5th wave spreading lightning fast across France

[rabbit]

Whilst I don’t like the Covid statistic willie waving I think it worth pointing out that UK figures whilst much higher than France have dropped slightly recently whereas France have increased dramatically

Plus, I believe there is more testing in the UK. I understand it is free there, whereas since France introduced charging for tests the number have dropped

[rabbit]

This from Le Figaro today :
https://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/covid ... l-20211121

Mais la France a des atouts, selon Gabriel Attal : la vaccination est plus avancée que chez nombre de nos voisins européens et les rappels sont plus dynamiques. «La logique du passe sanitaire, c'est de faire peser sur les non vaccinés les contraintes, plutôt que sur les vaccinés», a-t-il souligné, défendant un outil jugé efficace pour lutter contre l'épidémie.

There is also a version in English in The Connexion though I've used up my free looks ...
https://www.connexionfrance.com/French- ... fifth-wave

The pass sanitaire is to put constraints on the non-vaccinés rather than on those vaccinated.

So making life even more difficult for the unvaccinated may be the next step.

We are only too aware of how cases are rising here - today Ille et Vilaine is one of the departments with the highest number of infections. What surprised us this morning was how many people had booked in for their first dose but didn't bother to turn up.
There was anti-vax graffiti on the wall outside the Centre, the first time this has happened. I hope the situation doesn't turn ugly as it seems to be doing in other European countries.

Ile et Vilaine has just re-imposed mask wearing in bars, restaurants etc. At least the prefectures react quickly in France.
I read somewhere that the current spike may be due to early autumn relaxation of measures by the younger ones, plus people returning to offices and general increase in indoor activities. Plus of course the under 12s are not vaccinated.
We can beat it if we get vaccinated and follow the measures

[Pathca]

Yes I shopping the other day and there was a marquee up in the market square of the place I was visiting where people could just drop in and have a lateral flow test.This was my local town last month https://preston.gov.uk/citycentretestin ... ts-updated
It is easy to get a free PCR test if you are symptomatic
Out of interest my hospital has detected over 300 staff with asymptomatic C19 with its testing policy
My point though is you can’t solve one countries bad and increasing problems by saying another is worse

[niemeyjt]

Yes I shopping the other day and there was a marquee up in the market square of the place I was visiting where people could just drop in and have a lateral flow test.This was my local town last month https://preston.gov.uk/citycentretestin ... ts-updated
It is easy to get a free PCR test if you are symptomatic
Out of interest my hospital has detected over 300 staff with asymptomatic C19 with its testing policy
My point though is you can’t solve one countries bad and increasing problems by saying another is worse

Asymptomatic Covid is a big problem - as is Covid not in the nasopharyngeal area and thus not picked up by classic PCR tests - I have seen it reported as a result 20% of negative PCR tests are false negatives.

Whilst you may be correct in saying stats ought not to be compared, it is still valid to compare controls - such as passports, distancing and mask wearing.

[Pathca]

Totally agree about comparing the controls. I am sure that if the French and UK had the same compliance the numbers would be similar or at least closer

[Blaze]

Ile et Vilaine has just re-imposed mask wearing in bars, restaurants etc. At least the prefectures react quickly in France.

Yes, Rabbit, I saw that when I got home last night. The Ille et Vilaine préfet is very quick to impose restrictions, fortunately. Ille et Vilaine went red yesterday, the only Breton department to do so.
In the absence of restrictions the only alternative is to self-impose them. Last night at music practice, we all wore masks except the 2 wind instrument players and we had an outside door of the small salle wedged wide open. It's what we all agreed on even though not obligatory at this stage.

Asymptomatic Covid must be a real problem as Pathca says - anyone could be infected without their knowing. And if the symptoms can't be picked up by a PCR, a nightmare.

[Doug]

Now our prime minister Castex has tested positive and in ten days isolation, and he's had two covid jabs.

[niemeyjt]

Now our prime minister Castex has tested positive and he's had two covid jabs.

Via his daughter - who may or may not have had the jabs - and he has in turn possibly infected the Belgian Government.

And if the symptoms can't be picked up by a PCR, a nightmare.

The Chinese claim they can detect Covid more reliably with samples collected from elsewhere. Maybe Europe should adopt the same measures?

[Pathca]

The jabs don’t stop you getting it

[niemeyjt]

The jabs don’t stop you getting it

Nope - as Head of AZ was explaining on R4 - but he claimed with the OAZ vaccine T cells are "primed" so when you do contract it then it will be less severe. He also claimed (MRD applies) OAZ better primes than the RNA Vaccines.