Covid Delta - Nothern Hemisphere Winter 2021/22

Cases increased to over 250K within America yesterday, and the UK has been hovering on 30,000 cases per day- despite more than 90% of adults having 1 jab, and 80% 2 jabs.

Many EU states are also increasing, after previous lockdowns, and the pandemic just gets worse by the day in more and more countries. The most vaccinated country Israel is having another wave...

The vaccines only help reduces deaths and severe sickness, but they do not prevent all of them. 
The vaccines appear to be totally ineffective against slowing infection and transmissions.
Only something like 20% of the world population has been vaccinated, but even if everyone was vaccinated, herd immunity is now a myth. It is like chasing a golden unicorn... 

It is around 8-10 weeks before the Northern Hemisphere enters into winter- and it is Delta is going to be very infectious. 
The only plan from the UK government at this stage is to have short circuit breaker lockdowns when it gets totally out of control. 10 days of China-style/martial law lockdown. 
Other than, to have a top-up vaccine jab in winter.

"It is not clear if Covid is just going to be like flu and mutate every year, making vaccines only partially effective.

Personally i think the world was taken for a ride.   The fact is that there were nearly no flu caused deaths in the USA. and the test for virus presence was a  farce abandoned only a two months ago.  Also the total death figures provided statistically in 2020 showed a decrease of  near to 300 000 less than it was in 2019,   

The real thing is that most people who died as a result of  Covid was miniscule - they died of morbidities  they already suffered from and deficient immunity systems  caused by aging - which happened also stemming from flu often leading to Bronchitis  and Pneumonia amongst the elderly.   

The problem was that in the process of  politicizing the Covid issue and the false testing methodology used to test Covid presence,  a  crisis has developed and false promises made by  scientists about the vaccines,    We are back to where the so-called pandemic started and has gone nothing further than that.   One wonder whether the discredited method used to discover Covid infection is still being used?

I do not doubt that Covid is a new virus developed in the Wuhan laboratory that has similar results to flu  - and  the  present vaccines  creates a false hope and are not solving  the problem of Covid - the present  Covid vaccines are les effective than the vaccine taken by many people to avoid flu in winter.

The moment politicians  highjack science it does not solve  any problem - it just makes it worse.    

Vaccine is a pipe dream. Whatever Covid is, it is dangerous. I fortunately haven't lost close friends or family yet myself, but the amount of people I know about or have acquaintance with that have died this year alone far exceeds anything in any year ever before. As far as I'm concerned it's going to become a case of keeping yourself as healthy as possible, and then, well, hope for the best. Hope that their isn't a chink in your armor that the virus can exploit to wreak havoc. Some people walk through it with little more than cold symptoms, other people (including fit young people) get plastered for two or three weeks and take months more to fully recover. Why? Who knows.

My 80year-old sister-in-law  was infected - felt downcast about it for a day and then was fine.   Your statement   "As far as I'm concerned it's going to become a case of keeping yourself as healthy as possible, and then, well, hope for the best. Hope that their isn't a chink in your armor that the virus can exploit to wreak havoc. " summarize the issue perfectly.

That chink  in the armor is what occur with both young and old and cause serious problems for some of the infected people.    ..     .   

J Pakie...it's weird. I was lucky,  but my wife was very sick the second time she got it...the kids were sick for 2 days and then fine...wife sick for 2 weeks and still far from 100%

I'm still lucky not to know anyone who died of it. I k now of a couple of people who landed in hospital,  but that's it. Everyone at work had it...most people I know had it, and the few who haven't had it, have been vaxed. 

"but the amount of people I know about or have acquaintance with that have died this year alone far exceeds anything in any year ever before"

Precisely my view on this as well Pakie

I have never seen something this destructive, e ver.

No ways is this just "like" the flu...... as you say, it is extremely dangerous

Whatever it is, it is definitely not just your usual annual cold or flu

Who needs to be told that Covid-19 is real and serious?

I realize many of the Trumpanzees have been in a state of denial since Bozo's pathetic and downright dangerous lack of response to the pandemic along with all his complete bullshit about how it was under control and would just go away one day . . . but I'd think even the most gullible and stupid Trumpanzees would have realized by now that Bozo (and themselves) got it completely wrong and would take it a bit more seriously now.

Unhinged and terminally stupid zealots like Baboon-ou who spend all their time on forums telling people it's all a hoax and vaccines are bad should really be jailed.

Who else is still pretending Trumpvirus isn't serious or is just the flu?

DA, it's similar to the flu in the way in which it rapidly mutates...it is way more destructive because our bodies have no natural immune response...I'm not only talking about antibodies...our bodies know how to recognize and deal with colds and flu...we still get sick, but rarely serious....Covid is similar, but still different enough to be a problem...it will take years...even decades for it to become a minor disease...

Having said that, the world wide over reaction to covid (IMO) will have a much more significant impact on our lives than the actual virus did....Billions have been spent over here and abroad...that money has to come from somewhere...

PS: Does a covid test really have to cost R800 each...how much does the government pay for each test? We are at an average of 40K tests per day....R32M per day...almost R12 B for a year....BIG MONEY.

So does this mean that vaccine passports are no longer required?

In the context that Delta infections and transmissions are not reduced by vaccination, the Covid passports are pretty much useless. 
The only argument is that vaccinated people will have less viral load, therefore, less able to transmit the virus for a longer period -but that will have minimal effect. 

Prior to Delta - passports made sense, but not now given herd immunity is impossible. 

"The only argument is that vaccinated people will have less viral load, but that will have minimal effect"

This could have a huge impact on whether one lives or dies, so the impact of the viral load per individual is significant.... not minimal

Delta probably mutated as a result of using non-effective vaccines.  

That is true, DA. 

The passport is like a carrot for freedom used to force people to get vaccinated. 
However, once a country has vaccinated most of its population (UK 90% of the adults) - there is not much else that can be done. 

The remaining 10% of adults are just going to get Covid without protection.
Vaccinated people will at least have more protection but is it worth forcing a small minority to have a vaccine when over 90% have already had the vaccine. 

Glad you agree, Viskop

But hang on...

Herd immunity isn't possible due to new strains, apparently.

New strains came about because the virus was prevalent for a prolonged period. 

As such, in the grand scheme of things...how helpful were lockdowns?

The goal was to slow it down while increasing treatment efficiency. 

But slowing it down pushed herd immunity further out...allowing the virus time to mutate. 

Or what?

"New strains came about because the virus was prevalent for a prolonged period. 

As such, in the grand scheme of things...how helpful were lockdowns?

The goal was to slow it down while increasing treatment efficiency. 

But slowing it down pushed herd immunity further out...allowing the virus time to mutate. 

Or what?"

They told us so much BS, it's difficult to discern the actual truth from all the jargon..."flatten the curve"...ja, well, will we ever know if it actually worked?

Scientists are way too invested in where their next(usually government) grant will come from.

"just as airlines, restaurants, shopping malls, public transport systems and schools should have the right to demand a vaccine passport for entry."

Schools are a public service...wel public schools anyway...children are at the lowest risk category...kids should not be subjected to a experimental vaccine they don't really need in the first place.

Private enterprises should be able to do as they please, as long as they are in compliance with the constitution...last time I checked, medical information is still confidential...a privacy still protected...

Socialists always find a reason why you should carry a card that only they can issue.

And it's ALWAYS a great reason.

Makes a you wonder how we ever reached the 20th century without passes in our back pockets .

Playing the man means Rooi painted himself in a corner again.

"Vaccines prevent the spread of Trumpvirus"

Either hopelessly ignorant or a bare faced lie...

This is a typical example of small pox - against which Europeans built up a resistance to and what happened when small pox hid the Cape and South America where the people did not have the build-up immunity against the disease and it wiped out entire populations.

Covid 19 is a newly developed virus and is extremely dangerous  when it comes to infections - especially when it strikes  people with morbidities and age-diminished immunity deficiency.    There is no vaccine that will stop inflation and no way will stop deaths if there is other morbidities reaches serious levels and if the age immunity deficiency is present.

The latter two groups have already been hit hard and  has been drastically reduced as a result - the new variant will not change anything other than cause death when the previous scenario  exists.    The other issue is  that in poor countries and poor communities - even in the USA - there is a dietary deficiency that  cause  reduced immunity and that remains true in SA as well.  

So what is the advantage of vaccines since it does not prevent spreading of the virus and it will not cause people with serious  morbidities and immune problems from dying?    That is what makes me doubt the whole issue.

Rooinek is as usual quite  a lunatic about the issue.   Trump did what he could and was in many ways sabotaged by the Democrats in many states and in the election campaign.   Trump fast sped up  the  development of vaccines - Biden and Harris claimed they would not accept the vaccines and campaigned against vaccination.    In the democrat-controlled areas the resistance against  the vaccine is still strong with only 30% of the Blacks  and  42% of the Latino's being vaccinated.  The stupid idiot obviously listened to the Democrat election and subsequent propaganda and  comes up with his normal BS.    The story that White Republicans were against the vaccination is total garbage as per normal.    None of the Republicans ever campaigned on the basis that they are against vaccination and all their leaders were vaccinated.   It was the Democrats who initially were against vaccination and whose support base are still against vaccination as confirmed by the above stats.    What the Republicans object to is the dictatorial basis used for implementation of rubbish propaganda's of their new idol - the serial liar Faucci - who is directly linked to the great vaccine producers and  the Chinese government and Wuhan Laboratory.    That individual said repeatedly masks do not work and as repeatedly said it does.  The criminal is directly linked to the Wuhan Lab and  is trying to cover for himself and that is his basis for science.                      

"Having said that, the world wide over reaction to covid (IMO) will have a much more significant impact on our lives than the actual virus did"

I agree, but having said that, a lot of positives came about in how people conduct their business and their daily lives now

Not being positive when one is virtually is prisoner in your own  home  and social conduct is seriously limited if you are not part of the governing elite - the rules do not apply to them - but the proletariat.   All side-issues  are prohibited in many countries and  I must admit I hate the way we are forced to live at present.   Governments deciding what people in their normal and family life may do and not do is undermining of democracy as a concept  and is  essentially dictatorial in nature.

I do recognize the threat of  Covid  19 - but believe that measure should be taken  to protect the most vulnerable people and protect them from exposure - the  rest is not  much more going to die when they become infected and if they die  it is  rare.

I also support vaccination - but also realize the shortcomings of the present vaccines and cannot see the present vaccines as of real  value - since it as best  in the main protect the already health threatened people and is of minimal use in the wider context  of  fighting of the disease in cases of people with morbidities. .       

"I also support vaccination - but also realize the shortcomings of the present vaccines and cannot see the present vaccines as of real  value - "

Making them mandatory to boot definitely hints at something sinister...EVIL GREED.

We watch some of these absolute arseholes from a distance.

They know everything about everything and when the fact come out they prove that the arseholes knew absolutely nothing.

Thank christ I don't have to put up with political bullshit happening in alot of these countries.

These arseholes are no different to Hitl er and the Nazis

"These arseholes are no different to Hitler and the Nazis"

From some of your postings on this site, you are a lot closer to Hitler and his Nazis than you think.

"*Edit for the pedantic, self-righteous, small-minded, dull-witted and boring Squeaky Toy."

Still not enough.  The most glaring peace of misinformation is still there arsehole.

I fully believe in free speech and the choice to make your own decisions, good or bad...….but these idiots that are deliberately creating and sharing misinformation on Facebook, WhatsApp and Telegram should be held legally liable.... to some it is just  a game.... albeit a deadly one

"...but these idiots that are deliberately creating and sharing misinformation on Facebook, WhatsApp and Telegram should be held legally liable..."

True, but there are 2 schools of thought regarding the treatment of covid patients, and the one is actively being shouted down and censored. I'm not talking about laymen...doctors and scientists who doesn't agree with the "official narrative" are aggressively pressed to toe the line...and dare to caution about certain negative aspects of the vaccines and you are immediately branded as an "anti-vaxxer"...almust used like a racial slur...ridiculed and laughed at...amazing what fear can do to people.

For me, the cumulative damage of any conspiratorial, fantastical or poorly researched opinion on Covid, could never do as much damage as what censoring can/will.

It's naive to think that the censors will stop at censoring what you or I deem censorship worthy. 

The moment you give them that ability, those with the gag will immediately seek to exploit it for their own benefit. 

There has been yet another report detailing why it's more likely that Covid came from the Wuhan lab. 

When you look at what the CCP have done and are doing to cover it up, is it inconceivable to think they may bribe or blackmail our censors too?

There's a story emerging here. And it's one where censorship was used to cover up the origin on the virus. 

Support banning and censorship if you like, just understand that you're cutting a rod for your own back in the process.

I am referring more to people that specifically create false or fake news or narratives about the virus.... about how it can make you magnetic, or how it is spread by 5G towers, or that it is a way for the government to track and trace you for the rest of your life...…

There are people in our society that are very easily swayed by friends or family, but more importantly, there are many vulnerable people out there, that just don't know any better, and have nobody close to them to advise or assist them in their decision making on this, and they are scared......… which then ultimately results in unnecessary deaths because of their  hesitation to act, due to some bullshit propaganda doing the rounds

Some of these WhatsApp messages and voice notes are diabolical in nature...… these people should be arrested and charged

"There's a story emergi ng here. And it's one where censorship was used to cover up the origin on the virus"

I have always believed this, and still do

Agree. 

There are already laws in place that govern things like impersonating qualified professionals, intentionally spreading harmful information and so on. 

If your communications constitute a crime then you should be arrested. 

What can't happen us if for big tech to censor opinions as though they 're a publisher whilst at the same time not being regulated as publishers should be.

It creates an environment like the one we have now. One where the lab leak "conspiracy" was shut down by people that were not elected to office and whom may have had a clear vested interest in sheltering China from blame. 

And it's exactly why censorship is so damn stupid. Democracy is built on the idea that discussion of all ideas will mostly lead to the best ideas rising to the top after running the gauntlet of public discourse. Nothing has ever beaten that system. It's what put the West at the apex of human civilisation.

China has to rely on mass child labour, industrial espionage and coercion to keep pace with the western world. Why? I mean, they have of the highest IQ and hardest working populations in the world. It makes no sense, right?

The answer is, they heavily censor speech...the next step of which is to censor thought and access to information. The Chinese went from being the best problem solvers to mindless drones that can only replicate others' ideas.

To me, that's a huge warning as to where censorship leads. However, people keep falling for it because it's just so damn convenient when powers that be shut up those that we don't agree with.

In China you cannot speak against the government. In the West, you used to be able to speak out against anything. That's no longer the case since you can now lose your job for saying you think BLM is crock of shit. 

How people can't see the parallels there is absolutely astonishing to me.