The Omicron Thread.

[TipperaryBaggie]

Welsh sporting events are going behind closed doors again from December 26th. Just as well Covid passports prevent the spread of infections or they'd really be in the s hit, well done the Senedd, keeping ahead of the curve........ again (sarcasm in case anyone was wondering).

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-59729129

Unfortunate timing for my home club Folkestone Invicta as we have been drawn away to Wrexham in the FA Vase 4th round. This would have been a money spinner for us as Wrexham get good average gates and we would have shared the gate money 50/50. For a little club like ours, these 'paydays' are important to keep the club afloat. It is due to be played on Jan 15th so fingers crossed some restrictions will have lifted by then but I'm not holding my breath,

[regis80]

You can't sort the NHS in 2 years though Al. It takes 6 to become a doctor and a further 7 to become a Consultant in a specialist field, 5 to become a GP. You often have 20 people involved in your care no matter what you're in for. The Radiographer to check your scans, the Pathologist to check your samples.

Even nursing is a 2 year course with an extra one year of training. You can't just fix it like that. Capacity can be improved and technology does make things easier but it's still not possible to just allow for a 20% patient increase, for example.

The trouble with the NHS is you either run it tightly like a private sector organisation to save tax payer money or you run it loosely and we all pay higher taxes (or diverted from other essential services).

You are right, you can’t sort the nhs out in two years but there wouldn’t be any harm to start putting in systems, infrastructure etc in place now (even if they are plans) as a contingency? No harm in long term planning. Sadly we have corruption going on that individuals are looking to profit by awarding contracts, and this is put before peoples health. We wasted how much on the field hospitals? And now we’re made out to believe with hysteria and panic that this variant is a lot worse than before. Then bring back these field hospitals.

I’m sure many people would rather we have nhs funded than the hs2. That £350M a week going to the NHS promise?

With recruiting, Yes it all depends on people availability. I’d use money to give bursaries to train people up in the UK to do the jobs. I can only talk of a few friends who in their 30s retrained to become nurses. Hospital Doctors and GPs are another trickier matter to try instill to get new medicine graduates (home grown), but we can still do it if we wanted. We can stop relying on overseas doctors as it’s not sustainable.

That said make these jobs for nurses more lucrative by at least giving the rewards they desperately deserve. Let’s give the money away to our pals though, that’s better spent.

[Omegstrat6]

Think that all this panic talk of lockdown is not useful, mostly because there really is no conclusive data to support it. Yes, this new variant seems to be spreading at a very high rate but surely the key question is how many will be seriously ill with it? If most follow guidelines of masks/jabs/social distancing then this should greatly limit that figure. There is no reason that retail, hospitality or entertainment venues should have to close provided reasonable precautions are followed. Saw Spider-Man last night with our youngest and felt safe to do so because of this. I may not feel safe going to a standing only gig with lots of others yet but that is personal choice as risk factor for me would be too great but more managed things are fine.

[phild]

As the jabs rolled out they were to protect the vulnerable and to treat those who were already sick and just let society as a whole carry on but I think this Government panicked by listening to the worst case scenario modelling and abandoned that initial plan. Now 2 years on numerous flippin lockdowns and £370 billion later just look at this utter sh1t show.

[9goals2hattricks3pen]

ICU Doctor this morning when asked what he would say to anyone hesitant about being vaccinated because of side effects.

"What I'd say to people who are still hesitant is that if you end up with COVID and end up in hospital, you need a cocktail of drugs in order to keep you alive when you come into intensive care, all of which have side effects. "The other thing to say is that people talk about the side effects with vaccines or that they're worried about things like clots," Well COVID can give you clots and people who come into hospital who are suffering from COVID will go onto medication to help stop their blood clotting to that extent. So all this can be stopped by having the vaccine so if you're on the fence about it or still wondering I definitely recommend getting one."

[phild]

As an aside who believes in the portents of numerology? Tonight at 21 minutes past 9 it will be 21:21:21:12:21

[baggieal]

ICU Doctor this morning when asked what he would say to anyone hesitant about being vaccinated because of side effects.

"What I'd say to people who are still hesitant is that if you end up with COVID and end up in hospital, you need a cocktail of drugs in order to keep you alive when you come into intensive care, all of which have side effects. "The other thing to say is that people talk about the side effects with vaccines or that they're worried about things like clots," Well COVID can give you clots and people who come into hospital who are suffering from COVID will go onto medication to help stop their blood clotting to that extent. So all this can be stopped by having the vaccine so if you're on the fence about it or still wondering I definitely recommend getting one."

Very interesting but not all consultants share this view - I have asked one. Every person every where has an opinion and that opinion should be respected. Some could say two gays kissing in the high street is offensive where others would say - live and let live.

If everyone followed the herd it would be like a package holiday to Majorca.

[baggiematt]

You are right, you can’t sort the nhs out in two years but there wouldn’t be any harm to start putting in systems, infrastructure etc in place now (even if they are plans) as a contingency? No harm in long term planning. Sadly we have corruption going on that individuals are looking to profit by awarding contracts, and this is put before peoples health. We wasted how much on the field hospitals? And now we’re made out to believe with hysteria and panic that this variant is a lot worse than before. Then bring back these field hospitals.

I’m sure many people would rather we have nhs funded than the hs2. That £350M a week going to the NHS promise?

With recruiting, Yes it all depends on people availability. I’d use money to give bursaries to train people up in the UK to do the jobs. I can only talk of a few friends who in their 30s retrained to become nurses. Hospital Doctors and GPs are another trickier matter to try instill to get new medicine graduates (home grown), but we can still do it if we wanted. We can stop relying on overseas doctors as it’s not sustainable.

That said make these jobs for nurses more lucrative by at least giving the rewards they desperately deserve. Let’s give the money away to our pals though, that’s better spent.

There are bursaries up to £5k per year for nurses in training. I wouldn't read too much into nurse pay, it's a well paid, rewarding but hard job. They are on similar salaries to counterparts with similar skills such as police, teachers, paramedics, radiographers etc. and they are decent careers. Because they work 3 x 12 hour shifts, they usually get the option of picking up the 4th shift for decent pay and with night payments, they can easily clear £35k PA right from qualifying.

The amount of programmes for nursing and docs is decided centrally and they conduct longer term planning to offer out what is needed. The problem is about 6% of those out of medical school are choosing to not go into the profession. There is a glorified view of what a doctor is but it's bloody hard work and mentally draining as many realise.

[baggieal]

There are bursaries up to £5k per year for nurses in training. I wouldn't read too much into nurse pay, it's a well paid, rewarding but hard job. They are on similar salaries to counterparts with similar skills such as police, teachers, paramedics, radiographers etc. and they are decent careers. Because they work 3 x 12 hour shifts, they usually get the option of picking up the 4th shift for decent pay and with night payments, they can easily clear £35k PA right from qualifying.

The amount of programmes for nursing and docs is decided centrally and they conduct longer term planning to offer out what is needed. The problem is about 6% of those out of medical school are choosing to not go into the profession. There is a glorified view of what a doctor is but it's bloody hard work and mentally draining as many realise.

Have you been having a drink Matt - doctors - it's bloody hard work and draining The only draining part of a doctors job is to gulp back a nice glass of red when they look at their fat bank balance. GP'S are a disgrace and most have not been seen for two years unless one is dying and then you are quizzed by their reception staff on the merits of an emergency appointment. A complete shambles. Every other f ucker has to go back to work including those medical staff and consultants in ICU.

10/10 for those who work in hospitals
0/10 for those GP'S who have been useless in this pandemic and actually contributed to deaths through lack of check ups, referrals and giving the green light for blood tests for much needed results.

Sad the focus for 2 years has been on Covid resulting in life and death operations being cancelled as well as mental health issues going through the roof. Oh - but there's no data on that!

F uck a cancer operation but Omicron is coming to get you which is like a cold to the vast majority!

Good post Regis by the way and you are right!

[baggiematt]

Have you been having a drink Matt - doctors - it's bloody hard work and draining The only draining part of a doctors job is to gulp back a nice glass of red when they look at their fat bank balance. GP'S are a disgrace and most have not been seen for two years unless one is dying and then you are quizzed by their reception staff on the merits of an emergency appointment. A complete shambles. Every other f ucker has to go back to work including those medical staff and consultants in ICU.

10/10 for those who work in hospitals
0/10 for those GP'S who have been useless in this pandemic and actually contributed to deaths through lack of check ups, referrals and giving the green light for blood tests for much needed results.

Sad the focus for 2 years has been on Covid resulting in life and death operations being cancelled as well as mental health issues going through the roof. Oh - but there's no data on that!

F uck a cancer operation but Omicron is coming to get you which is like a cold to the vast majority!

Good post Regis by the way and you are right!

I did mean those in hospitals Al. I fully agree on your comments around GP's who have moved to a completely poor service.

But to explain, even GP's have to go through training in a hospital on rotation. They end up working incredible hours as junior doctors. It breaks quite a few, which is probably why some go into GP land for a much easier life!