So the latest thing (media) is finding cases of this latest variant - for God's sake, they don't do this for Flu or Colds or any other infectious trivial illnesses now they have vaccines and cures. Why this one? ANSWER (above). Media. It's a "great story". (No, it's not but media has become so useless and simplistic they cannot find or create new stories; look at Ghislaine Maxwell).

Of course the latest "variant" is of MediaPanic. By exaggerating and inflating reality (and even inventing some) the media manages to provoke us, like Pavlov's Dogs. So we react hysterically by wearing masks and working from home, in terror of infection, whilst innocent people go on drowning in the Mediterranean or Channel or dying in refugee camps (check out Rohinga) or get shot trying to cross borders because we don't care about protecting humans. We only care about what the media tells us to care about.

Hidden away in the media (not a good story - indeed; kills a great story) the fact that this silly new variant seems to produce very mild symptoms. More infectious; less serious.

JK2006 wrote:
Hidden away in the media (not a good story - indeed; kills a great story) the fact that this silly new variant seems to produce very mild symptoms. More infectious; less serious.

Precisely what most virus mutations lead to. Not all but most mutate to become more infectious & less harmful. They "want" to spread and a dead host is no good at spreading it. Like you say, though, doesn't really fit the headlines does it...

Wyot wrote:
JK2006 wrote:
Hidden away in the media (not a good story - indeed; kills a great story) the fact that this silly new variant seems to produce very mild symptoms. More infectious; less serious.

Precisely what most virus mutations lead to. Not all but most mutate to become more infectious & less harmful. They "want" to spread and a dead host is no good at spreading it. Like you say, though, doesn't really fit the headlines does it...

I can't see many people wearing masks now. Not even the government front benchers do unless it's a photo opp. 2 cases now back to coverings and showing off lanyards - like Jews showed off yellow stars.

European countries are now forcing people to show their papers.

Christmas is already being phased out slowly. I very rarely the word 'Christmas' on cards, wrapping paper, adverts, commercials, shops fronts. It's either 'festive' or 'season's greetings'. Festive can mean any event, holiday or occasion.

However the Sikh and Jewish ran shops and businesses that I deliver to always wish me a "Merry Christmas" I say the same back even though they don't celebrate Christmas but they appreciate it. They even hand me Christmas cards also in person.

Green Man wrote:
[quote]Wyot wrote:
[quote]JK2006 wrote:


I can't see many people wearing masks now. Not even the government front benchers do unless it's a photo opp. 2 cases now back to coverings and showing off lanyards - like Jews showed off yellow stars.



Covid is here and here to stay and people need to start behaving as if they really understand this.

Because it is a cousin of the cold viruses it has a far longer incubation period than flu (7-10 days as opposed to 2). It also mutates much faster (average every 2 months as opposed to average once a year - yes Dr Wyot has been resesarching...), rendering us constantly on the back foot in terms of vaccines. This won't change unless there is a quantam leap in medical science. Passports and booster-bullying are short-term distractions made for short-term political gain.

Unlike flu many are asymptomatic or just display cold symptoms so remain in circulation and infect others, unlike those infected with flu who are always knocked out under a duvet, not infecting. Covid will continue to claim the lives of thousands of vulnerable people a year. Vaccines will NEVER outpace it. Vaccine passports are beside the point; political white noise.

However, restrictions are hugely damaging to the social ape we are and to our economies; which when damaged take lives too: it is not a cash Vs lives simplistic argument. Most want it to be because the alternative I paint here (that we won't be able to move beyond Covid in the forseeable future) is too hard to take.

So we have a choice. Not as most present it as a simple responsibility to shut society down to keep "with Covid" death counts down and keep ignoring all the harm this is doing.

No, the choice is to continue with this seasonal merry-go-round of restrictions for all and potentially inflict more damage and take as many -if not more - lives than the virus will, or accept that it is here to stay and that the cost of virtual lives and ruined economies is too high a price to pay to justify general restrictions.

Instead we protect the vulnerable as best we can and live with it. A monumental and fundamental choice for humanity. I'm not suggesting it is easy.

But we now need an honest and mature debate. Not perpetual knee-jerk reaction to an irresponsible media. Both sides need to be heard calmly and populist politics abandoned. A tall order that will require great leaders. Sadly, it seems we are some way from reaching what is needed; and it is now hard - and frightening - to see where this will all end.

Wyot wrote:
[quote]Green Man wrote:
[quote]Wyot wrote:
JK2006 wrote:


I can't see many people wearing masks now. Not even the government front benchers do unless it's a photo opp. 2 cases now back to coverings and showing off lanyards - like Jews showed off yellow stars.



Covid is here and here to stay and people need to start behaving as if they really understand this.

Because it is a cousin of the cold viruses it has a far longer incubation period than flu (7-10 days as opposed to 2). It also mutates much faster (average every 2 months as opposed to average once a year - yes Dr Wyot has been resesarching...), rendering us constantly on the back foot in terms of vaccines. This won't change unless there is a quantam leap in medical science. Passports and booster-bullying are short-term distractions made for short-term political gain.

Unlike flu many are asymptomatic or just display cold symptoms so remain in circulation and infect others, unlike those infected with flu who are always knocked out under a duvet, not infecting. Covid will continue to claim the lives of thousands of vulnerable people a year. Vaccines will NEVER outpace it. Vaccine passports are beside the point; political white noise.

However, restrictions are hugely damaging to the social ape we are and to our economies; which when damaged take lives too: it is not a cash Vs lives simplistic argument. Most want it to be because the alternative I paint here (that we won't be able to move beyond Covid in the forseeable future) is too hard to take.

So we have a choice. Not as most present it as a simple responsibility to shut society down to keep "with Covid" death counts down and keep ignoring all the harm this is doing.

No, the choice is to continue with this seasonal merry-go-round of restrictions for all and potentially inflict more damage and take as many -if not more - lives than the virus will, or accept that it is here to stay and that the cost of virtual lives and ruined economies is too high a price to pay to justify general restrictions.

Instead we protect the vulnerable as best we can and live with it. A monumental and fundamental choice for humanity. I'm not suggesting it is easy.

But we now need an honest and mature debate. Not perpetual knee-jerk reaction to an irresponsible media. Both sides need to be heard calmly and populist politics abandoned. A tall order that will require great leaders. Sadly, it seems we are some way from reaching what is needed; and it is now hard - and frightening - to see where this will all end.

SA in medical official's equivalent to SAGE are saying the variant is weaker than Delta. Kent Variant is no longer mentioned in the media.