Covid-19 Pandemic Thread

[Mister Paul]

A couple of weeks ago a US doctor flagged concerns that ventilators are doing more harm than good. I think it was ignored as someone trying to make a name for himself. This morning the story has landed in our UK press, with lots of additional "evidence". I'm sceptical. And I know that they're misunderstanding or misrepresenting stats (the fact that you've been put on a ventilator means that you're more sick than if they give you a mask so you're more loldly to die anyway). But I can't see any legitimate review. Anyone?

[Joan]

From my reading, I think the answers are it's more complicated than we thought, and we don't know the best treatment yet.

It's quite different from pneumonia.

https://www.propublica.org/article/vent ... hey-can-do
https://www.statnews.com/2020/04/08/doc ... -covid-19/

[Sonic Budgie]

@Regulator could you give me a bit of info/advice about logging into the NHS ESR please?
I don't have a user name or password as yet, there is an option to request both but to do this I have to give the email associated with my account, my application was done through Trac recruitment and although I've had emails that have come from the board they have been routed through Trac, so that doesn't work.
I'm assuming I need to speak to the admin bods in the hospital for them to sort?

[Sonic Budgie]

Been to our Nightingale a few times now, including today and yesterday. Looks like I'll be posted there permanently. Just me and another temp porter at the mo.
Plan is to use the hospitals, we have three on our patch (although one is tiny and the other is blink and you'd miss it, mind the main one is only little), for the most severe cases and ship them to us otherwise, level 3 and 4 @Regulator ?
Had a stack of beds delivered today, divans. Got some proper hospital ones too and more on the way, I suspect it'll be about 50:50 by the end.
Astonishing amount of stuff there, stacks and stacks of walking sticks, frames, commodes, wheelchairs, screens, hoists etc etc. Still got chairs for every bed to arrive and plenty of other stuff too to keep us busy I'm sure.
Had to go round sellotaping all the polypockets up and filling in a sheet to go in them to say I'd run the water for legionnaires, for every sink and wet area, that was exciting.
Have to take some tools in tomorrow as it looks like the maintenance boys from the hospital don't want to go up there, so I'll be putting up the white boards and toilet roll holders and things.
Good news is I've got a good handle on the place now, I think I've sussed where I can leave my boots, which are just too bulky for my backpack and as it looks like I'm going to be staying there now I can start to cycle in. I had started cycling back and forth to the hospital, but It's not ideal when you get there and then get sent to a different site in the afternoon, hopefully we'll be a bit more settled and my plan is to start on Thursday.

[Regulator]

@Regulator could you give me a bit of info/advice about logging into the NHS ESR please?
I don't have a user name or password as yet, there is an option to request both but to do this I have to give the email associated with my account, my application was done through Trac recruitment and although I've had emails that have come from the board they have been routed through Trac, so that doesn't work.
I'm assuming I need to speak to the admin bods in the hospital for them to sort?

I suggest you speak to the HR team of your employing body (the CCG or Trust). They will need to provide you with the relevant details - although they may refer you to their IT Service Desk.

[Sonic Budgie]

I suggest you speak to the HR team of your employing body (the CCG or Trust). They will need to provide you with the relevant details - although they may refer you to their IT Service Desk.

Ta [thumbsup]

[Mister Paul]

What's great:

Chris Boardman picking up off Twitter some key workers who have had their bike stolen, and replacing it.

[Mister Paul]

What's really not great:

I had a Ryanair flight cancelled. I requested a refund. They sent a voucher code and said if I want a refund I have to request again.

Just spent half an hour in chat with them getting the voucher cancelled. Apparently they have 5 million refunds to process.

I understand companies are struggling. The good ones are being honest. A May festival was cancelled and the organisers have offered refunds but been open and said that if everyone requests a refund they'll lose a £1m and go bust. So they've asked people to consider leaving their payment with them for next year's festival. That's open and honest. Not deceptive and disruptive, nor possibly illegal, as Ryanair are being.

My problem is that they're the only airline that flies from Bristol to Romania, so unless we want to drive to Heathrow we might have to keep using them.

[Sonic Budgie]

https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2020-04- ... ronavirus/

[Sonic Budgie]

https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2020-04- ... ronavirus/

The first video is where I'm working. I am actually in it, but, I am very very blurred. You would have to know me very well, know exactly where I appeared and even then you may be have some doubts, but that suits me fine

[LowlifeDes]

BBC News - Coronavirus: Outcry after Trump suggests injecting disinfectant as treatment
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-52407177

I guess that, come the election, it will be Biden's fault for not being a credible alternative.

[Rutabaga]

BBC News - Coronavirus: Outcry after Trump suggests injecting disinfectant as treatment
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-52407177

I guess that, come the election, it will be Biden's fault for not being a credible alternative.

Seeing the footage of Dr Birx looking despairingly and silently at the floor, I was reminded of that guy who had been sitting next to the ranty 'Britain First' woman on Question Time, who later said he regretted being so restrained in responding by just rolling his eyes. It must be so hard to be brave and speak out.

[LowlifeDes]

Assuming that Trump is re-elected, he may as well wear a toga and go full on Caligula.

[Regulator]

Seeing the footage of Dr Birx looking despairingly and silently at the floor, I was reminded of that guy who had been sitting next to the ranty 'Britain First' woman on Question Time, who later said he regretted being so restrained in responding by just rolling his eyes. It must be so hard to be brave and speak out.

Problem for Dr Birx is that, in the past, she has consistently enabled and excused Trump's behaviour. She will have to ask herself what is more important: her political career or her obligations as a healthcare professional?

[Sonic Budgie]

The Welsh gov have followed the UK gov and have put in place certain strategies to help small businesses.
As you are already aware, due to my normal employment status the best I could get is UC, one of the reasons for the NHS job. However, there is a rate relief scheme that, amongst others, says retail establishments with a rateable value below £500,000 would receive 100% rate relief.
Also retail establishments with a rateable value above £12,001 would receive a grant of £25k, below that, therefore eligible for small business rates relief £10k. I'm in the first category.
However, it is at the discretion of the local authorities, mine have decided that I will be entitled to nothing. I have of course emailed to find out what criteria they are using to have come to this decision, but there is no appeals procedure. This would mean that the money I am currently earning would all go on rates, that's before utilities and of course the potential battle I may have with my landlord as I am not currently paying my rent. It would also be nice to actually have some amount of money left over for luxuries like food etc.
While I was based in the hospital I had a few good chats with a chap that lives in a neighbouring county and works as a hairdresser, he had had both the grant and the rate relief confirmed two weeks ago.