Coronavirus in the UK - news, lockdown and discussion

[elbows]

I see Johnson announced in todays press conference that the planned August 1st relaxations that would have allowed casinos, bowling alleys, skating rinks and the remaining close-contact services to reopen have been postponed for at least 2 weeks. 'Squeezing the brake pedal' was the Johnson rhetoric chosen. Also no sports spectator trials or wedding receptions.

 

[Numbers]

Johnson has a new phrase now too.

"Hands, face, space, get a test,"

 

[elbows]

Oh and they are extending the mask rules to include museums, galleries, cinemas, places of worship, recommended now and enforceable from August 8th.

 

[baldrick]

There are fears that the figures in some areas are actually much higher. That the governments track & trace is designed for affluent, English speaking areas and is failing in areas with high populations of non-English speaking communities.

'We are going to take matters into our own hands': Sandwell implements own test and trace system as national scheme 'failing'

Sandwell has started their own test and trace system following a surge in coronavirus cases – as their health boss deemed the Government system as 'failing'.

www.expressandstar.com

Lisa McNally's name is familiar to me for some reason, I think I have come across her before for some covid-related reason. Either way, it sounds like Sandwell have someone really capable of turning it around in place, which is great. It's thoroughly shameful though that there isn't the community language capability in the track and trace programme. Especially as BAME people are considered higher risk from covid for all sorts of reasons - this has been confirmed for a while now, so it seems illogical not to do all you can in that respect. And I agree that the local response to covid is going to become increasingly important as time goes on. I am wondering what the picture is in Birmingham though as Sandwell is essentially part of the same conurbation. I live a ten minute walk away from the boundary.

 

[elbows]

Johnson has a new phrase now too.

"Hands, face, space, get a test,"

Ah yes, I only just got to that bit as I didnt watch it live.

I see Whitty responded to a question by saying we are at the outer edge of the limits of how much we can relax measures, so difficult tradeoffs will be required if we want to go further with certain things in future. May have to pull back a bit, and then we should be able to hold the line.

 

[hash tag]

I suspect the rise in infections is in proportion to the rise in testing. Deaths are not rising.
As far as this govt. Is concerned, track and trace is useless and i wouldnt bet on local authorities being able to handle it. They have already had their resources chopped right back. I know pubs, resturants Etc. Have track n trace in place, some of which is very haphazard.

 

[elbows]

I suspect the rise in infections is in proportion to the rise in testing. Deaths are not rising.

Its true that other measurements are required to avoid making a basic mistake when analysing the situation while the testing regime is changing at the same time. They have a few ways to check at the moment, such as comparing numbers of people testing positive in particular locations of concern to brodaer measures such as ONS estimates for rates of infection based on sampling the public more generally. Personally I will still be found going on about the need to add a decent sewage testing system to this.

The current rate of death is inevitably a major factor in how people in general think about the pandemic at a particular point in time. But those making decisions absolutely cannot afford to wait until a spiralling situation shows up in the rate of hospital admissions and deaths because that introduces the same sort of delays that were so devastating to our initial response. The big 'uh oh' moments in terms of seeing that the the virus was indeed becoming a nasty pandemic in February were deaths suddenly being noticed in Iran and Italy when they had previously not been spotting cases. Its the warning beacon of last resort that is hard to deny even when a country has been in denial about infections up to that point, but by then its too late to avoid the horror. No government that now takes this virus seriously will wait for such death indicators before taking action again.

 

[Artaxerxes]

Oh and they are extending the mask rules to include museums, galleries, cinemas, places of worship, recommended now and enforceable from August 8th.

Nothing like closing the stable door after the horse has exploded.

 

[cupid_stunt]

I suspect the rise in infections is in proportion to the rise in testing. Deaths are not rising.

Certainly increased testing, and targeted in areas of concern, will result in increased numbers of new cases.

But, it's far too early to think about deaths from these increased cases, as they tend to show up 4+ weeks after any increase in new cases.

 

[Artaxerxes]

But The Deaths also doesn't take into account the health damage that covid does to a chunk of its victims or the taking up of beds and incubators while they are recovering.

 

[Teaboy]

Nothing like closing the stable door after the horse has exploded.

Yeah, I guess though it was always going to be like this. Push a bit to see how far you can go and then pull the reigns back in once you reach that limit. I do think we came out too early and too fast but I also think what we're seeing now was largely inevitable and is similar to what is happening elsewhere is Europe but the numbers are worse here hence a slower return would have been better.

I guess this is what 'learning to live alongside the virus' looks like. We probably need to get used to this. We were never going to eradicate the thing I don't think. That is Scotland's ambition but they are experiencing outbreaks as well albeit on a much smaller scale.

 

[Cerv]

Oh and they are extending the mask rules to include museums, galleries, cinemas, places of worship, recommended now and enforceable from August 8th.

I genuinely thought that was already the rule. an indoor space is an indoor space after all.
certainly every museum / gallery I've visited recently or booked to visit has been strict on a no mask no entry message.

 

[SpookyFrank]

Johnson has a new phrase now too.

"Hands, face, space, get a test,"

This is a man with a degree in literature from Oxford remember.

 

[SpookyFrank]

Ah yes, I only just got to that bit as I didnt watch it live.

I see Whitty responded to a question by saying we are at the outer edge of the limits of how much we can relax measures, so difficult tradeoffs will be required if we want to go further with certain things in future. May have to pull back a bit, and then we should be able to hold the line.

Bearing in mind this is a time when all the schools are closed. If the strategy is equilibirum rather than eradication then something else, most likely a lot of somethings else, is going to have to be controlled more strictly in order to allow for schools reopening.

 

[LDC]

Bearing in mind this is a time when all the schools are closed. If the strategy is equilibirum rather than eradication then something else, most likely a lot of somethings else, is going to have to be controlled more strictly in order to allow for schools reopening.

That was pretty much been acknowledged by Whitty today. If we want more in some areas then we'll have to have less in other ways.

 

[editor]

Bournemouth is looking busy again today

 

[zahir]

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

Maybe there'll be another massive spike like the last time some people went to the beach.

 

[SpookyFrank]

That was pretty much been acknowledged by Whitty today. If we want more in some areas then we'll have to have less in other ways.

And yet every fucker is still on holiday. Madness.

 

[BCBlues]

Lisa McNally's name is familiar to me for some reason, I think I have come across her before for some covid-related reason. Either way, it sounds like Sandwell have someone really capable of turning it around in place, which is great. It's thoroughly shameful though that there isn't the community language capability in the track and trace programme. Especially as BAME people are considered higher risk from covid for all sorts of reasons - this has been confirmed for a while now, so it seems illogical not to do all you can in that respect. And I agree that the local response to covid is going to become increasingly important as time goes on. I am wondering what the picture is in Birmingham though as Sandwell is essentially part of the same conurbation. I live a ten minute walk away from the boundary.

I'm right on the border (by the Albion ground). I read somewhere that local lockdown could cross boundaries and I'm pretty sure that if West Brom and Smethwick get lockdown then some parts of Brum could be included such as Handsworth.

Dr Lisa McNally comes across as much more involved and alert than any of that shower in government. I have family and friends in Sandwell so I'm glad someone with her commitment is taking care of matters given the recent increase in cases there.

 

[Artaxerxes]

And yet every fucker is still on holiday. Madness.

I just cannot fucking understand the thought process behind willingly stepping on a plane at this point, regardless of the health concerns, just from a financial stress point of view why would you risk it? Add to that most of the things you do on holiday are. going. to. be. shut.

 

[phillm]

I see Johnson announced in todays press conference that the planned August 1st relaxations that would have allowed casinos, bowling alleys, skating rinks and the remaining close-contact services to reopen have been postponed for at least 2 weeks. 'Squeezing the brake pedal' was the Johnson rhetoric chosen. Also no sports spectator trials or wedding receptions.

A 50% capacity seared Tonnoe DScott's was due to p[en

This is a man with a degree in literature from Oxford remember.

Fixed for you.

Manus, faciem spatium, ut temptare

 

[Raheem]

I just cannot fucking understand the thought process behind willingly stepping on a plane at this point, regardless of the health concerns, just from a financial stress point of view why would you risk it? Add to that most of the things you do on holiday are. going. to. be. shut.

Some people will have booked before all this, or deferred from earlier in the year, and can't now get a refund.

 

[Teaboy]

I just cannot fucking understand the thought process behind willingly stepping on a plane at this point, regardless of the health concerns, just from a financial stress point of view why would you risk it? Add to that most of the things you do on holiday are. going. to. be. shut.

Depends which country you're off to. There are loads and loads of places which are pretty much fully open. I'm with you though regarding flying.

 

[CNT36]

I still think a quick, cheap, antigen test using spit needs to be pursued. Medcram and Time have done summaries based on Michael Mina's work. The sensitivity is only around 50% however this is not a random 50%. The majority of the false negatives are when the viral load is low so either before or after the subject is infectious. The ideal is them being produced for a few quid as a daily test that people can use at home. If it is positive they stay home as they could be infectious. If not they goto work as they probably are not and if they are the test will most likely pick it up the next day limiting the number they infect. It would be very useful for opening up and reduce the reliance on contract tracing as anyone you infect should be using the daily test as well. A test would likely cost a few quid and give a result in about ten minutes. It is obviously less sensitive than PCR but this would be more than made up for by its widespread use and speed. The vast majority of people using these tests would not have a PCR test anyway. In clinical, research and other situations obviously the more sensitive and specific tests are going to be essential and provide different useful information. As a should I get out of bed and go to School, work or the pub test they seem a very effective option. This does not mean distancing, masks and other measures should be abandoned.

 

[elbows]

I still think a quick, cheap, antigen test using spit needs to be pursued. Medcram and Time have done a summaries based on Michael Mina's work. The sensitivity is only around 50% however this is not a random 50%. The majority of the false negatives are when the viral load is low so either before or after the subject is infectious. The ideal is them being produced for a few quid as a daily test that people can use at home. If it is positive they stay home as they could be infectious. If not they goto work as they probably are not and if they are the test will most likely pick it up the next day limiting the number they infect. It would be very useful for opening up and reduce the reliance on contract tracing as anyone you infect should be using the daily test as well. A test would likely cost a few quid and give a result in about ten minutes. It is obviously less sensitive than PCR but this would be more than made up for by its widespread use and speed. The vast majority of people using these tests would not have a PCR test anyway. In clinical, research and other situations obviously the more sensitive and specific tests are going to be essential and provide different useful information. As a should I get out of bed and go to School, work or the pub test they seem a very effective option. This does mean distancing, masks and other measures should be abandoned.

Did the word 'not' accidentally go missing from your last sentence?

They are looking into the saliva test. I took part in a home trial of it just under 2 weeks ago. I think it was being done by Imperial College London & Ipsos MORI with NHS & DHSC involvement.

 

[CNT36]

Did the word 'not' accidentally go missing from your last sentence?

They are looking into the saliva test. I took part in a home trial of it just under 2 weeks ago. I think it was being done by Imperial College London & Ipsos MORI with NHS & DHSC involvement.

Yes. It has now magically reappeared.

 

[SpineyNorman]

Oh and they are extending the mask rules to include museums, galleries, cinemas, places of worship, recommended now and enforceable from August 8th.

Conspiraloons will go mad over that, August 8 is one of those dates they're obsessed with, something to do with Manson or Hitler or something

 

[CNT36]

Conspiraloons will go mad over that, August 8 is one of those dates they're obsessed with, something to do with Manson or Hitler or something

8 day of the 8th month. 88 = HH = Heil Hitler.

 

[Steel Icarus]

8 day of the 8th month. 88 = HH = Heil Hitler.

Was the day the Beijing Olympics started, too - 8/8/08