Yes, even an accurate SIC wouldn't guarantee accuracy.

Then a week later when they develop a cough they will want another one and so on. That is why it is really clear that only those with symptoms should apply. It will not be useful for general epidemiological data if this approach is taken. There is a good rationale to have more general testing to provide information about the prevalence of Covid-19 but not capacity for that I need his system.

I'd like to repeat a question I posed earlier that sort of ties in with this point.

Why did we not start our testing in care homes? This is a vulnerable cohort of people scattered across the country, many with additional medical conditions. By sampling care homes we would have had a better reflection of regional transmission and etiology than from those presenting at hospitals. It could have given us a helpful early warning system and the opportunity to highlight the danger to this group of people and the options for their treatment or care. It would also have highlighted the strengths and shortcomings of the social care system, and in particular the safety of people working in this sector.

Picking up on the ethical point - what about special needs folks, young people in particular. I've heard almost nothing about what is happening here - but it's a huge and diverse sector. I would be interested to hear of any reports on that.

Roger

I read some really poor defence from Q on the previous thread. There was and there is absolutely no excuse for Cummings being present in meetings of the scientific advisory group. They are supposed to provide independent scientific advice to the govt and having a powerful political advisor there can bias their advice.  Cummings wasn't just present in the meetings, but he took active part in the discussions, this is completely wrong.

Huge amount of games to fit in , talk of free to air also , I wonder what SKY will say when I ask for some sort of discount 

The treatment of care homes residents and workers has been absolutely scandalous:

• no testing


• no help with PPE


• Govt asking care homes to take back hospital patients without been tested first


• No entry in death forms for CV19 until 6 April


• Very slow/inadequate data collection of infections and deaths at care homes

It's worse then negligence, some government ministers should be be imprisoned for what they have done.

The WHO is concerned about the current state of antibody testing and the idea of immunity certificates:

• There is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from COVID-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection


• Immunodiagnostic tests also need to accurately distinguish between past infections from SARS-CoV-2 and those caused by the known set of six human coronaviruses. Four of these viruses cause the common cold and circulate widely. The remaining two are the viruses that cause Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. People infected by any one of these viruses may produce antibodies that cross-react with antibodies produced in response to infection with SARS-CoV-2.

Which is greatly different from saying there is evidence that people who have recovered DON'T have protection.

I saw that as well and tried looking for it again. I believe her street started a Facebook group or something and publicly shamed her on it? I'd say that's downright bullying over shaming though.

This clapping is getting ridiculous now. I'm a key worker as they say and even I'm getting pissed off with it now. The first time it happened it was a genuinely nice gesture, but now it's turned into some narcissistic "look at me I'm a good person" type thing. I can't help but think of this meme when it starts:

I think of this...

I do clap for the NHS, but I see it as clapping for all the key workers not just the NHS. I do try and help my neighbour and grandparents as much as I can when I'm not working in school. I don't have a problem with the clapping per se but there are those who are complete hypocrites who do not adhere to the restrictions yet start banging on pots and pans at 8pm on a Thursday 

After watching Dr Sanjay Gupta getting one on CNN, I don't know why anyone would want to go through that unless there was a tangible benefit. 

Some great big fatty of a nurse shoved a foot long stick  right up the nose to the very back and another long stick down his throat to the point he started convulsing

Perhaps our tests are less invasive, but I would only get one if it gave me a green pass to allow free movement, though that would more likely be the antibody test

 Yeah, my neighbours who I won't name and shame for being hypocrites!

Indeed, and the death toll in care homes is probably the same as in hospital as shown by Newsnight last night

Yet, open up most newspapers and its hardly mentioned. All about easing lockdown

Is corona racist?

But I think I heard mentioned it was to do with ACE2 receptors in the lungs, which is why older men and ethnic groups are more vulnerable.

I did mine over a month ago, nice and cheap now 

Dr Sarah Gilbert said that natural immunity may not last very long and that her vaccine would be far more effective and long lasting

Amazing. I've not been out and clapped at all as I think it's silly, but if people want to go and clap, bang pots or (as last week) let off a couple of fireworks at 8PM then that's their own lookout.

Moaning at people for not doing it though - shocking.

Q would defend Cummings if he recommended drinking bleach

Belgium are starting schools again from 18th May but class sizes must be no bigger than 10. I wonder how they will work that?

There are two sides to tax through the Gateway.

The one most will see is the nice-looking PAYE side, which shows your pension payments, work payments etc. (It also says I'm employed by The Westlands Academy Trust, which had its name changed 10 years ago... look at the acronym and you'll see why it was changed to Swale Academies Trust!)

The one you mention is the less-nice looking self-assessment section, which I also use (as I have to pay extra tax due to my investments).

That said, outside the public sector as you say it'd be damned hard. They would have to rely on the private sector filling in forms etc to say which of their employees is a key worker. And all bets are off when it comes to sole traders, partnerships and ltd companies!

I think the probable explanation is they would rather have Cummings pissing out of the tent than into it.

He's also a handy stalking horse and fall guy.

R.

So 80% confident of her vaccine working and it will be far more effective and long lasting than organically generated anti-bodies. I'll say one thing about Gilbert, she doesn't lack self confidence.