So, coronavirus...

[Paddington Bear]

It’s not the open spaces that the younger section of society is missing, they seem to hardly use it during the winter months, it’s the pubs and bars.

That's a bit unfair. When I was living in London, if it was a sunny winter's day, there would be loads of young people in the parks. On weekends at least.

Maybe, but we have returned to large amounts of litter most of which seem to be beer bottles and the common theme is not ‘outdoors’ it is alcohol. Not being critical, just stating facts, I’m sure I would be driven by the same desires at that age but without the littering.

People who litter public spaces are a disgrace, I think we all agree on that. This conversation though started because given all social spaces are closed and almost everyone in that park will not own a garden of any size it was the only space available to them to have a beer with a few mates on the first nice day of the year, which incidentally timed with it being legal to do so.

[Saint]

As well as politics.

So, in Germany they've seen 31 cases in 2.7 million AZ recipients. In the UK we have 5 cases in 11 million. Seems like a massive disparity in the numbers that doesn't make much sense, not to mention that no-one has yet come up with any sort of plausible process how the vaccine could cause the blood clotting

Sauerkraut?

[shaggy]

That's a bit unfair. When I was living in London, if it was a sunny winter's day, there would be loads of young people in the parks. On weekends at least.

Maybe, but we have returned to large amounts of litter most of which seem to be beer bottles and the common theme is not ‘outdoors’ it is alcohol. Not being critical, just stating facts, I’m sure I would be driven by the same desires at that age but without the littering.

People who litter public spaces are a disgrace, I think we all agree on that. This conversation though started because given all social spaces are closed and almost everyone in that park will not own a garden of any size it was the only space available to them to have a beer with a few mates on the first nice day of the year, which incidentally timed with it being legal to do so.

Oh, I know. However those same green spaces were not half as popular a few short weeks ago when we had good weather but the meeting up was restricted. Alcohol has been a catalyst for poor behaviour and the outdoors was the victim!

[Biffer]

Maybe, but we have returned to large amounts of litter most of which seem to be beer bottles and the common theme is not ‘outdoors’ it is alcohol. Not being critical, just stating facts, I’m sure I would be driven by the same desires at that age but without the littering.

People who litter public spaces are a disgrace, I think we all agree on that. This conversation though started because given all social spaces are closed and almost everyone in that park will not own a garden of any size it was the only space available to them to have a beer with a few mates on the first nice day of the year, which incidentally timed with it being legal to do so.

Oh, I know. However those same green spaces were not half as popular a few short weeks ago when we had good weather but the meeting up was restricted. Alcohol has been a catalyst for poor behaviour and the outdoors was the victim!

Think you may have defeated your own point here.

[Lobby]

Grim stuff from Mexico as their Government has admitted the actual death count is way higher than the official toll (321,000 vs 201,000) and no way are they the only ones in this position.

A similar re-evaluation in Brazil would likely show 500,000+ (I would actually believe 1,000,000+)

In addition to Brazil's continuing Coronavirus disaster (every day seems to herald a new record death count, 3,700+ yesterday in the official figures), the heads of the army, navy and air force all resigned yesterday in protest at Bolsonaro's leadership. This follows the resignations last week of Brazil's Foreign and Defence Ministers. Its hard to see this as anything but the collapse of the state as a functioning polity.

[Raggs]

Theory going on the bloodclots is that Germany gave AZ to a large number of younger women, since it was their health/social care vaccine, whereas the UK mostly used the Pfizer for these groups, and AZ for older age groups. Suspect it may be young women that are more susceptible.

[Paddington Bear]

Maybe, but we have returned to large amounts of litter most of which seem to be beer bottles and the common theme is not ‘outdoors’ it is alcohol. Not being critical, just stating facts, I’m sure I would be driven by the same desires at that age but without the littering.

People who litter public spaces are a disgrace, I think we all agree on that. This conversation though started because given all social spaces are closed and almost everyone in that park will not own a garden of any size it was the only space available to them to have a beer with a few mates on the first nice day of the year, which incidentally timed with it being legal to do so.

Oh, I know. However those same green spaces were not half as popular a few short weeks ago when we had good weather but the meeting up was restricted. Alcohol has been a catalyst for poor behaviour and the outdoors was the victim!

Alcohol is always a catalyst for poor behaviour!
But having a few beers in the sun with your mates is one of life's great pleasures and, as I've posted before on this, there have been very few things to be cheerful about so far this year.

[Sandstorm]

How on earth the 20-somethings in the cities who are flat sharing with 1-2 others have got through this is beyond me.

I'm not going to begrudge them taking the first opportunity they have to get a few cans out in the park with some mates.

Yeah, must suck to not be able to fight with strangers for almost a whole year.

[Biffer]

Theory going on the bloodclots is that Germany gave AZ to a large number of younger women, since it was their health/social care vaccine, whereas the UK mostly used the Pfizer for these groups, and AZ for older age groups. Suspect it may be young women that are more susceptible.

Amplifying effect of the contraceptive pill, which is known to cause blood clots?

[Raggs]

Theory going on the bloodclots is that Germany gave AZ to a large number of younger women, since it was their health/social care vaccine, whereas the UK mostly used the Pfizer for these groups, and AZ for older age groups. Suspect it may be young women that are more susceptible.

Amplifying effect of the contraceptive pill, which is known to cause blood clots?

No idea, interesting idea though.

[Biffer]

Theory going on the bloodclots is that Germany gave AZ to a large number of younger women, since it was their health/social care vaccine, whereas the UK mostly used the Pfizer for these groups, and AZ for older age groups. Suspect it may be young women that are more susceptible.

Amplifying effect of the contraceptive pill, which is known to cause blood clots?

No idea, interesting idea though.

Me neither, it's just the first thing that springs to mind with young women and blood clots.

[tc27]

Lost in the noise a bit...NZ held on to a 'herd immunity' solution longer than the UK and other European nations:



Fortunately the virus had not established itself in the population well enough by then and they managed to eliminate it. Timing really was/is everything.

[Lisbon Nick]

Any news on the "win, win" talks? The press reports appeared positve before the weekend but the longer they go on the more likely they will end up as "lose, lose"

[Saint]

Any news on the "win, win" talks? The press reports appeared positve before the weekend but the longer they go on the more likely they will end up as "lose, lose"

Nothing since Monday confirming they were ongoing and weren't concerning any single vaccine

[Oxbow]

Just back from having my vaccine. I'd heard tell I would be rewarded with a sticker, but I didn't get one. Most disappointed.

[Saint]

Just back from having my vaccine. I'd heard tell I would be rewarded with a sticker, but I didn't get one. Most disappointed.

Did you not even get a sweetie for being a brave boy?

[Oxbow]

A lollipop would have been nice.

[Marylandolorian]

Great news, Pfizer says its COVID-19 vaccine is 100% effective in children ages 12-15, I guess it was expected as the effectiveness varies with the age, should be the same with Moderna.

[Saint]

Great news, Pfizer says its COVID-19 vaccine is 100% effective in children ages 12-15, I guess it was expected as the effectiveness varies with the age, should be the same with Moderna.

The issue with kids is that their immune systems can actually function quite differently to adults. So while it was hoped for, and maybe even likely, it had to be carefully and specifically tested for - especially to see if the side effects were different

[Marylandolorian]

Great news, Pfizer says its COVID-19 vaccine is 100% effective in children ages 12-15, I guess it was expected as the effectiveness varies with the age, should be the same with Moderna.

The issue with kids is that their immune systems can actually function quite differently to adults. So while it was hoped for, and maybe even likely, it had to be carefully and specifically tested for - especially to see if the side effects were different

Same as young adults (article) https://abcnews.go.com/Health/pfizer-co ... dlines_hed

My wife and I are getting our 2nd Pfizer shot this afternoon, we are not part of this study

[BnM]

London has loads of parks at least. In Pimlico I had private gardens and Battersea nearby and East Finchley Highgate woods. But today I went to Nidd Gorge, walk along the river, through the woods, was able to let the dog run around a big field and look over the viaduct. Definitely better than the same park month after month.

It’s not the open spaces that the younger section of society is missing, they seem to hardly use it during the winter months, it’s the pubs and bars.

There's talk in Harrogate of using the stray as an outdoor seating area for pubs and restaurants. There's a ton of by laws about the land though and it got quite damaged during the Cycling World champs and we have snow forecast in about 6 days. But over summer it could work amazingly.

[tc27]

Had the AZ jab today at a village hall in rural Sussex - I am only 38 but my mother lives on our annex and is clinically vulnerable so was asked to get it.

No side affects so far - at risk of groan-gloating I did a big weight session on Monday and my arms are still wrecked so hard to tell.

[Dinsdale Piranha]

Had the AZ jab today at a village hall in rural Sussex - I am only 38 but my mother lives on our annex and is clinically vulnerable so was asked to get it.

No side affects so far - at risk of groan-gloating I did a big weight session on Monday and my arms are still wrecked so hard to tell.

From the experience of myself and friends, if you are going to get side effects they kick in after around 12 hours.

My dad had his 2nd Pfizer a few days ago and felt rough for a couple of days - same as the 1st jab. He's 90.

[Saint]

Had the AZ jab today at a village hall in rural Sussex - I am only 38 but my mother lives on our annex and is clinically vulnerable so was asked to get it.

No side affects so far - at risk of groan-gloating I did a big weight session on Monday and my arms are still wrecked so hard to tell.

From the experience of myself and friends, if you are going to get side effects they kick in after around 12 hours.

My dad had his 2nd Pfizer a few days ago and felt rough for a couple of days - same as the 1st jab. He's 90.

Mrs Saint was feeling side effects of Pfizer dose 2 for about 4 days. Day 3 was pretty rough for her

[BnM]

I didn't get a sticker either

I was looking at stats yesterday, even using Germany's clot figures the risk of clots is over 6 times less than the current modern birth control pill. Where was the forking concern for women there by countries health boards

[Saint]

I didn't get a sticker either

I was looking at stats yesterday, even using Germany's clot figures the risk of clots is over 6 times less than the current modern birth control pill. Where was the forking concern for women there by countries health boards

This is the problem with all of this. Because they have a public trust problem with AZ, they're being ultra cautious with approvals - which leads to temporary halts and resumptions for the use of the vaccine, and now with different age groups, all for side effects that even if they exist are much lower than those tolerated for many regularly prescribed drugs.

The intention is supposed to be to re-assure the public that safety is being taken seriously and that the vaccine is safe - and I'm sure, that in focus groups, members of the public solemnly state that these processes would make them feel much safer about drugs and vaccines in general.

However the reality is that people don't behave like that, and the media exponentially increase the fear factor and don't correctly report the positive factor. As a result, all that the stop/start does is further erode the public's confidence in the safety of the vaccine - on the basis that "they wouldn't have stopped if it was safe" instead of "they wouldn't have restarted unless it was safe". Which in turn leads to further, even more extreme caution from the regulator, which magnifies the problem further. Once you start down this road it's virtually impossible to reverse course, which is why some of the initial; statements about the efficacy of AZ by various national leaders were so problematic, and even the ongoing blame game between EU and AZ can further erode confidence.

[vball]

Just back from having my vaccine. I'd heard tell I would be rewarded with a sticker, but I didn't get one. Most disappointed.

I had mine about 5 weeks ago. In Scotland we are not even getting a little card with the Had 1st jag tick-box.

I suffered no effects but was told not to drive for 15 mins. So I wandered to the local bakers, got a couple of pies, scoffed them and then walked to the car. Perhaps it is true that pies are the nectar of the Gods.

[tc27]

First day in the UK second doses are in the majority:

[BnM]

This guy is worth following on twitter - it's his area of speciality.

[Saint]

First day in the UK second doses are in the majority:

Still cracking along at around 500K a day as well. NI have opened up vaccinations to the 45-49 age group apparently

[tabascoboy]

Just back from having my vaccine. I'd heard tell I would be rewarded with a sticker, but I didn't get one. Most disappointed.

The sticker's stickiness isn't all that, you would only be disappoint

[BnM]

Poland's figures are not good. 33k new cases and 653 deaths. Anyone know what's happening with vaccines there?

[tc27]

Situation in mainland Europe now looking pretty grim - the Kent variant now widespread and vaccines not yet widespread enough to make a difference.

France going back into a full lockdown with 7pm curfew.

[Biffer]

[BnM]

Situation in mainland Europe now looking pretty grim - the Kent variant now widespread and vaccines not yet widespread enough to make a difference.

France going back into a full lockdown with 7pm curfew.

Felt sick looking at the figures, I can't see france with that infection rate avoiding lockdown, though Spain is looking decent. It is at the moment from here looking like fiddling whilst Rome burns scenario. That said with our media who knows. The Novavax situation though is potentially very telling.

[laurent]

Situation in mainland Europe now looking pretty grim - the Kent variant now widespread and vaccines not yet widespread enough to make a difference.

France going back into a full lockdown with 7pm curfew.

Felt sick looking at the figures, I can't see france with that infection rate avoiding lockdown, though Spain is looking decent. It is at the moment from here looking like fiddling whilst Rome burns scenario. That said with our media who knows. The Novavax situation though is potentially very telling.

We are on Partial lock down country wide (from today) most shops are now closed.
Schools are being closed (they were opened). Over 8M vaccinated with approx 15% of adult population on 1 dose and 2.8M on 2 doses. (2.8 M are counted in 8M)

Vacc numbers are getting good with deliveries improving

(if AZ was anywhere near their contracts it would be a lot better)

[Uncle fester]

Dad (75) got his first Pfizer jab yesterday. Didn't get a wink of sleep last night as his left arm was pretty sore and that's the side he usually sleeps on.

[BnM]

Situation in mainland Europe now looking pretty grim - the Kent variant now widespread and vaccines not yet widespread enough to make a difference.

France going back into a full lockdown with 7pm curfew.

Felt sick looking at the figures, I can't see france with that infection rate avoiding lockdown, though Spain is looking decent. It is at the moment from here looking like fiddling whilst Rome burns scenario. That said with our media who knows. The Novavax situation though is potentially very telling.

We are on Partial lock down country wide (from today) most shops are now closed.
Schools are being closed (they were opened). Over 8M vaccinated with approx 15% of adult population on 1 dose and 2.8M on 2 doses. (2.8 M are counted in 8M)

Vacc numbers are getting good with deliveries improving

(if AZ was anywhere near their contracts it would be a lot better)

Are people happy with the AZ jab or are there concerns?

[laurent]

Felt sick looking at the figures, I can't see france with that infection rate avoiding lockdown, though Spain is looking decent. It is at the moment from here looking like fiddling whilst Rome burns scenario. That said with our media who knows. The Novavax situation though is potentially very telling.

We are on Partial lock down country wide (from today) most shops are now closed.
Schools are being closed (they were opened). Over 8M vaccinated with approx 15% of adult population on 1 dose and 2.8M on 2 doses. (2.8 M are counted in 8M)

Vacc numbers are getting good with deliveries improving

(if AZ was anywhere near their contracts it would be a lot better)

Are people happy with the AZ jab or are there concerns?

There are concerns but the main one is the lack of it.

[tc27]

Looking at the EU vaccine projections April and May should be pretty good on terms of supply so that's the way out hopefully.