Covid-19 Pandemic Thread

[Regulator]

I thought it might be helpful to have a single thread...

Just come off our Covid Briefing Call. We're taking a more proactive approach as a hospital group and placing greater restrictions on patients, staff and visitors than is currently being officially advised - but we expect the NHS to follow suit shortly.

It's also becoming clear that the government is coming under pressure from experts to change the advice it is giving and to move formally into the 'delay' phase. Don't be surprised to see large public gathering banned in the coming days - although government is also coming under pressure to keep schools open.

[Greg]

We're only a small company of 16 but have properly started contingency implementation this morning.

[Sonic Budgie]

Unfortunately customers have decided that I should be self isolated in my shop for most of this year already.

I found this an interesting read from medium.com.

https://medium.com/@tomaspueyo/coronavi ... d3d9cd99ca

[ransos]

I manage a large team and have already implemented a few measures, but our business continuity plan isn't going to work if the schools close, as so many of us have school-age children.

[LowlifeDes]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-u ... type=share

Those figures from Italy, 15,113 infections and 1,016 deaths represent a 6.7% fatality rate. Is the infections number massively under-reported.

[Iris]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-u ... type=share

Those figures from Italy, 15,113 infections and 1,016 deaths represent a 6.7% fatality rate. Is the infections number massively under-reported.

No. It allows both for a delay in reporting and for underreporting.

More or Less on R4 dealt with the point in its last show.

[Lullabelle]

Today we were told that visitors will be restricted, they have to fill in a form in the reception, if any answers are yes they won't be allowed in. Employees are advised to wash their hands for x amount of time and use sanitiser.
We are also making plans in case schools close, anyone who has to self-isolate etc...

[Greg]

I never thought I'd say this but I think Boris is managing this very well indeed.

[Regulator]

I never thought I'd say this but I think Boris is managing this very well indeed.

We need a sarcasm smiley...

[Greg]

We need a sarcasm smiley...

As a health professional I'd be interesting in hearing an opinion to the contrary?

[Regulator]

He claims the Government's response is being led by 'the science'. The "science" he is referring to is the prognostications of the Behavioural Insights Team (now known as Social Change UK). This is an organisation whose 'foresight' and 'nudge' techniques have been proven lacking repeatedly in the past - but they have one big fan... Demonic Cummings.

The reality is that most health care providers are moving beyond the advice/directions being given by the Government, having decided it is insufficient. We're restricting public and patient access to our hospitals. We're moving to disperse the central teams that support hospitals to reduce the potential impacts/infection vectors. My medical practice is no longer offering face to face appointments without remote pre-screening.

The nonsense around 'herd immunity' (a term which relates to vaccination programmes) is being dismissed by experts - particularly as there is evidence emerging of reinfection in other countries.

We also have to ask why the CMOs for Scotland and Wales are taking divergent views from the CMO for England? Could it be because they are looking at the actual scientific data rather than the modelling of the BIT?

[Greg]

It seems to me, as a layman the medical impact is nought (on the individual) as compared to the PEST implication (on society), which is why we need politicians.

[Regulator]

EU health ministers have a daily Covid-19 conference call. Swizerland is joining them...


... but not the UK.

[LowlifeDes]

Should we have a sweepstake as to which of us catches it first. Independent evidence would of course be necessary in order to reduce cheating.

[Regulator]

Should we have a sweepstake as to which of us catches it first. Independent evidence would of course be necessary in order to reduce cheating.

Knowing my bloody luck I'd win...