OT. Schools...normality and Coronavirus.

[MadAmster]

WOAH, hang on a minute.
How many of those 30 000 were actually killed by Corona?
Not as many as that.
As I said earlier, an old work friend of mine lost her mum to it? She was 92 FFS. Corona/cold/cough/the clap? Anything could have killed her. The virus has been catagorised as a new Black Death. It isn't nothing like.

This is a letter from a guy in Dorset. I'll leave his name out.

My mother dies last week in a carehome at the age of 98. When my brother registered her death, as expected it was registered as frailty due to old age. He was later surprised to see that the doctor certifying her death had added "presumed Covid 19", an inclusion which later shocked the homes manager.

The day before my mother died, my briother was allowed to sit with her for an hour. His temp was checked before being admitted, but there was no form of isolation.
If doctors are attributing all deaths in care homes to Covid 19, it makes a nonsense of all statistics and does great reputational damage to both individual care homes and the care industry as a whole.

I gather the point being, even if Covid was the last straw. Anything could have done away with his mother.
So, are we all going to hide away forever and if so, who is paying for it?

I've posted this before but I'll post it again, Tricky.

In 2002 I had 2 stents put in my 100% blocked left coronary artery. I see the cardio once a year and my local health centre also once a year, 6 months apart from the cardio. My stats come back perfect.

I have been on meds for high blood pressure since then and measure my BP regularly. 117 over 74 yesterday afternoon. 123 over 80 this morning. No problems there.

Idem ditto on meds for cholestorol. For years my blood tests have shown healthy cholestorol levels.

A few years back I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnoea. 28 breathing stops per hour, average length 23 seconds. Longest was 52 seconds. They only measure stops in excess of 10 seconds. In total I was not breathing for between 15 and 20 minutes of every hour I slept. Since then I have been on a CPAP every night and I now average 1.5 stops per hour and the machine spots it and immediately forces air into my lungs. All is well.

I also have the problem that I am 6 inches too short for my weight. Another issue.

However, there is good news. As I said my stats are all good. On top of that I ref 2 or 3 times a month and keep up with play. Most of the players are in their mid 20s. 4 weeks ago I got my racing bike out and cycle 3 or 4 times a week. Started with a 22Km ride, slowly going further and this weekend (or maybe even tomorrow) I will de doing a 50K ride at an average of 20mph. I am very fit despite all the above.

The above also puts me firmly in the "at risk" group. Current estimates is that I should reach the 82 years my pension is based on quite easily and carry on further. Now, if I were to catch CV-19 tomorrow and die a week later, it would be CV-19 that killed me, not the underlying conditions. If I hadn't caught CV-19, then I wouldn't have got sick and died. The underlying conditions might have speeded things up but they wouldn't be the cause of my dying, it would have been CV-19. That is the point.

[swaledale]

I've posted this before but I'll post it again, Tricky.

In 2002 I had 2 stents put in my 100% blocked left coronary artery. I see the cardio once a year and my local health centre also once a year, 6 months apart from the cardio. My stats come back perfect.

I have been on meds for high blood pressure since then and measure my BP regularly. 117 over 74 yesterday afternoon. 123 over 80 this morning. No problems there.

Idem ditto on meds for cholestorol. For years my blood tests have shown healthy cholestorol levels.

A few years back I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnoea. 28 breathing stops per hour, average length 23 seconds. Longest was 52 seconds. They only measure stops in excess of 10 seconds. In total I was not breathing for between 15 and 20 minutes of every hour I slept. Since then I have been on a CPAP every night and I now average 1.5 stops per hour and the machine spots it and immediately forces air into my lungs. All is well.

I also have the problem that I am 6 inches too short for my weight. Another issue.

However, there is good news. As I said my stats are all good. On top of that I ref 2 or 3 times a month and keep up with play. Most of the players are in their mid 20s. 4 weeks ago I got my racing bike out and cycle 3 or 4 times a week. Started with a 22Km ride, slowly going further and this weekend (or maybe even tomorrow) I will de doing a 50K ride at an average of 20mph. I am very fit despite all the above.

The above also puts me firmly in the "at risk" group. Current estimates is that I should reach the 82 years my pension is based on quite easily and carry on further. Now, if I were to catch CV-19 tomorrow and die a week later, it would be CV-19 that killed me, not the underlying conditions. If I hadn't caught CV-19, then I wouldn't have got sick and died. The underlying conditions might have speeded things up but they wouldn't be the cause of my dying, it would have been CV-19. That is the point.

Ah yes but 56,000 on average die each year from a respiratory disease, we don't get all uptight about that do we?

[MadAmster]

Ah yes but 56,000 on average die each year from a respiratory disease, we don't get all uptight about that do we?

I'm not uptight, merely explaining to Tricky why he is wrong about cause of death of those with underlying health issues who subsequently get CV-19 and die NOT being CV-19 in many cases.

The difference between CV-19 and a lot of the annual respiratory deaths is that the "others" are not caused by a contagious virus that you can pass on to others.

[Trickytreesreds]

I'm not uptight, merely explaining to Tricky why he is wrong about cause of death of those with underlying health issues who subsequently get CV-19 and die NOT being CV-19 in many cases.

The difference between CV-19 and a lot of the annual respiratory deaths is that the "others" are not caused by a contagious virus that you can pass on to others.

Maddy, I never doubted what you are saying.
Take myself. My immune system has been irradiated. It is still recovering and will be for some time.
If I get Covid, there is a chance it could be severe in me.
But by the same token, so could most illnesses.
Would I take my chances with Covid or cancer? Give me the Covid any day of the week. Combine the two/or any other and it's a different matter.
But the same could be said with normal flu or Measles

[ramAnag]

Ah yes but 56,000 on average die each year from a respiratory disease, we don't get all uptight about that do we?

I really don’t understand this attitude from an otherwise intelligent poster.

What has the fact that 56,000 die each year from a respiratory disease, or that 1800 die annually in traffic accidents got to do with anything?

The fact is we are in the midst of a pandemic which has killed 35,000 people in this country over the last nine weeks!

You can put forward an argument for fighting Coronavirus via a totally different route if you wish, but at least be honest about it, because what you really seem to be saying is that you accept a ‘survival of the fittest situation’ which sees a viral ‘culling’ of the old, the sick, those with underlying health conditions, the diabetic, overweight middle aged males, people of BAME origin etc.

If it were remotely possible to attribute political characteristics to a virus, it is rapidly assuming the appearance of something Hitler and the Nazis would have wholeheartedly approved of, but it seems most un-Swale like to be so hell bent on putting profit and economic recovery - however important that undoubtedly is - before people’s lives.

P.S. Tricky, not having a go, just interested. I thought you were ‘working’ as a volunteer for the NHS. Surely the health connotations you describe should prevent that.

[Trickytreesreds]

I really don’t understand this attitude from an otherwise intelligent poster.

What has the fact that 56,000 die each year from a respiratory disease, or that 1800 die annually in traffic accidents got to do with anything?

The fact is we are in the midst of a pandemic which has killed 35,000 people in this country over the last nine weeks!

You can put forward an argument for fighting Coronavirus via a totally different route if you wish, but at least be honest about it, because what you really seem to be saying is that you accept a ‘survival of the fittest situation’ which sees a viral ‘culling’ of the old, the sick, those with underlying health conditions, the diabetic, overweight middle aged males, people of BAME origin etc.

If it were remotely possible to attribute political characteristics to a virus, it is rapidly assuming the appearance of something Hitler and the Nazis would have wholeheartedly approved of, but it seems most un-Swale like to be so hell bent on putting profit and economic recovery - however important that undoubtedly is - before people’s lives.

P.S. Tricky, not having a go, just interested. I thought you were ‘working’ as a volunteer for the NHS. Surely the health connotations you describe should prevent that.

very true. But I have no choice but to fetch all my medications. I voulunteed to pick up local ones at the same time. It is the same risk. I fetch drop on door steps walk away.

[ramAnag]

very true. But I have no choice but to fetch all my medications. I voulunteed to pick up local ones at the same time. It is the same risk. I fetch drop on door steps walk away.

I admire your courage. Someone very close to me is in a similar position to you but probably a year behind you. They have been told to stay away from hospitals at all costs, even where, under normal circumstances, maintenance treatment would have been required.

[Trickytreesreds]

I admire your courage. Someone very close to me is in a similar position to you but probably a year behind you. They have been told to stay away from hospitals at all costs, even where, under normal circumstances, maintenance treatment would have been required.

Yes I understand.
That is another issue reguarding hospitals that needs resolving. I still cannot for the life of me, understand why all the Covid they can, haven't been sent to the Nightingale hossies. As many COVID free hospitals as possible should have been prepared.

I have to run the gauntlet in a Sheffield hospital in July. I have no choice.
But the same replies to many long term ill. We cannot keep holding people away from treatment.
The Covid deaths, which to be fair are by far and wide older people. Will pale into nothing by comparison.
That isn't being harsh, just factual.

[AdiSalisbury]

very true. But I have no choice but to fetch all my medications. I voulunteed to pick up local ones at the same time. It is the same risk. I fetch drop on door steps walk away.

Have a look at Pharmacy 2 U, medication delivered to your doorstep. It takes about a week and a half, so if its regular meds, then worthwhile signing up if they cover your area.

[Trickytreesreds]

Have a look at Pharmacy 2 U, medication delivered to your doorstep. It takes about a week and a half, so if its regular meds, then worthwhile signing up if they cover your area.

Appreciate that Adi. But mine changes a lot. One blood test needs immediate change.