Covid - news and views
Comments
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We would not want to be accused of ‘queue jumping’ but we are well over our our 6 months and one week time frame and we have still heard nothing! We understand from Sajid Javid that we do not need to wait to hear, we should just book. This we have tried, twice, on the NHS booster booking page only to get ‘you are not eligible to use this service’ - why not?😡. Our local vaccination centre is doing a walk in service which our neighbours used last week (due to this frustration) and had a 2 hour wait in a queue so it’s not that people don’t want the jab, they just can’t book one! Such a disappointment after the fantastic roll out earlier in the year.
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Given that the report into the Governments initial reaction to the pandemic, you would rather think they might err on the side of caution at the moment, and listen to the scientists and advisors again. It’s certainly what we are doing. Asking folks to wear a mask, keep their distance is hardly revolutionary this time round. We are glad to see that a lot of businesses have kept their one way systems, barriers up at the checkouts, staff wear a mask if they want to. We simply walk away from anywhere we aren’t comfortable with, so if it gets worse, businesses will need to be proactive to keep shoppers on board.
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Is it really necessary for HMG to start imposing restrictions such as the wearing of face coverings in public spaces and indoor settings. By now everyone should know what to do to protect themselves. Covid 19 is a risk we must learn to manage just like any other disease. Lets face it, the actions of HMG have never been aimed at protecting the individual per se, but always at protecting the NHS from being overwhelmed. Hands - Face - Space, apply it as you think best and are comfortable with.
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It seems that countries that have kept mandatory face coverings, also have much lower infection rates than England, as it also seems that wearing of masks ,also reminds? the population that other recommendations are still in place which does not compute with many In England
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Portugal is classed as the best in Europe & we(from being the best) are now 2nd from the bottom. With those statistics come lives lost needlessly.
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I'm not sure how we are to interpret the data we get on a daily basis. Should we really be comparing with other countries where the data is recorded in a different way. Surely the important detail is the [in some cases perceived] % growth in numbers. I say perceived as the more you test the higher the number you will find who are infected. I also believe it was reported that death rates are at present lower than a typical winter flu year, where some of the unfortunate soles may have died as a result of this illness..
I'm not anti-vac, on the contrary, as I believe tighter measures should be re-introduced as temperatures drop and we are in close proximity more indoors than over the warmer months.
I want my booster as soon as I can get it, as I do for my 92 year old mum who until yesterday after a 7 month gap since her 2nd jab was showing on the government site as not eligible. So when I see politicians saying not enough uptake I really do get the ache as I, like I'm guessing the vast majority of this forum want to have the greatest chance of getting back to and enjoying a normal life in good health and without fear of meeting our maker sooner than we may have thought.
Sod statistics, you could prove or disprove anything given the same data.
I've had my rant and I'm now off for a nice game of bowls in the fresh air.
Colin
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I wonder how many countries there are in that version of ‘Europe’? According to Worldometer Covid data for 48 European countries, Portugal is at best mid table for infections and deaths per million of population. UK is worst, but they’re not at opposite ends of a league table.
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After reading your reply I researched your ‘that version of Europe’ & basically a different table position(at the top) can be seen with different countries depending on requested info. But UK is still in the bottom 3 of all of them. It’s a sad indictment of a country losing its leadership focus☹️
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typo correction…UK is worse (than Portugal), not worst.
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Sadly I think far too many folks in this country do have to be told to do something for the message to get through. The “common sense” gene in some is now pathetically weak.
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That’s much better, proper analysis rather than made-up ‘facts’ for effect.
United Nations version of Europe, not mine.
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Popped out to the shops myself today. Wearing a masking and sanitising often.
Horrified at lack of masks, lack of respect for personal space. Very few using sanitisation products. I made several swift exits - but that doesn't help choose OH birthday gift. I still have a few days but I lack ideas so online no good- not that the shops were much better, mostly real tat and landfill 😤🤐 cutting out the middleman purchasing.
Flu jabs done, our pharmacy saved them for us, I often react to foreign things, we had important family event. 1st for us both this year, no ill effects for either of us apart from sore arm for me.
Booster jabs, text for OH very vulnerable group, link didn't work and we were away. Followed swiftly by GP texts, 1 each, offered 30th, no good so going 13th. Fingers crossed for no reaction then. I reacted badly to 1st AZ and was 'off ' for 3 weeks after. 2 friends both reacted to 3rd, not to 1 and 2 which were Pfizer, both had shakes and sweats on evenining/overnight of the following day, but cleared swiftly.
Edit our city 2nd worse in the region.....
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Horrified at lack of masks, lack of respect for personal space. Very few using sanitisation products. I made several swift exits - but that doesn't help choose OH birthday gift. I still have a few days but I lack ideas so online no good- not that the shops were much better, mostly real tat and landfill 😤🤐 cutting out the middleman purchasing.
Blame the government - I do. Masks here in Wales
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The government certainly aren't helping......... I fear we will be alone again this Christmas despite the bravado. They set a fine example on the green benches........
The shops request masks and social distancing, I was impressed by staff levels of mask wearing, but that's their only protection if they want pay their bills.
Very sad indictment of Joe Public's attitude to personal responsible etc. Contradictory advice as to whether masks do any good BUT I'm of the opinion they do no harm and in the words of a supermarket slogan every little helps..... Oh course these will often be the same folk whose handwashing/sanitising leave much to be desired so even if I'm the only one and using my own products, I continue to clean baskets etc, I don't want any extra germ invaders I have enough to cope with a present 🤐
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More confusion on the horizon? I heard a report on early BBC News that our esteemed Health Secretary has ordered that folk should be allowed to book their booster test a month early (or it might have been a month in advance, which would be sensible) in order to "speed up the process".
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I don't feel confused, after our first experiences earlier in the year I know there are quite a few in the queue ahead of us and some areas get ahead whilst others take longer. I think we know what to expect and media announcements just muddy things. But I'd love to see a much stronger campaign to get unvaccinated people on board.
I've noticed vaccination queues on our recent travels.
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Doesn’t seem fair at all. Probably someone’s private company benefitting.
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The only time I feel confusion is when it spills over from Govt.☹
The promised vaccine failed to arrive here and our surgery's plans to deliver the booster along with the flu jab over 4 days in Oct flew right out of the window. It's not the fault of ordinary folk that take up of the booster is slow in this area.
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Beggars belief that a few days ago Boots would give you a box of 7 tests (or more) for nothing, now it’s £20 for one!
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That’s bad news Tinny☹️ Hope it gets sorted quickly.
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Are you confusing that with the recent suggestion by HMG that the vaccines authority should consider shortening the six months / 182 days + one week or 7 days / 189 days / six months + one week, to five months between the second dose and becoming eligible for the booster. If so do you think your confusion is adding to the confusion of others?
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It’s variable, most of my 60 - 70 old neighbours have been boosted or have appointment very soon, mine is booked tomorrow less than 6 months since 2nd jab.
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That’s disgraceful. I thought you could still get them via pharmacies. We have only had one box of seven, used two as we tested ourselves having got that horrible cold a few weeks ago, but we aren’t mixing, so didn’t want to waste them.
I do hope the only good thing (the vaccination programme) about the pandemic isn’t starting to fall apart☹️
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You can still get LF tests from various sources for free but they cannot be used by returning travellers for the mandated day two test which requires a different system of recording - allegedly.
For free LF tests go to: Free LF Tests. There is also a QF code and you can call 119.
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Suddenly we had invites from both the surgery and the NHS so things seem to be moving but the surgery had to abandon the combined flu and booster idea. The earliest appointment for the booster was 5 Nov. It'll do - as long as supplies arrive.👍
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Sorry, just to clarify….I’m talking LFT for return to UK. You may still be able to get them free for other purposes? I was just making a cost comparison as implication of policy change.
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