BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Rain Dog
Date: 22 Jul 21 - 06:27 AM

Book of the week on BBC Radio 4 is Vaxxers by Professor Sarah Gilbert and Dr. Catherine Green.

The gripping inside story of the making of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine. Read by Samantha Bond and Debra Baker.

Book of the week - Vaxxers

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Allan Conn
Date: 22 Jul 21 - 04:59 PM

Crossed the border today to go to Berwick in Northumberland. Northumberland has infection rates about 3 times of the rate here in the Borders plus of course masks are not compulsory there now. So I was wondering what Tesco would be like. We still have to be wary as although my wife is double vaccinated she has an impaired immune system so regarded as vulnerable. I was surprised though because every single customer in Tesco appeared to be still wearing masks.

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 22 Jul 21 - 05:22 PM

I've shopped in four different supermarkets yesterday and today. Yesterday in Morrisons, about a quarter of shoppers were not wearing masks (unlike me...). Today in Truro Tesco, at least a third of shoppers were unmasked (I was one of them). in Sainsburys it was about one in four. In M&S, the same. I haven't worn a mask today. There has been no issue in any shop, and the signs at the entrances make it clear that it's now a personal choice. I have a new mask in my pocket and will always respect direct and polite requests to don it, but, by a couple of weeks' time, I'm hoping to ditch it and to never see a bloody mask ever again.

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the US Delta COVID
From: Donuel
Date: 22 Jul 21 - 06:05 PM

The Delta wave should peak in October without changing current behavior.

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Allan Conn
Date: 22 Jul 21 - 06:06 PM

I must admit I was surprised that no-one seemed to be mask less. Wonder why the difference?? I suppose levels of infection might make a difference. Northumberland has way above average infection rates whereas Cornwall is a bit below average. Plus I suppose much of Berwick's hinterland is Scottish. So masks are not just heavily encouraged here it is the law too. Not going to change behaviour just because the shop is in England. I suppose the fewer folk there are not wearing masks then the more likely one is to keep it on. Still amazed everyone was donning them though.

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 22 Jul 21 - 06:35 PM

Well Cornwall has a fairly high level of cases and there are droves of holidaymakers here already. You can hardly bloody move on our roads. But I honestly don't give a flying shite. I've had two jabs and if I'm a threat to anyone it's a bloody small threat compared to that posed by unvaccinated clubbers and unvaccinated school kids. So sod it, no more bloody masks for me.

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Donuel
Date: 23 Jul 21 - 06:56 AM

Cliff driving is putting stress on many State resources to recover and treat the victims of cliff driving. Cliff driving advocates say they prefer dangerous freedoms to safe mandates. The Mayor of Withering View Georgia says he will nix any moves to ban cliff driving but at the same time do not expect any ambulance or hospital care.
Now that many children are perishing inside SUV's that take the 'plunge' it is surprising that the fatality numbers are still going up.
The anti cliff driving folks blame a lack of common sense that drives people to kill ones self and others. Bill Barnone, a cliff driver survivor and internet influencer says on Facebook "You can die from safe driving. There is nothing like driving over a cliff. I don't give a flying shit".

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Rain Dog
Date: 23 Jul 21 - 08:45 AM

Some things are hard to believe.

An Australian activewear firm has been fined £2.6m (5m Australian dollars) for claiming its clothing "eliminated" and stopped the spread of Covid.

Lorna Jane had advertised that its clothing used "a groundbreaking technology" called LJ Shield to prevent the "transferal of all pathogens".

BBC News

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Donuel
Date: 23 Jul 21 - 09:04 AM

If you are vaccinated but get a breakthrough Delta infection, will you make more Covid antibodies?

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 23 Jul 21 - 10:11 AM

I take it that you equate driving off a cliff with removing my mask. If so, contemplate for a moment what a truly brainless analogy that is.

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Allan Conn
Date: 23 Jul 21 - 11:08 AM

When we were at Berwick yesterday there was a massive cruise ship anchored off the shore and passengers were being ferried into Berwick to then be put on buses for excursions. Cruises would normally go up the Forth for Edinburgh and often bus excursions come down to my home town of Kelso. It seems that there was no stop between Liverpool and Newcastle because they are currently banned from coming to Scotland because of the covid restrictions so Berwick was added. It turns out though that the bus excursions were still coming into Scotland - just from an English port. The destinations were St Abbs, Coldstream and Kelso. I thought that was a bit cheeky of the organisers but seemingly there were in the rules as long as the groups kept to their bubbles and did not enter any premises. Saying that you'd think the organisers would have had the gumption to change the excursions to Alnwick and Lindisfarne. At least folk would have been able to get a cup of tea.

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Donuel
Date: 24 Jul 21 - 07:53 PM

Nuttin to do wit you Steve. I think responsible folks should weigh conditions and circumstances for mask wearing.
As for vaccine deniers they are either fickle or fatal to others.

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Donuel
Date: 24 Jul 21 - 08:08 PM

What does increase transmissability is singing in crowds indoors.

All things being equal - they aren't :"(

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 24 Jul 21 - 08:15 PM

You lost your courage there, didn't you, Donuel. Shame.

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Donuel
Date: 24 Jul 21 - 08:35 PM

You've convinced me that pfr has more common sense.
Enjoy your weekend.

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 25 Jul 21 - 11:45 PM

here in Greater Sydney we're in lockdown, but we also have "Freedom marches" where up to 4000 people marched down the main streets of Sydney, shoulder to shoulder, not a mask in sight. Sydney Covid crisis could take months to recede Similar marches were held in other cities,

On a lighter note, here's a comment heard on the radio this morning - There aren't enough villages for the idiots we produce.

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Rain Dog
Date: 27 Jul 21 - 07:43 AM

From The Observer newspaper.

Jeremy Farrar is the director of the Wellcome Trust, a former professor of tropical medicine at the University of Oxford and a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage). He has just published his account of the Covid crisis – Spike: The Virus v the People - in which he attacks the government for delaying a lockdown last autumn and describes the scientific and medical efforts that went into combating the pandemic.

Jeremy Farrar Q & A






Spike: The Virus v the People: The Inside Story
By Jeremy Farrar with Anjana Ahuja

Observer review

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 28 Jul 21 - 09:18 AM

Why Is Covid Testing Down So Much?

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Rain Dog
Date: 01 Aug 21 - 09:20 AM

We sure are living in strange times


From the BBC website

YouTube has barred Sky News Australia from uploading new content for a week, saying it had breached rules on spreading Covid-19 misinformation.

It issued a "strike" under its three-strike policy, the last of which means permanent removal.

YouTube did not point to specific items but said it opposed material that "could cause real-world harm".

The TV channel's digital editor said the decision was a disturbing attack on the ability to think freely.

Sky News Australia barred for week by Youtube

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Rain Dog
Date: 01 Aug 21 - 10:33 AM

Pfizer and Moderna raise prices of Covid jabs for EU, reports say

Pfizer Inc and Moderna Inc have raised the prices of its Covid-19 vaccine in the latest European Union supply contracts, The Financial Times reported on Sunday.

The new price for the Pfizer shot was 19.50 euros (£16.64) against 15.50 euros (£13.22) previously, the newspaper said citing to the portions of the contracts seen.

The price of a Moderna vaccine was $25.50 (£18.33) a dose, the contracts show, up from 19 euros (£16.21) in the first procurement deal but lower than the previously agreed $28.50 (£20.49) because the order had grown, the report said, citing one official close to the matter.

The Guardian

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Rain Dog
Date: 02 Aug 21 - 02:33 AM

Encouraging news on the BBC this morning. I might even think about taking a train up north to London in the next few weeks.


Tests have found no traces of Covid-19 in swabs and air samples of four major railway stations and intercity train services, Network Rail has said.

Two lots of testing took place at London Euston, Birmingham New Street, Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Piccadilly station.

Heavily touched areas such as escalator handles were swabbed, while hour-long air samples checked for airborne virus.

Tests were repeated on trains running between the stations.

No Covid traces found in railway stations or trains

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 02 Aug 21 - 05:25 AM

Just for a bit longer I'm not going into pubs, theatres or open-plan restaurants and I won't be going on buses or trains (I'm lucky - I don't have to). I don't wear a mask any more unless I'm asked to in person. So far, that's happened in Specsavers and in the minor injuries unit in our local cottage hospital (idiotically, I scalded my arm reaching over a boiling kettle...). I still keep one about my person.

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Donuel
Date: 03 Aug 21 - 08:25 AM

https://robinsonlab.cellbio.jhmi.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/SciAm_2021_07.pdf


scroll down to 30 - 39 to read Life new and improved regarding artificial protein vaccines that makes the impossible possible.

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Mrrzy
Date: 03 Aug 21 - 09:44 PM

I am back to wearing a mask indoors. Just in case.

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Donuel
Date: 04 Aug 21 - 07:39 PM

If Louisiana was a separate country it would have the highest infection rate in the world. If Florida were its own nation it would be 4th in global infection rates.

Texas and Florida infections amount to 1/3 of new US Delta infections.
The Florida Govenor Santis has handcuffed local and State schools from any mask wearing mandates. While he is at it I suggest he bans seatbelts, airbags, gun safeties, FDA testing and all laws regarding explosives to maximize freedom for his base. But seriously, half of the no vaxers still consider the vaccine more dangerous than Covid.

"There is no cure for stupid"
quote: Larry the Cable Guy

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 04 Aug 21 - 07:45 PM

Not enough prominent anti vax/mask activist fukwits are dying..

Or they are, but their deaths are being witheld from mainstream news coverage...?????

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 04 Aug 21 - 08:02 PM

.. though there could be another explanation...???

anti-vaxxers visiting ER and 'secretly' getting vaccinated

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 04 Aug 21 - 09:18 PM

oh go on then.. here's another...


This plumbs new depths of stupid.

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Donuel
Date: 05 Aug 21 - 05:00 PM

The fukwits may think their ranks can only be diminished by 1% but it can rise much higher with Delta so pfr has an interesting point.
Darwin awards are in order.

By the way pfr is radical but too level headed to be a punk anymore. Punks act certain ways: They're loud and angry, or else they're arty and clever. They yell and make unpleasant noises and put safety pins through their bodies and belongings. And you...well, sorry, but you're actually pretty normal. You don't have a schoolboy voice and you'd feel stupid spiking your hair or pulling on bondage trousers. The punks sneer at most everything that came before them, but your sneer doesn't show much at all in text, and you certainly don't see any reason to stop loving the Kinks and Syd Barrett. Truth is, you are too old to be a punk-- so what are you going to do? Quit the squit? Or be hard core folk on your rocker :}.

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Donuel
Date: 05 Aug 21 - 11:21 PM

The US will announce its strategy to provide a booster shot for citizens in 30 days. If you have two shots already it may take until 2022 to bet your booster. It may even be tailored for the Delta variant.
Of course the WHO is asking to curb those efforts and give the vaccines to the world instead.

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Donuel
Date: 06 Aug 21 - 10:06 AM

I believe responsible folks should weigh conditions and circumstances for mask wearing.
The problem is that self centered judgmental people falsely believe they are respondsible.
We are now dealing with the Delta variant and should be on a war footing again and wear masks indoors. Yes we had a brief breather but that is over now. You are not just protecting yourself and the elderly but also the young and children. Its doing our part.

Global Policy such as exporting the manufacture of vaccine will also slow the progress of variants since only 1% of poor nations are vaccinated.

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 06 Aug 21 - 10:35 AM

You wear a mask if you want to but there's no need to preach to anyone else about it. I respect your desire to wear a mask but it doesn't give you the right to pontificate to other people. The things you claim for masks can't be supported by evidence.

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Mrrzy
Date: 06 Aug 21 - 12:45 PM

Spake Steve Shaw, nonpontificatingly.

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 06 Aug 21 - 02:17 PM

I believe responsible folks should weigh conditions and circumstances for mask wearing.
The problem is that self centered judgmental people falsely believe they are respondsible.

I accept that the use of language may be different in US. But the above statements may need clarification. 'Responsible' is one of those words which can be read in two conflicting ways.
The person who causes a problem may be responsible for it. The person who avoids causing a problem can do so by acting in a responsible manner.
Please act responsibly by making your meaning clear ;)

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 06 Aug 21 - 03:36 PM

Right, Mrrzy, so you're a mask person. I can respect that. I said just that, remember? So how am I pontificating? I challenged the advocacy for masks over its lack of evidence. If you have such evidence, real evidence, let's be having it. Sideswipes don't cut it.

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Donuel
Date: 06 Aug 21 - 06:12 PM

Nigel you are invariably right and almost hysterically funny.

God damn the preacher man

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Donuel
Date: 06 Aug 21 - 06:28 PM

Since I would prefer to have a booster instead of offering a stranger a vaccine in Timbuktoo I too am self centered. :=[

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 07 Aug 21 - 06:28 AM

Given the will we can do both.

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Rain Dog
Date: 07 Aug 21 - 07:39 AM

There is the problem of a lack of vaccine production facilities around the world. That is something that needs to be looked at as soon as possible. We do not want to be facing the same problem when we have the next pandemic.

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: mayomick
Date: 07 Aug 21 - 08:56 AM

The impact of long covid on cognitive function is often overlooked by media reports. The more severe the disease, it seems , the greater effect the disease will have on things like IQ ,reasoning, problem solving, spatial planning .
According to a Lancet article published last month, “people who
recovered from COVID-19, including those no longer reporting symptoms, exhibited significant cognitive deficits ." The report noted that
“score reduction for the hospitalised with ventilator sub-group was greater than the average 10-year decline in global performance between the ages of 20 to 70 within this dataset. It was larger than the mean deficit of 480 people who indicated they had previously suffered a stroke.”
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(21)00324-2/fulltext

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Donuel
Date: 07 Aug 21 - 10:12 AM

AND that could lead to long term care ...so...
Should the unvaccinated pay more for health insurance?
I think so.

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 07 Aug 21 - 06:37 PM

Should the obese pay more for diabetes treatment? Should smokers pay more for lung cancer treatment? Should boozers pay more for liver transplants?

The answer is no, if you regard your country as civilised.

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Donuel
Date: 09 Aug 21 - 06:13 AM

Voluntary risky behavior is penalized by insurance companies.
There is a big difference between; age we can do nothing about and cigarette smoking, choosing the vaccine and refusing the vaccine.

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Donuel
Date: 09 Aug 21 - 09:26 AM

Delta 88
is not you grandfather's old mobile Corona
virus.

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Rain Dog
Date: 09 Aug 21 - 06:02 PM

We are living in strange times.

From The Guardian newspaper.

Confused anti-vaccine protesters stormed what they thought was a major BBC building on Monday, apparently unaware the corporation largely moved out almost a decade ago.

Rather than target the BBC’s news operation, which they hold responsible for promoting Covid-19 vaccines, a handful of protesters gained access to Television Centre in west London, which is now predominantly rented by ITV to film its daytime shows such as Good Morning Britain and This Morning.

Full story here

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 09 Aug 21 - 08:02 PM

confusion reigns.


A headline article says 'man didn't believe in covid' & left Sydney which is in lockdown & travelled to a covid-free regional area to inspect property so 4 local government areas are now in lockdown.

... The infected man was reported to have been travelling with two relatives and had not been wearing a mask, socially distancing or checking in to venues using QR codes, according to Byron Bay Mayor Michael Lyon. Mr Lyon said he had been told the man had waited until he was sick before going to hospital. "I've heard he didn't believe in the virus. From what I understand, he is not cooperating," he said ...

covid doesn't worry if folks don't believe in it.

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Donuel
Date: 10 Aug 21 - 07:26 AM

Global warming deniers, Fire deniers, antivaxers and Mask deniers can be found right here in this thread. Often with great frequency, if you haven't noticed. Its a mixed bag but arrogance, ego and narcissism is a human trait. You can call it strange times but my POV was and is business as usual. One member reminds me of gentleman Senator Ron Paul.

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Donuel
Date: 10 Aug 21 - 08:03 AM

My quest has been to be honest while not losing a sense of humor.
I do not hope to panic folks but having studied the 3rd Reich perhaps more than the average person I have to conclude 'There is no bottom to human nature'.
The thin veneer of civilization is not as deep as people think.
It is no more than the onion skin thickness of our atmosphere.
Where we are today, there is no 'away'
there is no 'bottom' we can fathom.
Donuel

"Mistakes?
I've had a few
but then again
too few to mention."
Frank Sinatra :

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 10 Aug 21 - 09:26 AM

"Mistakes?
I've had a few
but then again
too few to mention."
Frank Sinatra :

Talking of 'mistakes', you can't get away with misquoting lyrics on a music site:
"Regrets, I've had a few"
And while it was sung by Sinatra, the words aren't his:
Songwriters: Claude Francois / Gilles Thibaut / Jacques Revaux / Paul Anka

Subject: RE: BS: New news on the pandemic COVID-19
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Aug 21 - 09:48 AM

Another one bites the dust after claiming vaccines and COVID are a hoax.