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Coronavirus

A bit of good news - we have turned the corner

(69 Posts)
B9exchange Mon 30-Nov-20 16:20:35

According to the Health Service Journal, the second wave has peaked in England’s hospitals, with the number of beds occupied by covid-19 patients falling for five consecutive days across the country.

Within two weeks this should be reflected in the death rate, as there is always a two week lag.

We will get through this!

vampirequeen Wed 02-Dec-20 09:38:26

I'm not particularly worried about catching the virus myself. The odds are in my favour. However the odds are not in favour of my elderly mother, neighbours and my two asthmatic daughters. Therefore I would rather take precautions. Not to protect myself but to protect others (family and strangers). One preventable death that happens before it's time is one death too many and we all need to work together to prevent that. If that means a restrictions and 'quiet' Christmas without the get togethers and hugging then so be it.

Franbern Tue 01-Dec-20 18:57:34

As has every action we all take. Do we shop locally, or go for on-lihe shopping which may be easier and probably cheaper? Then local shops close down.
So we always try to use public transport as opposed to taking our own cars, causing more pollution and busy roads, and then moan when public transport services get cut back.
Do we use more energy use by using patio heathers, etc. even having heating on in our homes, with open windows and doors. Doing this sort of thing even more these days, cannot believe the number of people talking about patio heaters and the like to be used so that people can visit them 'outdoors'. Then wonder at the strange weather we are all experiencing as the Planet is being killed.
How many masks that are being worn are those disposable ones. Anyone taken interest as to how, who by, and where in what way they are being produced. How are people disposing of them - I see far too many on the pavement, in the gutters, etc. So many finding their way into the oceans, and another aspect killing off wildlife there.
Does everyone on here who has such good home stocks of food, regularly donate to food banks, and give much thought to those families who have to rely on these.
Whilst we are all lockdowning, staying indoors, tens of thousands of people are being thrown out of their jobs, with little chance of getting any others. Each one of those represent a family, whose lives are being totally destroyed. Likely to loose their homes, having family breakdowns, and so much mental illness.
Of course, none of us are an Island.......this applies to every aspect of our lives at all times.

MayBee70 Tue 01-Dec-20 18:46:26

The difference with this situation, when it comes to other people’s personal opinions, is that other people’s behaviour can have an impact on other people’s health and, if you’re taking responsibility for your own health but with the intention of protecting others in the process it’s difficult to think kindly on those that aren’t doing the same. No one is actually just risking their own life and health in this pandemic. Every action has a knock on effect, good or bad.

Franbern Tue 01-Dec-20 18:32:32

A good sign of NHS being able to do other tests. Last September, I had a growth removed, fortunately, it proved negative for cancer, but I was told I would require regular (6-monthly (checks as it could regrow). Last April, that test just became a telephone consultation. I am not having any negative effects, so assume all is well.
So, rather surprised (and delighted), today to receive a phone call from the hospital offering me appointment next week to have this procedure carried out. So good that such areas do seem to be able to return again, and makes me even more optimistic about things than I have been.

Growstuff no idea why you felt that what I had said was in any way directed at yourself. It was not - but you obviously felt that some sort of cap fitted!!!

B9exchange Tue 01-Dec-20 18:20:14

Don't worry, Mondays are always unnaturally low because of the weekend, so Tuesdays are filled with catch up numbers! Last Tuesday there were 607 deaths, so not rising at 603 today.

Jaxjacky Tue 01-Dec-20 17:33:12

Well I was pleased to see numbers reducing, but today they’ve gone up again. I assume the number of cases will go up with the students being mass tested prior to going home, now a bit despondent.

B9exchange Tue 01-Dec-20 17:24:33

The Government has just announced indoor visits to care homes will be permitted from tomorrow if visitors test negative for the virus. Brilliant news for care home residents, I am just so sad that it comes too late for the healthy 90 year old care home resident in Ontario who opted for euthanasia rather than face another two week lockdown.

growstuff Tue 01-Dec-20 16:27:35

PS. The morbidity is high and would be higher if people hadn't been shielding.

growstuff Tue 01-Dec-20 16:26:30

How about not being so judgmental yourself Franbern? I'm a tad fed up of being gaslighted and being told I'm "scared" or negative. I just feel that I don't feel it's my time yet to meet the grim reaper, despite being one of the group with underlying health conditions, so people would just shrug their shoulders.

I'm realistic. I understand the risks and I know that I don't want to run that risk, so I do what it takes, despite not liking it. I've taken the time to find out what the effects of the vaccine will be and I'm aware that some people are hoping for too much.

I'm also fed up that it's lasting longer than it should because other people think it's not a big deal or they're somehow special.

Cherrytree59 Tue 01-Dec-20 15:49:03

Franbern ? seconded

Ellianne Tue 01-Dec-20 14:31:07

Well said Franbern!

Franbern Tue 01-Dec-20 14:24:12

Well, personally I think it would be a great idea to have something like the Swiss Clinics over here. (Somebody,, made a sarcastic remark about having there here, way back on this thead).
Nothing to do with Covid, but I am much more scared as to the manner of death (whenever in the future), than of being dead.
Just wish people would stop being so very judgemental of everybody else and everything anybody else says/

If you feel the need to stay locked down in your own homes over christmas, then do so - and be grateful to those who are working to help you do this. But do not then criticise those who decide to take advantage of the new rules for those few days to see people. Nothing necessarily to do with religion, just those few days when family members may acutally not be working!!!

The comments about new waves, etc being caused by this reminds me very much of exactly the same comments being made throughout the summer months about people going down to the beach, going on BLM demos, etc. etc. and it did not happen.

Also, stop the horrible slogans that have reappeared. I can remember 'six foot apart is better than six foot under'!! Nasty and as meaningless as 'See your Gran at Xmas and bury them in January'.

This is a horrible virus, BUT......its morbidity is not that high. If it was, then an awful lot of us oldies on GN would not be still here.

Can we try to get back to having some respect for other peoples opinions and needs? As we get older, then EVERY Christmas could well be our last with out families. For me, I do not want a Christmas celebration/meal in May or June, quite happy to look forward to summer get-togethers without having to give them any special name. I sincerely hope that one of those will be the family get-together for my 80th birthday.

vampirequeen Tue 01-Dec-20 14:10:35

I don't see that realism is doom mongering. Yes it's lovely that the numbers are dropping but that's because we're all on lockdown. Come the Christmas free for all and it will peak again in January as people will have mixed, hugged and shared.

growstuff Tue 01-Dec-20 13:57:11

Resistance to what?

It's up to you whether you want to put yourself at unnecessary risk.

Both Asian Flu and Hong Kong Flu had lower death rates than Covid-19. Who knows how many people would have died from the latter if the government hadn't made a "song and dance"?

EllanVannin Tue 01-Dec-20 13:28:23

I don't even remember the government making a song and dance about it either. This was in the late 60's when things were different than they are now because if nobody in government had said anything about this pandemic, they'd have been sued for negligence.

EllanVannin Tue 01-Dec-20 13:23:45

I've only twice worn a mask since March. Once for the surgery and once for Asda. I haven't bothered around the local shops. I'd like to think I've got some resistance left grin

I think of the Hong Kong 'flu that killed over 30,000 in this country but nowhere was shut down ?

growstuff Tue 01-Dec-20 12:46:46

Eh? Who sees no hope for the future?

B9exchange Tue 01-Dec-20 11:53:44

Well you really have brought me down this morning, I don't think I can take much more of the doom mongering, so will leave this thread to those who see no hope for the future.

Alegrias2 Tue 01-Dec-20 11:32:57

Okey doke hmm

Ellianne Tue 01-Dec-20 11:25:30

And likewise if some posters took the time to read *Bluebelle's post properly, they could see that^ Bluebelle did not say that 40,000 people dying was something to be positive about.
She said in a new sentence altogether that she likes to remain positive.

Alegrias2 Tue 01-Dec-20 10:55:29

The OP was a positive fact, that the numbers in hospital beds are dropping and that this would probably mean that deaths would fall in the next couple of weeks. If "some posters" took the time to read the thread properly, they could see that many of us supported that post.

But then adding a post that says, well, 40,000 of them were on the way out anyway, so there's something to be positive about. That's just tactless.

And trying to draw specious political analogies? It would be funny if it wasn't in such bad taste.

growstuff Tue 01-Dec-20 10:32:49

PS. I don't send my life in a state of anxiety - ever. I'm realistic and come to terms with what life throws at me, rather than wearing blinkers.

growstuff Tue 01-Dec-20 10:31:25

Being realistic and accepting facts isn't being a member of any "we are all doomed" brigade.

silverlining48 Tue 01-Dec-20 10:25:57

I wish it was ....

Ellianne Tue 01-Dec-20 10:24:15

Yes JE we can all make the best or worst of things. Life without positivity and hope must be hard to experience.