LIVE: Join us on our last Q&A for the year + End of Year Statement to be presented by Prof Stephen Reicher, Prof Anthony Costello chairing and Prof Christina Pagel on numbers
China: for most of the last 3 years we've had excellent messaging. Then 10 days ago they did a 180° U turn. Even the leading experts are saying Omicron is mild.
I'm apoplectic! Though completely unqualified, I can look at Worldometer graphs which show Japan has a huge surge in deaths all due to Omicron. 277 yesterday. The graph indicates that is so serious it might exceed the previous record.
Correction on "Immunity theft", this is the counterargument by many doctors against the "immunity debt" hoax. The idea that we can in fact observe the actual damage done to immune systems by covid in the instances of increased susceptibility to subsequent infections from other viral and bacterial agents as a result of covid weakening the immune response. The question both in its wording and its context was clearly raising the concerns of exposing kids to covid resulting in them catching more other illnesses they are less equipped to fight off as a consequence of the damage to their bodies from covid.
Thank you for all your carefully assessed and delivered updates and information. Reading through the live chat, it's plain to see that many people have been seriously misled by the deliberate misinformation campaign being waged by known anti-vaccine activity. Even MPs in Parliament have been lobbied to present questions about vaccines that are based in antivax disinformation. Fortunately, such questions, although quite rightly heard in democratic process, are noted for the lies and nonsense they represent. Unfortunately, footage of stooge MPs in action has been deliberately used to give false legitimacy for antivax lies and nonsense on social media platforms. The disappointing uptake of boosters is undeniably a consequence of seepage of such lies and nonsense into social media feeds, aided also by fringe broadcast media stations that have become mouthpieces for antivax disinformation. There needs to be more debunking of disinformation about covid vaccines on social media platforms, and more calling out by public broadcast media of individuals, groupings, and stations who spread it.
Editing to also add :
A Very Merry Christmas, and Happy and Healthy New Year to all! 🎄 🌟
Thank you panel and those who are not present today – for ALL your efforts to bring us information and expert advice and insight -it really is most appreciated
I think the question on immunity theft was misunderstood. I’ve read at least one paper suggesting that an immune depletion occurs for up to 8 months after an initial infection. In Nature( a reputable journal I think?) I thin this is what the question was referring to (not the immunity debt that is also being discussed in some quarters).
Missing the death data FROM Covid. Danny reports v few deaths from those boosted, but what is the whole picture for those deaths? Comorbidities, age? All we have here is data of those who also had coincidental Covid. So how dangerous is the latest crop on Omicron variants? We will go on having ‘cases’ for a couple or more years. This is for the ‘experts’ to keep an eye on from now on, so we get the signal if we get a more virulent variant. And where is any T cell data?? How durable is our protection from serious illness and death? And where is any yellow card data from the vaccination rollout? It is still about risks and benefits. I am an oldie with acceptable BMI & no comorbidities. I got Covid 15months after my Primary dose. The heat wave ( and now the cold ) have been far more bothersome. My limited Covid experience took away all my fear. 3 panadols for nasty headaches pand a good rest for 3 or 4 days was all that was needed. I have not been convinced to have any booster. I,m not statistically significant in reporting all this! I listen to many virologists and follow a lot of the data. I have had my flu jab as I anticipated it would be back now we,re mixing. And I have just had the good old classic British cold and kept away from mixing with it. ie back to ‘usual’winter. Please don,t all rush to judgement. So sad the Brits never saw the need to develop that cheap as chips paper spit frequent rapid test that could be done daily…. ( Michael Mina of Harvard April /July 2020 ). Don,t forget to eat your greens!
Interesting watching the Chinese vaccination stats: currently increasing by 1.4m/day. Current totals 242/100 of population – 3.454b – (Japan 291/100 Germany 228/100 USA 198/100) Ref: Ourworldindata
The LFT test kits in the shops result in lots of plastic waste. Is there a more sustainable way to do these tests? We must be more careful with our resources.
00:26 Intro: Prof Anthony Costello 01:41 Stats : Prof Christina Pagel 14:31 Independent SAGE End of Year Statement: Prof Stephen Reicher 19:10 Be kind, be considerate, be careful 19:38 5 point plan: Get vax; stay home; test; ventilate; mask 21:50 Lateral Flow Tests: how reliable: Prof Stephen Griffin 24:21 Does infection give you another ‘booster’: Prof Sheena Cruikshank 26:58 Ditto: Prof Danny Altmann 27:45 How to respond to LFT 29:10 China: Is Omicron mild: Stephen G 31:45 How to carry out LFT: Dr Helen Salisbury 38:30 Questions from the public: 38:36 Post Covid heart problems amongst younger adults: is it new? Danny/Sheena/Helen/Stephen R/Stephen G/ 48:30 UV lights to kill the virus, HEPA filters, and what else for safe family Christmases: Christina/Susan/ 52:27 Will FFP2 masks be given to hospital staff and patients? Helen/Dr Zubaida Haque/Christina/ 56:04 Please explain Immunity Theft and children’s susceptibility to other respiratory viruses: Sheena/Stephen G/ 1:01:12 Conclusion and close
I often have to watch later but haven't missed a single stream. The input of all the professionals involved here is invaluable and I am truly grateful! Thank you!
Huge thanks to you all.
China: for most of the last 3 years we've had excellent messaging. Then 10 days ago they did a 180° U turn. Even the leading experts are saying Omicron is mild.
I'm apoplectic! Though completely unqualified, I can look at Worldometer graphs which show Japan has a huge surge in deaths all due to Omicron. 277 yesterday. The graph indicates that is so serious it might exceed the previous record.
Absolute madness.
FFP2 & hospitals. They're in crisis. What's wrong with these medics who aren't doing the most obvious precaution???
Here in China there's been a surge in N95 use. At a clinic this week I'd estimate 30% were using them. Until now I was often the only one wearing one.
Other news here is that they're starting to roll out second boosters.
Correction on "Immunity theft", this is the counterargument by many doctors against the "immunity debt" hoax. The idea that we can in fact observe the actual damage done to immune systems by covid in the instances of increased susceptibility to subsequent infections from other viral and bacterial agents as a result of covid weakening the immune response. The question both in its wording and its context was clearly raising the concerns of exposing kids to covid resulting in them catching more other illnesses they are less equipped to fight off as a consequence of the damage to their bodies from covid.
Thank you for all your carefully assessed and delivered updates and information. Reading through the live chat, it's plain to see that many people have been seriously misled by the deliberate misinformation campaign being waged by known anti-vaccine activity. Even MPs in Parliament have been lobbied to present questions about vaccines that are based in antivax disinformation. Fortunately, such questions, although quite rightly heard in democratic process, are noted for the lies and nonsense they represent. Unfortunately, footage of stooge MPs in action has been deliberately used to give false legitimacy for antivax lies and nonsense on social media platforms. The disappointing uptake of boosters is undeniably a consequence of seepage of such lies and nonsense into social media feeds, aided also by fringe broadcast media stations that have become mouthpieces for antivax disinformation. There needs to be more debunking of disinformation about covid vaccines on social media platforms, and more calling out by public broadcast media of individuals, groupings, and stations who spread it.
Editing to also add :
A Very Merry Christmas, and Happy and Healthy New Year to all! 🎄 🌟
Thank you for your generosity over the year! May you have a wonderful Christmas holiday and looking forward for your expertise in the new year!
Thank you, all.
Thank you panel and those who are not present today – for ALL your efforts to bring us information and expert advice and insight -it really is most appreciated
I think the question on immunity theft was misunderstood. I’ve read at least one paper suggesting that an immune depletion occurs for up to 8 months after an initial infection. In Nature( a reputable journal I think?) I thin this is what the question was referring to (not the immunity debt that is also being discussed in some quarters).
Missed this live – was busy 🙂
Thanks for the good work everyone, keep safe and well over the Xmas holidays
Hope to see you all well in the new year
Numbers Nerd has me crushing. 🙂
Thank you all for sharing your expertise and for your very practical advice
Missing the death data FROM Covid. Danny reports v few deaths from those boosted, but what is the whole picture for those deaths? Comorbidities, age? All we have here is data of those who also had coincidental Covid. So how dangerous is the latest crop on Omicron variants? We will go on having ‘cases’ for a couple or more years. This is for the ‘experts’ to keep an eye on from now on, so we get the signal if we get a more virulent variant. And where is any T cell data?? How durable is our protection from serious illness and death? And where is any yellow card data from the vaccination rollout? It is still about risks and benefits. I am an oldie with acceptable BMI & no comorbidities. I got Covid 15months after my Primary dose. The heat wave ( and now the cold ) have been far more bothersome. My limited Covid experience took away all my fear. 3 panadols for nasty headaches pand a good rest for 3 or 4 days was all that was needed. I have not been convinced to have any booster. I,m not statistically significant in reporting all this! I listen to many virologists and follow a lot of the data. I have had my flu jab as I anticipated it would be back now we,re mixing. And I have just had the good old classic British cold and kept away from mixing with it. ie back to ‘usual’winter. Please don,t all rush to judgement. So sad the Brits never saw the need to develop that cheap as chips paper spit frequent rapid test that could be done daily…. ( Michael Mina of Harvard April /July 2020 ). Don,t forget to eat your greens!
Interesting watching the Chinese vaccination stats: currently increasing by 1.4m/day.
Current totals 242/100 of population – 3.454b –
(Japan 291/100
Germany 228/100
USA 198/100)
Ref: Ourworldindata
The LFT test kits in the shops result in lots of plastic waste. Is there a more sustainable way to do these tests? We must be more careful with our resources.
Chapters
00:26 Intro: Prof Anthony Costello
01:41 Stats : Prof Christina Pagel
14:31 Independent SAGE End of Year Statement: Prof Stephen Reicher
19:10 Be kind, be considerate, be careful
19:38 5 point plan: Get vax; stay home; test; ventilate; mask
21:50 Lateral Flow Tests: how reliable: Prof Stephen Griffin
24:21 Does infection give you another ‘booster’: Prof Sheena Cruikshank
26:58 Ditto: Prof Danny Altmann
27:45 How to respond to LFT
29:10 China: Is Omicron mild: Stephen G
31:45 How to carry out LFT: Dr Helen Salisbury
38:30 Questions from the public:
38:36 Post Covid heart problems amongst younger adults: is it new? Danny/Sheena/Helen/Stephen R/Stephen G/
48:30 UV lights to kill the virus, HEPA filters, and what else for safe family Christmases: Christina/Susan/
52:27 Will FFP2 masks be given to hospital staff and patients? Helen/Dr Zubaida Haque/Christina/
56:04 Please explain Immunity Theft and children’s susceptibility to other respiratory viruses: Sheena/Stephen G/
1:01:12 Conclusion and close
Next briefing: 2023-01-13
I often have to watch later but haven't missed a single stream. The input of all the professionals involved here is invaluable and I am truly grateful! Thank you!
Thank you Sages; an oasis of sanity in a sea of in-sanity. Merry (safe) Xmas to everyone; trolls anaw!
Thanks Independent Sage, for all your work. It matters. Have a great Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year.