Coronavirus thread

[Irons]

In my state the governor has decided that 65+ in phase 1c are more important than teachers and other frontline workers in phase 1b... so I guess it will be longer before I get the shot (I'm a teacher).

It is a quandary, who do you vaccinate first the vulnerable who fill up hospital beds or frontline workers. I mentioned in an earlier post that it is scandalous that so many London transport employees have died of Covid. With a plastic screen, not sure what good that would do, checkout workers at supermarkets are daily taking risks multiple times for small reward.
The decision is driven by politics. Deaths as a number can make or break a politician, or a governor, so the elderly who mostly are retired and can self-isolate are the priority, but in the long run I do not think it the correct decision.     

[vandermolen]

Glad to hear that. I am having my vaccination on Saturday. My partner was vaccinated over a week ago and had no ill effects.

Hope it goes well.

[Karl Henning]

Thanks everyone for positive response to my post, much appreciated. Although in good health I am 73, so classified as vulnerable. Was warned of a possible reaction, headache maybe, but there was none. I understand the system is well on track for the over 70s, so Jeffrey I do not think you will have long to wait, my guess March. 

Conquer!

[Holden]

Nothing happening in Australia yet but it's meant to kick off in a couple of weeks time. Considering the last coronavirus death we had was months and months ago the wait won't be a problem. Not sure where I feature in the list - certainly not top priority but as both a teacher and also over 65 I might be getting the jab before a number of others.

[Irons]

Conquer!

Or escaped from the enemy.

[71 dB]

Comparison of relative vaccination speed in UK, US and Finland. I didn't add Israel, because they are in their own class! About 60 % of population vaccinated! 

[MusicTurner]

- The DK government has now started work with introducing a digital Corona pass, you'll have it on your mobile phone etc.
It will contain info about your vaccination etc., and it should be ready for use in about 3-4 months.
It will of course result in debates, since people with vaccines will ultimately be getting some privileges, as opposed to those who've chosen not to get one.
At first, the pass will mainly be directed towards your travel options, but one could easily imagine more, not to say countless, other relevant sectors.

Also, they're reopening school for the youngest classes, in a modest attempt to reduce the lock-down effects a bit. But it's calculated to increase the number of daily infections again, from the current around 300-500/day from circa 100,000 tested, to maybe 2000/day. Our general lock-down is expected to last throughout February.

- reports that in France, the number of people who'd deny a vaccine are currently around 50%. Sad. If so, I'd probably stop going there for quite a while, even after getting my own, touch wood.

- the Russian vaccine seems to be getting a lot of late approval in the West too, reportedly it has a protection around 92% according to new Western studies. It's even being considered bought, by some.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-russia-vaccine/russias-sputnik-v-vaccine-91-6-effective-in-late-stage-trial-idUSKBN2A21IT?il=0

- a strange, really massive reduction of infections in India, that seems inexplicable so far - its not because of poor registration or diagnosis possibilities, local experts say, and it can't be a case of gained herd immunity
cf. for instance https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/02/01/962821038/the-mystery-of-indias-plummeting-covid-19-cases

[71 dB]

- reports that in France, the number of people who'd deny a vaccine are currently around 50%. Sad.

My mind is too simple to understand how people believe in random conspiracy theories rather than health professionals, but I have slowly understood (accepted) that most people in the World have very very very different thought processes from my head. Its about withstanding the difficult coexistence with aliens who don't share the fundamental facts with me. They might agree the sky is blue, but not much more...

Fortunately in Finland vaccination hesitancy is among the lowest in Europe. Finns were somewhat sceptical at first because the vaccines were developped so fast, but now that more evidence for the safety/benefits is coming in the hesitancy has dropped.

[Biffo]

Hope it goes well.

Thanks for your good wishes. I don't know which vaccine I will get but I am hoping it will be the Oxford/AZ.

[Irons]

- The DK government has now started work with introducing a digital Corona pass, you'll have it on your mobile phone etc.
It will contain info about your vaccination etc., and it should be ready for use in about 3-4 months.
It will of course result in debates, since people with vaccines will ultimately be getting some privileges, as opposed to those who've chosen not to get one.
At first, the pass will mainly be directed towards your travel options, but one could easily imagine more, not to say countless, other relevant sectors.

Also, they're reopening school for the youngest classes, in a modest attempt to reduce the lock-down effects a bit. But it's calculated to increase the number of daily infections again, from the current around 300-500/day from circa 100,000 tested, to maybe 2000/day. Our general lock-down is expected to last throughout February.

- reports that in France, the number of people who'd deny a vaccine are currently around 50%. Sad. If so, I'd probably stop going there for quite a while, even after getting my own, touch wood.

- the Russian vaccine seems to be getting a lot of late approval in the West too, reportedly it has a protection around 92% according to new Western studies. It's even being considered bought, by some.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-russia-vaccine/russias-sputnik-v-vaccine-91-6-effective-in-late-stage-trial-idUSKBN2A21IT?il=0

- a strange, really massive reduction of infections in India, that seems inexplicable so far - its not because of poor registration or diagnosis possibilities, local experts say, and it can't be a case of gained herd immunity
cf. for instance https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/02/01/962821038/the-mystery-of-indias-plummeting-covid-19-cases

A digital Corona pass is a very good idea. All we got is a small cardboard card, in this age something plastic in the form of a credit card would be better.

Reports today that the Russians are claiming that one each of their Sputnik and the Oxford jab could offer the best protection against Covid mutations.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

A digital Corona pass is a very good idea. All we got is a small cardboard card, in this age something plastic in the form of a credit card would be better.

Reports today that the Russians are claiming that one each of their Sputnik and the Oxford jab could offer the best protection against Covid mutations.

What happens if you lose it too?

PD

[André]

On a positive note, museums will reopen next week here. I have an annual subscription to the Fine Arts Museum that I haven't been able to use for over 6 months. It's been extended during the lockdown period. I look forward to my next visits. Can't wait ! 

[Pohjolas Daughter]

On a positive note, museums will reopen next week here. I have an annual subscription to the Fine Arts Museum that I haven't been able to use for over 6 months. It's been extended during the lockdown period. I look forward to my next visits, with two expos scheduled: Riopelle and Turner. Can't wait ! 

Yeah!    I suspect that they will be limiting the number of people into the museum at one time and have some sort of spacing marks on the floors?

PD

[MusicTurner]

On a positive note, museums will reopen next week here. I have an annual subscription to the Fine Arts Museum that I haven't been able to use for over 6 months. It's been extended during the lockdown period. I look forward to my next visits. Can't wait ! 

We're really wishing for that here, congrats to you for that. Museums, smaller specialized shops and galleries, maybe even cafes with outdoor serving, or small evening courses and concerts, B&Bs ... oh, the luxury of it. But it'll take a month, it seems.

[Benji]

Yeah!    I suspect that they will be limiting the number of people into the museum at one time and have some sort of spacing marks on the floors?

PD

That, along with a one way system, was how they managed at Tate modern here in London between lockdowns. I must say it didn't feel right and it made me a bit sad to be shepherded around - I like to meander and make connections and take my time. Its hard to pause and really take anything in when someone is two metres behind you giving you the evil eye. 🤷‍♂️

[Pohjolas Daughter]

That, along with a one way system, was how they managed at Tate modern here in London between lockdowns. I must say it didn't feel right and it made me a bit sad to be shepherded around - I like to meander and make connections and take my time. Its hard to pause and really take anything in when someone is two metres behind you giving you the evil eye. 🤷‍♂️

I understand.  I like to meander around too--and spend time with works that strike me in a special way too or with famous works of art trying to understand them better and what makes them so special.

[Szykneij]

I'll be going to services on Monday for a work colleague who passed away from COVID. He was the technician who took care of my computer and we chatted often. The last time we spoke was in a supermarket parking lot shortly after the virus closed the schools and work-from-home started, nearly a year ago. I never could have imagined that would be the last time I'd ever see him. He wasn't much older than me and looking forward to retirement with his family.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I'll be going to services on Monday for a work colleague who passed away from COVID. He was the technician who took care of my computer and we chatted often. The last time we spoke was in a supermarket parking lot shortly after the virus closed the schools and work-from-home started, nearly a year ago. I never could have imagined that would be the last time I'd ever see him. He wasn't much older than me and looking forward to retirement with his family.

I'm so sorry to hear that!  Do you happen to know if he was in pretty good health before he contracted Covid?

In any event, my condolences.

PD

[Szykneij]

I'm so sorry to hear that!  Do you happen to know if he was in pretty good health before he contracted Covid?

In any event, my condolences.

PD

He had a surgery for one particular issue, but was in pretty good shape overall. He had a job that kept him running and he was pretty active outside of work, too.

[Karl Henning]

Sorry, Tony!