So, coronavirus...

[mat the expat]

Thumper

[Jb1981]

Having returned to NZ after spending a fair bit of December and January in the UK (predominantly up North) I didn’t notice much difference in attitudes/behaviour. I probably see a few more people in masks back here but that seems about it. New York seemed the place most still “into it” on my travels. I don’t know if they were experiencing a wave but it was interesting to see pop up testing stations on corners in the central city - very few people in masks though and although I saw plenty of testing booths, I don’t think I ever saw anyone using one.

[dpedin]

Ireland about to give up on the masks in hospitals as research from the UK and elsewhere says it spreads more on surfaces etc.

Link? Because the evidence we've seen everywhere for 3 years is it's droplets in breath that spreads it more than anything else.

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/h ... 24304.html


Covid spreads significantly through contaminated hands and surfaces in households, a new study suggests, as researchers warned too much focus has been given to airborne transmission.

It comes as researchers at St George’s Hospital, in London, also found that mask wearing did not help prevent patients catching Omicron in hospital, raising questions about policies during the pandemic.

In the first study of its kind, experts at Imperial College, the UK Health and Security Agency, and the University of Oxford monitored 414 people living with an infected person between August 2020 and March 2021. In research published in The Lancet Microbe, they found healthy householders were 70pc more likely to pick up the virus when it was present on surfaces or hands.

Nine in 10 people who had Covid on their hands ended up picking up an infection compared with just three in 10 of those whose hands were clean.

Same researchers say ... 'The team said it showed frequent handwashing and decontamination of frequently touched surfaces were vital to prevent transmission and that masks were important, both for stopping airborne spread and for preventing touching of the nose and mouth.'

So conclusion from the researchers in this study is wear a mask and wash hands and surfaces regularly to avoid spread of covid at home. Sounds sensible to me.

[Biffer]

Wear a mask at home Lads come back into the light

Don't think that's what it's saying. Wear a mask in public places to avoid spreading it at home. Some judicious use of a comma might have been useful, English is a fucked up language sometimes.

[Grandpa]

Link? Because the evidence we've seen everywhere for 3 years is it's droplets in breath that spreads it more than anything else.

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/h ... 24304.html


Covid spreads significantly through contaminated hands and surfaces in households, a new study suggests, as researchers warned too much focus has been given to airborne transmission.

It comes as researchers at St George’s Hospital, in London, also found that mask wearing did not help prevent patients catching Omicron in hospital, raising questions about policies during the pandemic.

In the first study of its kind, experts at Imperial College, the UK Health and Security Agency, and the University of Oxford monitored 414 people living with an infected person between August 2020 and March 2021. In research published in The Lancet Microbe, they found healthy householders were 70pc more likely to pick up the virus when it was present on surfaces or hands.

Nine in 10 people who had Covid on their hands ended up picking up an infection compared with just three in 10 of those whose hands were clean.

Same researchers say ... 'The team said it showed frequent handwashing and decontamination of frequently touched surfaces were vital to prevent transmission and that masks were important, both for stopping airborne spread and for preventing touching of the nose and mouth.'

So conclusion from the researchers in this study is wear a mask and wash hands and surfaces regularly to avoid spread of covid at home. Sounds sensible to me.

Though they follow on to say...

However, a separate study by St George’s Hospital found wearing surgical masks in a large London hospital during the first 10 months of Omicron made no discernible difference to reducing hospital-acquired Covid infections. Researchers from the hospital looked at infection rates between December 2021 and June 2022 when staff and visitors were required to wear masks in clinical and public areas compared with after the policy was ended in June 2022.

The analysis found despite a Covid surge in June, and the ending of masks, the rate of infections was no higher.

“Our study found no evidence that mandatory masking of staff impacts the rate of hospital SARS-CoV-2 infection with the Omicron variant,” said lead author Dr Ben Patterson, from St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London.

Masks are only useful to stop you touching yourself...

[dpedin]

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/h ... 24304.html


Covid spreads significantly through contaminated hands and surfaces in households, a new study suggests, as researchers warned too much focus has been given to airborne transmission.

It comes as researchers at St George’s Hospital, in London, also found that mask wearing did not help prevent patients catching Omicron in hospital, raising questions about policies during the pandemic.

In the first study of its kind, experts at Imperial College, the UK Health and Security Agency, and the University of Oxford monitored 414 people living with an infected person between August 2020 and March 2021. In research published in The Lancet Microbe, they found healthy householders were 70pc more likely to pick up the virus when it was present on surfaces or hands.

Nine in 10 people who had Covid on their hands ended up picking up an infection compared with just three in 10 of those whose hands were clean.

Same researchers say ... 'The team said it showed frequent handwashing and decontamination of frequently touched surfaces were vital to prevent transmission and that masks were important, both for stopping airborne spread and for preventing touching of the nose and mouth.'

So conclusion from the researchers in this study is wear a mask and wash hands and surfaces regularly to avoid spread of covid at home. Sounds sensible to me.

Though they follow on to say...

However, a separate study by St George’s Hospital found wearing surgical masks in a large London hospital during the first 10 months of Omicron made no discernible difference to reducing hospital-acquired Covid infections. Researchers from the hospital looked at infection rates between December 2021 and June 2022 when staff and visitors were required to wear masks in clinical and public areas compared with after the policy was ended in June 2022.

The analysis found despite a Covid surge in June, and the ending of masks, the rate of infections was no higher.

“Our study found no evidence that mandatory masking of staff impacts the rate of hospital SARS-CoV-2 infection with the Omicron variant,” said lead author Dr Ben Patterson, from St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London.

Masks are only useful to stop you touching yourself...

I was clear in drawing my quote from the first study that was previously referred to.

As you say the article was referring to a different study that came to the conclusion re hospital transmission. It is an interesting study but it is only one and will need to be replicated by others. However there are numerous other peer reviewed studies that demonstrate the opposite and that mask wearing in public and work settings did in fact reduce community transmission of covid. It is dangerous to draw assumptions from one study.

[Ymx]

Wear a mask at home Lads come back into the light

Don't think that's what it's saying. Wear a mask in public places to avoid spreading it at home. Some judicious use of a comma might have been useful, English is a fucked up language sometimes.

No come on, it’s dpedin, that’s exactly what he was saying. He was talking about avoiding spreading it at home.

He’s chief Freak.

Regards,
Bambi x

[dpedin]

Wear a mask at home Lads come back into the light

Don't think that's what it's saying. Wear a mask in public places to avoid spreading it at home. Some judicious use of a comma might have been useful, English is a fucked up language sometimes.

No come on, it’s dpedin, that’s exactly what he was saying. He was talking about avoiding spreading it at home.

He’s chief Freak.

Regards,
Bambi x

Oh dear!

[Biffer]

Same researchers say ... 'The team said it showed frequent handwashing and decontamination of frequently touched surfaces were vital to prevent transmission and that masks were important, both for stopping airborne spread and for preventing touching of the nose and mouth.'

So conclusion from the researchers in this study is wear a mask and wash hands and surfaces regularly to avoid spread of covid at home. Sounds sensible to me.

Though they follow on to say...

However, a separate study by St George’s Hospital found wearing surgical masks in a large London hospital during the first 10 months of Omicron made no discernible difference to reducing hospital-acquired Covid infections. Researchers from the hospital looked at infection rates between December 2021 and June 2022 when staff and visitors were required to wear masks in clinical and public areas compared with after the policy was ended in June 2022.

The analysis found despite a Covid surge in June, and the ending of masks, the rate of infections was no higher.

“Our study found no evidence that mandatory masking of staff impacts the rate of hospital SARS-CoV-2 infection with the Omicron variant,” said lead author Dr Ben Patterson, from St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London.

Masks are only useful to stop you touching yourself...

I was clear in drawing my quote from the first study that was previously referred to.

As you say the article was referring to a different study that came to the conclusion re hospital transmission. It is an interesting study but it is only one and will need to be replicated by others. However there are numerous other peer reviewed studies that demonstrate the opposite and that mask wearing in public and work settings did in fact reduce community transmission of covid. It is dangerous to draw assumptions from one study.

There's a big 'discussion' (read argument / barely concealed academic warfare) going on off the back of covid, between theorists / researchers who maintain respiratory infections are driven mainly by surface contact and other theorists / researchers who are convinced aerosols have a much bigger part to play than previously thought.

[dpedin]

Though they follow on to say...



Masks are only useful to stop you touching yourself...

I was clear in drawing my quote from the first study that was previously referred to.

As you say the article was referring to a different study that came to the conclusion re hospital transmission. It is an interesting study but it is only one and will need to be replicated by others. However there are numerous other peer reviewed studies that demonstrate the opposite and that mask wearing in public and work settings did in fact reduce community transmission of covid. It is dangerous to draw assumptions from one study.

There's a big 'discussion' (read argument / barely concealed academic warfare) going on off the back of covid, between theorists / researchers who maintain respiratory infections are driven mainly by surface contact and other theorists / researchers who are convinced aerosols have a much bigger part to play than previously thought.

Agreed - and it will take the science some time yet to come to a conclusion which is probably both are right from what I have read, been told. Therefore it is probably better to assume that both aerosol and touch are the means by which covid is spread. To protect against both when there is high levels of covid around wear a mask, wash your hands and wash surfaces regularly seems sensible. It ain't rocket science, it ain't difficult and it ain't expensive - just good old fashioned public health advice.

[Ymx]

Best keep wearing a mask for another 5 years until the science can be conclusive

[dpedin]

Best keep wearing a mask for another 5 years until the science can be conclusive

Oh dear, oh dear!

[Biffer]

Best keep wearing a mask for another 5 years until the science can be conclusive

Keep diggin down into the conspiracy theory BS, you’ll be spouting antisemitism before you know it.

[Ymx]

Best keep wearing a mask for another 5 years until the science can be conclusive

Keep diggin down into the conspiracy theory BS, you’ll be spouting antisemitism before you know it.

I’m definitely not a filthy Labour supporter*


* I do get what you are saying.
Right from your “clever” lefty playbook.
Not mask supporting = Nazi/fascist/bigot/far right.

[Biffer]

Best keep wearing a mask for another 5 years until the science can be conclusive

Keep diggin down into the conspiracy theory BS, you’ll be spouting antisemitism before you know it.

I’m definitely not a filthy Labour supporter*


* I do get what you are saying.
Right from your “clever” lefty playbook.
Not mask supporting = Nazi/fascist/bigot/far right.

Genuinely not what I'm saying.

Nearly every conspiracy theory, left or right wing, has an 'other' or 'them' who are controlling things and manipulating situations to meet their agenda. As you scrape away at the theory, it's pretty much always Finance->Bankers->Cartels->Zionism->Jews. You get drip fed it, they don't shout about Jews at the start, but eventually that's what you find. And by the time that's revealed, people have already bought into the theory and are committed, so one more false thing to believe doesn't find much resistance.

Either that or space lizards. But usually 'it's the Jews, innit'

[Margin__Walker]

I get the clumsy point you're trying to make, but that's a bit off Biffer. Probably best to save the antisemetic accusations/pre accusations for after a poster has actually done something to warrant it.

[Ymx]

Keep diggin down into the conspiracy theory BS, you’ll be spouting antisemitism before you know it.

I’m definitely not a filthy Labour supporter*


* I do get what you are saying.
Right from your “clever” lefty playbook.
Not mask supporting = Nazi/fascist/bigot/far right.

Genuinely not what I'm saying.

Nearly every conspiracy theory, left or right wing, has an 'other' or 'them' who are controlling things and manipulating situations to meet their agenda. As you scrape away at the theory, it's pretty much always Finance->Bankers->Cartels->Zionism->Jews. You get drip fed it, they don't shout about Jews at the start, but eventually that's what you find. And by the time that's revealed, people have already bought into the theory and are committed, so one more false thing to believe doesn't find much resistance.

Either that or space lizards. But usually 'it's the Jews, innit'

So it wasn’t what you were alluding to, but it really was. Got it!

“ Nearly every conspiracy theory, left or right wing, has an 'other' or 'them' who are controlling things and manipulating situations to meet their agenda”

Christ, and now you sound like a deep state nutter yourself !!!

[Ymx]

Anyway guys, don’t worry you’re not alone. There are a few other freaks about.

[JM2K6]

I get the clumsy point you're trying to make, but that's a bit off Biffer. Probably best to save the antisemetic accusations/pre accusations for after a poster has actually done something to warrant it.

Explicitly pointing out that conspiracy theorists and gullible twats reliably end up like this isn't an accusation, it's a prediction (and a warning).

Bonus: YMX not understanding that "conspiracy theories usually involve an 'other' to point the finger at" is an uncontroversial and well-supported position as opposed to something a deep state nutter would spout is just fabulously appropriate

[Biffer]

I get the clumsy point you're trying to make, but that's a bit off Biffer. Probably best to save the antisemetic accusations/pre accusations for after a poster has actually done something to warrant it.

Well, nearly every conspiracy theory has antisemitism at its heart.

So if you're spouting conspiracy theories, you're talking about stuff that is intrinsically antisemitic, even if you don't realise it.

[Margin__Walker]

I get the clumsy point you're trying to make, but that's a bit off Biffer. Probably best to save the antisemetic accusations/pre accusations for after a poster has actually done something to warrant it.

Explicitly pointing out that conspiracy theorists and gullible twats reliably end up like this isn't an accusation, it's a prediction (and a warning).

Bonus: YMX not understanding that "conspiracy theories usually involve an 'other' to point the finger at" is an uncontroversial and well-supported position as opposed to something a deep state nutter would spout is just fabulously appropriate

Like I said, I fully get the point being made clumsily.

Jumping ahead though to a prediction of antisemitism in this case though is a shit look. Play the issue at hand.

[Margin__Walker]

I get the clumsy point you're trying to make, but that's a bit off Biffer. Probably best to save the antisemetic accusations/pre accusations for after a poster has actually done something to warrant it.

Well, nearly every conspiracy theory has antisemitism at its heart.

So if you're spouting conspiracy theories, you're talking about stuff that is intrinsically antisemitic, even if you don't realise it.

Call someone an antisemite when they've earned the label, not just when you feel they are on the path to it. Until then, you're not doing your argument any favours.

[Biffer]

I get the clumsy point you're trying to make, but that's a bit off Biffer. Probably best to save the antisemetic accusations/pre accusations for after a poster has actually done something to warrant it.

Well, nearly every conspiracy theory has antisemitism at its heart.

So if you're spouting conspiracy theories, you're talking about stuff that is intrinsically antisemitic, even if you don't realise it.

Call someone an antisemite when they've earned the label, not just when you feel they are on the path to it. Until then, you're not doing your argument any favours.

I didn't call him one. I said he'll start spouting it if he continues down the conspiracy theory route.

[Ymx]

Christ. One day you take off your mask, the next you’re working the gas chambers.

It sounds serious. How long have I got Dr Biff?

[Ymx]

I get the clumsy point you're trying to make, but that's a bit off Biffer. Probably best to save the antisemetic accusations/pre accusations for after a poster has actually done something to warrant it.

Explicitly pointing out that conspiracy theorists and gullible twats reliably end up like this isn't an accusation, it's a prediction (and a warning).

Bonus: YMX not understanding that "conspiracy theories usually involve an 'other' to point the finger at" is an uncontroversial and well-supported position as opposed to something a deep state nutter would spout is just fabulously appropriate

So I am a windowlicker and you are 'predicting' that YMX is an antisemite. YMX I warn you I have Jewish friends so this cabal of ours will be fraught with peril

You’re a bloody decent sort, but I knew there was something a bit wrong with you. Don’t worry I can fix you (or them). It’s not too late for you, you can go full Nazi too, ER !

[petej]

Christ. One day you take off your mask, the next you’re working the gas chambers.

It sounds serious. How long have I got Dr Biff?

A couple of posts have been a bit off recently on this thread and the tory one. Dpedin is definitely at the cautious end of the spectrum with regard to covid. Generally, hand washing and cleaning surfaces is recommended to stop bugs regardless of disease. Wearing a mask or preferably not mixing when obviously ill for me is also recommended (people who turned up to work coughing all over everything was a pet hate of mine pre-covid). Though I'm definitely at the stage where covid is just like any other cold or flu bug (as ive had it at least 3 times).

Twitter/social media amplifies extremes which is damaging to societal cohesion.

[Margin__Walker]

I didn't call him one. I said he'll start spouting it if he continues down the conspiracy theory route.

I admire your hubris, but why go there at all? What's it added to the discourse?

[I like neeps]

Genuinely can't believe people still argue about masks, we all wore one for a while. It sucked, we moved on and got on with life.

[Ymx]

Genuinely can't believe people still argue about masks, we all wore one for a while. It sucked, we moved on and got on with life.

It’s all my fault. Let me summarise

I said that there is still the odd freak wearing a mask (as a tease)

The be-kind crew then called me
A piece of shit
Bimbo-lite
Bambi
Bamboo
Thumper
Anti-Semite
And ER was called a window licker

In the background, I asked Asmo to change my user name to Bambi, but he didn’t.

Did I miss anything pertinent?

[Ymx]

Oh and MW hatefully called out Biffer on his logical reasoning. Like a rabid dog. Biffer will no doubt report it as far right hate speech.

And finally, it was established masks help those who can’t stop touching themselves. Dpedin agreed.

[Enzedder]

Covid spreads significantly through contaminated hands and surfaces in households, a new study suggests, as researchers warned too much focus has been given to airborne transmission.

How do the hands and surfaces become contaminated, if not via the mouth?

[Sandstorm]

Covid spreads significantly through contaminated hands and surfaces in households, a new study suggests, as researchers warned too much focus has been given to airborne transmission.

How do the hands and surfaces become contaminated, if not via the mouth?

It’s not because Covid spreads more on surfaces, it’s because people’s houses are dirty. They are cleaned much less often and less effectively than those in a dentist office.

Basically that new study is a load of shit.

[Jim Lahey]

I get the clumsy point you're trying to make, but that's a bit off Biffer. Probably best to save the antisemetic accusations/pre accusations for after a poster has actually done something to warrant it.

Well, nearly every conspiracy theory has antisemitism at its heart.

So if you're spouting conspiracy theories, you're talking about stuff that is intrinsically antisemitic, even if you don't realise it.

Bravo, that is the most retarded statement I've read in a good while.

[mat the expat]

Genuinely can't believe people still argue about masks, we all wore one for a while. It sucked, we moved on and got on with life.

It’s all my fault. Let me summarise

I said that there is still the odd freak wearing a mask (as a tease)

The be-kind crew then called me
A piece of shit
Bimbo-lite
Bambi
Bamboo
Thumper
Anti-Semite
And ER was called a window licker

In the background, I asked Asmo to change my user name to Bambi, but he didn’t.

Did I miss anything pertinent?

You're ability to handle the Jandal, evidently

[JM2K6]

I get the clumsy point you're trying to make, but that's a bit off Biffer. Probably best to save the antisemetic accusations/pre accusations for after a poster has actually done something to warrant it.

Explicitly pointing out that conspiracy theorists and gullible twats reliably end up like this isn't an accusation, it's a prediction (and a warning).

Bonus: YMX not understanding that "conspiracy theories usually involve an 'other' to point the finger at" is an uncontroversial and well-supported position as opposed to something a deep state nutter would spout is just fabulously appropriate

So I am a windowlicker and you are 'predicting' that YMX is an antisemite. YMX I warn you I have Jewish friends so this cabal of ours will be fraught with peril

A non windowlicker would've been able to tell the difference between me and Biffer for a start

[LoveOfTheGame]

Fascinating how certain topics trigger posters and bring out their inner stupid for all to see. Then I realise that for these guys it's an everyday part of life sort of thing and I'm just like...

[Line6 HXFX]

I still wear a mask when I can, on buses and what not.

Mrs works on wards with covid patients. She could give it me at any point and I could give it to you.

Least I have done everything I can.

Are masks Woke or summut?
I also love wearing all black with a black hoodie and black mask in super markets.
It is awesome being followed by security guards, and then following them, to see how they like it (they don't).

[dpedin]

Fascinating how certain topics trigger posters and bring out their inner stupid for all to see. Then I realise that for these guys it's an everyday part of life sort of thing and I'm just like...

Agreed! It's amazing how things kick off for no great reason. Some folk seem incapable of having a sensible discussion and when struggling to maintain their own position resort to ad hominem attacks and start spouting bile. I obviously live rent free in YMX's head and trigger some desperate responses from him, I dont know why but it doesnt bother me. However, like I did when my kids were toddlers, it is easier to just ignore their bad behaviour and not give them the response they crave. After their feet stomping and tears of frustration die down they get fed up of being ignored and go play with another toy.

On a more positive point it looks like we now have a vaccine against malaria which appears to be very effective and will save millions of lives! Looks like the University of Oxford has once again been at the forefront of this vaccine development.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-65252511

[Ymx]

I don’t think anyone is being too serious on this thread.

Though I now worry about which cult Biffer has just joined.

[SaintK]

Good to see this thread going well!
Could be the one on PR about this subject without the real loons!