Why the panic of Omicron is mild?

[WineGetsMeThroughIt]

All of this just seems utter bollocks. A handful of new cases of a variant that could potentially pose less of a threat than delta. Yet with delta we were basically told to keep calm and carry on. No masks, no isolating, children or C+ parents going to school, no social distancing or any rules really.

I'm seeing news reports now encouraging everyone to go get their booster jab and their flu jab to help protect against the new variant and flu this winter. But if you come in contact or test positive with Omicron even if you're fully vaccinated then you must isolate for 8 days. Then seeing other reports saying that Omicron is resistant to the vaccine, so the pharm companies are rushing out a new vaccine - so potentially everyone will be encouraged to get a 4th vaccine.

Meanwhile even though you're vaccinated you can still spread it and it's been said that the first positive case of Omicron to enter this country was via a fully vaxx'd person because that's the only way you can travel now. But the vaccines were the ticket of this pandemic they said. Obviously there are fewer ill people because of the vaccine, but there are also a lot of people experiencing worrying Ng side effects with them as well. What will the build up of all these vaccines be doing to us I wonder. Genuine question we may not know for years.

Im just getting so fed up with all this now. It's so depressing

No reputable scientists say we can eradicate covid now.

However, it's such a convenient Trumpian strategy to say 'people say this ridiculous and unsubstantiated thing' to derail the conversation when others are having nuanced conversations about the hard work and detailed measures needed to make things better.

'The NHS isn't on its knees? My brother lives in a country in mainland Europe. A few weeks ago his doctor referred him to a consultant for a shoulder problem. Saw th consultant yesterday. Has his operation booked for a month's time. I have an urgent referral for a hospital appointment. A letter has arrived. They will contact me in 3 months about an appointment. NO appointment on the horizon. I also need a scan for another problem which is causing a lot of discomfort. Dr says I won't hear from the hospital for at least 3 months. Our medical professionals are working as hard as they can but the NHS is definitely on its knees.

@theemperorhasnoclothes

No reputable scientists say we can eradicate covid now.

However, it's such a convenient Trumpian strategy to say 'people say this ridiculous and unsubstantiated thing' to derail the conversation when others are having nuanced conversations about the hard work and detailed measures needed to make things better.

What rather than the bizarre suggestion itself a few posts back

People are responding to that aren’t they?

Sure it might just be a deliberate derail in itself but say that instead then

@Hodl

Vaccines work. DS13 tested positive for COVID yet DH, DD, and I (all fully jabbed) have all tested negative.

However, I find the moves towards mandatory jabs, vaccine passports, etc rather sinister. I can't see any govt willingly giving up the seemingly total control they now have over peoples lives. I think this is what a lot of people have been protesting about, not just the vaccines per se.

I agree with concern about civil liberties.

I think the current situation - where vaccines are optional - is definitely one we want to continue.

I also think it's worrying that when it comes to basic public health measures that benefit all (e.g. getting ventilation right) and that minimally infringe on civil liberties it's all about 'personal responsibility' (translation - government is not going to pay) and yet on the other hand there's this very un 'personal responsibility' drive towards mandatory vaccination (e.g. of healthcare workers), which is literally injecting something into people's bodies (i.e. far more invasive than wearing a mask occasionally or going into a shop with good ventilation).

The arguments towards mandatory vaccination in certain situations lose a lot of weight if we can keep levels of covid low with other measures.

Which is why I never understand why those who are anti-vaccine are also generally also anti-mask / anti-ventilation / anti-air filtration and anti-anything even mildly difficult or like the tiniest bit of work or effort to stop transmission.

@wantanotherdog

'The NHS isn't on its knees? My brother lives in a country in mainland Europe. A few weeks ago his doctor referred him to a consultant for a shoulder problem. Saw th consultant yesterday. Has his operation booked for a month's time. I have an urgent referral for a hospital appointment. A letter has arrived. They will contact me in 3 months about an appointment. NO appointment on the horizon. I also need a scan for another problem which is causing a lot of discomfort. Dr says I won't hear from the hospital for at least 3 months. Our medical professionals are working as hard as they can but the NHS is definitely on its knees.

This isn't because of Covid though. It was already on its knees.

A health service which rations care so that people give up and go private is no health service at all. Time for it to go and start again.

Sadly I know 4 people getting cancer treatment. Two have private health insurance. They are all being treated as quickly as each other, although the private healthcare lot have nicer rooms, better food and refreshments provided.

This isn't because of Covid though. It was already on its knees.

That is true. I don't know why people always insist the only alternative to the NHS is the American model. Many continental European countries, and others including Japan, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand all have far superior healthcare systems. Well managed, well funded.

However, you don't reduce a backlog by drastically adding to it.

Hugely under pressure, long waits, burnt out staff. And what happened? Covid has significantly worsened all those problems times a hundred.

You see there's a slight problem with letting it rip and the bodies pile up high eugenics lite policy. Economic damage aside, hospitals full of Covid patients (and dead or sick HCP) can't treat anyone else.

@Kokeshi123

In Princess's world, people are only being allowed to gather in spaces that can invest in top-end air filtration systems. Great.

Also, you do realize this virus now has animal reservoirs, Princess?

Presumably properly masked and distanced to make sure.

Private is the way to go if you can afford it ,that and look after your health. I'm still not private and balk at the cost but 3 of my family and friends have all gone that way in the last year a fact of which they never tire of telling you about

@Kokeshi123

In Princess's world, people are only being allowed to gather in spaces that can invest in top-end air filtration systems. Great.

Also, you do realize this virus now has animal reservoirs, Princess?

I can't help it. I have a proactive, positive "can do" mindset.

I look for solutions.

Not reasons to give up, admit defeat, and surrender to a virus.

Such as opening windows,

Such as a Corsi-Rosenthal box (which is a home made filter made from a fan filters and duct tape.)

www.npr.org/sections/back-to-school-live-updates/2021/08/26/1031018250/does-your-kids-classroom-need-an-air-purifier-heres-how-you-can-make-one-yoursel

Such as wondering how many HEPA filters per home the billions overspent on test and trace and unfit for purpose PPI would buy?

You wouldn't even need all the billions.

1 would do it.

Or we can keep letting it spread and keep getting worse variants for those of you who've been enjoying the covid years.

Unfortunately I don’t think your amazing cardboard filter is going to work but nice try. 😍

@PrincessNutNuts

Fair enough... I admire your positive attitude, and you're right not to be defeatist and give up on your ways to ameliorate the impacts of the pandemic. I think eradicating Covid completely though is unrealistic however much of a "can do" attitude you may have.

@starlight13 seriously? Vaccines have consistently kept the deaths low from this virus, it really would be a shit show if we didnt have them, much more so than it is now. No vaccine is 100%…But there’s a huge amount of research to counter act your random ‘severely screwing with your immunity’ post, in fact the research says quite the opposite. If you want to show me the research papers you have read on how it’s ‘screwing with our immunity’, please post here, otherwise stop pushing your bonkers anti-vaxx agenda, which I imagine you have gleaned from Facebook memes.

@Hodl

Vaccines work. DS13 tested positive for COVID yet DH, DD, and I (all fully jabbed) have all tested negative.

However, I find the moves towards mandatory jabs, vaccine passports, etc rather sinister. I can't see any govt willingly giving up the seemingly total control they now have over peoples lives. I think this is what a lot of people have been protesting about, not just the vaccines per se.

I wasn’t vaccinated nor were my other children and we didn’t catch covid off the ones that did . On 2 occasions so on your basis I can say vaccines made no difference.

I caught covid after being double vaccinated from somewhere else

@Trixiefirecracker really 🙄

[quote Warhertisuff]@PrincessNutNuts

Fair enough... I admire your positive attitude, and you're right not to be defeatist and give up on your ways to ameliorate the impacts of the pandemic. I think eradicating Covid completely though is unrealistic however much of a "can do" attitude you may have. [/quote]
I just can't let humanity to be out-smarted by something that doesn't have a brain.

@starlight13

Those that have had the vaccine are seriously screwing their immunity.

Screwing with immunity? Wtaf? Vaccines provide immunity... not perfect, infallible immunity, but enough so our hospitalisations and deaths are a fraction of
what they were when we had similar case numbers last year.

Still waiting for @starlight13 research papers on ‘screwing with immunity’.

@Trixiefirecracker..... whilst we are still waiting for you to post the published medical papers on the effects of the covid vaccine on our long term immunity. And yes, vaccines give some protection but it overrides your bodies ability to create a natural immunity therefore weakening your ability to fight off any viruses or diseases in the future. All vaccines do this but we choose to take them depending on the severity of the disease and the chance of death basically. Covid is low chance of death.
You do not have to research far to understand this, there are many by the BMJ. Why do you think that there is growing concern over the effectiveness of antibiotics?
Let's not go down the route of shaming people whatever their choices or worries. We make our own decisions in life as to how we react to situations, but kindness should always be one of them.

I’m not shaming you, I am simply asking for evidence. When you post information that you state as ‘true’, it is only fair to back it up with the research otherwise it is just something you think, if it’s just an idea you have , fair enough but don’t quote it as true without the evidence please. That’s all I’m Asking for.

Here’s some info on immunity and vaccines…
ec.europa.eu/research-and-innovation/en/horizon-magazine/qa-how-vaccines-can-strengthen-immune-response-beyond-specific-disease

Why do you think that there is growing concern over the effectiveness of antibiotics?

Don't even know where to start with your post @starlight13, but the concern about AR isn't because "all vaccines overide your ability to form natural immunity".

Here’s another …@starlight13 www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/covid-19-vaccine-combos-aim-to-boost-immunity-68529/amp

Bit of data on air filtration vs covid here:

www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/air-filters-on-addenbrooke-s-wards-removed-nearly-all-trace-9227736/