*DO IT ALL* says the W.H.O. Director General

[Barracker]

www.cnbc.com/2020/03/13/europe-is-now-the-epicenter-of-the-coronavirus-pandemic-who-says.html

Tedros said countries need to take a comprehensive approach to try to fight the pandemic.

"Not testing alone, not contact tracing alone, not quarantine alone, not social distancing alone, do it all," he said.
"Any country that looks at the experience of other countries with large epidemics and thinks that won't happen to us is making a deadly mistake, it can happen to any country."

We're not doing it all.

My agenda is to stop people from fucking dying! What's your agenda.?
I'm a science teacher. Trained in science with a previous background out of the classroom. I am more than capable of reading research papers and initial research findings and drawing my own conclusions.

I want humane death.

That means slowing it.

The Independent has a good article today on current reinfection information.

@SuckingDieselFella Yes we were accused of scaremongering when we did the maths and said if the virus is allowed to rip through the population hundreds of thousands of people could die. Then the Chief Medical Officer said the same.

I know understanding of scientific concepts is often poor amongst the public, but I do understand science and can see why the "science" being quoted by the British Government is wrong.

Usually out of hundred when one says I’m right.

All the rest shout your wrong.

Your almost certainly wrong. That’s how I see it.

Look, being patronising isn’t the way to go here. People are entitled to their opinions, as are you.

It is what it is, and being horrid to people online isn’t going to change the govt handling.

I agree and tbh suspect anyone trying to shut down accurate conversation of working for the gov.
A few tried to distract the worried thread too.
Obviously to close to the truth.

I was talking about the government!

@alloutoffucks

You may well "understand maths".

I also "understand maths".

But unless you're a virologist or you have access to the same information as the chief medical officer, you're no more informed than anyone else.

So much misinformation on this thread.

The UK govt's starting assumption is that a high number of the population will inevitably get infected whatever is done – up to 80%. As you can’t stop it, so it is best to manage it. There are limited health resources so the aim is to manage the flow of the seriously ill to these. We're aiming for herd immunity which will protect the most vulnerable.

So at the moment the govt wants people to get infected, up until hospitals begin to reach capacity. At that they want to reduce, but not stop infection rate. Ideally they balance it so the numbers entering hospital = the number leaving.

That's apparently why we've not closed schools yet, it's too early. Kids generally won’t get very ill, so the govt can use them as a tool to infect others when you want to increase infection. When you need to slow infection, that tap can be turned off – at that point they close the schools.

Honestly, there is no way to stop CV19 now - herd immunity is our best chance of protecting the most vulnerable. In the meantime, we should do everything possible to stop those people getting sick.

@SuckingDieselFella No I am not a virologist. But I can see that WHO, every other country and lots of experts are saying the British approach is wrong.

Boris wants to dismantle the NHS - he is going to try to show it up as unfit for purpose by overwhelming it with this pandemic. Then privatise it.

I think they are still selling tinfoil. Plenty left to make hats out of.

@Havelock
What you should say is there is no political will in the UK to stop the spread of the virus unlike in China, Singapore, S.Korea, and most of Europe. It’s stoppable, at least in the short-medium term, which would scientists crucial months to try to get an accelerated vaccine, but it needs a iron clad political will....

Something like the determination shown by the Conservative Party to Get Brexit Done. This is evidently of lesser importance to UK plc.

So yes the Government want kids to infect the rest of their family. We know that. And to hell with those who die in the process or are left with long term health impacts.

Honestly, there is no way to stop CV19 now - herd immunity is our best chance of protecting the most vulnerable

This is not the view expressed by the majority of scientists around the world.

They keep talking about reducing the peak but seem to be take the weakest softest action to reduce it

I can’t help but feel like they aren’t introducing more draconian measures because they don’t trust the general public to adhere to any of it. And sadly I think they’re right.

The public won't adhere to advice if they are told it is just like a mild cold and you are all going it get it anyway. If you believe what the government is saying, which is not true by the way, why would you do things that make your life worse?

What is the alternative to hers immunity @DippyAvocado? Not being snarky, I genuinely want to know.

What are the government being untruthful about @alloutoffucks? So many people are making dark statements about the government’s stance on this without elaborating. I’d like to know.

Just explained to one of my Chinese students the British government's plan of letting 60% of the population (but not old too many old folks!) catch the virus.
... look of terror and utter bewilderment followed by....
"And then?!"
Me: "Er, and then the virus will start dying because we will all be infected and there will be no new carriers!"
The look on his face...

So some people will disobey strict orders, which are a matter of life and death and could be enforced by huge fines/prison..... therefore its better to do fuck all.
I've really heard it all now.

@Haworthia The government said for weeks this virus is like getting a mild cold, except for very elderly and those with existing conditions.
It is like a mild cold for approximately 40% who get it. 10% have no symptoms. 35% will not need hospital treatment but will feel very ill up to and including "mild" pneumonia. 10% need oxygen treatment and 5% need an ICU bed. That is much worse than the Government has been leading the public to believe.

Lots of scientists are speaking out against the herd immunity theory. We simply do not know enough about the virus yet. If you catch it and recover, can it remain dormant and then reactivate at a later stage? Will the virus mutate and potentially become more deadly? What percentage of people will be left with long term lung problems? We simply don't know. Which is why lots of scientists are saying that herd immunity is a dangerous theory and an enormous gamble.

That it is inevitable most will get this virus. Every other government and WHO are working to stop more people getting it and say it is possible to contain it. And initial figures from some other countries look like they might be managing to do this.

@Cam77 Exactly. I would laugh if I did not want to cry.

Is there not a world organisation that could step in to stop the government from doing this. If the rest of the world thinks this herd immunity theory is such a risk. Could this be classed as probable genocide?

HavelockVetinari - your view of the government is right, except they haven’t been explicit nor made any attempt to protect the vulnerable.

Whether or not it is stoppable is a matter of opinion. I suspect it is stoppable in some countries but wouldn’t work in the west as we don’t like having our freedoms restricted. Never mind the economic impact.