International News Covid-19 .....

[ZeroTheHero]

So if I don't have COVID, what is the point then?

Given that you might not have any symptoms, unless you are being tested every day (and even then) you don't know if you have it or not.
The point is also - given that it reduces the likelihood the wearer spreading it - that wearing masks gives more confidence to *everyone* who is out and about, thus helping us to edge just a bit nearer to normal.

 

[ljs]

Absolutely! It's a precaution that when infections and deaths are very low, that seems to be an overkill, especially when it's not being forcefully applied.

It feels like the Govt had got the timing wrong having asked us to take a maximum risk when the virus was prevalent.

No idea why we weren't made to wear masks from the beginning as it would have saved lives. Surely it can only be because there would have been a shortage for key workers?

In shops i am seeing almost everyone wearing a mask now.

 

[RyanioBirdio]

It’s not difficult.

 

[Sarge]

View attachment 4164

It’s not difficult.

indeedy ....

 

[Gary Baldi]

No idea why we weren't made to wear masks from the beginning as it would have saved lives. Surely it can only be because there would have been a shortage for key workers?

In shops i am seeing almost everyone wearing a mask now.

And I realised earlier, there was a big missed opportunity in even asking us to wear a face covering, such a scarf to do our bit when the virus was most prevalent in March/April - so not full on PPE but a step to prevent the spread. It is not a perfect solution, but at least would have felt more appropriate than now.

My local town had no COVID cases reported again last week, whereas larger cities still have an issue. I guess that is why it chaffs a bit

 

[MalaysiaYellow]

In other news............ @HKYellow .....

Coronavirus: Hong Kong on verge of 'large-scale' outbreak, says Carrie Lam

Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam says a major outbreak may lead to the "collapse" of the city's hospitals.

www.bbc.co.uk

Yes, 3rd wave in HK. This time local infections mainly coming from younger people, bars, clubs, etc. So forget about sports events, concerts.

Oh by the way, I live in Malaysia

 

[Sarge]

this amused me ....

 

[horseman]

And I realised earlier, there was a big missed opportunity in even asking us to wear a face covering, such a scarf to do our bit when the virus was most prevalent in March/April - so not full on PPE but a step to prevent the spread. It is not a perfect solution, but at least would have felt more appropriate than now.

My local town had no COVID cases reported again last week, whereas larger cities still have an issue. I guess that is why it chaffs a bit

Back then virtual everyone was staying home as per the very clear message at the time...it was also said on numerous occasions by various so called experts that face masks would make little difference so it was odd to announce the wearing of them in shops etc.
That said anyone who feels uncomfortable wearing one or being in shops etc can simply shop online, the same as most did when it was at or near the peak.

 

[Sarge]

There was me thinking that briefing the nation(s) during pandemic situation was in the PM job description ..... oh well, whats the odds on a Tory party funder getting the gig on this un-necessary job appointment ( Cummings approved of course) ?

Boris Johnson launches search for £100k-a-year spokesperson to front government press briefings

The London Economic - The successful applicant will "communicate with the nation on behalf of the Prime Minister" - Politics

www.thelondoneconomic.com

 

[Gary Baldi]

Back then virtual everyone was staying home as per the very clear message at the time...it was also said on numerous occasions by various so called experts that face masks would make little difference so it was odd to announce the wearing of them in shops etc.
That said anyone who feels uncomfortable wearing one or being in shops etc can simply shop online, the same as most did when it was at or near the peak.

Totally. So why are face masks compulsory now but in some circumstances only? Feels like a bodge to me, but one I will happily go along with until such point they are no longer mandatory

 

[Gary Baldi]

This is an interesting update from the ONS:

Deaths registered weekly in England and Wales, provisional - Office for National Statistics

Provisional counts of the number of deaths registered in England and Wales, including deaths involving the coronavirus pandemic, by age, sex and region.

www.ons.gov.uk

In particular, the graph:

Perhaps the interesting part is how stable deaths from Influenza and Pnuemonia, but how they fell when COVID peaked in April.

 

[chuckbert]

This is an interesting update from the ONS:

Deaths registered weekly in England and Wales, provisional - Office for National Statistics

Provisional counts of the number of deaths registered in England and Wales, including deaths involving the coronavirus pandemic, by age, sex and region.

www.ons.gov.uk

In particular, the graph:
View attachment 4170
Perhaps the interesting part is how stable deaths from Influenza and Pnuemonia, but how they fell when COVID peaked in April.

Presumably because a small fraction of the covid deaths were of people who would have succumbed to flu if covid didn’t exist. Looks like quite a small proportion. It also looks a bit accentuated because of a small bump in flu deaths that coincided with the uptick in covid. I wonder if there could have been covid deaths misassigned to flu in the early days?

 

[Gary Baldi]

Presumably because a small fraction of the covid deaths were of people who would have succumbed to flu if covid didn’t exist. Looks like quite a small proportion. It also looks a bit accentuated because of a small bump in flu deaths that coincided with the uptick in covid. I wonder if there could have been covid deaths misassigned to flu in the early days?

Very possible, and why the Govt are looking at PHEs figures.

Is it also possible that COVID infections/deaths in nursing homes (as a example), caused an acceleration of death rates among those with lung conditions?

 

[Marked Ox]

There was me thinking that briefing the nation(s) during pandemic situation was in the PM job description ..... oh well, whats the odds on a Tory party funder getting the gig on this un-necessary job appointment ( Cummings approved of course) ?

Boris Johnson launches search for £100k-a-year spokesperson to front government press briefings

The London Economic - The successful applicant will "communicate with the nation on behalf of the Prime Minister" - Politics

www.thelondoneconomic.com

He obviously wants the rest of the week off on top of the weekend.

 

[Sarge]

lunatics have taken over the asylum it appears

 

[Essexyellows]

Pesky kids.......... "Young people maybe driving virus spike"

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-53577222

 

[Whingit]

There was me thinking that briefing the nation(s) during pandemic situation was in the PM job description ..... oh well, whats the odds on a Tory party funder getting the gig on this un-necessary job appointment ( Cummings approved of course) ?

Boris Johnson launches search for £100k-a-year spokesperson to front government press briefings

The London Economic - The successful applicant will "communicate with the nation on behalf of the Prime Minister" - Politics

www.thelondoneconomic.com

Tom Harwood, Chloe Westley or some other Tufton Street clown guaranteed, surely.

 

[ZeroTheHero]

So let me get this straight.

He's got one person telling him what to say, and now wants another one to say it. Someone who (obviously) can't answer questions because he isn't the PM.
He is a 'big picture' politician who (in the words of a Tory MP on the radio last week) 'keeps his eyes on the horizon' and delegates all the practical details to others.

So if he doesn't set the policy, won't be communicating the policy and isn't involved with the details of the policy - what is the point of Boris Johnson?

 

[Sarge]

dont do as I do, do what my hi vis says ?

 

[Essexyellows]

More numbers.......... stop me if it gets dull...
8153 people in Leicestershire tested positive.
4883 of them are within the Leicester City Council area.
3270 are in the County.

UHL reported 4 deaths.... total stands at 437.