tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6908362959739425575.post4262585754621709330..comments2024-03-29T07:54:12.874+00:00Comments on MEI's Barry Wills: October Mining Sundowner: a brief glimpse of normality?MEIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834780351452765156noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6908362959739425575.post-13759174563296591122021-10-25T09:06:40.207+01:002021-10-25T09:06:40.207+01:00I fear that you are right Franklin and that there ...I fear that you are right Franklin and that there is a hard winter ahead of us. Hard to understand why masks are not mandatoryMEIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14834780351452765156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6908362959739425575.post-9996218001868778332021-10-25T06:38:24.517+01:002021-10-25T06:38:24.517+01:00Available data on Covid vaccine coverage reveal th...Available data on Covid vaccine coverage reveal that the UK is still somewhat below 70% fully vaccinated. If you assume 90% efficacy for Astra Zeneca vaccine, and apply basic probability theory, protection at population level therefore works out at approximately 60%, meaning that about 40% of the UK population remains vulnerable (and this risk is not homogenously distributed). What we now know about Covid is that aerosol transmission is relatively more important than it is for influenza which is relatively more droplet; the former requires masking in enclosed spaces to reduce transmission (which also occurs among vaccinated people although at a lower level than for unvaccinated). The two diseases differ substantially in severity, with Covid much more virulent (higher mortality rate). The so-called "delta plus" strain is gaining ground in the UK; while the vaccine remains relatively effective, this shift also has implications for severe disease among those who become infected. MPs are considered to be influential: what they do, has a behavioral impact not only on their immediate colleagues and staff staff, but also on their constituencies. The UK health secretary advised Parliament to mask up, consistent with the best scientific advice, but this was countermanded by Rees-Mogg as "leader" of the house. But this is not leadership: a resurgence of Covid in the UK is inevitable in the coming weeks and months. This is my approximate "take" on the UK situation. <br />Franklin Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04375454929593667037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6908362959739425575.post-78960172242040822452021-10-23T18:08:10.025+01:002021-10-23T18:08:10.025+01:00I wear a mask just to show I'm not a ToryI wear a mask just to show I'm not a ToryMEIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14834780351452765156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6908362959739425575.post-63137881115505227632021-10-23T11:41:24.244+01:002021-10-23T11:41:24.244+01:00Corona is still splaying hide and seek--now it is ...Corona is still splaying hide and seek--now it is for society and individuals to understand "what to do and what not"-pandemic threw many challenges, taught all nations to have "single focus' ,if we have to think of a bright future to "next generation"Rao,T.C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11160713677908165404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6908362959739425575.post-24106562297013756452021-10-22T21:49:39.219+01:002021-10-22T21:49:39.219+01:00You have to wonder what planet Rees-Mogg is on!You have to wonder what planet Rees-Mogg is on!MEIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14834780351452765156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6908362959739425575.post-42679015533895693972021-10-22T20:08:50.811+01:002021-10-22T20:08:50.811+01:00A classical example of ironic understatement: &quo...A classical example of ironic understatement: "However, we needn't have worried, as there was no risk, because we all know each other!" Point taken. Franklin Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04375454929593667037noreply@blogger.com