On 23/03/2022 08:52, Roland Perry wrote:
> In message <t1d4cr$j2o$1@dont-email.me>, at 18:26:35 on Tue, 22 Mar
> 2022, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:
>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>> In message <5ukj3hlf3a81af4vng89pk243i1j69chve@4ax.com>, at 13:49:13 on
>>> Tue, 22 Mar 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>> On Tue, 22 Mar 2022 07:15:14 +0000, Roland Perry
>>>> <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> In message <t1afq8$op2$1@dont-email.me>, at 18:23:04 on Mon, 21 Mar
>>>>> 2022, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>>>> In message <1ubh3hpd598esooo4tbc773sr09ira242h@4ax.com>, at
>>>>>>> 17:03:40 on
>>>>>>> Mon, 21 Mar 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>>>>>> On Mon, 21 Mar 2022 16:53:42 +0000, Roland Perry
>>>>>>>> <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> In message <t1a7kd$f3s$1@dont-email.me>, at 16:03:25 on Mon, 21
>>>>>>>>> Mar
>>>>>>>>> 2022, Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> I don't think the government understands the need for
>>>>>>>>>>>> ventilation to  reduce covid transmission so I don't suppose
>>>>>>>>>>>> we'll see any movement in  this direction.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> They do understand the need, and do encourage greater
>>>>>>>>>>> ventilation
>>>>>>>>>>> when  possible. But things have changed with Omicron:  we can
>>>>>>>>>>> all
>>>>>>>>>>> expect to encounter it repeatedly, regardless of
>>>>>>>>>>> ventilation,  masks,
>>>>>>>>>>> or incessant hand cleaning. Either learn  to live with it, or
>>>>>>>>>>> become a
>>>>>>>>>>> recluse.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> So my elderly and frail friends, and my friends’ granddaughter
>>>>>>>>>> who is on  chemo for leukaemia, will be prevented from
>>>>>>>>>> travelling or taking part in  normal activities, like nursery
>>>>>>>>>> for the granddaughter, and her  parents and  baby sister will
>>>>>>>>>> also be constrained.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Don’t underestimate the effect removing precautions will have.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Have already have. But hey, cull the sick, it reduces the
>>>>>>>>> demand on the
>>>>>>>>> NHS. The ultra right wing knows it makes sense.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> So, do you recommend a permanent lockdown, with no meetings, no
>>>>>>>> public
>>>>>>>> transport and no on-site working?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> No, just sensible precautions.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Sensible precautions don’t stop the spread of Omicron. If you are
>>>>>> vulnerable take your own precautions, ie wear a proper FFP3 mask.
>>>>>
>>>>> And that is precisely the sort of sensible precaution I had in mind.
>>>>
>>>> I trust your mask has been professionally fitted and adjusted?
>>>
>>> Yes, thanks. Despite being 90% of the way there already due to my
>>> engineering training, I have had a medical professional do a refresher
>>> course.
>>
>> Pre vaccines it was sensible to have a lockdown as death rates were
>> relatively high (especially as you got past normal retirement age) and
>> there was the prospect of vaccines turning up.
>>
>> Post vaccines the death rate is significantly lower. There may be better
>> vaccines soon, however the state we now find ourselves in is that most of
>> us will just get to feel mildly ill.
>
> None of the people I know who have had Omicron would describe it as only
> "Mildly" ill. Although there's some observer bias there because it's
> only the ones laid up in bed for a week who mention it. A work colleague
> tested positive on Monday (we both work from home, so no cross-infection
> issues) and from what he said he was already very poorly.

A friend of mine was hospitalised overnight so that is not mildly ill as
some some claim.

>
> As for new vaccines, they seem to have dropped off the news cycle. Last
> I heard (and I'm not following it closely) they were declining to play
> "whack a mole" with new variants, on the basis by the time a new vaccine
> was on the streets that variant would have come and gone.
>
>> If you are susceptible for whatever reason you need to take *your own*
>> precautions, wearing proper FFP3 masks and probably reducing your contact
>> with others.
What about those who cannot wear FFP3 masks?
>
> Exactly, and there some demographics where perhaps reducing the contact
> is more advisable. A bit like avoiding trains full of drunken football
> supporters. Our local secondary school is having a pretty torrid time,
> and while I used to shop at the store [bigger than a corner shop,
> smaller than a regular supermarket] around the time I realised "must
> find some things to put towards dinner", which is when they were all
> going home for the day and buying stuff on the way home, I've changed my
> schedule. Went at 9am the other day, and the store was literally empty.
>
>> Expecting others to go round wearing non FFP3 masks to save
>> you is basically just like relying on a lucky rabbit’s foot.
>
> If that's the situation, why were people ever told to wear masks?
>
>> Might make you feel more secure but basically useless against the
>> highly infectious Omicron variant. It might delay you getting
>> infected, but it will be inevitable.
>
> As far as I'm aware it's still regarded as an aerosol transmitted virus,
> and coughing and sneezing without a mask on, feels like something which
> might spread such aerosols further.

On 23/03/2022 07:23, MB wrote:
> On 21/03/2022 13:10, Graeme Wall wrote:
>> Reminds me of when I went freelance back in the 1990s. There were
>> several jobs opening up at various tech colleges for teaching staff for
>> the newly created media studies courses. As a tutor they wanted minimum
>> 5 years experience, fair enough, but they also wanted a Media Studies
>> degree which hadn't existed even 2 years before, never mind 5!
>
> I think it had a different name when I was at school but was just seen
> as a way of inflating the number of O or A Level passes. I doubt that it
> impressed universities and employers.  I can't even remember now if I
> passed!

We took a General Studies A Level, for which there was little or no
teaching and everyone got a good grade for turning up. Universities and
employers were looking for "n A Levels excluding General Studies".
It wasn't entirely trivial. It had a strong arty bias (whereas my
strengths were scientific) and required recalling to roughly O-Level
standard a modern language that we'd had two years to forget.

On 23/03/2022 08:54, Roland Perry wrote:
> In message <t1elej$372$1@dont-email.me>, at 08:23:47 on Wed, 23 Mar
> 2022, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> remarked:
>> On 23/03/2022 08:12, Roland Perry wrote:
>>> In message <t1crcs$4gd$2@dont-email.me>, at 15:53:00 on Tue, 22 Mar
>>> 2022, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> remarked:
>>>> On 22/03/2022 13:57, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>>> In message <190dku9sht17s$.dlg@example1357.net>, at 12:06:18 on
>>>>> Tue,  22  Mar 2022, mechanic <mechanic@example.net> remarked:
>>>>>> On Tue, 22 Mar 2022 07:13:01 +0000, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Mainly because it's the only such disease where in plenty of
>>>>>>> areas 10%
>>>>>>> of the population have it during any one week (it's 11% here). Also
>>>>>>> apparently the second most infectious one, behind measles.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Strange that we've eliminated smallpox, ebola, even measles to some
>>>>>> extent, but given up on covid.
>>>
>>>>>  It takes a generation (or more) to eradicate a disease. And then
>>>>> you  can  only do the ones which aren't mutating in real time.
>>>>>  There was a TV commercial last night saying that Covid
>>>>> vaccinations  <quote> like all others wear off so need to be boosted.
>
>>>>>  That'll be news to people given HPV which I think they've now
>>>>> decided is  a once-a-lifetime jab.
>>>
>>>> Quite a few vaccines need topping up, IIRC yellow fever only lasts 7
>>>> years. Cut yourself on a rusty nail and you'll get a tetanus booster
>>>> and so on.
>
>>>  Yes, not every traditional vaccine lasts a lifetime (or half a
>>> lifetime), but most last more than six months.
>>
>> The operative word being "most".
>
> Yes, but apart from Covid which other ones last only six months? The TV
> adverts are trying to give the impression that "most" traditionally only
> last six months, which is why we need to accept the need to "also" get
> re-jabbed for Covid every six months.

Flu jabs seem to require annual renewal. That's partly because variants
emerge quickly but probably indicates time-limited effectiveness:
perhaps as short as six months, as immunity is less important in summer.
Other than its severity, COVID seems to have more in common with colds
and flu than with the more serious diseases.

<martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> wrote:
> On 23/03/2022 08:54, Roland Perry wrote:
>> In message <t1elej$372$1@dont-email.me>, at 08:23:47 on Wed, 23 Mar
>> 2022, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> remarked:
>>> On 23/03/2022 08:12, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>> In message <t1crcs$4gd$2@dont-email.me>, at 15:53:00 on Tue, 22 Mar
>>>> 2022, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>> On 22/03/2022 13:57, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>>>> In message <190dku9sht17s$.dlg@example1357.net>, at 12:06:18 on
>>>>>> Tue,  22  Mar 2022, mechanic <mechanic@example.net> remarked:
>>>>>>> On Tue, 22 Mar 2022 07:13:01 +0000, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Mainly because it's the only such disease where in plenty of
>>>>>>>> areas 10%
>>>>>>>> of the population have it during any one week (it's 11% here). Also
>>>>>>>> apparently the second most infectious one, behind measles.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Strange that we've eliminated smallpox, ebola, even measles to some
>>>>>>> extent, but given up on covid.
>>>>
>>>>>>  It takes a generation (or more) to eradicate a disease. And then
>>>>>> you  can  only do the ones which aren't mutating in real time.
>>>>>>  There was a TV commercial last night saying that Covid
>>>>>> vaccinations  <quote> like all others wear off so need to be boosted.
>>
>>>>>>  That'll be news to people given HPV which I think they've now
>>>>>> decided is  a once-a-lifetime jab.
>>>>
>>>>> Quite a few vaccines need topping up, IIRC yellow fever only lasts 7
>>>>> years. Cut yourself on a rusty nail and you'll get a tetanus booster
>>>>> and so on.
>>
>>>>  Yes, not every traditional vaccine lasts a lifetime (or half a
>>>> lifetime), but most last more than six months.
>>>
>>> The operative word being "most".
>>
>> Yes, but apart from Covid which other ones last only six months? The TV
>> adverts are trying to give the impression that "most" traditionally only
>> last six months, which is why we need to accept the need to "also" get
>> re-jabbed for Covid every six months.
>
> I got my booster nearly five months ago and it seems I wont be getting
> another until "autumn" which will make it ten months.
>

Yes, the current idea is that the initial vaccination is a three shot
course, followed by an annual top-up in the autumn. But that may be revised
as the virus evolves.

It's possible that it'll follow the traditional evolutionary path, and get
milder, so the annual top-ups might only be necessary for more vulnerable
people, as with flu.

Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
> In message <t1elej$372$1@dont-email.me>, at 08:23:47 on Wed, 23 Mar
> 2022, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> remarked:
>> On 23/03/2022 08:12, Roland Perry wrote:
>>> In message <t1crcs$4gd$2@dont-email.me>, at 15:53:00 on Tue, 22 Mar
>>> 2022, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> remarked:
>>>> On 22/03/2022 13:57, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>>> In message <190dku9sht17s$.dlg@example1357.net>, at 12:06:18 on
>>>>> Tue, 22  Mar 2022, mechanic <mechanic@example.net> remarked:
>>>>>> On Tue, 22 Mar 2022 07:13:01 +0000, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Mainly because it's the only such disease where in plenty of areas 10%
>>>>>>> of the population have it during any one week (it's 11% here). Also
>>>>>>> apparently the second most infectious one, behind measles.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Strange that we've eliminated smallpox, ebola, even measles to some
>>>>>> extent, but given up on covid.
>>>
>>>>>  It takes a generation (or more) to eradicate a disease. And then
>>>>> you can  only do the ones which aren't mutating in real time.
>>>>>  There was a TV commercial last night saying that Covid
>>>>> vaccinations <quote> like all others wear off so need to be boosted.
>
>>>>>  That'll be news to people given HPV which I think they've now
>>>>> decided is  a once-a-lifetime jab.
>>>
>>>> Quite a few vaccines need topping up, IIRC yellow fever only lasts 7
>>>> years. Cut yourself on a rusty nail and you'll get a tetanus booster
>>>> and so on.
>
>>> Yes, not every traditional vaccine lasts a lifetime (or half a
>>> lifetime), but most last more than six months.
>>
>> The operative word being "most".
>
> Yes, but apart from Covid which other ones last only six months? The TV
> adverts are trying to give the impression that "most" traditionally only
> last six months, which is why we need to accept the need to "also" get
> re-jabbed for Covid every six months.

That's only for over-75s.

Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
> In message <t1d4cr$j2o$1@dont-email.me>, at 18:26:35 on Tue, 22 Mar
> 2022, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:
>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>> In message <5ukj3hlf3a81af4vng89pk243i1j69chve@4ax.com>, at 13:49:13 on
>>> Tue, 22 Mar 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>> On Tue, 22 Mar 2022 07:15:14 +0000, Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> In message <t1afq8$op2$1@dont-email.me>, at 18:23:04 on Mon, 21 Mar
>>>>> 2022, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>>>> In message <1ubh3hpd598esooo4tbc773sr09ira242h@4ax.com>, at 17:03:40 on
>>>>>>> Mon, 21 Mar 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>>>>>> On Mon, 21 Mar 2022 16:53:42 +0000, Roland Perry
>>>>>>>> <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> In message <t1a7kd$f3s$1@dont-email.me>, at 16:03:25 on Mon, 21 Mar
>>>>>>>>> 2022, Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> I don't think the government understands the need for
>>>>>>>>>>>> ventilation to reduce covid transmission so I don't suppose
>>>>>>>>>>>> we'll see any movement in this direction.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> They do understand the need, and do encourage greater ventilation
>>>>>>>>>>> when possible. But things have changed with Omicron: we can all
>>>>>>>>>>> expect to encounter it repeatedly, regardless of ventilation, masks,
>>>>>>>>>>> or incessant hand cleaning. Either learn to live with it, or
>>>>>>>>>>> become a
>>>>>>>>>>> recluse.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> So my elderly and frail friends, and my friends’
>>>>>>>>>> granddaughter who is on chemo for leukaemia, will be prevented
>>>>>>>>>> from travelling or taking part in normal activities, like
>>>>>>>>>> nursery for the granddaughter, and her parents and baby sister
>>>>>>>>>> will also be constrained.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Don’t underestimate the effect removing precautions will have.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Have already have. But hey, cull the sick, it reduces the demand on the
>>>>>>>>> NHS. The ultra right wing knows it makes sense.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> So, do you recommend a permanent lockdown, with no meetings, no public
>>>>>>>> transport and no on-site working?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> No, just sensible precautions.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Sensible precautions don’t stop the spread of Omicron. If you are
>>>>>> vulnerable take your own precautions, ie wear a proper FFP3 mask.
>>>>>
>>>>> And that is precisely the sort of sensible precaution I had in mind.
>>>>
>>>> I trust your mask has been professionally fitted and adjusted?
>>>
>>> Yes, thanks. Despite being 90% of the way there already due to my
>>> engineering training, I have had a medical professional do a refresher
>>> course.
>>
>> Pre vaccines it was sensible to have a lockdown as death rates were
>> relatively high (especially as you got past normal retirement age) and
>> there was the prospect of vaccines turning up.
>>
>> Post vaccines the death rate is significantly lower. There may be better
>> vaccines soon, however the state we now find ourselves in is that most of
>> us will just get to feel mildly ill.
>
> None of the people I know who have had Omicron would describe it as only
> "Mildly" ill. Although there's some observer bias there because it's
> only the ones laid up in bed for a week who mention it. A work colleague
> tested positive on Monday (we both work from home, so no cross-infection
> issues) and from what he said he was already very poorly.

As you say, that's entirely down to self-selection. Far more people have
had Omicron and not even noticed any symptoms.

>
> As for new vaccines, they seem to have dropped off the news cycle. Last
> I heard (and I'm not following it closely) they were declining to play
> "whack a mole" with new variants, on the basis by the time a new vaccine
> was on the streets that variant would have come and gone.

Not so. In your diligent study of the scientific literature, this must
have escaped you:
<https://www.clinicaltrialsarena.com/news/pfizer-omicron-vaccine-trial/>

>
>> If you are susceptible for whatever reason you need to take *your own*
>> precautions, wearing proper FFP3 masks and probably reducing your contact
>> with others.
>
> Exactly, and there some demographics where perhaps reducing the contact
> is more advisable. A bit like avoiding trains full of drunken football
> supporters. Our local secondary school is having a pretty torrid time,
> and while I used to shop at the store [bigger than a corner shop,
> smaller than a regular supermarket] around the time I realised "must
> find some things to put towards dinner", which is when they were all
> going home for the day and buying stuff on the way home, I've changed my
> schedule. Went at 9am the other day, and the store was literally empty.
>
>> Expecting others to go round wearing non FFP3 masks to save
>> you is basically just like relying on a lucky rabbit’s foot.
>
> If that's the situation, why were people ever told to wear masks?

Because, in the early days, no-one was sure how it spread, and the
assumption it was via droplets and hand contact. Hence all the
well-meaning, but largely pointless, advice about about wearing any sort of
face covering or shield, frequent thorough hand-washing, 2m spacing, and
hand sanitising. What they should have been advocating was much more fresh
air ventilation, HEPA filters and UV lights in aircon ducts.

>
>> Might make you feel more secure but basically useless against the
>> highly infectious Omicron variant. It might delay you getting infected,
>> but it will be inevitable.
>
> As far as I'm aware it's still regarded as an aerosol transmitted virus,
> and coughing and sneezing without a mask on, feels like something which
> might spread such aerosols further.

Masks stop droplets, which is almost irrelevant for Covid.

On 23/03/2022 08:54, Roland Perry wrote:
> In message <t1elej$372$1@dont-email.me>, at 08:23:47 on Wed, 23 Mar
> 2022, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> remarked:
>> On 23/03/2022 08:12, Roland Perry wrote:
>>> In message <t1crcs$4gd$2@dont-email.me>, at 15:53:00 on Tue, 22 Mar
>>> 2022, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> remarked:
>>>> On 22/03/2022 13:57, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>>> In message <190dku9sht17s$.dlg@example1357.net>, at 12:06:18 on
>>>>> Tue,  22  Mar 2022, mechanic <mechanic@example.net> remarked:
>>>>>> On Tue, 22 Mar 2022 07:13:01 +0000, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Mainly because it's the only such disease where in plenty of
>>>>>>> areas 10%
>>>>>>> of the population have it during any one week (it's 11% here). Also
>>>>>>> apparently the second most infectious one, behind measles.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Strange that we've eliminated smallpox, ebola, even measles to some
>>>>>> extent, but given up on covid.
>>>
>>>>>  It takes a generation (or more) to eradicate a disease. And then
>>>>> you  can  only do the ones which aren't mutating in real time.
>>>>>  There was a TV commercial last night saying that Covid
>>>>> vaccinations  <quote> like all others wear off so need to be boosted.
>
>>>>>  That'll be news to people given HPV which I think they've now
>>>>> decided is  a once-a-lifetime jab.
>>>
>>>> Quite a few vaccines need topping up, IIRC yellow fever only lasts 7
>>>> years. Cut yourself on a rusty nail and you'll get a tetanus booster
>>>> and so on.
>
>>>  Yes, not every traditional vaccine lasts a lifetime (or half a
>>> lifetime), but most last more than six months.
>>
>> The operative word being "most".
>
> Yes, but apart from Covid which other ones last only six months? The TV
> adverts are trying to give the impression that "most" traditionally only
> last six months, which is why we need to accept the need to "also" get
> re-jabbed for Covid every six months.

Not seen the adverts so can't comment on what they may or may not say.

--
Graeme Wall
This account not read.

On 23/03/2022 09:54, Certes wrote:
> On 23/03/2022 08:54, Roland Perry wrote:
>> In message <t1elej$372$1@dont-email.me>, at 08:23:47 on Wed, 23 Mar
>> 2022, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> remarked:
>>> On 23/03/2022 08:12, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>> In message <t1crcs$4gd$2@dont-email.me>, at 15:53:00 on Tue, 22 Mar
>>>> 2022, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>> On 22/03/2022 13:57, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>>>> In message <190dku9sht17s$.dlg@example1357.net>, at 12:06:18 on
>>>>>> Tue,  22  Mar 2022, mechanic <mechanic@example.net> remarked:
>>>>>>> On Tue, 22 Mar 2022 07:13:01 +0000, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Mainly because it's the only such disease where in plenty of
>>>>>>>> areas 10%
>>>>>>>> of the population have it during any one week (it's 11% here). Also
>>>>>>>> apparently the second most infectious one, behind measles.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Strange that we've eliminated smallpox, ebola, even measles to some
>>>>>>> extent, but given up on covid.
>>>>
>>>>>>  It takes a generation (or more) to eradicate a disease. And then
>>>>>> you  can  only do the ones which aren't mutating in real time.
>>>>>>  There was a TV commercial last night saying that Covid
>>>>>> vaccinations  <quote> like all others wear off so need to be boosted.
>>
>>>>>>  That'll be news to people given HPV which I think they've now
>>>>>> decided is  a once-a-lifetime jab.
>>>>
>>>>> Quite a few vaccines need topping up, IIRC yellow fever only lasts
>>>>> 7 years. Cut yourself on a rusty nail and you'll get a tetanus
>>>>> booster and so on.
>>
>>>>  Yes, not every traditional vaccine lasts a lifetime (or half a
>>>> lifetime), but most last more than six months.
>>>
>>> The operative word being "most".
>>
>> Yes, but apart from Covid which other ones last only six months? The
>> TV adverts are trying to give the impression that "most" traditionally
>> only last six months, which is why we need to accept the need to
>> "also" get re-jabbed for Covid every six months.
>
> Flu jabs seem to require annual renewal.  That's partly because variants
> emerge quickly but probably indicates time-limited effectiveness:
> perhaps as short as six months, as immunity is less important in summer.
> Other than its severity, COVID seems to have more in common with colds
> and flu than with the more serious diseases.

The Flu annual cycle is because they have to try and predict which
variant is likely to be the one going round this year. It's quite
possible that Covid could end up in a similar position.

--
Graeme Wall
This account not read.

On 23/03/2022 10:20, Recliner wrote:
>
> Masks stop droplets, which is almost irrelevant for Covid.

What do you think aerosols are?

--
Graeme Wall
This account not read.

Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> On 23/03/2022 09:54, Certes wrote:
>> On 23/03/2022 08:54, Roland Perry wrote:
>>> In message <t1elej$372$1@dont-email.me>, at 08:23:47 on Wed, 23 Mar
>>> 2022, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> remarked:
>>>> On 23/03/2022 08:12, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>>> In message <t1crcs$4gd$2@dont-email.me>, at 15:53:00 on Tue, 22 Mar
>>>>> 2022, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>>> On 22/03/2022 13:57, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>>>>> In message <190dku9sht17s$.dlg@example1357.net>, at 12:06:18 on
>>>>>>> Tue,  22  Mar 2022, mechanic <mechanic@example.net> remarked:
>>>>>>>> On Tue, 22 Mar 2022 07:13:01 +0000, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Mainly because it's the only such disease where in plenty of
>>>>>>>>> areas 10%
>>>>>>>>> of the population have it during any one week (it's 11% here). Also
>>>>>>>>> apparently the second most infectious one, behind measles.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Strange that we've eliminated smallpox, ebola, even measles to some
>>>>>>>> extent, but given up on covid.
>>>>>
>>>>>>>  It takes a generation (or more) to eradicate a disease. And then
>>>>>>> you  can  only do the ones which aren't mutating in real time.
>>>>>>>  There was a TV commercial last night saying that Covid
>>>>>>> vaccinations  <quote> like all others wear off so need to be boosted.
>>>
>>>>>>>  That'll be news to people given HPV which I think they've now
>>>>>>> decided is  a once-a-lifetime jab.
>>>>>
>>>>>> Quite a few vaccines need topping up, IIRC yellow fever only lasts
>>>>>> 7 years. Cut yourself on a rusty nail and you'll get a tetanus
>>>>>> booster and so on.
>>>
>>>>>  Yes, not every traditional vaccine lasts a lifetime (or half a
>>>>> lifetime), but most last more than six months.
>>>>
>>>> The operative word being "most".
>>>
>>> Yes, but apart from Covid which other ones last only six months? The
>>> TV adverts are trying to give the impression that "most" traditionally
>>> only last six months, which is why we need to accept the need to
>>> "also" get re-jabbed for Covid every six months.
>>
>> Flu jabs seem to require annual renewal.  That's partly because variants
>> emerge quickly but probably indicates time-limited effectiveness:
>> perhaps as short as six months, as immunity is less important in summer.
>> Other than its severity, COVID seems to have more in common with colds
>> and flu than with the more serious diseases.
>
> The Flu annual cycle is because they have to try and predict which
> variant is likely to be the one going round this year. It's quite
> possible that Covid could end up in a similar position.
>

Yes, and the two shots may even be combined.

Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> On 23/03/2022 10:20, Recliner wrote:
>>
>> Masks stop droplets, which is almost irrelevant for Covid.
>
> What do you think aerosols are?
>

Covid particles are tiny, and airborne. They can travel long distances, not
just 1-2m. That was soon discovered in the early cases, in restaurants,
churches and planes. But the out-of-date advice wasn't revised.

On 23/03/2022 10:42, Recliner wrote:
> Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>> On 23/03/2022 10:20, Recliner wrote:
>>>
>>> Masks stop droplets, which is almost irrelevant for Covid.
>>
>> What do you think aerosols are?
>>
>
> Covid particles are tiny, and airborne. They can travel long distances, not
> just 1-2m. That was soon discovered in the early cases, in restaurants,
> churches and planes. But the out-of-date advice wasn't revised.
>

And aerosols help them travel further.

--
Graeme Wall
This account not read.

Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> On 23/03/2022 10:42, Recliner wrote:
>> Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>>> On 23/03/2022 10:20, Recliner wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Masks stop droplets, which is almost irrelevant for Covid.
>>>
>>> What do you think aerosols are?
>>>
>>
>> Covid particles are tiny, and airborne. They can travel long distances, not
>> just 1-2m. That was soon discovered in the early cases, in restaurants,
>> churches and planes. But the out-of-date advice wasn't revised.
>>
>
> And aerosols help them travel further.
>

I think you're confusing aerosols and droplets. The WHO originally thought
that Covid was transmitted by droplets, like flu, not aerosols. That's what
all the early advice was based on, but it was wrong:
https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1030

Also, all that cleaning of supermarket trolley handles, glove wearing
and/or frequent hand-sanitising did almost nothing to stop the spread of
Covid. In the early days, I wore face shields, but we now know that was
pretty pointless, too.

In message <t1eoci$p61$1@dont-email.me>, at 09:13:53 on Wed, 23 Mar
2022, martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk remarked:

>>> If you are susceptible for whatever reason you need to take *your
>>>own* precautions, wearing proper FFP3 masks and probably reducing
>>>your contact with others.

>What about those who cannot wear FFP3 masks?

It's not clear to me who that set comprises. In the early days there
were some issues with FFP2 masks popping off people's ears all the time,
but now you can get a gadget that pulls the strings round the back of
you head instead.
--
Roland Perry

In message <t1es95$lln$1@dont-email.me>, at 10:20:21 on Wed, 23 Mar
2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:

>> As for new vaccines, they seem to have dropped off the news cycle. Last
>> I heard (and I'm not following it closely) they were declining to play
>> "whack a mole" with new variants, on the basis by the time a new vaccine
>> was on the streets that variant would have come and gone.
>
>Not so. In your diligent study of the scientific literature, this must
>have escaped you:
><https://www.clinicaltrialsarena.com/news/pfizer-omicron-vaccine-trial/>

Timelines never were your strong point, but good for Pfizer trying. I
wonder if by the time they've completed the trial, got regulatory
approval, and manufactured and distributed it at scale, and it's a had a
month the become fully effective, Omicron will be old news.
>>
>>> If you are susceptible for whatever reason you need to take *your own*
>>> precautions, wearing proper FFP3 masks and probably reducing your contact
>>> with others.
>>
>> Exactly, and there some demographics where perhaps reducing the contact
>> is more advisable. A bit like avoiding trains full of drunken football
>> supporters. Our local secondary school is having a pretty torrid time,
>> and while I used to shop at the store [bigger than a corner shop,
>> smaller than a regular supermarket] around the time I realised "must
>> find some things to put towards dinner", which is when they were all
>> going home for the day and buying stuff on the way home, I've changed my
>> schedule. Went at 9am the other day, and the store was literally empty.
>>
>>> Expecting others to go round wearing non FFP3 masks to save
>>> you is basically just like relying on a lucky rabbit’s foot.
>>
>> If that's the situation, why were people ever told to wear masks?
>
>Because, in the early days, no-one was sure how it spread, and the
>assumption it was via droplets and hand contact. Hence all the
>well-meaning, but largely pointless, advice about about wearing any sort of
>face covering or shield, frequent thorough hand-washing, 2m spacing,

The 2m spacing helps, and good face coverings help. The problem was they
couldn't recommend general use of the better ones, because they were in
short supply and they wanted to reserve them for the medical profession.

>and hand sanitising. What they should have been advocating was much
>more fresh air ventilation, HEPA filters and UV lights in aircon ducts.
>
>>
>>> Might make you feel more secure but basically useless against the
>>> highly infectious Omicron variant. It might delay you getting infected,
>>> but it will be inevitable.
>>
>> As far as I'm aware it's still regarded as an aerosol transmitted virus,
>> and coughing and sneezing without a mask on, feels like something which
>> might spread such aerosols further.
>
>Masks stop droplets, which is almost irrelevant for Covid.

They stop 95% of virus sized particulates, too.
--
Roland Perry

In message <t1eutv$aa9$1@dont-email.me>, at 11:05:35 on Wed, 23 Mar
2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>> On 23/03/2022 10:42, Recliner wrote:
>>> Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>>>> On 23/03/2022 10:20, Recliner wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Masks stop droplets, which is almost irrelevant for Covid.
>>>>
>>>> What do you think aerosols are?
>>>
>>> Covid particles are tiny, and airborne. They can travel long distances, not
>>> just 1-2m. That was soon discovered in the early cases, in restaurants,
>>> churches and planes. But the out-of-date advice wasn't revised.
>>
>> And aerosols help them travel further.
>
>I think you're confusing aerosols and droplets. The WHO originally thought
>that Covid was transmitted by droplets, like flu, not aerosols. That's what
>all the early advice was based on, but it was wrong:
> https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1030
>
>Also, all that cleaning of supermarket trolley handles, glove wearing
>and/or frequent hand-sanitising did almost nothing to stop the spread of
>Covid. In the early days, I wore face shields, but we now know that was
>pretty pointless, too.

If by face shields you mean like the ones welders wear, it was obvious
from the start they were just security theatre.
--
Roland Perry

In message <t1eqgk$8gk$1@dont-email.me>, at 09:50:12 on Wed, 23 Mar
2022, Certes <none@nowhere.net> remarked:
>On 23/03/2022 07:23, MB wrote:
>> On 21/03/2022 13:10, Graeme Wall wrote:
>>> Reminds me of when I went freelance back in the 1990s. There were
>>> several jobs opening up at various tech colleges for teaching staff for
>>> the newly created media studies courses. As a tutor they wanted minimum
>>> 5 years experience, fair enough, but they also wanted a Media Studies
>>> degree which hadn't existed even 2 years before, never mind 5!
>> I think it had a different name when I was at school but was just
>>seen as a way of inflating the number of O or A Level passes. I doubt
>>that it impressed universities and employers.  I can't even remember
>>now if I passed!
>
>We took a General Studies A Level, for which there was little or no
>teaching and everyone got a good grade for turning up. Universities and
>employers were looking for "n A Levels excluding General Studies".
>It wasn't entirely trivial. It had a strong arty bias (whereas my
>strengths were scientific) and required recalling to roughly O-Level
>standard a modern language that we'd had two years to forget.

General Studies were a device to increase the *school's* league table
results. My daughter was forced to take it in the Lower 6th form, but I
told them it was a straw on the camel's back and she would not be
attending those lessons in future. The head of 6th was mortified, but as
I was a governor there wasn't much he could do about it.

She went on to get 4 A's in STEM subjects (which is why a 5th subject
was one too many), so that levelled the playing field a bit.
--
Roland Perry

Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
> In message <t1es95$lln$1@dont-email.me>, at 10:20:21 on Wed, 23 Mar
> 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>
>>> As for new vaccines, they seem to have dropped off the news cycle. Last
>>> I heard (and I'm not following it closely) they were declining to play
>>> "whack a mole" with new variants, on the basis by the time a new vaccine
>>> was on the streets that variant would have come and gone.
>>
>> Not so. In your diligent study of the scientific literature, this must
>> have escaped you:
>> <https://www.clinicaltrialsarena.com/news/pfizer-omicron-vaccine-trial/>
>
> Timelines never were your strong point, but good for Pfizer trying.

As always, you're surly and ungrateful when someone educates you. I'm sure
you were really popular among your colleagues when you were still employed!
No wonder you had so many, short-lived jobs in your brief period of
employment.

> I wonder if by the time they've completed the trial, got regulatory
> approval, and manufactured and distributed it at scale, and it's a had a
> month the become fully effective, Omicron will be old news.

Probably not. It seems that new variants of Omicron have taken over, and a
vaccine targeted at Omicron may be more effective against them than the
original vaccines.

>>>
>>>> If you are susceptible for whatever reason you need to take *your own*
>>>> precautions, wearing proper FFP3 masks and probably reducing your contact
>>>> with others.
>>>
>>> Exactly, and there some demographics where perhaps reducing the contact
>>> is more advisable. A bit like avoiding trains full of drunken football
>>> supporters. Our local secondary school is having a pretty torrid time,
>>> and while I used to shop at the store [bigger than a corner shop,
>>> smaller than a regular supermarket] around the time I realised "must
>>> find some things to put towards dinner", which is when they were all
>>> going home for the day and buying stuff on the way home, I've changed my
>>> schedule. Went at 9am the other day, and the store was literally empty.
>>>
>>>> Expecting others to go round wearing non FFP3 masks to save
>>>> you is basically just like relying on a lucky rabbit’s foot.
>>>
>>> If that's the situation, why were people ever told to wear masks?
>>
>> Because, in the early days, no-one was sure how it spread, and the
>> assumption it was via droplets and hand contact. Hence all the
>> well-meaning, but largely pointless, advice about about wearing any sort of
>> face covering or shield, frequent thorough hand-washing, 2m spacing,
>
> The 2m spacing helps, and good face coverings help. The problem was they
> couldn't recommend general use of the better ones, because they were in
> short supply and they wanted to reserve them for the medical profession.

True

>
>> and hand sanitising. What they should have been advocating was much
>> more fresh air ventilation, HEPA filters and UV lights in aircon ducts.
>>
>>>
>>>> Might make you feel more secure but basically useless against the
>>>> highly infectious Omicron variant. It might delay you getting infected,
>>>> but it will be inevitable.
>>>
>>> As far as I'm aware it's still regarded as an aerosol transmitted virus,
>>> and coughing and sneezing without a mask on, feels like something which
>>> might spread such aerosols further.
>>
>> Masks stop droplets, which is almost irrelevant for Covid.
>
> They stop 95% of virus sized particulates, too.

Not most masks. Only a tiny minority of the public, or even hospital staff,
wear properly fitted N95 respirator masks.

Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
> In message <t1eutv$aa9$1@dont-email.me>, at 11:05:35 on Wed, 23 Mar
> 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>> Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>>> On 23/03/2022 10:42, Recliner wrote:
>>>> Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>> On 23/03/2022 10:20, Recliner wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Masks stop droplets, which is almost irrelevant for Covid.
>>>>>
>>>>> What do you think aerosols are?
>>>>
>>>> Covid particles are tiny, and airborne. They can travel long distances, not
>>>> just 1-2m. That was soon discovered in the early cases, in restaurants,
>>>> churches and planes. But the out-of-date advice wasn't revised.
>>>
>>> And aerosols help them travel further.
>>
>> I think you're confusing aerosols and droplets. The WHO originally thought
>> that Covid was transmitted by droplets, like flu, not aerosols. That's what
>> all the early advice was based on, but it was wrong:
>> https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1030
>>
>> Also, all that cleaning of supermarket trolley handles, glove wearing
>> and/or frequent hand-sanitising did almost nothing to stop the spread of
>> Covid. In the early days, I wore face shields, but we now know that was
>> pretty pointless, too.
>
> If by face shields you mean like the ones welders wear, it was obvious
> from the start they were just security theatre.

Perhaps, but they were permitted and accepted as face coverings where they
were mandatory. They were particularly popular among supermarket staff.

On Wed, 23 Mar 2022 08:54:48 +0000, Roland Perry wrote:

> Yes, but apart from Covid which other ones last only six months? The TV
> adverts are trying to give the impression that "most" traditionally only
> last six months, which is why we need to accept the need to "also" get
> re-jabbed for Covid every six months.

Maybe the research was a bit rushed, and no-one asked 'do we know
how long this protection will last?'
Back to the drawing board I think.

In message <t1eqot$a9p$1@dont-email.me>, at 09:54:38 on Wed, 23 Mar
2022, Certes <none@nowhere.net> remarked:
>On 23/03/2022 08:54, Roland Perry wrote:
>> In message <t1elej$372$1@dont-email.me>, at 08:23:47 on Wed, 23 Mar
>>2022, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> remarked:
>>> On 23/03/2022 08:12, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>> In message <t1crcs$4gd$2@dont-email.me>, at 15:53:00 on Tue, 22 Mar
>>>>2022, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>> On 22/03/2022 13:57, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>>>> In message <190dku9sht17s$.dlg@example1357.net>, at 12:06:18 on
>>>>>>Tue,  22  Mar 2022, mechanic <mechanic@example.net> remarked:
>>>>>>> On Tue, 22 Mar 2022 07:13:01 +0000, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Mainly because it's the only such disease where in plenty of
>>>>>>>>areas 10%
>>>>>>>> of the population have it during any one week (it's 11% here). Also
>>>>>>>> apparently the second most infectious one, behind measles.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Strange that we've eliminated smallpox, ebola, even measles to some
>>>>>>> extent, but given up on covid.
>>>>
>>>>>>  It takes a generation (or more) to eradicate a disease. And then
>>>>>>you  can  only do the ones which aren't mutating in real time.
>>>>>>  There was a TV commercial last night saying that Covid
>>>>>>vaccinations  <quote> like all others wear off so need to be boosted.
>>
>>>>>>  That'll be news to people given HPV which I think they've now
>>>>>>decided is  a once-a-lifetime jab.
>>>>
>>>>> Quite a few vaccines need topping up, IIRC yellow fever only lasts
>>>>>7 years. Cut yourself on a rusty nail and you'll get a tetanus
>>>>>booster and so on.
>>
>>>>  Yes, not every traditional vaccine lasts a lifetime (or half a
>>>>lifetime), but most last more than six months.
>>>
>>> The operative word being "most".

>> Yes, but apart from Covid which other ones last only six months? The
>>TV adverts are trying to give the impression that "most"
>>traditionally only last six months, which is why we need to accept
>>the need to "also" get re-jabbed for Covid every six months.
>
>Flu jabs seem to require annual renewal. That's partly because variants
>emerge quickly

My impression is it's almost entirely a new variant thing (or a best
guess at which will be circulating that Winter).

>but probably indicates time-limited effectiveness: perhaps as short as
>six months, as immunity is less important in summer. Other than its
>severity, COVID seems to have more in common with colds and flu than
>with the more serious diseases.

Apart from the Long Covid angle.
--
Roland Perry

In message <t1eo6q$n80$1@dont-email.me>, at 09:10:50 on Wed, 23 Mar
2022, martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk remarked:
>On 23/03/2022 08:54, Roland Perry wrote:
>> In message <t1elej$372$1@dont-email.me>, at 08:23:47 on Wed, 23 Mar
>>2022, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> remarked:
>>> On 23/03/2022 08:12, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>> In message <t1crcs$4gd$2@dont-email.me>, at 15:53:00 on Tue, 22 Mar
>>>>2022, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>> On 22/03/2022 13:57, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>>>> In message <190dku9sht17s$.dlg@example1357.net>, at 12:06:18 on
>>>>>>Tue,  22  Mar 2022, mechanic <mechanic@example.net> remarked:
>>>>>>> On Tue, 22 Mar 2022 07:13:01 +0000, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Mainly because it's the only such disease where in plenty of
>>>>>>>>areas 10%
>>>>>>>> of the population have it during any one week (it's 11% here). Also
>>>>>>>> apparently the second most infectious one, behind measles.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Strange that we've eliminated smallpox, ebola, even measles to some
>>>>>>> extent, but given up on covid.
>>>>
>>>>>>  It takes a generation (or more) to eradicate a disease. And then
>>>>>>you  can  only do the ones which aren't mutating in real time.
>>>>>>  There was a TV commercial last night saying that Covid
>>>>>>vaccinations  <quote> like all others wear off so need to be boosted.
>>
>>>>>>  That'll be news to people given HPV which I think they've now
>>>>>>decided is  a once-a-lifetime jab.
>>>>
>>>>> Quite a few vaccines need topping up, IIRC yellow fever only lasts
>>>>>7 years. Cut yourself on a rusty nail and you'll get a tetanus
>>>>>booster and so on.
>>
>>>>  Yes, not every traditional vaccine lasts a lifetime (or half a
>>>>lifetime), but most last more than six months.
>>>
>>> The operative word being "most".

>> Yes, but apart from Covid which other ones last only six months? The
>>TV adverts are trying to give the impression that "most"
>>traditionally only last six months, which is why we need to accept
>>the need to "also" get re-jabbed for Covid every six months.
>
>I got my booster nearly five months ago and it seems I wont be getting
>another until "autumn" which will make it ten months.

The publicity I've seen recently for summer-boosters (didn't the booking
site open yesterday or the day before) was claiming six months. Of
course that's not necessarily the medically optimal interval, but they
have logistics to consider as well.

I haven't tried to book a 4th jab (it would be "due" in about six weeks
time).
--
Roland Perry

In message <t1esuh$olo$2@dont-email.me>, at 10:31:45 on Wed, 23 Mar
2022, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> remarked:
>On 23/03/2022 09:54, Certes wrote:
>> On 23/03/2022 08:54, Roland Perry wrote:
>>> In message <t1elej$372$1@dont-email.me>, at 08:23:47 on Wed, 23 Mar
>>>2022, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> remarked:
>>>> On 23/03/2022 08:12, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>>> In message <t1crcs$4gd$2@dont-email.me>, at 15:53:00 on Tue, 22
>>>>>Mar 2022, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>>> On 22/03/2022 13:57, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>>>>> In message <190dku9sht17s$.dlg@example1357.net>, at 12:06:18 on
>>>>>>>Tue,  22  Mar 2022, mechanic <mechanic@example.net> remarked:
>>>>>>>> On Tue, 22 Mar 2022 07:13:01 +0000, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Mainly because it's the only such disease where in plenty of
>>>>>>>>>areas 10%
>>>>>>>>> of the population have it during any one week (it's 11% here). Also
>>>>>>>>> apparently the second most infectious one, behind measles.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Strange that we've eliminated smallpox, ebola, even measles to some
>>>>>>>> extent, but given up on covid.
>>>>>
>>>>>>>  It takes a generation (or more) to eradicate a disease. And
>>>>>>>then you  can  only do the ones which aren't mutating in real time.
>>>>>>>  There was a TV commercial last night saying that Covid
>>>>>>>vaccinations  <quote> like all others wear off so need to be boosted.
>>>
>>>>>>>  That'll be news to people given HPV which I think they've now
>>>>>>>decided is  a once-a-lifetime jab.
>>>>>
>>>>>> Quite a few vaccines need topping up, IIRC yellow fever only
>>>>>>lasts 7 years. Cut yourself on a rusty nail and you'll get a
>>>>>>tetanus booster and so on.
>>>
>>>>>  Yes, not every traditional vaccine lasts a lifetime (or half a
>>>>>lifetime), but most last more than six months.
>>>>
>>>> The operative word being "most".
>>>
>>> Yes, but apart from Covid which other ones last only six months? The
>>>TV adverts are trying to give the impression that "most"
>>>traditionally only last six months, which is why we need to accept
>>>the need to "also" get re-jabbed for Covid every six months.
>> Flu jabs seem to require annual renewal.  That's partly because
>>variants
>> emerge quickly but probably indicates time-limited effectiveness:
>> perhaps as short as six months, as immunity is less important in summer.
>> Other than its severity, COVID seems to have more in common with colds
>> and flu than with the more serious diseases.
>
>The Flu annual cycle is because they have to try and predict which
>variant is likely to be the one going round this year. It's quite
>possible that Covid could end up in a similar position.

That doesn't quite work, because the flu variants they are immunising
against are already in circulation, they just try to predict which might
be in the ascendancy six months later.

Covid variants are all brand new. Unless anyone thinks that Alpha (or
whatever) will be making a comeback next year.
--
Roland Perry

In message <tsicl5udq7aa$.dlg@example1357.net>, at 11:57:22 on Wed, 23
Mar 2022, mechanic <mechanic@example.net> remarked:
>On Wed, 23 Mar 2022 08:54:48 +0000, Roland Perry wrote:
>
>> Yes, but apart from Covid which other ones last only six months? The TV
>> adverts are trying to give the impression that "most" traditionally only
>> last six months, which is why we need to accept the need to "also" get
>> re-jabbed for Covid every six months.
>
>Maybe the research was a bit rushed, and no-one asked 'do we know
>how long this protection will last?'
>Back to the drawing board I think.

You can't just invent completely new vaccines at the drop of a hat. The
only reason the Covid ones appeared relatively quickly is because they
were an evolution of earlier ones for other respiratory diseases.
--
Roland Perry

On 23/03/2022 11:57, mechanic wrote:
> On Wed, 23 Mar 2022 08:54:48 +0000, Roland Perry wrote:
>
>> Yes, but apart from Covid which other ones last only six months? The TV
>> adverts are trying to give the impression that "most" traditionally only
>> last six months, which is why we need to accept the need to "also" get
>> re-jabbed for Covid every six months.
>
> Maybe the research was a bit rushed, and no-one asked 'do we know
> how long this protection will last?'
> Back to the drawing board I think.

How are they going to know beforehand?

--
Graeme Wall
This account not read.