Coronavirus Sars-CoV-2/Covid-19 Megathread

[Sheilbh]

Although it is also worth remembering the positive side of this which is extraordinary. In the space of two years we have developed multiple vaccines, 75% of the world's population has been offered their first dose and vaccine uptake everywhere has been higher than the worst fears based on polls before the rollout. We now also have two new treatments one approved and one with such promising results that they had to suspend the trial for ethical reasons (I still wonder what the long-term "lesson" will be if treatment plays a bigger role in ending the pandemic than vaccines).

The medical side of that happened because of researchers, mass manufacturing, global supply infrastructure and healthcare systems and it is an astonishing achievement - the issue is not enough against this virus which, especially with delta, is incredibly infectious and for at risks groups very dangerous.

I'd add that to fight this we had 80% of the world's workers under restrictions at some point and, incredibly, the state support was sufficient that there doesn't seem to be significant long term effects on a global level. Lockdowns around the world were largely followed voluntarily without requiring state coercion which I would never have expected - I remember thinking lockdown was impossible in the West in January or February last year which I think speaks to a surprising, enduring level of social trust.

I think the thing we should be looking at is how do we learn from and build on the successes rather than just going back to normal/re-imposing old structures and systems, because they are there. I'm less certain on how to solve the problems.

It's why my initial response to mongers saying government would respond to climate the way they responded to the pandemic, with an "I wish"

[Eddie Teach]

The Russian girl has now suggested that we have drinks outdoors to not bow to fascism (sic). It's been raining all week. 

Sorry, I don't want to give you the play-by-play, I'm just having a good laugh 

Is she pretty enough to be this crazy?

She's very hot.

This place employs quite a few Russians (the uni has lots of ties with Russian academia), the women are all insanely hot. It's silly.

Hot and crazy right winger? Just your type.

[The Minsky Moment]

we are a society descended from the fools that refused to have leeches applied to themselves or take the doctor's advice to be bled.

No we aren't.  Darwin fail.

[Tamas]

Went to two pharmacies for my free tests. None available, a national shortage is claimed and blamed.

[mongers]

Went to two pharmacies for my free tests. None available, a nation shortage is claimed and blamed.

It's just the pandemic's replacement for click and collect.

[garbon]

Went to two pharmacies for my free tests. None available, a national shortage is claimed and blamed.

I've been seeing them plentiful at Tesco pharmacy. The lateral flows.

[Sheilbh]

Yeah I've never got a PCR from the pharmacist only ordered them online.

Edit: I think in large part because lateral flow testing is a huge part of schools at the minute, so parents always need access quickly.

[celedhring]

The Russian girl has now suggested that we have drinks outdoors to not bow to fascism (sic). It's been raining all week. 

Sorry, I don't want to give you the play-by-play, I'm just having a good laugh 

Is she pretty enough to be this crazy?

She's very hot.

This place employs quite a few Russians (the uni has lots of ties with Russian academia), the women are all insanely hot. It's silly.

Hot and crazy right winger? Just your type.

You people know me too well.

[alfred russel]

we are a society descended from the fools that refused to have leeches applied to themselves or take the doctor's advice to be bled.

No we aren't.  Darwin fail.

I was making a joke not a serious point but if you want to argue with me for no reason:

Bloodletting gradually declined in popularity over the course of the 19th century, becoming rather uncommon in most places, before its validity was thoroughly debated. In the medical community of Edinburgh, bloodletting was abandoned in practice before it was challenged in theory, a contradiction highlighted by physician-physiologist John Hughes Bennett.

It seems bleeding waned in popularity before it did scientifically, at least according to some sources.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloodletting

[Syt]

[11B4V]

 

[Sheilbh]

Nature is healing:
https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2021/11/pret-a-manger-sales-reach-pre-pandemic-levels-for-first-time/

Makes me think of some stats I saw that New York and London public transport use very close to pre-pandemic levels now. Really striking things: weekdays have taken a permanent hit, but weekends have recovered a lot more.

Which is why I think cities will be okay. Many can work from home, but the fun social stuff is more irreplaceable.

[Josquius]

Come to think about it, it does sound rather like he's threatening the fascists.
Did any of them choose to take it that way? Knowing them I expect so.

[garbon]

Nature is healing:
https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2021/11/pret-a-manger-sales-reach-pre-pandemic-levels-for-first-time/

Makes me think of some stats I saw that New York and London public transport use very close to pre-pandemic levels now. Really striking things: weekdays have taken a permanent hit, but weekends have recovered a lot more.

Which is why I think cities will be okay. Many can work from home, but the fun social stuff is more irreplaceable.

I was in St Pancras and did get a coffee from Pret for the first time since lockdown.

[Agelastus]

Went to two pharmacies for my free tests. None available, a national shortage is claimed and blamed.

I've been seeing them plentiful at Tesco pharmacy. The lateral flows.

The last pack I had was from a different manufacturer to the normal ones (designed solely for nasal use by the look of it) and I was told the Pharmacy was being supplied with whatever was available so there's a shortfall somewhere I would say.