Could Omicron actually be a good thing?

Alegrias1

^Evidence is growing that current vaccinations don't offer good protection against Omicron.^

Got any links about that growstuff?

Even chrischirp was being optimistic yesterday.

I'll ask. I was told about them in a discussion this morning, but wasn't given the sources.

Urmstongran

It’s not gaslighting growstuff it’s an observation and an opinion.

Yes, it is. You're suggesting people are going to be frightened of their own shadows. It's the equivalent of school kid goading, when a child is called "chicken" for not wanting to risk running across a busy road.

GrannyGravy13

All the interviews I have seen/heard have been fairly positive regarding the efficacy of vaccines against Omicron variant, particularly in respect of Pfizer boosters.

Not true, I'm afraid.

People are still being recommended to have vaccinations (especially boosters), but it is highly unlikely that any of the vaccinations offer the same protection against Omicron. There have been about six studies and only one of them was optimistic.

Only testing at the moment as my family have Covid. I don’t usually test so often just prior to the osteopath visit as it’s very close contact , and when I visit my housebound friend .

Does anyone think that there isn't the same resistance to anything as there used to be ?

“Urmstongran ” - I’m testing daily as I’m having osteopathy twice weekly and also go swimming twice a week whilst waiting for a hip replacement, so wouldn’t want to put others at risk . I also visit a housebound friend weekly although decided not to this week. I always test before visiting her . It is recommended we all test twice weekly and I would be happy to pay if necessary .

All the interviews I have seen/heard have been fairly positive regarding the efficacy of vaccines against Omicron variant, particularly in respect of Pfizer boosters.

Evidence is growing that current vaccinations don't offer good protection against Omicron.

Got any links about that growstuff?

Even chrischirp was being optimistic yesterday.

It’s not gaslighting growstuff it’s an observation and an opinion.

Well that is a depressing thought. Dinahmo. It was on the news a couple of days ago that many South Africans don’t want the vaccine. It’s not down to a shortage per se.

Ergo we will never be rid of Covid for years.
I’d better get used to it.

Perhaps I could stop reading the papers and watching the news.

Urmstongran

I’ve had my jabs & boosters. Sensible.
I think I’m just fed up of the ‘maybe’ ‘could’ ‘possible’ ‘perhaps’ rhetoric on the news about this new milder variant. We will be frightened of our own shadows soon.

Evidence is growing that current vaccinations don't offer good protection against Omicron. The reason words like "maybe", "could", "possible" and "perhaps" are used are because it's too early to know for sure. Scientists can't produce new vaccines overnight.

Your last sentence is gaslighting. Being cautious and adult isn't being frightened of one's own shadow.

I don't think that we can compare a possible outcome in the UK with what is happening in South Africa, the main reason being that the average age of their population is only 28.

I also heard on the tv that someone had Omicron and wasn't particularly ill until 2 to 3 weeks later. We really cannot be complacent.

I also think that until the vast majority of people throughout the world have been properly vaccinated we will continue to have proper precautions.

My mistake. You don’t have Covid. Your family does.
My apologies.

Will you still test if you remain symptom free (and not mixing with anyone)?

That I don’t get.

Urmstongran

I’ve had my jabs & boosters. Sensible.
I think I’m just fed up of the ‘maybe’ ‘could’ ‘possible’ ‘perhaps’ rhetoric on the news about this new milder variant. We will be frightened of our own shadows soon.

We don't know yet if its milder.

Then term milder is being used because initial indications are that in a vaccinated population the impacts may be less serious than it might otherwise be. Initial. We've only known about its existence for a fortnight.

You set them up, we'll knock them down.

Triple jabbed, I'm not so frightened of the virus any more. I am concerned about the number of cases getting so high that hospitals and other services are overwhelmed. DF has already had one operation cancelled this week because of staff being off self isolating.

Alegrias1

They're kind of suggesting that in Scotland growstuff. I've got two things planned for different days next week and I'll be testing before each of them. Otherwise just staying in!

Ah! OK!

There are still days when I don't go out (most of them), so there wouldn't be any point in testing. However, I do test now before and a day after I've been anywhere and will continue to do so.

SusieB50

Last weekend we had a lovely pre- Christmas meal at my house with DD and DS and their wives and families . We kept a couple of windows open but we were very physically close around the table for a couple of hours .One DGD was unwell on the following night , tested positive the next day ! Now everyone except DS and I have tested positive . We have had our boosters . I will test every day until 10 days are up and not meet inside with anyone, but it seems ( if it is Omicrom) very contagious . They all feel as if they have heavy colds ,the remaining adults are double jabbed and had booked their boosters ! Grandkids all under 12 .

I was quoting this poster.
Why test every day? I don’t get it. You have Covid (I hope it’s mild). Stay in, keep warm, drink fluids, take paracetamol t.
No need to do a lateral flow test every day.

As I said, would we be doing this if we had to pay at the chemist for a box?

Alegrias1

yet

Exactly!

In any case, it's likely that many cases of Omicron weren't identified. Even now, many of the testing labs aren't set up for it.

People don't usually die immediately, so we won't know for a while how many deaths have been caused by Omicron.

Better safe than sorry, however much people squeal.

I’ve had my jabs & boosters. Sensible.
I think I’m just fed up of the ‘maybe’ ‘could’ ‘possible’ ‘perhaps’ rhetoric on the news about this new milder variant. We will be frightened of our own shadows soon.

They're kind of suggesting that in Scotland growstuff. I've got two things planned for different days next week and I'll be testing before each of them. Otherwise just staying in!

Urmstongran

Why test every day if you have no symptoms? I truly am beginning to despair of all this. Stay home if you are not well. I did for 14 days to be on the safe side. No need to take lateral flows every day.

Would we be doing this if we had to pay for them?
I doubt it.

Has there been some ruling to test every day? If so, I missed it.

yet

Well the bottom line is no deaths from Omicron. Zero.

Urmstongran

Because growstuff what I’m saying is these lockdowns do is just kick the can up the road so as not to overwhelm ‘our NHS’.
Maybe with this milder (yet highly transmissible) variant we ought to be mingling and building up our immune systems. We shit ourselves away in the winter, come back out in the summer and then get another lockdown next year again.

Rinse and repeat.

Omicron is the most sinister threat we have ever faced - a mysterious stealth virus that spreads with no symptoms or manifestations of illness whatsoever! Who could have imagined that we would face such a devious and implacable viral enemy?

You don't seem to understand what it means to build up your immune system. You can't do that, unless you are vaccinated or catch Covid. It would appear that vaccinations aren't that effective against Omicron and I doubt if anybody actually wants to catch Covid.

14:28: Virus spreads without you having any symptoms.

14:34: Why do we have to test if we don't have any symptoms?

?‍♀️

It was a joke!
Of course it’s not sinister. We are being spooked.

Remember? By that government who ramped up the fear factor?