Could Omicron actually be a good thing?

Anyway, this pensioner has paid work to do. Ciao!

growstuff

EllanVannin

growstuff

EllanVannin

We need to know why so many young fit people have died.

Sadly, we hear of people losing their lives to this pandemic but the exact cause of death has never been mentioned.

Yes, it has.

What I mean by the exact cause of death are pathologist reports not just a death certificate with Covid written on it.

This has been discussed umpteen times, not just on GN. Covid causes multi-organ failure by clots blocking oxygen, especially the lungs, and that's what kills people.

So why does it kill some and not others ?

I do like to get to the source of these things

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-59615005

Don't forget to read past the headline...

However, a third booster dose significantly increased protection to around 75%.

The UK Health Security Agency said vaccines were still likely to offer good protection against severe Covid that needed hospital treatment.

Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at the UKHSA, said: ... "We expect the vaccines to show higher protection against the serious complications of COVID-19, so if you haven't yet had your first two doses please book an appointment straight away."

I guess it depends what you mean by "good".

I agree with the argument that it is easy to get spooked by this.
The thing is spreading so rapidly that there seems little point in people continually testing - jut stay at home if you feel a bit ill.

It would be good to have, every 3 days or so, a breakdown of new cases by age group and vaccination status.

Isn't it likely that if omicron is more virulent than other mutations there would be signs by now?

*EllanVannin. It is the same with any illness, some get it lightly, some get it badly. Think measles and all the childhood illnesses, flu, colds etc etc.

The reason - a complex mix of genetics, lifestyle, diet, I do not mean good or bad , but poor people do not eat as well as better off people, air in towns is more polluted, allergies affect matters. It just happens.

My sisters (before vaccination) were both very ill with whooping cough. I did not catch it, I had measles, but not as badly as they did. However I was the most ill with chicken pox. The factors that decide who has illnesses severely and those who have it lightly are complex and, as yet, not fully unravelled.

winterwhite

I agree with the argument that it is easy to get spooked by this.
The thing is spreading so rapidly that there seems little point in people continually testing - jut stay at home if you feel a bit ill.

It would be good to have, every 3 days or so, a breakdown of new cases by age group and vaccination status.

Isn't it likely that if omicron is more virulent than other mutations there would be signs by now?

I'm not sure that data broken down by vaccination status is available.

However, here's the latest on cases broken down by age:

twitter.com/LawrenceGilder/status/1469349285917560833

He publishes it every day, plus other data.

winterwhite

I agree with the argument that it is easy to get spooked by this.
The thing is spreading so rapidly that there seems little point in people continually testing - jut stay at home if you feel a bit ill.

It would be good to have, every 3 days or so, a breakdown of new cases by age group and vaccination status.

Isn't it likely that if omicron is more virulent than other mutations there would be signs by now?

There are signs. Case rates have been increasing every day for at least a week. Identified Omicron cases are doubling every two or three days. To date, they're still in the minority, but if they continue to double, it won't be long before they're dominant.

There's a time lag between cases and hospitalisations and deaths, so the picture should be a bit clearer maybe as early as next week.

EllanVannin

growstuff

EllanVannin

growstuff

EllanVannin

We need to know why so many young fit people have died.

Sadly, we hear of people losing their lives to this pandemic but the exact cause of death has never been mentioned.

Yes, it has.

What I mean by the exact cause of death are pathologist reports not just a death certificate with Covid written on it.

This has been discussed umpteen times, not just on GN. Covid causes multi-organ failure by clots blocking oxygen, especially the lungs, and that's what kills people.

So why does it kill some and not others ?

Because some people are more susceptible. For example, if you have COPD, your lungs are already compromised.

Genetics plays a role and scientists think they've identified faulty DNA in some cases.

The virus "latches on" to the body's systems via its spike protein and ACE2 receptors. Some people naturally have more and they increase with age, which is one reason the elderly are especially vulnerable.

Some people have compromised immune systems. For some, vaccinations offer limited protection.

Some people receive more viral load at the point of infection, so are more badly affected.

I've undoubtedly forgotten some reasons for differences. Some reasons are still a mystery, although it's known that some groups of people are more severely affected.

Data by vaccination status for England.

Comes out once a week.

Page 27ff.

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1039677/Vaccine_surveillance_report_-_week_49.pdf

And for Scotland.

Page 42ff

publichealthscotland.scot/media/10758/21-12-08-covid19-winter_publication_report.pdf

EllanVannin

growstuff

EllanVannin

We need to know why so many young fit people have died.

Sadly, we hear of people losing their lives to this pandemic but the exact cause of death has never been mentioned.

Yes, it has.

What I mean by the exact cause of death are pathologist reports not just a death certificate with Covid written on it.

We are not entitled to personal information on individual death certificates. That is a private matter for the families.

Lincslass

EllanVannin

growstuff

EllanVannin

We need to know why so many young fit people have died.

Sadly, we hear of people losing their lives to this pandemic but the exact cause of death has never been mentioned.

Yes, it has.

What I mean by the exact cause of death are pathologist reports not just a death certificate with Covid written on it.

We are not entitled to personal information on individual death certificates. That is a private matter for the families.

Death certificates are a matter of public record. Anybody can apply for a copy of a death certificate, providing they know the dates of birth and death, even if they are a complete stranger.