Covid - news and views

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  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #122

    You can read all about the Gov. National Flu and Covid 19 Weekly Surveillance HERE It's good to know how much work is being done on our behalf.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited February 2021 #123

    The information from our  Dog walking NHS ward sister, it is suspected that this seasons lower flue infection rates are the result of the much enhanced ,cleaning regime  being carried in all public places against  covid , which has reduced the contamination of surfaces, reducing the spread of many other viruses. which will need to be continued into the distant future, to keep covid at the levels, that will enable any form of the life we have left behind

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited February 2021 #124

    Genius, I like that-‘follow the science not the idiots’, it’s catchy👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,032 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #125

    Huge excitement here today🤩 Dog has had his booster, interestingly, no booster for Kennel Cough, it’s a live vaccine and can be a risk to anyone with suppressed immune system and Covid so they are holding fire on it. While waiting at vets, phone went ping, lo and behold, Sis and I have been invited for our first jabs. Fabulous news, as neither of us were expecting to hear anything before late March. I think they are calling in those on a standby list for Pfizer, and as we are both classed as unpaid carers, probably got an early call. Good news for us though.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #126

    Oh I'm all for a bit of handwashing JVB, I think we've had it said to us for years!

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #127

    Good news for you both, nice to hear the next tranche is going through.smile

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,586 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #128

    Yes, good news Ttda.

    Looks like we might have a bit longer to wait as Wales Health has announced a drop off for the next 2 weeks from the schedule as the supplies of vaccine they receive will be reduced. I think this will be the same for everywhere in the UK. So Wales is going to do more second vaccines and use the vaccines they have to make sure that all over 70s will have had the chance to have one.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,032 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #129

    It is rather pleasing that unpaid carers are getting looked after (Robsail I hope you get the same). Had it been our age, we would have had quite a wait still, particularly my sister, who is younger than me.

     

  • scoutman
    scoutman Club Member Posts: 441 ✭✭✭
    edited February 2021 #130

    Had my invite letter this morning, jab next Wednesday. I'm in the 65-70 no underlying health conditions band. Have to do a 40 mile round trip to Newport to get it but just glad to receive it. OH had hers a few weeks ago as a front line pharmacy worker, should get her 2nd dose soon.

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #131

    We got the call at 11.50 today to invite us for our vaccination. Offered today, tomorrow and Saturday appointments, so we took today while the roads are clear.

    Arrived a little early but everything organised well, did all the pre-checks then in for a quick jab Pfizer one, 15 min wait then off home again.

    Very good that we both went together although there is 2 years between us, makes sense when you have to travel in this weather, its a 16 mile round trip not to bad thankfully. They are really getting through them now that the centres are set up. 

    Like elsewhere we have been warned that over the next few weeks things could slow down as they are not getting the usual supplies of pfizer and need to use what they have for the second jabs. 

    Now we've had the first one we can at least arrange some trips away. No date given for second jab in Scotland so will have to be within a couple of hours from home around the 10 - 12 week point. 

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,586 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #132

    Glad to hear that they've started on the 65+ group. I have underlying health problems but these seemed to have been ignored all the way along. Didn't mind so much as I didn't want to be tied down to shielding so we have just taken extra care but could do with one soon.smile I'll just have to wait for Betsi Cadwaladr to shift themselves.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #133

    We will make sure we are at home for the booster, OH had a reaction to the jab this week and  I've read the booster can cause another reaction. So we'll play safe and stay at home.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,636
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    edited February 2021 #134

    But how can you do just that, as those idiots will believe what they want to believe, not what is in fact the truth, regardless of by whom and how many times it is said that the vaccine is working?

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,636
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    edited February 2021 #135

    However, at the current rate of vaccination world wide, to get to 75% coverage it's going to take about 6.5 yrs. Think of all the adaptation of the virus that will occur over that period of time. Can every country stop those that are infected in a country that's not had an effective vaccination programme from bringing the disease in?

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited February 2021 #136

    Its the hand wringing by some that is much more prevalent nowundecided

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited February 2021 #137

    The same way they stopped 72% of fake news in the USA, ban the fake news spreaders👍🏻

  • Freddy55
    Freddy55 Club Member Posts: 1,809 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #138

    Interesting. I was watching some Sunday morning politics show, a kind of forum with different sections of society airing their views. The subject was social media, and whether or not it should be allowed to be a platform for alternative views. There was of course someone who wanted to uphold ‘freedom of speech’ etc. Personally, I think freedom of speech ain’t all it’s cracked up to be, but where do you draw the line? 

  • Whittakerr
    Whittakerr Club Member Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #139

    I don't know if 6.5 years is right or wrong, however the current rate of vaccination worldwide will, i have no doubt increase when more vaccines are approved and licensed and vaccine production is at it's maximum, and also when the majority of the first world countries have vaccinated the bulk of their populations and start to support other countries.

    I'm not saying this approach is right or wrong, it's just what will happen. So I'm sure it will be less than the 6.5 year prediction you have stated.

     

  • Freddy55
    Freddy55 Club Member Posts: 1,809 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #140

    From a selfish point of view, I’m sure that we (in this country) will get on top of it. However, as new variants of the virus arrive, will the less well-off be able to keep up? We are fortunate in this country, in that we have advanced genome technology and are able to identify new strains quite/relatively quickly. I hope I’m wrong, but given global politics, I fear this virus is going to be prevalent for quite some time yet, with the poorest bearing the brunt.

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited February 2021 #141

    When it becomes contrary to the Law F👍🏻. Giving out someone’s address to foment a vigilante attack-illegal, Racism-illegal. Pointing out someone is stupid & you don’t like them-not nice but not illegal, disagreeing with someone vehemently but respectfully-not illegal. It’s all out there in law. Freedom of speech is important but our freedom to live peacefully & away from danger is more important.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #142

    Will you be able to have the vaccination WN if it's offered? I see Wales is slightly ahead in it's programme but it sounds like  N Wales is still on catch up?

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited February 2021 #143

    The boss of the Countess of Chester Hospital has hailed the news that tocilizumab – a drug used to treat arthritis – can help save the lives of severely ill coronavirus patients.

    UK clinical trials show tocilizumab reduced the risk of death by 14% for patients on oxygen on top of benefits from dexamethasone

    It also reduced the time spent in hospital by 5 days when used for patients on oxygen and in addition to the corticosteroid dexamethasone.

    The roll-out of this treatment could also contribute significantly towards reducing pressures on hospitals over the coming weeks and months.

    http://www.deeside.com/countess-of-chester-boss-really-significant-news-that-arthritis-drug-tocilizumab-cuts-deaths-from-covid/

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited February 2021 #144

    Update on the use of nebulizers' ,it has been found that the outbreak at a quarantine hotel in Melbourne has been traced to a nebulizer being used ,which has now envoked  the latest lockdownundecided

  • AnnB
    AnnB Forum Participant Posts: 226
    edited February 2021 #145

    On today’s BBC news page they say the outbreak started with a security guard who spread it to 13 people.

    We are not going to get rid of the virus, just have to learn how to live with and manage it through ongoing vaccines and improved treatments. Once we get the rate of infection down the Test and Trace should become more effective and play its part.

    One of the scientists working on the genome identification said she expects to be doing the same for the next 10 years.

     

  • Whittakerr
    Whittakerr Club Member Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #146
  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #148

    Treatment of the severe forms of Covid will hopefully improve whilst working alongside vaccine improvements. A long haul for everyone. 

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,586 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #149

    I've asked the question Brue, both to my GPs and Kidney Specialist and neither has bothered to reply! So I assume that it's ok.

    I seem to recall that part of my problem was an over excited Immune system. Wanted to beat something up and couldn't find it so had a falling out with itself. I have an equal opportunity Immune system it would appear. There was some talk that they would have to halt their internecine warfare for the vaccine to be effective, but we have lost 3 Kidney specialists just recently, to retirement and return to their own countries so I guess they're short handed.

    I'll take the appointment when its offered and ring the GP to make sure someone hasn't slipped up before going.They're supposed to have someone there who specialises in kidney problems but I'm yet to speak to her.

  • LLM
    LLM Forum Participant Posts: 1,555 ✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #150

    You will be asked questions before you are cleared to have the jab.  Just inform the people of your concerns.  The on site doctor will decide.  

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,586 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #151

    👍👍.