Coronavirus: The Thread
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: England
Posts: 75
I wear a mask when ordered. When the choice is mine I decide when to wear it.
To say "You are a bad person because" is just a bullying tactic and not at all helpful. I'm not fearless I just don't belive in living in fear.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Glorious Devon
Posts: 678
This is true but also there must be a point in time where we say everyone has had the option to be vaccinated therefore we can lift restrictions and allow people to make their own decision.
I wear a mask when ordered. When the choice is mine I decide when to wear it.
To say "You are a bad person because" is just a bullying tactic and not at all helpful. I'm not fearless I just don't belive in living in fear.
I wear a mask when ordered. When the choice is mine I decide when to wear it.
To say "You are a bad person because" is just a bullying tactic and not at all helpful. I'm not fearless I just don't belive in living in fear.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Reading, UK
Posts: 13,827
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 2,410
If anyone is concerned about living in fear then some of the proposed legislation to curb our freedoms, to interfere with the Human Rights Act and over ruling the justices are rather greater greater concerns than protecting others by wearing a face covering.
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 58
Posts: 9,659
Friend of a friend is vehemently anti-vax. Guess who has got Covid and quite badly too.
Been on five buses in the last 48 hours, all fairly quiet and at least one person ignoring the mask requirement - each one has been under 25. On a train from Woking last Wednesday and the guard asked two lads to wear masks. They smugly argued about their rights with her for 10 minutes, clearly intent on demonstrating to us awestruck listeners just how clever they were - think they were ticketless as well. I'd have had the police waiting at Clapham...
Incidentally, regarding anti-vaxxers block booking appointments at the Wembley vaccination centre to mess things up, I saw the story reported in the Telegraph yesterday afternoon but then couldn't find it - retracted because it was bullshine?
Been on five buses in the last 48 hours, all fairly quiet and at least one person ignoring the mask requirement - each one has been under 25. On a train from Woking last Wednesday and the guard asked two lads to wear masks. They smugly argued about their rights with her for 10 minutes, clearly intent on demonstrating to us awestruck listeners just how clever they were - think they were ticketless as well. I'd have had the police waiting at Clapham...
Incidentally, regarding anti-vaxxers block booking appointments at the Wembley vaccination centre to mess things up, I saw the story reported in the Telegraph yesterday afternoon but then couldn't find it - retracted because it was bullshine?
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Uk
Posts: 72
Friend of a friend is vehemently anti-vax. Guess who has got Covid and quite badly too.
Been on five buses in the last 48 hours, all fairly quiet and at least one person ignoring the mask requirement - each one has been under 25. On a train from Woking last Wednesday and the guard asked two lads to wear masks. They smugly argued about their rights with her for 10 minutes, clearly intent on demonstrating to us awestruck listeners just how clever they were - think they were ticketless as well. I'd have had the police waiting at Clapham...
Incidentally, regarding anti-vaxxers block booking appointments at the Wembley vaccination centre to mess things up, I saw the story reported in the Telegraph yesterday afternoon but then couldn't find it - retracted because it was bullshine?
Been on five buses in the last 48 hours, all fairly quiet and at least one person ignoring the mask requirement - each one has been under 25. On a train from Woking last Wednesday and the guard asked two lads to wear masks. They smugly argued about their rights with her for 10 minutes, clearly intent on demonstrating to us awestruck listeners just how clever they were - think they were ticketless as well. I'd have had the police waiting at Clapham...
Incidentally, regarding anti-vaxxers block booking appointments at the Wembley vaccination centre to mess things up, I saw the story reported in the Telegraph yesterday afternoon but then couldn't find it - retracted because it was bullshine?
week lockdown now is better than a 10-12 week one later in January. Although it looks like that may be the way we are heading.
Obviously the biggest factor will be the rate of hospitalisation which may not be know for another couple of weeks. If it does start increasing then it is already too late. Big gamble that the government is playing. It is really a make or break for Boris. If he pulls it off all the talk of parties will be forgiven and forgotten. If case rates go up he is done for and won’t last till the end of January.

Join Date: Apr 1998
Location: Mesopotamos
Posts: 1
I now find I tend to view mine and others opinions on Covid-19 in terms of psychological constructs. Interesting how everyone is looking for answers which really are not well defined or readily available so many people simply join the dots in ways that suit them (the construct).
We've had everything mentioned on this thread from killing anti-vaxxers, to hiding under your bed until it's over, to doing your bit to save the NHS (or equivalent). These constant "construct erections" don't look like they are going to recede, yet thanks to vested interests from those than mean well and those that don't then new constructs will continue to be built while others will be toppled, for better or worse.
I would guess things were not so different in the days of the black plague, however the smart ones simply moved out of the big towns and to the mountains to wait it out. And it seemed to worked.
Anyways, on the construct of wearing a mask I have a new one to proffer. As someone who often catches public transport to work, and works in organisations with many people, it's obvious that not everyone has the same levels of hygiene as others. The mandatory wearing of masks has helped the grubs amongst us lift their game a little bit, which has had a massive positive flow on benefit for the rest of us. So even though wearing masks may be quite pointless for those of us that don't splutter, spit and dribble all over the place, they at least do validate the expected behaviour for those that may think otherwise, even if they can't wear them properly.
We've had everything mentioned on this thread from killing anti-vaxxers, to hiding under your bed until it's over, to doing your bit to save the NHS (or equivalent). These constant "construct erections" don't look like they are going to recede, yet thanks to vested interests from those than mean well and those that don't then new constructs will continue to be built while others will be toppled, for better or worse.
I would guess things were not so different in the days of the black plague, however the smart ones simply moved out of the big towns and to the mountains to wait it out. And it seemed to worked.
Anyways, on the construct of wearing a mask I have a new one to proffer. As someone who often catches public transport to work, and works in organisations with many people, it's obvious that not everyone has the same levels of hygiene as others. The mandatory wearing of masks has helped the grubs amongst us lift their game a little bit, which has had a massive positive flow on benefit for the rest of us. So even though wearing masks may be quite pointless for those of us that don't splutter, spit and dribble all over the place, they at least do validate the expected behaviour for those that may think otherwise, even if they can't wear them properly.
Join Date: May 2002
Location: England
Posts: 35
I am getting more angry now, Covid has removed another of my friends, 'Get Christmas Done' is the obvious plan and just like the other 3 word soundbite plans in previous Govt campaigns, the aftermath will be a success for the few and a disaster for the many. Success will be seen as remaining in power regardless of the leader(s).
Apologies for the rant.
Apologies for the rant.
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 2,410
I am getting more angry now, Covid has removed another of my friends, 'Get Christmas Done' is the obvious plan and just like the other 3 word soundbite plans in previous Govt campaigns, the aftermath will be a success for the few and a disaster for the many. Success will be seen as remaining in power regardless of the leader(s).
Apologies for the rant.
Apologies for the rant.
There is a national obsession with Christmas for some unfathomable reason (given that for the overwhelming majority it has lost its original meaning) and given the presses constant carping about 'cancelling Christmas' a populist like Johnson was never going to do the necessary ahead of 25th December, no matter the public health consequences.
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Kristiansand
Posts: 49
Watched a rather jolly documentary the other night called the Medieval Dead.
The series revolves around investigation of forensic archaeology and anthropology.
This particular episode was covering the victims of the Black Death in Europe and the U.K. during 1346 - 1353. It is hard not to draw a parallel and make comparisons with current events. Whilst the virulence of Bubonic plague and Covid, particularly Omicron, can’t be compared as plague had 50% mortality rate, the current rate of infection is very similar. Between 30 - 50% of the population were wiped out, but people seemed far more pragmatic about their chances and because of the very strong influence of religion, didn’t fear death as they believed they were moving to a better place.
It struck me that we now have science, logic and understanding of the mechanics of disease and yet we are far more terrified of a virus that presents far less danger. We have made such enormous progress in treatment of previously fatal diseases and the vast majority of us can safely expect to live into our 80s - the average age of death of death during the Black Death was 24, and anyone over the age of 40 was considered elderly, but we still choose to prolong life when there is little quality or we can’t face the fact that our bodies were designed for a finite period and they simply become too worn out to be constantly rebooted.
On a final, maybe not so optimistic note. There are theories that nature possibly hits the reset button every few millennia in an attempt to cull the weakest and there’s not a huge amount we can do to stave of the inevitable. That the fact we are here is because our ancestors were luckily part of the healthy gene pool.
This post isn’t about proposing eugenics. Just thoughts about our attitudes and expectations.
The series revolves around investigation of forensic archaeology and anthropology.
This particular episode was covering the victims of the Black Death in Europe and the U.K. during 1346 - 1353. It is hard not to draw a parallel and make comparisons with current events. Whilst the virulence of Bubonic plague and Covid, particularly Omicron, can’t be compared as plague had 50% mortality rate, the current rate of infection is very similar. Between 30 - 50% of the population were wiped out, but people seemed far more pragmatic about their chances and because of the very strong influence of religion, didn’t fear death as they believed they were moving to a better place.
It struck me that we now have science, logic and understanding of the mechanics of disease and yet we are far more terrified of a virus that presents far less danger. We have made such enormous progress in treatment of previously fatal diseases and the vast majority of us can safely expect to live into our 80s - the average age of death of death during the Black Death was 24, and anyone over the age of 40 was considered elderly, but we still choose to prolong life when there is little quality or we can’t face the fact that our bodies were designed for a finite period and they simply become too worn out to be constantly rebooted.
On a final, maybe not so optimistic note. There are theories that nature possibly hits the reset button every few millennia in an attempt to cull the weakest and there’s not a huge amount we can do to stave of the inevitable. That the fact we are here is because our ancestors were luckily part of the healthy gene pool.
This post isn’t about proposing eugenics. Just thoughts about our attitudes and expectations.
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 2,410
we still choose to prolong life when there is little quality or we can’t face the fact that our bodies were designed for a finite period and they simply become too worn out to be constantly rebooted
Covid-19 does appear to be natural selection coming up against human advances in science. Does the emergence of new mutations such as Omicron suggest that nature has more clubs in its metaphorical bag and that science may not come out on top?
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Under a gooseberry bush
Posts: 65
Don't apologise!
There is a national obsession with Christmas for some unfathomable reason (given that for the overwhelming majority it has lost its original meaning) and given the presses constant carping about 'cancelling Christmas' a populist like Johnson was never going to do the necessary ahead of 25th December, no matter the public health consequences.
There is a national obsession with Christmas for some unfathomable reason (given that for the overwhelming majority it has lost its original meaning) and given the presses constant carping about 'cancelling Christmas' a populist like Johnson was never going to do the necessary ahead of 25th December, no matter the public health consequences.
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 2,410
The broadcast media, at least BBC, ITV and Sky are certainly reporting the scientific view point and that points to further restrictions being required, if for no other reason than to ensure there are staff in the emergency services to ensure public safety.
The print media are for the most part in 'save Christmas' mode.
It does appear as though many of the public are taking action to protect themselves, but a large slice aren't much to the relief of the hospitality industry and given Omicron is as transmissible as we are told, their actions may potentially be sufficient to create a real crisis in the NHS as opposed to the annual cry of 'wolf'.
The print media are for the most part in 'save Christmas' mode.
It does appear as though many of the public are taking action to protect themselves, but a large slice aren't much to the relief of the hospitality industry and given Omicron is as transmissible as we are told, their actions may potentially be sufficient to create a real crisis in the NHS as opposed to the annual cry of 'wolf'.
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Edinburgh
Age: 83
Posts: 55
Update.
FType's vaccine certificate has now been updated to show her booster.
Unfortunately:-
Apparently she got doses 1 and 2 on the same day.
And dose 3 was allegedly AZ rather than actual Pfizer, and allegedly given on the actual day of dose 2.
Surprised?
FType's vaccine certificate has now been updated to show her booster.
Unfortunately:-
Apparently she got doses 1 and 2 on the same day.
And dose 3 was allegedly AZ rather than actual Pfizer, and allegedly given on the actual day of dose 2.
Surprised?
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Darkest Lincs
Posts: 494
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Uk
Posts: 72
The broadcast media, at least BBC, ITV and Sky are certainly reporting the scientific view point and that points to further restrictions being required, if for no other reason than to ensure there are staff in the emergency services to ensure public safety.
The print media are for the most part in 'save Christmas' mode.
It does appear as though many of the public are taking action to protect themselves, but a large slice aren't much to the relief of the hospitality industry and given Omicron is as transmissible as we are told, their actions may potentially be sufficient to create a real crisis in the NHS as opposed to the annual cry of 'wolf'.
The print media are for the most part in 'save Christmas' mode.
It does appear as though many of the public are taking action to protect themselves, but a large slice aren't much to the relief of the hospitality industry and given Omicron is as transmissible as we are told, their actions may potentially be sufficient to create a real crisis in the NHS as opposed to the annual cry of 'wolf'.
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Cambridge UK
Posts: 180
Interesting little paper on the difficulty of estimating the "severity" of omicron in South Africa, when the current immune status of the population is significantly different from that during the previous Delta wave.
Challenges in inferring intrinsic severity of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant from early population-level impact
https://tinyurl.com/yx4we59h

Challenges in inferring intrinsic severity of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant from early population-level impact
https://tinyurl.com/yx4we59h

Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 874
Or you just went to a jurisdiction where the app is accepted!