Coronavirus Impact on Air Travel
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"And for what? To keep a load of Octogenarians alive for another few months?"
Jonty, I'm not yet an octogenarian but I find this sort of remark glib and disrespectful. I've no idea which statistics are correct any more than you have, and while some may have had only a few months to live, others will have lost years. Back in the early days when deaths were rising, there were similar remarks on social media along the lines of "they would have died anyway" which many found offensive.
However, I believe we do have to live with this virus to prevent unacceptable excess deaths from other causes and to avoid even more disastrous consequences for the economy, business and jobs. But that probably means protecting the vulnerable or at least encouraging them to take appropriate measures themselves.
We still don't seem to know how effective antibodies are, how long they last or how they can vary from person to person. In the meantime, until there is a vaccine that works and is safe, let's hope the virus loses some of its severity, and with better treatment with drugs in hospitals, means that some of those octogenarians can enjoy life (seeing grandchildren grow up for example) a little longer than a few months.
Sadly, it's a terrible time for many in aviation and likely to get worse this winter. Unfortunately, so far the Chancellor has elected not to introduce any special concessions for this particular vital sector of our economy.
Jonty, I'm not yet an octogenarian but I find this sort of remark glib and disrespectful. I've no idea which statistics are correct any more than you have, and while some may have had only a few months to live, others will have lost years. Back in the early days when deaths were rising, there were similar remarks on social media along the lines of "they would have died anyway" which many found offensive.
However, I believe we do have to live with this virus to prevent unacceptable excess deaths from other causes and to avoid even more disastrous consequences for the economy, business and jobs. But that probably means protecting the vulnerable or at least encouraging them to take appropriate measures themselves.
We still don't seem to know how effective antibodies are, how long they last or how they can vary from person to person. In the meantime, until there is a vaccine that works and is safe, let's hope the virus loses some of its severity, and with better treatment with drugs in hospitals, means that some of those octogenarians can enjoy life (seeing grandchildren grow up for example) a little longer than a few months.
Sadly, it's a terrible time for many in aviation and likely to get worse this winter. Unfortunately, so far the Chancellor has elected not to introduce any special concessions for this particular vital sector of our economy.
Unfortunately it doesn't just kill octogenarians - the impact can be many and varied, a family friend in his early fifties contracted COVID back in March (on a skiing holiday in Italy...). He's normally as fit as a butchers dog, triathlons, wind surfing etc, but although he is now back on his feet he goes to bed at 4 p.m., exhausted. I'm sure that many people have similar experiences.
But somewhat surprisingly, not from any regions of England. I am amazed the at least Northwest England hasn't been placed on the naughty step by the Robert Koch Institute, since they have fingered individual cities and areas in other European countries. I can't see it being long before they do, which will make things even more difficult for people trying to travel and more importantly do business with Germany
When I was perusing the RKI website yesterday they only mentioned Wales and NI; obviously it's been updated since. Doesn't surprise me in the slightest.
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As the Tory Party (remote) Conference begins Raab has said The Government will make an announcement about airport testing "in the coming days" = feeling the heat!
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ATNotts
I was going back to Germany today, but will now be working from home in the UK as our area is in special measures, and after discussions within the business we agreed this maybe a sensible approach. Interestingly our area (Kirklees / Calderdale) has less infections currently than Sheffield which is not locked down. The inconsistency in the UK is the thing that strikes you most when looking at the German v UK approach, with blanket inconsistent lockdowns being done in the UK, with more precise targeted lockdowns in Germany in my experience over the last 7-8 months.
Kind regards
Mr Mac
I was going back to Germany today, but will now be working from home in the UK as our area is in special measures, and after discussions within the business we agreed this maybe a sensible approach. Interestingly our area (Kirklees / Calderdale) has less infections currently than Sheffield which is not locked down. The inconsistency in the UK is the thing that strikes you most when looking at the German v UK approach, with blanket inconsistent lockdowns being done in the UK, with more precise targeted lockdowns in Germany in my experience over the last 7-8 months.
Kind regards
Mr Mac
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According to this in depth report if you want to reduce your risk of catching Covid on an aircraft then grab a window seat https://www.nationalgeographic.com/s...ds-on-a-plane/
Let's suppose that later in October, the relevant bodies in UK Govt announce test-on-arrival at UK airports for Covid. Maybe there will be just a single test on arrival, maybe there will be a 2nd test a few days later. If you test positive, you go into some form of quarantine; if you test negative in both rounds, you are free to go as you please.
Under such a scenario where free movement post arrival is not guaranteed (asymptomatic carriers still have to quarantine), would people suddenly become much more willing to get on an airplane and fly off ? My feeling is there would be a slight increase in flying, but most UK residents still wouldn't want to risk it until either Xmas or Easter, but I'm interested in what others think passenger demand for air travel would look like
Under such a scenario where free movement post arrival is not guaranteed (asymptomatic carriers still have to quarantine), would people suddenly become much more willing to get on an airplane and fly off ? My feeling is there would be a slight increase in flying, but most UK residents still wouldn't want to risk it until either Xmas or Easter, but I'm interested in what others think passenger demand for air travel would look like
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We can see how easy this virus spreads. Being tested on arrival would not protect fellow passengers. What about the time I could be sitting next to someone who was spending half an hour eating and drinking so not wearing a mask. For me it would make no difference, which is not helped by the airport experience either with no socially distanced queues and people being piled into airside buses as though there was no pandemic.
Maybe if I was 40 years younger I would not feel so vulnerable but testing at airports would not change a thing.
Maybe if I was 40 years younger I would not feel so vulnerable but testing at airports would not change a thing.
Last edited by LTNman; 5th Oct 2020 at 12:11.
Let's suppose that later in October, the relevant bodies in UK Govt announce test-on-arrival at UK airports for Covid. Maybe there will be just a single test on arrival, maybe there will be a 2nd test a few days later. If you test positive, you go into some form of quarantine; if you test negative in both rounds, you are free to go as you please.
Under such a scenario where free movement post arrival is not guaranteed (asymptomatic carriers still have to quarantine), would people suddenly become much more willing to get on an airplane and fly off ? My feeling is there would be a slight increase in flying, but most UK residents still wouldn't want to risk it until either Xmas or Easter, but I'm interested in what others think passenger demand for air travel would look like
Under such a scenario where free movement post arrival is not guaranteed (asymptomatic carriers still have to quarantine), would people suddenly become much more willing to get on an airplane and fly off ? My feeling is there would be a slight increase in flying, but most UK residents still wouldn't want to risk it until either Xmas or Easter, but I'm interested in what others think passenger demand for air travel would look like
Most of the people I know are just waiting for 2021 to come in and have a ‘reset’ and are hoping to have a much better year next year.
We can see how easy this virus spreads. Being tested on arrival would not protect fellow passengers. What about the time I could be sitting next to someone who was spending half an hour eating and drinking so not wearing a mask. For me it would make no difference, which is not helped by the airport experience either with no socially distanced queues and people being piled into airside buses as though there was no pandemic.
Maybe if I was 40 years younger I would not feel so vulnerable but testing at airports would not change a thing.
Maybe if I was 40 years younger I would not feel so vulnerable but testing at airports would not change a thing.
It'll probably catch maybe 1 in 5 of people who go onto contract it (which is still better than 0 out of 5), but if you test again after 5-7 days, the odds on many not being caught after this period is far lower.
Whatever happens, it has been proven in Europe that as soon you release the lockdown restrictions, the virus is still spreading amongst the general population.
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I have close relations who won’t download the Covid tracker app and other close relations who have no intention of getting vaccinated.
I hope other families are better than mine but if they are not I fear this virus will be with us for a very long time.
I hope other families are better than mine but if they are not I fear this virus will be with us for a very long time.
Question is which airports? I reckon it will be LHR, MAN and EDI to start with with some of the UK's smaller airports being well down the pecking order, unless of course they're prepared to pay for the facility.
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