Pandemic personal consequences

[Sue]

I work with a quite a few people who are born & bred white British, read the news, not particularly anti-lockdown or anything, not anti-vaccine, but who won't do PCR or surge- testing as they don't want to have their results recorded.
No issue taking lateral flow tests (in fact before they were widely available would boast they'd got a few from a mate whose girlfriend worked in a school or whatever)

I can't quite fathom the combo of mistrust & pig-headedness but it's definitely out there.

I just tell myself they aren't as bad as they could be, and enough people aren't like them, & that's all I can do.

(sorry I garbled the quote a bit)

I think for some people, it's because they don't want to self-isolate if they get a positive because they can't afford to be off work (financially and/or potentially losing their job).

 

[cupid_stunt]

Thanks. Not sure how long I'll be away yet. Anything from a week to.. well, several weeks. For people who've used the online system to book, does it show options only in your local area?

On the NHS site, after putting in your NHS no. & DoB, you get a 'find a vaccination centre' page, just put in a postcode near where you are at the time.

If you have to book both appointments, you can always change the second one later.

 

[xenon]

Yep I've just done it. Managed to book first for May 10th at the big vaccination centre here. I first tried on Friday, ticking braille as an access need. This time didn't bother and it gave me appointments. Not great from an access to info PoV but at least they're booked.

 

[Ms Ordinary]

I think for some people, it's because they don't want to self-isolate if they get a positive because they can't afford to be off work (financially and/or potentially losing their job).

I totally get that, because that's the reason I consistently reported zero symptoms to the Zoe study during January - we were part-furloughed, ie understaffed, flooded with work & colleague straight-up begged me to make sure I didn't take a test, as then he'd be left alone in the office. (Obviously both of us would have tested if we had the 3 official symptoms, this was just to do with reporting other symptoms to the Zoe app which I knew would trigger a test)

But now we're all back off furlough, so it wouldn't be such a disaster if people had to isolate, the people I'm talking about are managers paid a lot more than me, with more flexibility to wfh so I don't that's such an issue for them.

Though there's clearly an anti-test aspect to office culture!
& I guess the more you're paid, the 'worse' it would be to drop down to SSP for 10 days, if you're financially over-stretching yourself.

 

[xenon]

@ miss direct
The vaccination centres are shown by postcode so if you know you're gonna be away for say the next 3 weeks put the postcode of that place.

I think it's possible to book the second dose in a different area as it does ask do you want the second at the same place or not.

 

[Sue]

I totally get that, because that's the reason I consistently reported zero symptoms to the Zoe study during January - we were part-furloughed, ie understaffed, flooded with work & colleague straight-up begged me to make sure I didn't take a test, as then he'd be left alone in the office. (Obviously both of us would have tested if we had the 3 official symptoms, this was just to do with reporting other symptoms to the Zoe app which I knew would trigger a test)

But now we're all back off furlough, so it wouldn't be such a disaster if people had to isolate, the people I'm talking about are managers paid a lot more than me, with more flexibility to wfh so I don't get it.

Though I guess the more you're paid, the 'worse' it would be to drop down to SSP for 10 days, if you're financially over-stretching yourself.

Yeah, the people I know who've been reluctant have been in insecure, low-paid/zero hours contract jobs where they can't work from home. So it's pretty shit but understandable. Don't really understand why it would be a problem if you could wfh etc though.

 

[Artaxerxes]

We're braving a trip into London tomorrow for the wifes birthday (we're picking up misc oriental food goods and maybe some clothes shopping), I've only been as far as Hoxton since last year and that was 4 months ago.

Bricking it.

 

[colacubes]

We're braving a trip into London tomorrow for the wifes birthday (we're picking up misc oriental food goods and maybe some clothes shopping), I've only been as far as Hoxton since last year and that was 4 months ago.

Bricking it.

I really wouldn’t. Central London is still pretty much dead.

 

[izz]

Friend of mine, very clever woman, thinks about things, is considering not being vaccinated "because she doesn't like taking medication she doesn't need ".

 

[William of Walworth]

Friend of mine, very clever woman, thinks about things, is considering not being vaccinated "because she doesn't like taking medication she doesn't need ".

Can I ask you whether she seems otherwise free of any fruitloop/conspiracy tendancies?

If she's not down any rabbitholes , and I hope not, a bit of persuasion might work maybe??

 

[izz]

I had not suspected her of anything like this before, quite level headed generally. All a bit baffling.

 

[Artaxerxes]

I really wouldn’t. Central London is still pretty much dead.

It was ok, biggest issue was finding a toilet.

We just went in out and to specific shops, have like 80 quids worth of stuff from the Japanese grocers

 

[kabbes]

I had not suspected her of anything like this before, quite level headed generally. All a bit baffling.

It’s not baffling, it’s a reasonable default position if your focus is on your personal health, not community benefits. Why should the default be to take whatever somebody asks you to unless it’s proved a problem? As opposed to refusing medication until it’s proven both necessary and less harmful than the alternative?

If you’re under 40, possibly, and certainly under 30, the biggest argument in favour of taking the vaccine is to help the community as a whole. But we live in a world where that idea is seen as so left-field that it isn’t even engaged with. So we’re left with personal choices about personal benefits. And in that case, why be surprised if somebody sees that equation as not being in favour of injecting something?

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

It’s not baffling, it’s a reasonable default position if your focus is on your personal health, not community benefits. Why should the default be to take whatever somebody asks you to unless it’s proved a problem? As opposed to refusing medication until it’s proven both necessary and less harmful than the alternative?

If you’re under 40, possibly, and certainly under 30, the biggest argument in favour of taking the vaccine is to help the community as a whole. But we live in a world where that idea is seen as so left-field that it isn’t even engaged with. So we’re left with personal choices about personal benefits. And in that case, why be surprised if somebody sees that equation as not being in favour of injecting something?

Or, to put it another way, lots of people are selfish cunts.

 

[xenon]

Friend of mine, very clever woman, thinks about things, is considering not being vaccinated "because she doesn't like taking medication she doesn't need ".

You know my sister?

Basically that's her atitude. no conspiracy shit. She reckons she's had the Rona too but yeah, so do most people. Not that is reason to not get vaccinated.

Anyway I've told her I reckon she should get it, maybe have a rethink but have left it at that. We're both quite stubborn and would probably only fall out if I kept on about it.

 

[xenon]

It’s not baffling, it’s a reasonable default position if your focus is on your personal health, not community benefits. Why should the default be to take whatever somebody asks you to unless it’s proved a problem? As opposed to refusing medication until it’s proven both necessary and less harmful than the alternative?

If you’re under 40, possibly, and certainly under 30, the biggest argument in favour of taking the vaccine is to help the community as a whole. But we live in a world where that idea is seen as so left-field that it isn’t even engaged with. So we’re left with personal choices about personal benefits. And in that case, why be surprised if somebody sees that equation as not being in favour of injecting something?

My sister's answer to that, is she doesn't go out all that much anyway. Which is true.

 

[lazythursday]

Friend of mine, very clever woman, thinks about things, is considering not being vaccinated "because she doesn't like taking medication she doesn't need ".

This is my mum's position on the matter too. And she's 80, ffs. And generally really community-minded too. Won't budge, no point arguing about it any more.

 

[FridgeMagnet]

It's not in itself an unusual position - that you have medical treatment when you're sick and definitely need it, and only then. People don't go to the dentist because their teeth are fine, that sort of thing. In many cases it's perfectly sensible, but obviously with preventative stuff it's a complete failure, and that's excluding the idea of community transmission as well.

 

[izz]

It’s not baffling, it’s a reasonable default position if your focus is on your personal health, not community benefits. Why should the default be to take whatever somebody asks you to unless it’s proved a problem? As opposed to refusing medication until it’s proven both necessary and less harmful than the alternative?

If you’re under 40, possibly, and certainly under 30, the biggest argument in favour of taking the vaccine is to help the community as a whole. But we live in a world where that idea is seen as so left-field that it isn’t even engaged with. So we’re left with personal choices about personal benefits. And in that case, why be surprised if somebody sees that equation as not being in favour of injecting something?

I do get that, she's 40-something but more importantly, has older relatives who she's quite fond of and wishes to spend significant amounts of time with.

 

[scifisam]

It's not in itself an unusual position - that you have medical treatment when you're sick and definitely need it, and only then. People don't go to the dentist because their teeth are fine, that sort of thing. In many cases it's perfectly sensible, but obviously with preventative stuff it's a complete failure, and that's excluding the idea of community transmission as well.

I do go to the dentist when my teeth are fine - 6-monthly check-ups and polishing.

 

[rubbershoes]

This is my mum's position on the matter too. And she's 80, ffs. And generally really community-minded too. Won't budge, no point arguing about it any more.

Does she get an annual flu jab?

 

[purenarcotic]

I think it's simpler than that even TBH - people pay an NHS surcharge along with their visa costs, so they have the right to use the NHS even if their visa says they're not eligible for recourse to public funds and so on. I mean, for the pandemic the govt would probably make exceptions if they needed to, but they don't need to.

They get charged though, depending on their status. 14k to give birth! Not relevant to the vaccine though.

 

[Artaxerxes]

Second jab done and dusted.

They’ve got the efficiency down pat which is nice.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

First jab Thursday. Realised I’ve got quite mixed feelings about it. Hmmmm.

 

[scifisam]

They get charged though, depending on their status. 14k to give birth! Not relevant to the vaccine though.

Isn't that just tourists?

 

[MickiQ]

It’s not baffling, it’s a reasonable default position if your focus is on your personal health, not community benefits. Why should the default be to take whatever somebody asks you to unless it’s proved a problem? As opposed to refusing medication until it’s proven both necessary and less harmful than the alternative?

If you’re under 40, possibly, and certainly under 30, the biggest argument in favour of taking the vaccine is to help the community as a whole. But we live in a world where that idea is seen as so left-field that it isn’t even engaged with. So we’re left with personal choices about personal benefits. And in that case, why be surprised if somebody sees that equation as not being in favour of injecting something?

Even if you don't give a fig about the wider community as a whole, most people have a smaller local community primarily their family they will care about. Beside's if you're thinking purely in terms of personal benefit no matter how young you are now, you won't stop aging and we can safely assume that foreign travel is off the table pretty much forever for the unvaccinated.
There are going to be some holdouts who for whatever reason don't get vaccinated but even those who don't positively want it, it's going to be hard for many to not have it anyway.

 

[Winot]

First jab Thursday. Realised I’ve got quite mixed feelings about it. Hmmmm.

Why?

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Why?

Complicated. But partly it's another barrier removed to me going back to "normal". And the pandemic has shown me I didn't really like "normal".

 

[purenarcotic]

Isn't that just tourists?

No. Lots of people subject to immigration control have to pay for some aspects of healthcare. Primary care, emergency treatment, being sectioned, treatment for some kinds of infectious diseases and family planning is always free but other types aren’t necessarily. It depends on the type of visa.

 

[lazythursday]

Does she get an annual flu jab?

Once. It made her feel ill. This is part of her reasoning for not having it. As she hasn't had flu for decades thanks to her amazing immunity and the only time she relented and had the vaccine she ended up with flu-like symptoms.