Politics of fear and its side effects

Whether there is politics of fear, there is definitely fear of COVID. I think we must, though, discriminate between variants and recognise that we are better protected that previously. Omicron does not appear to be as terrible as earlier variants. The indications suggest this is the case and my personal experience certainly does. My wife and daughter are self-isolating and two of my three grand-daughters are again testing negative after experiencing Omicron. Three of the four 'patients' have had only temporary minor symptoms, less than a severe cold, and one has had symptoms of influenza. Unlike previous variants, there was no fear of death in the family.

I am not suggesting for one minute that we should not wear masks, get vaccinated or take precautions, particularly if we are elderly (like me) or have pre-existing conditions. I am suggesting that the rest of society should not be put on hold unless the current variant (whatever it is) poses a widespread threat.

Good post Cunco

Monica.... hope your DH wasn’t too upset about that encounter in the vaccination queue, he had done nothing wrong at all and the woman who ran off obviously had mental health problems.Anything that day could have set her off.

I was just thinking back to when I had my first two vaccinations 30 or so people were queuing outside most did not put their masks on until entering the building there was no need we were outside and socially distanced
Your husband did nothing wrong Monica and was probably more sensitive due to his recent experiences

I feel sorry for the unfortunate woman who obviously was suffering from some problems that we cannot possibly diagnose without knowing her. I also feel sorry for Monica’s husband, who was also distressed by this experience. Perhaps we could all be a little kinder towards one another, and not be judgemental of either person because both deserve our sympathy under these difficult circumstances.

I quite agree maddyone. And I still think a bit of sensible organisation could have avoided a stressful situation for both. Masks in the queue for everyone and a separate arrangement for people who cannot wear a mask. Not rocket science is it.

Omicron is pretty much the same severity as delta in those who have no immunity from previous vaccination or infection.

People like my son who is severely disabled and no-one can work out how to vaccinate.

I’m cautious - for example I double mask on crowded places now, not because I’m gibbering in fear but because I am being cautious for my son. Also if omicron whips through his team he’ll have no 24 hour 2:1 support which is problematic.

I‘be not been terrified by Chris Whitty - I have a PhD in a relevant subject and have kept up to date myself and made my own decision based on the additional risks faced by my son.

Yes I agree Maddy, one of my closest friends has complex mental health problems, she has certainly at times focussed her distress on a particular friend, not in an aggressive way at all, but it really is beyond her control.

Doctors surgeries are not really big enough to cater for mass vaccination programmes, especially ones where people may be infectious. I know of some that refused to take part because they knew they couldn’t do so safely and I was told that our surgery was like a superspreader event so we went to a vaccination centre that was in a much bigger building.

Mamie I agree that the obvious answer is to have a separate queue/ waiting zone or other system for people who cannot tolerate wearing a mask, to both keep them safer and to avoid others getting upset. Waiting in a queue when you are extremely vulnerable ( even outside where the risk is much much lower) is very worrisome for some.

Here the extremely vulnerable, very elderly (and I would guess people who cannot wear masks for medical reasons), can ask for the district nurse to do a home visit.