Didn’t really need all the nonsense though to scare people. You get the feeling they were playing games. His point is correct though their rollout has been a shambles compared to other countries. He also pointed out they weren’t complaining about the US just Britain for some reason....🤔

 

I think the European countries were in a "damned if you do, damned if you don't situation". It is probably right to investigate the claims, although in a global pandemic I would suggest that the risk outweighs the reward and unless the link is proven then it is a huge risk. The problem is the main powers did some a botched job on the AZ vaccine in January that a lot of these problems are mainly of their own doing.

 

I used to have a lot of time for Macron, but I'm not actually sure he is that much better than Boris? France are now only using the AZ vaccine for over 55s, despite not wanting to give it anyone over 65 a few weeks ago :blink: You can understand vaccine hesitancy when the medical regulators make these types of decisions. Looks like France is going to have a real problem to get any form of herd immunity.

Macron has his faults (his comments about the AZ vaccine in January were idiotic) but I'd swap him for Johnson in an instant.

Germany also resumed vaccinating with AZ today. Berlins State authorities were shouting loudly this morning about it being back on which was good.

 

Our case numbers have risen almost vertically. Although how much of that is linked to increased testing I am not sure. While the federal government f***ed it up a bit, the State of Berlin has done a cracking job. I am entitled to one free rapid test per week either by just walking up to one of 4 mass testing centres or by booking an appointment at one of the 12 neighbourhood centres. They’re not counted in the stats but anyone positive is then made to get a PCR so I’m wondering how much of our rise is genuine and how much is actually just more accurately capturing the situation on the ground

 

The USA will be sending unused doses of the AZ vaccine (which hasn't yet been approved in the US) to Mexico.

 

China will be allowing overseas visitors who can prove they have had a vaccine - as long as it is a Chinese vaccine. That sets a very unwelcome precedent which I hope no other country will follow.

While I hope other countries don’t follow this precedent and that any vaccine approved by the WHO is acceptable, in this day and age the question has to be asked of who’d voluntarily go to China as a westerner anyway? I’m far too gobby, I’d end up in a gulag before I’d even reached the immigration queue :lol:

 

As lovely as I’m sure China and her citizens are, the government are a dangerous threat to the entire world.

While I hope other countries don’t follow this precedent and that any vaccine approved by the WHO is acceptable, in this day and age the question has to be asked of who’d voluntarily go to China as a westerner anyway? I’m far too gobby, I’d end up in a gulag before I’d even reached the immigration queue :lol:

 

As lovely as I’m sure China and her citizens are, the government are a dangerous threat to the entire world.

 

Compartmentalisation for myself, I consider where my speaking up will be effective, and where it will not be. As much as I enjoy the daily life I'm just mercenary here, I'm saving far more than I'd expect to in most career paths I could have gone into back home, enough to have a good base when I return to decide a new direction.

 

China plays geopolitics very... bluntly. This will be an attempt to gain more friends by making their vaccine more attractive. Even though it is vaccine nationalism and likely to cut down on the immigrants they require for a time.

Guardian are reporting that the rise in France could be linked to a hybrid of the "Kent" and "South African" variants.. that's alright we still have travel between France!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56469687

 

A silly anti lockdown protest in London then, the lockdown is being eased anyway soon. Few masks being worn of course too. More fines need to be issued here by police I think.

 

Guardian are reporting that the rise in France could be linked to a hybrid of the "Kent" and "South African" variants.. that's alright we still have travel between France!

 

Interesting to see how many people who have had one of the vaccines already get the virus with these new variants such as the SA one and how many become seriously ill with it. There needs to be more studies into this.

 

Anyway, there reportedly seems to be a lot of anti vaccine sentiment in France, almost certainly more now because of the temporary AZ vaccine suspension.

Edited March 20, 20214 yr by The. Snake.

So it’s been four days since I saw my parents last and today my mum is very torn on her vaccine decision and I think it really is now a matter of time. My dad also told me that he’s waiting for my mum to decide to get it as he thinks she’ll see him getting it as him putting pressure on her to do the same and he wants her to come to that conclusion herself. I’m really positive about this now.

And I’ve just undone all that by sending a text about my mum to my mum, f*** my life.

And I’ve just undone all that by sending a text about my mum to my mum, f*** my life.

 

Oh no, sorry to hear that. :(

 

If anyone has a bit of free time I would heartily recommend this interview with Michael Rosen. I absolutely love him and really enjoy his work and discussions whenever he makes public appearances, so it was quite harrowing and upsetting to hear him discuss his battle with Covid- but it's a sobering, compelling and moving watch. His comments about the NHS are particularly striking, but good just to see him back in his usual upbeat spirits and smiling despite everything. I can totally see why he is backing a public inquiry into the government's handling of the pandemic.

 

I don’t think she’s seen it yet because she’s awful with phones. I just sent her ‘mum is finding she can’t find anyone in real life who doesn’t want the vaccine’ which was meant for my brother and sister. It could have been worse and they’ve both been consoling me all night so far. My brother is seeing her tomorrow and will hopefully smooth things over.

I don’t think she’s seen it yet because she’s awful with phones. I just sent her ‘mum is finding she can’t find anyone in real life who doesn’t want the vaccine’ which was meant for my brother and sister. It could have been worse and they’ve both been consoling me all night so far. My brother is seeing her tomorrow and will hopefully smooth things over.

 

That's not too bad, if she's like my Mum she'll probably only notice it's been sent to her tomorrow AFTER you've spoken to her. Hopefully your Mum and Dad are coming round to the idea of taking the vaccine anyway, maybe seeing the Prime Minister getting it has helped? Or do they hate him as much as my parents do?! Best of luck with it anyway. : )

That's not too bad, if she's like my Mum she'll probably only notice it's been sent to her tomorrow AFTER you've spoken to her. Hopefully your Mum and Dad are coming round to the idea of taking the vaccine anyway, maybe seeing the Prime Minister getting it has helped? Or do they hate him as much as my parents do?! Best of luck with it anyway. : )

 

They’re not massive fans of the prime minister. I really think my mum just has concerns over what the vaccine will do to her, she doesn’t have a great immune system and she’s concerned about long term effects. But she’s also worried about Covid. My dad is just doing what he thinks is right for her. I think they’ll get their first dose within weeks. Literally everyone they know is getting or has got it which is definitely making my mum second guess herself. I’ve calmed down a bit now and I don’t think she’ll think much on the message when she does finally see it.

 

She’s always been for me and others to get the vaccine, she’s only concerned about the effects it might have on her personally but she’s definitely coming around.

I think every single person who gets the vaccine worries about what it will do to them, Im the same. I always think what if it effects me differently than others but I guess the likely hood of a bad reaction is so small. You are as likely to be affected by taking aspirin so best just to go for it as itll help in the long run.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56469687

 

A silly anti lockdown protest in London then, the lockdown is being eased anyway soon. Few masks being worn of course too. More fines need to be issued here by police I think.

Interesting to see how many people who have had one of the vaccines already get the virus with these new variants such as the SA one and how many become seriously ill with it. There needs to be more studies into this.

 

Anyway, there reportedly seems to be a lot of anti vaccine sentiment in France, almost certainly more now because of the temporary AZ vaccine suspension.

They don’t realise that we’re nearly out of lockdown and they’re trying to ruin it for us. If lockdown is extended or we get another lockdown, they’ll only blame Boris and the government when the reality is that they themselves are to blame. 12th April, we got shops, gyms, pubs and restaurants with outdoor service reopening. 17th May, we got entertainment ie. bingo, bowling alleys, cinemas, pubs and restaurants with indoor service reopening. 21st June, we got nightclubs reopening. We don’t wanna see all that thrown out of the window

:( So although it hasn't been officially confirmed that overseas travel this year is off, we are now being told that it is 'premature' booking foreign holidays this year. That's unfortunate but understandable. I do wonder if the other opening dates are likely to be pushed out. Already booked clubbing for July.

You have to book clubbing? I can wait a little longer in that case.

Well it's a big dance event (Amelie Lens and Arod)- but think generally with pent up demand after months of no social life and with a lot of spare cash for some people, any entertainment will be snapped up very soon. I've heard that several pubs are fully booked for alfresco sessions in April.

Yeah tbh me and two of my mates have already booked a table in a beer garden for April 12th.

I’m definitely waiting for the hype to die down, going out the first night we can sounds horrendous.

@1373580080383856642

@1239512626134224896

@1239573057519353858

 

If anyone is in the mood for a smirk today.