Omicron

RE: Omicron

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 18:06:03 GMT

[quote userid="11493" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30090/omicron/234427#234427"]We organised a dinner in Notts with www.bestpartiesever.com/ who are fantastic. [/quote]

Gosh, what a clever business model.

[quote userid="7811" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30090/omicron/234416#234416"] Our practice has organised an afternoon tea for our Christmas treat, having done nothing last year, and now we have to decide (Scotland) if we are going to go ahead and break the rules (more than 3 households..) [/quote][quote userid="11493" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30090/omicron/234427#234427"]The morning before going, 1 staff (we are 30) tests positive. We decided to cancel last minute. [/quote]

It's bloody rotten, isn't it, and so frustrating because if it had been just a few weeks earlier, we'd all have so much better a handle on the risks. Or a few weeks later and at least we could all have had a reasonable knees up over Christmas.

I think I am currently putting my money on less virulent, but not enough to mean it's a good idea to go out partying, or to Sainsburys.

RE: Omicron

Francisco Gomez — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 17:42:24 GMT

We organised a dinner in Notts with www.bestpartiesever.com/ who are fantastic. Dancing, drinks, entry and food paid by the company. Really cool.

The morning before going, 1 staff (we are 30) tests positive. We decided to cancel last minute.

Not a lot to say other than better times are ahead, Julie. We are just still learning to live with this thing.

RE: Omicron

Neil Wheadon — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 12:57:01 GMT

[quote userid="7811" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30090/omicron/234416#234416"] It's becoming clear to me that I am not going to escape this virus.[/quote]

Hang on in there Julie, yes it will be with us for years in whatever form

The non vaccinated will be looking over their shoulders for years (like MMR children) however luck will be on their side as these things get less pathogenic as time progresses and the rest of us have bought enough time to allow the virus to get to this stage, not that they will ever be grateful, big pharma is an evil man.

Neil

RE: Omicron

Julie Innes — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 11:28:27 GMT

I had a bit of a meltdown last night about it all! Our practice has organised an afternoon tea for our Christmas treat, having done nothing last year, and now we have to decide (Scotland) if we are going to go ahead and break the rules (more than 3 households..)

I have genuinely hardly been over the door in 2 years. I have followed the rules religiously, while watching others having get-togethers./ holidays/ parties, going maskless and refusing to get vaccinated. I am now completely fed up. It's becoming clear to me that I am not going to escape this virus. I am vaccinated, booster tomorrow. I am going to be very upset if I forgo all my Christmas celebrations just to catch it from some random in the supermarket who had a great festive season.

It's really hard to want to keep following the rules when others aren't

RE: Omicron

Bob Russell — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 15:28:27 GMT

If people get vaccinated they can probably have their illegal parties.

I strongly believe it is our civic duty to be vaccinated. It is not right however to make it a legal requirement IMO.

If it is not possible for the unvaccinated to travels on public transport, enter licenced premises or attend any significant public events. It needs to be as antisocial as using a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving. Most of the time people will get away with it but sometimes they will get caught.

I have no problem requesting to see proof of vaccination before allowing entry to our waiting room. We have had people volunteer to show today's LFD result.

If sick, unvaccinated people are blocking hospital beds then it is inevitable that routine procedures are going to be put on hold. An almighty attempt to raise vaccination levels in the next month has to be win win.

My other half had her booster on Sunday and they are allowing the unvaccinated to have walk-in appointments. Boosters must book. Sounds right to me!!

RE: Omicron

Gillian Mostyn — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 15:09:34 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30090/omicron/234399#234399"]On the bigger thing ... I guess you are right, Gillian Mostyn, broader society needs a good chunk of people who really care what other people do, even if it doesn't affect them.[/quote]

But that's the thing. How other people choose to behave, and the choices they make, does currently affect us all.

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30090/omicron/234399#234399"]Well, I guess most of the population doesn't have so much other stuff to get angry about, trying to get their disabled child properly cared for. [/quote]

I see the behaviour of the population, and the healthcare of your child, as very much linked. My father in law has just has a hip replaced. He is fortunate that he could pay .... He was told it would be at least 2 years on the NHS. If people got vaccinated and didn't have illegal parties, pressure on the NHS would reduce.

RE: Omicron

Arlo Guthrie — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 08:49:43 GMT

[quote userid="2457" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30090/omicron/234340#234340"]

Arlo Guthrie said:
Also, I'm too busy being angry about things that affect me to bother about things that don't!

I'm just glad that doesn't seem to be the opinion of the majority of the people in this country, or we really would be up shit creek.

[/quote]

Well, I guess most of the population doesn't have so much other stuff to get angry about, trying to get their disabled child properly cared for.

That said, even if I didn't spend my life dealing with all those kinds of problems, I think I might still hold the same view (that I tend not to get angry about things that don't directly affect me).

[quote userid="2457" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30090/omicron/234340#234340"]I didn't even eat alongside workmates, let alone get the chance to be 'sociable'. My children hardly saw anyone. It was crippling to most people's mental health. [/quote]

Sure, we're all in the same boat, and although it was certainly easier for people like me living in small villages, it was by no means easy for anyone. My daughter had to deal with very difficult covid-related problems. We're still not socialising like we did.

[quote userid="2457" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30090/omicron/234340#234340"] So no, I don't find it the least bit 'funny' and if Allegra was able to make silly jokes, she deserves all she got.[/quote]

But the point is, she didn't. I think Bob Russell hit the nail on the head. She looks like she was asked a question she was unprepared for in a private dress rehearsal and was slightly uncomfortably trying to laugh it off.

[quote userid="2457" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30090/omicron/234340#234340"]She could have been as condemning of the behaviour as most of those in this thread are.[/quote]

It was a small group of people doing a private dress rehearsal. It was a practice run. Besides which, we don't know what followed that video.

On the bigger thing ... I guess you are right, Gillian Mostyn, broader society needs a good chunk of people who really care what other people do, even if it doesn't affect them.

Otherwise, who holds those in authority to account?

I'm just not one of them. I really do prefer to just trundle along in life looking out for myself and my family and friends, perhaps getting a little irritated at things I read in the paper from time to time, but not often and not very.

RE: Omicron

Neil Wheadon — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 21:58:05 GMT

Distraction politics at its best last night

1 million jabs a day, trouble is no-one told the GP's, speaker of the house or relevant stakeholders that are going to have to deliver it, oh and Christmas Day will in the countdown.

However it's not just Boris, William Hague makes a fine argument

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-unvaccinated-are-putting-us-all-at-risk-q200chbxd

Yet this is a national conversation that is indeed necessary and will become more so as successive variants of Covid emerge on its path to becoming endemic. The four or five million adults in the UK who still have not had even their first vaccine are compromising the health and freedom of the vast majority. Most of the under-50s who died from Covid last month were unvaccinated. Three quarters of the patients in critical care beds had not been vaccinated, according to the latest data from July.

Neil

RE: Omicron

David Mills — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 12:25:00 GMT

[quote userid="13196" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30090/omicron/234363#234363"] Whether or not they will ever be addressed in the future - only time will tel[/quote]

Yes but you make the mistake of assuming remoaners are rational people.

"We didn't want Brexit!"

"Why isn't the Brexit stuff happening quickly enough?!"

The left have never been good at reasoned argument, just fallacious moral posturing and telling other people what to do.

RE: Omicron

Clive Ansell — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 11:48:31 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30090/omicron/234323#234323"]Well, it seems like a good idea to me that we should become more self-reliant on this island nation,[/quote]

its a great idea in theory, but in reality we don't have sufficient numbers of people willing or able to undertake manual work and low paid jobs. As I said in my previous post, My Brother in law and others in the industry, just cannot get the staff they need without importing East European labour

It seems that some of the natives have an aversion to hard or manual work now. I was talking to some university students recently who were bemoaning the fact that they had little money and were accruing large debts. They were truly aghast and horrified at my suggestion that they could find employment, particularly during their university vacations.

RE: Omicron

Stephen Pointing — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 11:45:17 GMT

But nearly all the government time has been taken up in trying to deal with the coronavirus pandemic - so I think all those things you mention above have had to be put on the back burner. Whether or not they will ever be addressed in the future - only time will tell.

RE: Omicron

Clive Ansell — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 11:39:13 GMT

[quote userid="6550" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30090/omicron/234339#234339"]If there was a party then the organisers should be called to account. There is an ongoing investigation therefore we should wait for the result.[/quote]

Investigation not needed. All we need is a direct answer to a simple and direct question; was there a party held in breach of their own covid rules or not? they either did or they didn't, so the answer can only be yes or no.

"Investigation" rings more of ducking and diving, avoiding blame and circumventing taking responsibility.

RE: Omicron

bob lehner — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 11:15:59 GMT

[quote userid="13196" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30090/omicron/234355#234355"]

bob lehner said:
that Brexit has yet achieved for our nation?

I think it never really got an opportunity to show a positive or negative outcome because of the onset of the coronavirus pandemic so soon after our departure from the EU. Since then it has been very difficult to disentangle the effects of one against the other.

[/quote]

'Control our borders'/ fishing quotas/farm subsidies/trade deal with USA/overall reduced bureaucracy/ extra £350 squillion £ a week to NHS - I don't see much to do with Covid there...?

RE: Omicron

Stephen Pointing — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 19:25:18 GMT

[quote userid="6897" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30090/omicron/234332#234332"]that Brexit has yet achieved for our nation?[/quote]

RE: Omicron

Bob Russell — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 15:24:30 GMT

Our 'leader' was not there. Nor was Allegra Sutton and if you watch the video there was not any real joking going on. She did not know a suitable answer to what could have been a difficult question for a press conference. What bit was the silly joke? It strikes me that she was embarrassed, partly because it was a practice session and she did not handle the answer well but perhaps because it was very hard to justify the behaviour of others. People all over the country were having a really rough time.

There may well be heads that should roll but it appears to me that hers is not one of them. Fairness seems to have become a casualty.

RE: Omicron

Gillian Mostyn — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 14:42:40 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30090/omicron/234291#234291"]Also, I'm too busy being angry about things that affect me to bother about things that don't![/quote]

I'm just glad that doesn't seem to be the opinion of the majority of the people in this country, or we really would be up shit creek.

The key to the way out of the pandemic is that everyone's behaviour has to be modified to look after the most vulnerable, whether that is the elderly and immunocompromised, the NHS, hospitality, or indeed countries with poorer healthcare and infrastructure. Whatever way you look at it, those in a stronger position look after those who are at risk.

That's why I am angry that our leaders held social gatherings. I lived in tier 3 for most of 2020. I didn't even eat alongside workmates, let alone get the chance to be 'sociable'. My children hardly saw anyone. It was crippling to most people's mental health. So no, I don't find it the least bit 'funny' and if Allegra was able to make silly jokes, she deserves all she got. She could have been as condemning of the behaviour as most of those in this thread are.

RE: Omicron

Bob Russell — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 13:56:13 GMT

I very much doubt the UK would have gone for Brexit had there been the slightest hint of COVID in the near future.

Boris was really just a reflection of the antagonism felt by many to the EU. He did not cause Brexit.

Macron's behaviour has been despicable throughout. Boris delegates (apparently that makes him lazy). Boris has many enemies and they appear to be circling. Macron killed untold numbers by damaging the reputation of the AZ vaccine and I hope he is deeply ashamed of his behaviour.

Considering the events of the last couple of years (to my surprise) I have developed a grudging respect for him (Boris). He cannot possibly win whatever he does.

I was very sad to see Allegra Stratton resign. I cannot see why she was in the wrong. The video was of a practice press briefing and never meant for public viewing. She was not at the so called party and she sounded a little embarrassed at trying to provide an answer. I did not get a hint of approval from her attitude.

If there was a party then the organisers should be called to account. There is an ongoing investigation therefore we should wait for the result. With families spending Christmas in isolation and people dying any group of people coming together was a great risk.

RE: Omicron

David Mills — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 11:57:28 GMT

[quote userid="6897" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30090/omicron/234332#234332"]Out of interest - can anyone show me one good thing, or benefit, that Brexit has yet achieved for our nation?[/quote]

It has shut the Remoaners up mostly, at long last, partly because the Armageddon they were hoping for (was it 10% inflation?) hasn't remotely happened.

Do you not remember the European vaccination program? Still lockdowns across the continent. Still low vaccine rates in many countries. Remember the pres trying to stop vaccines leaving Belgium.

Oh, and it has royally pissed off the French, especially about fishing, which is no bad thing.

Hopefully, it will mean Scotland becomes independent then we will never see another Labour government. Little Jimmy Crankie will be shown up for the crank she is.

There's probably quite a few more.

RE: Omicron

bob lehner — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 11:45:24 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30090/omicron/234299#234299"]

Neil Wheadon said:
The Times reported last week that our relationship with the French is the lowest since Waterloo.

Why do you put the blame for that on Boris and not the ghastly Macron?!

[/quote]

Well Boris must carry a very large measure of responsibility for driving Brexit through - which is why our relations with France are as they are currently.

Out of interest - can anyone show me one good thing, or benefit, that Brexit has yet achieved for our nation?

RE: Omicron

Neil Wheadon — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 11:08:12 GMT

Has anyone actually done the maths on this? If wages rise for staff doing necessary jobs, does that lead inflation, so in effect that wage rise is eaten away?

The UK has devolved into a service industry, that's what brings the monies in. We have always been reliant on folks coming to this country to provide labour. The Caribbean, Pakistan, India, Vietnam. All we have done is move the goalposts away from Europe. Pre-Brexit we had a very low unemployment rate, people may complain about those not working but these will always be here. The world in general is facing a period of low birth rate and increased retirees, China will be in deep trouble with this in 20 years.

What I can't understand is that we have thousands wishing to enter this country and potentially drown doing so yet we are crying out for pickers. Surely we can use some imaginative thinking here and marry the two?

Neil

RE: Omicron

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 09:57:48 GMT

[quote userid="5012" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30090/omicron/234318#234318"]I think that is a fallacy.[/quote]

Well, it seems like a good idea to me that we should become more self-reliant on this island nation, but I'm certainly no economist, and you may be right, certainly in the short term.

RE: Omicron

Clive Ansell — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 09:37:06 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30090/omicron/234286#234286"]

The idea being it is better to employ people from our own country and pay them properly than to import all that cheap labour.

[/quote]

I think that is a fallacy.

Current government ideology seems to be to drive down terms, conditions and pay for those further down the pecking order. They don't advocate decent pay, but low pay with state benefit top ups seems to be order of the day.

My brother in law who runs a plant nursery in the Vale of Evesham relies on foreign, mainly Polish, workers to harvest and prepare plants. He's been in a mess the last 2 years because he cannot get the workers he needs. It's unskilled manual labour for which he will pay 10-15% above industry rates, put on free local transport, but our indigenous local otherwise unemployed youth will not do it. His neighbouring nurseries and market gardeners are all in a similar situation.

RE: Omicron

bevs2251 — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 21:19:09 GMT

Exactly, keep your promises. Macron took too long to deliver our submarines to Australia, so we’ve gone with the USA instead. Guess we won’t be there to save the French’s butts again if there is a WWIII !

RE: Omicron

Dinu Catilina — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 19:41:19 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30090/omicron/234299#234299"]Why do you put the blame for that on Boris and not the ghastly Macron?[/quote]

Because Macron did not promise anything to the British people. He promised things to the French and he intents to do everything he can or want to keep his promise to those who voted for him. Or even if he just wants to be a bit of a di*k for the fun of it, well, what can we do about it?

If you promise something then you have to deliver. You can't just say "they don't let me". Don't f*****g promise then.

And the party... If it didn't happen why are they so vague about it? If anyone says I had a party I would tell them to jog on and show them photos of me in a pyjama eating Swedish cakes and drinking wine with the wife at home.

RE: Omicron

Stephen Pointing — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 18:14:02 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30090/omicron/234299#234299"] blame for that on Boris and not the ghastly Macron?![/quote]

As in most arguments there are faults on both sides. I agree with you that Macron is fairly ghastly and is obviously playing up to the gallery in the lead up to next year's presidential elections. But that doesn't mean that Boris has been as statesman - like as Wellington. If the chips were down would I consider Boris as a reliable ally - almost certainly not.