Live from Covid capital UK

[calamityjam]

I'm at work in my cafe in Bolton. 0 customers because the government have advised folk to stay away. Either close us down and give us a grant or stop telling people to stay away! This is the worst case scenario for us

I'm originally from Horwich area but now in Preston. Got to travel to Bolton tomorrow morning

Just watched the Andy Burnham press conference live on the news channels. So bizarre, his staff seemed to be saying there was no problem. But the figures for Bolton clearly showed a big problem in Bolton, less so elsewhere. The figures for Bolton General sounded very high.
Neither side is helping. One side saying there is no problem and their area should not be locked down. Another side saying there is no problem, 'freedom day' will be going ahead but very quietly saying people should not go into or out of 8 areas without actually enforcing this (or telling anyone).

Also not thrilled by the vaccines minister saying that after 'freedom day' people who have had 2 vaccinations will still have to self-isolate for the full period, even with negative tests. Hardly going to encourage people to get vaccinated if unscientific policies like that are being pushed. Obviously fully vaccinated people with negative tests are extremely unlikely to be a transmission risk, even if the minister knows someone who got covid after 2 vaccines. That is not science and that is not how scientific data works.

at government scientific policy on vaccinated people being based on nadhim zahawi's friends and family.

I'm so sorry for you OP. I really am. I have many friends running cafe's and restaurants, and the last year has been shit.

However, what's the alternative? What can be done in those areas whom haven't ever really got on top of infection. Over time things seem to have improved, local health teams involved on the ground, knocking on doors, GP's actively contacting people, hospital doctors, faith leaders, councils, volunteers, the army. Much more time and effort being directed at local level than perhaps any other area on the country, in terms of both testing and vaccination, and still it goes on........ what's the answer? Literally lock away, block certain areas, other countries might do that, even in parts of Europe, but it would be unconscionable here in the UK.

I am really angry on your behalf, they are being very underhand, and clearly don't care about businesses. Eight whole council areas is quite a lot of jobs!

Apparently incorrect for Leicester - after meeting with government, Leicester City Council announce 'as you were'. You couldn't make it up!
news.leicester.gov.uk/news-articles/2021/may/no-changes-to-covid-19-guidance-for-city/

Saying the same for Bolton. Does anyone have a clue?!

@Aposterhasnoname

I am so angry about this I can barely speak. I’m in one of those areas, my MSOA and the ones all around us are low cases, it’s just one locality that has cases off the scale, so the entire LAA has to suffer.

I’ve got a holiday booked next week, in the uk because I’m a good conscientious citizen and didn’t book to go to Portugal even though it was allowed. I did as we were asked, again. As I did when when we were asked to get vaccinated, to test twice a week, to give up Christmas, then Easter.

Now I’m sat in my office in a neighbouring borough, with all my colleagues, who can go on holiday freely, while I technically can’t. All coming out of this together my fucking arse. This is lockdown by the back door, and I’m beyond furious about it.

Go on the holiday. You are not breaking any law.

I have decided that I will continue to use common sense, as I have done throughout this pandemic, but I am following the law only, not the guidance (other than hands, face, space etc). I have basically shielded this entire time, did not take advantage of any relaxations last summer, and consequently have not seen a lot of my family since Christmas 2019 as they live more than a day trip away.

I have no intention of going on a foreign holiday and I am still yet to go inside anything but an essential shop, but once my vaccine has kicked in I am not going to sit at home again unless I am told I legally have to. I am 200m away from the border of one of the affected boroughs, I will be cautious and sensible but I will assess my personal risk profile (both to myself and to others) rather than rely on blanket guidance.

BBC suggest it is a mistake for all areas

This from Leicester City Council: The Government has confirmed that new advice published on its website in relation to Leicester AND OTHER AREAS was incorrect, and people should continue to follow existing national guidelines as before. There is no local lockdown. #bbcnews

Also not thrilled by the vaccines minister saying that after 'freedom day' people who have had 2 vaccinations will still have to self-isolate for the full period, even with negative tests

I've just cried reading this. I was so pleased with the vax, had both and felt so 'free' as the time has come when they should have taken full effect.

Now I read it makes fuck all difference regarding self isolation .

@mightyducks

Sorry to hear that *@calamityjam* , I live in Bolton, work in Blackburn, feels like I am surrounded by it! I don’t think the weather is helping, it’s so miserable I don’t think people want to go out anyway, feel so sorry for everyone in hospitality in Bolton, you’ve all been through so much already

Ha. I bet we pass every morning and evening, as I live just outside Blackburn and work just outside Bolton.

Note the ‘just outside’ in both cases. Where I live there a very, very few cases, never been high numbers, but because I have a Blackburn postcode, I am lumped in with the hotspot area.

We’re close to one of the areas and this is the first I’ve heard of the advice. We aren’t news shy either, we consume quite a bit. Why haven’t they publicised it if they are concerned? The BBC are reporting the government just put it on their website.

Thats really shit. good people are staying in, though hopefully not mixing with friends and families as that is worse than a cafe, but leaving you without support...

Hospital numbers in Bolton going up quite quickly, why? Do the vaccines not work?

@Baileysforchristmas

Hospital numbers in Bolton going up quite quickly, why? Do the vaccines not work?

The majority of people are not yet FULLY vaccinated. Only approximately a third of people have had two doses nationally.

For those who have had one dose, the vaccine is approximately 33% effective against this variant (compared to 50+% effective against the Kent variant) - this is called vaccine escape (partial, as opposed to full).

Yes the vaccines work. but we always needed low cases as well - however much Johnson lied about it - because vaccines are not 100% effective.

But I thought after 1 dose, you had about 80% of not being extremely ill or ending up in hospital? I understand you can still catch it and 1 dose doesn’t protect you very much from being infected?

@calamityjam

It's never this quiet, even in the rain. Everyone is aware of the number of cases and increasing hospital numbers around here it's as high as 1700 per 100,000

The news today said it was around 450 per 100,000 in Bolton.

I'm in Bolton too it's shit isn't it?😢

@Baileysforchristmas

But I thought after 1 dose, you had about 80% of not being extremely ill or ending up in hospital? I understand you can still catch it and 1 dose doesn’t protect you very much from being infected?

There isn't much data yet for hospitalisations, but yes expected to be (much) higher than the 33%.

But ultimately, a small percentage of a big number is still quite a lot of people.

Yes the vaccines work.

Yes hospitals could still be overwhelmed if we have high cases.

@hahaboink
That is true for Bolton as a whole. But for certain wards it is much much higher. The “Bolton” number is balanced out.

Wow 452 per 100,000 that’s so high, it’s 20 where I live. Hospital numbers are also rising

www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/19327261.coronavirus-bolton-e-one-busiest-ever-days/