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For clarity, my position on #COVID19 in NI.
I believe the virus exists and that it peaked in March/April. From the evidence, it seems it had more of a respiratory affect than seasonal flu and was much more contagious.
I believe the virus exists and that it peaked in March/April. From the evidence, it seems it had more of a respiratory affect than seasonal flu and was much more contagious.
It does share quite a bit in common with the flu leaving health professionals unable, for the most part, to differentiate between both. Hence, why 98% of tests for people with symptoms were negative for COVID19. We also know that the virus greatly affects the immunocompromised.
This aspect it also shares with the flu.
We know from historical data and experience the flu is a deadly virus killing thousands each year, without fail. It also has the greatest effect on the immunocompromised who are mostly those 60+ with comorbidities.
We know from historical data and experience the flu is a deadly virus killing thousands each year, without fail. It also has the greatest effect on the immunocompromised who are mostly those 60+ with comorbidities.
96% of those who died *with* COVID19 in NI were 60+.
67% were 80+
0.4% were <40 (2 deaths)
We know that as people get older their immunity to diseases decreases, in most of the population. That is replicated in the data presented above.
67% were 80+
0.4% were <40 (2 deaths)
We know that as people get older their immunity to diseases decreases, in most of the population. That is replicated in the data presented above.
Initially when the virus began spreading I can understand panic within government and with their medical advisors. However, the data was consistent globally that this virus vastly targeted older more vulnerable people and those with underlying health conditions.
I opposed the locking-down of otherwise healthy people of working age. I think that was an appalling idea that was more based in scaremongering than in available data. The first thing a rational mind would do when presented with the early data was to protect the vulnerable.
By whatever means necessary but when in history has an entire population of healthy people been locked up at home for a virus that wasn't affecting them? Crazy, crazy idea. This belief that by locking up healthy people in some way would save vulnerable people was w/out evidence.
There has been much debate around herd-immunity and what percentage of the population requires immunity to get the virus under control. A better way of measuring herd-immunity is, I hesitate to repeat the phrase, by analysing the data.
As of the time of writing there are 7 beds in all of NI occupied by Covid related cases and 0 ICU beds. Yet over the past 8 days 300+ people have tested positive for CV19. There's been 4 deaths in 38 days. This information is suggesting the virus has lost its teeth.
Likely pointing to herd-immunity in NI having already been reached. I'd suggest that occurred as far back as the last week in April as death numbers began falling as rapidly as they spiked 4 weeks earlier.
Introducing facemasks at a time when the virus is on its way out is symbolic, as Arlene Foster suggested. They are also being used to keep fear levels high. Having read the available results of randomised controlled trials on face masks vs the flu the evidence is clear.
They don't work. We're told the science around them is evolving and I'd hope it would as new evidence presents itself. But with an increase in positive test results since masks were introduced the data suggests the RCT's were right - masks are at best a placebo & not a good one.
The precedent has been set with lockdowns now. We know the drill. We know what to do and when to do it. We know what's allowed and what's not. We just await the siren blowing from Robin Swann and his scaremongering team of sensationalists.
Do you believe they'll relinquish this new power easily?
There's a virus. It likely lead to untimely deaths. But it's going. The trouble we now face is leaders don't wish their new power to leave with it.
There's a virus. It likely lead to untimely deaths. But it's going. The trouble we now face is leaders don't wish their new power to leave with it.
