Search results

Indeed, and SAGE, of course, are the scientists modelling the numbers and recommending the current course of action.

Yes, but again, that's one study on a small sample of young adults. And the numbers here are potentially very concerning. If it's really doubling every two days then within six weeks the numbers infected will be enormous. Even if those impacted severely by the new variant are proportionally...

Same logic Nick, surely. More vaccinated people in the population to catch and spread it. But unless there's anything I've missed, the chances of both catching and spreading the infection are reduced by vaccination and further reduced by boosters. I won't spend all day on this today, but...

Which is an entirely fair point, but we're obviously not the only country that is worried about it. Not trusting politicians is one thing and I'd heartily recommend that. There is a fair bit of science that suggests that it isn't just something Boris has conveniently made up though (again).

Whoa there, I'm not sure the logic for this quite holds up. There are likely to be more vaccinated people with Omicron than non-vaccinated people, because there are significantly more people who've had the vaccination. It also seems that the variant is far more effective at breaking through...

From memory, I don't even think they've finished theirs yet. So that seals it then. 😁

No way he'd leave us for Barcelona. Other than the money, the climate, European football, and the glory, what have they got that we haven't. 🙂

Ah, a little from column a, and a little from column b. 🙂 Without being rude, I can't see any real reason to not have the booster. The science seems to suggest that even in the double vaxxed, the new variant can get through. To maximise your chances of avoiding catching it, or perhaps more...

Possibly, Nick, possibly. It's just as a society I think we're going to come out of this quicker if we can get over the vaccination resistance. I'll leave it there mate, honest! No offence intended, as you know.

I don't know Nick, but we know that if everyone who could get the booster gets it, then immunity increases for everyone and therefore the risk of transmission and the load on the NHS is lower. So, fancy answering the question mate, what's the problem with getting the booster?

The correct answer is, you do both. The booster reduces your risk of catching and spreading it. LFTs aren't entirely reliable. What's the issue with having the booster?

What are you waiting to see, exactly? Do you think the booster represents some kind of risk to you?

OK, just on this one specifically then. Getting the booster means you're at less risk of catching Covid, and less risk of spreading it. Less spread means less people for the NHS to need to treat. That means the NHS can focus on other things as well as Covid, like cancer. Are you selfish...

Politely disagree. If people are saying that there's no need to get vaccinated, or worse, that vaccinations are dangerous (without representing the actual risks), then by definition they're anti-vaxxers and they are dangerous. The science does not support them and they represent a genuine risk...

And on that I'll stop digging at Nick because I'm starting to feel like a WUM, and actually I quite like him though clearly we differ on this. I like the fact that there are differing opinions here, but I genuinely worry that people take twitter and Facebook as gospel, especially if they're...

I could flip this around, and say that you're looking for reasons to understate the seriousness of the new variant because you personally don't feel at risk (as you've said), and you therefore resent any further restrictions that would impact you? You don't seem to want to come out and say it...

It absolutely feckin' hasn't. This is the worst government in living memory, with the most incompetent leader, but I don't let that fact blind me to the science.

Apologies Nick, I'm genuinely confused here. I'm not trying to fall out with you, but I honestly can't see where you're going with this. Are you actually saying that there's basically nothing to worry about from this new variant?

No. The key thing is how many *will* become ill with Omicron and die of it. Again, do you think this is a worldwide conspiracy by every government and every media outlet? We are not the only country proposing additional measures. Why do you think other countries are worried?

First off, there's some straightforward untruths there. I trust Nick will pick them up with his customary vigilance about Covid myths. :) Viruses can mutate to be more deadly as well as less deadly. Don't trust Twitter for science is a pretty good rule imho. At the moment we're not quite sure...