Current Affairs

[oldbluefox]

it requires a collective consideration and common sense from all (yea, like that is going to happen).

Some people seem to think it's all over, or they are immune or even if they get it it will only be very mild. It is far from over which means Ken's "collective consideration and common sense from all" is the way forward, but we all know some find it difficult to stick to the rules or have no intention to follow them.

[Mervyn and Trish]

It is interesting that every day now when announcing the deaths the BBC says "x number of people died wishin 28 days of a positive Covid test but some of these people actually died of something else" (or paraphrase thereof).

[oldbluefox]

My nephew, his wife and 9-year-old son…. both adults being fully vaccinated have just had covid (Omicron). The son showed no symptoms, the wife only mildly but my nephew (42) was quite poorly for 4 days.

I have just had a nasty cough and cold for the best part of two weeks (tested negative on LFTs so not Covid) which have really taken their toll. I wonder if Omicron would have been any worse and no I don't want it!!!
It seems there is little difference between Omicron and seasonal flu/pneumonia which are also doing the rounds.

[Mervyn and Trish]

My nephew, his wife and 9-year-old son…. both adults being fully vaccinated have just had covid (Omicron). The son showed no symptoms, the wife only mildly but my nephew (42) was quite poorly for 4 days.

Not much different from having flu then!

And indeed significant numbers die every year from flu, some even from complications of a cold.

[Stephen]

Mrs S and I still wear masks in shops and will continue to do so, and surprisingly so do 'most' in our local supermarket.

[Manoverboard]

My nephew, his wife and 9-year-old son…. both adults being fully vaccinated have just had covid (Omicron). The son showed no symptoms, the wife only mildly but my nephew (42) was quite poorly for 4 days.

Not much different from having flu then!

And indeed significant numbers die every year from flu, some even from complications of a cold.

There is one significant difference and that relates to catching Covid in any form more than once, it seems that scans have shown worrying signs of accrued lung damage ... flu doesn't do that.

I am less inclined to take the Towny route for the time being, local pubs are ok for us but Supermarkets are a big no-no bar our six weekly pick ups from Waitrose.

[Kendhni]

Long term, for me, the interesting changes will come when the boosters start to wear off. Have we been able to build up enough resistance to the various strains of COVID without the need for 6 monthly boosters? I am guessing that COVID vaccine may be included in the annual flu vaccine.

[david63]

the interesting changes will come when the boosters start to wear off

But that should coincide, probably by design, to the start of the warmer weather when there is (theoretically) less chance of infection spreading.

I am guessing that COVID vaccine may be included in the annual flu vaccine.

And if not then given at the same time - although there have been differing views about them both being given at the same time.

[barney]

Mrs S and I still wear masks in shops and will continue to do so, and surprisingly so do 'most' in our local supermarket.

Same down our way Stephen.
Mrs B is still wearing the mask and 99% of her customers are doing the same.
I was in Tesco yesterday and I reckon it was nearly 100%

[david63]

I was in Tesco yesterday and I reckon it was nearly 100%

In our Tesco yesterday I would say about 60% customers were wearing masks and 10% of staff!

[barney]

I was in Tesco yesterday and I reckon it was nearly 100%

In our Tesco yesterday I would say about 60% customers were wearing masks and 10% of staff!

Wow, my local Tesco was 100% staff.
The only people I saw not masked was two youngsters about 19 or 20 years old.
During the entire covid time, I’ve had no reservations about supermarket shopping.
It’s felt safe to me.

[Gill W]

Long term, for me, the interesting changes will come when the boosters start to wear off. Have we been able to build up enough resistance to the various strains of COVID without the need for 6 monthly boosters? I am guessing that COVID vaccine may be included in the annual flu vaccine.

The last I read, which was some weeks ago, was that the boosters started to wane after 10 weeks.... in my case, that is approximately today, as I had my booster in mid November.

As Covid isn't seasonal, it wouldn't surprise me if we got another booster sooner than the start of next winter.

As you said collective care and consideration is the ideal, but the trouble I find is that people see others not wearing masks and gradually follow suit.

However, I'll be carrying on as I have done for months and months - mask wearing and local outings.

We have booked a couple of self catering breaks in later in the year, so we should be able to get away in a distanced way.

We still have two cruises booked..... I have paid for the one in May, as it's a British Isles cruise, so at least the spectre of overseas quarantine is removed. I just hope that the protocols in place are enough, and the cruise line doesn't decide to remove them. But, we needed to draw a line - either go or cancel and lose our rather large deposit, I didn't want to carry the cruise forward for another year.

[barney]

We’re seriously considering kicking our June cruise on.
It’s Spain and Portugal.
Being offloaded is not an option.
Maybe if Spain change their protocol by the time the payment is due, we may go but unlikely.
We’ll stay in the U.K. again.

[Kendhni]

The last I read, which was some weeks ago, was that the boosters started to wane after 10 weeks.... in my case, that is approximately today, as I had my booster in mid November.

As Covid isn't seasonal, it wouldn't surprise me if we got another booster sooner than the start of next winter.

As you said collective care and consideration is the ideal, but the trouble I find is that people see others not wearing masks and gradually follow suit.

However, I'll be carrying on as I have done for months and months - mask wearing and local outings.

Same here. Today most people still seemed to be masked, however I am seeing more and more wearing the mask below their nose ... a year and half on and some people still have not worked out how to wear a mask ... I think I need to borrow a 2 year old to explain it to them.

We still have two cruises booked..... I have paid for the one in May, as it's a British Isles cruise, so at least the spectre of overseas quarantine is removed. I just hope that the protocols in place are enough, and the cruise line doesn't decide to remove them. But, we needed to draw a line - either go or cancel and lose our rather large deposit, I didn't want to carry the cruise forward for another year.

We are still hoping to be heading back to the Caribbean in March, although we received notification yesterday that Grand Turk had been taken off the itinerary and replaced with Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic (which looks quite exciting). At some point we have to start the transition back to normality .. I am hoping the cruise will be the kick up the rear end that I need.

Hopefully by the time our Med cruise comes around, later this year, things may have settled down even more (but that may just be my wishful thinking).

[Mervyn and Trish]

Our twice postponed Cunard transatlantic cruise is now Britiish Isles in May on QV. At least if we do get dumped ashore it will be in the UK. The other plus is we cancelled so much during Covid and spent so little on hols we have been able to upgrade to Princess Grills which gives us a bit more breathing space in the dining room and a table for two. So fingers crossed

[Stephen]

We are still undecided. Balance due end of next month.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Ours is due in a couple of weeks.

[david63]

Mine is due next week

[Kendhni]

Johnson: Do you have any conservative related bias?
Random Tory: Yea
Johnson: Do you have any integrity?
Random Tory: of course
Johnson: Then you probably would not be a good fit
Random Tory: What is this about?
Johnson: It just so happens I have a few vacancies open and am willing to recruit anyone available
Random Tory: If it means more money then I am willing to sell my own children
Johnson: You are just the sort I need, do you have any experience
Random Tory: To do what?
Johnson: All you have to do is say 'Yes' when Carrie tells you to and deny everything (even if evidence is produced)
Random Tory: That's easy
Johnson: Perfect, consider yourself appointed

[Stephen]

Very sad after such an effort to rescue him.


Rayan: Moroccan boy trapped in well for four days dies https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-60275177

[Onelife]

Very sad after such an effort to rescue him.


Rayan: Moroccan boy trapped in well for four days dies https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-60275177

It’s always sad to hear stories like this but you have to take your hat off to those brave rescuers who were driving those bulldozers, they could have got swallowed up by the ground at any time.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Yes a sad end just when it seemed their efforts had paid off.

[Kendhni]

Best headline of the week
https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/video/woman ... 00220.html
Mustn't have been a Hummer

[Stephen]

Best headline of the week
https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/video/woman ... 00220.html
Mustn't have been a Hummer

Only in America

[Ray B]

Very sad after such an effort to rescue him.


Rayan: Moroccan boy trapped in well for four days dies https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-60275177

I am sure we were all hoping for a better outcome after all the effort that was mobilized to save him. A very sad ending for the little lad.