Brexit, for once some facts.

[oldgroaner]

This poll rather refutes the claim that Boris is much more popular because of the Coronavirus efforts of the government

Government response to latest FT article... "The 28/03/20 edition of FT Weekend contains a number of inaccurate claims about the UK’s efforts to procure and manufacture ventilators..."
https://t.co/tW7DBQfvZ9?amp=1

Kim Spence-Jones #FBPE@KimSJ
·
29m

Replying to
@brexit_sham
Do we believe the Government? Poll

Yes
3.6%

No
96.4%


Rob Wright #FBPE
28m
The govt response lacks any specifics. This is - literally - incredible.

my response
It'a tactic called undeniable implausibility

 

[oldgroaner]

I'd like to see Johnson in a cavalry charge - as at Omdurman.

Preferably the cavalry of the other side?

 

[oyster]

Preferably the cavalry of the other side?

Despite being fully in charge, he can't be arsed to give us the pleasure of watching him for today's briefing. Send-a-lackey time.

Or is he much more seriously ill than has been let on? (Rumours start here!)

 

[oyster]

This poll rather refutes the claim that Boris is much more popular because of the Coronavirus efforts of the government

Government response to latest FT article... "The 28/03/20 edition of FT Weekend contains a number of inaccurate claims about the UK’s efforts to procure and manufacture ventilators..."
https://t.co/tW7DBQfvZ9?amp=1

Kim Spence-Jones #FBPE@KimSJ
·
29m

Replying to
@brexit_sham
Do we believe the Government? Poll

Yes
3.6%

No
96.4%


Rob Wright #FBPE
28m
The govt response lacks any specifics. This is - literally - incredible.

my response
It'a tactic called undeniable implausibility

Just how do they define "the coming weeks"?

8,000 now (FT got that right) and 8,000 coming means 16,000. (No allowance for failures, maintenance, etc.) They need 30,000, it has often been said.

Which means there will not be enough - at least 14,000 short.

No matter how many vets have sent theirs to the NHS, we have a dramatical shortfall.

The fact that they have felt the need to reply in that way suggests they are feeling very exposed.

Added:

Can we have daily ventilator availability and PPE adequacy reports with accurate figures?

(I know the answer is "No", but might as well ask.)

 

[oldgroaner]

According to Sky news
"
The NHS could have prevented "chaos and panic" and was "wholly unprepared" for the coronavirus pandemic, the editor of one of the world's most prestigious medical journals has said.

Writing in The Lancet, Dr Richard Horton said warnings issued to bosses in the health service about a possible outbreak such as COVID-19 were ignored.


He said his own journal on 20 January pointed to the risk of a global pandemic, saying "preparedness plans should be readied for deployment at short notice, including securing supply chains of pharmaceuticals, personal protective equipment, hospital supplies and the necessary human resources to deal with the consequences of a global outbreak of this magnitude".


The minister responsible for whitewashing the government has friends it seems
With no funds available, how was the NHS to do this?

 

[Barry Shittpeas]

LBC
48m

The government now has the power to access a person's data if they have coronavirus to find out who they may have given it to. Maajid Nawaz was skeptical of the new permissions.
@MaajidNawaz
| #CoronaCrisisuk

Coronavirus: Maajid Nawaz criticises government's capacity to access personal data
The UK's information commissioner has announced new powers to track the phone activity of Brits that test positive for coronavirus.

This had better be temporary

Well Boris Johnson said he will have this under control in 12 weeks, so why do they want the powers for 12 months? Why not grant the powers for the 12 weeks, with a mechanism to extend in 4 week blocks if required?

 

[Woosh]

Johnson 'leading response from the front'

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is showing mild symptoms of the coronavirus but is "absolutely leading the response from the front", Business Secretary Alok Sharma says.

"He continues to lead the government's effort in combating Covid-19. This morning he held a video conference , Mr Sharma said.

of course we all know that the coronavirus hides in fridges.

 

[oldgroaner]

Despite being fully in charge, he can't be arsed to give us the pleasure of watching him for today's briefing. Send-a-lackey time.

Or is he much more seriously ill than has been let on? (Rumours start here!)

Or less?

 

[Woosh]

BJ is still sitting on the fence regarding testing.

Corbyn and Starmer should go on TV to make the point that we must follow Germany's lead, test, test and test as many as possible.

BJ tries to save money by testing only those who have symptoms. That's just not a good strategy. The asymptomatic spreaders are the most dangerous.
If money is a worry, let people pay for it themselves. Companies would pay for their own staff to be tested.

At the current rate, we test 10 to find one positive.
That person is then immediately isolated, with or without symptoms.
Just compare the cost of testing 10 people against the near certainty of not testing: hundreds will get CV from him.

The only way to reduce the death toll is testing and isolate anyone tested positive until their immune system produces sufficient level of antibodies.

 

[Danidl]

how about giving her your car?

Not a full license, therefore not allowed Motorway. As Tommie might agree, the Motorway is the safest way of getting there. Also as a provisional licence, not entitled to drive in another jurisdiction. Yes she is on my insurance . If she had a full license, the car wiuld be available to her.

 

[oyster]

BJ is still sitting on the fence regarding testing.

Corbyn and Starmer should go on TV to make the point that we must follow Germany's lead, test, test and test as many as possible.

BJ tries to save money by testing only those who have symptoms. That's just not a good strategy. The asymptomatic spreaders are the most dangerous.
If money is a worry, let people pay for it themselves. Companies would pay for their own staff to be tested.

At the current rate, we test 10 to find one positive.
That person is then immediately isolated, with or without symptoms.
Just compare the cost of testing 10 people against the near certainty of not testing: hundreds will get CV from him.

The only way to reduce the death toll is testing and isolate anyone tested positive until their immune system produces sufficient level of antibodies.

Seems that the antibody tests need to be done weeks after suspected infection. If done too soon, the human body might not have ramped up its specific antibody levels sufficiently to be detectable.

 

[sjpt]

Can we have daily ventilator availability and PPE adequacy reports with accurate figures?
(I know the answer is "No", but might as well ask.)

There used to be a saying 'ask no questions, told no lies'. Seems that is no longer the case ... you get told lies anyway. If you do ask a question, the lies are probably on a weakly related topic.

 

[oyster]

Or less?

Very good. I couldn't possibly comment.

 

[Danidl]

thats a tricky one these days..
possibly coming back, Bus (62) from Portadown to Banbridge, either lift her there (should be nice straight road for you).... or then Express to Newry then Newry-Dundalk. Either way nothing easy

Thanks but times don't work.. The shift terminates at 23:00 hrs. They split the QC lab group so neither group will be in a lab simultaneously, so the shifts are 6:00 to 14:00 and 14:30 to 23:00 . My previous run was Newry Railway ,a nice 25 minute jaunt each way. Incidentally Newry Station is very new and attractive. For the last week she was typically the only passenger getting off, and only one person getting on for the return to Portadown.. I reckoned a nurse working in Newry.

 

[oyster]

Somewhat concerning figures:

The mortality rate for patients put in intensive care after being infected with Covid-19 is running at close to 50%, a report has revealed.

Data from the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre (ICNARC) showed that of 165 patients treated in critical care in England, Wales and Northern Ireland since the end of February, 79 died, while 86 survived and were discharged. The figures were taken from an audit of 775 people who have been or are in critical care with the disease, across 285 intensive care units. The remaining 610 patients continue to receive intensive care.

The high death rate raises questions about how effective critical care will be in saving the lives of people struck down by the disease. As a top priority, the NHS is opening field hospitals in London, Birmingham and Manchester, which will incorporate some of the biggest critical care units ever seen in Britain.

I am scratching my head at the low number reported - what are our chances of even making it into ICU?

 

[oyster]

I have noticed that volunteers who might have to drive are being advised to inform their insurance company.

My take: Issue an edict which says that anyone using their own vehicle in relation to CV (without pay - even if they get mileage) will automatically be covered. I'm sure that last thing the insurance companies want is to receive 750,000 requests for confirmation they are covered - especially as most of us are and it is just a matter of making sure there is no possibility of a gap in cover.

(Could actually be sensible to make use in a volunteering capacity through a bona fide charity always included without any extra charge and without having to double-check.)

 

[Danidl]

Somewhat concerning figures:

The mortality rate for patients put in intensive care after being infected with Covid-19 is running at close to 50%, a report has revealed.

Data from the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre (ICNARC) showed that of 165 patients treated in critical care in England, Wales and Northern Ireland since the end of February, 79 died, while 86 survived and were discharged. The figures were taken from an audit of 775 people who have been or are in critical care with the disease, across 285 intensive care units. The remaining 610 patients continue to receive intensive care.

The high death rate raises questions about how effective critical care will be in saving the lives of people struck down by the disease. As a top priority, the NHS is opening field hospitals in London, Birmingham and Manchester, which will incorporate some of the biggest critical care units ever seen in Britain.

I am scratching my head at the low number reported - what are our chances of even making it into ICU?

You can look at this two ways.. Everyone of those would have died within a week without ICU. So in terms of efficiency it is Infinite .. . On the other hand it does show that it is a very limited resource and that if more people, less in extremis were admitted , the statistics would be a higher .
I speak from family experience, my Son was in one for two weeks ,years ago, and survived. But it does require 3 nurses per patient ..on average.

 

[oyster]

does the report include a breakdown for various age groups?

Link to report: https://www.icnarc.org/About/Latest-News/2020/03/27/Report-On-775-Patients-Critically-Ill-With-Covid-19

I am just having a look now.

Yes - it does have age breakdown.

 

[tommie]

Thanks but times don't work.. The shift terminates at 23:00 hrs. They split the QC lab group so neither group will be in a lab simultaneously, so the shifts are 6:00 to 14:00 and 14:30 to 23:00 . My previous run was Newry Railway ,a nice 25 minute jaunt each way. Incidentally Newry Station is very new and attractive. For the last week she was typically the only passenger getting off, and only one person getting on for the return to Portadown.. I reckoned a nurse working in Newry.

Shift ending at 11pm not good for those that aren`t local,...... so her workplace is classed as essential i take it, no chance of them shutting up shop?
If you`re going to have to drive its ok as far as Banbridge, but then over to craigavon is a twisty road. Slight plus side is that the roads will be deserted at that time of night.

 

[oyster]

NI gets there:

Executive approves new powers to protect the public
Date published: 28 March 2020

Sweeping new powers will come into force across Northern Ireland tonight at 11pm to combat the spread of Coronavirus.
https://www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk/news/executive-approves-new-powers-protect-public