Step Back - Probably Covid Restrictions To End...

Well, the Government looks to be stepping back from all Covid restrictions, if Johnson's comments yesterday are to be believed (BBC), to be confirmed in Cabinet this morning, apparently, then announced in Parliament later today, this, at the same time as the news of our 95 years old Queen being infected with COVID-19 was announced... 

We are now being told that, although the pandemic is not over yet, it is time to learn to live with Covid, but continuing to watch out for future variants. Hopefully this job will be left to experts who have monitored notifiable diseases for years, ie the public health authorities, not a pal of his who sets up another company to milk the taxpayer for money, as has been done with £billions over the last 2 years!

Anyway, trust is being put in the power of Covid vaccines, now that 91% of people 12 years old and over in the UK have had their first dose of a Covid vaccine, 85% their second dose, and 66% a booster. For Hastings, we appear to have more Covid deniers and conspiracy theorists than the national average, with the corresponding figures being 81%, 76% and 60% (BBC), roughly 10% fewer than nationally.

There is a suggestion that the Government's approach is to help divert rebellious Conservative backbench MPs from plotting to kick Johnson out of Downing Street, particularly noting that nearly 100 Conservative MPs voted against Covid passes in England, or that this is a diversion from the Police investigation into parties in Downing Street during lockdown... but surely not...

Anyway, it is not known yet whether free lateral flow tests will continue to be supplied to us, so I have a pack of them arriving today. Do what you have to feel safe folks!

It looks like April the 1st, not a joke apparently, will be the date free tests go, see this BBC page for further advice about testing etc...

Thank Goodness - The COVID-19 Vaccine!

Yes, the COVID-19 vaccine is now being delivered to British people, but, if you are a 'conspiracy theorist' please don't bother reading today's blog, it has nothing to offer you, as I'm providing some details about when we will receive the vaccine. So, for those who want to be protected against the COVID-19 virus, please do read on...

You will be aware that there are 2 vaccines being delivered in Britain, at the moment, initially to those in the highest priority group (1) that the Government has described, presumably advised by scientists and health professionals (SAGE - the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies - Government website). I am listing the 9 priority groups at the bottom of this blog.

Today, I received a text from the surgery I am registered with, which assures me I will be contacted when the group I am in is reached, and asked that I "not contact the practice or other NHS services regarding an appointment for a COVID vaccination." I've heard a medical doctor on the radio with exactly the same message. This is an enormous project to deliver, it takes up valuable resources, and any unnecessary contact only holds up work on trying to deliver the vaccination programme.

The aim of the programme is to vaccinate everyone in group 1 by the end of this month, everyone in groups 2-4 by mid-February, and those in the remaining groups 5-9 "possibly by Easter" (early April - BBC). I suggest this is ambitious, so don't hold your breath. When this part of the programme is finished, the vaccine will start being given to those aged between 16 and 50, as I said, this is an enormous project to undertake!

But please do remember to keep washing your hands regularly, wear a face covering where appropriate, and maintain social distancing of at least 2 metres.

Do be careful, and stay safe folks!

The nine priority groups thought to represent 90-99% of those people who are at risk of dying from COVID-19 are:

1. Residents in care homes for older adults and their carers
2. 80-year-olds and over and frontline health and social care workers
3. 75-year-olds and over
4. 70-year-olds and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals
5. 65-year-olds and over
6. 16- to 64-year-olds with serious underlying health conditions
7. 60-year-olds and over
8. 55-year-olds and over
9. 50-year-olds and over