Oct 15, 2020, 6:45 pm
Local lockdowns in the UK
Mar 9, 2021, 4:34 pm
#2071
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC GGL, HHonors Diamond, IHG Uninspired, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, UK AMEX Plat
Posts: 2,157
"interesting" vaccine question, in case anyone here knows the answer... Was on a zoom call with a friend earlier, who has a few health conditions and is stuck home shielding. Her GP surgery offered her a vaccine, then changed their mind and said she couldn't have it, as they're only doing the Pfizer one, and due to a history of allergic reactions, she is supposed to have the Oxford/AZ one instead. That was apparently a couple of weeks ago, and her GP hasn't managed to figure out a way to get her an Oxford/AZ appointment elsewhere...
Other than another fruitless call with the receptionists at her GP surgery, is there something she can do to get one booked in herself? Any way of booking a vaccination slot online, somewhere she can be sure will be AZ not Pfizer, where the online system will both know that and know she's supposed to have one now? (She's too young to get it by age yet!)
Other than another fruitless call with the receptionists at her GP surgery, is there something she can do to get one booked in herself? Any way of booking a vaccination slot online, somewhere she can be sure will be AZ not Pfizer, where the online system will both know that and know she's supposed to have one now? (She's too young to get it by age yet!)
Mar 9, 2021, 11:58 pm
#2072
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: M&S Elite+, BAEC Silver
Posts: 3,689
BBC: NHS Test and Trace 'no clear impact' despite £37bn budget
The impact of NHS Test and Trace is still unclear - despite the UK government setting aside £37bn for it over two years, MPs are warning.
The Public Accounts Committee said it was set up on the basis it would help prevent future lockdowns - but since its creation there had been two more.
It said the spending was "unimaginable" and warned the taxpayer could not be treated like an "ATM machine".But the MPs' report questioned:
The Public Accounts Committee said it was set up on the basis it would help prevent future lockdowns - but since its creation there had been two more.
It said the spending was "unimaginable" and warned the taxpayer could not be treated like an "ATM machine".But the MPs' report questioned:
- An over-reliance on consultants with some paid more than £6,600 a day
- Contact tracers only having enough work to fill half their time even when cases were rising
Mar 10, 2021, 1:13 am
#2073
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,671
My sisters ex was made redundant, so took up a position as a contact tracer. He spent weeks doing bugger all until he was told his services were no longer required.
Mar 10, 2021, 1:23 am
#2074
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,007
Yep, we're heading in the right direction and, as long as the reopening of schools doesn't result in a spike in infections in the next few weeks, the government should be able to keep to its published timetable for lifting the lockdown.
Personally, I want a haircut more than I do a holiday.
Personally, I want a haircut more than I do a holiday.
Mar 10, 2021, 1:26 am
#2075
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: clue is in the nym
Programs: BA Gold, TP Gold, VS Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 849
Another Vaccination data point - had 1st jab AZ last Thursday felt fine for the rest of the day. Woke up Friday feeling 'flushed' with skin tingling, rather like the sensation you get when you've been for a long run in the cold and first step back into a warm home.
This lasted for the day along with a certain 'woolly-headedness' and loss of concentration, but wasn't so bad as to warrant taking e.g. paracetamol, and symptoms were gone when I awoke on Saturday.
This lasted for the day along with a certain 'woolly-headedness' and loss of concentration, but wasn't so bad as to warrant taking e.g. paracetamol, and symptoms were gone when I awoke on Saturday.
Mar 10, 2021, 2:00 am
#2076
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,280
Money well spent?
The Public Accounts Committee said it was set up on the basis it would help prevent future lockdowns - but since its creation there had been two more.
It said the spending was "unimaginable" and warned the taxpayer could not be treated like an "ATM machine".
But the government said the system was helping to reduce infection rates.
Baroness Dido Harding, head of the National Institute for Health Protection, which runs the system, pointed out it had been built from scratch and was now doing more tests than any other comparable country.
She said performance had been improving with more people who tested positive being reached and more of their close contacts being asked to isolate.
[...]
But the MPs' report questioned:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-56340831
Covid-19: NHS Test and Trace 'no clear impact' despite £37bn budget
The impact of NHS Test and Trace is still unclear - despite the UK government setting aside £37bn for it over two years, MPs are warning.The Public Accounts Committee said it was set up on the basis it would help prevent future lockdowns - but since its creation there had been two more.
It said the spending was "unimaginable" and warned the taxpayer could not be treated like an "ATM machine".
But the government said the system was helping to reduce infection rates.
Baroness Dido Harding, head of the National Institute for Health Protection, which runs the system, pointed out it had been built from scratch and was now doing more tests than any other comparable country.
She said performance had been improving with more people who tested positive being reached and more of their close contacts being asked to isolate.
[...]
But the MPs' report questioned:
- An over-reliance on consultants with some paid more than £6,600 a day
- A failure to be ready for the surge in demand for tests seen last September
- Never meeting its target to turn around tests done face-to-face within 24 hours
- Contact tracers only having enough work to fill half their time even when cases were rising
- A splurge on rapid tests with no clear evidence they will help
Mar 10, 2021, 2:14 am
#2077
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: M&S Elite+, BAEC Silver
Posts: 3,689
Mar 10, 2021, 2:17 am
#2078
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,024
"interesting" vaccine question, in case anyone here knows the answer... Was on a zoom call with a friend earlier, who has a few health conditions and is stuck home shielding. Her GP surgery offered her a vaccine, then changed their mind and said she couldn't have it, as they're only doing the Pfizer one, and due to a history of allergic reactions, she is supposed to have the Oxford/AZ one instead. That was apparently a couple of weeks ago, and her GP hasn't managed to figure out a way to get her an Oxford/AZ appointment elsewhere...
Other than another fruitless call with the receptionists at her GP surgery, is there something she can do to get one booked in herself? Any way of booking a vaccination slot online, somewhere she can be sure will be AZ not Pfizer, where the online system will both know that and know she's supposed to have one now? (She's too young to get it by age yet!)
Other than another fruitless call with the receptionists at her GP surgery, is there something she can do to get one booked in herself? Any way of booking a vaccination slot online, somewhere she can be sure will be AZ not Pfizer, where the online system will both know that and know she's supposed to have one now? (She's too young to get it by age yet!)
Mar 10, 2021, 2:22 am
#2079
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC GGL, HHonors Diamond, IHG Uninspired, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, UK AMEX Plat
Posts: 2,157
Mar 10, 2021, 2:23 am
#2080
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: where lions are led by donkeys...
Programs: Lifetime Gold, Global Entry, Hertz PC, and my wallet
Posts: 20,372
I do agree that the money was wasted on track and trace, and of course cronyism. But if he/they/it hadn't done it they would have been slaughtered for not doing so. Not defending them, just saying.
There needs to be a covid windfall/profiteering tax. There is no consultant in this that deserves £6600 per day. Not one.
There needs to be a covid windfall/profiteering tax. There is no consultant in this that deserves £6600 per day. Not one.
Mar 10, 2021, 2:29 am
#2081
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,280
I do agree that the money was wasted on track and trace, and of course cronyism. But if he/they/it hadn't done it they would have been slaughtered for not doing so. Not defending them, just saying.
There needs to be a covid windfall/profiteering tax. There is no consultant in this that deserves £6600 per day. Not one.
There needs to be a covid windfall/profiteering tax. There is no consultant in this that deserves £6600 per day. Not one.
Mar 10, 2021, 3:06 am
#2082
Community Director
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: A3*G, BA Gold, BD Gold (in memoriam), IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 8,502
I would guess that those in 30s in good health would start in April, but it would depend on where you live. In terms of vaccine supply, I can see they try to blend allowing some places to go faster if they can with not allowing these places to get too far ahead of the national pitcture. I would guess if you are London based, where there is more vaccine hesitancy than in Middle England, then you may get seen sooner.
So, some context.
The county I live in has a rate of 37, pushed higher by what seems to be bleed-through from a neighbouring county.
The district council area has a rate of 14.3
The town, which has a population of about 7k with a significantly higher than average elderly population, is at less than 3 cases so the rate is not reported. Neighbouring towns and villages, which also feed into the town's health services for vaccination purposes, also have three cases or fewer.
On 17th February, the last time my local medical centre put a report on their Facebook page, they were at 40% on Cohort 5, expecting to complete that group on 20th February. Cohort 6 was due to start, and likely finish, on 27th February. Based on that progression, and sitting in Cohort 9, I'd expect to get my first dose around 20th March.
Since that post - nada, not even an update on whether Cohort 6 proceeded as expected. My local Conservative MP, who's understandably quite keen to shout from the rooftops about good stuff that happens, has been suspiciously quiet.
So my question is this - because I live in a place with a really low incidence rate, are other areas with higher rates getting priority for delivery of the vaccine as a way of limiting the spread quicker? If so, at what point are they likely to get so far ahead that once again the supply is equalised?
Mar 10, 2021, 3:07 am
#2083
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Sussex by the Sea
Programs: BA Silver, for now at least...
Posts: 581
Quick question for C-W-S or others with experience of these centres - the missus has her first jab in London tomorrow - I dont quite qualify yet as late 40s. I deliberately booked her a late appointment and plan to turn up with her and ask very nicely to be done at the same time. No doubt you see a lot of this, and was wondering what my chances of success were? There was a comment upthread about couples either side of the line getting done together.
(reasons are entirely selfish - I really want to ensure I am double-jabbed before a planned US trip in mid-June) [and no, not looking for opinions of whether this is likely to take place - dreaming of trips abroad is the only thing keeping me sane right now...]
(reasons are entirely selfish - I really want to ensure I am double-jabbed before a planned US trip in mid-June) [and no, not looking for opinions of whether this is likely to take place - dreaming of trips abroad is the only thing keeping me sane right now...]
Mar 10, 2021, 3:16 am
#2084
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LHR/ATH
Programs: Amex Platinum, LH SEN (Gold), BA Bronze
Posts: 4,489
Quick question for C-W-S or others with experience of these centres - the missus has her first jab in London tomorrow - I dont quite qualify yet as late 40s. I deliberately booked her a late appointment and plan to turn up with her and ask very nicely to be done at the same time. No doubt you see a lot of this, and was wondering what my chances of success were? There was a comment upthread about couples either side of the line getting done together.
(reasons are entirely selfish - I really want to ensure I am double-jabbed before a planned US trip in mid-June) [and no, not looking for opinions of whether this is likely to take place - dreaming of trips abroad is the only thing keeping me sane right now...]
(reasons are entirely selfish - I really want to ensure I am double-jabbed before a planned US trip in mid-June) [and no, not looking for opinions of whether this is likely to take place - dreaming of trips abroad is the only thing keeping me sane right now...]
I don't see myself being vaccinated by summer unless I get the one jab thing.
Mar 10, 2021, 3:20 am
#2085
Community Director
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: A3*G, BA Gold, BD Gold (in memoriam), IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 8,502
Quick question for C-W-S or others with experience of these centres - the missus has her first jab in London tomorrow - I dont quite qualify yet as late 40s. I deliberately booked her a late appointment and plan to turn up with her and ask very nicely to be done at the same time. No doubt you see a lot of this, and was wondering what my chances of success were? There was a comment upthread about couples either side of the line getting done together.
(reasons are entirely selfish - I really want to ensure I am double-jabbed before a planned US trip in mid-June) [and no, not looking for opinions of whether this is likely to take place - dreaming of trips abroad is the only thing keeping me sane right now...]
(reasons are entirely selfish - I really want to ensure I am double-jabbed before a planned US trip in mid-June) [and no, not looking for opinions of whether this is likely to take place - dreaming of trips abroad is the only thing keeping me sane right now...]
In my case the situation is reversed compared to yours, and actually probably slightly closer to having a chance of success because by the time my date arrives MrsNWIFlyer will be within about 9 months of qualifying for the same group anyway. If the situation at my local medical centre is typical of the NHS generally, she won't even get beyond the front door with me because she won't have an appointment (and there's no reason for me to have her there for support - the number of fillings in my teeth will attest to the fact that I don't have a needle phobia!).