Coronavirus in the UK

[Cleoriff]

The BBC have announced that two patients in the UK have been diagnosed with the coronavirus.

No further details have been given other than they are both members of the same family and are receiving specialist NHS care.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-51325192

At present, 83 Britons and 27 foreign nationals are flying back to the UK from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of the outbreak.

The flight is due to land at RAF Brize Norton at 13:30 GMT.

The UK passengers will then be taken to Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral and quarantined for two weeks.

[pgn]

The nearest mass vaccination centre to us, Foyle Arena, offers both. But we were not given the choice of which to get for Jab 1, so Jab 2 will likely be the same as Jab 1. Shame, @Cleoriff. Janssen for your booster, not quite up to speed on that one yet, wrt which family of vaccines it belongs to, etc. Good luck though, regardless.

[Cleoriff]

Janssen will probably be ready to roll out late Autumn @pgn. Ready for the winter flu season!

[jonsie]

Apparently zero deaths from covid yesterday.....figures can be shown to do anything when Boris wants to come out of lockdown totally

[sheepdog]

Can't find the article now but apparantly the US sneakily changed the PCHR test requirements quite recently so no surprises if that has actually happened here in the UK. 

(Sarcasm mode on) Not that its anyway political given that its a feel good factor with the impending election in Batley & Spen potentially giving the Conservatives another seat and a lockdown would be an own-goal just before the election with an achievable potential target of 3500 to convert.(Sarcasm mode off). Not that Labour are helping in any form.

[Cleoriff]

Not good news for those waiting to hear the government's announcement on Countries added to the Green list for travel. There are no new countries added.

To make things worse, Portugal 'may' be removed from the green list. The cases of Cov 19 are rising in that country.

Re the Olympics...the Japanese government and Olympic committee are convinced they will go ahead in July.

However, it looks as it may be behind closed doors as the rates of Covid are constantly rising in Japan.

No surprise as only 5% of that country have been vaccinated!!

[Cleoriff]

Just to add, Portugal is now on the amber list as from next Tuesday at 4pm.

They will have to isolate at home if they choose to carry on with travel to Portugal. Those who are already there need to decide whether to come home early.

The Indian variant, now called the Delta variant, is becoming more prevalent in the UK with many being hospitalised.

[sheepdog]

Not sure on whether I should point out to these people that during a pandemic booking a holiday is probably a case of "not reading the room" or just point out its RyanAir, what were you expecting:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57410459

Though I particularly like this quote: 

"Ryanair still will not issue a refund," said Claire who lives in Edinburgh.

"So we are due to lose £1,300 now and I am currently furloughed. Where is the justice here? I feel pretty despondent and angry to say the least."

So you're effectively unemployed yet still want to go abroad for a holiday because furlough money has been used to rebook because you'd be wasting a grand? Not that I agree with RyanAir's position but the thoughtlessness of people just makes we wonder how incredibly short-sighted they are.

Expect even more sob stories in the press in the next few months. 

[pgn]

Reading the room, yes @sheepdog, that's the thing many can't, or won't do - common sense rarely prevails. Eyes wide shut.

Mind you, the crocodile tears come from the airlines' side too, and the room keeps changing shape.

Finally, many cannot discriminate between right and privilege.

[Cleoriff]

Well it certainly doesn't affect everyone like that @sheepdog.

There are retired people with second homes abroad who need to maintain them etc.  Not everyone wants to dash abroad to get their towels on the sunbed before anyone else.

Richard Madely (who I dislike) got panned yesterday on TV for saying he would be going abroad on one of the amber listed countries as he is prepared to self isolate for 10 days on his return. I can't see any issue with that at all.

I've yet to be given a good reason for why the government decided to pull the rug on Portugal! Only 3 positive cases out of 1000's returning was the reason given. Yet Portugal has far less cases than we have here.

In fact the government have been accused of ignoring scientific advice with the traffic light system. Portugal was recommended by the JBC (Joint Biosecurity Committee) and they are pressing for Malta to be added to this list.

With the government only updating it's advice every 3 weeks, summer will be over before people get the go ahead to travel.

[gmarkj]

While I understand the concept of the travel restrictions, why we are allowing any international travel while there is a global pandemic is a little barmy.
Quarantining on your return is all well and good, but what about the people you come into contact with on the return home? Those in both airports, on the flight and any transport to/from the airports should also isolate in case you have exposed them.