Coronavirus Thread

[Otis]

3 hours ago, Line-X said:

Ever been to Beijing?

 

In an urban environment a properly fitted N95 mask will provide a degree of  protection from harmful particulate matter - I do a lot of cycling, particularly when in London. If you live in a city, it's a bit like questioning why someone would choose to apply suncream or cover up outdoors in a high UV forecast. 

Who's talking about Beijing? Or cycling around London. 

Of course  N95 offer protection, that's what they're designed to do.

A better ananolgy would be to apply sun cream to protect the person next to you.

[WigstonWanderer]

1 hour ago, st albans fox said:

We’re certainly entering uncharted territory for this pandemic as we prepare to end restrictions with cases likely to be 30k+  by the time we get there 

 

A real experiment ongoing and countries across the world will base their future strategies based on what they see happening here ….

 

if we’re intent on treating the virus infecting a vaccinated population as if it were a flu outbreak then looks like we are on the right track - hopefully the result will be as expected ……

Exactly this. Once restrictions are done away with, the entire weight of the pandemic will rest upon the efficacy of the vaccine and/or the protection afforded by having been already infected.

 

Because of its highly infectious nature,  I think it’s true to say that pretty much everyone will be exposed to the virus, and possibly over a relatively short period, depending on the “herd immunity” effect. Those who’ve been vaccinated or who have already had the disease should almost certainly be OK. Of those remaining, most will probably be OK, but some will get rather ill. Hopefully, health systems will cope and relatively few will die or have long term consequences.

 

The rest of the world are indeed watching, and I think on the evidence so far, prospects look good. Good luck 🤞 

 

 

Edited 2 July 2021 by WigstonWanderer

[Stivo]

1 hour ago, st albans fox said:

We’re certainly entering uncharted territory for this pandemic as we prepare to end restrictions with cases likely to be 30k+  by the time we get there 

 

A real experiment ongoing and countries across the world will base their future strategies based on what they see happening here ….

 

if we’re intent on treating the virus infecting a vaccinated population as if it were a flu outbreak then looks like we are on the right track - hopefully the result will be as expected ……

I am not sure what other viable options we have at this point. We essentially have no one left to vaccinate… and the summer with schools out is probably our best window to see what happens.

 

I think we need 80%  to be “immune” (at least so far as not passing it on) to achieve herd immunity with delta.  My understanding is that vaccines and previous infections only get us to 70% as neither give full protection against delta infections.
 

So we may need another 10% of the population to catch it (6M +) before it’s over. Whilst the deaths won’t reach the scale of previous waves ( and many will be in people who have chosen not to be vaccinated) there is still a concern about the nhs if it all happens too quickly.  

 

When you think about it that’s a big chunk of the unvaccinated population who will now go on to catch it.

 

But hopefully I am wrong…

 

 

[SpacedX]

1 hour ago, Otis said:

Who's talking about Beijing? Or cycling around London. 

Of course  N95 offer protection, that's what they're designed to do.

A better ananolgy would be to apply sun cream to protect the person next to you.

In terms of coronavirus it's absolutely about protecting the prerson next to you - but your original question was in respect to why anyone would choose to wear a mask outside. This was quite prevalent before the pandemic. You'll find that I have provided you with the answer. 

 

According to some, it has been "scientifically proven that face masks don't work". Apparently, we are lead to believe that this is "thinking out of the box". When challenged, don't respond with objective evidence - instead, indignantly run to the mods. 

[enmac]

4 hours ago, Line-X said:

That's why I said a degree of protection. Let's face it, this shit is everywhere, People crap themselves about asbestos (which no matter how much you pay to dispose of - isn't properly disposed of) but we are routinely exposed to air pollutants from vehicles, power generators, industrial and agricultural emissions, residential heating and cooking, the manufacture and distribution of chemicals and domestic/industrial/natural fires. ****, light a candle, cook a Sunday roast and you will be inhaling harmful particulate. 

 

While it is obvious that breathing in any particles in the air is going to aggravate your airways, the worry is the extremely small particles such as PM2.5 as they not only penetrate deep into our lungs but are also so minute that they can even pass into our bloodstream. Even at moderate levels, particulate matter can still be harmful to sensitive people. When air pollution levels are lower, the cardiovascular and respiratory health of a person will be much improved, both long and short term.

 

Wearing a DIY, mask with removable filters or surgical mask will also not protect you because these masks do not have effective filters for capturing micro-particle. A PM2. 5 mask refers to a mask that is able to filter out particulates that have a diameter of 2.5 micrometers (microns) or less. . Any urban environment is a hazard, the best thing you can do to protect your respiratory system from pollutants, viruses, and bacteria is to wear a respirator that provides: Particle Filtration Efficiency >98%, breathing resistance <2 mbar, Bacterial Filtration Efficiency >99% Viral Filtration Efficiency >99%.  

 

Apparently though, it has been "scientifically proved that face masks don't work". (Neither does lockdown). I read it here, God bless Foxes Talk.

 

Do I wear one? Not as much as I should, but as I said and in response to the post querying why you would wear one outdoors, cycling in London, it's a no-brainer. 

 

 

Thanks for the info. I'm in complete agreement. 

[Legend_in_blue]

 

Must be the masks accounting for the difference.  Impressive.

[Stivo]

1 hour ago, Legend_in_blue said:

 

Must be the masks accounting for the difference.  Impressive.

Isn’t that modelling the impact of stage 4 of the roadmap in June? We are nearly 30k positives, so 50-60k infections still at stage 3…

[Blarmy]

22 hours ago, UniFox21 said:

Hate when "big" names like this take a picture and twist it to drive a narrative.

 

They're sat in their seat, meaning they don't need to wear a mask. If they move around they need to wear one. 

 

Staff walk around the court between spectators and players, so wear a mask. 

 

But don't let this common sense get in the way of her bullshit 

 

 

The other thing she conveniently didn’t mention is that they’re only laughing as Kate had just let rip. 

[String fellow]

1 hour ago, Blarmy said:

The other thing she conveniently didn’t mention is that they’re only laughing as Kate had just let rip. 

Apparently, Julia Hartley-Brewer's net worth is about $1M. So for her to moan about 'the rich people' is a bit rich!

[FoxesDeb]

I've been out for the day to the beach for the first time since Spain lifted the mask outdoors law, and I was really surprised to see at least 90% of people still wearing them. It's 35 degrees over here, so it seems to disprove the theories that you can't wear them in the heat, and that the Spanish were only wearing them because of some kind of deep rooted Franco fear from years ago. 

 

The places we went were Spanish, with very few if any tourists, and I'm guessing the picture will be very different once the Brits arrive in Benidorm and the Costa del Sol. 

[doverfox]

3 hours ago, Blarmy said:

The other thing she conveniently didn’t mention is that they’re only laughing as Kate had just let rip. 

1 bed flat could be half that in se london ie brixton stockwell streatham not places i would want to live tbh.

[Izzy]

I've been pretty patient with all this but I'm on the verge of losing my shit here.

 

Me, the wife, and my daughter all have to isolate for 10 days because my lad tested positive. He's had a cough but he's absolutely fine in himself.

 

The Track & Trace police rang yesterday for half an hour telling us the rules and the whole thing just feels completely OTT to me.

 

Me and the wife were double jabbed months ago and I get that we can still get it/transmit it etc. - but where will this end?

 

The school situation is a nightmare and the teachers don't know if they're coming or going. 

 

Just let all the kids catch it while all the adults get vaccinated and then we can get on with our lives FFS.

[Super_horns]

Another Government minister saying July 19th looks good but numbers are going up I believe so not convinced at all .

 

With 60k at Wembley , full house at Wimbledon and 140k going to the F1 people will expect to see restrictions lifted generally though.

[Legend_in_blue]

BBC News - Covid-19: Masks will become personal choice, says Robert Jenrick https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57710527

 

 

Hallelujah.

[The People's Hero]

Are we at the point yet where 90% of the populace is :

 

a) entirely unaware of knowing what to do or even what they want to do, unless the Government tells them

 

and

 

b) entirely dependent on the government for direct financial aid; whatever form that takes

 

?

 

Eventually they will free us and most people simply won't know what to do. Scared of their own shadow. All hobbies forgotten. Sports clubs folded. Pubs & restaurants shut down.

 

But at least they won't have to wear a mask.....

[Alf Bentley]

17 hours ago, FoxesDeb said:

I've been out for the day to the beach for the first time since Spain lifted the mask outdoors law, and I was really surprised to see at least 90% of people still wearing them. It's 35 degrees over here, so it seems to disprove the theories that you can't wear them in the heat, and that the Spanish were only wearing them because of some kind of deep rooted Franco fear from years ago. 

 

The places we went were Spanish, with very few if any tourists, and I'm guessing the picture will be very different once the Brits arrive in Benidorm and the Costa del Sol. 

 

Interesting - and surprising.

 

I've been thinking how I'll play it, in a likely near future of fewer restrictions, more social mingling, higher infection rates - and hospitalisation/death rates that are slightly higher than now, but a lot lower than previous waves.

 

I reckon:

- As now, won't wear mask outdoors, unless getting into really packed crowds (rare)

- Will continue to wear mask on public transport and in shops & cinema (surprised how I don't even notice it in cinema - thought it would ruin the experience)

- Will go to football, wear mask on way through concourse but take it off once in seat (unless someone nearby has a major objection - but I'd expect a mask to adversely affect football enjoyment more than cinema)

- Probably won't go to indoor gigs or densely-packed pubs until infection rates tail off

- Won't wear mask when meeting people (unless they're anti-vaxers like my brother) but will probably be less inclined to get up close in people's faces (a benefit for them!)

[Super_horns]

17 minutes ago, Legend_in_blue said:

BBC News - Covid-19: Masks will become personal choice, says Robert Jenrick https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57710527

 

 

Hallelujah.

If true though .

 

There has been a lot said then changed throughout this pandemic but people don’t wear them outside now too often and inside shops usually got them hanging down their face ..

[z-layrex]

I'll probably just keep wearing one on the train (if busy) and tube.

 

Work still really quiet on the covid front. Surely the vaccines have done the tick. The only really sick people we are getting refused the vaccine or were too young to get it.

Edited 4 July 2021 by z-layrex

[reynard]

18 hours ago, FoxesDeb said:

I've been out for the day to the beach for the first time since Spain lifted the mask outdoors law, and I was really surprised to see at least 90% of people still wearing them. It's 35 degrees over here, so it seems to disprove the theories that you can't wear them in the heat, and that the Spanish were only wearing them because of some kind of deep rooted Franco fear from years ago. 

 

The places we went were Spanish, with very few if any tourists, and I'm guessing the picture will be very different once the Brits arrive in Benidorm and the Costa del Sol. 

Well I'm not sure it will. I was in Birmingham on Thursday and the level of mask wearing was pathetic. I'd say under 25% of people wearing them in areas where they should have been. All ages and sexes etc....

Really was a pathetic take up.

Friday went to Wimbledon. On a pretty full tube 100% of people I could see were wearing masks. At St Pancras nearly 100% of people wearing masks. Seems that people in London have a far greater sense of community responsibilty to those in Birmingham. On all the tube journeys I took it was VERY quiet but nearly 100% compliance with mask weraing.

So may depend where your tourists come from.

[Nalis]

48 minutes ago, Alf Bentley said:

 

Interesting - and surprising.

 

I've been thinking how I'll play it, in a likely near future of fewer restrictions, more social mingling, higher infection rates - and hospitalisation/death rates that are slightly higher than now, but a lot lower than previous waves.

 

I reckon:

- As now, won't wear mask outdoors, unless getting into really packed crowds (rare)

- Will continue to wear mask on public transport and in shops & cinema (surprised how I don't even notice it in cinema - thought it would ruin the experience)

- Will go to football, wear mask on way through concourse but take it off once in seat (unless someone nearby has a major objection - but I'd expect a mask to adversely affect football enjoyment more than cinema)

- Probably won't go to indoor gigs or densely-packed pubs until infection rates tail off

- Won't wear mask when meeting people (unless they're anti-vaxers like my brother) but will probably be less inclined to get up close in people's faces (a benefit for them!)

I like what you've done in assessing your own circumstances and being respectful of what others around you would want, probably the sensible approach for most people to review their own circumstances and the way forward.

 

[z-layrex]

14 minutes ago, reynard said:

Well I'm not sure it will. I was in Birmingham on Thursday and the level of mask wearing was pathetic. I'd say under 25% of people wearing them in areas where they should have been. All ages and sexes etc....

Really was a pathetic take up.

Friday went to Wimbledon. On a pretty full tube 100% of people I could see were wearing masks. At St Pancras nearly 100% of people wearing masks. Seems that people in London have a far greater sense of community responsibilty to those in Birmingham. On all the tube journeys I took it was VERY quiet but nearly 100% compliance with mask weraing.

So may depend where your tourists come from.

Visited Birmingham for the first time the other day, it's like a different country. Rubbish everywhere too. Won't be going back in a hurry.

[Alf Bentley]

4 minutes ago, Nalis said:

I like what you've done in assessing your own circumstances and being respectful of what others around you would want, probably the sensible approach for most people to review their own circumstances and the way forward.

 

 

90% relates to assessment of the risk to me, if I'm honest.

 

I'm double-jabbed but also late 50s with a heart condition, so the risk is much lower now but far from zero.

 

But then life never is a zero-risk experience (ultimately, it's a 100% risk experience! ).

As I see it, we need to get on with living and enjoying our lives, just with a few sensible precautions for self and others based on risk assessment (and consideration).

[st albans fox]

I wonder how the football clubs will approach this. They can make the rules - will they insist on mask wearing until you’re in your seat ?  
 

I would imagine they are all desperate to avoid a scenario where someone catches covid in a stadium and then becomes ill and dies.  whilst that would statistically be just one death, they must be concerned that any events which could lead to numbers in stadia being reduced have to be avoided. 
 

 

[Super_horns]

Full house on the show courts from Tuesday at the tennis.

 

https://mobile.twitter.com/Wimbledon/status/1411670792920838145

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 4 July 2021 by Super_horns

[Sol thewall Bamba]

56 minutes ago, st albans fox said:

I wonder how the football clubs will approach this. They can make the rules - will they insist on mask wearing until you’re in your seat ?  
 

I would imagine they are all desperate to avoid a scenario where someone catches covid in a stadium and then becomes ill and dies.  whilst that would statistically be just one death, they must be concerned that any events which could lead to numbers in stadia being reduced have to be avoided. 
 

 

They can make whatever rules they want, but I doubt the minimum wage steward would be arsed to enforce them.

Edited 4 July 2021 by Sol thewall Bamba