Omicron variant could cause 75,000 deaths by April

[AchillesLastStand]

As stated in thread title if we stay in Plan B according to government scientists.

www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/11/omicron-covid-variant-could-cause-75000-deaths-in-england-by-end-of-april-say-scientists

Does anyone recall how many died in the wave last winter to compare?

[quote MaxNormal]@rrhuth I'm good with responding in a way I personally find appropriate, thanks.[/quote]
Don't moan about responses to your responses then?

@MaxNormal I also found that offensive.

75000 deaths - not worthy of headline news?

Every number is a person, a human. Not just a worthless statistic.

Have we really sunk that low?

[quote MaxNormal]@rrhuth I'm good with responding in a way I personally find appropriate, thanks.[/quote]

Maybe have a think about why a number of posters are finding your response insensitive and lacking in empathy then.

It’s a model based on assumptions

If people want to wait for data we shouldn’t have to react to it at all

And also ignore one person who has died now breaking news

As statistically irrelevant.

If anyone thinks I've said anything that offensive, please do report.

I think the issue is some want a model to give certainty, and simultaneously want reality to be instantly available like a model!

We are where we are, and we will know where we are headed soon. Sadly it all looks less jolly than pre-Omicron.

I agree those who don't like uncertainty are best off not responding to the modelling.

Meh I don’t mind models, they are interesting if based on assumptions and sometimes incorrect

People don’t need to change behaviour as a result and shouldn’t be led by emotive headlines.

Fine by me.

The one death will no doubt be used by some to stoke up fear. Statistically irrelevant.

Even if…

As I said dry data when we know it. Let’s wait.

No emotive headlines. Results won’t be as some want - lower change in number of contacts.

The government definitely wants the population to reduce contacts, so I guess they are happy with the headlines

I didn’t say they weren’t, the opposite in fact.

But as it’s statistically irrelevant as you’ve said a few times, people should ignore it and wait for the data.

What I can't get my head round is a 1.8 day doubling time. Thank fuck original covid was slow by comparison.

"original covid" haha what a name

@ReeseWitherfork

"original covid" haha what a name

AKA 'wild covid'

It’s too early to say, hence the need to avoid it. It’s premature to say it’s mild based on one Doctor from SA’s opinion.

I don't think that Nicola Sturgeon would have used the word ' tsunami ' on Friday without being in the know about what is coming our way. She looked scared.
I tend to listen to her more than our own PM who I tend not to believe. However, he even said today that the Omnicron virus being ' milder' isn't , necessarily, a good thing ( not that any of it is good , of course it isn't !) it can still cause a lot of damage.

I think I'm more concerned about this variant than delta and that was bad enough!
It is just so depressing to be honest

I’m undecided. I’ve seen the paper and the models suggested and there’s just so much data missing it’s hard to draw a meaningful conclusion at the moment.

Certainly I think we will see more infections but I don’t think anyone’s disputing that.

It's strange that the more deadly virus was slower to spread in comparison to one that has milder symptoms.

Exactly Round

Yes there will be a big wave. And I agree with the fast booster approach.

On whether it’s less virulent is tbc and either way waiting on data. One death today is statistically irrelevant but it will be used as part of overall campaign to promote emotive reaction.

If sone want public to only act on data not headlines they should wait.

Although don’t wait to get booster ;

Get that.

@the80sweregreat

It's strange that the more deadly virus was slower to spread in comparison to one that has milder symptoms.

We don't yet know if it has milder symptoms, or by how much.

We should be told how old this poor person was and if they had underlying health problems , how long they had been in hospital for and when they first became ill with Omnicron. The first cases of Omnicron were not mentioned until the 22nd November.
We won't be told this information of course , the headlines are ' people are dying from the new variant'. No wonder people are skeptical!
I still think it's going to be bad , but that's just me just basing this on early 2020 and we do have vaccines and boosters now , of course.
But who knows for sure ?

@newnameanon19

Amazing how people, two years into a pandemic that has killed millions, still believe it's all hype and panic over a cold. How mad it must be to be that delusional.

Amazing how people are willing to accept the threat of lockdown every now and again. It's pathetic.

Maybe check out what the WHO is saying?

^New data are emerging every day, but scientists need time to complete studies and interpret the results. We must be careful about drawing firm conclusions until we have a more complete picture”, Tedros explained.
In this context, the WHO chief called on all countries to increase surveillance, testing and sequencing.
“Any complacency now will cost lives”, he warned. ^
‘Act now’
^Even though the world still needs answers to some crucial questions, Tedros said people everywhere are not defenceless against Omicron, or Delta.
“The steps countries take today, and in the coming days and weeks will determine how Omicron unfolds. If countries wait until their hospitals start to fill up, it’s too late. Don’t wait. Act now”, he said. ^
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/12/1107452

@the80sweregreat

It's strange that the more deadly virus was slower to spread in comparison to one that has milder symptoms.

Not really. That's a perfectly normal way for a virus to behave. Interesting article that explains it all here