights Act (unsafe work environment).

Teachers are expecting an announcement within hours of the NEU's announcement on Sunday following its member meeting- or perhaps even before. The government won't want to look weak and have no choice to back down due to lack of teachers, so the thought is that the science will magically change over the coming 24 hours.


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[arista]

In London
Primary Schools have been given a U Turn.



[All London primary schools to remain closed
for start of term in government U-turn
It is the latest in a string of U-turns performed
by Education Secretary Gavin Williamson's department.]


https://news.sky.com/story/all-london-primary-schools-to-remain-closed-for-start-of-term-in-government-u-turn-12177017

[arista]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EqrcDknU0AADhWH?format=jpg&name=small

[arista]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EqrcDkJVQAAwtUI?format=jpg&name=small

[arista]

India-UK flights to partially resume from January 8


As on arrival
Tests again.

[arista]

https://c.files.bbci.co.uk/16DDE/production/_116326639_mirror-nc.png

[Garfie]

Isn’t that 250,000 new infections in FIVE days ??

These will all translate to hospital cases and then sadly , deaths .

If we’re getting a third of a million new cases per week in a virtual lockdown situation then surely out school should remain closed for a short while ??

I mean COMPLETELY closed not on of those year 11 and key worker kids still in schools.



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That would be the logical decision, especially as teens are, at the moment, one of the highest age groups catching the virus. Logic tells us that teens mixing so closely together means that those with the virus are going to spread it to other students and teaching staff, who will then take it back into their family homes.

Schools in my area were very badly affected by the virus before Christmas and now figures have risen dramatically in the community, and we've even seen the death of a teaching assistant.

With our hospitals at breaking point, not enough nurses and doctors to staff the Nightingale hospitals and us yet to see the impact of Christmas Day mixing, it seems a serious error of judgement to return students to schools and universities. We can only hope that the government yet again does one of its U-turns before disastrous results occur. Sadly, I fear that it will be another case of too little too late....

[Nicky91]

Netherlands: BREAKING NEWS begin date of vaccinations earlier than expected, Monday 4th of January to hospital staff (ICU's, emergency response personnel) 4 days earlier

thanks to ICU boss Diederik Gommers whom insisted on vaccinating medical staff earlier than 8th of January

[arista]

Netherlands: BREAKING NEWS begin date of vaccinations earlier than expected, Monday 4th of January to hospital staff (ICU's, emergency response personnel) 4 days earlier

thanks to ICU boss Diederik Gommers whom insisted on vaccinating medical staff earlier than 8th of January


Yes everyone is doing catch up,
its not breaking news on our UK TV news

[arista]

1345126202210725888


Yes Piers Corbyn
you are a trouble maker.

[Zizu]

What the hell is happening !?!?


This is a disturbing development... also worrying is that the story appears to be being suppressed ..
~~~~~

Laura Duffell, a matron at King’s College Hospital in London, said the new strain of Covid was affecting children and younger adults with no underlying health conditions in increasingly worrying numbers.

Speaking to The Telegraph, she described “whole wards of children” suffering from Covid.

“It’s very different. That’s what makes it so much scarier for us as doctors, nurses and porters and everyone else who is working on the front line.

“We have children who are coming in. It was minimally affecting children in the first wave... we now have a whole ward of children here and I know that some of my colleagues are in the same position, where they have a whole ward of children with Covid.”

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210102/261c370bb6c7cac7ebf331c3f1d2d625.jpg

~~~~~~

The Telegraph webpage had this story running but now the link leads to the following ..

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210102/5a732b8e7af415cc7914cd57d89e9e37.pnghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210102/c994dea58ca56fd829f69e8cab103afe.png

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[Zizu]

That would be the logical decision, especially as teens are, at the moment, one of the highest age groups catching the virus. Logic tells us that teens mixing so closely together means that those with the virus are going to spread it to other students and teaching staff, who will then take it back into their family homes.



Schools in my area were very badly affected by the virus before Christmas and now figures have risen dramatically in the community, and we've even seen the death of a teaching assistant.



With our hospitals at breaking point, not enough nurses and doctors to staff the Nightingale hospitals and us yet to see the impact of Christmas Day mixing, it seems a serious error of judgement to return students to schools and universities. We can only hope that the government yet again does one of its U-turns before disastrous results occur. Sadly, I fear that it will be another case of too little too late....



The death of a TA is very concerning ..

Months ago I seem to recall is being told the Covid related deaths / occupations involved in the education system


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[arista]

[“whole wards of children” suffering from Covid.]


Yes all Tier 4 zones
should not open schools
unless they are safe.


The Labour Party still want schools open

[Cherie]

1345126202210725888


Yes Piers Corbyn
you are a trouble maker.

This is straight out of America,being harassed for doing your job, a new low

[Zizu]

It’s interesting to hear that the one million people who’ve had the first injection are all in possession of documentation which is presumably legally binding ??

::::::

One of the above mentioned million people just rang into Radio LBC Live and quoted the following .
——-
Page 2 , second paragraph.

The second dose should be administered 21 days after the first injection.
Protection may not be effective until 7 days AFTER the second dose .


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[user104658]

What the hell is happening !?!?


This is a disturbing development... also worrying is that the story appears to be being suppressed ..
~~~~~

Laura Duffell, a matron at King’s College Hospital in London, said the new strain of Covid was affecting children and younger adults with no underlying health conditions in increasingly worrying numbers.

Speaking to The Telegraph, she described “whole wards of children” suffering from Covid.

“It’s very different. That’s what makes it so much scarier for us as doctors, nurses and porters and everyone else who is working on the front line.

“We have children who are coming in. It was minimally affecting children in the first wave... we now have a whole ward of children here and I know that some of my colleagues are in the same position, where they have a whole ward of children with Covid.”

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210102/261c370bb6c7cac7ebf331c3f1d2d625.jpg

~~~~~~

The Telegraph webpage had this story running but now the link leads to the following ..

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210102/5a732b8e7af415cc7914cd57d89e9e37.pnghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210102/c994dea58ca56fd829f69e8cab103afe.png


Word on the (nursing and medical) street is that this is largely completely untrue and this lady is probably in a bit of hot water. She's part of a group of political activists within nursing who are operating with an agenda. Complete mess, but don't listen to ANYTHING that isn't actually verified.

[arista]

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/01/01/19/37498078-0-image-m-4_1609530440076.jpg

[Nicky91]

british mutation of covid-19 is highly contagious, this new strain might put reproduction number R up from 0.4 to 0.7

this new strain at first spread mostly among children but researchers are now sure of that all age groups can catch this fast


researchers also think a even stricter lockdown is necessary to battle the new strain

the rapid spread among children is believed that the schools in britain remained open in November

[Zizu]

As regards secondary schools..

How does this sound ... heard on the radio earlier

All Secondary staff to be tested every week from next week onwards


Each pupil to be tested twice in the first two weeks of term - ideally 3 to 5 days apart

Week 3 -
All close contacts of positive cases (staff and pupils) will be allowed to return to school as long as they have a test every day ( for 7 days)


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[Zizu]

COVID-19: Teaching union to hold emergency meeting as PM faces calls to close all schools in England
The National Education Union holds an emergency meeting today to discuss the "chaos which is engulfing our schools"

By Jon Craig, Chief political correspondent @joncraig
Saturday 2 January 2021 10:03, UK


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[Zizu]

Boris Johnson is facing calls to close every school in England after an embarrassing government U-turn which means all primary schools in London will remain shut next week.

A union leader claimed what was right for London was right for the rest of the country and called on ministers to "do their duty" and close all primary and secondary schools to contain the coronavirus.

The demand, from the joint general secretary of the National Education Union, Mary Bousted, came after Education Secretary Gavin Williamson bowed to pressure to close all primary schools in the capital.

Dr Bousted has said her union would be holding an emergency meeting today to discuss the "chaos which is engulfing our schools".


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[Zizu]

Apparently the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) have now started legal proceedings against the Education department..



Staff at schools have a legal right not to return to classrooms due to the spread of COVID, a leading union has said - while another has started legal proceedings against the Department for Education.

The National Education Union (NEU) has said all primary schools should remain closed for at least two weeks following the Christmas break, and is urging Education Secretary Gavin Williamson to move all learning online as infections continue to rise.

And the government's handling of the situation has prompted the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) union, along with the Association of School and College Leaders, to make preliminary steps in legal proceedings.

[Tom4784]

It's foolishness to open schools, if a child has the means to learn at home, they should be learning at home.

As it was in the first lockdown, schools should only stay open for kids who can't learn at home, whether that be for lack of access to the appropriate technology or having parents that key workers or who cannot work from home.

The majority of students should not be returning next week.

[Lee.]

Our schools were due back on Wednesday, but that has now been changed to the 11th, when learning will begin online for all ages, except the children of key workers. This will be reviewed on the 18th, but I reckon they’ll be home for the rest of January.

I’ll probably keep my two home regardless of the decisions made tbh.

[Zizu]

National Association of Head Teachers:

"We are calling upon government to remove people in schools from the physical harm caused by the current progress of the disease" and it has "commenced preliminary steps in legal proceedings against the Department for Education"


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[arista]

Today
57,725 have caught Covid-19


445 have Died


Patients in hospital
Latest available
23,823

Patients on ventilation
Latest available
1,847


74,570 Total Deaths


https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/

[Zizu]

Today
57,725 have caught Covid-19


445 have Died


Patients in hospital
Latest available
23,823

Patients on ventilation
Latest available
1,847


74,570 Total Deaths


https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/



Yes 57,725 new cases .. supposedly today’s figures don’t include Scotland ( according to LBC Radio )

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210102/10734616f1a64189f7722af839ebc89b.jpg


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[Mystic Mock]

Yes 57,725 new cases .. supposedly today’s figures don’t include Scotland ( according to LBC Radio )

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210102/10734616f1a64189f7722af839ebc89b.jpg


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****ing hell at that chart.:joker:

[arista]

[Yes 57,725 new cases .. supposedly today’s figures don’t
include Scotland ( according to LBC Radio )]


Yes not even the Total UK.

[Zizu]

****ing hell at that chart.:joker:



Yes 35% increase in infections in 7 days !!


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[Zizu]

As we speak. ..

Live on LBC radio

David Lammy pulled no punches in his criticism of the Education Secretary's handling of schools reopening.

Following the Government U-turn on Friday to keep schools closed in London, David Lammy predicted that another U-turn will be made before Monday.


He said that when he saw that schools in his constituency were on a list to remain open, despite London being one of the worst struck parts of the country by coronavirus, David lobbied Education Secretary Gavin Williamson.

"Guess what? He did a U-turn!" David said that the ease with which Mr Williamson changed his mind meant that it could be done again.


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[arista]

As we speak. ..

Live on LBC radio

David Lammy pulled no punches in his criticism of the Education Secretary's handling of schools reopening.

Following the Government U-turn on Friday to keep schools closed in London, David Lammy predicted that another U-turn will be made before Monday.


He said that when he saw that schools in his constituency were on a list to remain open, despite London being one of the worst struck parts of the country by coronavirus, David lobbied Education Secretary Gavin Williamson.

"Guess what? He did a U-turn!" David said that the ease with which Mr Williamson changed his mind meant that it could be done again.




Of course
Lammy is Crazy Labour

[bots]

Well Gavin Williamson is a complete cretin, and I dont use that phrase lightly. There have ben a few tragic cabinet ministers through the ages, but he is number 1 in the category. The most incompetent idiot ever to be awarded a cabinet position

[Zizu]

Well Gavin Williamson is a complete cretin, and I dont use that phrase lightly. There have ben a few tragic cabinet ministers through the ages, but he is number 1 in the category. The most incompetent idiot ever to be awarded a cabinet position



Worse than Gove ?


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[Kizzy]

Of course
Lammy is Crazy Labour

Labour is crazy now. whys this then?

More crazy than a PM who floated the idea of herd immunity during a pandemic?.. :/

[Tom4784]

Labour is crazy now. whys this then?

More crazy than a PM who floated the idea of herd immunity during a pandemic?.. :/

Because labour is the opposition so to a Tory, that means they are crazy and unhinged because tories are incapable of seeing beyond party lines.

Blind beyond their noses.

[arista]

https://c.files.bbci.co.uk/854B/production/_116332143_tele.jpg

[arista]

Labour is crazy now. whys this then?

More crazy than a PM who floated the idea of herd immunity during a pandemic?.. :/


Lammy goes over the top.

[Kizzy]

Lammy goes over the top.

We are in the middle of a public health crisis... if there ever was a time for politicians to cut the flannel and speak directly, it's now!

[Zizu]

Just listening to LBC radio .. many are supporting the idea of “televised learning’ as opposed to online learning .. they do it on other countries apparently.

Just needs the government to commandeer some tv channels..maybe all the BBC ones ??

A few for primary schools , one each for years 7 through to 11 , another for colleges .... seems outlandish but it it’s done elsewhere who knows ??

Supposedly a high % of pupils struggled with getting online but everyone has a telly ..


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[arista]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EqxRmaaVQAAKz2I?format=jpg&name=small

[arista]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EqxRmaHVQAADFyT?format=jpg&name=small

[arista]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EqxRmZsUUAAxQ3N?format=jpg&name=small

[Kizzy]

Just listening to LBC radio .. many are supporting the idea of “televised learning’ as opposed to online learning .. they do it on other countries apparently.

Just needs the government to commandeer some tv channels..maybe all the BBC ones ??

A few for primary schools , one each for years 7 through to 11 , another for colleges .... seems outlandish but it it’s done elsewhere who knows ??

Supposedly a high % of pupils struggled with getting online but everyone has a telly ..


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We've done it here for years, I remember 'words and pictures' (English) ' how we used to live' (History) my kids watched 'come outside' and ' El Nombre' there's tons of educational programming.
One of the best things ever was old sesame street, not even joking fantastic learning tool that was.

[Zizu]

We've done it here for years, I remember 'words and pictures' (English) ' how we used to live' (History) my kids watched 'come outside' and ' El Nombre' there's tons of educational programming.

One of the best things ever was old sesame street, not even joking fantastic learning tool that was.


Well off the top of my head there’s BBC BiteSize ... and as I said everyone has a telly ( and a mobile to organise/coordinate things ) .

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize


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[Ammi]

..Zizu, there is a petition atm about schools not going back...I don’t know if you were sent a link to it, being school staff...

[AnnieK]

I'm a little torn over schools. I personally think they should close for a little while but my 10 year old is desperate to get back. He finds the home learning tedious and misses his friends. The last lockdown seriously affected him, he became anxious and terribly nervy and clingy. On the other hand if he does go back, I know I will have to stay away from my Dad as he is in the vulnerable group. I just wish there was an answer now so I can prepare for whatever happens

[Ammi]

...it makes sense to me that as the second dose vaccination is being extended to a longer time, that it should and would follow that other ‘delays’ would work alongside that as well as the speed of the virus has accelerated so much and more and more young cases/children are being hospitalised with the virus...

[MTVN]

How many parents are relying on schools being open tomorrow for them to go to work, especially in tier 3 areas. Surely they can't just announce they are keeping them closed now on a Sunday less than 24 hours before the new term

[MTVN]

Word on the (nursing and medical) street is that this is largely completely untrue and this lady is probably in a bit of hot water. She's part of a group of political activists within nursing who are operating with an agenda. Complete mess, but don't listen to ANYTHING that isn't actually verified.

As a follow up to this:

Doctors have sought to reassure parents that there has been no increase in the severity of Covid-19 cases among children because of the new variant.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) said children's wards are not seeing any "significant pressure" from Covid-19.

It comes after a London hospital matron told BBC Radio 5 Live of having a ward full of children with coronavirus.

Laura Duffel said the surge in cases was "much scarier" than the first wave.

Ms Duffel, who has been working on Covid wards since the beginning of the UK's epidemic and specialises in children's intensive care, told 5 Live's Chiles on Friday show that people were "wrong" to say busy hospitals were merely a reflection of normal winter pressures on the NHS.

"This wave has just hit us so fast. It's literally in the space of a week that this has gotten so bad," she said.

"It's very different and I think that's what makes it so much scarier for us. We have children who are coming in. It was minimally affecting children in the first wave - [but now] we have a whole ward of children here [and] 20- and 30-year-olds with no underlying conditions are coming in."

However, doctors denied that the virus is putting significant additional pressure on children's wards across the country.

Virus is rife - 'but not among children'
Prof Russell Viner, president of the RCPCH, said: "Children's wards are usually busy in winter. As of now we are not seeing significant pressure from Covid-19 in paediatrics across the UK.

"As cases in the community rise there will be a small increase in the number of children we see with Covid-19, but the overwhelming majority of children and young people have no symptoms or very mild illness only.

"The new variant appears to affect all ages and, as yet, we are not seeing any greater severity amongst children and young people."

Dr Ronny Cheung, a consultant paediatrician at Evelina Children's Hospital, in London, added: "I've been the on-call consultant in a London children's hospital this week. Covid is rife in hospitals, but not among children - and that is corroborated by my colleagues across London."

Prof Calum Semple said that he spoke to colleagues on intensive care units and "not one of them has seen a surge in sick children coming into critical care and we're not hearing of a rise in cases in the wards either".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55518248

[bots]

i think we should note information we hear but not react hysterically. One persons view/experience doesn't make something true.

I think the strategy of closing schools in tier 4 for at least a little bit longer is a sensible approach as those areas need significant down pressure on the virus. I certainly don't think students should be going back any time soon. Lets do a gradual opening and see how it goes

[Ammi]

...I don’t understand how other changes can be announced, u turned, changed, re-arranged at very little notice because of certain unpredictability's which have to be adapted to for safety ..but it can’t apply in the same way with schools...it wouldn’t be such a ‘sudden announcement’ anyway, as there is constant communication (daily in many cases..)...with parents and schools and discussing these things on their forums...

[Zizu]

..Zizu, there is a petition atm about schools not going back...I don’t know if you were sent a link to it, being school staff...



Yes .. thanks


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[Zizu]

As a follow up to this:



Doctors have sought to reassure parents that there has been no increase in the severity of Covid-19 cases among children because of the new variant.



The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) said children's wards are not seeing any "significant pressure" from Covid-19.



It comes after a London hospital matron told BBC Radio 5 Live of having a ward full of children with coronavirus.



Laura Duffel said the surge in cases was "much scarier" than the first wave.



Ms Duffel, who has been working on Covid wards since the beginning of the UK's epidemic and specialises in children's intensive care, told 5 Live's Chiles on Friday show that people were "wrong" to say busy hospitals were merely a reflection of normal winter pressures on the NHS.



"This wave has just hit us so fast. It's literally in the space of a week that this has gotten so bad," she said.



"It's very different and I think that's what makes it so much scarier for us. We have children who are coming in. It was minimally affecting children in the first wave - [but now] we have a whole ward of children here [and] 20- and 30-year-olds with no underlying conditions are coming in."



However, doctors denied that the virus is putting significant additional pressure on children's wards across the country.



Virus is rife - 'but not among children'

Prof Russell Viner, president of the RCPCH, said: "Children's wards are usually busy in winter. As of now we are not seeing significant pressure from Covid-19 in paediatrics across the UK.



"As cases in the community rise there will be a small increase in the number of children we see with Covid-19, but the overwhelming majority of children and young people have no symptoms or very mild illness only.



"The new variant appears to affect all ages and, as yet, we are not seeing any greater severity amongst children and young people."



Dr Ronny Cheung, a consultant paediatrician at Evelina Children's Hospital, in London, added: "I've been the on-call consultant in a London children's hospital this week. Covid is rife in hospitals, but not among children - and that is corroborated by my colleagues across London."



Prof Calum Semple said that he spoke to colleagues on intensive care units and "not one of them has seen a surge in sick children coming into critical care and we're not hearing of a rise in cases in the wards either".



https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55518248



.... and yet according to the Birmingham’s leader Ian Lord they’ve seen Covid case rates in 5 to 14 yrs olds DOUBLE over the last 3 weeks ... he’s adamant that once the new variant is in schools it will spreads like wildfire


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[MTVN]

.... and yet according to the Birmingham’s leader Ian Lord they’ve seen Covid case rates in 5 to 14 yrs olds DOUBLE over the last 3 weeks ... he’s adamant that once the new variant is in schools it will spreads like wildfire


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Case rates maybe, that doesn't translate to 'hospital wards full of children suffering from Covid'

[joeysteele]

.... and yet according to the Birmingham’s leader Ian Lord they’ve seen Covid case rates in 5 to 14 yrs olds DOUBLE over the last 3 weeks ... he’s adamant that once the new variant is in schools it will spreads like wildfire


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Which in effect means the children may well be infecting loads of other people.

I understand the schooling issues however most in my family with children would prefer schools closed for a period longer than just the Christmas break.

So I stand with them.

[arista]

Johnson PM on Marr. BBC1HD
Said the Fast Test is Great?

But getting them done in every school,
is not going to happen.

[bots]

Boris is preparing the ground for making tier 4 tougher, which can only really mean schools closing

[Vanessa]

Boris is preparing the ground for making tier 4 tougher, which can only really mean schools closing

Schools definitely need to close.
It's just not safe at the moment.

[Zizu]

Case rates maybe, that doesn't translate to 'hospital wards full of children suffering from Covid'



No but the infection will spread through children home to their families which will translate to more hospital cases and deaths ..


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[Zizu]

Boris is preparing the ground for making tier 4 tougher, which can only really mean schools closing



I can see us ( schools) all going back for 2 to 3 weeks .. . the infection rates fuelled by the new variant will go through the roof , we’ll see far higher daily infection rates ( scarily high) then schools will have to be closed until after Feb half term ( apart from key worker and vulnerable kids)


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[Zizu]

Schools definitely need to close.

It's just not safe at the moment.



Apparently Brighton infections are 500% up since early December so this isn’t going to just go away over a few weeks


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[user104658]

As far as I know all Scottish schools are off until the 18th at least and that was announced ages ago... I haven't really seen many complaints about it. I think saying "schools are shut for the foreseeable!" is too much, some concrete answers are needed, however I don't know why there's been such a push back in England over just extending the Christmas break by a couple of weeks.

[bots]

the interesting thing about a variant with a high infection rate is that an equally rapid decrease in infection rate also becomes more likely if people adhere to the guidelines

[arista]

As far as I know all Scottish schools are off until the 18th at least and that was announced ages ago... I haven't really seen many complaints about it. I think saying "schools are shut for the foreseeable!" is too much, some concrete answers are needed, however I don't know why there's been such a push back in England over just extending the Christmas break by a couple of weeks.


Yes Lucky Scotland.

[arista]

Apparently Brighton infections are 500% up since early December so this isn’t going to just go away over a few weeks



Yes many are hoping for a U Turn today

[arista]

How many parents are relying on schools being open tomorrow for them to go to work, especially in tier 3 areas. Surely they can't just announce they are keeping them closed now on a Sunday less than 24 hours before the new term


Yes they can
it will put people out
but also stop those kids taking Covid-19 Variant
back home to an older person.

[arista]

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/01/02/22/37527340-9107143-image-a-34_1609625605947.jpg
If only every school made all kids have a mask on.

[Cherie]

Why can’t the school holiday calendar be rejigged just for this year...take a week off the Easter break and 4 weeks off the summer holidays and use them now,in that way children won’t miss out on learning this year, just focus on GCSE and A levels with online learning and let them have their holidays as normal..would that work

[Zizu]

Hospital Chief Executive Chris Hopson on Sky News now saying it’s perfectly clear that children and teenagers have and are playing a major role in the spread of Covid and given that Covid cases in our hospitals are up nearly 6,000 in the last 7 days ( a rise of 33% in one week) they are adamant that schools NEED to close as they did last March to TRY and slow this thing down .

Strict social restrictions are now necessary and it’s pure madness that hundreds of thousands of pupils will be mixing together starting tomorrow


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[Zizu]

Yes many are hoping for a U Turn today



I fear it’s too late as it will be seen as too embarrassing to leave it so late ..

I firmly believe that the government are playing roulette with us now .. they will keep schools open for the next two to three weeks and then close them till after the Feb half term break and just hope that the daily infection rate doesn’t spiral over 1,000 a day .


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[Zizu]

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/01/02/22/37527340-9107143-image-a-34_1609625605947.jpg
If only every school made all kids have a mask on.



Many teenage girls won’t wear them as it messes up their makeup ... sad but true .


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[Zizu]

Why can’t the school holiday calendar be rejigged just for this year...take a week off the Easter break and 4 weeks off the summer holidays and use them now,in that way children won’t miss out on learning this year, just focus on GCSE and A levels with online learning and let them have their holidays as normal..would that work



They just need to cancel all exams ASAP and let’s get through this nightmare.


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[Lee.]

Nicola’s latest statement;

“The rapid increase in Covid cases, driven by the new variant, is of very serious concern. The steep increases & severe NHS pressure being experienced in other parts of the UK is a sign of what may lie ahead. So we must take all steps to slow spread while vaccination progresses.

We, like other countries, are in a race between this faster spreading strain of Covid and the vaccination programme. As we work to vaccinate as quickly as possible, we must also do more to slow down the virus - to save lives & help the NHS care for all those who need it.

Following a meeting of the Scottish Government’s resilience committee yesterday to assess latest situation, the Cabinet will meet tomorrow am to consider further action to limit spread & I’ve asked for the Scottish Parliament to be recalled tomorrow afternoon so that I can set out our decisions in a statement.

All decisions just now are tough, with tough impacts. Vaccines give us way out, but this new strain makes the period between now & then the most dangerous since start of pandemic. So the responsibility of government must be to act quickly & decisively in the national interest.

For now, please continue to take Covid seriously - it is a real threat to life and health and, if it runs out of control, it damages the economy more too. Please stay at home as much as possible and avoid non essential interactions with other households. Thank you.”

All of mainland Scotland are under tier 4 restrictions so I’m guessing the only way to tighten the current guidelines, is to close schools completely again?

[Cherie]

They just need to cancel all exams ASAP and let’s get through this nightmare.


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okay but given the argument seems to be that children are missing out on vital learning, why not rearrange the school year so they have some of their 'summer holidays' now

[Zizu]

okay but given the argument seems to be that children are missing out on vital learning, why not rearrange the school year so they have some of their 'summer holidays' now



Presumably because it’s a logistical nightmare.. cancel the exams and teachers can concentrate on catching the pupils up / filling in gaps where required etc.
Many topics are taught in Year 7 ( or earlier) and simply returned to and added to each year ..

I think we are one of the few who are going ahead with testing these poor kids

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[Ammi]

Nicola’s latest statement;

“The rapid increase in Covid cases, driven by the new variant, is of very serious concern. The steep increases & severe NHS pressure being experienced in other parts of the UK is a sign of what may lie ahead. So we must take all steps to slow spread while vaccination progresses.

We, like other countries, are in a race between this faster spreading strain of Covid and the vaccination programme. As we work to vaccinate as quickly as possible, we must also do more to slow down the virus - to save lives & help the NHS care for all those who need it.

Following a meeting of the Scottish Government’s resilience committee yesterday to assess latest situation, the Cabinet will meet tomorrow am to consider further action to limit spread & I’ve asked for the Scottish Parliament to be recalled tomorrow afternoon so that I can set out our decisions in a statement.

All decisions just now are tough, with tough impacts. Vaccines give us way out, but this new strain makes the period between now & then the most dangerous since start of pandemic. So the responsibility of government must be to act quickly & decisively in the national interest.

For now, please continue to take Covid seriously - it is a real threat to life and health and, if it runs out of control, it damages the economy more too. Please stay at home as much as possible and avoid non essential interactions with other households. Thank you.”

All of mainland Scotland are under tier 4 restrictions so I’m guessing the only way to tighten the current guidelines, is to close schools completely again?

...it’s scary the speed of this ‘super spreader’ and how quickly the cases are being positively diagnosed and how many local hospitalised/serious cases I personally know of, only in the last week...

[Lee.]

...it’s scary the speed of this ‘super spreader’ and how quickly the cases are being positively diagnosed and how many local hospitalised/serious cases personally know of, only in the last week...

It is scary Ammi.. I know so many more people that have the virus now than back in April/May.
My cousin’s mother and father in law have both been very careful, but they went out for lunch once and had a man into their house to fix their boiler; both have had the virus. They’re both elderly and one has asthma, but they seem to be recovering well.

[Ammi]

It is scary Ammi.. I know so many more people that have the virus now than back in April/May.
My cousin’s mother and father in law have both been very careful, but they went out for lunch once and had a man into their house to fix their boiler; both have had the virus. They’re both elderly and one has asthma, but they seem to be recovering well.

...yeah, we would have almost daily updates of the local hospital’s COVID capacity from front line parents and the flow seemed fairly steady because our area is quite rural../...not hugely populated...but there hasn’t been a day since just before Christmas when I haven’t had contact about someone I know being admitted to hospital...plus many non hospitalised cases whose are atm in isolation...

[The Slim Reaper]

https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/brexit-news/yougov-polling-on-coronavirus-handling-by-governments-82488

UK government’s ‘world-beating’ coronavirus response ranked the worst globally

[Kizzy]

Not going to lie...I'm starting to panic a bit.

I'm working, is it just a matter of time? :(

[The Slim Reaper]

No guarantee anyone catches it, and you still have control over how exposed to others you are, and how you can minimise the risk. Also important to remember that most people that catch it are going to be ok.

Just keep doing what you can do and you should be ok.

[DouglasS]

Not going to lie...I'm starting to panic a bit.

I'm working, is it just a matter of time? :(

I lived with someone with COVID in a 2 bed flat and still didn’t catch it, I wasn’t even that careful at all. if you look after yourself you should be fine.

maybe if it’s possible try to avoid public transport and use taxis for the next month if you can afford it? As I imagine January is going to be the peak and the most exposed month due to the Christmas gatherings, new year gatherings and weather. Come February the peak should hopefully at least be declining for the vaccine and tier 4 effects start making an impact

[bots]

it is unsettling the rate that the virus is spreading, but if people continue to social distance, wash hands and wear masks, they are still much less likely to catch the virus. If you don't social distance, then your chances of catching it have increased markedly, and that's where the problem lies

[Lee.]

...yeah, we would have almost daily updates of the local hospital’s COVID capacity from front line parents and the flow seemed fairly steady because our area is quite rural../...not hugely populated...but there hasn’t been a day since just before Christmas when I haven’t had contact about someone I know being admitted to hospital...plus many non hospitalised cases whose are atm in isolation...

Yeah, I think we’re in for a few rough months again. I’m furloughed again, and kids are off school for the next few weeks at least. I do worry about husband having to go to work though.. during the first lockdown, Samuel was classed as “extremely vulnerable “ so we all had to shield, and Dave was furloughed too, but because Samuel is now more than two years post transplant, he no longer considered vulnerable.
Nothin really we can do though.. except disinfect him when he gets home from work and hope for the best 😊

[Zizu]

Not going to lie...I'm starting to panic a bit.

I'm working, is it just a matter of time? :(



I work in a secondary school .. I just don’t know how I can fail to contract the virus when we return in a few days .

I’m not going to lie either ... I’m terrified



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[Josy]

Nicola Sturgeon is recalling parliament and having an emergency debate tomorrow about further restrictions for Scotland, I think she wants to discuss the schools being closed for longer

[Zizu]

No guarantee anyone catches it, and you still have control over how exposed to others you are, and how you can minimise the risk. Also important to remember that most people that catch it are going to be ok.



Just keep doing what you can do and you should be ok.



That doesn’t really apply to us who are working in high schools with up to 1300 pupils and 150 staff in one huge incubator .. .. and up to 35 people at a time in a classroom ..

Masks are ONLY worn in corridors some pupils ( teenage girls ) even break that rule .


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[Lee.]

Not going to lie...I'm starting to panic a bit.

I'm working, is it just a matter of time? :(

I sympathise with you Kizzy; when this all kicked off, before lockdown happened, I was genuinely scared at work. Folk were mocking me for cleaning and washing my hands like a crazy person, and eventually I asked my boss to get my shifts covered for the rest of the week as I was feeling so stressed.. thankfully we closed at the end of that week.

All you can do, is keep hands clean, don’t touch face and wear a mask. And don’t be scared to tell space invaders to keep the **** back! :love:

[Zizu]

Yeah, I think we’re in for a few rough months again. I’m furloughed again, and kids are off school for the next few weeks at least. I do worry about husband having to go to work though.. during the first lockdown, Samuel was classed as “extremely vulnerable “ so we all had to shield, and Dave was furloughed too, but because Samuel is now more than two years post transplant, he no longer considered vulnerable.

Nothin really we can do though.. except disinfect him when he gets home from work and hope for the best [emoji4]



Hope everything goes well for you all


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[The Slim Reaper]

That doesn’t really apply to us who are working in high schools with up to 1300 pupils and 150 staff in one huge incubator .. .. and up to 35 people at a time in a classroom ..

Masks are ONLY worn in corridors some pupils ( teenage girls ) even break that rule .


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I agree, but I know kizzy doesn't work in a HS and I was trying to reassure her at the time. If I'm honest Zizu, I'm not sure how I'd be coping with it if I was you.

I've never been happier to have that "not allowed within 500 metres of a school" court order.

[Vanessa]

I'm supposed to be shielding.
But I didn't last year and I don't intend to this year either.
Staying home all day would drive me crazy.

[Lee.]

Hope everything goes well for you all


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Thank you 😊

[Josy]

That doesn’t really apply to us who are working in high schools with up to 1300 pupils and 150 staff in one huge incubator .. .. and up to 35 people at a time in a classroom ..

Masks are ONLY worn in corridors some pupils ( teenage girls ) even break that rule .


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ProTbf there are plenty of work places at risk with huge numbers of people together daily that have been in operation throughout, most have remained virus free, you just have to be careful and make sure you keep yourself safe.

[Vanessa]

Tbf there are plenty of work places at risk with huge numbers of people together daily that have been in operation throughout, most have remained virus free, you just have to be careful and make sure you keep yourself safe.

Yes. We have to wear masks at work now.

[bots]

one of the things that is pissing me off at the moment are the number of celebs and public figures that have been caught breaking the rules and then apologise when they get caught and thats the end of it. It makes my blood boil as it's pretty obvious they have been ignoring it all along :fist:

[Lee.]

That doesn’t really apply to us who are working in high schools with up to 1300 pupils and 150 staff in one huge incubator .. .. and up to 35 people at a time in a classroom ..

Masks are ONLY worn in corridors some pupils ( teenage girls ) even break that rule .


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If I was a teacher, I’d be going to work on a Hazmat suit! My daughter who’s in 5th year, has to wear a mask all the time in school, but my son who’s 3rd year at the same school only has to wear his in the corridors.. it’s madness tbh.
They say loads of the kids are filthy little brats.. not washing their hands after the toilet, not wearing a mask at all, sitting coughing in class without covering their mouth :yuk:

[Kizzy]

Thanks all, I work in a high risk area but not a school. Having a bit of a wobble as I did something silly and gave a colleague a lift... now I'm flapping.
I feel fine but it was stupid.
Like you Lee I'm the one at work wiping and spraying, so my other Co workers were surprised too.

[Zizu]

Yes. We have to wear masks at work now.



This new variant seems to have taken things to the next level though .

Anyways I’ll keep you all posted .. but if things go pear shaped .. it’s been nice chatting down the years ..


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[Vanessa]

Thanks all, I work in a high risk area but not a school. Having a bit of a wobble as I did something silly and gave a colleague a lift... now I'm flapping.
I feel fine but it was stupid.
Like you Lee I'm the one at work wiping and spraying, so my other Co workers were surprised too.

Yes, better not take any risks.
It's really hard, especially when you live on your own :(

[Cherie]

This new variant seems to have taken things to the next level though .

Anyways I’ll keep you all posted .. but if things go pear shaped .. it’s been nice chatting down the years ..


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Think positive Zizu, you say you have never had flu so you must have a strong respiratory system, and being around kids since March its possible you have had it already and were asymptomatic? have you considered doing an antibody test?

https://www.testingforall.org/

I did this one, costs 39.00 unfortunately I have no antibodies but then I haven't been exposed to a load of kids

[Kizzy]

£39? Didn't they say antibody tests would cost around £6?
That's a big jump :/

[Cherie]

£39? Didn't they say antibody tests would cost around £6?
That's a big jump :/

I have no idea, not heard of it

Do you have a link?

[Cherie]

Getting an antibody test
Antibody tests are not widely available yet.

Free antibody tests are currently only available for certain people who work in primary care, social care or education.

These tests are to help the NHS and scientists learn more about who has already had the virus and how it has spread in the UK.

Find out more about antibody testing on GOV.UK



https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/antibody-test-to-check-if-youve-had-coronavirus/

you might be eligible for a free one Zizu

[Zizu]

Getting an antibody test

Antibody tests are not widely available yet.



Free antibody tests are currently only available for certain people who work in primary care, social care or education.



These tests are to help the NHS and scientists learn more about who has already had the virus and how it has spread in the UK.



Find out more about antibody testing on GOV.UK







https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/antibody-test-to-check-if-youve-had-coronavirus/



you might be eligible for a free one Zizu

Thank you .

We are in for training on Thursday so we will be told all this then apparently along with being Covid tested ( in theory )


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[Zizu]

Sage Professor on Andrew Marr said this morning that closing schools is needed.

Data shows that teenagers for example are SEVEN times more likely than adults to bring the virus home to a household


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[Cherie]

Thank you .

We are in for training on Thursday so we will be told all this then apparently along with being Covid tested ( in theory )


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so you will be getting an antibody test then? that would put your mind at rest if you have already had it

[AnnieK]

I messaged my son's school and we are all systems go for wednesday return :eek:

Being a primary they don't wear masks but do stay in their bubble. They have been off 3 times and their teacher has had it. Hopefully they will be ok. I make him go straight for a shower as soon as he gets home and his uniform is washed every day. Not much else I can do. I think there is a possibility he has had an asymptomatic case as one of his best friends had it and the kid he sits next too....so either he has an excellent immune system or he has sone antibodies as he has been well and truly exposed :shrug:

Just have to be wary of my dad

[Kizzy]

I have no idea, not heard of it

Do you have a link?

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jul/18/uk-plans-millions-of-coronavirus-antibody-tests-after-trial-success-report

Can't find it.. heres one that says they'll be free..

Guess they changed their mind on that one.

[Vanessa]

I messaged my son's school and we are all systems go for wednesday return :eek:

Being a primary they don't wear masks but do stay in their bubble. They have been off 3 times and their teacher has had it. Hopefully they will be ok. I make him go straight for a shower as soon as he gets home and his uniform is washed every day. Not much else I can do. I think there is a possibility he has had an asymptomatic case as one of his best friends had it and the kid he sits next too....so either he has an excellent immune system or he has sone antibodies as he has been well and truly exposed :shrug:

Just have to be wary of my dad
Why don't they just close the schools until it's safer?

[Kizzy]

Here's a link for anyone working in schools, hospitals or care homes.

https://www.gov.uk/register-coronavirus-antibody-test

[user104658]

Nicola Sturgeon is recalling parliament and having an emergency debate tomorrow about further restrictions for Scotland, I think she wants to discuss the schools being closed for longerThis was inevitable and I think for anyone being realistic, expected for most people since the announcement that they weren't going back after Christmas break. They worded it as being until "at least" the 18th which usually means "we're already pretty sure it's not going to be the 18th". They'd just have said "will return" or "intend to return" for the 18th otherwise.

I think realistically they should just commit to schools being off until "at least" the start of March, review it then, and if things are still bad then back after Easter. Frankly if there's no improvement by Easter then might as well just get on with it. But I strongly suspect cases will start to drop off dranatclicalky again from mid spring. What happens next Autumn is more of a question mark.
I messaged my son's school and we are all systems go for wednesday return :eek:

Being a primary they don't wear masks but do stay in their bubble. They have been off 3 times and their teacher has had it. Hopefully they will be ok. I make him go straight for a shower as soon as he gets home and his uniform is washed every day. Not much else I can do. I think there is a possibility he has had an asymptomatic case as one of his best friends had it and the kid he sits next too....so either he has an excellent immune system or he has sone antibodies as he has been well and truly exposed :shrug:

Just have to be wary of my dadYour son is 10 or so right Annie? At that age being totally asymptomatic is actually more likely than not so if he wasn't tested at the time, I'd say there is a decent chance, especially if he was sat right next to a kid who had symptoms.

Thankfully - despite some of the recent media drama - healthy kids under 12 getting ill from this in any meaningful way is still EXCEPTIONALLY rare. As you say it's just a matter of being vigilant about who he's in contact with outside of school.

[Zizu]

so you will be getting an antibody test then? that would put your mind at rest if you have already had it



The email was rather vague tbh but it looks as though staff will be tested weekly ( presuming the tests turn up) .. the laptops never did ;)


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[Cherie]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jul/18/uk-plans-millions-of-coronavirus-antibody-tests-after-trial-success-report

Can't find it.. heres one that says they'll be free..

Guess they changed their mind on that one.

The link I posted is Roche, not NHS

[Kizzy]

I messaged my son's school and we are all systems go for wednesday return :eek:

Being a primary they don't wear masks but do stay in their bubble. They have been off 3 times and their teacher has had it. Hopefully they will be ok. I make him go straight for a shower as soon as he gets home and his uniform is washed every day. Not much else I can do. I think there is a possibility he has had an asymptomatic case as one of his best friends had it and the kid he sits next too....so either he has an excellent immune system or he has sone antibodies as he has been well and truly exposed :shrug:

Just have to be wary of my dad

Anything could happen before weds Annie...

If I were you whatever they are studying at school.. (it's always tudors) joke lol get some info on just incase. Is bitwise still a thing? So he can stay up to speed if they can't go back.

Just be thankful it's not yr10 maths he might need help with ;)

[Cherie]

The email was rather vague tbh but it looks as though staff will be tested weekly ( presuming the tests turn up) .. the laptops never did ;)


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You should do an antibody test as a starting point, then you know what you are dealing with

[Zizu]

Starmer just called for a nationwide lockdown in the next 24 hours


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[arista]

Many teenage girls won’t wear them as it messes up their makeup ... sad but true .




Yes but we need it enforced
sod their makeup

[Vanessa]

Starmer just called for a nationwide lockdown in the next 24 hours


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We're already in lockdown here in London :(

[user104658]

Why don't they just close the schools until it's safer?It's a complicated situation unfortunately - as a knee-jerk that feels like the right answer however there are sadly an awful lot of children who will fall through the cracks - both their education and future and, frankly, their overall safety - if schools are closed longer term.

I thi k it would be easier to justify if we were saying that we know FOR SURE that the vaccines are going to solve this and its just a matter of getting through the next 6 months - but in a world where its still a case of not knowing how long this light be going on for, maintaining education had to be a priority.

Its a delicate area really. If you have everyone miss a full year and simply repeat it, then you have a year where there are NO new high school students, and a year when there are NO new high school graduates, the knock-on being a year at some point in the next decade when there are NO new doctors/nurses/teachers... And that becomes a very big problem.

[Kizzy]

The link I posted is Roche, not NHS

Oh yes, that's the company that makes them so thell be doing it for profit. But there was an article like this guardian one that the govt stated they would either cheap or free.it was in the summer.

[arista]

The Labour Leader is Now saying
is saying more schools must close
due to the increased level.


He wants a National Lockdown
on SkyNewsHD

[Zizu]

You should do an antibody test as a starting point, then you know what you are dealing with



I’ll look into it .. although they’re saying that there’s no guarantee that you are immune for any more than 12 weeks after having the virus .. maybe that will be one of the new measures they are proposing ..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[arista]

Starmer just called for a nationwide lockdown in the next 24 hours






Yes better than his 2 week mess

[user104658]

Anything could happen before weds Annie...



If I were you whatever they are studying at school.. (it's always tudors) joke lol get some info on just incase. Is bitwise still a thing? So he can stay up to speed if they can't go back.



Just be thankful it's not yr10 maths he might need help with ;)I swear high school maths is fine! If my daughter had brought me a page of standard deviations or quadratics last April I'd have been able to talk her through it no problem...

... But she presented me a page of long division, on paper, show your working, no calculator.

:umm2:

... I had to tell her I was busy with work, then spent an hour brushing up on Google!

I literally had no idea how to do it. It's something you do in the final couple of years at primary school and then NEVER see again for the rest of your time at school :joker:

[The Slim Reaper]

Instructions have been clear :laugh:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EqzL-CoXYAEnUpf?format=jpg&name=medium

[Vanessa]

It's a complicated situation unfortunately - as a knee-jerk that feels like the right answer however there are sadly an awful lot of children who will fall through the cracks - both their education and future and, frankly, their overall safety - if schools are closed longer term.

I thi k it would be easier to justify if we were saying that we know FOR SURE that the vaccines are going to solve this and its just a matter of getting through the next 6 months - but in a world where its still a case of not knowing how long this light be going on for, maintaining education had to be a priority.

Its a delicate area really. If you have everyone miss a full year and simply repeat it, then you have a year where there are NO new high school students, and a year when there are NO new high school graduates, the knock-on being a year at some point in the next decade when there are NO new doctors/nurses/teachers... And that becomes a very big problem.

The tires aren't working.
Cases are rising.
The only way to being them down is a lockdown, with schools closed.
At least until the situation improves.

[arista]

Yes Slim Put "England"
Instructions

[Vanessa]

We won't see the effects of the vaccines until spring.
From here to spring we will still be in danger.
A lockdown is the only way.

[arista]

We won't see the effects of the vaccines until spring.
From here to spring we will still be in danger.
A lockdown is the only way.


Yes I expect The Labour Leader
going on AM TV
on Monday

[arista]

54,990 Today caught Covid-19

454 UK Deaths
75,024 Total UK deaths.

Patients in hospital
Latest available
23,823

Patients on ventilation
Latest available
1,847

https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/


https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map
Interactive Map For England Only
Put your postcode in.

[Vanessa]

India just appproved their own vaccine.

[arista]

India just appproved their own vaccine.


https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-india-covaxin/indias-approval-of-homegrown-vaccine-criticised-over-lack-of-data-idUKKBN2980BZ



Yes they need more.
High Population

[arista]

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/01/03/15/37548740-9108533-image-a-10_1609688867845.jpg
[Keir Starmer demands new national squeeze
within 24 hours to stop 'out of control' mutant Covid
as Boris Johnson admits tougher
measures are 'probably' needed]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9108533/Keir-Starmer-demands-new-national-lockdown-Boris-Johnson-hints-action.html

[Zizu]

54,990 Today caught Covid-19

454 UK Deaths
75,024 Total UK deaths.

Patients in hospital
Latest available
23,823

Patients on ventilation
Latest available
1,847

https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/


https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map
Interactive Map For England Only
Put your postcode in.



55,000 on a SUNDAY !!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Zizu]

We won't see the effects of the vaccines until spring.

From here to spring we will still be in danger.

A lockdown is the only way.



Agreed ..

Harsh restrictions alongside closing schools ( apart from keyworker and vulnerable kids) .. and severe punishments for any rule breakers .

We may just get out of this situation but I fear the worst , I’ll be honest .


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[arista]

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/01/03/16/37549586-9108587-image-a-39_1609692562316.jpg
[Demonstrators claimed the Covid vaccine was
in fact 'hydrogen with a bio sensor' as they stood outside
the Nottingham BBC headquarters]

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/01/03/16/37549588-9108587-image-a-38_1609692557299.jpg
[Police were at the scene of a march through
Nottingham city centre this afternoon,
as demonstrators declared the Covid-19 pandemic as a 'hoax']


Crazy people.


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9108587/Children-lockdown-protesters-Nottingham-march.html

[Nicky91]

just deny them any treatments if they still think about covid-19 as a 'hoax'

i mean we can just say, ''you guys didn't believe this was true''

[Zizu]

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/01/03/16/37549586-9108587-image-a-39_1609692562316.jpg
[Demonstrators claimed the Covid vaccine was
in fact 'hydrogen with a bio sensor' as they stood outside
the Nottingham BBC headquarters]

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/01/03/16/37549588-9108587-image-a-38_1609692557299.jpg
[Police were at the scene of a march through
Nottingham city centre this afternoon,
as demonstrators declared the Covid-19 pandemic as a 'hoax']


Crazy people.


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9108587/Children-lockdown-protesters-Nottingham-march.html



Honestly.. we need to start clamping down on these people ..


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[Vanessa]

Agreed ..

Harsh restrictions alongside closing schools ( apart from keyworker and vulnerable kids) .. and severe punishments for any rule breakers .

We may just get out of this situation but I fear the worst , I’ll be honest .


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Things will get better once all the vulnerable people are vaccinated.
But that will take some time.
At least we now have the vaccine and they can make a new one if necessary next year.

[bots]

they could close the schools now aand open them up over the summer to compensate with no loss in education. People need to get creative

[The Slim Reaper]

Jesus, everything needs to be locked down, especially schools.


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eq1hdznXEAQVOv7?format=jpg&name=large

[joeysteele]

Unbelievable that this PM has just announced last week harder restrictions.
Then today saying more could be needed.

Here's that dangerous procrastination again.
For goodness sake man just act and do it now to offset it maybe needed for longer.

He must have seen data that has led him to think he needs to warn of likely even harder action could be needed.

So just do it, don't wait.
Stop playing dangerous games with the health and lives of people.

Scandalous his procrastinating has been all through.

[user104658]

Jesus, everything needs to be locked down, especially schools.


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eq1hdznXEAQVOv7?format=jpg&name=large

I mean... the graph you posted explains why this graph shouldn't be taken as representative of the actual situation, right there at the top.

I'm not saying it isn't a worsening situation, and that spike at the end there is alarming, but having a graph like this that stretches back further than late-summer is meaningless as testing early on was non-existant and at much lower levels than now right up until a couple of months ago.

In short; we have absolutely no idea what that graph actually looks like for last Spring. My gut feeling is that things are probably worse now in terms of case numbers. How that translates into severe acses/deaths is really anyone's guess. Thats for two reasons; improved treatment options (fewer severe cases die than Spring), and different infected demographic (a lot of the positive cases this time round are under-40's, which means the cases spike won't necessarily create the same deaths spike as spring).

Again I do think deaths per day are going to go higher than they did in April, but not by several orders of magnitude as that graph would suggest.

[user104658]

Basically I think the time to "panic" panic is when ICU beds are overwhelmed and when/if the deaths per day edge over 1500. The data for number of cases is hard to interpret and should only really be looked at over the recent term (a month, maybe a month and a half) and on a 7 day rolling average.

[Vanessa]

We definitely need a national lockdown.
At least until spring

[bots]

There is too much inertia related to demographics on the infection rate. We should watch the number of hospital admissions and the icu capacity carefully to see what happening now.I think peak infection will be toward the 100k if schools remain open, and that will probably be end of january. The next couple of weeks will be a nail biter as we see the effect of Christmas mixing on hospitalisation. I think its going to be grim

[arista]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eq1rS1-XAAcp8Tn?format=jpg&name=medium

[Zizu]

Basically I think the time to "panic" panic is when ICU beds are overwhelmed and when/if the deaths per day edge over 1500. The data for number of cases is hard to interpret and should only really be looked at over the recent term (a month, maybe a month and a half) and on a 7 day rolling average.



1500 deaths a day is virtually one death EVERY 55 seconds !!


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[DouglasS]

1500 deaths a day is virtually one death EVERY 55 seconds !!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Let’s put this in perspective... there is a birth every 3 seconds in the UK..

With a population of 65 million it’s really a tiny percentage, 1500 out of 65,000,000 (0.002% of the population dying of covid a day at its very worst), barely 1 in 100,000 a day. Not downplaying it at all, but scaremongering is not good for anyone

[arista]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eq2GcJ-U0AAwSik?format=jpg&name=small

[arista]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eq2GdtjUwAAl6PL?format=jpg&name=small

[arista]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eq2GcKIUwAAO4FJ?format=jpg&name=small

[arista]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eq2GcKSUYAAF7Ch?format=jpg&name=small

[arista]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eq2GcJwVoAAlD3Q?format=jpg&name=small

[arista]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eq2GdtbUUAAvjiQ?format=jpg&name=small

[arista]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eq2GbMMVkAAtH7y?format=jpg&name=small

[Vanessa]

Tier 5 ? :skull:

[user104658]

1500 deaths a day is virtually one death EVERY 55 seconds !!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I wasn't trying to say it's not a horrific number, just pointing out that the peak was 1000+ last spring so up to 50% higher wouldn't be outwith expectations for the 2nd wave of an epidemic, and thus wouldn't be "time to panic" (if there is one). Also pointing out that if you were to take the graph posted "as read" it would be much higher than that, highlighting that it's important to remember that we have no idea what the infections-per-day or infections-per-100k-population were back in April so trying to graph them is largely meaningless.

[Lee.]

Let’s put this in perspective... there is a birth every 3 seconds in the UK..

With a population of 65 million it’s really a tiny percentage, 1500 out of 65,000,000 (0.002% of the population dying of covid a day at its very worst), barely 1 in 100,000 a day. Not downplaying it at all, but scaremongering is not good for anyone

You are absolutely downplaying it. The NHS are almost overwhelmed.
If that big buffoon in Westminster doesn’t take action quickly, those figures will double, then treble within months.
It’s not about the 00000.00002 or whatever, it’s about how our health service can cope, and if they get to the point where their staff are off sick, the admissions are rising and they literally can’t cope, then we’re ****ed.

Look at the excess deaths from March until this year.

[Vanessa]

We need a national lockdown at least until spring.
But Boris doesn't want it :fist:

[Ammi]

...it really does feel more now like the perfect storm, compared to earlier in the year...and the NHS is so disabled already with the loss ...(...and continued illness...)...of many of their workforce from the first wave...before, a lot was through the media but now, it’s more first hand with those we know becoming ill and it’s a rapid thing...

[Strictly Jake]

My daughters primary isnt opening until at least feb which im happy about it just isnt safe. I dont feel safe at work either. Its time for a national lockdown

[Ammi]

My daughters primary isnt opening until at least feb which im happy about it just isnt safe. I dont feel safe at work either. Its time for a national lockdown

...I’m glad that you feel assured of having your daughter safely with you atm, Jake...:hug:..

[AnnieK]

Worrying times ahead. We all knew it was coming with Christmas but its scary. What is even more scary is the thought that if they had kwpt the 5 days of mixing how much worse it would have been. We didn't see anyone outside of our support bubble so I would be confident sending my boy back to school on Weds knowing he won't pass anything on but its impossible to know who his classmates have mixed with.

[arista]

We need a national lockdown at least until spring.
But Boris doesn't want it :fist:


We may get a Press Conference or Something later
with a U Turn.

Lets see what the day brings us.

[Beastie]

National lockdown will start from tomorrow or Wednesday. Its coming.

[AnnieK]

National lockdown will start from tomorrow or Wednesday. Its coming.

I think so too

[arista]

The Health Secretary (GMBHD itv Live)
said on the New Variant - you only need a small amount to get infected.
He may mean the South African Variant Covid-19.

[joeysteele]

The Health Secretary (GMBHD itv Live)
said on the New Variant - you only need a small amount to get infected.
He may mean the South African Variant Covid-19.


He's an absolute disaster.
As usual.

I just watch him in near despair now as to his in my view, gross , incompetence.

[bots]

there are various ways the variant could be more infectious. It could less viral load from the infected person, meaning they could be infectious to others earlier (when probably completely asymptomatic) or it could be this variant hangs around in the air longer, or it could be its increased ability to get through cell walls, meaning there is more chance of getting infected rather than it passing harmlessly through the body. As far as i am aware there has been nothing published that supports any specific reason yet

[Zizu]

.....

[arista]

[Health Secretary MattHancock
'does not rule out' the prospect of another national lockdown,
as Tier 3 areas see a sharp rise in cases]


SkyNewsHD

[Vanessa]

[Health Secretary MattHancock
'does not rule out' the prospect of another national lockdown,
as Tier 3 areas see a sharp rise in cases]


SkyNewsHD

Tier 4 is basically a lockdown.
They may move all of the UK in tier 4?

[arista]

Tier 4 is not working


The PM is on both news channels not live "Latest"
saying Tougher measures are due soon


North London Hospital.


The One question reporter
said Schools are not safe.
Many schools are not open.

[joeysteele]

Tier 4 is not working


The PM is on both news channels
saying Tougher measures are due soon


North London Hospital.


The One question bloke
said Schools are not safe.
Many schools are not open.

Well why doesn't he get on with it and do it.

Faffing on talking about it delaying vital days and risking more lives.
Honestly he infuriates me.
An impossible man it seems to deal with.

[arista]

Well why doesn't he get on with it and do it.

Faffing on talking about it delaying vital days and risking more lives.
Honestly he infuriates me.
An impossible man it seems to deal with.



Yes Dithering Johnson.

[Zizu]

All this additional stress and turmoil is so unnecessary and could so easily have been avoided .

Boris should have put us into a lockdown after the Christmas period and everyone would have had time to adjust .

Now we’ve got schools going back , schools closing , unions involved, headmasters taking legal action ... all this while the virus spreads out of control...

When he does finally make the decision everyone will say that he was forced into doing the right thing by flamin Starmer !!

Oh Boris ..


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[arista]

All this additional stress and turmoil is so unnecessary and could so easily have been avoided .

Boris should have put us into a lockdown after the Christmas period and everyone would have had time to adjust .

Now we’ve got schools going back , schools closing , unions involved, headmasters taking legal action ... all this while the virus spreads out of control...

When he does finally make the decision everyone will say that he was forced into doing the right thing by flamin Starmer !!

Oh Boris ..





It appears he will never do what Starmer calls for

[Josy]

Watching Boris on the news there, announcement coming soon etc just ****ing do it now, stop dragging the feet put out an emergency announcement and get it done

[Zizu]

Watching Boris on the news there, announcement coming soon etc just ****ing do it now, stop dragging the feet put out an emergency announcement and get it done



He can’t do it today because Starmer demanded that Boris took action “ in the next 24hrs” .. . To save face the soonest he can do anything is tomorrow imho


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Ammi]

...we’re told that the concern now is a highly contagious fast spreading variant so surely that’s also how the decisions should follow in what needs to be implemented to preserve as many lives as possible...’highly contagious and fast spreading’ etc seems incompatible with slow decision making and having more time to monitor...everything is just so contradictory...’when we look back in history’ is something that I hear a lot...but for some, there will be no history and I wonder how much of that ‘some’ could have been avoided....

[Josy]

He can’t do it today because Starmer demanded that Boris took action “ in the next 24hrs” .. . To save face the soonest he can do anything is tomorrow imho


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ProIt's being announced later today apparently

[Zizu]

Sorry to be the bearer of even more worrying news .... it’s looking like new SA variant may NOT respond as well to the new vaccines !!!!



Robert Peston
(@Peston)
According to one of the government's scientific advisers, the reason for @MattHancock's "incredible worry" about the South African Covid-19 variant is that they are not as confident the vaccines will be as effective against it as they are for the UK's variant. https://t.co/prc2udPVVP

January 4, 2021.




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[arista]

Watching Boris on the news there, announcement coming soon etc just ****ing do it now, stop dragging the feet put out an emergency announcement and get it done


Yes he keeps saying waiting for the numbers.

[Zizu]

It's being announced later today apparently



24 hours and a minute AFTER Starmer’s outburst ??


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Ammi]

He can’t do it today because Starmer demanded that Boris took action “ in the next 24hrs” .. . To save face the soonest he can do anything is tomorrow imho


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

...we seriously have a PM who would worry about ‘saving face’ over saving lives...?...that’s an horrendous notion...

[arista]

Sorry to be the bearer of even more worrying news .... it’s looking like new SA variant may NOT respond as well to the new vaccines !!!!



Robert Peston
(@Peston)
According to one of the government's scientific advisers, the reason for @MattHancock's "incredible worry" about the South African Covid-19 variant is that they are not as confident the vaccines will be as effective against it as they are for the UK's variant. https://t.co/prc2udPVVP

January 4, 2021.





Yes the Professor that works for OxfordAstraZennacca
Says they are doing blood tests
to find out how bad the South African Variant Covid is.

He was on GMBHD itv early.

[bots]

i think they will be doing something to beef up the tiers. Given that Boris said only yesterday that schools should go back today, he would be ridiculed if he were to say they should close today. My best guess is that it will be something to do with universities/colleges and keeping them closed and maybe only essential workers should travel from home, but i think that unlikely

[The Slim Reaper]

Schools are super spreaders, so they need to be closed. We need a full lockdown, no more tier nonsense. I live in tier 4, and it's absolutely no different to tier 1. Shops open, people out and about. This tier nonsense has to go, and clear instructions about staying home need to given.

[arista]

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/01/04/09/37572298-9110319-image-a-22_1609753333946.jpg
Chase Farm Hospital in North London


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9110319/Tory-fury-Matt-Hancock-hints-tougher-lockdown-saying-ruled-out.html

[arista]

Scotland has Called their Parliament back
More measures today.

[The Slim Reaper]

1346068950258511873

[The Slim Reaper]

Chase Farm Hospital in North London


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9110319/Tory-fury-Matt-Hancock-hints-tougher-lockdown-saying-ruled-out.html

https://i.redd.it/irzyhpeb27g51.png

[AnnieK]

1346068950258511873

That's the crux of it....kids, particularly primary aged need picking up from school....quite often by grandparents if the parents are working. These kids may not be ill but carrying the virus which they give to nan and grandad who then end up in hospital

[DouglasS]

I think he is considering other factors such as all the NHS nurses and doctors who will have to have time off work to look after their primary school kids, that will burden the NHS also. Also putting kids behind even further is going to have a negative impact in futures years.

I think he will close the schools, but there are many factors to consider, sometimes it’s worth having trust in the government and their data rather than being cocksure you know best

[The Slim Reaper]

He's keeping schools open because of NHS workers with kids? He will close schools but he's considering other factors that we should support him on, but we can't know?

We shouldn't be cocksure and should support the government that has done so many u-turns it's basically going round in circles?

At least try to make sense if this is what you're going with.

[bots]

i always thought the spreading part of it was completely different to if the kids were at risk. What I could never reconcile was the way they keep banging on about how asymptomatic people can spread it easily, and yet school kids are just ignored from that equation, it's just not logical

[The Slim Reaper]

i always thought the spreading part of it was completely different to if the kids were at risk. What I could never reconcile was the way they keep banging on about how asymptomatic people can spread it easily, and yet school kids are just ignored from that equation, it's just not logical

They've purposefully been playing a very deliberate game to keep those issues apart from one another, it's why they always say schools are safe for kids, then refuse to even acknowledge that they're not safe for adults that interact with them.

[user104658]

Scottish schools closed until at least February, still open to vulnerable kids, although the rhetoric from my youngest's ASD provision has changed from "all welcome back on the 11th of Jan" to "please make other arrangements if you can unless this would cause your child distress".

I imagine the "please make other arrangements if you can" will apply to the children of keyworkers, too. So they're really highly recommending as few kids as possible be in school now.

[AnnieK]

It's not really being cocksure, its reality. My son was off 3 times last term.....until December the longest they were in was 2 weeks before having to go off.....the final time they had to isolate 6 kids had it and then the teacher was off longer as she tested positive during the isolation period. Kids spread it....we don't need to see data to know that. On one hand I admire the Government for trying to protect the mental health of children as a lot have and will continue to suffer but it can't be at the detriment to older people's health....as they are the people who will overwhelm the NHS which is what the Gov want so desperately to avoid

[Nicky91]

Germany extends Lockdown until 31st of January

[user104658]

It's not really being cocksure, its reality. My son was off 3 times last term.....until December the longest they were in was 2 weeks before having to go off.....the final time they had to isolate 6 kids had it and then the teacher was off longer as she tested positive during the isolation period. Kids spread it....we don't need to see data to know that. On one hand I admire the Government for trying to protect the mental health of children as a lot have and will continue to suffer but it can't be at the detriment to older people's health....as they are the people who will overwhelm the NHS which is what the Gov want so desperately to avoidI agree to an extent so long as the government accepts that the knock-on effect of this on an entire generation's education and mental health is going to be severe and will require significant investment to remedy in the aftermath... But it's Tories so I just don't see that happening. Once Covid is under control it'll be "it's over now business as usual what's your problem" because the kids who will be struggling the most will be from the demographic they care about the least.

In terms of how it spreads, there have been zero cases at my eldest's school and one case at my youngest's (a teaching assistant, transmission not related to school). Children hypothetically do help the virus to spread but it seems to very much vary; the idea that schools are all Covid hotbeds and a major contributor to how fast its now spreading is simply false and largely based on a false correlation (kids went back to school in autumn, cases started to rise in autumn). Closing schools MIGHT help so its worth it as a precaution... but it's not the major factor that is going to meaningfully change anything.

[bots]

I agree to an extent so long as the government accepts that the knock-on effect of this on an entire generation's education and mental health is going to be severe and will require significant investment to remedy in the aftermath... But it's Tories so I just don't see that happening. Once Covid is under control it'll be "it's over now business as usual what's your problem" because the kids who will be struggling the most will be from the demographic they care about the least.

In terms of how it spreads, there have been zero cases at my eldest's school and one case at my youngest's (a teaching assistant, transmission not related to school). Children hypothetically do help the virus to spread but it seems to very much vary; the idea that schools are all Covid hotbeds and a major contributor to how fast its now spreading is simply false and largely based on a false correlation (kids went back to school in autumn, cases started to rise in autumn). Closing schools MIGHT help so its worth it as a precaution... but it's not the major factor that is going to meaningfully change anything.


Where I am in Kent, before the winter lockdown, our infection rate was half the national average. During lockdown the infection rate rose exponentially. The schools were kept open, the number of infected youngsters went up exponentially. If thats not evidence of schools driving the infection rate up, i don't know what is.

[user104658]

Where I am in Kent, before the winter lockdown, our infection rate was half the national average. During lockdown the infection rate rose exponentially. The schools were kept open, the number of infected youngsters went up exponentially. If thats not evidence of schools driving the infection rate up, i don't know what is.If the infection rate went up exponentially and the infection rate amoungst young people went up exponentially, that's simply evidence of proportional increase, and doesn't say anything about the source of that increase unless the increase in rate of infection in young people preceeded the increase in the rest of the population.

[arista]

Scottish Parliament Live
both News Ch.

[Lee.]

Lockdown from midnight tonight.

[arista]

Lockdown from midnight tonight.



Yes Scotland
doing a faster move than Johnson in England

[Nicky91]

Netherlands: start of online education quite slow, also some problems logging in for some people (mostly due to some trying to log in at same time)

the apps which aren't working properly are the Parro-App which is being used by 6.000 schools to communicate with the parents

and also Zulu-Connect had a malfunction, this one being used for digital schoolwork for children (one also said too many wanted to use this app at the same time)

[Lee.]

Rooth the Mooth.. telly now off.

Oh well, best get my bog rolls and wine topped up again.

[Vanessa]

The schools are keeping cases up.
They need to close them or things will not improve.

[The Slim Reaper]

If the infection rate went up exponentially and the infection rate amoungst young people went up exponentially, that's simply evidence of proportional increase, and doesn't say anything about the source of that increase unless the increase in rate of infection in young people preceeded the increase in the rest of the population.

Also doesn't account for the fact that young people are more likely to be asymptomatic carriers and spreaders than diagnosed, so rates of infection appear as though they will always be behind the true numbers.

[Zizu]

Yes the Professor that works for OxfordAstraZennacca

Says they are doing blood tests

to find out how bad the South African Variant Covid is.



He was on GMBHD itv early.


South African version of the strain is showing very early signs of being resistant to the vaccines.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[bots]

Scotland is already locked down and people were already told to stay at home with schools closed, so what actually is the difference from midnight?

[arista]

[Jeremy Hunt MP demands immediate national lockdown
amid warnings pressure on NHS is 'off the scale']


Look Hunt you are back bencher now
you failed by going against Brexit.

[arista]

South African version of the strain is showing very early signs of being resistant to the vaccines.



Yes not looking good

[LukeB]

[Jeremy Hunt MP demands immediate national lockdown
amid warnings pressure on NHS is 'off the scale']


Look Hunt you are back bencher now
you failed by going against Brexit.

But he didn't lie :shrug: we do need a national lockdown

[arista]

But he didn't lie :shrug: we do need a national lockdown




Yes but the point is
he has no power
by being a back bencher, now