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

[Laytwir024]

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?

A very small island, a long way to the north for preference , so that the impact of cold and dampness on health can be appreciated.

I’m missing why people are deriding others over the vaccine now. People are very keen to get it.

Not everyone probably but we have very high take up rates, esp against other countries.

I have no idea Marsha, it's such a weird non sequitur, I can't see one poster here who has said that they wouldn't take the vaccine.

And the UK, derided though it is as a joke post Brexit, is playing a blindingly good game.

But this is a pile of shit that has to be dealt with pragmatically, not with squawking.

I just got off the phone with someone who was trying to convince me of this same thing. ‘It’s what’s needed, get over it’. I politely pointed out that their lives haven’t changed that much this year, and it’s easy to say things like this from a position of privilege, of someone who has undergone minimal change in their lives. If not going on holiday has been one of your biggest sacrifices, you are extremely lucky.

You say you’re sorry for those losing their jobs or unable to see their families. I think you are honestly trying to understand those of us in this situation, but can’t fully grasp the reality of it. I’m assuming you or someone in your household still holds down a job, and that you’ve been able to see some family and friends even from a distance or at the park. Life looks much worse and the need to travel is much stronger for others, like me, who are completely isolated and away from everyone in our support system. I haven’t touched another person in 3 months. I live alone, a flight away from ALL my friends and family. Last time I saw a relative was when I travelled for Christmas - allowed between the two countries involved btw. So yes, going abroad again this year is very important to me. I have paid for tests and isolated as required every time I travelled. I will continue to do so as long as it’s legal where I am.

My sister might be coming to visit next week. I’m currently in a country going through a third wave (we’re not in full lockdown though and international travel was never banned). My neighbour tried to tell me how irresponsible that was yesterday. After telling me how much fun she’s been having throughout the winter with her 3 friends she and husband decided to bubble up with. Which was illegal up until last week. She couldn’t understand why my sister coming to visit me would be beneficial for me, when she decided to adapt the rules to suit herself and still maintained a support network throughout.

Some people just don’t get it. It’s been a year of this. Many of us were stuck somewhere we didn’t want to be. And like someone said on another thread today, no, you shouldn’t plan for a pandemic when you move abroad away from your loved ones. It was never an issue before when I could just go home for the weekend whenever I wanted. Very different situation now.

God knows but somehow at least we seem to be better off than the rest of the pack of idiots.

If I'd been organising this, the whole bloody pack of them would have been jabbed by now. Not necessarily with the COVID-19 vaccine ; )

Or at least a better game than many other countries.

I am reminded of the 1970s proverb. Life is a shit sandwich; the more bread you have, the less shit you eat. It's vulgar, I agree. But I have pondered on the principle for 50 years, and still can't argue with the truth of it.

@Waxonwaxoff0

Something I don't understand - the South Africa wave obviously originated in South Africa, so why aren't their cases high if it is resistant to immunity? They are out of lockdown and their cases are still low.

Younger average age, lower BMI

Where is the like button?

I honestly think we need to keep our borders closed for at least the next 6 months. Just until we’ve completed most of the vaccines. It’s madness to allow people to come and go, with the danger of other variants being out there.

@XingMing

Do none of you lot read the serious papers, or do you rely on Facebook? The vaccines we are using in the UK are working big time. The main variant across Europe is the Kent version we identified in late Nov/December. The AZ vaccine appears to be effective against the Brazilian variant. Look at the UK statistics. Since December when DM86 had her first jab and mid-Jan when she had the second, the UK has vaccinated almost everyone over 55 who has accepted immunisation, and infection rates and death rates have plummeted. Now call up the same set of stats for France, Germany and Italy... and compare the two side by side. It should tell you what you need to know, factually and numerically, and it's pretty conclusive evidence.

I'm no immunologist, and know FA about virus mutation, but a population that is almost 50% (and rising) vaccinated is much better placed to fight off the fourth/fifth and further waves. Just take the vaccine when you are called for it. Herd immunity works and protects the people who are too weak as well by limiting the transmission vectors.

👏 👏

Let’s hope the government see sense and make all arrivals do hotel quarantine. We don’t want the SA variant, or any possible new variant that may be vaccine resistant, to take hold here.

@XingMing

Do none of you lot read the serious papers, or do you rely on Facebook? The vaccines we are using in the UK are working big time. The main variant across Europe is the Kent version we identified in late Nov/December. The AZ vaccine appears to be effective against the Brazilian variant. Look at the UK statistics. Since December when DM86 had her first jab and mid-Jan when she had the second, the UK has vaccinated almost everyone over 55 who has accepted immunisation, and infection rates and death rates have plummeted. Now call up the same set of stats for France, Germany and Italy... and compare the two side by side. It should tell you what you need to know, factually and numerically, and it's pretty conclusive evidence.

I'm no immunologist, and know FA about virus mutation, but a population that is almost 50% (and rising) vaccinated is much better placed to fight off the fourth/fifth and further waves. Just take the vaccine when you are called for it. Herd immunity works and protects the people who are too weak as well by limiting the transmission vectors.

"Do not of you lot rea the serious papers"?

I read Bandolier, and updates to that. That serious enough fo ryou?

@XingMing

Do none of you lot read the serious papers, or do you rely on Facebook? The vaccines we are using in the UK are working big time. The main variant across Europe is the Kent version we identified in late Nov/December. The AZ vaccine appears to be effective against the Brazilian variant. Look at the UK statistics. Since December when DM86 had her first jab and mid-Jan when she had the second, the UK has vaccinated almost everyone over 55 who has accepted immunisation, and infection rates and death rates have plummeted. Now call up the same set of stats for France, Germany and Italy... and compare the two side by side. It should tell you what you need to know, factually and numerically, and it's pretty conclusive evidence.

I'm no immunologist, and know FA about virus mutation, but a population that is almost 50% (and rising) vaccinated is much better placed to fight off the fourth/fifth and further waves. Just take the vaccine when you are called for it. Herd immunity works and protects the people who are too weak as well by limiting the transmission vectors.

Chris Whitty is a scientist and he thinks we will have a third wave. www.politicshome.com/news/article/chris-whitty-patrick-vallance-third-wave-deaths-inevitable

I honestly think we need to keep our borders closed for at least the next 6 months. Just until we’ve completed most of the vaccines. It’s madness to allow people to come and go, with the danger of other variants being out there

Completely agree with you @Livelovebehappy

Sorry but this thread is absolutely full of wishful and magical thinking.

I cannot believe people are posting links from the newspapers and purporting them to be 100% accurate.

Even worse are opinions stated as scientific fact.

I don’t understand the big who harrr about a 3rd wave here, given about a third of the population have already been vaccinated. Yes they’ve not all had their second fuse but it’s still supposed to be very effective without that.

All the vulnerable have been vaccinated including the elderly, so the ones that haven’t been vaccinated, yet are never likely to die or suffer badly. So even if it was here, the ones that would catch it mainly would be the strongest in society, ie the younger, healthier people.

I’m quite perplexed as to the fuss to be honest given our circumstances.

Sorry just realised how harsh my last post sounded.

I mean I am sorry that it sounded rude and harsh and I should have worded it better but I sound by what I posted.

We have immunised 50% of the adult population

No. We have given huge numbers of adults a first vaccination. We plan on leaving a bigger gap between doses than has been tried and tested.

No, all the vulnerable haven’t been vaccinated yet, not even their first. I don’t know why people keep saying this.

@halcyondays

No, all the vulnerable haven’t been vaccinated yet, not even their first. I don’t know why people keep saying this.

The most vulnerable have and if they haven’t there is a problem with a local area

Errr... I think the UK's third wave is the one that has us currently locked down. Is it me or you who can't count?

I liked Van Tamm’s briefing when he read the data sheet for a headache tablet

Put things into perspective 👍👍😎

Pity the EU did not see it and IMHO used the vaccine as a political football with others paying the price

20% of France don’t trust their Government about what they are being told about the vaccine

That is worrying

I liked Van Tamm’s briefing when he read the data sheet for a headache tablet
I have had doctors and pharmacists look at me like I have two heads when I am asked about allergies and I say "paracetamol".

Everybody else (it seems) can take it and they are fine yet not me.

Therefore I am certain that there is no issue with paracetamol itself rather it is a StarCatProblem