The decision to end restrictions is dangerous and premature, unethical and illogical.

Things have got better in that we have a vaccine. Having said that, it’s quite obvious to people on here that I’m a worrier and err on the side of pessimism but even I thought this pandemic would run its course and be over by now. And now Israel are finding the effect of the vaccine isn’t lasting as long as everyone thought it would. I just hope it’s just a blip and maybe the figures are wrong. It’s on DrJohns latest blog if anyone wants to check it out and let me know what they think.

Alegrias1

Whitewavemark2

PHE have said that a new variant is under investigation in England.

There is no evidence to suggest it makes the vaccines less effective or causes more severe illness, PHE said.

Incidentally, with regard to Beta:

Real-world data out of Canada shows one dose of AstraZeneca’s vaccine is highly effective against preventing hospitalization and/or death caused by SARS-CoV-2 VOCs

•Alpha (B.1.1.7): 90%
•Delta (B.1.617.2): 87%
•Gamma (P.1): 82%
•Beta (B.1.351): 82%

twitter.com/Coronavirusgoo1/status/1418564785570996228

I really do hope this information coming from Canada is correct, as it would help me feel more confident about AZ.

I wonder how they acquired it as Canada were recommending Pfizer or Moderna as a 2nd shot if first vaccine was AstraZeneca? abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/canada-pfizer-moderna-preferred-2nd-dose-astrazeneca-78346055

Unfortunately the Forbes information wasn’t so positive suggesting AZ was only 10% effective against the beta variant.
www.forbes.com/sites/jvchamary/2021/06/30/coronavirus-vaccines-effective-variants/?sh=1b1bcc4e37a5

We're getting there maddyone.

When we recall where we were a year ago things have got so much better. And they are improving, its just that I think we are programmed to always look for the negatives. DH and I play a "game" now watching the news...waiting for the "but".

Here's some good news BUT the end of the world is nigh.

maddyone tedious isn’t it but it will pass For me best to get on with life as normal and not give it so much thought.
This pingdemic is causing problems but have solved that one I pressed delete
Pointless worrying about what may or may not happen Most of the experts can’t agree some upbeat some doom and gloom

Can I just say, stop the world now, I want to get off. I’ve had enough of it now. It’s just so depressing. When will it end? It feels like never. I’m talking about Covid, not the restrictions.

I can see why they didn't wait until the younger age groups had received two doses that would be September that's coming into Autumn when all the children are going back to school.
Summer surely is a better time when other respiratory illness is lower.
They probably knew uptake was going to be lower amongst the young they in the main do not suffer as much also one dose with their prime immune systems will have a good effect.
My DIL has just tested positive she is a bit older early 30s and only received 2nd dose a day before catching it she has no symptoms whatsoever and is asthmatic

I just don’t think any of this has been thought through. I mean, most of us can work out that doing certain things will have a knock on effect but the government seem blind to it all.

MayBee70

According to DrJohns latest blog the main age group that are contracting the virus are 18 + therefore most of them won’t have been vaccinated yet. imo that age group should try to avoid vulnerable people and it would be good if they wore masks. It’s great that they’re now able to lead a slightly more normal life but until they’ve been vaccinated they do have a responsibility towards younger and older age groups. And, of course, themselves. It’s sh** that so many young people are not living the sort of life they expected or deserved to, though, and my heart does go out to them.

This is why I feel restrictions shouldn’t have been lifted until every has had an opportunity to have both doses.

Incredibly unfair to the young

According to DrJohns latest blog the main age group that are contracting the virus are 18 + therefore most of them won’t have been vaccinated yet. imo that age group should try to avoid vulnerable people and it would be good if they wore masks. It’s great that they’re now able to lead a slightly more normal life but until they’ve been vaccinated they do have a responsibility towards younger and older age groups. And, of course, themselves. It’s sh** that so many young people are not living the sort of life they expected or deserved to, though, and my heart does go out to them.

I think the other issue at the moment is that vaccinated people often have a very mild dose, so they aren’t aware they have been infected, and don’t test, but can still pass it on.

A number of people never have a PCR test, which also affects the stats.

Casdon

The ONS survey uses a different methodology not the positive test results, , it random samples from households each week.
www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/methodologies/covid19infectionsurveypilotmethodsandfurtherinformation.

I know, which is why I always look at a number of sources. ZOE uses different methodology too.

GrannyGravy13

Alegrias1

No appreciable change in the level of testing, up until yesterday.

Several possible reasons for lower amount of tests all U.K. schools are now closed along with many people now on holiday.

I doubt if many school pupils were testing properly anyway. The teenagers I teach admitted they didn't, unless their parents were standing over them. The first they knew was when when they were infected. The reporting arrangements for schools changed very recently, so it's probable that quite a number of teenagers haven't been reported. If you look at the cases broken down by age, it's noticeable that reported cases in 10-19 year olds have decreased.

The ONS survey uses a different methodology not the positive test results, , it random samples from households each week.
www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/methodologies/covid19infectionsurveypilotmethodsandfurtherinformation.

Alegrias1

No appreciable change in the level of testing, up until yesterday.

Several possible reasons for lower amount of tests all U.K. schools are now closed along with many people now on holiday.

No appreciable change in the level of testing, up until yesterday.

Many people are no longer testing, worried about being told to isolate and therefore not being paid if they are self employed. Apparently 25% have deleted the NHS app. These people obviously won’t show up in the figures.

GrannyGravy13

The U.K. figures for today and yesterday are considerably down on Thursday & Friday last week today’s 36,389 compared to last Fridays 51,870, yesterday’s 39,906 as opposed to 48,553 last Thursday.

Let’s hope they continue to go in this direction.

I agree. Fingers crossed. It's a bit baffling that Tim Spector (from ZOE) thinks that cases are about 50% higher than the "offcial" figures. Usually, he's very cautious about case numbers. The cases in my district are still 20 times higher than they were a couple of weeks ago and the ONS is still reporting a rise, so who knows?

Who on earth thinks that Covid is the only thing to fear or is the only killer around?

I'm as safe as I could ever be from Covid, but I'm acutely aware that some other condition could affect me. If I do catch Covid, my risk of being severely affected is higher than average, despite vaccinations. I'd like to know that if I'm struck down with something else that the NHS has spare capacity to treat me. I try me best to avoid another heart attack and do what I can to keep my diabetes under control. Why shouldn't I try not to catch Covid?

That is to answer you JenniferEccles

Yes. To highlight that to think that covid is the only thing to fear is so sad. To think that covid is the only killer around is misguided. To think that if you are safe from covid, then you are safe, is misguided. I say hug your nearest and dearest while you can.

The U.K. figures for today and yesterday are considerably down on Thursday & Friday last week today’s 36,389 compared to last Fridays 51,870, yesterday’s 39,906 as opposed to 48,553 last Thursday.

Let’s hope they continue to go in this direction.

Whitewavemark2

PHE have said that a new variant is under investigation in England.

There is no evidence to suggest it makes the vaccines less effective or causes more severe illness, PHE said.

Incidentally, with regard to Beta:

Real-world data out of Canada shows one dose of AstraZeneca’s vaccine is highly effective against preventing hospitalization and/or death caused by SARS-CoV-2 VOCs

•Alpha (B.1.1.7): 90%
•Delta (B.1.617.2): 87%
•Gamma (P.1): 82%
•Beta (B.1.351): 82%

twitter.com/Coronavirusgoo1/status/1418564785570996228

Incidentally is there a reason why you wrote covid in inverted commas LoveOc ?

PHE have said that a new variant is under investigation in England.