News conference at 5pm [titled edited by MNHQ at OP's request]

[toolazytothinkofausername]

I'm watching Sky News, and they have said there will be a news conference this afternoon... but why do they never say at what time? I've also had this on BBC news too previously. It is so infuriating

YANBU- It is annoying they do not specify a time.
YABU- In 2021 you should search the internet to find it yourself.

I do not know how to do AIBU polls. One day I will figure it out and add it on.

Chris Whitty looks petrified. It's bad.

@Waxonwaxoff0

How will we know if we've been in contact with the new variant? Do PCRs detect the different variants?

I don't believe so.

I've no idea how you'll know which variant you've been in contact with.

@HereComesTheSun12

Chris Whitty looks petrified. It's bad.

Does he? I just think he looks knackered.

@HereComesTheSun12

Chris Whitty looks petrified. It's bad.

I think every briefing has this post ;

@muldersspeedos

Is that all close contacts to self isolate? Dd tested positive on Wednesday. Does her household have to isolate?

Only those with the new variant, I suppose they will let you know with the positive test or you wouldn't know, will the test results take longer because of this though

@HereComesTheSun12

Chris Whitty looks petrified. It's bad.

He doesn't usually mess up his words, and he's getting muddled a lot today.

It is possible that omicron may reduce the effectiveness of vaccines

'The scientists have learnt more about this hour by hour. It does appear that omicron does spread quickly, spreads to double vaccinated people and the extensive mutation and might at least in part reduce protection'

Do I really need to spell that out to you? Do you actually think the PM would even mention it if he were not fairly certain it will affect the vaccines to some degree?

By the time Test And Trace have decided you were in contact with the new variant, the new variant will have spread as much as it needed to to keep going.

It's a little wishy washy

Positive pcrs can be sequenced to find which strain you’ve got

@Waxonwaxoff0

How will we know if we've been in contact with the new variant? Do PCRs detect the different variants?

I read the other day that some can be, and this is one of them. Something to do with the construction of the variant.

So do you only need to isolate as a household if someone tests positive and you are told it’s this variant?
So not while they have symptoms and are waiting for a test result?

@Fairylights25

It is possible that omicron may reduce the effectiveness of vaccines

'The scientists have learnt more about this hour by hour. It does appear that omicron does spread quickly, spreads to double vaccinated people and the extensive mutation and might at least in part reduce protection'

Do I really need to spell that out to you? Do you actually think the PM would even mention it if he were not fairly certain it will affect the vaccines to some degree?

Do you really need me to point out the "might at least in part" which you actually put in your post?

Delta and other covid variants can spread to and between double vaxxed people. Vaccination has never eliminated transmission, only reduced it.

He's definitely speaking faster as if to stress the urgency of what he's saying.

Chris Whitty looks petrified. It's bad.

Might be frightened he might have to make some bullshit figures again like him and Vallance has done previously.

@HereComesTheSun12

He's definitely speaking faster as if to stress the urgency of what he's saying.

Yes he's usually calm and speaks carefully to get the point across. This felt rushed and muddled, which is unusual for him.

I really like Chris Whitty but he should keep it brief, many people struggle to follow the basics let alone his very intelligent but a bit lengthy monologue.

Tightening up up on face covers though, yay! We'll have the refusers getting revved up as we speak.

@Naughtynovembertree

Why face covering in shops and public transport? Why not in as many times places as possible and why never ever push, open a bloody window??

The amount of people who moan abiut covid then simultaneously shut windows!!

Ventilation seems to be ignored. It's stuffy and hot at work but there are a few whingers who shiver at the thought of a tiny breeze. The same ones that are worried about covid.

Yet

No masks? The easiest cheapest way to help stop the spread esp over Xmas?

People mixing in shops etc or at work?

@Waxonwaxoff0

How will we know if we've been in contact with the new variant? Do PCRs detect the different variants?

Yes, they can - you can sequence the virus from positive PCR test samples, and fortunately we're rather good at this and are one of the countries that does the most sequencing

Kowari, same.

I'm utterly sick of being given the evil eye when I open a window, our office is fluid, people are in and out all the time.
There is about 30 of us!
Why not open and close as necessary?

@HereComesTheSun12

Chris Whitty looks petrified. It's bad.

There really is nothing to suggest this at present. In fact, recent evidence coming out of SA suggests that symptoms from this variant are mild.

Chris Whitty seems the same as normal. Possibly tired, aren't we all.

It's really not helpful to read things that aren't there.

Is it me or does Whitty seem to be panicking?

But disingenuous to talk about hospitalisations falling, when that's a reflection of the lag from the all in cases that was happening a bit over a week ago - esp as new case numbers have been rising again fir about 6 days now

Cases in vulnerable groups have not risen at all in those days, they have continued to fall - so hospitalisations will continue to fall as vulnerable groups are those that require hospitalisation.