Not Good

[niemeyjt]

OK - it was last week not this week, but I have to say the PCR testing lab at St Yrieix was the fastest I have used - and the least expensive as well - only one "swabber" and only running 15 minutes late.

Maybe this week is different? Maybe some are more efficient than others?

[Sparkle]

and I say to you what I said to Pathca please make sure that you stay safe and protected you both do a wonderful job and are needed.

[Bayleaf]

I heard such a sad story yesterday - that's probably all too common, I actually posted it on my FB page in the hope of getting the sombre message across to some of my flippant family/friends who still think light of Covid, despite having had it themselves:

"Someone I know here, in France, is trying to travel back to the UK, in the hope of seeing her grandson, maybe one last time. He has been receiving treatment for leukemia. He, with others, recently attended a funeral, and at that funeral was someone who knew they'd just tested positive for Covid, but still went as they thought they "had to show their face". Well, by doing so, most of that funeral party have been struck down by Covid and this poor wee lad already suffering from leukemia is now on a ventilator fighting for his life".

We're quite well known here for being unsociable at the best of times - even more so since Covid struck. It has made us sad declining the odd invitation from friends who've come over to their holiday home for the Christmas period - but we know they've been mixing with all sorts locally, just when new case numbers are escalating rapidly. I've said it's akin to feeling as if you're playing Russian Roulette. Someone said "we've got away with it so far". Yes, having had boosters lessons the risk - but not everyone can have them yet, and it doesn't totally protect you. Obviously socialising and partying is more important to some people than just taking time off, and trying to keep this ruddy virus under some sort of control before it completely cripples the hospitals.

I've sat on my hands with an ex-client who argues that it's not people travelling and amassing together that breeds the virus, it's the fact that parts of the world are still not vaccinated, just like smallpox and measles "don't bother anyone anymore". I'm out - if that's her thoughts, like too many others (and she loves to travel - frequently!) - I can't be bothered to keep arguing.

Sorry, just had to rant. There's too much selfishness in this world - and that's what's feeding the virus to continue to mutate, which will mean the vaccines will also need to "mutate" to keep up.

[Sparkle]

That is indeed very sad and I agree totally with you - my neighbour is intent on coming over here asap, her grandson has just had covid (age 14) and should have been isolating until the 26th but then the rules were relaxed and so the whole family partied on Boxing Day - I'm dreading their arrival as it's always a daily morning coffee at mine then a meal with them and a meal with us during their stay and she pops in and out throughout each day - we are very good friends but.................

[Blaze]

A sad story, Bayleaf, but also a reminder that anyone who is vulnerable health-wise should steer clear of unmasked people, whatever the occasion and however much they would like to be present. People who attend events, particularly inside, where people remove their masks, and stand close to each other could be gambling with their lives. It's not for nothing that the government here is not allowing eating and drinking standing in bars. Unfortunately many people believe that because they are vaccinated they no longer have to be quite so insistent on masks and gel. Masks do help protect us and it sounds as if the lad with leukaemia was mixing with people who were unmasked.

On another tack, I cannot understand why people aren't getting the message : Everyone is at risk of catching the virus, even those who have had 3 doses and thus everyone risks being a spreader.
The only way to stay safe is to respect the government sanitary recommendations/instructions re masks and distancing (and of course being fully vaccinated) and stop partying or attending social gatherings where people, even family, are unmasked.

@Sparkle You can easily avoid them for a few days by saying one of you is ill, or cas contact ! It's been the perfect solution over the Christmas period for those who didn't want to see their in-laws !!

[niemeyjt]

I think someone deliberately risking infecting others by attending an event whilst knowingly positive for a communicable disease should be a punishable offence.

And with lateral flow tests giving a result in 15 minutes there is now (normally) no excuse for not knowing. All the family did tests before coming home at Christmas, as did our one visitor, and I would expect to take a test without being asked if ever visiting others - I would be devastated if I ever infected anyone, even unknowingly.

Why are some people so inconsiderate?

[Chappers51]

I just continue being my unsociable self!!

[Bayleaf]

A sad story, Bayleaf, but also a reminder that anyone who is vulnerable health-wise should steer clear of unmasked people, whatever the occasion and however much they would like to be present.

I'm not certain that the grandson did attend the funeral - it could have been unwittingly transmitted home by a third party.

[Blaze]

A sad story, Bayleaf, but also a reminder that anyone who is vulnerable health-wise should steer clear of unmasked people, whatever the occasion and however much they would like to be present.

I'm not certain that the grandson did attend the funeral - it could have been unwittingly transmitted home by a third party.

.... which reinforces the importance of avoiding unmasked people, particularly if you are likely to have contact with a vulnerable person later. Eating and chatting for a few minutes (10-15) can be enough to spread the virus, particularly one as contagious as Omicron.
People have to learn to take responsibility for their actions and how their lack of responsibility can affect others, perhaps fatally.
That's my rant .......

[Bayleaf]

Indeed. We've had to make our excuses to some friends who travelled from London to their holiday home the week before Christmas. Even though they must have had negative tests to get them over here, they (being sociable city people) wanted to keep going out and visiting places. I sent them the weekly update for cases in our village - being the worst I'd seen for ages, but then the day after I found out they'd been socialising with the other local Brits in said village,who just can't seem to stop gathering. Hence, we've blocked them and feel sad for it, but Mr Bayleaf can't get his booster as his MMA seems to have spread to dairy products now, so we're just trying to avoid any close contact with anyone.

Despite BIL having had Covid in the UK, he says the general feeling is "it's just a cold - blown all out of proportion". Sadly, that's not always the case, and it's selfish attitudes like that that will keep it circulating (and mutating). The reckless will keep partying/holidaying/spreading it.