Getting over Covid-19 - NOT amateur radio

 As mentioned before, both my wife and I have had Covid-19, we believe for the first and only time. My wife got better after a few days. I seem to be getting better with the worst of the symptoms now gone. We have both (as "old" people) had all our injections and assumed we would never get it! 

As mentioned before we had different symptoms. So far, my sense of small and taste are the same. Since my 2013 stroke these have been "different"  in that I no longer want sugar in tea and coffee. Also, I like sweet things more - quite bizarre!

Anyway, assuming I have no relapses, I think I am getting better. If others get it, I hope you have similar experiences or better i.e. mild, and short.

Count your blessings - NOT amateur radio

As mentioned yesterday, I have tested positive for Covid-19 despite having all the injections and avoided it until now. My wife also has it, with different symptoms. At the moment I feel rough and hope things get better soon. I have not felt this unwell since my 2013 stroke.

Just imagine this if I lived in Gaza. I have no sympathy with killing innocent people whatever their religion.  I am sure revenge just fuels the flames.  I just wish everyone could live in peace and respect our differences.

At the moment my symptoms of Covid are many and varied. It feels like a very heavy cold and it hurts when I cough. Also, I have noticed I make far more mistakes typing.

Enjoy every moment.

Covid booster and flu vacs - NOT amateur radio

Just had my booster jab for Covid-19 (Pfizer bivalent) and Flu. Fine so far. 

Our local doctor's surgery combined with a few others to give them. One jab in each arm. Totally easy and painless.

Yet another Covid-19 joke - NOT amateur radio

This was sent to me yesterday and you may have already seen it. I have no idea where it came from originally.  It amused me! 

OK -  less of the "simple things please simple minds"  in the back row!!

Covid passports - NOT amateur radio

Several countries have, or are about to, demand Covid-19 passports to gain entry into large venues. Sadly it would appear that previous vaccines do not stop the Omicron variant from being spread. So, after a large event Omicron could still be passed on.

It would appear the real motivation is to get more jabs in arms, especially boosters that appear to work.

So far, evidence from South Africa suggests this is easily transmitted between people, but far less severe. If this proves to be the case, Covid could spread widely, but herd immunity might kick in sooner, which would be good.

UK Christmas Parties? - NOT amateur radio

With the new Omicron Covid-19 variant it would appear that this is more transmissible than earlier variants, but indications (early) are that it is less severe. For most people it presents a bit like a cold, not needing hospital treatment.

With luck, this will soon become the dominant variant and herd immunity will result in the virus subsiding. There is a risk still that hospitals could be overwhelmed, so the UK government has taken measures to slow the growth.  It seems inevitable that this variant will soon be the dominant one.

Recently rumours have emerged about parties at the UK Prime Minister's premises in Downing Street last Christmas. These have always been denied, but they are being investigated.

What seems to be true is that the UK people largely follow the Covid rules despite the government rather than because of them.

Government credibility would be higher if they always led by example.

Clearly any gathering carries the risk of spreading the virus.

Covid-19 in Singapore - NOT amateur radio

 Whilst I fully appreciate that some cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, I think everyone else has a duty to themselves and to others to get vaccinated. It is only by vaccination that this pandemic will be ended.

As I understand it, in Singapore, those not vaccinated must pay for their own Covid-19 treatment.This seems draconian, but may make those wavering think again and make Singapore safer for all. 

This is a global pandemic and we all have to do our bit. Side effects from the jabs are very very rare and getting Covid-19 can be so much worse. The jab itself is quick and painless and over in seconds. To be honest, I did not feel a thing!

Made in China - NOT amateur radio

Today I got 7 home tests for Covid-19. These were free from the UK Test and Trace organisation that has cost us billions of UK pounds. On the packet it said " Made in China". Imagine my horror.

Covid-19 facts - NOT amateur radio

There is a lot of rubbish and misinformation about this out there. Ignore it!!!

Some time ago I was pointed to the talks (usually updated daily) by Dr John Campbell. His videos are usually between 20-30 minutes long. He works with published facts and always shows the original source. I often look at these. He is frequently interviewed internationally. His YouTube channel has over a million subscribers. The video below came out yesterday.

Another good source of accurate data is the ZOE app and the weekly updates by Professor Tim Spector.

Above all, get vaccinated. 

You are far safer with 2 doses than with no vaccines. The vaccines work, are safe and help protect you and others. It is quick and painless. Do it, please.

When the pandemic ends - NOT amateur radio

The world after the end of the Covid-19 pandemic may be very different. 

Many would like things to go back to as it was, but this is unlikely. 

People will be nervous of big crowds, but I suspect far greater structural changes will occur. Some things may only change slowly, but I suspect we will look back on these days as catalysts.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/non-amateur-radio/covid-19-aftermath .

Covid-19 England - NOT amateur radio

My dad, who died in 1987, had some colourful language. One phrase he used was "they could not organise a piss up in a brewery". He would probably have said this now over the pingdemic, which is seeing many key workers having to self isolate.

I am sure intentions are good, but like much English government policy in the last 18 months this seems reactive rather than proactive and made up on the go. 

Herd Immunity? - NOT amateur radio

With regard to the current Covid-19 pandemic, it looks like the English government is (again) trying for herd immunity. 

This was last tried briefly in spring 2020. There is little doubt that cases will rise, but hopefully most cases will be mild. This time around, many have been fully vaccinated. Many have had the disease and recovered. Antibodies could be much higher than spring 2020.

This is a gamble. It may not work, but it might.

Whatever happens, we cannot "go mad". The virus is still here and new variants could be imported from abroad.

I wish the English government would abandon self isolation and replace this with daily testing. This seems a far better way, with far fewer economic impacts and just as safe.

Lockdown easing in England - NOT amateur radio

 On Monday there is a significant easing of Covid-19 regulations in England. The government is gambling that although cases will rise, many people will not die or be hospitalised.  Sensible people will still wear masks in crowded places to safeguard other people whilst idiots will be idiots. I can understand why this is happening, but disappointed that the government is not going for "quick wins" by mandating mask wearing in shops and public transport. This has widespread support. 

In the absence of this, let us hope that enough sensible people wear masks to stop infections rising putting younger people at great risk.

I saw this on Facebook:

"When I wear a mask in public and in the shops, I want you to know that...

🔵 I'm educated enough to know that I could be asymptomatic and still give you the virus.

🔵 No, I don't "live in fear" of the virus; I just want to be part of the solution, not the problem.

🔵 I don't feel like the "government controls me". I feel like I'm an adult contributing to security in our society and I want to teach others the same.

🔵 If we could all live with the consideration of others in mind, the whole world would be a much better place.

🔵 Wearing a mask doesn't make me weak, scared, stupid or even "controlled". Makes me caring.

🔵 When you think about your appearance, discomfort, or other people's opinion of you, imagine a loved one - a child, father, mother, grandparent, aunt, uncle or even a stranger - placed on a ventilator, alone without you or any family member who is allowed at his bedside.

🔵 Ask yourself if you could have helped them a little while wearing a mask".

After the pandemic - NOT amateur radio

When the current pandemic ends (it will) things will be different in many ways:

• High streets will be different. Many of us have got used to online shopping. Some of this started before the pandemic, but certainly this trend has speeded up. Those shops that survive will be those that adapt. Those that do not are unlikely to be around long. Expect fewer shops, more in-town flats and more places to meet. In 20 years, things will be very different. People will shop more locally.

• People will work from home more. I suspect people will go into the office a few days a week, but maybe commute on fewer days. People will realise that living in a village rather than a big city has its advantages.

• People will have meetings online more rather than travel a long way. Most of us have been pleasantly surprised how effective online meetings can be. I have attended several lectures by Zoom and sometimes we have had speakers and viewers on different continents.

• There will be less air travel. People are realising there are actually good places to see without getting on a plane.

• Live music will suffer. People often prefer live music, but may be more reluctant to travel far.

• Inflation could rise.

• Low interest rates will be around for a long time. Savings are likely to suffer.

• For a while people will be nervous about socialising.

• There is a danger of social unrest with fewer jobs and more unemployment.

We are going to have a very different time. Not all is bad. 

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/non-amateur-radio/covid-19-aftermath .

UK and Covid-19 - NOT amateur radio

The UK is doing pretty well in its vaccination campaign, despite a reactive rather than proactive government that always seems to be just behind, rather than just in front of, the pandemic. At the moment, the popular press is worried that the complete lifting of restrictions in a few weeks could be dangerous.

The concern is new variants of which the focus at the moment is on the variant that was first spotted in India.  Most vulnerable people have been vaccinated. Of those, those who get sick are not likely to be hospitalised or die.

I guess the question is, "what danger does another another wave pose?" . Clearly, if all adults were vaccinated, the chances of the hospitals being overwhelmed decreases markedly. Personally I'd keep some restrictions for a few more weeks. Most things we can do and it would be wrong to throw this away for the sake of a few weeks.

Personally I would ban foreign holidays this year unless people are prepared to hotel quarantine at their expense. At least ban them until all adults that want them are vaccinated. I would also make all hospital and care home workers have to be vaccinated as a condition of employment.

Overseas holidays - NOT amateur radio

Many people are anxious to travel again. Since the Covid-19 pandemic few have been able to do so. The main worry is spreading the virus and one possible answer is Covid digital certificates. An EU wide scheme is being trialled in Spain in May and may be rolled out in time for the summer holiday season.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-56912667 .

Reactive or proactive? - NOT amateur radio

The UK government amazes me by how totally STUPID it is at times!! It is only now that hotel quarantine is mandatory for travellers from India. 

We have known about the problems in India for days and in the meantime lots of travellers have returned, potentially spreading deadly new variants to other adults and children who can spread it still further.  

Why did we not impose an immediate ban on Indian flights or at the very least mandatory hotel quarantine, at least for now, as a precaution? This (in)action beggars belief. Some times I am flabbergasted by how stupid we can be!

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56848006 .

UK and Covid-19 - NOT amateur radio

Rules within the UK nations vary, so what follows applies to England only. At the moment, the plan is to cautiously relax some rules on March 29th. This is part of a roadmap to complete relaxation of the rules. 

Dates could slip, although at the moment things are still on track. A lot depends on how people behave, vaccines and the 3rd wave in Europe and of course variants emerging.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56553128 .

Covid-19 saliva test - NOT amateur radio

Since trials were carried out some months ago, it has gone very quiet on this. Putting swabs up noses and down throats can be distressing for some. Just spitting down a tube would be far easier, and quicker.

I am also puzzled that vitamin D and zinc supplements are not ever mentioned. Vitamin D supplements are very low cost and have strong evidence of effectiveness. I have never, ever, heard vitamin D supplements mentioned ever. Why not? If this is a "quick win" why are we not encouraged to take these?  I know of several friends who are taking these.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55840547 .

Lockdown - NOT amateur radio

A year ago few of us were aware of the crisis ahead of us. It seems to have gone on for ever. 

With warmer weather, better treatments and Covid-19 vaccines, there is some hope in 2021.

In England, the Prime Minister usually addresses the nation when there is something important to say. Today, he is to give a "roadmap" out of lockdown. It is expected schools will return March 8th, although the path back to reality could be a long one. 

The last thing we all want is a return to lockdown after it has been eased. Mixing in cafes and pubs? Holidays? We can all hope!