Politics Coronavirus

[Gwadien]

Orthodox rabbi warns COVID-19 vaccine will make you gay

Well, there's another good reason to get vaccinated...

www.queerty.com

sky fairies again

I liked it how they backed it up with 'science'

 

[Job]

I can absolutely guarantee turning off your phone will soon not be an option, with non removable batteries and extended usage times , they will soon have the phone switch off while leaving 5% to keep it in a standby mode and the only way to switch it off will be to leave it uncharged for days.
In fact 'off' might not even be an option..just sleep mode.

Just like you can never actually leave social media, they dont want you out of the loop for a second.

 

[MYstIC G]

I can absolutely guarantee turning off your phone will soon not be an option, with non removable batteries and extended usage times , they will soon have the phone switch off while leaving 5% to keep it in a standby mode and the only way to switch it off will be to leave it uncharged for days.
In fact 'off' might not even be an option..just sleep mode.

Just like you can never actually leave social media, they dont want you out of the loop for a second.

That's what the iHammer is for

 

[Scouse]

I understood that turning your phone off already had no effect - that location to mast is always-on.

 

[Embattle]

Largely pointless since most people never turn off their phones any way.

 

[Scouse]

I get this completely and support the view of the medical people of how to improve the situation completely from a pragmatic standpoint:

Covid vaccine: 72% of black people unlikely to have jab, UK survey finds

Sage voices concern at BAME uptake and say more must be done to increase trust in vaccine

www.theguardian.com

But at the risk of emboldening our resident racist wanker, this bit sticks in my maw a little:

The report emphasised the need for engagement with trusted sources such as GPs, and scientists from within BAME communities to respond to concerns about vaccine safety and efficacy. The report emphasised the need for engagement with trusted sources such as GPs, and scientists from within BAME communities to respond to concerns about vaccine safety and efficacy.

 

[Scouse]

Another annoying thing:

Media’s libertarian Covid sceptics under fire from senior Tory

Journalists who downplay virus ‘have a hell of a lot to answer for’, says party vice-chair Neil O’Brien

www.theguardian.com

Totally agree that Toby Young (and his ilk) is a massive massive wanker who spread shit that's dangerous during these times of Covid.

However, the title takes issue with "libertarians". Libertarian is what we are, it's a society we live in. It's a belief in liberty.

Libertarians seek to maximize autonomy and political freedom, emphasizing free association, freedom of choice, individualism and voluntary association. Libertarians share a skepticism of authority and state power, but some of them diverge on the scope of their opposition to existing economic and political systems

This has never been a bad thing. But now the left seems doggedly on-point with their use of language. Language is a very powerful weapon to change how people think.

Intellectually I find it fascinating - the way society has changed over my lifetime. But at the same time, it's a bit of a shitshow. The worst of both the right and the left have come to the fore, and everyone is a little less free, and a little less tolerant because of it. We're getting neither the caring/sharing of the left or the libertarian freedoms of the right.

It seems to me that we're getting less of both as time goes on.

 

[Wij]

Another annoying thing:

Media’s libertarian Covid sceptics under fire from senior Tory

Journalists who downplay virus ‘have a hell of a lot to answer for’, says party vice-chair Neil O’Brien

www.theguardian.com

Totally agree that Toby Young (and his ilk) is a massive massive wanker who spread shit that's dangerous during these times of Covid.

However, the title takes issue with "libertarians". Libertarian is what we are, it's a society we live in. It's a belief in liberty.



This has never been a bad thing. But now the left seems doggedly on-point with their use of language. Language is a very powerful weapon to change how people think.

Intellectually I find it fascinating - the way society has changed over my lifetime. But at the same time, it's a bit of a shitshow. The worst of both the right and the left have come to the fore, and everyone is a little less free, and a little less tolerant because of it. We're getting neither the caring/sharing of the left or the libertarian freedoms of the right.

It seems to me that we're getting less of both as time goes on.

Much like the word liberal there's a dictionary definition for libertarian and then there's the common usage in today's political discourse. Libertarian now is normally used to describe those who don't believe the state should interfere against powerful corporations or rich people and that they should be free to use their wealth to buy whatever influence they want.

 

[Ormorof]

Yeah in US at least its used to refer to those guys that think government should barely exist, they got eaten by bears or something

 

[Bodhi]

Another annoying thing:

Media’s libertarian Covid sceptics under fire from senior Tory

Journalists who downplay virus ‘have a hell of a lot to answer for’, says party vice-chair Neil O’Brien

www.theguardian.com

Totally agree that Toby Young (and his ilk) is a massive massive wanker who spread shit that's dangerous during these times of Covid.

However, the title takes issue with "libertarians". Libertarian is what we are, it's a society we live in. It's a belief in liberty.



This has never been a bad thing. But now the left seems doggedly on-point with their use of language. Language is a very powerful weapon to change how people think.

Intellectually I find it fascinating - the way society has changed over my lifetime. But at the same time, it's a bit of a shitshow. The worst of both the right and the left have come to the fore, and everyone is a little less free, and a little less tolerant because of it. We're getting neither the caring/sharing of the left or the libertarian freedoms of the right.

It seems to me that we're getting less of both as time goes on.

What concerns me is that it appears criticising the Government response for not being strict enough is fine, but to suggest they're maybe a bit too strict makes you want to kill grannies? Very bizarre, and considering the real possibility that the restrictions are causing more problems than they are solving, incredibly concerning.

Considering O Brien himself was railing against lockdown back in July when Leicester went into extra measures it makes his change of heart all the more interesting, and makes me wonder why the constituents concerned about losing their jobs no longer matter as much as winning 3 month old Twitter arguments.

A lot of people have got things wrong throughout this pandemic, on both sides of the argument. If we're going to attribute deaths to getting things wrong, then I'd suggest the Government's decision to empty out hospitals into nursing homes last March and April will have led to far more deaths than someone suggesting lockdown isn't the best way to deal with things, but that's just me.

 

[Moriath]

I get this completely and support the view of the medical people of how to improve the situation completely from a pragmatic standpoint:

Covid vaccine: 72% of black people unlikely to have jab, UK survey finds

Sage voices concern at BAME uptake and say more must be done to increase trust in vaccine

www.theguardian.com

But at the risk of emboldening our resident racist wanker, this bit sticks in my maw a little:

Usually its sticks in you craw. Not maw. Just sayin

 

[Tay]

I can absolutely guarantee turning off your phone will soon not be an option, with non removable batteries and extended usage times , they will soon have the phone switch off while leaving 5% to keep it in a standby mode and the only way to switch it off will be to leave it uncharged for days.
In fact 'off' might not even be an option..just sleep mode.

Just like you can never actually leave social media, they dont want you out of the loop for a second.

Very old news , you're saying this as if its something new.

This was a thing 7-8 years ago and nothing has changed now, when that fucktard Snowden 'came out' he claimed the NSA could track phones that were turned off.

 

[Tay]

What concerns me is that it appears criticising the Government response for not being strict enough is fine, but to suggest they're maybe a bit too strict makes you want to kill grannies? Very bizarre, and considering the real possibility that the restrictions are causing more problems than they are solving, incredibly concerning.

Considering O Brien himself was railing against lockdown back in July when Leicester went into extra measures it makes his change of heart all the more interesting, and makes me wonder why the constituents concerned about losing their jobs no longer matter as much as winning 3 month old Twitter arguments.

A lot of people have got things wrong throughout this pandemic, on both sides of the argument. If we're going to attribute deaths to getting things wrong, then I'd suggest the Government's decision to empty out hospitals into nursing homes last March and April will have led to far more deaths than someone suggesting lockdown isn't the best way to deal with things, but that's just me.

Alas, the govt emptying out hospitals as you put it was a good decision at the time. but it had disastrous consequences as we all know. This doesnt change the fact it "could' have happened on its own anyway what with the majority of care homes being for profit, PPE was (mis-)managed by them so badly to think it wouldn't have spread this fast were it not for people being sent home to free up the beds as a moot point.

I still maintain mandatory masks outside in public places (cept for walking in the middle of the countryside with nobody around you for example) would have cut the number of infections. There is so much anecdotal evidence that it reduces transmission rates but there has been not one definitive bit of research to determine one way or the other. That could turn out to be the biggest single fuck up going. But its so easy to make it mandatory so why not, everybody has a mask right ?

 

[Scouse]

when that fucktard Snowden 'came out' he claimed the NSA could track phones that were turned off.

You mean when that fucktard Snowden told the world that even if you made a choice to turn your phone off the government was tracking millions of innocent people - and loads of other things that were in contravention of basic requirements of a free society?

 

[Tay]

You mean when that fucktard Snowden told the world that even if you made a choice to turn your phone off the government was tracking millions of innocent people - and loads of other things that were in contravention of basic requirements of a free society?

Yup, thats the one. Fucktard then, fucktard now.

 

[Job]

"Very old news , you're saying this as if its something new."

Thats what I said...you used to be able to pull the battery out.
Practically no phones have removeable batteries now, short of cracking it open.

You can buy degoggled phones with physical on off switches, but they are expensive for the spec.

 

[Tay]

"Very old news , you're saying this as if its something new."

Thats what I said...you used to be able to pull the battery out.
Practically no phones have removeable batteries now, short of cracking it open.

You can buy degoggled phones with physical on off switches, but they are expensive for the spec.

I hate to say this to you but with the right level of paranoia, anything's possible.

Even a removable battery might not protect you. just do the GPS, Cellular, BT, WiFI off and battery removed test to prove the point.

 

[Raven]

Sensible thinking from an island nation.

Australia unlikely to fully reopen border in 2021, says top official

The border closure is likely to remain even with widespread vaccinations, a top official says.

www.bbc.co.uk

If only we could do the same, but we're an isla....oh wait.

 

[Job]

Its interesting that every PCR test kit has.
'Not for diagnosis, research only'
Written on the box.

Re: Rapid roll out of SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing—a concern

www.bmj.com

80% false positive reported in china.

 

[Scouse]

"Moonshot"

 

[Raven]

Perhaps that's why they aren't relying on them?

Who would have thunk it!

 

[Bodhi]

Alas, the govt emptying out hospitals as you put it was a good decision at the time. but it had disastrous consequences as we all know. This doesnt change the fact it "could' have happened on its own anyway what with the majority of care homes being for profit, PPE was (mis-)managed by them so badly to think it wouldn't have spread this fast were it not for people being sent home to free up the beds as a moot point.

I still maintain mandatory masks outside in public places (cept for walking in the middle of the countryside with nobody around you for example) would have cut the number of infections. There is so much anecdotal evidence that it reduces transmission rates but there has been not one definitive bit of research to determine one way or the other. That could turn out to be the biggest single fuck up going. But its so easy to make it mandatory so why not, everybody has a mask right ?

You've been watching too many of Boris' press conferences if you're starting posts with the word "Alas"

We shall agree to disagree on masks outside, as they don't really seem to have had much effect in places already doing that - France, Spain, California etc. Biggest fuckup I can see was not sorting out isolation rules properly. We should have said in March, if you have symptoms we will pay your wages for the next two weeks, then drive home the messaging that if you're ill stay at home. Considering compliance of lockdown is over 90%, but compliance with isolation is below 20%, more effort should have been made in that area, rather than wasting all our time on isolating healthy people.

And whilst the frontline NHS staff have been superb, their management have been fucking incompetent imo. We have a large amount of Private Healthcare capacity on the shelf, which could easily be used to take the strain this winter - a winter most people predicted would be shit - but politics meant that and around 40,000 volunteers have been sat doing nothing whilst the front line struggled.

Anyway enough politics, time for some science! Was watching this yesterday, a fantastic interview by Andrew Neil with Prof Francois Balloux, a geneticist from UCL, who's been working on breaking down the genetic sequence of COVID and all it's mutations. Good info on the new strains, where COVID may have occured in the first place (October 2019) and a few other tidbits:


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nv9Xbm9MVt0

 

[Deebs]

Dad has just received his invite for his vaccination.

 

[DaGaffer]

Dad has just received his invite for his vaccination.

Yeah, my mum and sepfather are getting theirs on Friday.

UK is vaccinating MUCH faster than Ireland

 

[Moriath]

Think my mum caught the rona had symptoms of abdominal pain and stuff since friday and high temp.

getting a rona test sent to her today.

fingers crossed it doesnt move around her body.

 

[Deebs]

Yeah, my mum and sepfather are getting theirs on Friday.

UK is vaccinating MUCH faster than Ireland

He gets his on Wednesday, he is in the over 70's.

 

[Tay]

You've been watching too many of Boris' press conferences if you're starting posts with the word "Alas"

We shall agree to disagree on masks outside, as they don't really seem to have had much effect in places already doing that - France, Spain, California etc. Biggest fuckup I can see was not sorting out isolation rules properly. We should have said in March, if you have symptoms we will pay your wages for the next two weeks, then drive home the messaging that if you're ill stay at home. Considering compliance of lockdown is over 90%, but compliance with isolation is below 20%, more effort should have been made in that area, rather than wasting all our time on isolating healthy people.

And whilst the frontline NHS staff have been superb, their management have been fucking incompetent imo. We have a large amount of Private Healthcare capacity on the shelf, which could easily be used to take the strain this winter - a winter most people predicted would be shit - but politics meant that and around 40,000 volunteers have been sat doing nothing whilst the front line struggled.

Anyway enough politics, time for some science! Was watching this yesterday, a fantastic interview by Andrew Neil with Prof Francois Balloux, a geneticist from UCL, who's been working on breaking down the genetic sequence of COVID and all it's mutations. Good info on the new strains, where COVID may have occured in the first place (October 2019) and a few other tidbits:


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nv9Xbm9MVt0

I prolly used it way before him ^^ - I rarely watch the press conferences, its mostly the same message and people arnt listening.

Look at Asia. I have friends in Hong Kong and you just need to look at the stats, they speak for themselves, I saw a comparison with Switzerland the other day, similar pops, clearly HK has a much higher pop density and look at the deaths there comparatively speaking the've had few....I'll happily bow to any research that 100% dispels it. the question is why wouldnt you recommend it? whats the harm, where is the down side when there is potentially so many upsides?

Stats on compliance are 'rough' guesses. I've never been stopped to check if I'm in compliance, the police I used to ride with spend so little time enforcing stuff, too busy catching stupid drug dealers.

I partially agree on the isolation, its a mess, last week when my wife was doing pre op assessments, 2 fucking morons turned up at the door, one still had symptoms from his hospitalisation (for covid) the previous week and the other was diagnosed 3 days before. I mean, how fucking stupid can people be.. One was in his 60's and the other was 70. There is more damning info too but not needed to make the point.

The sooner people stop think its all just about them (The ME ME ME factor) the better, but people are just turning more and more selfish.

I was reading the science stuff about the mutations several weeks ago, I dont think it was thier work, some place in Germany doing it, the mutations are are so quick now (due to number of infections) that they cant identify them fast enough, when the paper was written (I presume late last year I cant remember now) over 30,000 mutations had been recorded, I guess that has probably doubles or trebled now. Scary stuff.

Re: the Volunteers, not sure which ones you are referring to, I'm a volunteer for the Royal Voluntary service and there are 100k's people actively participating, Likewise retired NHS Doctors, nurses etc returned to work for the NHS, however, for those people working with patients directly you need current DBS checks done (or whatever its called now) this necessary security is needed and the bottom line is that you need people to do that.

Sure mistakes have been made, enormous ones too, from a politics side, I doubt any other party would have done better, better in some respects and worse in others I guess.

For the most part Labour has not made a political issue out of this and credit to them but the next election is sure going to be interesting.

 

[Tay]

He gets his on Wednesday, he is in the over 70's.

70+ stuff starts today and those 60+ with medical stuff so thats great news, I think we doing pretty well on this front.

It looks like its ramping up fast but I still think supply is going to be an issue when the booster shoots are needed.

 

[Tay]

So, it finally happened my wife has now redeployed to the main hospital here (from her regular day job in day surgery nearby) and boom straight to the feckin Covid ITU, I think she is ruing the day she went into anaesthetics.

The place is heaving, people everywhere. Last year it was one specialist nurse to each patient in ITU but I suspect that number is going to be much worse, so many staff off with stress, isolation, simply not want to work in ITU, and vulnerable staff, the list goes on.

I just glad she has partially retired and not working 4 days a week 12hrs a day in Covid ITU as she did last year, she has to change full PPE 5-6 times a day, and thats only because they cut down the number of breaks they have so they dont have to go to the loo, as that requires full PPE change for her and the person relieving her, and the fact there is few if any people to relieve them.

I suspect she is going to be one upset camper this evening. Thank fuck shes off tomorrow but then it starts again Weds.

 

[georgie]

so they dont have to go to the loo, as that requires full PPE change for her and the person relieving her

Well, that certainly paints a picture.