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Post by zahidf on Dec 28, 2021 13:02:40 GMT
But then that's arguing for restrictions due to a lack of investment in the NHS as they can't cope. Instead of jumping to restrictions, people should be asking for better investment in the NHS. I notice the govt are opening the borders for social care workers, so stuff like that should be done What other solution do we have in the short term though, increasing the capacity of the NHS is likely to take years Short term, get rid of visa requirements for NHS staff coming from abroad, increase staff retention with higher wages /incidentals and reduce isolation for 5 days if you have no symptoms and teat negative for the 4th and 5th date. Medium and long term, increase investment and get capacity back up Calling for restrictions is just putting the responsibility on people not getting sick
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Post by talkingheads on Dec 28, 2021 13:05:06 GMT
But now it isn't just about restrictions is it? We are in a situation now where businesses are on their knees because they are open due to there being no restrictions, but equally the footfall just isn't there because, quite rightly, people are being cautious. So we either need mandated closures and furlough again, or immediate relief grants to things like the arts and other businesses.
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Post by zahidf on Dec 28, 2021 13:12:13 GMT
But now it isn't just about restrictions is it? We are in a situation now where businesses are on their knees because they are open due to there being no restrictions, but equally the footfall just isn't there because, quite rightly, people are being cautious. So we either need mandated closures and furlough again, or immediate relief grants to things like the arts and other businesses. I agree with relief grants asap Hopefully now omicron being milder has had more evidence to firm it up and Xmas is over, people will be more up for going out
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Post by Dan213 on Dec 28, 2021 13:13:16 GMT
What other solution do we have in the short term though, increasing the capacity of the NHS is likely to take years Short term, get rid of visa requirements for NHS staff coming from abroad, increase staff retention with higher wages /incidentals and reduce isolation for 5 days if you have no symptoms and teat negative for the 4th and 5th date. Medium and long term, increase investment and get capacity back up Calling for restrictions is just putting the responsibility on people not getting sick Releasing staff from isolation after day 5 (When they are still likely to be infectious) will cause mass-in hospital outbreaks. That would be incredibly dangerous Changing visa requirements to onboard more staff isn't a short term solution, it takes months to interview and onboard people
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Post by zahidf on Dec 28, 2021 13:58:06 GMT
Short term, get rid of visa requirements for NHS staff coming from abroad, increase staff retention with higher wages /incidentals and reduce isolation for 5 days if you have no symptoms and teat negative for the 4th and 5th date. Medium and long term, increase investment and get capacity back up Calling for restrictions is just putting the responsibility on people not getting sick Releasing staff from isolation after day 5 (When they are still likely to be infectious) will cause mass-in hospital outbreaks. That would be incredibly dangerous Changing visa requirements to onboard more staff isn't a short term solution, it takes months to interview and onboard people Um if you have no symptoms and 2 negative LFTs in a row, you are 'not likely to still be infectious'
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Post by Dan213 on Dec 28, 2021 14:19:21 GMT
Releasing staff from isolation after day 5 (When they are still likely to be infectious) will cause mass-in hospital outbreaks. That would be incredibly dangerous Changing visa requirements to onboard more staff isn't a short term solution, it takes months to interview and onboard people Um if you have no symptoms and 2 negative LFTs in a row, you are 'not likely to still be infectious' If you're quoting something as 'best pratice' it would probably be a good idea to have read and digested it first This isn't what the CDC guidance you refer to requires, there is no require to test on exit from self isolation after a positive test. The only mention of testing is 5 days post exposure (ie a contact) and this isn't even a requirement, its guidance. You're also likely to see many people still positive on the day 4 test so it's unlikely to make a significant difference to hospital staffing This would only give back a single day compared to the current release on day 7 guidance
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Post by zahidf on Dec 28, 2021 14:27:20 GMT
Um if you have no symptoms and 2 negative LFTs in a row, you are 'not likely to still be infectious' If you're quoting something as 'best pratice' it would probably be a good idea to have read and digested it first This isn't what the CDC guidance you refer to requires, there is no require to test on exit from self isolation after a positive test. The only mention of testing is 5 days post exposure (ie a contact) and this isn't even a requirement, its guidance I know, my suggestion is to make it more stringent to be released from isolation after 5 days
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Post by Dan213 on Dec 28, 2021 14:30:26 GMT
If you're quoting something as 'best pratice' it would probably be a good idea to have read and digested it first This isn't what the CDC guidance you refer to requires, there is no require to test on exit from self isolation after a positive test. The only mention of testing is 5 days post exposure (ie a contact) and this isn't even a requirement, its guidance I know, my suggestion is to make it more stringent to be released from isolation after 5 days It's certainly possible but based on most case data I should imagine most people would still be testing positive on the day 4 LFT, unless they had tested late in the first place. I should imagine, although completely hypothetical, that given NHS staff are testing so regularly anyway, that you'd see infections in general caught earlier, with a greater chance therefore that you'd still be positive on day 5
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Post by sfsusan on Dec 28, 2021 14:47:53 GMT
You really think people will stop having friends and families over to their homes now? The ability to mandate that has disappeared with the numerous parties and rule breaking from the government. It's sad that some people (not just in the UK) seem to have focused solely on doing the minimum mandated by their governments, rather than doing what will keep them safe. Who cares what other people are doing (much less politicians)? We've known for over a year what will reduce our chances of getting/spreading COVID.
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Post by Latecomer on Dec 28, 2021 15:38:53 GMT
I think sometimes it is a useful tool for a government to make something mandated as it gives you an excuse to do what you already know is sensible. I have heard of a number of elderly relatives who refuse to do lateral flow tests when meeting family members who would be harmed by catching Covid….but they would do this if the government said to do so! [There are always some who won’t no matter what!] In my limited experience the youngsters have been very good at this….but the older generation really hate being told what to do by their children!!!!
Mine also refused to get a cleaner, have any help when they needed it, and continued to drive when the only way my dad could park was by “touch parking”…..
But they are quite good at following government rules!
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Post by peggs on Dec 28, 2021 16:27:34 GMT
Similarly my parents have refused to do any testing this whole pandemic, they wore masks when they legally were required to but otherwise would not do it by choice and have made a huge fuss about everything even though the impacts of themselves and what they do have been very limited. In contrast the teens have taken it all in their stride, take tests, wear masks, socially distance and I've never heard a moan out of them.
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Post by Jane Parfitt on Dec 28, 2021 17:00:41 GMT
Oh and what of the antivirals for the vulnerable? Delivered to your door if you show symptoms? Have we sorted that out yet? I think that is almost in place, I know two people who got an email recently saying they will have a PCR test to keep at home and send off as soon as they have any kind of symptoms and then they would get the antivirals. However I don't think either of them have their PCR test yet and I think the scheme wasn't going to start until possibly the 30th, I was told but have forgotten. Yes I'm classed as vulnerable and received the email swiftly followed by a PCR test to keep just in case.
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Post by fossil on Dec 28, 2021 17:23:14 GMT
Oh and what of the antivirals for the vulnerable? Delivered to your door if you show symptoms? Have we sorted that out yet? I think that is almost in place, I know two people who got an email recently saying they will have a PCR test to keep at home and send off as soon as they have any kind of symptoms and then they would get the antivirals. However I don't think either of them have their PCR test yet and I think the scheme wasn't going to start until possibly the 30th, I was told but have forgotten. It has already started. My PCR test was delivered by Royal Mail on Boxing Day (Sunday) morning. I developed a cough last night but an LFT was negative. This morning I woke up feeling absolutely awful, like I have a very nasty bout of 'flu. Coughing, sore throat and aching all over. An LFT was positive so have posted off my PCR test which tracking shows is already at the sorting office. The Royal Mail web site shows you where there are post boxes with special 3pm collections for test samples. I have found the whole system superbly efficient - so far. Results are supposed to take 1-3 days. And in answer to those misguided souls who bleat on to the effect that being triple vaccinated means the illness will only be mild so why cannot they go out to play. I am triple vaccinated and if this is mild I would hate to think how a severe illness would feel. Looks like I won't be able to use my tickets for the NT on Wednesday next week!
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Post by crowblack on Dec 28, 2021 17:46:39 GMT
I think that is almost in place, I know two people who got an email recently saying they will have a PCR test to keep at home and send off as soon as they have any kind of symptoms and then they would get the antivirals. However I don't think either of them have their PCR test yet and I think the scheme wasn't going to start until possibly the 30th, I was told but have forgotten. It has already started. My PCR test was delivered by Royal Mail on Boxing Day (Sunday) morning. I developed a cough last night but an LFT was negative. This morning I woke up feeling absolutely awful, like I have a very nasty bout of 'flu. Coughing, sore throat and aching all over. An LFT was positive so have posted off my PCR test which tracking shows is already at the sorting office. The Royal Mail web site shows you where there are post boxes with special 3pm collections for test samples. I have found the whole system superbly efficient - so far. Results are supposed to take 1-3 days. And in answer to those misguided souls who bleat on to the effect that being triple vaccinated means the illness will only be mild so why cannot they go out to play. I am triple vaccinated and if this is mild I would hate to think how a severe illness would feel. Looks like I won't be able to use my tickets for the NT on Wednesday next week! I hope you get well soon! A friend's two-generational household have it at the moment, all jabbed and boostered and the older (50 somethings) report being floored by it and all have bad sore throats. I've noticed lots of throat tablet adverts popping up on instagram and twitter and wondered if that was more than just the seasonal surge. On the test kits, I ordered some online just before Christmas and they arrived really quickly.
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Post by Latecomer on Dec 28, 2021 21:35:29 GMT
I think that is almost in place, I know two people who got an email recently saying they will have a PCR test to keep at home and send off as soon as they have any kind of symptoms and then they would get the antivirals. However I don't think either of them have their PCR test yet and I think the scheme wasn't going to start until possibly the 30th, I was told but have forgotten. It has already started. My PCR test was delivered by Royal Mail on Boxing Day (Sunday) morning. I developed a cough last night but an LFT was negative. This morning I woke up feeling absolutely awful, like I have a very nasty bout of 'flu. Coughing, sore throat and aching all over. An LFT was positive so have posted off my PCR test which tracking shows is already at the sorting office. The Royal Mail web site shows you where there are post boxes with special 3pm collections for test samples. I have found the whole system superbly efficient - so far. Results are supposed to take 1-3 days. And in answer to those misguided souls who bleat on to the effect that being triple vaccinated means the illness will only be mild so why cannot they go out to play. I am triple vaccinated and if this is mild I would hate to think how a severe illness would feel. Looks like I won't be able to use my tickets for the NT on Wednesday next week! Hope you feel better soon and they give you antivirals quickly to help…
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Post by zahidf on Dec 28, 2021 22:47:12 GMT
BJ to cut isolation to 5 days?
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Post by Dan213 on Dec 28, 2021 23:20:43 GMT
BJ to cut isolation to 5 days? Just sensationalist propaganda from the Times and DM
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Post by Dan213 on Dec 28, 2021 23:26:49 GMT
Some slightly concerning patterns around Lateral Flow tests emerging and their sensitivity to Omicron:
I've seen several cases in the last week whereby the newer (Flowflex nose only) tests are showing a negative result when nose only is swabbed, but if then swabbed on the tonsils, then nose, like the older ones are returning a positive result. This is super concerning given the new test-to-release criteria.
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Post by zahidf on Dec 28, 2021 23:32:33 GMT
BJ to cut isolation to 5 days? Just sensationalist propaganda from the Times and DM Guardian are quoting a few scientists like Tim Spector and Paum Hunter who are saying it would be a good idea. Not just a right wing thing
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Post by zahidf on Dec 28, 2021 23:33:42 GMT
Some slightly concerning patterns around Lateral Flow tests emerging and their sensitivity to Omicron: I've seen several cases in the last week whereby the newer (Flowflex nose only) tests are showing a negative result when nose only is swabbed, but if then swabbed on the tonsils, then nose, like the older ones are returning a positive result. This is super concerning given the new test-to-release criteria. Oh god, that guy is a complete flake. He's the one one who says 'GOD SAVE THE KIDS FROM BORIS JOHNSON ' and other hyperbolic stuff.
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Post by Dan213 on Dec 28, 2021 23:50:27 GMT
Some slightly concerning patterns around Lateral Flow tests emerging and their sensitivity to Omicron: I've seen several cases in the last week whereby the newer (Flowflex nose only) tests are showing a negative result when nose only is swabbed, but if then swabbed on the tonsils, then nose, like the older ones are returning a positive result. This is super concerning given the new test-to-release criteria. Oh god, that guy is a complete flake. He's the one one who says 'GOD SAVE THE KIDS FROM BORIS JOHNSON ' and other hyperbolic stuff. No idea who the guy is that has tweeted it but the original article is from the FDA website. There are several top scientists expressing concern over this and others have even tested this themselves and produced side by side results, from the same box of tests that produce negative results when nasal swabbed only compared to positive when both tonsils and nose is swabbed
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Post by Dan213 on Dec 28, 2021 23:54:23 GMT
Just sensationalist propaganda from the Times and DM Guardian are quoting a few scientists like Tim Spector and Paum Hunter who are saying it would be a good idea. Not just a right wing thing I can't find anything from Tim Spector regarding this. He's very reputable so if you can link this then I'd love to have a read Paul Hunter on the other hand is a bit of an odd one if you read back on some of his material from the past year or so
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Post by zahidf on Dec 29, 2021 5:09:00 GMT
Guardian are quoting a few scientists like Tim Spector and Paum Hunter who are saying it would be a good idea. Not just a right wing thing I can't find anything from Tim Spector regarding this. He's very reputable so if you can link this then I'd love to have a read Paul Hunter on the other hand is a bit of an odd one if you read back on some of his material from the past year or so Quoted in this article www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/dec/28/uk-new-record-daily-covid-cases
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Post by Dan213 on Dec 29, 2021 8:38:56 GMT
This isn't him coming out in support of it, they've just copied it from this tweet, out of context This is why you have to be super careful in how you interpret these articles. The only person who has offered a statement here is Paul Hunter who has come up with some rather questionable material over the past few years
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Post by zahidf on Dec 29, 2021 10:13:13 GMT
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Post by Dan213 on Dec 29, 2021 10:26:22 GMT
These are emergency measures used in last resort. Hopefully we won't get to the stage of needing to do that
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Post by Dan213 on Dec 29, 2021 10:30:39 GMT
No PCR tests (either home delivery or test sites) Available in England again and no Lateral Flow tests available for delivery (very few in stock in pharmacies) This is the third time no slots have been available for an extended time period in the last few days.
Complete silence from government on this. Boris has all but vanished since Christmas...
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Post by zahidf on Dec 29, 2021 10:43:26 GMT
No PCR tests (either home delivery or test sites) Available in England again and no Lateral Flow tests available for delivery (very few in stock in pharmacies) This is the third time no slots have been available for an extended time period in the last few days. Complete silence from government on this. Boris has all but vanished since Christmas... He's at a Vax centre now
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Post by Dan213 on Dec 29, 2021 10:48:58 GMT
No PCR tests (either home delivery or test sites) Available in England again and no Lateral Flow tests available for delivery (very few in stock in pharmacies) This is the third time no slots have been available for an extended time period in the last few days. Complete silence from government on this. Boris has all but vanished since Christmas... He's at a Vax centre now Nice to see he's dragged himself out wearing the same stained suit and tie from his Christmas Eve broadcast No comment from him on the fact that nobody has been able to book a test for around 20 hours now though...
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Post by zahidf on Dec 29, 2021 12:21:44 GMT
Nice to see he's dragged himself out wearing the same stained suit and tie from his Christmas Eve broadcast No comment from him on the fact that nobody has been able to book a test for around 20 hours now though... Now who's exaggerating? It's an IT issue. It's not ideal but not sure BJ is responsible for the computer updates
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