COVID-19 Rant

[Trevor]

South Africa stops contact testing and quarantine:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10342333/South-Africa-STOPS-contact-tracing-quarantine-Asymptomatic-Covid-sufferers-wont-isolate.html

I don't know if this is a good or a bad thing considering the number of times our government have fallen on their faces during this last year.

[Rev. Powell]

Just got my booster. Now, about 30 minutes later, I have a pleasant buzz. 

Cool.  I suspect by tomorrow it may no longer be pleasant.   

We need to get this rumor started to get the teens into the clinics. But just like every other time I have no side effects besides a sore arm.

[Newt]

South Africa stops contact testing and quarantine:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10342333/South-Africa-STOPS-contact-tracing-quarantine-Asymptomatic-Covid-sufferers-wont-isolate.html

I don't know if this is a good or a bad thing considering the number of times our government have fallen on their faces during this last year.

We have been hearing that the new case numbers in SA have been declining rather abruptly.  It has been touted as the potential pattern for the 'trend' for omicron: a dramatic upswing followed by an equally dramatic downturn.  It seems a bit early to jump on that bandwagon,  but here's hoping they are right.

[Trevor]

South Africa stops contact testing and quarantine:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10342333/South-Africa-STOPS-contact-tracing-quarantine-Asymptomatic-Covid-sufferers-wont-isolate.html

I don't know if this is a good or a bad thing considering the number of times our government have fallen on their faces during this last year.

We have been hearing that the new case numbers in SA have been declining rather abruptly.  It has been touted as the potential pattern for the 'trend' for omicron: a dramatic upswing followed by an equally dramatic downturn.  It seems a bit early to jump on that bandwagon,  but here's hoping they are right.

That news is true - so far, anyway - but our government's roll-out of the vaccine etc (and many people's distrust / vaccine hesitancy) has led to a down tick of people getting the jab.

Side note: I went to our local library for the first time in years this morning and I had to sign in and had my temperature taken.

[Newt]

Side note: I went to our local library for the first time in years this morning and I had to sign in and had my temperature taken.

And that is a good thing!  Keeping protocols in place is what will beat this thing.  Too bad too many see improvement in numbers as cause to relax measures - including vaccination.   

Keep on taking care, my friend.  My best to your mum.

[Jim H]

South Africa stops contact testing and quarantine:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10342333/South-Africa-STOPS-contact-tracing-quarantine-Asymptomatic-Covid-sufferers-wont-isolate.html

I don't know if this is a good or a bad thing considering the number of times our government have fallen on their faces during this last year.

We have been hearing that the new case numbers in SA have been declining rather abruptly.  It has been touted as the potential pattern for the 'trend' for omicron: a dramatic upswing followed by an equally dramatic downturn.  It seems a bit early to jump on that bandwagon,  but here's hoping they are right.

That news is true - so far, anyway - but our government's roll-out of the vaccine etc (and many people's distrust / vaccine hesitancy) has led to a down tick of people getting the jab.

Side note: I went to our local library for the first time in years this morning and I had to sign in and had my temperature taken.

That's interesting.  The only places I've seen do that here are a doctor's office and...  A tiny cupcake shop.  Every other place, big and small, no temperature stuff to get in. 

I work at a library too - we had a protocol for employees feeling unwell and getting a temperature scan early on, but that was it.  We did close to the public for a long time though, opting for just deliveries and pickups.

[Trevor]

We need to get this rumor started to get the teens into the clinics. But just like every other time I have no side effects besides a sore arm.

With my last jab, my arm hurt so badly, I couldn't sleep. The pain went away within half a day.

[Allhallowsday]

...
We need to get this rumor started to get the teens into the clinics. But just like every other time I have no side effects besides a sore arm.

Not a rumor.  It's the truth!   

[lester1/2jr]

allhallows - luckily she has enough $ to segregate herself in a hotel room I'm sure many families don't

[Alex]

Got the chance to come home for two days and see the family. Given the 24 hours notice, I was given to deploy, getting Xmas and Boxing Day with the family feels like a major boost. Got a good present on Xmas Eve. We received a rather cold and brutal message that our deployment was being extended by at least a month and that we were to be given no more time off, other than New Year's Eve and New Years Day when the clinics are being closed anyway.

I've been introducing myself with "Hi, my name is Alex and I'll be stabbing you today." I've also been trying to break the ice a little by saying "I normally fix aircraft for a living, so if you could just put your arms straight out and make a noise like an engine, that'd help me a lot." I got a bit of a surprise when one old guy thought I was being serious and did actually do it. Did make my day though and give me a good laugh. Delivered a few hundred vaccines so far, mostly painlessly (one woman spent 10 minutes arguing with me over whether or not I'd actually given her an injection or not as she hadn't felt anything). In my time we've had to replace the Fire Brigade when they went on strike. We've supported the ambulance service when they've been under pressure, we stepped in when the London Olympic Games was about to be a disaster and rescued it (mostly out of sheer determination and willpower). When England's cities exploded into riots, we've been on standby to help the police and restore order (although thankfully we were not called out onto the streets. That ever happens, then a corner has been turned). We help the coast guard with the whole migrant thing, but out of everything, this feels like the most worthwhile thing I have done in my 20-year career.

[Trevor]

I've been introducing myself with "Hi, my name is Alex and I'll be stabbing you today." I've also been trying to break the ice a little by saying "I normally fix aircraft for a living, so if you could just put your arms straight out and make a noise like an engine, that'd help me a lot." I got a bit of a surprise when one old guy thought I was being serious and did actually do it. Did make my day though and give me a good laugh.

[Trevor]

I love my country but here is more evidence that we have some idiots in charge: 

https://ewn.co.za/2021/12/25/kzn-health-department-reassures-public-that-covid-vaccinations-are-available

Sorry but how does "low turnout increase"? Probably goes up to zero? 

[Jim H]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/12/28/omicron-new-years-eve/?utm_source=reddit.com

"Omicron and delta are coming to your party," Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) said at a news conference this week. "So you need to think twice about how many people will be gathered together, keeping social distancing if you're at a party. And if you can't, leave."

What a joke these sorts of statements are becoming.  No shutdowns for work, no cutting down on bars, sporting events, a gigantic fireworks show, everyone has to be in hugely crowded classrooms...  But yeah, cancel your 15 person New Year's Eve party because your governor says to at a press conference. 

[Alex]

Got told that to make sure there are enough people to continue giving vaccinations, we aren't going to be able to go home for New Year and are going to have to remain in the hotel. There is absolutely no rules stopping the people I'd go stay with to come here and staying with me. Off to Nairn today. Things have been pretty slow over the past week. I think it is down to people not wanting to risk having side effects over the festive period and that it will get busy again in 2022. At a guess, I'd say I've injected around 300 people so far. Not normally being a people person, pretending to be friendly and happy all the time is quite mentally exhausting.

[ER]

Maybe I'm giddy from too little sleep this morning but your last sentence made me laugh.