[Youngian]

That high rate in NI is odd as are some of the purple English patches; Peterborough, Cleethorpes and Hull.

https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details ... -map/cases

[Boiler]

When the NW of England went purple I expected the nearby city to follow pretty quickly - but it didn't.

Maybe we're just playing catch-up but in some shops mask-wearing is minimal.

The local council leader thinks we're heading for a local lockdown.

[Spoonman]

That high rate in NI is odd as are some of the purple English patches; Peterborough, Cleethorpes and Hull.

https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details ... -map/cases

What's remarkable in the case of Fermanagh & Omagh is that it is the least densely populated council area in Northern Ireland (largest in area and lowest in population), it's heavily rural with only two towns, Omagh and Enniskillen, having a population above 3000 and that it was only around three weeks ago it had the lowest 7 day cases per head in NI. Most sudden "surge" cases I've seen in the UK have so far been mostly in urban local authority areas.

[Boiler]

And yet, this still rages: Europe fries in intense heat (when it's not being washed away by intense rain), Afghanistan is unravelling at speed... and yet, (some) people are stressed out about a fucking alpaca.

Never mind some Brexity twat from Stoke-on-Trent on another forum saying it's all the fault of left-wing anti-vaxxers and Covid deniers.

Yep - left wing. Because Corbyn.

I wasn't going to have a beer before bed, but now I am. A strong bastard too - Adnam's 'Broadside'.

[Bones McCoy]

That high rate in NI is odd as are some of the purple English patches; Peterborough, Cleethorpes and Hull.

https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details ... -map/cases

What's remarkable in the case of Fermanagh & Omagh is that it is the least densely populated council area in Northern Ireland (largest in area and lowest in population), it's heavily rural with only two towns, Omagh and Enniskillen, having a population above 3000 and that it was only around three weeks ago it had the lowest 7 day cases per head in NI. Most sudden "surge" cases I've seen in the UK have so far been mostly in urban local authority areas.

Speculating here.
Might the marching season have anything to do with this?

[Bones McCoy]

And yet, this still rages: Europe fries in intense heat (when it's not being washed away by intense rain), Afghanistan is unravelling at speed... and yet, (some) people are stressed out about a fucking alpaca.

Never mind some Brexity twat from Stoke-on-Trent on another forum saying it's all the fault of left-wing anti-vaxxers and Covid deniers.

Yep - left wing. Because Corbyn.

I wasn't going to have a beer before bed, but now I am. A strong bastard too - Adnam's 'Broadside'.

Nice, that broadside.

[Spoonman]

Speculating here.
Might the marching season have anything to do with this?

Very unlikely. In terms of council seats it leans Republican/Nationalist. Not to mention that if the marching season was a factor then it would likely replicate in other areas of NI, especially in those that are Unionist leaning.

[Tubby Isaacs]

33,000 cases.

Is this spreading at the rate it needs to before Autumn, or an incipient disaster?

[Boiler]

I suppose the thing to do is look at the seven-day trends.

Round here, it's variable. My tiny little corner of England has risen (again), but where my siblings live has fallen. It's still damned high though, too much for comfort.

I must come to a decision about cancelling a day trip to Skegness behind "Flying Scotsman" soon because of Covid - it may ultimately cost me £310 to do so.

[Boiler]

Further info on the local situation;

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-c ... e-58257543

Not good.

[Nigredo]

33,000 cases.

Is this spreading at the rate it needs to before Autumn, or an incipient disaster?

I think their hope was do the exit wave now, let it rip through the population and hopefully have some form of herd immunity by the time the difficult winter period comes.

I can't say the gamble has paid off though as positive cases and death haven't even seemed to plateau, instead just slowly creep upwards. This will still be circulating around fully by the time schools and universities (not to mention attendances at sports grounds and nightclubs) all get into full swing by the end of September. The NHS capacity is already creaking and elective surgeries are being put back again so I would expect a lockdown at some point between the end of September and Christmas.

Buckle up folks, it's gonna be a bumpy one.

[Boiler]

Looking at the terms and conditions of my day trip, the only way I'd get a refund is if Covid caused the cancellation of the train. Otherwise:

Your booking is taken as constituting acceptance of these conditions. No refund or substitutions are available, other than due to cancellation by the organisers, which can happen on occasions. We will not be liable for any consequential loss you may suffer or pay any compensation to you.

Looks like I'll be playing it by ear on the day then.

[davidjay]

33,000 cases.

Is this spreading at the rate it needs to before Autumn, or an incipient disaster?

I think their hope was do the exit wave now, let it rip through the population and hopefully have some form of herd immunity by the time the difficult winter period comes.

I can't say the gamble has paid off though as positive cases and death haven't even seemed to plateau, instead just slowly creep upwards. This will still be circulating around fully by the time schools and universities (not to mention attendances at sports grounds and nightclubs) all get into full swing by the end of September. The NHS capacity is already creaking and elective surgeries are being put back again so I would expect a lockdown at some point between the end of September and Christmas.

Buckle up folks, it's gonna be a bumpy one.

I don't think there will be another lockdown. Never apologize, never explain.

[Boiler]

33,000 cases.

Is this spreading at the rate it needs to before Autumn, or an incipient disaster?

I think their hope was do the exit wave now, let it rip through the population and hopefully have some form of herd immunity by the time the difficult winter period comes.

I can't say the gamble has paid off though as positive cases and death haven't even seemed to plateau, instead just slowly creep upwards. This will still be circulating around fully by the time schools and universities (not to mention attendances at sports grounds and nightclubs) all get into full swing by the end of September. The NHS capacity is already creaking and elective surgeries are being put back again so I would expect a lockdown at some point between the end of September and Christmas.

Buckle up folks, it's gonna be a bumpy one.

I don't think there will be another lockdown. Never apologize, never explain.

"They'd have died anyway" is how it'll be wafted away.

[Tubby Isaacs]

If the Republican Governor of Arkansas can change his mind on mask mandates, the UK government should be able to as well.

[Boiler]

If the Republican Governor of Arkansas can change his mind on mask mandates, the UK government should be able to as well.

But to a gallery-player like Johnson who only wants to be loved and is terrified by what the Fourth Estate will think of him if he goes back on his word?

[Tubby Isaacs]

The Arkansas Governor has had a backlash. Don't know if he had ambitions to go into national politics, but he's likely blown them. He's one of the brighter and more plausible Southern Republicans, I think he could have done a job for them.

Johnson's already made the top job.

[davidjay]

Pinged again. Tested. 48 hours of worrying starts now.

[Malcolm Armsteen]

Good luck, DJ.

[Spoonman]

It's getting worse in NI. The decisions and influence of far too many fuckwits is taking its toll, and I'd hate to see what the figures will be like when the schools are back in less than a fortnight...

Covid-19: NI records highest number of cases in a single day

Northern Ireland has recorded the highest number of coronavirus cases in a single day since the pandemic began.

On Friday, the Department of Health reported 2,397 further cases and nine further coronavirus-related deaths.

Figures show Northern Ireland has the highest infection rate in the UK and the lowest rate of vaccinations for people aged over 16 in the UK.

Health Minister Robin Swann said the latest Covid-19 figures were "deeply concerning, both in terms of deaths and new cases".

"The Delta variant is taking its toll on Northern Ireland and it is vital that as many of our citizens as possible are vaccinated," he added.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-58278998