Good news

[Alex50]

www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/22/why-doctors-say-uk-better-prepared-for-second-wave-coronavirus

I’m not quite so worried about a second wave now.

I saw this and nearly posted the same thing . It definitely sounds like they know more and are more prepared if the worst does happen.

I am hopeful that we don't get a second wave anyway though

Well they won’t need to “lockdown again” as we’re still in the first lockdown

Such good news about the treatments available and the fact we have recognised that blood clots are a huge risk and we can monitor and check for this. Plus inflammation levels.

Also good news that they are ventilating people less now. This did seem quite ineffective and other earlier intervention is more successful. This also means less chance of the NHS being overwhelmed if we do have a second wave. We are so better prepared now.

@Lemons1571

Well they won’t need to “lockdown again” as we’re still in the first lockdown

Not sure what that means. I don't think anyone mentioned lockdown, let alone 'lock down again'. Just the possibility of a second big wave of infections and/or deaths.

Given that we are in a much looser form of lockdown than before, there is a possibility of infections rising again. We don't know that for sure but it seems possible . We also don't know if any rise in infections will be controlled with more stringent local interventions or whether they will rise uncontrollably in a second large wave of infections/deaths. All I was saying was that if we do get the latter happening (which I am very hopeful we won't) , it is good to know that doctors know so much more about treating this now.

I saw this too - very positive and hopeful.

There should also be more news soon on the other drugs they’ve been trialling - I think there are another four or five. I’m really hoping a combination of some of them might help bring deaths and severe illness further down before a second wave/peaks.

I find this article very reassuring, along with today's numbers.

I wonder if it changes the list of vulnerable? I've got a blood clotting problem, wonder if that makes me more likely to have issues with it if I get it. Not suggesting I'm vulnerable, just I wonder.

PPE and testing is definitely better. As long as there isn’t a second peak in the winter months the NHS should be ok.

Thanks for sharing that article, very positive sounding.
And finally under 1000 new cases today!

My husband has high blood pressure, has had a stroke, a heart murmur and asthma, he is back to work meeting different people every day while social distancing, I am still a little concerned so this does give me a bit of hope.

Also we understand more about how it spreads so our measures can be more targeted.

That's a really reassuring report, and clear too.

I am full of admiration for the medical professionals who have obviously striven to learn all they could about the disease in the midst of treating their patients.

That is very reassuring thank you for sharing x

That's a really positive article.

Reassuring to hear that they now know from arrival what is likely to be the progression of patients and have drugs to support them.

Also we understand more about how it spreads so our measures can be more targeted.

This ^ someone posted a fabulous explanation with diagrams on a thread yesterday showing what they now know about transmission so how we can reduce risks.

I am also hugely reassured by this.

^^

I'd be more worried about the first wave of the next pandemic, myself ...

It is good news.

As they say in the story, as time goes on more and more is known about. The original thought that lots of ventilators were needed - they weren't and it isn't the best treatment.
The drugs that they are now using that save more lives.
The news that came from the story on another thread yesterday that on several separate studies around 50% in close contact with patient 0 didn't get it at all and that there was a need for at least 15 minutes of close contact or in a non ventilated room or with air conditioning circulating the air to get it (not just walking by someone in the street etc)

All this gradually adds to helping us avoid it/get treated and understand how this virus really spreads and lessons (a bit) the scare stories and exaggeration that abounds

@ohthegoats

I wonder if it changes the list of vulnerable? I've got a blood clotting problem, wonder if that makes me more likely to have issues with it if I get it. Not suggesting I'm vulnerable, just I wonder.

I’ve wondered the same I also have a blood clotting disorder which is concerning given the findings around blood clots

I hope that they update/adjust the vulnerable/shielding list too. For people that are no longer at as much risk to remove and naturally some other conditions (diabetes?) seem to be more of a risk than some cancers.

We (by which I mean the clever people who know about this stuff and happen to be the same species as me! ) are learning more and more all the time. It was always the case that this virus was so dangerous precisely because we knew nothing about it or how to manage it.

I’m bracing myself for a second wave but I think it’ll be over the winter months and no where near as hard hitting as this one. We’re more knowledgeable now and public awareness is higher. Sadly I do think it will take a couple of workplace scandals to get a lot of employers on side with isolating for 14 days/testing negative before returning to work but I think that’s one of the key tools we have to control any outbreaks. I’m old enough to remember when the government changed the statutory sick leave self declaration to 14 days, though I can’t remember if that was swine or bird flu, So it’s not like there isn’t a precedent.

I’m also really hopeful for the Oxford vaccine. If that does come good and it can be distributed tactically we could be in a really good position to contain a second wave.

**

Yes I know that this was written by an actual doctor but I've seen a graph on Facebook about the Spanish flu pandemic and the second wave is ALWAYS worse.... so buckle up people!!

@holidaydisaster2020 haha! "Well if Spanish flu is anything to go by..."

But its not though is it, being a flu and a completely different virus. Coincidently these are the same people that shout "its not the flu!!"

@DGRossetti

^^

I'd be more worried about the first wave of the next pandemic, myself ...

Me too!

But I believe that the magnitude and damage to lives and economy etc has had the extra effect that studies into this disease will spill over into another pandemic. Even if it's a very different kind. For example, all the different trials to make vaccines will surely have scientists designing and sharing all the best techniques to produce at scale.

Governments should learn lessons about how to prepare for the next pandemic but whether they will or not....