Indian variant - why the panic?

[Doireallyneedaname]

Multiple news stories over the last 24 hours stating that the vaccines are effective against it; as well as lab studies last week showing the same, yet the panic continues. Why?

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57134181

Pretty sure 2 doses of the mRNA vaccine and the AZ work well against this variant. However, some people have refused the vaccine and for some people, including elderly/vulnerable, the vaccine will not work as well.
If the variant runs rampant through the younger unvaccinated population, then some of those will end up in hospital and so will some in the above category. If it runs rampant, we may then also have further variants developing here for which the vaccines do not work as well.
Bottom line is also anyone who has refused the vaccine could be putting others and the whole country at risk, but it is their choice ultimately. The vaccine side effects I experienced were very unpleasant have most likely had Covid. When it comes to booster shots, I think we will experience more hesitancy amongst those like me, who had severe side effects both times. So if we really do all need to get vaccinated, then I expect there will be greater pressure to do so in the future e.g. compulsory for many jobs etc.

May not be a popular view but i think its crazy that everyone else may have to have their life wrecked to protect those in certain areas who have chosen not to be vaccinated

@EducatingArti

threadreaderapp.com/thread/1393932001271554049.html Here it is.

Actually, the Twitter thread you linked to is pretty optimistic. It finishes by saying that:

"In summary, I believe the UK can deal with most of the possible scenarios we could face with B.1.617.2 over the coming months. It may be bumpy, but I think we’ll get there. Other countries – with less vaccination or prior infection – may face an even more challenging time."

@Ninefeettall

Well then isn't it just perfect timing that masks are no longer required in secondary schools as of today? That seems jolly sensible, no?

Yes, although I wonder how much masks were being used anyway. They certainly aren't wearing them inside the classroom at the schools by me.

@LidlMiddleLover

May not be a popular view but i think its crazy that everyone else may have to have their life wrecked to protect those in certain areas who have chosen not to be vaccinated

I think that's the thinking of a lot of Conservatives and is probably the reason lockdown has lifted anyway.

@IcedPurple
Indeed it does, but the op was asking why we should be concerned and he explained why. He shows what we might have to do to "deal" with the various scenarios which would most likely mean keeping/reintroducing some restrictions.

[quote Doireallyneedaname]Multiple news stories over the last 24 hours stating that the vaccines are effective against it; as well as lab studies last week showing the same, yet the panic continues. Why?

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57134181[/quote]
What panic are you referring to?

I agree @Doireallyneedaname
Now we just need to keep calm, be patient, be careful and take our vaccination as and when they are offered.
As for the miniscule danger of blood clots with AZ, all medicines and vaccinations come with their associated risks. Blood clot risks for women who have birth control pills is much higher and you don't see the hysteria about it (the cynical me thinks it's because it affects women and so no one cares because women should just put up with it shouldn't they; sorry I digress).
So please take your vaccinations everyone.

@ZenNudist

There are those who panic about everything and believe the government/ media and those who don't give a fuck and everyone else in between.

Do you remember how scared we all were of covid at the start? A lot of people have learned to live with the risk and try not to ruin their lives over it. Some poor people are still terrified and variants feed into this narrative of fear.

That's very emotive language you're using there and totally misses the point. At this stage of the vaccine roll out the last thing we need is a variant which spreads more quickly and causes more people to be ill. No need to pour ill thought out scorn on sensible people.

[quote EducatingArti]@IcedPurple
Indeed it does, but the op was asking why we should be concerned and he explained why. He shows what we might have to do to "deal" with the various scenarios which would most likely mean keeping/reintroducing some restrictions.[/quote]
From what I read, he talks about vaccinating teenagers but where does he talk about reintroducing restrictions?

Stressmagnet yes, they had both had covid. They said it's just a mild flu and they don't know why anyone is panicking. They were very anti vaccine, but I didn't want to get into a debate with them about it.

There are indications vaccines are effective, there is some protection after one dose, more after the second. It is an evolving situation while data develops to determine the risk and care is being taken until things are clearer. That isn't "panic".

@LidlMiddleLover

May not be a popular view but i think its crazy that everyone else may have to have their life wrecked to protect those in certain areas who have chosen not to be vaccinated

Do you mean like when the rest of the country locked down because the virus was rampant in London? I'm not advocating for a lockdown ,but let's not pit areas against each other .

I may be somewhat cynical, but I can't help thinking that the timing of the reporting may have something to do with the current easing of lockdown. The government don't want everyone rushing out socialising, so a bit of panic will help to reduce that and encourage people to get vaccinated.

@Needanewhat

There is a significant problem with particular ethnic minorities refusing the vaccine. There is a lot of misinformation circling on private WhatsApp groups.

I know people whose relatives died from covid who still will not have the vaccine because of this (my mother is from one of the cultures in question).

The evidence on ethnic groups is mixed. In some areas ethnic groups can have the highest rates of uptake.

Analysis seems to indicate that uptake is lowest in first generation migrants of any ethnicity. They tend to live in clustered communities. They are likely to white or BAME.

@IcedPurple
He writes:
My previous view was that baseline controls were unlikely to be needed to control B.1.1.7 beyond the end of July. But with B.1.617.2 now likely to become dominant, it makes sense to extend those controls until we believe the prospect of a large exit wave has receded. 38/

Baseline controls means some restrictions.

Then he writes:
In the worst case, additional controls (e.g. reversal of Step 3) could be needed to hold the virus in check until those boosters are available for delivery – see this thread for discussion, the numbers are out of date but the “shape” will be similar:

we need to get the world vaccinated, we need to send vaccinations to india, not just ventilators.

@BelleBlueBell

I was only 90% concentrating but I'm pretty sure that they said on the radio a few minutes ago that the people in hospital in Bolton with the Indian variant were all people who are eligible for the vaccine but hadn't had it

Pretty clear why there's a push to get as many done as possible.

Isn't it interesting tho, that those communities at the most risk are the very ones with low vaccine uptake. WTF are their community leaders doing to allow this to go on?

Or is it just that those communities are dominated by young men who hold sway over the more vulnerable members of their households?

Many grannies stuck in back rooms only allowed out accompanied by younger male members of the household. I remember it well.

@Leonardsgirl I wonder if they were qualified nurses or nursing assistants? ie older women who really didn't understand the medicine

[quote EducatingArti]@IcedPurple
He writes:
My previous view was that baseline controls were unlikely to be needed to control B.1.1.7 beyond the end of July. But with B.1.617.2 now likely to become dominant, it makes sense to extend those controls until we believe the prospect of a large exit wave has receded. 38/

Baseline controls means some restrictions.

Then he writes:
In the worst case, additional controls (e.g. reversal of Step 3) could be needed to hold the virus in check until those boosters are available for delivery – see this thread for discussion, the numbers are out of date but the “shape” will be similar:[/quote]
So maybe 'baseline controls' - what they are are - might be needed? Or in the 'worst case scenario' - which he says is unlikely - some reversals 'could be needed'?

I wouldn't interpret that as suggesting it would "most likely mean keeping/reintroducing some restrictions"as you said.

@AbsolutelyPatsy

we need to get the world vaccinated, we need to send vaccinations to india, not just ventilators.

The Serum Institute in Puna is the world's largest vaccine producer.

According to the government’s own SPI MO modelling, in any third wave:

“The resurgence in both hospitalisations and deaths is dominated by those that have received two doses of the vaccine comprising around 60% and 70% of the wave respectively”.

“This shows that most deaths and admissions in a post-Roadmap resurgence are in people who have received two vaccine doses even without vaccine protection waning or a variant that escapes vaccines”.

They say this is because vaccine uptake has been “so high” in over 50 years olds.

SPI-M-O Summary of modelling of easing restrictions roadmap 2

Serum Institute in Pune rather.

but where are the serum institute in pune sending their vaccines?

@x2boys “ you mean like when the rest of the country locked down because the virus was rampant in London?
I'm not advocating for a lockdown ,but let's not pit areas against each other .”

No very different because people in London didn’t have the opportunity to have the vaccine then Now they have been offered and declined it in those areas wgere the Indian varient is now rampant Their choice but their consequences not for everyone else to have to lockdown to protect them