Punkdoc will have insight into estimates of those with symptoms who are testing.
Part of the point of testing was for people to isolate so they don't spread it around, but partly it's so that we can have more accurate data of what's happening. Without proper data it's all guess work.
In my view people test and isolate in order to protect other people and support the country's health. Those who have no interest in other people's well being just ignore it all and think that everyone else can sod off. This total disregard for others nationally I have found deeply shocking - including attitudes of friends, family and neighbours. They can do a lot to help others not get sick and they really don't give a toss.
My daughter-in-law flew to the US yesterday, but as far as I am able to tell, the only reason she is allowed to do this is because she is an American citizen, although resident in the UK. I am sorry if I am right about this, but I believe I am.
Just over half of London is fully vaccinated and levels are flattening off. We are very far from "the other side" of this - thought that is what the papers love to pedal.
@Lyn In a word, a short answer might be - civic distrust of authority - suspicion. The power of social media in younger and disaffected groups, many of whom are not registered with a GP. Over 300 languages are spoken in London schools, with 8% of residents having two main languages; Adding a further gulf in the ability to reach famiies effectively and accurately, to build trust enough to get people to register with the NHS and then get vaccinated. Low levels of testing, isolating or vaccinating.
We also have high numbers of people who are homeless, sofa surfing, or in otherwise unstable housing situations - all which are less likely to be engaged with public health agendas and not registered.
Other factors include a huge shift of London populations in the last two or so years - between Covid and Brexit. It may be that few gave formal notice to GPs etc that they were leaving London, so their heads are still counted in London Covid stats. A lot of foreign nationals left after Brexit because the got fed up or because they had to, or it was just too uncertain or unpleasant to stay. With Covid, London has seen a mass exodus of people who realised they hated London and finallly wanted to get out. More had to leave because they lost their jobs or contracts or companies; and house prices/rents were too high and the uncertainty and volitilty of the housing market too great.
I live in Haringey borough and, even allowing for transient populations, our double jab levels are pretty abysmal at 54% - a level that isn't shifting. The anti-vaxx lobby is loud, suspicion high, religious institutions often not onside and social media defining public health practice. All very depressing as it's clearly these populations that are very much more vulnerable to covid illnesses and death.
Totally agree with @Fire comments. It is really alarming how selfish society has become. With regard to people getting tested, when they have symptoms, it is thought to be as low as 10-15%.
How can you lie there and think of England When you don't even know who's in the team
Totally agree with @Fire comments. It is really alarming how selfish society has become. With regard to people getting tested, when they have symptoms, it is thought to be as low as 10-15%.
From the work we have done with marginal communities, I would estimate that in Haringey and other similar boroughs, it's even lower than that here. Paranoia and conspiracy theories abound, to the point where they've become almost mainstream.
The selfishness I have encountered in the last two years, leading community public health efforts, has made me weep on many occasions. I hear sentiments from friends, family and neighbours that I never thought I would hear in my lifetime. I don't really do social media except this forum. I tried to do some outreach on FB and became so sickened by the hate, chaos and disinformation locally that I deleted my account. Oddly enough, some of the most upsetting messaging was via a Financial Times sub I took out for a few months last year. I suspect trolls were being paid to disrupt, but the views widely expressed in 'below the line' public comments sections, made me feel that I really don't want to live in this country any more. Sometimes England feels like a nasty, sour, narrow little place.
Sour media, over decades, has done its work and there seems little social trust left. Affluenza and self-entitlement has put greed and grasping first and people second. To me if seems that Brexit and Covid (and environment on a wider stage) have been tests of social caring, and the UK has failed very badly on every score. Blaming lack of education and teen self-absorbtion can only take you so far.
That is so dispiriting, @fire. It is depressing to read your comments.
As a balance, the whole country is not so wayward. Here in Rutland mask wearing in shops is still very high, the big topic of conversation is who has reached the 182 day landmark and can have their booster vaccination and belief in conspiracy theories, at least expressed publicly and judging by local social media groups and conversations, is virtually non existent.
I am blessed that I live in a kind community. When somebody asks on Nextdoor for a helping hand or the loan of a piece of equipment, help is instantly forthcoming. Around me there are no noisy parties, disruptive barbecues, inconsiderate parking or all the other grinding annoyances that wear folk down. We know one another by name and offer support unconditionally.
@BenCotto - I think that's very true. London is an aberration. I bang on a lot about not wanting to live here any more - I never really did. I live in a lovely little enclave of strong and helpful community, but it's unusual.
Mask wearing in the capital seems very low, in shops or on public transport. I watch buses go past and nobody seems to be wearing masks. It seems so nuts as, in many ways, the steps to help stop infection like masks, hand washing, social distancing in public - are cheap and a form of common courtesy. It seems here to be a mix of laziness, sheephood, sticking two fingers up to "authority", malaise and a weird sense of invulerabillity: "I don't know anyone who died". I stick out as the only one in a crammed and crowded shop wearing a mask, I feel the pull to sheephood, but do the sensible thing anyway.
Long covid is a thing dismissed as either not existing or of marginal importance. As someone who has had ME for 20 years, I am sure that long covid will be one of the main long term falls outs from this and future pandemics. Another is the huge tying up of medical and national resources in virus management to the detriment of other illnesses, the NHS, staff, schooling etc. In my view, anyone who isn't trying their damnest to limit viral impact, is making it harder for everyone else, everywhere else now and long into the future.
Human populations, space and time and all irrevocably interconnected as never before and the virus brings this into sharp relief. Our actions affect other people in no time flat - in messaging, disease load, support we can offer, holiday travel. People can try to shrug that responsibilty off, but it's the modern world we live in. You have massive impacts, whether you like it or not.
Sadly, your comments are so true @Fire. There is one other factor regarding testing. The Zoe app has identified a big list of symptoms, they were successful in getting loss of taste and smell recognised, but this Gov't haven't updated the list for nearly a year. Other countries have done so. We are now behind most of the rest of EU with the vaccine, yet they still keep crowing about how great it all is. I have just come back from a week in France, they are much stricter with precautions insist on masks, check vaccine status even to sit outside at a cafe. Their rates are much lower than ours, they are ahead with the vaccine, mostly because they got on with vaccinating school age children way before we did.
Posts
i thought people had come round to thinking it was for the best.
It is really alarming how selfish society has become.
With regard to people getting tested, when they have symptoms, it is thought to be as low as 10-15%.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
As a balance, the whole country is not so wayward. Here in Rutland mask wearing in shops is still very high, the big topic of conversation is who has reached the 182 day landmark and can have their booster vaccination and belief in conspiracy theories, at least expressed publicly and judging by local social media groups and conversations, is virtually non existent.
I am blessed that I live in a kind community. When somebody asks on Nextdoor for a helping hand or the loan of a piece of equipment, help is instantly forthcoming. Around me there are no noisy parties, disruptive barbecues, inconsiderate parking or all the other grinding annoyances that wear folk down. We know one another by name and offer support unconditionally.