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?

We need to be relaxing restrictions, not imposing more. Sadly the Labour party have been pathetic on this issue and seem to have no concern for personal liberty which is very disappointing.

According to reporters, Johnson said 'I think the idea this is a milder version of the virus is something we need to set to one side' which is uncharacteristically gloomy.

@rrhuth

According to reporters, Johnson said 'I think the idea this is a milder version of the virus is something we need to set to one side' which is uncharacteristically gloomy.

Statistical irrelevance of one death…

Seems odd for someone so keen to wait for the data.

Xenia, Jeremy Corbyn actually agrees with Steve Baker MP about civil liberties and the whole issues of vaccines passport ! He was being interviewed at the weekend. It was incredible that these two would ever agree on anything !

@the80sweregreat

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

Why is it strange?

According to reporters, Johnson said 'I think the idea this is a milder version of the virus is something we need to set to one side' which is uncharacteristically gloomy.

They want people to get boosters. So they need to drive the fear.

Trouble is, nobody believes Boris Johnson anymore
If they want people to toe the line they may need someone else to tell us!

You’re getting Starmer giving it a bash tonight 80s ;

Why if there is nothing to fear are they willing to go to such lengths and expense to get everyone boostered?

There's not 'nothing' to fear.

The degree of vaccine escape is a worry, naturally. Boosters will help that a lot, so obviously they are key.

Severity, it's hopefully milder, but they just don't know yet. I would be hopeful that the vast majority of the triple jabbed would have little to fear from it, but there are always those who cant / won't get vaxxed and those for whom immune response will be poor.

People won't listen to Starmer either !!

Given the NHS website is buckling under the strain of people trying to order LFTs and book boosters, clearly lots of people ARE listening.

I wonder if England has the capacity to issue the number of LFTs it will need for daily testing to avoid isolation? If cases go as even half as high as models there will need to be million of tests issued.

I assume Scotland went for Isolation because it is logictically easier and more effective.

I'm thinking of people I know who will not get a jab under circumstances! I know about five and they will not be convinced at all.
It's good that many are listening though

@rrhuth

According to reporters, Johnson said 'I think the idea this is a milder version of the virus is something we need to set to one side' which is uncharacteristically gloomy.

Of course he said that. The Fear must be kept at a heightened level at all times. Even though every single indication so far from SA suggests this new variant is much milder than Delta. This means if the new variant becomes dominant, it could be extremely good news. In theory a cause for celebration but, as I have said all along, some people are going to be bereft when this thing is all over.

Ah, so you are of the 'this is all a plot' mindset @churchofthepoisonmind

Looks like 10 people admitted to hospital with Omicron variant between ages 18 to 85. Most double vaccinated

@rrhuth

According to reporters, Johnson said 'I think the idea this is a milder version of the virus is something we need to set to one side' which is uncharacteristically gloomy.

Thing is, that statement is extremely carefully worded.

In no way does that statement say that it isn't true. He's not saying that it's false information. He's literally saying ignore the mild thing, I'm saying something else.

(And to a point for good reason; for the record, I agree that it's the transmissibility that makes omicron a problem, over and above its respective severity. I also think that a lot of people have got hold of this idea that it's 'mild' without contextualising that; mild in relation to what? Omicron can both be statistically and at a macro level milder than other variants of covid, and still make some people very ill.)

@NightmareSlashDelightful

I agree he didn't say it wasn't milder, just that it should be set aside. I think they are very worried that if too many people get hung up on the 'milder' apect, then we will have an even higher surge of cases, leading to a bigger problem in healthcare. I am not sure how they will communicate why milder + more transmissible = worse if that is what we are going to have to deal with.

We have to wait for data on virulence

On communicating what’s going to happen big wave or tsunami (NS) seems to be the way to go

Sadly the Labour party have been pathetic on this issue and seem to have no concern for personal liberty which is very disappointing

Surely the Labour Party has never been particularly concerned with personal liberty? It's all about collective responsibility.

At least one person has now died from Omicron. The government shouldn't promise to never quarantine again or make masks mandatory again when it's so unclear how a coronavirus is going to behave.

@rrhuth

Ah, so you are of the 'this is all a plot' mindset *@churchofthepoisonmind*

@rrhuth you are obsessed with plots and conspiracy theories. Not everything is a plot ffs. Sometimes politicians just say things because it makes their life easier. In this case, if people are kept in a state of fear, it will make it easier for the PM to push through his measures in the next few weeks.

At least one person has now died from Omicron.

No one person has died WITH Omicron. We don't know whether omicron was the cause!

There has been a confirmed omicron death today.