Johns Hopkins Medical Centre - World Coronavirus infection Map by Country.

[Macca]

The public seem to be obsessed with knowing exactly what the govt's guidelines will allow. We all know by now what we can do to minimise risk. The "guidelines" should be seen as a bare minimum, not a boundary that needs to be pushed.

Yes. If you asked a bright child what actions to take to avoid an infectious disease they would be able to tell you without any problem. But some adults need it all spelled out for them? Really?

The PM can't exercise in the same place every day as it would be a security risk. You have to vary his routine. That's not an issue for the rest of us.

[Filterlab]

He could easily exercise locally to Downing Street with his security chaps with him. If he turns left out of Downing Street he could ride to Parliament Square and then up to Trafalgar Square and back past Downing Street a few times. Local. And as we're in a lockdown, there shouldn't be anyone about. Simple.

Or we could just let him out on his own and see what happens, and then get someone in charge who can actually do the job steadfastly.

[anthonyTD]

This is a very good article, it covers the story/history of how things started, and the theories surounding where it originated, and how the virus has been examined,and the findings etc.
It really is a very interesting read.

https://nymag.com/intelligencer/arti...b-global-en-GB

[walpurgis]

Whilst it's good to vaccinate the vulnerable, I keep thinking the nation's return to something resembling 'normal', might be quicker if the groups that mix with others most were vaccinated first.

[Macca]

He could easily exercise locally to Downing Street with his security chaps with him. If he turns left out of Downing Street he could ride to Parliament Square and then up to Trafalgar Square and back past Downing Street a few times. Local. And as we're in a lockdown, there shouldn't be anyone about. Simple.

he could and maybe he has done that previously. But he can't do the same thing every day. If you are an assassination/kidnap target then you are advised to vary your routes and routines on a daily basis. That's security 101. In short, if he want's to go outside and ride his bike for an hour each day then, unlike the rest of us, he has to do it in a different place each day.

[anthonyTD]

Quit agree Geoff,
This is why in Russia, they are vacinating those between 18, and 60, common sense if you want to preserve, and keep your economy going!

Whilst it's good to vaccinate the vulnerable, I keep thinking the nation's return to something resembling 'normal', might be quicker if the groups that mix with others most were vaccinated first.

[struth]

A large-scale trial of a new treatment it is hoped will help stop Covid-19 patients from developing severe illness has begun in the UK.

The first patient received the treatment at Hull Royal Infirmary on Tuesday afternoon.

It involves inhaling a protein called interferon beta which the body produces when it gets a viral infection.

The hope is it will stimulate the immune system, priming cells to be ready to fight off viruses.

Early findings suggested the treatment cut the odds of a Covid-19 patient in hospital developing severe disease - such as requiring ventilation - by almost 80%.

It was developed at Southampton University Hospital and is being produced by the Southampton-based biotech company, Synairgen.

A course of treatment with the new drug could cost around £2,000, which is not that expensive for a hospital treatment.

[walpurgis]

Interferon has been around for yonks, fairly sure it has been suggested some time ago in this context. There was also mention of Tamiflu, which although primarily aimed at Infuenza can be effective against other viral infections apparently. Not heard more on it though.

[Filterlab]

Whilst it's good to vaccinate the vulnerable, I keep thinking the nation's return to something resembling 'normal', might be quicker if the groups that mix with others most were vaccinated first.

Precisely.

It should be in this order in my opinion...

1. Workforce between 18 and 65 years of age
2. Uni and college students 16 and over
3. Children up to 16 years of age
4. The retired and vulnerable

That way we get the economy back on its feet faster, then the kids back to school and college/uni after the parents have been vaccinated, then lastly those whom mostly spend time at home and/or don't do anything to contribute to the economy (as a whole).

The government's got it completely backwards as usual.

[walpurgis]

I'm one of the vulnerable, as is my wife, but as we are not particularly inclined to mix socially or for other reasons, waiting a bit longer wouldn't put us out too much.