1 hour ago, Steps said:

Can anybody recommend any good service to use in Bangkok? I have contacted these guys (https://www.testingforall.org/lateral-flow-travel-testing/) to send me an Antigen test but not sure i will receive it in time. I have 4 nights left

I can't recommend any as I've never used them but if I was you I'd be looking to have a PCR done at the hospital in Bangkok seeing as your time is running short.

I'm not sure how you would go about it Thailand, I have just arranged mine from the UK. Lots of services online and it's pretty cheap around £30, they send you a antigen test with code printed on it. You just take it with you and when you decide to return you do the test, take a photo of the result and they email you a result notification signed by a doctor. The websites explain in more detail but that's basically it...

You will be asked to show it at check in, airline may refuse boarding but legally they shouldn't. UK says you can board but you will get a fine think it's £500 same as the passenger locator form.

32 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

We do need a lot more information before being happy clappy about this variant thats what I've been saying all along.

It would seem then despite our bickering we somewhat agree.. 

I've not said anything is concrete either, only stated the theory that viruses generally get weaker and the science so far that says its looking milder etc and what that could mean. Fully accept that in a  months time things could be very different.

Clearly I'm optimistic but that doesn't mean im being selective etc if things turn I'll be here making a post saying so.

On 12/8/2021 at 3:58 AM, Bkk Brian said:

And for those who say "but not a single person died from Omicron". Well, that's not quite correct: the "it's mild" Tshwane report found that of 166 Covid-positive patients admitted to this 1 hospital in the last 2 weeks, 9 died of Covid & 5 out of 33 admissions aged over 60 died.

 

https://www.samrc.ac.za/news/tshwane-district-omicron-variant-patient-profile-early-features

States right here tho that the patients where admitted for non covid reasons and was later tested posted. 

Those ppl are more likely to have died from the actual thing they went in for, not saying you are wrong but we need more information.

"The main observation that we have made over the last two weeks is that the majority of patients in the COVID wards have not been oxygen dependent. SARS-CoV-2 has been an incidental finding in patients that were admitted to the hospital for another medical, surgical or obstetric reason."

On 12/8/2021 at 2:25 AM, placeholder said:

 

The NHS has a backlog of 5.8 million waiting for surgery and specialists are increasingly frustrated at how the unvaccinated have left them unable to tackle it

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/doctors-and-nurses-vent-anger-as-unvaccinated-covid-cases-delay-vital-operations-z3zchvv9l

Agreed I haven't said anyone should be not have a vaccine.. quite the opposite. This still doesn't take from the damage lockdowns do it's well known that ppl went without care and illness's went untreated.

On 12/8/2021 at 2:05 AM, coolcarer said:

What’s fear mongering about a model that is predicting a potential increase to 100,000 a day of Omicron, it’s not saying 100k sick people just confirmed cases. The UK is already experiencing 46k cases of delta daily, with Omicron almost certainly being a much higher transmissibility variant then 100k could well be an underestimate. The importance is sickness levels which are uncertain.

You can just go back and look at all their predictions.. they are all massively inflated and have never come to fruition. They should just stick to reporting actual facts rather than their "predictions".

One issue with the SA study available that ppl are not mentioning when looking at hospitaliaztion's is that majority in that paper where admitted to hospital for non covid reasons and omicron was picked up after as they test as part of procedure when admitted. 

More data is needed... Saying that of today still 536 cases in the UK and still not one person in hospital. Looking good for countries with higher vaccine uptake.

2 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

The BBC is now reporting 437 cases with their source that they have linked to being a tweet from the UK Health Security Agency:

 

No reports from the Agency whether there are hospitalizations, that does not mean to say that there is none, however the majority of adults are vaccinated in the UK and we have no idea of the ages of those who have the virus. Even with Delta we would hope for very few hospitalizations so there is still a lot to discover yet

 

Saying all the media is to blame for panicking and doom and gloom in which you are obviously referring to the BBC here is just not true. It is reporting the facts as known at the time from the experts. 

 

I also note you've just linked to the media ie the Guardian regards the Omicron PCR issue, so selective personal choice reporting is fine then for you.

 

 

Guardian article isn't fear mongering and saying 100,000 cases a day are coming. Theres nothing about the article that is misleading so I'm happy to share it.

It's been discussed in parliament today and there is no hospitaliaztion's in relation to omicron in the UK.

New "stealth" version.. so two omicrons now, undetectable by the PCR's we are using. Not really any data yet but could act differently. 

This could be good or bad jury is still out 

https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/07/scientists-find-stealth-version-of-omicron-not-identifiable-with-pcr-test-covid-variant

3 minutes ago, Oblomov said:

We could do without the media ignoring (or lightly reporting) chaos and destruction caused by  lockdowns, yet splashing lurid headlines of X number of X variant found, as if that is an imminent threat of graver concern than anything else.

 

Not much space given to 700,000 citizens missing screening and testing for cancer and other fatal conditions in one country alone, yet another inevitable mutation of a flu/respiratory  type virus shouts from every 'news' portal.

 

At some point a rational realism must be the next wave.

 

 

Yeah the restrictions do more harm than good, the cost out ways the purpose. Slowing the spread won't stop it spreading, But it will ensure a lot of ppl don't get treatment for cancers and as well as the economic issues losing businesses etc. 

Media is to blame for ppl panicking for sure, doom and gloom sells better. They mentioned today on BBC news the UK has around 400 confirmed cases today and it's going to double everyday.. Predicting 100,000 case a day by January. Sounds bad but this is based on no data and they have been wrong everytime with these predictions. 

They don't mention that of the 400 cases today in the UK not one is in hospital. 

What are you eating? You say no junk food but you still could be eating rich fatty stuff...

As someone else said tho it does sound like beer considering you say you exercise...

Can't he just do the expensive one at the airport? Results in 3 hours.. not all is lost yet if he really wants to go

These figures where always a bit of a dream..  despite what he thinks the restrictions in Thailand are putting ppl off, thous along side with possible restrictions at your home country would have anyone second guessing if they should travel.

2 tests to get in and now for most places 2 to get home.. the prospect of trying to arrange a PCR test in Thailand before returning is just something that ppl can't be bothered with whilst trying to enjoy a holiday.

What a nightmare it would be if you tested positive 2 days before you should be traveling home...

19 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

Interesting, from Reuters:

 

Omicron variant may have picked up a piece of common-cold virus

 

By inserting this particular snippet into itself, Omicron might be making itself look "more human," which would help it evade attack by the human immune system, said Venky Soundararajan of Cambridge, Massachusetts-based data analytics firm nference, who led the study posted on Thursday on the website OSF Preprints.

 

The study here, yet to be peer reviewed: https://osf.io/f7txy/

 

Also brought this up yesterday in the other thread its a good thing means it's looking like it is going to be weaker etc ,which is what I've said all along and is following the general path of the virus becoming weaker over time.

Highly infectious with a low mortality rate means quick mass herd immunity.. we have to just hope ppl don't start dropping dead.

On 12/6/2021 at 12:11 AM, Bkk Brian said:

I prefer to go to the source of data when possible and in this particular video of his it comes from this twitter thread:

https://twitter.com/miamalan/status/1467172016918773775

 

With the main study being here:

https://www.samrc.ac.za/news/tshwane-district-omicron-variant-patient-profile-early-features

 

 

Please see your direct quote.. you clearly stated that the info in the video came from a twittter thread.

The main study source was show in the video and links provided with encouragement to go and read it for yourself. Anyone who cared to watch the video had access to the link of the main study.

You seemed to imply that my conclusions are based condensed data when we are looking at the same thing.

News today that it may have picked up a common cold gene in the mutation looks good, but we will know more in the next few weeks.

I think we all knew it had already spread and would only be a matter of time before it popped up in Thailand. Judging from how they handle things I'm guessing lockdowns again soon. 

25 minutes ago, ozimoron said:

Even if omicron is comparatively mild the way it affects young kids is going to bounce back hard on the anti vax crusaders.

Yeah that is worrying hopefully it remains mild and long covid isn't a problem. 

We are all going to be exposed at some point and we will see deaths rise but the rates should be compared to the infection/case rate and considering that stays low in relation, it could signal that this is nearly over. (Optimism lol)

Just have to watch the figures and hope none of the kids get seriously ill... 

12 hours ago, Jeffr2 said:

Yes, quite a few here will look foolish.

Not at all no answer is science is infinite.. I would like to stress that things look good now according to the data available, that could sill change as more data comes in. 

I feel that by just being rational I've been put into the anti Vax/virus denier camp.. when I'm just doing what is advised and following the science. 

Some on here are just sharing the same charts and having a "big number bad" mentally with out any context as to where they fit in current larger picture.

15 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

I prefer to go to the source of data when possible and in this particular video of his it comes from this twitter thread:

https://twitter.com/miamalan/status/1467172016918773775

 

With the main study being here:

https://www.samrc.ac.za/news/tshwane-district-omicron-variant-patient-profile-early-features

 

Where if you read it the author also says: 

"Why can't we assume this data shows fewer people die due to the #OmicronVariant (vs. previous variants)? The data for this study = only for the 1st 2 wks of the outbreak. People take time to fall ill/die. It can take longer than 2 wks. Some patients may therefore still die."

 

However I understand that some prefer this condensed down on a youtube channel

Haha no it doesn't come from a Twitter thread... and ppl have accused me of spreading misinformation. He goes through the main study that you linked.. and also linked to it in the description of the video????. As with all of his videos he goes through the main studies with you. Anyone can just go check the video we are talking about and see your wrong... Made your self look a bit silly

Why lie??

He also states it's a snapshot profile as it says in the study..

However I understand that you prob didn't watch it all before making your comment.

I find if funny that ppl jump on he's a ex nurse ingnoring that he has a degree in science, biology and a master's in health science along with research degree Dr of philosophy...

There's no misinformation here when its looking bad he tells you and most importantly shows you current science/data as to why and when it looks good he does the same. 

1 minute ago, Macrohistory said:

 

I wish that were true, but please consult the attached graphs -- especially the one on the far right  -- for the actual situation.  Graphs come from here:

 

https://twitter.com/jburnmurdoch

 

 

High cases and high infection rate is not being debated...

11 hours ago, elgenon said:

Would dipping it in honey work?

Probably.. the soft drink (coke) they add is just for sweetness so can't see why not.

11 minutes ago, Macrohistory said:

 

No longer are 25% of South African SARS-CoV-2 cases caused by Delta.  An overwhelming majority are now caused by the rapidly-spreading Omicron.  Attached graph is from here:

 

https://twitter.com/TWenseleers

Yes if you watch what I posted it has very low hospitaliaztion's, Dr Campbell isn't a conspiracy theorists or virus denier. Its looking good for a fast and wide spread herd immunity.  

14 hours ago, Jeffr2 said:

I've not read a scientist yet that's said covid will eventually disappear.  In one form or another, it will be around for the rest of our lives.  Just like variations of the Spanish flu are still here today.

It was the the theory at the start of the pandemic, now its looking to stay around like flu. 

My point it that it will mutate into a nothing illnesses and we will live with it like flu. Which is what we should be doing now.

Also turns out that immunity itself it not the same between each country, it's about imprints. So rising cases in SA doesn't mean much for the UK etc.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/12/03/calm-omicron-uks-immunity-different-south-africas-says-expert/

You can bypass the need to subscribe to read by stopping the page loading once you see the text and before the subscription box come up ????

4 minutes ago, ozimoron said:

I'm not going to argue about this but your use of the phrase "basic microbiology" was demeaning to the person you were replying to. Use better forum decorum in future if you don't want to be misunderstood. The fact is that's far from basic and far from a given that it will become less virile. Nobody knows, you are entitled to your opinion but in the end it's only that and you failed to provide any links to back up your assertion which further alienates others who expect that you provide them.

Agreed you are entitled to your opinion too, I never meant it to be demeaning.. Basic was the keyword to take note of and stand by what I said, that is the general progression of a virus. 

8 minutes ago, ozimoron said:

What about your troll comment, it's "basic" microbiology. You are just using weasel words to claim you qualified your statement when you didn't. In fact, scientists expect it may never go away just like the flu.

 

https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/covid-will-likely-shift-from-pandemic-to-endemic

The process I described is basic micro biology there was no attempt to "troll" anyone. 

It may never go away like flu but it will become a nothing illness like flu, which has been my point all along. 

What about every vairant between D and O?, Have they spread and killed everyone.