There was some alarm when a swine flu vaccine was rushed out and appeared to result in an increase in Guillain-Barre syndrome, and the use of the vaccine would probably have been dropped if need for it hadn't gone away as swine flu itself died out. Retrospective studies suggest that the flu itself may have caused the syndrome in most of the cases, though; but it does illustrate potential hazards of quick fixes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guillain%E2%80%93Barr%C3%A9_syndrome#Causes - 3rd para

The syndrome shows up as a suppression of the autonomic nervous system, eg heartbeat rate, breathing, all the things we don't think about - and it can kill.

The situation in care homes is becoming a massive concern. There are two aspects to this: 1) the residents 2) the staff looking after them. I won't go over old ground again but as much as my experiences of the NHS have often been poor the opposite is true of care homes. The people working in them have gone the "extra mile" many time when dealing with me and for that I will always be grateful. Many of them are paid a pittance and do what can be an awful job very well.    

Covid-19: Elderly abandoned to worst the virus can do, charities and providers warn

The coronavirus is causing devastation in care homes and elderly people are being abandoned to “the worst the virus can do”, charities and providers have warned.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/covid-19-elderly-abandoned-to-worst-the-virus-can-do-charities-and-providers-warn-chglhj792

Coronavirus: Care homes become the hidden front line in Britain’s fight against Covid-19

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/coronavirus-care-homes-become-the-hidden-front-line-in-britains-fight-against-covid-19-hdmb9kmwx 

Its funny how people have such varying opinions of the NHS 

I have absolutely huge praise for the NHS as over the last 15 years I have had

3 hernia ops

Gall Bladder removal

Rushed to the JR with Quinsy and treated superbly 

Pneumonia

Procedure on my right foot ( old football injury ) to be carried out in two visits

^^^^^ It was the second visit January 14th , that was completely cocked up , I was sent to The Ramsey ( private ) by the NHS and its still very painful , so much so I am still taking Tramadol . ^^^^

I guess experiences are very much regional and can vary but up to the 14th Jan - first class I'd say  

Thanks for that David, I wasn’t aware that had been an issue with the swine flu vaccine.

Probably not Caz. Both you and I both agreed with him about they should be made to comply but we are still accused of having some sort of anti-lockdown attitude !

There is a big difference between that and feeling empathy for people who are affected more than some others. For example i am far less affected than my highly compliant teen grandson but I still feel have empathy for the things he is missing.

I think there is a cultural divide, not just religious. In my street there are a lot of Asian households. I have observed a lot of family mixing, cars coming and going. Several BBQs were happening yesterday and I could hear crowds of people in back gardens

But the English households tend to be older retired couples who seem to be adhering to the rules, though it may be a class divide.

From what I hear on social media in less well off parts of Croydon, poorer white working class communities are also mixing at each others houses and flats

Around Purley there are about 20 and several a few doors away from me on either side

They all seem to be staffed by Africans who come in on the bus or walk from the train station. I assume they are given PPE or some sort of mask when they go inside

I have seen a lot of Ambulances coming and going in recent weeks

I want an end because I am selfish and I miss the pub!

But from what I can gather, the Right tend to be more concerned about the economy and debt, and worried that voters might get used to massive govt spending and want more of it during normal times!

I can see no easy way out of ongoing restrictions until a vaccination becomes available and enough of it is administered. So I think we will continue to have rolling lockdowns and age-based restrictions for another 18 months. 

Sorry if you think I flew off the handle somewhat, but here's your post again.

"Continuing from the previous thread and the question of religious gatherings. I’m not particularly religious but I respect the choice of those who are. This must be a really difficult time for those of certain faiths for whom togetherness is a big part of their faith. I know it’s against current regulations but I think at times of need, togetherness is even more important. I’m not for one minute suggesting they should be excepted from the rules and I don’t condone such gatherings. However, I do think we could be a little more understanding and less critical of them. We’re all in this together but we all have different needs and circumstances".

Yes it is a difficult time but surely life and death is above religion. Dangerous (for us as well) that some faiths think the contrary. "I know its against current regulations but I think at times of need togetherness is more important". "However, I do think we could be a little more understanding and less critical of them". Yes I understand that for some faiths prayer seems to be the main reason why they exist, so anything ANYTHING else takes second fiddle. But, their selfishness to the cause in this case means they are endangering others, especially as they are living alongside others. I think this just highlights some faiths where sensible precautions have been observed against others who are not in touch with reality and the living world around them. They are stuck in their own brainwashed vacuumed state unable to realise the nightmare going on around them. 

I voted brexit and I appreciate you didn’t place everyone into the same pot.

I am very much keep the lockdown in place. The economy is important, but so is life. It’s seems a lot of the those calling for the lockdown to end are extremely wealthy and are worried about losing their millions.

.@piersmorgan picking up on key point here. Why was Gove able to secure his 17 year old daughter a Covid test on the NHS? https://t.co/lbvaIABpsa

— Owen Bennett (@owenjbennett) April 13, 2020

12 deaths confirmed at care home in County Durham

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-52268841

Spain 12-hour update

• 2,665 new cases


• 280 new deaths

That would be fine as long as shops, pubs etc can open as normal but with social distancing. Impossible to police though. And the old boys will still want to come to the pub, and who is going to stop them?

I don't see how pubs can be reopened.

Yes similar here and I am grateful for what they have done for me. Not as perfect as you though. My experiences of our hospital (and I have a lot) have been mixed and it seems to vary with department. To summarise:-

Cardiac unit - fantastic, if based on this I would say our NHS was world class. Brilliant dealing with my atrial fibrillation and continue to be.

Elderly care - poor, especially the assessment ward that allowed my mother to get hypothermia before she died of heart failure later. Also my neighbour was basically neglected.

Two knee replacements -  Pretty good although there were some poor practices post op in the ward, No proper icing just like a leaking plastic Tesco bag filled with ice!

Outpatient appointments - generally very good and on time.

Audio dept - excellent

Gall bladder - again pre-assessment ward terrible. Mis-diagnosed me despite classic symptoms. This later led to blocked bile duct and partial liver failure.

Gall bladder removal operation - superb, couldn't fault it and survived despite my heart stopping briefly when given the anaesthetic.

I don't blame the NHS though. It requires remedial action which involve better recruitment, training and resoucing in some areas. The hospital in question also has, in the past, had a very low rating nationally so as you say, it must vary regionally.

Remember the doorstep milk deliveries? Wish we still had those, Beast. We could bring get them to deliver beer too. R.

Excellent news

I think they are partially lifting their lockdown so will be interesting to see what happens

Cases rising in China again, though perhaps this is Strain C rather than A, or previous sufferers who remain asymptomatic but are still infectious?

The Horizon documentary showed that Bats didn't suffer symptoms but they all carry and spread it to each other. 

A few households in my street still get milk deliveries, but I think beer would be stolen (by me!)