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Original poster

3rd wave in Europe - do you think we've done enough?

333 replies

Laytwir024 · 19/03/2021 19:56

The EU are so far behind on their vaccine programme and there is a bigger anti-vax belief system there. Do you think we've done enough to avoid a third wave?

OP posts:
Bordois · 22/03/2021 14:46

@nordica

Why is Boris Johnson now saying the 3rd wave is coming to the UK from mainland Europe? www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-56486067

I'm probably generally on the pessimistic side about covid news but had really thought the success of the vaccination programme and the travel restrictions would help this time? And much of the European 3rd wave seems to be the "Kent variant" we already had. Confused

Thats not what he said...
Motorina · 22/03/2021 14:47

@nordica

Why is Boris Johnson now saying the 3rd wave is coming to the UK from mainland Europe? www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-56486067

I'm probably generally on the pessimistic side about covid news but had really thought the success of the vaccination programme and the travel restrictions would help this time? And much of the European 3rd wave seems to be the "Kent variant" we already had. Confused

Cynically, I wonder if it's to soften us up to the idea of giving some of our vaccine supply to the EU. "We're giving it to them because it's TOTALLY IN OUR BEST INTERESTS to vaccinate EU citizens and not ourselves, because third wave."
BoomBoomsCousin · 22/03/2021 14:50

@nordica That seems to be being said in the context of the vaccine row. Boris wants people to blame the EU if all adults can’t get (1st dose) vaccinated in April, not him.

With the most vulnerable vaccinated, all though the U.K. will be at risk from a third wave, there should be much, much lower hospitalisation and mortality rates. The risk is, though, that until everyone is vaccinated, new strains that the vaccine isn’t effective against can arise.

Pastanred · 22/03/2021 14:51

He almost said it was inevitable that we’d be hit tho I expect the effect will be less given all 9 groups have access to book the vaccine

I also felt he was hinting at giving our vaccines the EU and it’s been reported on a few news sites already that he’s offered to do that

To be fair outside of groups 1-9 hardly anyone has died in terms of %

If we have 40-50 deaths a day that’s annual death levels similar to flu so would likely be seen as acceptable

nordica · 22/03/2021 14:52

Bordois The direct quote was "people in this country should be under no illusions that previous experience has taught us that when a wave hits our friends [in Europe], I'm afraid it washes up on our shores as well, I expect we will feel those effects in due course, that's why we're getting on with our vaccination programme as soon as we can."

joystir59 · 22/03/2021 14:53

I really think we need to keep our borders closed to impose strict quarantine on all arrivals.

Itsalonghaul · 22/03/2021 14:56

We are always going to be subject to the next wave when we start to loosen up unless everyone is vaccinated, and even then we will have millions of unvaccinated children. We shouldn't be surprised by this.

That doesn't mean we won't be coming out of lockdown as planned, and it doesn't mean we are staying as we are. It is simply a warning that we have to be careful, and take it easy. I feel they are limbering up to no overseas travel, that would coincide with the need to keep the variants out, and the third wave. If I were the betting type I should think we need to prepare for essential travel only this summer. Europe's numbers are horrific and growing, and some hot spots are breaking out.

bumbleymummy · 22/03/2021 15:11

[quote BoomBoomsCousin]@nordica That seems to be being said in the context of the vaccine row. Boris wants people to blame the EU if all adults can’t get (1st dose) vaccinated in April, not him.

With the most vulnerable vaccinated, all though the U.K. will be at risk from a third wave, there should be much, much lower hospitalisation and mortality rates. The risk is, though, that until everyone is vaccinated, new strains that the vaccine isn’t effective against can arise.[/quote]
New strains can still arise in the millions of unvaccinated people throughout the world - including children. I don’t think decisions should be based around trying to prevent new strains. Viruses mutate all the time.

Graciebobcat · 22/03/2021 15:11

France is part of the EU, ultra cautious, high levels of medical and political scepticism, completely different medical system, completely different legal system, etc etc. The U.K. is out if the EU, pragmatic / risk taking, has the NHS which is widely trusted, as are vaccines etc. Of course they are dealing with things differently from each other! Rant over

Yes, in terms of vaccinations, UK - competently. France - incompetently.

FourTeaFallOut · 22/03/2021 15:19

Why is Boris Johnson now saying the 3rd wave is coming to the UK from mainland Europe?

We are already awash with the Kent strain, we have had fewer that 300 cases of the South African strain and Van Tam was clear, only a few weeks ago, that he didn't think it would gain any purchase.

But Boris has a growing number of backbenchers who want us to release the restrictions quicker than the earliest dates and a controversial bill that crowbars in further curtailments to protests alongside an extension to the lockdown rules later in the week. He needs everyone on board to play the game and controlling the optics is key.

SoWhyNot · 22/03/2021 15:27

@nordica

Why is Boris Johnson now saying the 3rd wave is coming to the UK from mainland Europe? www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-56486067

I'm probably generally on the pessimistic side about covid news but had really thought the success of the vaccination programme and the travel restrictions would help this time? And much of the European 3rd wave seems to be the "Kent variant" we already had. Confused

We have always been predicted to have a third wave. Ours should be minimal and vastly helped by our great start to the vaccination programme and the fact that we are testing so many adults and children (at least) biweekly.

Half of our population has already been vaccinated at least once and we’ve had the Kent strain, which is now dominant in Europe, since the end of last year. We’re in the best position of anywhere in Europe for another wave and history will show that.

The concern has always been about the NHS being overwhelmed and not about the younger, healthy members of our population.

Dustyboots · 22/03/2021 15:37

We will be hit by this third wave. That’s why he said it.

Vaccines count for little at the moment when so many are unvaccinated. Speaking to my doctor/consultant today at the hospital he said there’s no guarantee they actually work or will
make a difference.

Nature is in charge of this. As much as humans think they have control - we honestly don’t.

BoomBoomsCousin · 22/03/2021 15:42

@bumbleymummy
New strains can still arise in the millions of unvaccinated people throughout the world - including children. I don’t think decisions should be based around trying to prevent new strains. Viruses mutate all the time.

Yes, new strains can and will arise throughout the world. I disagree we shouldn’t base decisions on the idea of trying to prevent new strains. It’s one of the reasons the UN vaccine fund for poorer nations is a matter of global public health, not just of helping lower deaths in those countries. It’s why it’s important to expand vaccination to children.

bumbleymummy · 22/03/2021 15:44

@Dustyboots most of the people in the most vulnerable groups have been vaccinated. So even if we do get a rise in cases, it shouldn’t result in as many hospitalisations/deaths.

bumbleymummy · 22/03/2021 16:35

@BoomBoomsCousin Mutations aren’t always a bad thing.

cryh · 22/03/2021 16:54

More and more I just think - stop trying to predict. We need to do what we can now. We are right not to have too much travel this year, it fucked things up last year.

Hopefully the vaccines are strong. But we still only have 50% adults having had 50% of their required doses. We are in a very important phase.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 22/03/2021 16:54

As others have said, that's not actually what he said.

The road map includes the obvious changes over winter and the possibility of new infection coming in when borders open.

Remember it's not Johnson that does the modelling and try not to catastrophise what is already a global catastrophe!

Original poster
Laytwir024 · 22/03/2021 16:55

@nordica

It's really strange because he's usually super optimistic about everything being absolutely fine (even when it's really not) so feels very uncharacteristic.
Hopefully he's learned to stop pretending and raising hopes unnecessarily
OP posts:
Original poster
Laytwir024 · 22/03/2021 16:56

[quote bumbleymummy]@Dustyboots most of the people in the most vulnerable groups have been vaccinated. So even if we do get a rise in cases, it shouldn’t result in as many hospitalisations/deaths.[/quote]
But only one dose.

But hopefully you're right.

OP posts:
Dongdingdong · 22/03/2021 17:16

Speaking to my doctor/consultant today at the hospital he said there’s no guarantee they actually work or will make a difference.

I don’t believe your doctor said that. And if they did they’re completely incompetent and have no understanding of science!

MarshaBradyo · 22/03/2021 17:18

Speaking to my doctor/consultant today at the hospital he said there’s no guarantee they actually work or will make a difference.

The vaccines won’t make a difference? Confused

Why not?

FourTeaFallOut · 22/03/2021 17:21

I was talking to a consultant today and she told me [insert my own opinion and ride on the back of the trust capital halo of an unnamed authority]

CuriousaboutSamphire · 22/03/2021 17:26

What's her speciality?

Because either she didn't say that or you misinterpreted what she did say.

FourTeaFallOut · 22/03/2021 17:27

Homeopathy?

CuriousaboutSamphire · 22/03/2021 17:30

😁