French Lockdown

[138go]

Which is why behavioral changes that people could make could be a powerful tool in the fight against covid, along with any current vaccines or future "tweaked" ones.

Attempting to change behaviour is futile. That's why we have such an unhealthy population. Try telling people to drink less alcohol, take exercise and eat healthily, you'll soon find out what sort of reaction you get.

 

[MITHRANDIR]

Attempting to change behaviour is futile. That's why we have such an unhealthy population. Try telling people to drink less alcohol, take exercise and eat healthily, you'll soon find out what sort of reaction you get.

Very true, but in my own defence i did say "could", not that they would, in fact i don't think they will at all.

 

[suavecarve]

AstraZeneca Vaccine Fails To Protect Against The South African Variant, Says Study

Two doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine were found to have only a 10.4% efficacy against mild-to-moderate infections caused by the B.1.351 South Africa variant, according to a phase 1b-2 clinical trial published on Tuesday in the New England Journal of Medicine.

www.forbes.com

Worthy of a read in order to find out 43 people were infected and none went to hospital, and they base their 10% finding on that.
Ages of those tested were up to 64 so in reality, not many would have gone to hospital, and in fact nobody did.
What they dont say is if the vaccine is designed to keep you out of hospital it was 100% successful in achieving that, but that dont make a great headline.
It should also be noted that the trial ran from June 24th to November 9th and the SA variant was first identified on 18th December. I suppose they could backtrack it.

 

[glenn2926]

Attempting to change behaviour is futile. That's why we have such an unhealthy population. Try telling people to drink less alcohol, take exercise and eat healthily, you'll soon find out what sort of reaction you get.

Absolutely correct. The biggest underlying health problem resulting in long term hospitalisation and death from Covid is obesity. Being that much over wright is nobody but the obese ones fault. Many of them blame many things for getting into this condition but nobody else made them overweight.
Like you say changing their attitude in regards to their own health and well-being is in their own hands.
I’m sure I drink more and eat more than is really good for me but I do put a lot of effort into maintaining my weight and body shape. It does get harder as we get older but no one but me can keep me fit.

 

[MITHRANDIR]

Absolutely correct. The biggest underlying health problem resulting in long term hospitalisation and death from Covid is obesity. Being that much over wright is nobody but the obese ones fault. Many of them blame many things for getting into this condition but nobody else made them overweight.
Like you say changing their attitude in regards to their own health and well-being is in their own hands.
I’m sure I drink more and eat more than is really good for me but I do put a lot of effort into maintaining my weight and body shape. It does get harder as we get older but no one but me can keep me fit.

Another statement that is not quite accurate, try looking up Cushing's syndrome, hypothyroidism, not everyone is as you describe.

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[Helen Ariel]

It's been reported widely, that the vaccine is not especially effective against the South African variant.

It's not really widely reported. There's been a small study that AZ vacc wasn't effective against mild to mod illness with SA variant but there were no hospitalizations or deaths. We are not getting to zero virus ever so the aim really is preventing severe illness and death and all the vaccines are still thought to achieve this even with the current variants so not all doom and gloom.

This is a good indepth article about variants and it's worth noting that the uk variant has been found to have mutated again in the same part as the SA variant so it's clear that variants will arise whether we travel or not but that's not to say we don't need to be careful.
'Tests show they have a mutation, called E484K, that is already seen in the South Africa variant.
Although this change may reduce vaccine effectiveness, the current ones in use should still work, say experts.'

BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron: How worried should we be? - BBC News

Surges of Covid are happening again around the world, driven by some new subvariants of Omicron.

www.google.com

 

[spitfire]

The mask is for me the worst restriction on us. I really hate it. I’ve never trusted anyone hiding their face. There’s a reason we’re not allowed in banks etc whilst hiding our faces. It’s because throughout history the ones hiding their faces were the bad guys. The sooner we don’t need masks the better for me.

Think that might be a while . Was on FaceTime to Aussie daughter and still face masks there

 

[David and Sally]

The mask is for me the worst restriction on us. I really hate it. I’ve never trusted anyone hiding their face. There’s a reason we’re not allowed in banks etc whilst hiding our faces. It’s because throughout history the ones hiding their faces were the bad guys. The sooner we don’t need masks the better for me.

As a motorcyclist I use a flip type crash helmet so that jobsworth behind the till didn’t press the intercom and bellow at me to “remove your crash helmet or I won’t start the pump.”
Now, keeping the helmet down and having the visor shut in the shop is required.

 

[glenn2926]

Another statement that is not quite accurate, try looking up Cushing's syndrome, hypothyroidism, not everyone is as you describe.

There are many people with either of your quoted health problems that are not over weight. hypothyroidism is one that a work colleague has, they are not over weight. I’ve no doubt they have to work much harder than I do to maintain their weight but they are managing it.
Like I said some will always look for an excuse to not change.

 

[denisejoe]

We're in a real quandary as to what to do ... we haven't had a break since we returned to the UK in February last year, not a single night away, so going totally stir crazy.

Whatever we do we have to ensure that my Mum (nearly 96) is catered for but as she's back to her old 'witchy' self (don't I know it!) and doing odd bits of shopping at her little local store (they are VERY strict with the rules) she can get her fresh stuff and other smaller bits as required so just the major stuff once a fortnight or even longer if we stock her up and other can get her odds and sods if needs be, or I'll just do an on-line shop if we have to.

We have considered Scotland but its likely to be silly season although we don't 'need' to be in the popular areas (eg NC 500) so long as wherever we go is nice and peaceful, ideally not a million miles from water, and without loads of ruddy midges! Down south would be good as the weather is likely to be warmer but there's no way I would want to be in what are likely to be very crowded places - the latter will apply to a lot of the UK I think too though. We even thought about the Isle of Wight but the cost of the ferry to/from there is ridiculous!

We're also thinking about Ireland as, although it's expensive to get there, we have a load of Tesco vouchers which we can use to offset most of the cost, we love the place (all areas) but we know if rains ... a lot ... (been 3 times so far!) but can live with it so long as it's not constant (first time we went it rained every day for the whole fortnight!). We'd be able to go for longer though so hopefully have more time to have good weather too.

We had pretty much ruled out mainland Europe though as hubby's a bit 'concerned' about the infection rates etc but as we don't do bars, sites etc, preferring nice out of the way areas, aires, wilding etc, we won't be mingling with loads of other holiday makers anyway ... of course the upside is the weather is likely to be better .... so this may go back on the 'possible options' list.

Its a real problem as we do so want a break of some sort as we've had quite a stressful time over the last 18 months and really need a change of scene. Obviously we would be extremely careful not to spread anything anywhere ore to go isn't an easy thing to determine and we're getting to the point that if we do want to go somewhere that needs booking (eg ferry/tunnel) then we need to get it sorted sooner

We have a week on the iOW ferry £145 return with ccc

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[David and Sally]

We have a week on the iOW ferry £145 return with ccc

Isn’t a week on a ferry a bit much.? Going too and fro for seven days doesn’t sound much fun.

 

[glenn2926]

As a motorcyclist I use a flip type crash helmet so that jobsworth behind the till didn’t press the intercom and bellow at me to “remove your crash helmet or I won’t start the pump.”
Now, keeping the helmet down and having the visor shut in the shop is required.

That is the only upside of the face covering rules. Still, try going into a bank wearing your helmet . I take great delight in just laying the nozzle on the ground and riding to the next fuel station if that happens. It’s small and childish but it does cause them a problem just like they have caused me a problem.

 

[MITHRANDIR]

There are many people with either of your quoted health problems that are not over weight. hypothyroidism is one that a work colleague has, they are not over weight. I’ve no doubt they have to work much harder than I do to maintain their weight but they are managing it.
Like I said some will always look for an excuse to not change.

Both those medical conditions, can cause excessive weight gain, my sister has hyperthyroidism, though you wouldn't know it to look at her, she has had significant weight gain in the past, which was out of her control.
Tar and brush springs to mind.

 

[bladerunner]

It seems clear to me that in order to prevent another lockdown, we must stay in lockdown.

 

[glenn2926]

Both those medical conditions, can cause excessive weight gain, my sister has hyperthyroidism, though you wouldn't know it to look at her, she has had significant weight gain in the past, which was out of her control.
Tar and brush springs to mind.

Tar and brush does spring to mind doesn’t it? You for instance saying people with those health problems have an excuse or reason to be over weight. When in fact we both know people with hypothyroidism that manage to maintain their weight.

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[Larby]

The EU country leaders that withheld the vaccine rollout recently quite frankly need xxxxing shooting

Bureaucratic Imbeciles, they need sacking

 

[MITHRANDIR]

That is not what i said at all, try reading, i said "can" cause excessive weight gain not will.
To say that all people who are overweight is purely their own fault is not correct at all.
It's also bigoted, narrow minded, uneducated, and rather rash foolish statement.

 

[gus-lopez]

You make a valid point but a ban on foreign holidays won't include a clause that says "motorhomers can still go". It just won't happen.

It does here. Arrive by boat or plane & you need a pcr - test. come by road & all is ok.
Arrive by plane you cannot leave the region it lands in , come in your car or motorhome & you can legally drive through 'closed border ' regions.

The mask is for me the worst restriction on us. I really hate it. I’ve never trusted anyone hiding their face. There’s a reason we’re not allowed in banks etc whilst hiding our faces. It’s because throughout history the ones hiding their faces were the bad guys. The sooner we don’t need masks the better for me.

Gloves!! you forgot gloves. I go to all the expense & trouble of getting my id card complete with figerprints & now I can wear gloves as well no qusetios asked so I don't leave any:

 

[glenn2926]

It does here. Arrive by boat or plane & you need a pcr - test. come by road & all is ok.
Arrive by plane you cannot leave the region it lands in , come in your car or motorhome & you can legally drive through 'closed border ' regions.

Gloves!! you forgot gloves. I go to all the expense & trouble of getting my id card complete with figerprints & now I can wear gloves as well no qusetios asked so I don't leave any:

Gloves aren’t as much of a hate rule for me as I wear them when working any way. It’s the masks, the . I hate them. I’m glad I aren’t single you’ve no idea what you’re chatting up.

 

[gerry mcg]

Really? I’ve not seen any reports of vaccinated people dying of the South African variant.

https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2102214

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[Helen Ariel]

Is there indisputable proof that it started here ?

Indisputable of course not there will never or rarely be indisputable proof of where any particular virus 1st arises from but through scientific knowledge we can be fairly sure. Chinese virus for example? Here is some reading for you about where and why it is believed to have mutated within the uk and it won't be the last time it does so.

Scientists know when, where and how the new COVID strain started in Kent

The new COVID-19 variant, now spreading all over the world, was first found near Canterbury

www.google.com

Why new coronavirus variants 'suddenly arose' in the U.K. and South Africa

Some researchers suspect chronic cases allow the virus to replicate over long periods of time and that certain new therapies may encourage it to mutate.

www.nationalgeographic.com

 

[glenn2926]

https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2102214

Read it. I still haven’t seen any numbers of vaccinated people dying of the South African variant.

 

[MITHRANDIR]

It does here. Arrive by boat or plane & you need a pcr - test. come by road & all is ok.
Arrive by plane you cannot leave the region it lands in , come in your car or motorhome & you can legally drive through 'closed border ' regions.

Gloves!! you forgot gloves. I go to all the expense & trouble of getting my id card complete with figerprints & now I can wear gloves as well no qusetios asked so I don't leave any:

I distinctly remember last year there were countries you could transit through, if you did not stay overnight and not mix with other people on route to your destination, that it seems was fine last year.
Food for thought i think.

 

[glenn2926]

That is not what i said at all, try reading, i said "can" cause excessive weight gain not will.
To say that all people who are overweight is purely their own fault is not correct at all.
It's also bigoted, narrow minded, uneducated, and rather rash foolish statement.

That’s rather a lot of excuses. There are very, very few people that cannot improve their fitness through weight loss and moving more to improve muscle tone in even a small way. I didn’t say purely their own fault. I said not losing some of said weight is on them alone. Nobody can lose its for them. They may never run a marathon (neither will I) but they can lose some of their excess weight and they can improve their muscle tone. To deny this is uneducated and foolish to me.

 

[SteveRallye]

Larby,s post sums it all up for me. We were in France about 10 years ago for the D day memorial services at Arromanches. It was a wonderful sunny bitter/sweet few days as we went to the different events in and around that part of Normandy. I got talking to some wonderful veterans one of whom had fought from D day to The Rhine,and I posed the question "what do you think of the French and all this" He said to me "this is wonderful especially as here in Normandy they appreciate what we did for them, however as we went thru the rest of France it was not the same and I felt that they were that ungrateful we should have booted the blighters out and kept France for ourselves! That summed up the French to me.

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[Larrynwin]

Indisputable of course not there will never or rarely be indisputable proof of where any particular virus 1st arises from but through scientific knowledge we can be fairly sure. Chinese virus for example? Here is some reading for you about where and why it is believed to have mutated within the uk and it won't be the last time it does so.

Scientists know when, where and how the new COVID strain started in Kent

The new COVID-19 variant, now spreading all over the world, was first found near Canterbury

www.google.com

Why new coronavirus variants 'suddenly arose' in the U.K. and South Africa

Some researchers suspect chronic cases allow the virus to replicate over long periods of time and that certain new therapies may encourage it to mutate.

www.nationalgeographic.com

If no proof then it could have been carried into the country from various sources and identified here.

 

[Langtoftlad]

Isn’t a week on a ferry a bit much.? Going too and fro for seven days doesn’t sound much fun.

Ahem!

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/po-british-cruises-to-nowhere-vaccine/index.html

or you could fly:
https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/flights-to-nowhere-qantas/index.html

 

[MITHRANDIR]

Being that much over wright is nobody but the obese ones fault.

As a gentle reminder of what you said,
Try reading my posts, not everyone can help obesity, my sister has battled with it all her adult life, she isn't obese or overweight now but will be again in the future, none of that is her fault.
your comment was rather a sweeping statement, which is not accurate, my sister would be very upset by your comments.
i stand by what i said, bigoted, narrow minded, uneducated, and a rather rash foolish statement.
perhaps i should also add backpedaling as well

 

[Jonno1103]

What then? As soon as people come out the virus will be transmitted again. Like I said we either live with that or we become hermits. I hope we learn to live with that level of risk, transmission, cases, and ultimately deaths. If we don’t we isolate forever. To me isolating isn’t living, it’s existing and I don’t want to just exist in isolation. I want to live.

Clearly we live with it like we do with every other viral and bacterial infection. Just like last July when we could travel abroad, there's no magic switch it's simply a political decision. It's impossible to stop people catching it and it's impossible to stop people dying from it.

My question is, why is it that from the middle of April you can sit outside a pub and go in to use the toilets but campsites are keeping their facilities closed?

Many of us over 50 will have had at least one vaccination by then too. Typical non joined up thinking.

I've had Covid and both of my injections, there's more chance of me dying of boredom.

 

[glenn2926]

As a gentle reminder of what you said,
Try reading my posts, not everyone can help obesity, my sister has battled with it all her adult life, she isn't obese or overweight now but will be again in the future, none of that is her fault.
your comment was rather a sweeping statement, which is not accurate, my sister would be very upset by your comments.
i stand by what i said, bigoted, narrow minded, uneducated, and a rather rash foolish statement.y
perhaps i should also add backpedaling as well

So your sister keeps the weight off but others can’t? Why not she does? Well done her by the way it’s probably very difficult to maintain.
If she and my work colleague can do it others can. I’m not expecting us all to be Olympic athletes but we can all improve on where we are. You seem to think otherwise. Luckily a lot of people with health problems do think similarly to me and work damned hard to stay in shape. I’ll stick with talking to the health experts I sometimes work with.
I don’t think there has ever been anyone that cannot improve their fitness.

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