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New coronavirus variant: What do we know?

bbc.com

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Re: New coronavirus variant: What do we know?

#121

Post by [deleted] »

dgritsko wrote: post #86
rubyist5eva wrote: post #52

I know I'm less afraid of it. More contagious generally means less deadly.

My understanding was that because this virus can spread presymptomatically or even asymptomatically, there is little or no evolutionary pressure for it to become less deadly. It can easily spread to many people before the host even knows that they have it. Maybe I'm misunderstanding things, but if that is the case then it would seem that the normal "rules" for the virus becoming less deadly over time don't really app…

[deleted]

Re: New coronavirus variant: What do we know?

#122

Post by thatguy0900 »

jmnicolas wrote: post #95
rubyist5eva wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

About as rigorous as the fear mongering in the media right now.

I almost stopped commenting about it on HN, it feels like a wall of downvotes if you don't agree with the mainstream opinion.

We will have some very interesting textbooks about the mainstream public response to this in 50 years, I'm sure.

Re: New coronavirus variant: What do we know?

#123

Post by londons_explore »

iso1631 wrote: post #97
LatteLazy wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have to be careful I don't wander into conspiracy theories but... I'm fed up because so many people flout the rules with no consequences. I suspect that the lack of consequences is intentional. If everyone flours the rules, the economic hit will be smaller and Bojo can claim he did something and its not his fault no one listened. The government have created a situation where the only logical action for normal peopl…

> I'm fed up because so many people flout the rules with no consequences. Been that way since Barnard's Castle. The latest decision that says MPs can see their siblings for Christmas Dinner on the 25th, but a Nurse working on the 25th can't see their parent with terminal cancer for dinner on the 26th, will hopefully be ignored.

What's especially funny is the latest Tier 4 Health Protection legislation has a specific exception for groups meeting in the grounds of castles...

I can't believe it hasn't made headlines yet...

Re: New coronavirus variant: What do we know?

#124

Post by Izkata »

LatteLazy wrote: post #93
adwww wrote: post #80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Re the deli and other quasi essential shops, it would seem unfair if they closed when you can still buy your fancy cheese and olives in a supermarket.

The issue isn't really whether that shop is essential. The issue is that the greeting card store next door is also open, because they've decided they're essential. And none of these stores (including the super market) is enforcing mask requirements because none of the others are and they don't want to be the only one. In 1000 little steps you are suddenly miles away from a real lockdown. You're basically BAU, but the…

It's essential to the owners or their employees, who may risk losing their home if they can't make a living.

Lockdowns have gone on long enough that people are deciding to risk it because they have far more pressing concerns.

Re: New coronavirus variant: What do we know?

#125

Post by tinus_hn »

LatteLazy wrote: post #99
jmnicolas wrote: post #92

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> UK-dwellers' sense of entitlement to 'freedoms' Seriously? We (the West, I'm not from the UK) are losing our freedom at an unimaginable speed even a few years ago and you think freedom is negotiable? I find this appalling how easy we ease into a dictatorship everywhere in Europe.

It's interesting that no one seems to give a shit about real freedoms like free speech or democracy, detention without trial or access to lawyers. But when you close the pubs (or the artisnal pasta makers), suddenly we're on a dictatorship.

In the Netherlands, although not in every city, in some COVID-19 is an excuse for banning demonstrations.

Re: New coronavirus variant: What do we know?

#126

Post by detritus »

jmnicolas wrote: post #119
LatteLazy wrote: post #99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's interesting that no one seems to give a shit about real freedoms like free speech or democracy, detention without trial or access to lawyers. But when you close the pubs (or the artisnal pasta makers), suddenly we're on a dictatorship.

This is so unjust: you don't know me but you basically reduce me to an angry guy that can't get drunk with his friends. ALL our freedoms are attacked: the social media censorship reached crazy levels lately, and let's not talk about democracy given the disgusting spectacle the US has shown this year (my country doesn't fare any better). When someone is condemned to financial ruin because her shop is not allowed to op…

During Rationing, you mean?

Re: New coronavirus variant: What do we know?

#127

Post by parliament32 »

dgritsko wrote: post #86
rubyist5eva wrote: post #52

I know I'm less afraid of it. More contagious generally means less deadly.

My understanding was that because this virus can spread presymptomatically or even asymptomatically, there is little or no evolutionary pressure for it to become less deadly. It can easily spread to many people before the host even knows that they have it. Maybe I'm misunderstanding things, but if that is the case then it would seem that the normal "rules" for the virus becoming less deadly over time don't really app…

There's also no evolutionary incentive for it to be more deadly either. From the perspective of the virus, it has no incentive to kill its host -- if anything, it would want to keep them alive (and functioning) for as long as possible.

Re: New coronavirus variant: What do we know?

#129

Post by jtbayly »

detritus wrote: post #126
jmnicolas wrote: post #119

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is so unjust: you don't know me but you basically reduce me to an angry guy that can't get drunk with his friends. ALL our freedoms are attacked: the social media censorship reached crazy levels lately, and let's not talk about democracy given the disgusting spectacle the US has shown this year (my country doesn't fare any better). When someone is condemned to financial ruin because her shop is not allowed to op…

During Rationing, you mean?

Yes. During rationing.

Re: New coronavirus variant: What do we know?

#130

Post by poma88 »

I feel embarassed because people vilified my comment about Boris using this piece of news with a political cover motive. I am sorry, saying this is different than being a negationist. I hope more people get it now that I honestly try to explain myself better. Thanks.
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