Good news part 7

[TheCountessofFitzdotterel]

For all your vaccine news, treatment development stories and other positive things to make you feel there is hope for the future!
Good news only please!

Useful websites we are referring to a lot:

Government daily statistics

Worldometer for international case number comparisons

Covid Messenger for local authority figures, thanks to LittleOwl for all her hard work!

OurWorldInData international vaccination figures

Omnicalculator vaccine queue calculator NB Please don’t take this too seriously- it depends what vaccine delivery speed and uptake you estimate so it’s not written in stone.

@FuzzyPuffling

I shall start getting excited about my jab at this rate. (I'm Group 6) Disclaimer, I think it will be around month away - I'd be surprised if I got it any sooner.

Wadebridge mass vac hub is opening next week - that's a bit nearer me.

Think you might. Sounding like we are flying through the 70s and lots of areas are doing some groups 4 & 5s now

Thanks littleowl1

The thing that stood out for me today was how many areas there are with cases in single figures. Rutland only has 1 case!

I was just wondering something and didn't know if anyone here could tell me the answer. Last year several scientists were wondering whether recent exposure to a cold (caused by a coronavirus) was protecting some people in the population from getting seriously ill with Covid 19. It was part of the discussion around T cells, I think and natural immunity some seemed to have (I think linked to the early cases on cruise ships where not everyone fell ill with Covid despite it being a perfect environment for the virus to spread). I saw some talk about this being a possible reason why children weren't falling seriously ill with the virus - they were more likely to have had a cold in the last few years and so had immunity at some level. It was just a theory, I think, but an interesting one. I have no idea how much it was all taken seriously.

So I was wondering whether this vaccine in turn might make people less likely to get a common cold in return (the ones caused by a coronavirus, in any case). Maybe no one knows the answer, but wouldn't it be cool if our vaccinated population all started having fewer colds too? It will be interesting to see if there is any chance of there being an impact on that. I know colds are just a mild pain but I still hate them. You can tell me there's no chance of this, I have no idea, I was just pondering.

That's in interesting idea FamousFive. I remember that discussion and thought it was to do with the immune system having had a pre-emptive "kick up the arse" by dealing with the cold virus. But yes, I wonder if it might work in the other direction too.

Local BBC news has just said there are 19% of over 80s here still awaiting the vaccine. Either the over 80s re ignoring the call or there's a big blip in the system!

I know of one person who was told they'd tried and failed to contact. Luckily they were proactive and contacted GP..which of course people were told not to do.😂

Anyway it was good news in the end.

My parents are mid 70s and no sign of letter or call yet... 2 weeks Boris !!

Can someone more knowledgeable than me reassure me about the EU and AZ row? I keep getting really anxious that the EU are going to set us back and make us miss targets. Please tell me this can’t/won’t happen, positive people!

I know it’s making me anxious too.

IMO the EU are pissed off because they didn't get their ducks in a row and are now trying to make their citizens think that AZ are to blame. I believe it will be fine in the end though.

I voted remain but thinking `I originally made a mistake there.

I voted remain too and just said to DH that I’m actually starting to feel glad we left now.
Never ever thought I would say that!!

I’m a strong remainer but even I’m beginning to wonder about the EU!

Yep I voted remain and I’m astounded at actions by EU

Glad we’re out which is saying something

I was a firm remainer, the EU's behaviour is appalling. It's astonishing in an awful way.

PILs in Wales have appointments for next week, both in 70s.

I think the whole Brexit/vaccine thing is pretty complicated. Obviously it's all a bit crap at the moment with the EU vaccine situation. But there are still problems going on with Brexit which haven't magically disappeared; lorries have difficulties with Europe travel. Tariffs on stuff people are ordering from abroad.

Brexiteers are loving this current issue.

Can someone clarify for me? Dh got a text for his first vaccine dose invite. He booked it through the link on the text. Should he have booked the second dose at the same time please?

I have heard on here people having a second appointment but my family don't have them. They will be contacted..

If you get a text you can’t book the second. If you get a letter you can. The surgery will contact you again to book the second one.

@tobee brexiteers are definitely enjoying their ' I told you' moment !

Another flabbergasted remainer here

Thanks @LetItGoGo and @Pearl97

Back to something positive- J&J vaccine is awesome news. Do we have any clues yet on how soon we can start administering (assuming it’s approved)?
Do we think they will use this for the younger age groups towards the end? Could help with freeing up the other vaccines for second doses? And could massively bring forward the “end” of vaccinating the population- as those who get this are finished so much quicker.
I also think it’s great that we have a variety rolled out, as if one ends up being fouled by a variant, it would hopefully not happen to all of them in the same way? If that makes sense. Basically we don’t have all our eggs in one basket.
I’m excited about this, just really want some info on how it impacts timescales!

*meant to say foiled, but fouled could also apply I suppose!