The COVID-2019 Thread

[HuangLao]

Not quite true Troy. The initial vaccine dose was found to be 70% effective for up to 3 months, hence the decision to defer the second dose to get as many people initially vaccinated as possible.
Not only has the AstraZeneca Oxford vaccine been approved, it will actually start to be administered today in the UK, and over the next few weeks will ramp up to 2 million doses a week.

Just for the sake of sheer argument, one might suggest that all these probable scenarios of viral contagions and vaccines might be a bit contradictory.
Round off the effectiveness of the vaccines [all of 'em] to about a 94-95 percentile....yet the true true fatality rate of those infected still holds at 00.01 - give or take a few hundredth of a percent.

The questions still remain if a vaccine is really worthy or just allow all this to play out.

[cyrille]

Where's the contradiction there?

Your English is too mangled to make it out.

EDIT: Actually, forget it. I should have learned by now.

[Mendip]

Not just the EU, but the UK as well.

The UK has changed strategy to prioritise the administering of a first dose to as many as possible, rather than less people with 2 doses. This drastically reduces the effectiveness of the vaccination but hey, who cares as long as they get it.

The AstraZeneca Oxford vaccine has been approved in the UK for emergency use. I heard it won't be ready for approval in the EU until at least March, by which time there will be ample supplies.

I just spoke to my mum in the UK, and the doctor surgery had just called her to say she was getting her second Pfizer jab on Wednesday, and to go on in.

She was expecting it to be cancelled. There does seem to be a lot of conflicting information going around.

[Troy]

[Joe 90]

Big announcement coming at 8pm GMT in the UK.

Tier 5 , total lockdown again methinks.

At least the schools have the online schooling in place now.

[Mendip]

The Daily Mail news alert I just had says England to go into full lockdown. Can't hyperlink with my phone.

[TheMadBaron]

The BBC's implying the same:

Boris Johnson is expected to announce a set of new national restrictions for England, similar to the March lockdown, in a televised address at 20:00 GMT.

The PM is likely to urge the public to follow the new rules from midnight.

It is expected people will be told to work from home if possible and schools will close for most pupils.

It is not yet clear when the measures will be reviewed, but MPs are likely to be given a vote to approve them retrospectively on Wednesday.

Covid: Boris Johnson set to announce new England lockdown - BBC News

[harrybarracuda]

The Krankie has already announced that most of Scotland will go into lockdown at midnight.

Boris is expected to follow suit in an address at 8pm UK.

COVID-19: Nicola Sturgeon announces lockdown in Scotland from midnight | Politics News | Sky News

COVID-19: Boris Johnson to set out 'further steps' to combat variant spread in TV address at 8pm | Politics News | Sky News

[panama hat]

Madness . . .

[Troy]

^ Covid or the lockdown?

France and Germany are still under curfew, which appears to have helped here. The numbers have dropped from frightening to high where I am with another week to go. It's been a pretty lonely Christmas for most but hope it improves soon.

I think Boris should have been tougher earlier with only residents allowed to return to UK.

[OhOh]

I think Boris should have been tougher earlier with only residents allowed to return to UK.

"Her Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State Requests and requires in the Name of Her Majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance, and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary"

And render its prime function defunct?

[panama hat]

I think Boris should have been tougher earlier with only residents allowed to return to UK.

. . . and . . .

And render its prime function defunct?

How many shades of stupid are you?

[harrybarracuda]

Just for the sake of sheer argument, one might suggest that all these probable scenarios of viral contagions and vaccines might be a bit contradictory.
Round off the effectiveness of the vaccines [all of 'em] to about a 94-95 percentile....yet the true true fatality rate of those infected still holds at 00.01 - give or take a few hundredth of a percent.

The questions still remain if a vaccine is really worthy or just allow all this to play out.

It's not just about you dumbarse.

Get vaccinated.

[harrybarracuda]

How many shades of stupid are you?

He seems to be stuck in full-on waffle mode.

[jerrywade]

Portuguese woman dies two days after getting Pfizer covid vaccine | Daily Mail Online
Portuguese health worker, 41, dies two days after getting the Pfizer covid vaccine

There are already a few instances of adverse side-effects and deaths due to the vaccine.
Are there any statistics gathered on this? Need to weigh the adverse effects against any possible benefit.

[misskit]

Cabinet acknowledges procurement of 63 million COVID-19 vaccine doses for Thais


BANGKOK (NNT) - A meeting of cabinet ministers has acknowledged the procurement of 63 million COVID-19 vaccine doses for Thai people this year.


The Government Spokesman, Anucha Burapachaisri, has advised the community that the cabinet meeting today acknowledged the procurement of additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Thailand is to purchase 2 million doses from Sinovac Biotech, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company. The vaccine for Thai people must be registered with the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China and receive approval from Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) will be in charge of delivering the vaccine doses. The Department of Disease Control is in charge of the vaccine’s procurement and its distribution to the people. The budget to purchase the 2 million doses is 1.228 billion baht, and they will be delivered to Thailand as soon as possible.


The first lot of 200,000 doses will arrive in Thailand next month. The first delivery of vaccine will be given to health workers who are on the front line in high-risk areas of treatment of COVID-19 patients. They include some 20,000 personnel in Samut Sakhon, Rayong and Chonburi provinces and some 180,000 people in high-risk groups and other vulnerable groups. Another lot of 800,000 doses will arrive in March. The first group will then receive their second dose of the vaccine, or 200,000 doses in total. The remaining 600,000 doses will be administered to people in high-risk areas in the western and southern regions, as well as medical personnel and volunteers. In April, Thailand will receive 1 million vaccine doses, and they will be administered to 600,000 people in the second group and 400,000 other workers.


In addition, Thailand will receive 26 million doses from AstraZeneca in mid-2021. Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, has approved an additional procurement of 35 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, to protect at least half the total population. As a result, Thailand will dispense 63 million doses of the vaccine in all areas of the population this year.


National News Bureau Of Thailand

[misskit]

Japan marks record highs for new COVID-19 cases and virus-linked deaths

With a state of emergency looming, Japan on Tuesday recorded new record highs for COVID-19 infections, deaths related to the disease and the number of severe cases.


As of Tuesday evening, the nationwide tally of new cases topped 4,900, while the single-day death toll linked to the virus reached at least 68, both record highs. Also on Tuesday, the number of patients with severe COVID-19 cases rose by 40 from the previous day to a record 771.


The previous daily record for nationwide cases was 4,520, marked on Thursday.


Tokyo confirmed 1,278 new infections, its second highest daily tally on record after the 1,337 cases reported on Dec. 31. The figure is also the highest for a Tuesday, after 856 cases were recorded on Dec. 29. The number of severely ill patients based on Tokyo’s standards rose to 111 on Tuesday, up by three from the previous day and the most on record for the capital. The cumulative number of infections in the capital stood at 64,752.


The news comes as Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said he would make a decision Thursday about declaring a fresh state of emergency in Tokyo and three neighboring prefectures amid surge in infections.

Other prefectures neighboring Tokyo also reported record figures on Tuesday.


Kanagawa Prefecture reported a record 622 new cases, with the figure passing the 600 mark in the prefecture for the first time.


Saitama Prefecture reported 369 cases and Chiba Prefecture 261 cases, both record highs.


On Monday, cluster infections were confirmed at a high school run by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, with a total of 45 students and staff members found to have tested positive for the virus.


Japan marks record highs for new COVID-19 cases and virus-linked deaths | The Japan Times

[misskit]

After months of claiming to have no cases, North Korea requests Covid vaccine

North Korea was among a group of developing countries that requested shipments of COVID-19 vaccines, despite declaring itself free of the virus, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday.


According to the WSJ, North Korea submitted the application with the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations(GAVI).

The journal said while GAVI's spokesperson would not comment on the North's application, the group is currently conducting assessments of individual nations' requests. The spokesperson reportedly said that the group will provide a detailed update soon.




GAVI said earlier that 86 of 92 countries eligible for its assistance for lower-income nations have filed applications. North Korea is among the eligible countries.


According to official data by the authorities, no cases of the novel coronavirus infection have been recorded in North Korea, but nearly 12,000 people have undergone testing up to December 17 and tens of thousands have quarantined, according to the newspaper, citing the World Health Organization.


Since late December, the North Korean authorities have introduced urgent measures on preventing the spread of the disease.


North Korea has also purchased Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine and Chinese diagnostic equipment, including thermographs.


Meanwhile, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un marked the new year with a letter to the country's citizens.


In the letter, Kim offered thanks to the people for having trusted and supported the ruling Party even in the "difficult" times, state news agency KCNA reported on Friday.


The North Korean leader has previously apologised for failing to fulfil promises of economic improvement and for the hardships citizens have endured as a result of international sanctions and strict measures aimed at preventing a coronavirus outbreak.



After months of claiming to have no cases, North Korea requests Covid vaccine, World News | wionews.com

[misskit]

India to begin coronavirus vaccine roll out in 10 days: Government


The Indian government announced today that it is preparing to roll out its coronavirus vaccination campaign within ten days as part of emergency use authorisation(EUA).

Union health ministry said that there are 41 cold storage system in India and vaccines will be distributed from these centres which would be digitally monitored.


"There are four primary vaccine stores called GMSD located in Karnal, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata and there are 37 vaccine stores in the country. They store vaccines in bulk," health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said.




The health secretary informed that the overall burden on health delivery structure has declined appreciably with 44 per cent of active cases in the hospital with moderate or severe coronavirus symptoms and 56 per cent cases who have mild or asymptomatic symptoms and are in home isolation.


"The active cases in the country is less than 2.5 lakhs and continues to decline," the health secretary said.


India has the second-highest coronavirus infection cases in the world, according to Johns Hopkins coronavirus resource centre with over 10.3 million cases and over 149, 840 fatalities.


The government informed that 286 sites across 125 districts in all states and Union Territories have been prepared as "model session sites".


The government asserted that vaccination teams have been identified and trained with all SOPs operationalised against COVID-19.


Interesting news video at this link.

India to begin coronavirus vaccine roll out in 10 days: Government, India News News | wionews.com

[cyrille]

I think Boris should have been tougher earlier

Of course he should, but he's never been able to make an unpopular decision in his entire life.

"Her Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State Requests and requires in the Name of Her Majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance, and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary"

And render its prime function defunct?

As usual, you are nowhere near making any sense.

[HermantheGerman]

1.There are already a few instances of adverse side-effects and deaths due to the vaccine.
2.Are there any statistics gathered on this?
3.Need to weigh the adverse effects against any possible benefit.

I would say 3 strikes and you're out. Take a seat on the bench.

[harrybarracuda]

Portuguese woman dies two days after getting Pfizer covid vaccine | Daily Mail Online
Portuguese health worker, 41, dies two days after getting the Pfizer covid vaccine


There are already a few instances of adverse side-effects and deaths due to the vaccine.
Are there any statistics gathered on this? Need to weigh the adverse effects against any possible benefit.

There is no evidence she had any adverse side effects other than a bit of soreness at the injection point

Just looking at the photo there is a fair chance that she was morbidly obese.

I would wait for the results of the autopsy before you jump to conclusions.

[HermantheGerman]

French and German.

What a surprise that they would put nationalism and profit before the welfare of their own people.

Thank fuck we're rid of the worthless eurotrash scum.

I have to admit the U.K. has done a marvelous job so far of taking care of their own welfare scum.
Even though the U.K. has natural borders they are going on a third lockdown. You retards have my deepest respect for this absolutely marvelous accomplishment.
The FIRST vaccine that the U.K. scum was using is developed and made in Germany/Belgium. I just hope that the vaccine won't turn out to be worthless. Did the eurotrash scum send instruction on how to use it? After all....you are on your own now.

[misskit]

Just read the governor is making changes in the guide lines regarding when different groups get the vaccine. It could be available to people over 75 AND their caregiver as early as mid-January. That would include me. Got my fingers crossed things go as planned and not postponed. Also, looks as though there is a choice of Pfizer or Moderna products.

[Joe 90]

Nice to have a choice of vaccine.

Is does beg the question, which vaccine would you take?

Me personally, i'd take the Astra Zeneca one purely because i live near a couple of their facilities that researched and discovered it.
I know people who work there and trust them.