Chat about Novel Coronavirus - 2019-nCoV - COVID-19

I haven't seen anybody claiming to be an expert. People have opinions and are discussing them. Some will be right, some wrong. Why is this getting some of you so grumpy?

+1

There is also the argument that the Covid-19 virus can mutate, so your immunity today may not save you from the mutated strain you will encounter tomorrow.
Annual flu jabs exist because the immunity it gives you only stays relevant for so long.

Pretty mad to me that the people questioning the U.K. government response, which is different than any other western country, are just met with “stop being an armchair know it all”. The WHO is not an armchair pundit.

Yeah I get it. What they are suggesting was good advice maybe if you go back in time a few months.

It’s just a coincidence that this same government and its figurehead Boris Johnson, has spent the past three years promoting individualism and banging the drum of “No one tells us what to do. We do it alone.”

Eh.... not so much.

I have no idea how people can believe that politics just vanish in a crisis.

This works both ways. Put yourself in the position of the guy running the WHO - what would you do / say? Can he win by suggesting that countries individually take whatever action they feel is appropriate even though it might be a good suggestion?

seems to be mostly in your head, have you checked your temperature?

In the words of a friend who is directly involved in the public health response to this pandemic, "The government response is science based but the problem is that its based on bad science... a pop psychology theory that is largely seen as unreliable".

Win what? Does he get a bonus at the end of the year?

I was hoping you were going to calm my anxiety tbh.

It's getting really bad now. Can't find Patak's Tikka Masala Paste anywhere in SE10.

Anyone got a lead?

(By the way, it's bad, but I'm not going to Lewisham)>

Win what? Does he get a bonus at the end of the year?

He gets to keep his job. If he does not display 'bold and confident leadership' at this point, anyone in the organisation who wants his job and is lining up for it - and these people will exist - is handed ammunition and a way of taking it. Politics is fucking everywhere.

Lewisham Tesco had an excellent aisle nearly dedicated to Indian ingredients.

I’d like to think in a world wide crisis that people would think of the greater good and put politics aside .
I believe they will

Well we all can’t hide forever

Today doctor nurse trainer offering

https://youtu.be/Etlyvt9n_QE

Locking down, social isolation and contact tracing is the way to go

Because China

Scathing of the UK approach as is WHO

I thought that might be the case.

Will ride down and report back. I'm sure others will be concerned.

In the words of a friend who is directly involved in the public health response to this pandemic, "The government response is science based but the problem is that its based on bad science... a pop psychology theory that is largely seen as unreliable".

If this is bad science, and therefore risky, maybe your friend should come out publicly?

I’d like to think in a world wide crisis that people would think of the greater good and put politics aside

Looking at the demographics of the current crop of politicians I think there are going to be some significant changes over the next few months anyway.

^^ Who are you, Dan Wootton?

I have no idea how people can believe that politics just vanish in a crisis.

Of which political persuasion would you assume most of the public health experts to be?

Chris Whitty, currently our Chief Medical Officer, is definitely not a Tory.

If herd immunity is desired, why not offer infection to young and healthy people? Obviously stagger it so everyone is not off work sick at the same time.

You could also then get some people into controlled studies for vaccines and more.

Wild thought.

I'll pass on your advice.

@Stonehedge. I may have misunderstood your meaning but statements like:

I haven't seen anybody claiming to be an expert.

And then statements like:

In the words of a friend who is directly involved in the public health response to this pandemic

Seem to be ever so slightly at odds with one another- moreso as the quote is by its nature unattributable.

When couched in that way- the quote may have more bearing than it should do, as people may take it as 'an expert says'.

In my uneducated understanding of a very fluid system- I would argue that no system has been effective thus far. I'm wary of the reported reducing rates in China. The concept that containment has worked there but has lead to mass (likely) undetected spread throughout the global community does not seem logical.

With regards to the arguments about the UK's public health research standing- it has (in a relatively small population) 4 of the leading infectious disease Centres globally (Liverpool, London school and Oxford/cambridge), on top of a group of generally recognised world leading (cf league tables) medical universities.
This plus a government body (NICE and PHE) with a long standing, dedicated and historic (thx John snow) epidemiologic based approach to public health and disease, would suggest the UK in a good position globally.

I therefore struggle to accept that the decisions are based on 'bad science', regardless of your expert friend's opinion.

I was on my last loo roll last night so popped out this morning for a packet, did not expect having to visit 5 stores, people really are going into a melt down. I was about to go 'eco friendly' and give up all hope before trying iceland.

Maybe we'll get another of these behavioural science based nudges in 2 months where we're told to donate our covid stock piles to the local food bank, realising we really did not need to buy 12 packets of gluten free pasta.

I hope you understand why I can't quote somebody without permission. Perhaps I was foolish for saying that, for which I apologise. I felt I was able to say that simply because so many public health and infectious disease specialists have said the same thing.

In other news, looks like I'm going into a pandemic specific ops management role at a London NHS trust in a couple of weeks subject to a few things falling into place.

Not sure what to expect but I have a very ominous feeling. Will feel good to be actually able to contribute I think.