Is summer 2021 cancelled? - Page 2

Hi aitch, 

I did see it, but following the embarrassing "gagging" of Chris Witty by BoJo in the last of the PM's daily briefings last year, I'm sceptical of how frank the scientists are allowed to be in that arena.

I also watched, earlier this week, the Sky News Q&A between Sir Patrick Vallance and members of the public:

https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-sir-patrick-vallance-answers-your-questions-on-lockdowns-vaccines-and-returning-to-normal-12193323 

Kind regards, 

Kim

Yes I read about the AZ issue caused by a problem with a partner production facility in Belgium, the partner is apparently unavailable for comment. The UK supplies seem largely unaffected given they are apparently produced in the UK.

This is all a moving picture so we need to keep watching and observe how it pans out.

I've started using the below data source, after it was posted on here. It allows the user to select different graphical displays of the key data. The data gives a good picture of progress in the different regions of Europe.

https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations

I mostly use the telegraph website for my news as they have great value subscriptions at the moment. 

Thanks Lancelot, that link to 'Our World in Data' is really useful - it doesn't seem to be littered with adverts to the extent of some similar sites 👍

I like to read information from as many sources as possible - I find it quite amusing how you can predict the slant that publications will take on a news item, depending on who's paying the piper 😉

Kind regards, 

Kim

Hi Lancelot,

You may already have seen this, but re your comment, "I read about the AZ issue caused by a problem with a partner production facility in Belgium, the partner is apparently unavailable for comment", it seems that Pfizer is now claiming upscaling of their production facilities in Belgium as the reason for the dip in projected supplies:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/01/22/exclusive-half-million-fewer-vaccines-supplied-nhs-next-week/?WT.mc_id=e_DM1328103&WT.tsrc=email&etype=Edi_FAM_New_ES_Sat&utmsource=email&utm_medium=Edi_FAM_New_ES_Sat20210123&utm_campaign=DM1328103 

Kind regards, 

Kim

When a high percentage level of the over 70’s become vaccinated there will be extreme pressure from economic and social groups to relax precautions. I predict a massive surge of the virus in the under 55’s later on in the year that will blinker this peak into insignificance..... the health services will become swamped....I hope I’m wrong, but it seems inevitable.

Not appearing in any data but common sense says otherwise.

Thanks for the link. Reading the Q&A's and watching last night I do not see any sign of "gagging". I hope the vaccine rollout continues to go well but it is apparent that this alone is not going to get us out of lockdown, most people I speak to over here understand this.

Rgds,

Aitch. 

Non of us going anywhere soon as far as I see. Too many variants of the virus and more to come. Hopefully by this Christmas something might have changed for the better. Stay safe everyone. ✌

Hi aitch,

The "gagging" was last year:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-johnson-dominic-cummings-chris-whitty-patrick-vallance-press-conference-speech-a9537671.html

and that's why I said I'm sceptical of that format and preferred the Sky News Q&A this week, where Sir Patrick Vallance was able to freely answer questions from the public.

The one thing we should all know is that people spread the virus, yet governments around the world are having to put draconian measures in place to stop people travelling, because some can't or refuse to understand that they don't have the right to be an exception.  I would dearly love to go back to the UK to see my Dad and other family, and to check on my house there, but it's not about me, it's about all of us - and I know you understand that, but there are so many who don't.  I agree with those who say we're a long way from getting back to 'normal'.

By the way, after our last chat, my Dad spoke to his GP's surgery about why his second vaccination had been cancelled and was told that they're following Government guidelines.  A younger friend, 84, has had both doses - she asked her GP why there are inconsistencies and was told that they're following the manufacturer's guidelines.  I'm pleased for her and others whose GPs have used their discretion to protect the highly vulnerable; unfortunately, my 92 year old Dad isn't one of them and continues to shield at home. 

Stay safe,

Kim

Hi 

There are to many inconsistencies with the vaccine in the U.K. My 76 year old father is in the high risk category and has had his first jab as has my 74 year old mother who isn’t high risk. 

Where I live I know high risk people and non high risk people in there 80s who are still waiting for there first jab. 

This is simply a postcode lottery. 

Thanks, 

Hi Kim,

      I do like that phrase "a younger friend, 84"!!  

I believe the UK strategy is dictated by the current situation with regards to the highly infectious strain that is widespread in the UK at the moment. Giving some protection to many is seen as better than giving half as many fuller protection. Only time time will tell if this approach works. I don't see any government pressure to follow one path or another, it seems to me to that in this instance the government are following scientific guidance.

 The level of vaccination rollout in the UK is impressive and I hope it continues.

Rgds,

Aitch.