England will have no further Covid restrictions until after the New Year.

If this mutation is actually quite mild and will bring about the end of the pandemic as it will be more like a seasonal cold, we mustn’t forget the millions of people the virus has infected to get to this state. Many of whom are suffering from long covid or have, sadly, died. Heartbreaking to hear of the young mum and her unborn child losing their lives.

Urmstongran

News bulletin just now:

“Just one-fifth of new Covid hospital patients are true cases
Treat data with caution, say experts, as situation in hospitals during omicron wave is different to ‘horrific scenes’ of a year ago”

Events really do seem to be turning a corner. Other experts are being listened to. Epidemiologists and virologists more so now. Not just ‘modellers’.

That really isn't what has been reported. I can't read the whole article because it's behind the Telegraph's paywall, but this is what has been written:

"Just one fifth of the weekly rise in Covid inpatients was caused by people admitted to hospital because of the virus, figures suggest."

That's not the same thing at all.

I’m so very sorry about your son’s friend’s wife Hetty. What a terrible loss to his family, especially his children. I’ve heard/read about many pregnant women who have died because they caught Covid and had refused the vaccine because of their pregnancy. Some of the babies have been delivered but they’ll never know their mothers. On this occasion pregnant women really should listen to the experts and get vaccinated. It’s safer for them and their babies.

Sincere condolences Hetty to your family at the loss of your son’s friend’s wife. One can only imagine the devastating loss to her family.
?

Was the girl vaccinated do you know? I only ask because a similar case was on SKY news this afternoon. It was all the more heartbreaking because the expectant mum had refused vaccination, even after encouragement from her obstetrician and her own family.

I really hope all the good predictions are right. Still, I'm cautious. We view it from our own perspective - and experience. I don't see 'learning to live with it' as a viable option until, at least, the summer (that's if no nasty new variants emerge).

My son still supports his friend, devastated by the loss of his wife and unborn child. She was fit and healthy, there's no explanation - just bad luck and 'one of those things'. The virus quickly overwhelmed her.

Her children cry for her every day. Such a waste of a young life. No wonder I feel upset when I read about people assessing their own level of risk (impossible) and resuming 'normal' life. Life will never be normal again for some.

News bulletin just now:

“Just one-fifth of new Covid hospital patients are true cases
Treat data with caution, say experts, as situation in hospitals during omicron wave is different to ‘horrific scenes’ of a year ago”

Events really do seem to be turning a corner. Other experts are being listened to. Epidemiologists and virologists more so now. Not just ‘modellers’.

I like van Tam but he’s not in the news so much these days. I found his reassurances comforting 18 months ago when I was really scared and vaccines weren’t yet discovered.

BBC 4 Christmas lecture, Prof Van Tam, speaking as a scientist and Dr, not a Gov advisor, re pandemic.

They sound totally phoney to me, sorry.

Kali2

Maizie- why ''(though, TBH, I always found Jennie Harris a bit suspect)''? Why anymore than any of the others? VanTamm with his silly 'sayings' always sounds so phoney to me.

Oh yes, Vantamerisms, as they are known,in layman’s terms helping people understand.

MayBee70

It was Jennie Harries that blamed NHS staff for the shortage of PPE as she said they were ‘misusing them’. She had to keep a low profile for quite a while after that. She seems to speak differently now she’s in a new role, although I do lose track of what roles people are in these days.

She also said that masks were useless...

!

Bone, Cash, Redwood……[sad!]

The number of hospital patients in England with Covid has risen by over 1000 in the last 24 hours.

We now have over 9500 Covid inpatients - the highest number since 3 March.

Remember this decision by Johnson is as a result of pressure by about 100 right wing MPs.

…she does have ‘something of the night’ about her, too….

Kali2

What about the children GG13 - who will very likely have so many staff away schools will probably close, and with the Government not prepared to install decent air changing systems. Robbing Peter to pay Paul ...And of course the NHS on its knees even more due to so many staff now off work too.

Regarding air filtration systems, the results of trials conducted by Bradford, York and one other University are due in any time now. If it’s proven they are successful then they can be rolled out in 2022.

It was Jennie Harries that blamed NHS staff for the shortage of PPE as she said they were ‘misusing them’. She had to keep a low profile for quite a while after that. She seems to speak differently now she’s in a new role, although I do lose track of what roles people are in these days.

Maizie- why ''(though, TBH, I always found Jennie Harris a bit suspect)''? Why anymore than any of the others? VanTamm with his silly 'sayings' always sounds so phoney to me.

what about staffing levels umg

Yet 50% less than this time last year! Good news surely?

The number in hospital in England is now the highest since last March

What about the children GG13 - who will very likely have so many staff away schools will probably close, and with the Government not prepared to install decent air changing systems. Robbing Peter to pay Paul ...And of course the NHS on its knees even more due to so many staff now off work too.

BarmeyOldBat

Please read the post properly before reaching for the keyboard!

We are doing LFT’s in the morning.

It is very easy to be in favour of lockdown if retired, or in an occupation where it is possible to work from home.

There are millions of people/occupations where it’s not possible to do work from home, so it’s not a level playing field for working age folks.

Mask wearing, vaccinations (not mandatory but encouraged) and personal responsibility are the way forward in my opinion.

This government’s policy now seems to be let the virus run rampant through the population to avoid paying furlough or compensation. Ambulances still stacking up for hours outside our local huge hospital due to staff sickness.