When will this shit end?

[zahidf]

India could approve Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine against Covid-19 within the next few weeks, the RIA news agency cited India’s ambassador to Moscow as saying on Monday.

Small human trials of the Russian vaccine have been ongoing in India, conducted by India’s Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd and supported by the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), Reuters reports.

According to Johns Hopkins University, India has recorded at least 155,732 Covid-19 deaths so far and over ten million infections.

The country of 1.36 billion people has administered about 8.2 million vaccines so far.

Despite India having the world’s second highest number of overall infections and the fourth highest death toll, “life is almost back to normal”, the Times of India reports.

“Shopping mall parking lots are full again. Stores are buzzing, and there are long lines for hair salons and restaurants.”

 

UK to be more like India?

[zahidf]

EU to opt out of the international vaccine passport system?

 

 

 

 

[st dan]

Am I right in thinking the UK currently has the strictest restrictions in the world right now? 

Don’t want this question to spiral into another ‘our restrictions aren’t very strict etc’ debate again.  

[stuartbert two hats]

7 minutes ago, Fuzzy Afro said:

Mark Drakeford sorry @Ozanne will be along soon to explain how the government have fucked up by going too hard too early and how it’s an incredible travesty now that the vaccinators have nothing to do

He can't see you.

[Guest]

Just now, stuartbert two hats said:

He can't see you.

Ironically I can when he’s quoted 😝

[zahidf]

Good news!

[WestCountryGirl]

Just heard that my parents can both now book for their vaccines as they volunteer at a food bank 🙌

I thought my Dad wouldn't be too far off getting his anyway, and imagined my Mum would have once she started vaccinating herself, but it all seems to have slowed down on her actually getting started with that. She's now had an OH meeting and she's informed the people in charge where she's happy to go, but just doesn't seem like they're in a rush to deploy her anywhere. Not sure if it's due to lack of need or vaccine supply or what, but certainly seems to be moving slower (in Plymouth) than for other people I know volunteering to jab elsewhere.

[kalifire]

Both my parents (and sister who volunteers in social care) have had their jabs. Mum was really starting to feel it emotionally and sounded quite frail and anxious a few days before, when I spoke with her by phone. Now she sounds like this vaccine was just the shot in the arm she needed. 

[zahidf]

Israel is considering a carrot and stick approach to persuade people to get vaccinated, including granting inoculated people access to restaurants, hotels and concerts, while forcing some vaccine refusers to get uncomfortable Covid tests every two days.

“Will you be eligible to enter gyms and cultural events, or will you be left behind?” tweeted the health minister, Yuli Edelstein. “Go get vaccinated!”

[Fuzzy Afro]

21 minutes ago, zahidf said:

Dude... Chill. I don't always agree with him but calling him out like this all the time does feel like bullying

Okay I’m done now... only teasing anyway 

[Guest]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/15/revealed-cummings-role-handing-covid-contract-firm-run-by-friends?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
 

Dominic Cummings was instrumental in the process of awarding a government contract without tender to a company run by his “friends”, according to court documents that raise questions about whether the Cabinet Office may have misled the public.

[xxialac]

30 minutes ago, zahidf said:

EU to opt out of the international vaccine passport system?

 

 

 

 

Not saying he's wrong but helps to have context and this guy is not just any commentator. He writes books criticising the EU. 

He does appear to be rushing to reach this conclusion before the EU has decided.

[zahidf]

Just now, xxialac said:

Not saying he's wrong but helps to have context and this guy is not just any commentator. He writes books criticising the EU. 

He does appear to be rushing to reach this conclusion before the EU has decided.

Oh fair enough and i dont take much stock in his final tweet. However, it may be an issue if EU opts out of the vaccine passport scheme and their citizens have to quarantine for travel

[xxialac]

1 minute ago, zahidf said:

Oh fair enough and i dont take much stock in his final tweet. However, it may be an issue if EU opts out of the vaccine passport scheme and their citizens have to quarantine for travel

Definitely.

Though will the world have a universal standard or will there be a hotchpotch of approaches?

Also most journeys made by EU citizens are to other EU states...and there may of course be a system where travellers can still opt for testing as an alternative to a vaccine passport.

[MEGABOWL]

41 minutes ago, st dan said:

Am I right in thinking the UK currently has the strictest restrictions in the world right now? 

Don’t want this question to spiral into another ‘our restrictions aren’t very strict etc’ debate again.  

Speaking from the West of Scotland (where Household mixing has been banned since September 23, alcohol banned in hospitality since October 7 and moving outside your Council Area since November 23), I’d be surprised if anyone has it tougher

[Fuzzy Afro]

UK lockdown is currently the strictest in the world other than the temporary lockdowns in Melbourne and Auckland where exercise is banned. 
 

[JoeyT]

3 minutes ago, MEGABOWL said:

Speaking from the West of Scotland (where Household mixing has been banned since September 23, alcohol banned in hospitality since October 7 and moving outside your Council Area since November 23), I’d be surprised if anyone has it tougher

I think ROI have had it / still have it pretty restrictive as well don't they?

[xxialac]

1 minute ago, Fuzzy Afro said:

UK lockdown is currently the strictest in the world other than the temporary lockdowns in Melbourne and Auckland where exercise is banned. 
 

What about e.g. Portugal?

[efcfanwirral]

8 minutes ago, xxialac said:

Definitely.

Though will the world have a universal standard or will there be a hotchpotch of approaches?

Also most journeys made by EU citizens are to other EU states...and there may of course be a system where travellers can still opt for testing as an alternative to a vaccine passport.

To be honest if they're that worried about post mass-vaccination spread then to keep it watertight there should really be tests AND vaccine passports, but as it appears the system will be mainly to make people feel better I'd be surprised to see that. 

On a similar note, will countries be allowing unvaccinated children in? If so its all pointless anyway 

[zahidf]

 

[zahidf]

4 minutes ago, xxialac said:

What about e.g. Portugal?

I think bars are open in Portugal!

[gooner1990]

Just now, zahidf said:

I think bars are open in Portugal!

Jel.

[JoeyT]

2 minutes ago, zahidf said:

 

That's incredible.

When will we be seeing a graph like this for the UK I wonder?

Can't be far away?

[fraybentos1]

2 minutes ago, zahidf said:

 

Ooooh I like that! Let's hope it keeps plummeting (although maybe as more youngsters get vaxxed too it won't be as steep). One things for sure- these vaccines work and they work very very well!

[xxialac]

8 minutes ago, zahidf said:

I think bars are open in Portugal!

Pretty sure bars are not open to visit and although restaurants are open, it's for takeaway only.

And there's a curfew unlike in the UK.

Edited February 15, 2021 by xxialac