Coronavirus (Covid19) Corner

[plaques]

At least Australian state officials have apologised for their failures which is more than can be said for British state officials!

From Stanley's link

Blame for the controversial decision to halt community coronavirus testing and tracing in March has been laid at PHE's door.

It is easy to point the finger at PHE, but it is an executive agency accountable to the secretary of state, Matt Hancock.

A full examination of who is responsible and culpable for which policies will have to wait for an independent inquiry - whenever that takes place.

Its been suggested the inquiry will start in spring next year.

[Stanley]

Meanwhile Lady Dido Harding (see PE ad infinitum and latest track and trace app) has been put in charge of the new Covid authority so that's all right then!
As I said Maz. Covid over here is political you can't separate the two when you see a U turn like this.

[Tizer]

At least Harding's appointment is only temporary until they find a permanent boss. The sooner she's off the scene the better - although she'll turn up like a bad penny somewhere else.

Here's another reason we shouldn't assume that children are safe from covid-19 (which is what Trump tells his supporters)...
`Coronavirus could cause Type-1 diabetes in children, scientists warn' LINK

[Stanley]

Peter, I noted yesterday that some scientists are beginning to refer to 'Long Chain Covid'. They are warning about the long term effects of exposure to this entirely new strain which are as yet, only suspected. However there is increasing evidence that they are real and nobody is immune.

[plaques]

Most people and certainly the older end will be familiar with the 'side effects' list on any medication. Its not hard to see that the initial batch of covid-19 vaccines will have similar lists. Providing there is no immediate serious downsides on the first releases then we golden oldies would be quite happy to accept the jab and to soldier on to the normal bitter end. The worrying problem arises if the vaccine has long term effects similar to the virus itself which means it only covers the immediate danger. This thing is getting too complicated for me.

[Tripps]

I posted this on 27 July.
.
I learned this morning that quarantine - which has been made mandatory for people returning from Spain is a lot more restrictive than social isolation. Under quarantine - you are not allowed to leave the house for any reason. No shopping, no exercise for example. I wonder how many people know that. A bit academic though - it seems passengers at Gatwick couldn't find anyone to hand their forms to.


The talk radio types have just noticed it - especially as it now applies to returners from France as well as Spain. They think people will ignore it, and are almost encouraging calls from people who are not 'quarantining' properly, either from ignorance or defiance.

They are finding quite a few.

[Big Kev]

It'll be interesting to see how the current restrictions, and potential further restrictions, in Pendle affect the return to school in two weeks.

[Tizer]

Peter, I noted yesterday that some scientists are beginning to refer to 'Long Chain Covid'. They are warning about the long term effects of exposure to this entirely new strain which are as yet, only suspected. However there is increasing evidence that they are real and nobody is immune.

I haven't seen any mention of `Long Chain Covid' but the term `long covid' is being used to describe when people have longer lasting effects. Long covid I don't think it's a different strain but a different response in the patient. It reflects what we've seen from influenza and other viruses in the past - some people have a more serious acute response and some suffer longer lasting, sometimes permanent, effects. Covid-19 affects the ACE-2 enzyme which is present and important in the lungs, heart, kidneys, gut and probably other organs so there's plenty of scope for a wide range of damage. (ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme and there are two types. ACE-1 raises blood pressure and ACE-2 lowers it. They work by constricting and dilating blood vessels respectively.) A benefit of all this is that in future people who suffer from long-term effects of other virus infections will be believed and will get help. I've known several people with chronic fatigue syndrome that probably resulted from an infection while under some other stress and they've had a hard life afterwards.

[Big Kev]

Be interesting to see if the restrictions here have an impact this coming winter...

Almost 1200 fewer people died this year in New Zealand up to 20 July compared to during the same period last year, a rare trend in light of the global pandemic. Some researchers speculate this may be due to a reduction in deaths from other respiratory illnesses, thanks to the introduction of measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus. In May, neighbouring Australia reported lower flu rates than usual, which was also attributed to coronavirus lockdown measures. New Zealand has recorded only 22 covid-19 related deaths.

Read more: https://www.newscientist.com/article/22 ... z6Vat3lTvE

[Stanley]

Kev, the reduction could perhaps be due to the fact so many frail people have been culled by the virus.
Susan was telling me yesterday how the restrictions are affecting her counselling practice, as things stand at the moment people can go to a pub or a church but not have a one to one inside her house with her. Seems crazy to me.

[Tizer]

I haven't had a cold, cough or sore throat this year which is unusual.

[Big Kev]

Kev, the reduction could perhaps be due to the fact so many frail people have been culled by the virus.

I think they meant the overall death rate, including those Covid-19 related.

[Stanley]

The statistics confuse me Kev. I would have thought a cull would still have applied.
I'm trying to avoid Covid news but what I have tripped over conveys to me utter confusion largely engendered by masses of speculation. I shall stick to the plan. Avoid contact with anyone!
Susan told me yesterday that the situation with her and Mick as regards testing (They are both carers) has improved. They are both being tested once a week. That reassures me about my family bubble!

[Big Kev]

I wonder if there are enough testing kits available to test everyone on a regular basis?

Pendle residents urged to get tested
in Pendle, Lancashire, are being asked to get tested for Covid-19, even if they are not showing any symptoms.

Residents have been warned stricter lockdown measures could be introduced after the area reported the highest number of cases in the country last week.

A local community group is now making door-to-door visits to help people understand how the test works.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-englan ... get-tested

This would make things quicker and easier, be interesting to see if it's as accurate as they say.
Yale University researchers have developed a saliva-based assay that is easier to administer and analyze than the standard nasal swabs and can be manufactured using a range of chemical suppliers. The FDA granted the COVID-19 diagnostic test, called SalivaDirect, an emergency use authorization last week
https://www.scientificamerican.com/arti ... ed-by-fda/
'Pooling' of samples would definitely speed things up from a testing perspective...

[Tizer]

Kev, this is what the Yale researchers claim: `Results so far have found that SalivaDirect is highly sensitive and yields similar outcomes as NP [nasopharyngeal] swabbing.' LINK That sounds good although I'd like to see actual figures for false positives and and false negatives. Don't assume we'd get the same test here in the UK - other saliva covid tests are in the pipeline. Matt Hancock will probably buy a few million from a back street seller in Uzbekistan and then have to return them and ask for his money back! (Only joking of course )

Or maybe not joking...There's concern about the antibody tests that are being sold to the public. It sounds like there are lots of sellers and many are failing to explain the limitations of the tests: `Coronavirus antibodies tests 'put public at risk'' LINK
`Poor regulation of antibodies tests - that could indicate if someone has had coronavirus - could be putting the public at risk, doctors have warned. The Royal College of Pathologists has written to the health secretary, calling for rules to be tightened on kits sold direct to consumers. The letter warns they can "mislead the public and put individuals at risk". No antibodies test has been officially approved for at-home use in the UK - but many different types are available. It is still not known whether having antibodies will protect people from a second infection..'.

More on the possibility of catching covid-19 from food packaging...
`Coronavirus: What are the risks of catching it from food packaging?' LINK

[Big Kev]

Sadly there will always be a 'Del Boy' the government will be buying from. The 'spit' tests could, in principle, be a viable option both financially and ease of use but as you say actual data would be good.

[Stanley]

Susan explained the new regulations in Pendle to me yesterday and how they affected her. We have decided we are already adhering to them and don't need to do anything. I said I had been isolating since March, she said I have been doing it for years..... (That perhaps explains why I can't remember the last time I had a cold.)

[plaques]

Corbyn is upsetting the establishment apple cart again by saying that in the early days of the covid out break the government put too much emphasis on herd immunity. Immunity The government denies this saying this was only one of the aspects they had to consider. Corbyn is insistent that the lecture he received as part of the 'for your ears only' put more emphasis on it and was instrumental in causing our slow start in responding to the virus challenge. Either you believe Mat Hancock or Jeremy Corbyn but unfortunately there are 42,000 to 56,000 people who won't be able to take part in this discussion. I personally remember these herd immunity discussion when they hit the newspapers but thought that nobody in their right mind would contemplate going down this road. Of course I've been wrong before.

[Stanley]

I remember the same think Ken and also remember how quickly all mention of it was suppressed and is still a dirty word. On that basis I believe Corbyn that it was a large factor in the early response.
Just been listening to Cllr Iqbal, Leader in Pendle, criticising how the government was treating the area. One very telling remark was how slow the return of test results is and how that affects the statistics.

[Big Kev]

One very telling remark was how slow the return of test results is and how that affects the statistics.

I don't have the source for the information but this was published, by David Whipp, on Facebook. Some of the positive results are nearly 3 weeks old. Considering the majority of results are returned within 48 hours the data gathering is definitely not reflecting a true picture...

Screenshot_20200822-093129_Metal Pro.jpg

Screenshot_20200822-093205_Metal Pro.jpg

[Big Kev]

Susan explained the new regulations in Pendle to me yesterday and how they affected her. We have decided we are already adhering to them and don't need to do anything. I said I had been isolating since March, she said I have been doing it for years..... (That perhaps explains why I can't remember the last time I had a cold.)

The tightened 'regulations' look to have been applied at a more local level, based on positive test results (which may be out of date) starting at midnight tonight. These have been applied to Nelson and Brierfield and restrict people from meeting anyone in houses or gardens (but it's OK in the pub or park as long as you're socially distanced), things remain the same for the rest of Pendle. None of the 'regulations' are very clear and allow for a certain amount if interpretation, I'm just keeping my distance, particularly from anyone not wearing a face covering (rat lickers), and wash my hands a lot.

[Wendyf]

But but but! I don't understand the extra rules for Nelson and Brierfield, we have been restricted by law from having visitors in home or garden since the beginning of August.... haven't we?

[Big Kev]

Looking at the .gov website, it looks like any social gatherings are now not allowed in the areas with further restrictions, it's all very confusing, I think things would be a lot easier if local councils issued a postcode specific instruction.


Despite dedicated local efforts, evidence of rising rates in areas remain, and in close collaboration with the local areas, it has been decided that from midnight on Saturday, local residents in these 3 areas should not socialise with anyone from outside their household.

It does not prevent people from shopping, going to work or attending childcare settings, including schools, which open from 1 September. But it does mean any social activities indoors and outdoors can only be shared with people that you live with and in your immediate household

Residents will be advised to avoid using public transport except for essential travel, and the numbers of people who can attend weddings, civil partnerships and funerals should be limited to household members and close family and no more than 20 people.

Local restaurants will also be encouraged to halt walk-ins, and only seat people who make reservations in advance, up to a maximum of 6 people per table.

The new rules – which will not apply in the Darwen area of the Blackburn with Darwen upper tier local authority area, parts of Pendle, in Rossendale, or in Wigan – are in addition to the existing ban on indoor gatherings of more than 2 households in place across parts of Lancashire, Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire.

[Tizer]

I remember the same think Ken and also remember how quickly all mention of it was suppressed and is still a dirty word...

It wasn't suppressed. Patrick Vallance has talked about it in public and it's recorded in the newspapers and has often been discussed on Inside Science and More or Less. The government wanted to know how so-called herd immunity worked and Vallance explained it to them and they were told estimates of how many people would get infected and how many die in order to achieve herd immunity in the UK. Deaths would have had to be about 5 times the present covid death total. It doesn't surprise me that the Tory government wanted to know more about herd immunity, it's the darling theory of the anti-vaxers and right-wingers. Hitler and Mussolini would have loved it.

[Wendyf]

Thanks Kev. Does this mean that I shouldn't meet up with a friend for a walk or sit at a table outside a cafe for a coffee? All socially distanced of course.
Haven't Sweden got away with following the path of herd immunity?