(30 January 2021) For me the last weeks of January I always feel a little gloomy. Christmas is over, all the decorations have gone, I have had my birthday and the weather is usually rubbish.
This year is even worse with death stalking the streets, unable to socialise and Brexit biting.
There is hope with the vaccine but it is worrying that there is uncertainty on the best time period for the booster and whether or not the vaccinated can still be infectious. I fear the appearance of the Chicken Theory so that people feel happy with one (though it is not perfect) rather than having the rapid booster.
Also, some joy at the USA electing an ordinary mainstream, slightly kind gentleman rather than the alternative.
My current thought was formed from a recent newspaper headline quoting the Prime Minister that the new Covid variant was “30% more deadly”. Frightening news.
I read the article. It stated that the death rate for old Covid as 10 in 1,000. That is 1%.
The new variant had an estimated death rate of 13 in 1,000. That is 1.3%. Therefore, the death rate has only gone up by 0.3% – concerning but not a cause for panic. Always do the sums.
A resolution for this year is to take at least one photograph every day and I will publish a gallery for each month (if I manage to get galleries working). Below a picture summing up the end of festivities.
Keith’s Thoughts; 30 January 2021. For me the last weeks of January I always feel a little gloomy. Christmas is over, all the decorations have gone, I have had my birthday and the weather is usually rubbish.
RT: I am sorry you are gloomy. I have a lot to say. If it does not all get on the thoughts page, I will email.
For me Christmas over means calm returns, New Year means welcome new calendar, new beginnings and new milestones to smile at. The weather is good for the time of the year. Football is always there in some form to comfort. For me Brentford is third in the championship with a game in hand and a superior goal diff. For you Chelsea are through to the next round of the cup and got 4 out of 6 points in the last two premier games. It is also good, no excellent, to see a very positive anti-racist statement from Roman A on page 39 of the paper today with a photo of his happy smiling face. I am not sure if I have ever seen a picture of him smiling before.
KT: This year is even worse with death stalking the streets, unable to socialise and Brexit biting.
RT: Well, all of that is true but we have to make do. We (you and me) still have football though, unlike some.
KT: There is hope with the vaccine but it is worrying that there is uncertainty on the best time period for the booster and whether or not the vaccinated can still be infectious. I fear the appearance of the Chicken Theory so that people feel happy with one (though it is not perfect) rather than having the rapid booster.
RT: Being of an age I have had my first Covid vaccination. I have written a four page diary note about the experience which I can send you if you would like to read it.
We were all given a four page leaflet from the manufacturer about the stuff. I think it was directed at the administrators rather than the public and have written in pointing out the need for a second leaflet that the public can make sense of (all detailed in my diary note).
In particular the leaflet mentioned that we were to expect our follow up treatment in 21 days. That has been reset by the Government to be 12 weeks. Their thinking is that it is better to give all the endangered group either 70 or 90% protection (depending on which vaccine they receive) rather than give a lesser number slightly increased protection whilst the others remain exposed.
KT: Also, some joy at the USA electing an ordinary mainstream, slightly kind gentleman rather than the alternative.
RT: Joe Biden is not an ordinary mainstream gentleman, he is one who has been vice president and has spent many years of his life in the corridors of power, as you well know. He may be quiet and unassuming but he is getting on with it. Stop scare mongering!
KT: My current thought was formed from a recent newspaper headline quoting the Prime Minister that the new Covid variant was “30% more deadly”. Frightening news.
RT: This is where I was expecting you to come in with a broadside demanding the rich give more towards the costs of vaccinating the nation, for instance Mr “new job, high pay” Osborne. (see page 2 of the Guardian today).
KT: I read the article. It stated that the death rate for old Covid as 10 in 1,000. That is 1%.
The new variant had an estimated death rate of 13 in 1,000. That is 1.3%. Therefore, the death rate has only gone up by 0.3% – concerning but not a cause for panic. Always do the sums. RT: I will leave them to you.