There is another complicating factor though: vaccine hesitancy For example, look at South Africa. They have a surplus on hand, in spite of lower Vax rates because according to them, they have as much, if not more Vax hesitancy than US.
Oh, there's no question about it. They are definitely more vaccine hesitant than most western countries. Many of them view their governments with a very jaundiced eye. But they often have reason and, sometimes, that's to do with how we've enabled their leaders to steal the country's money. There's a reason why places like London are recognised as centres of tax evasion and corruption. But I think we're letting ourselves off the hook when we go looking for excuses... although I'm not suggesting that's what you're doing, obviously. We should be doing a LOT more and should be passing laws to effectively give the rights to produce vaccines we've developed for this under some sort of emergency legislation. It's like we're locked in a battle with an enemy and some large companies are gun-running to the people trying to kill us.
Apparently the sequence % of omicron cases in England up to 1.6% already! That's in insane given their total new daily case avg.
Some preliminary data from SA is beginning to come in. https://www.samrc.ac.za/news/tshwane-district-omicron-variant-patient-profile-early-features I've just watched a post from the old doctor fella and decided to check the source which is 'The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)'. He seems to think this could be quite positive in the long run and I think he might be right. The most important aspects from what I can see are... 1. The bulk of them haven't needed oxygen, (which is, apparently, different to their previous experience of covid 'waves'). 2. The bulk of them were admitted into hospital NOT for covid but for some other reason... presumably other illness, accident or whatever. They were what they described as 'incidental covid admissions;, i.e. people who just happened to have covid when they arrived for another reason. 3. Although there's been a huge increase in covid infections, (the data is from waste water treatment plants, for which I've included a video from another fella), the bulk of them were unvaccinated which implies the vaccines are still effective. It looks like Omicron has been there since about mid October according to waste water data although it's not yer been confirmed it's Omicron for certain. 4. The average hospital stay has reduced from 8.5 days for previous covid 'waves' down to about 2.5 days, reflective of much less severe disease. Anyway, there are still many, MANY questions still to be answered but if it's a possibility there might be more infections, (which will increase herd immunity), but without a rise in deaths and severe disease, that's got to be a good thing, right? Edit: BTW, I don't necessarily agree it means the 'end' of the pandemic. That's pure speculation at this point.
This is what doesn't make sense,,, Covid antiviral pill molnupiravir/Lagevrio set for UK at-home trials People most vulnerable to Omicron would reportedly be offered experimental pill within 48 hours of testing positive What's the betting people who haven't been vaccinated will gladly accept this 'treatment' which is, itself, experimental.
I’m at the point that beds and treatments should be only for breakthrough cases. If you choose to not get vaccinated, it implies refusal of medical care and a DNR if you get COVID. Space and resources are finite. Thanks for playing k-byeeeeeeeee
Yeah, we've discussed this before and I heard an interview with a doctor who was saying that he's losing patience with them. It's been known for a while... https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...cinated-my-patience-with-them-is-wearing-thin
Anti rheumatism medicin RoActemra (tocilizumab) is going into a shortage because of high demand by covid patients.
It's another one that's being investigated by health regulators in Europe as a treatment... https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/e...roactemra-hospitalised-adults-severe-covid-19 I think the yanks are using it, aren't they? Edit: Apparently, yes, they are. https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2021-06-25.htm
This is something I am noticing amongst acquaintances There is one group who are pro-vaxx but against mandates. Another group that is just are fed up with the pandemic and exasperated with those who won't get vaxxed The problem I see is that there is only one plan to end that pandemic, and that is vaxx the world. So for those who oppose mandates, what is their actual plan to end the pandemic?
Herd immunity, if such a thing is possible. Of course that'll mean millions will die. For those people, it's mostly brown and black people so who cares, right? Never mind the millions more who will have chronic health problems. And who knows what'll happen in 5 or 10 years (or longer)?
There also seems to be a misplaced belief that if only we communicate in the right way, the other 25-30% of people will get vaxxxed.