Breaking News Boris press conference tonight 14/05/21

[Whichjab]

So, is Monday under threat? Change to school masks or hugs?

More evidence the that the vaccines are effective against this variant

twitter.com/andrew_croxford/status/1393611601819938817?s=21

It's not as easy as that for immigrants in this hostile environment. A friend who is an EU immigrant with settled status and been here 10+ years has just been asked for lots of proof she is a resident after having treatment at her local hospital because the NHS Trust doesn't consider settled status enough.

Now imagine what it's like for someone whose paperwork may not be in order, or even if it is, they may not speak English very well or don't use the Internet. There has been a lot of misinformation about the vaccines and a lot of people just don't want any involvement with the authorities even if it's something as simple as a vaccine appointment.

The people in these communities are not anti-vaxers marching at some protest, their reasons for not being vaccinated yet are really complex.

Agree with all you say @nordica. It is not easy at all. But on another thread, there is so much anger against immigrants that I am really worried South Asians will become the new Chinese. The only way out for S Asians, apart from curbing unnecessary travel, is to get vaccinated.

@Frequentflier

I think we need a massive vax education programme in Bolton and other affected areas, and in minority communities nationwide. People must be persuaded that the vaccine is in their best interest. I say this as a member of this community.

Some may think this is racist; I do not think so.

I don't think it's racist but as a member of the community you must see that you can't force people. Education won't make a blind difference, do you think we are thick, or lack understanding. I say we, even though I'm from a different minority group, I believe our philosophy to be the same. When you have faced hundreds of years of racism in this country and had government tests and trials of all sorts of things, not just medical, you are sceptical. I could be wrong but I think they are waiting, usuing caution. Many leaders have been out spreading the word, educating the various communities, I'm sure they can hear the message fine.

On the other thread, there are actually people saying "My school is half full of Indians" and " People should think twice about moving to other countries." It's very worrying.

I don't think anyone is thick, but articles I have read say that Bolton people are having trouble with phone bookings. I hope they are being helped with things like that. I am not there so I do not know how much community education is there. I do think education makes a difference.

@Devlesko

So why is the take up of the vaccine not higher ?

I know in the Muslim community in my area the community leaders have really stepped up and convinced people to have the jab. Take up in the over 60s is very good. However the younger people really don't think they are at risk and feel if Grannie has had the jab that is good enough. They won't put her in danger etc

@Frequentflier

Yes I understand they are providing walk in vaccine centres as well .

Also in the school playground white working class parents. Mums a childminder and dads a builder. These type of young people are less likely to get the jab too.

Also they are less likely to wear masks or covid test the kids than my Asian friends. Who despite not wanting the jab are trying to be careful in general.

@Frequentflier

On the other thread, there are actually people saying "My school is half full of Indians" and " People should think twice about moving to other countries." It's very worrying.

I don't think anyone is thick, but articles I have read say that Bolton people are having trouble with phone bookings. I hope they are being helped with things like that. I am not there so I do not know how much community education is there. I do think education makes a difference.

Yes I am starting to worry about undercurrents of racism rising too

Lets hope mumsnet is not a reflection the general public. It normally is not thank goodness

So yes the latest headlines are most people in hospital with this variant were eligible for the vaccine but had not had it .

Well that will be the government’s fault as well then .

What is the answer ?

The cases are according to reporting middle aged people that are mostly eligible now. 35 to 50 year olds I think.

@MercyBooth

*But NONE of that prevents them having a FREE vaccine. The uptake is incredibly low in areas where the Indian variant of growing exponentially.

What's the excuse for that*

Maybe they took this Governments advice not to prioritize phones over food. So therefore cant book online.

You reap what you sow @AlmostSummer21

Don't be so utterly ridiculous

[quote Unsure33]@Devlesko

So why is the take up of the vaccine not higher ?[/quote]
I'm not an expert but I think it was just slow to take off for some of the reasons stated.
Education in so far as where to go, what will happen etc.
If the elders in a community don't take it up or transfer their belief to the younger ones, they won't take it seriously.
Then it's left to the next generation to try to sort it out.
Once the community leaders spoke to the elders, the uptake improved.
Then you hope this filters down to the next generation.
It's just taking a bit of time.
I'm exempt atm as having regular injections. It's temporary for the next couple of weeks, then I need to decide again.
I'm 54 diabetic and have refused twice.
Once I even got to the centre. I understand what stopped me last time though and have alleviated that now.

If we are all vaccinated up I can’t see how we can go back in lockdown???
The vaccine still
protects us from the variant doesn’t it?? if not what was the point and expense?????!!!!!! MAdness
and i agree this is too long in our kids lives

Dont be so over privileged. Our late downstairs neighbour (who died back in 2017) didnt have home internet (he used to pop up here sometimes to use ours) or a smartphone. He had a very basic Nokia.

So this "just book online" wont work for many. To assume that it will is over privileged and lazy.

Lat summer, there was a slogan going around 'Don't kill Granny' - this was in Preston and other hot spots. Even Matt Hancock was saying not to kill your gran. This was aimed at the younger people to encourage the social distancing etc.
I worry that this may have stuck in the sense that these same people may now just feel that 'vaccinated granny' is safe. I think the 'Don't kill Granny' was far too 'narrow', we know that all ages of people have been victims of Covid, especially if you include Long Covid. The fact that newer variants seem to be affecting younger people now is a worry if some people are in the mindset that 'vaccinated granny' is safe now.

@MercyBooth

Dont be so over privileged. Our late downstairs neighbour (who died back in 2017) didnt have home internet (he used to pop up here sometimes to use ours) or a smartphone. He had a very basic Nokia. So this "just book online" wont work for many. To assume that it will is over privileged and lazy.

Our surgery, which is generally behind what I hear from elsewhere, is calling over 40s. So even without Internet they are getting called.

I work in a very mixed area when it comes to money. Most have some form of internet access. It's only much older people I know of without any internet access, and they would have all be called by the GPS by now,

@penni00

Lat summer, there was a slogan going around 'Don't kill Granny' - this was in Preston and other hot spots. Even Matt Hancock was saying not to kill your gran. This was aimed at the younger people to encourage the social distancing etc. I worry that this may have stuck in the sense that these same people may now just feel that 'vaccinated granny' is safe. I think the 'Don't kill Granny' was far too 'narrow', we know that all ages of people have been victims of Covid, especially if you include Long Covid. The fact that newer variants seem to be affecting younger people now is a worry if some people are in the mindset that 'vaccinated granny' is safe now.

I think you are spot on there. Many people believe the job is done now that Grannie has her jab.

Just to add the variant is not thought to affect young people more. It is just with the older people vaccinated and the possibility of it being more transmitable. The number of infections would produce more younger people getting seriously ill.

FWIW I very much agree with this; however choices come with consequences and they're not always attractive

And what happens if minority communities become even more disproportionately affected when most others are vaccinated, both by the virus itself and by restrictions? Will folk say "Oh well, they had their choice", or will it somehow become everyone else's fault?

This is an excellent and very problematic point.

Wow happyface42 not really are you ! Just looking after number one there aren’t ya !

@penni00

Lat summer, there was a slogan going around 'Don't kill Granny' - this was in Preston and other hot spots. Even Matt Hancock was saying not to kill your gran. This was aimed at the younger people to encourage the social distancing etc. I worry that this may have stuck in the sense that these same people may now just feel that 'vaccinated granny' is safe. I think the 'Don't kill Granny' was far too 'narrow', we know that all ages of people have been victims of Covid, especially if you include Long Covid. The fact that newer variants seem to be affecting younger people now is a worry if some people are in the mindset that 'vaccinated granny' is safe now.

I think this is a very good point, the government really hasn't engaged properly with people about the whole covid situation, the risks for younger people and the risks from variants etc. are all part of the situation.

Perhaps local tv stations need to speak to the patients in hospital now with the variant and say they regret refusing the vaccine ? Will that work ?

Totally sick of all this shit now. I just KNEW something would come along and fuck it all up yet again.

That something has been there all along, it begins with B and has 5 letters.....