SARS CoV-2 coronavirus / Covid-19 (No tin foil hat silliness please)

[UnrelatedPsuedo]

To be fair, I can see why people object to the idea that wearing a sealed medical mask to the toilet is necessary. It looks almost certain that covid will never go away and vaccines will never be 100% effective. Which raises the possibility that - if we follow your logic - everyone should always do what you’re doing now. Forever. And that’s a grim thought, which will upset a lot of people.

Obviously, acting on that thought and confronting/challenging you is a dick move.

Honestly mate, I get it too. But I really don’t see any difference in a cloth face covering and an FFP3 (without the back of the head hook). It’s took elastic hooks behind your ears. Building policy says we should mask up in communal spaces… I do.

My point is : I don’t care that everyone else doesn’t. No comment. No anger. Doesn’t register. But I’ve decided to act in a way that potentially helps others without hindering anyone. To talk about it is so banal. One fella did it with his flies undone on his jeans. Mate, you’re only just keeping the mouse in the house, pipe down.

 

[UnrelatedPsuedo]

I still see people walk out of public toilets without washing their hands.

Humanity is fecked.

To be fair this is probably more pertinent than we acknowledge.

 

[horsechoker]

To be fair this is probably more pertinent than we acknowledge.

You'd think people would at least want to wash their hands after the outbreak of a pandemic and the general disgustingness of public bathrooms but no.

 

[Massive Spanner]

@Pogue Mahone hang on, I'm no Math expert but isn't this totally wrong? 95% vaccine effectiveness doesn't mean 5% of people who are vaccinated are vulnerable

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

Our wonderful experts at NPHET.

 

[UnrelatedPsuedo]

You'd think people would at least want to wash their hands after the outbreak of a pandemic and the general disgustingness of public bathrooms but no.

My immigrant girlfriend/partner/goddess has a half serious point that runs along the lines of “Country that has the worst public bathrooms and overall hygiene levels in the developed world has highest death toll. Shocker”.

 

[Vidyoyo]

Did one of those cool rapid antigen tests earlier and it came back negative, which is nice.

It makes me wonder how I've managed to pick up a cold...

 

[fergies coat]

So my daughter had to isolate for 10 days. (second time in two months) she went back to school on Monday, now someone else in her year has tested positive and now she has another 10 days off.

The whole school year has pretty much been wrote off, and half of the last school year. This needs to end now. If you work and have kids your screwed, but it's okay you can go to Spain on holiday Feck the kids.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

@Pogue Mahone hang on, I'm no Math expert but isn't this totally wrong? 95% vaccine effectiveness doesn't mean 5% of people who are vaccinated are vulnerable

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

Our wonderful experts at NPHET.

If anything that’s an underestimation. Because it’s assuming 100% of people over 70 have been vaccinated. Which isn’t the case. The latest figure I’ve seen is around 95% vaccinated in those age groups. So that’s 25000 that didn’t get any vaccine at all. So quibbling about efficacy % becomes irrelevant.

 

[Massive Spanner]

If anything that’s an underestimation. Because it’s assuming 100% of people over 70 have been vaccinated. Which isn’t the case. The latest figure I’ve seen is around 95% vaccinated in those age groups. So that’s 25000 that didn’t get any vaccine at all. So quibbling about efficacy % becomes irrelevant.

Wasn't my point though, his logic is all wrong, you'd surely expect him to understand how vaccine efficiency works seeing as he's the 3rd highest up in NPHET. It doesn't take a genius to understand that an individual having 95% protection is not the same as 95% of individuals being protected.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Wasn't my point though, his logic is all wrong, you'd surely expect him to understand how vaccine efficiency works seeing as he's the 3rd highest up in NPHET. It doesn't take a genius to understand that an individual having 95% protection is not the same as 95% of individuals being protected.

It’s basically the same thing. If you have 100 individuals, each 95% protected against severe illness, then you would expect 5% of them to get severe illness assuming they’re all exposed to the virus.

It’s that last bit where his logic falls apart but he doesn’t say that 25000 will get sick. Just that they’ll be vulnerable. A lot of the time you get people jumping all over “errors” from experts on twitter when all that’s happened is that they’ve tried to dumb tricky concepts down to make them easier to digest for the majority of readers.

At the end of the day, his point is essentially correct. Despite vaccinating (almost) all of our elderly, thousands of them can still get sick and die if case numbers get extremely high. Which is something that’s glossed over by people who like to think all our most vulnerable are definitely protected. There’s a big movement right now to try and claim we should ignore case numbers altogether with the elderly vaccinated. That’s an important point to argue against.

 

[Vidyoyo]

So my daughter had to isolate for 10 days. (second time in two months) she went back to school on Monday, now someone else in her year has tested positive and now she has another 10 days off.

The whole school year has pretty much been wrote off, and half of the last school year. This needs to end now. If you work and have kids your screwed, but it's okay you can go to Spain on holiday Feck the kids.

Are you WFH? I feel like there should be a policy to allow parents to have more time off in case of these situations.

Admittedly I don't know the realities of how that could or couldn't work.

 

[fergies coat]

Are you WFH? I feel like there should be a policy to allow parents to have more time off in case of these situations.

Admittedly I don't know the realities of how that could or couldn't work.

I'm self employed. If i don't work I don't get paid. There was parents dropping thier kids of at school to go to work, and being told at 8.30 in the morning that they need to isolate.

We were told back in March last year kids need to stay off school to protect the old and vulnerable. 33 million have had both doses, so why is this still happening? all the children lose out again.

 

[Sky1981]

If the government let off some restrictions it doesn't mean it's totally safe and you can just abandon your mask, rip of your shirt and support your football team in a 60k full capacity stadium (Looking at you Hungary).

Why does it have to be 100% safe or 100% not safe, why can't people just use common sense and play it safe (Health and mask protocol for a little more longer) social distancing, and not acting like a wild animal being let loose with all those over the top shenagigans (like rave party and shits like that)

 

[Ecstatic]

I'm self employed. If i don't work I don't get paid. There was parents dropping thier kids of at school to go to work, and being told at 8.30 in the morning that they need to isolate.

We were told back in March last year kids need to stay off school to protect the old and vulnerable. 33 million have had both doses, so why is this still happening? all the children lose out again.

It's a lack of respect and consideration when parents and citizens have to change their plans without notice.

I am of those who believe that schools should be open whatever the circumstances.

 

[BluesJr]

If the government let off some restrictions it doesn't mean it's totally safe and you can just abandon your mask, rip of your shirt and support your football team in a 60k full capacity stadium (Looking at you Hungary).

Why does it have to be 100% safe or 100% not safe, why can't people just use common sense and play it safe (Health and mask protocol for a little more longer) social distancing, and not acting like a wild animal being let loose with all those over the top shenagigans (like rave party and shits like that)

Because people are selfish and can't put limits on their behaviours. It's either complete lockdown or nothing it seems.

 

[Ecstatic]

The average person is properly stupid.

In the office today. I’m reasonably young and averagely healthy. No concerns. But when I come into my office once a week I take a Lateral Flow test an hour before cycling in. I wear a sealed medical mask when I go to the toilet.

Why? Because it’s me trying to look after others. I’ve had two doses of Pfizer. But science hasn’t told me with certainty that I can’t be the guy that carries Covid into a space I share with others. It’s close to zero effort and such little impact on me to act as I do.

But the amount of people that challenge me on wearing a damn mask to take a shit as if I’m wearing it on THEIR face. It’s crazy. Obviously I don’t like wearing a mask. Of course I think it’s going beyond what’s necessary to self-test before travel. But equally, why the Fcuk do people make it their business?

No offense intended but it looks like you work with average people who may find you "properly stupid" as you would say.

On a more serious note, I agree that people should respect your choice and stop to judge you.

 

[fergies coat]

It's a lack of respect and consideration when parents and citizens have to change their plans without notice.

I am of those who believe that schools should be open whatever the circumstances.

I've got 3 kids. They all live together and two share a bedroom, one of them has to isolate while the other two can go to school. How does this make any sense?

 

[Ludens the Red]

The worst thing about the app is there’s no process to check out of places after you’ve check in.

Have a look in your venue history; say you go somewhere for lunch, you check in at 12:30 and you’re there an hour, but if you don’t go anywhere else that day where you need to check in, the covid app records that you were at that place until midnight.

Geez, wasn’t even aware of that or that you even had the venue history option.

 

[golden_blunder]

Had the old covid .. just the one vaccination so far.
Few observations…..

seemed like hayfever at first. All of the same symptoms except had an added cough. Took an allergy pill and when the cough didn’t go I knew I had it and I knew exactly where I caught it from.

Did five home tests (rapid antigen tests), three were positive, two negative. So really conclusive and helped a lot……..
Anyway ignored that shit and Did the PCR and positive. Isolated.
Had a cough and blocked nose for about two days then the cough went and that was it really BUT feck me ive been nasally ever since. It’s been two weeks and I’m still nasally and it’s a bit annoying. I now permanently sound like I have a blocked nose but it’s not actually blocked. It’s really weird. I also can’t smell certain things.

Gonna elaborate. I can’t smell shitty smells. Being at home for ten days, levels of self hygiene wasn’t attended to as frequently but I noticed I never smelt bad. That didn’t add up. Threw bins out and didn’t smell any of the crap.Can still smell nice things though.

Once I uploaded my result. The nhs covid app advised five people I was with to isolate, even though I’d seen them three days before I even had symptoms. Seems very flawed and a bit too risk adverse. I don’t understand it’s logic.

On the plus side you can always get work on the bin lorries

 

[golden_blunder]

Thanks for the reply.

I got my PCR results this morning and I tested positive for Covid. Which makes sense given the way I've been feeling.

My chest is actually feeling better today but now I have a sore throat that makes swallowing difficult.

I will definitely call 111 if my symptoms get worse. I've also bought an oximeter to measure my oxygen levels. I had pneumonia twice as a child so I really need to be careful.

Good luck, hope you kick it soon

 

[UnrelatedPsuedo]

No offense intended but it looks like you work with average people who may find you "properly stupid" as you would say.

On a more serious note, I agree that people should respect your choice and stop to judge you.

Nah. No offence taken. You’re wrong.

 

[hmchan]

The average person is properly stupid.

In the office today. I’m reasonably young and averagely healthy. No concerns. But when I come into my office once a week I take a Lateral Flow test an hour before cycling in. I wear a sealed medical mask when I go to the toilet.

Why? Because it’s me trying to look after others. I’ve had two doses of Pfizer. But science hasn’t told me with certainty that I can’t be the guy that carries Covid into a space I share with others. It’s close to zero effort and such little impact on me to act as I do.

But the amount of people that challenge me on wearing a damn mask to take a shit as if I’m wearing it on THEIR face. It’s crazy. Obviously I don’t like wearing a mask. Of course I think it’s going beyond what’s necessary to self-test before travel. But equally, why the Fcuk do people make it their business?

The resistance to masks in the west is unbelievable.

 

[MDFC Manager]

Had the old covid .. just the one vaccination so far.
Few observations…..

seemed like hayfever at first. All of the same symptoms except had an added cough. Took an allergy pill and when the cough didn’t go I knew I had it and I knew exactly where I caught it from.

Did five home tests (rapid antigen tests), three were positive, two negative. So really conclusive and helped a lot……..
Anyway ignored that shit and Did the PCR and positive. Isolated.
Had a cough and blocked nose for about two days then the cough went and that was it really BUT feck me ive been nasally ever since. It’s been two weeks and I’m still nasally and it’s a bit annoying. I now permanently sound like I have a blocked nose but it’s not actually blocked. It’s really weird. I also can’t smell certain things.

Gonna elaborate. I can’t smell shitty smells. Being at home for ten days, levels of self hygiene wasn’t attended to as frequently but I noticed I never smelt bad. That didn’t add up. Threw bins out and didn’t smell any of the crap.Can still smell nice things though.

Once I uploaded my result. The nhs covid app advised five people I was with to isolate, even though I’d seen them three days before I even had symptoms. Seems very flawed and a bit too risk adverse. I don’t understand it’s logic.

fecking bizarre, its been 2+ months since I tested positive and I still can't smell shit smells, not with the previous intensity anyways. Its a bit alarming because that's an important safety mechanism.

 

[jojojo]

The ONS covid report is out. The difference between this and the daily case rates is that this is about a random sampling distribution across the country, and minimises the effect of things like local surge testing, LTFs in schools. The downside is that it can't always see local outbreaks, so it didn't spot the case rise in Bolton initially, and inevitably it's already out of date as soon as it's published.

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

Cases are highest in parts of Scotland, the North East and North West - but growing across the country. Almost all cases are now Delta variant according to the latest PHE report.

Massive concentration of cases in the (mostly) unvaccinated 16-25 group now. This really is a race between the virus and the vaccine in terms of case rates across the country now. And we're massively dependant on the vaccines when it comes to keeping hospitalisations down.

 

[Ecstatic]

The ONS covid report is out. The difference between this and the daily case rates is that this is about a random sampling distribution across the country, and minimises the effect of things like local surge testing, LTFs in schools. The downside is that it can't always see local outbreaks, so it didn't spot the case rise in Bolton initially, and inevitably it's already out of date as soon as it's published.

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

Cases are highest in parts of Scotland, the North East and North West - but growing across the country. Almost all cases are now Delta variant according to the latest PHE report.



Massive concentration of cases in the (mostly) unvaccinated 16-25 group now. This really is a race between the virus and the vaccine in terms of case rates across the country now. And we're massively dependant on the vaccines when it comes to keeping hospitalisations down.

Massive concentration of cases in the (mostly) unvaccinated 16-25 group now but this population section is unlikely to get hospitalised on average.

The comparison of number of cases without putting the numbers of tests undertaken also restrict the value of the data provided... How many are tested? Who is tested? What is the average age of the tested person?

Given the success of the vaccination campaign and the easing of the lockdown (more social interactions...reopening of international travel that requires tests..), the number of cases is no longer the most interesting indicator.

The Covid was the opportunity to see the vast majority of the population does not how to analyse, understand and interpret data in a very careful and rigorous manner, which requires some skills, a form of intelligence and humility.

The population at risk is largely vaccinated so what would be interesting to see is the evolution of both the number of deaths and hospitalisations in the last weeks.

When I see this picture, I just believe life should go on...

 

[SirAnderson]

I had that same shit. Legit couldn't smell or taste absolutely anything for 1 week. Happy it went away so quickly because my dad makes some incredible food and everything just tasted bland. It's crazy how so many people get different bizarre symptoms. I've heard about that tongue symptom on forums.

My test came back negative, and I have no desire to get that swab stuck back up my nose to confirm but I definitely have it.
No blocked nose and I have COMPLETELY lost smell, it is the worst ever, I can't enjoy a meal, it's depressing. How long did it take for you to get it back? How long for others who've had it?
I don't know how much longer I can take this, I love my food and not being to enjoy it is utterly depressing. I'd rather have the body pains and other stuff that to lose my smell and partially taste.

 

[SirAnderson]

fecking bizarre, its been 2+ months since I tested positive and I still can't smell shit smells, not with the previous intensity anyways. Its a bit alarming because that's an important safety mechanism.

What I would give to smell shits even. I can't smell jack shite.

 

[Ecstatic]

My test came back negative, and I have no desire to get that swab stuck back up my nose to confirm but I definitely have it.
No blocked nose and I have COMPLETELY lost smell, it is the worst ever, I can't enjoy a meal, it's depressing. How long did it take for you to get it back? How long for others who've had it?
I don't know how much longer I can take this, I love my food and not being to enjoy it is utterly depressing. I'd rather have the body pains and other stuff that to lose my smell and partially taste.

Unfortunately, I know somebody in the same situation after several months: some progress over time but very limited

 

[Player Red]

Massive concentration of cases in the (mostly) unvaccinated 16-25 group now but this population section is unlikely to get hospitalised on average.

1. The comparison of number of cases without putting the numbers of tests undertaken also restrict the value of the data provided... How many are tested? Who is tested? What is the average age of the tested person?

Given the success of the vaccination campaign and the easing of the lockdown (more social interactions...reopening of international travel that requires tests..), the number of cases is no longer the most interesting indicator.

2. The Covid was the opportunity to see the vast majority of the population does not how to analyse, understand and interpret data in a very careful and rigorous manner, which requires some skills, a form of intelligence and humility.

The population at risk is largely vaccinated so what would be interesting to see is the evolution of both the number of deaths and hospitalisations in the last weeks.




When I see this picture, I just believe life should go on...

I assume you fall into the group in bolded point 2 considering what you wrote in bolded point 1?

 

[Ecstatic]

I assume you fall into the group in bolded point 2 considering what you wrote in bolded point 1?

Maybe

 

[SirAnderson]

Unfortunately, I know somebody in the same situation after several months: some progress over time but very limited

That is just terrible. I really hope mine comes back after a week or 2, it's only been like 3 days and I can't take it already.

 

[Ecstatic]

That is just terrible. I really hope mine comes back after a week or 2, it's only been like 3 days and I can't take it already.

In most of the cases, from what I read, people get it back relatively quickly but there are some people who do need several months unfortunately.

She was tested positive a long time ago and I am not sure you both had the same Covid variant so you need to be remain positive!

 

[Mb194dc]

Massive concentration of cases in the (mostly) unvaccinated 16-25 group now but this population section is unlikely to get hospitalised on average.

The comparison of number of cases without putting the numbers of tests undertaken also restrict the value of the data provided... How many are tested? Who is tested? What is the average age of the tested person?

Given the success of the vaccination campaign and the easing of the lockdown (more social interactions...reopening of international travel that requires tests..), the number of cases is no longer the most interesting indicator.

The Covid was the opportunity to see the vast majority of the population does not how to analyse, understand and interpret data in a very careful and rigorous manner, which requires some skills, a form of intelligence and humility.

The population at risk is largely vaccinated so what would be interesting to see is the evolution of both the number of deaths and hospitalisations in the last weeks.

When I see this picture, I just believe life should go on...

Tells us that mass testing is a mistake. Rather all testing resources should be concentrated on the vulnerable groups, not on for example teenagers. You can do some random ones too for genetic analysis. Even the deaths are with Covid as opposed to from it. Need the expected deaths numbers to see if any significance.

Crucially though there is probably seasonality, it's no surprise cases can be high but hospitals empty and deaths low in the summer. In fact more cases in the summer might actually be a good thing if there is more immunity by winter.

It's reasonable to expect a winter wave, this winter and in all following ones. The evolution of SARS-CoV2 and how we manage those waves will be key. We can see in the data there are huge variances between different age and health groups. That must be taken in to account in how it's managed or it'll be lockdown again by end of January at the latest imo.

 

[decorativeed]

I've got 3 kids. They all live together and two share a bedroom, one of them has to isolate while the other two can go to school. How does this make any sense?

Would you prefer they all had to stay off?

The one who had contact needs to isolate. Should they develop symptoms then you get them tested. If they test positive then you've all had contact and all of you need to isolate. Seems simple enough to me.

 

[decorativeed]

In most of the cases, from what I read, people get it back relatively quickly but there are some people who do need several months unfortunately.

She was tested positive a long time ago and I am not sure you both had the same Covid variant so you need to be remain positive!

I think they'd rather become negative.

 

[Ecstatic]

Tells us that mass testing is a mistake. Rather all testing resources should be concentrated on the vulnerable groups, not on for example teenagers. You can do some random ones too for genetic analysis. Even the deaths are with Covid as opposed to from it. Need the expected deaths numbers to see if any significance.

Crucially though there is probably seasonality, it's no surprise cases can be high but hospitals empty and deaths low in the summer. In fact more cases in the summer might actually be a good thing if there is more immunity by winter.

It's reasonable to expect a winter wave, this winter and in all following ones. The evolution of SARS-CoV2 and how we manage those waves will be key. We can see in the data there are huge variances between different age and health groups. That must be taken in to account in how it's managed or it'll be lockdown again by end of January at the latest imo.

I don't have a crystal ball.

I just say statistics without details and information about the context and the employed methodology have a limited meaning.

Unfortunately, an increase in the number of cases is the price to pay for an easing of the restrictions.

If there is a high increase in the number of deaths and hospitalisations, then we will have another lockdown.

Otherwise, the debate should be open.

 

[Ecstatic]

I think they'd rather become negative.

 

[fergies coat]

Would you prefer they all had to stay off?

The one who had contact needs to isolate. Should they develop symptoms then you get them tested. If they test positive then you've all had contact and all of you need to isolate. Seems simple enough to me.

No it's not simple enough is it. She's had to isolate 3 time's in two months despite taking two test's a week and it always being negative.

We were told the children would have to stay off school last March to protect the vulnerable and old. 33 million are protected now. People are going on holiday and to football games, but a child that has always had a negative can't attend school.

 

[MDFC Manager]

What I would give to smell shits even. I can't smell jack shite.

True and yeah at this point I don't even 'remember' my pre covid smelling capabilities, I suspect that I've now recovered to smelling most things fine albeit at lower intensity. Just gotten used to it now, but hope it does improve over time. I'll likely see an ENT soon.

 

[decorativeed]

No it's not simple enough is it. She's had to isolate 3 time's in two months despite taking two test's a week and it always being negative.

We were told the children would have to stay off school last March to protect the vulnerable and old. 33 million are protected now. People are going on holiday and to football games, but a child that has always had a negative can't attend school.

I've got 2 kids as well. They've had to isolate a few times too. It's a massive inconvenience, but I don't have any better ideas. If your child tests negative they still have to isolate because there is an incubation period to consider. Same goes for adults.

But say kids were treated differently and you were able to send them in after a negative test, who's going to teach them? Because the teachers are often having to isolate too when the class they teach gets sent home. I have friends who teach so I know this to be true. I also know how much grief they've been getting from parents who blame them for what is government policy.