Covid cases in Hastings

[Richard]

I am aware of just nine cases of the public being treated for the Covid virus up at Conquest Hospital.
Three are (or were) in intensive care.
Nurses and doctors are tested regularly, some have contracted the virus (shown up on regular testing) and may not suffer any symptoms at all.
Those shown to have the virus are, however, required to self-isolate for a period of two weeks.

Three pubs in Hastings have reported cases of Covid:
The Dragon Bar, (Old Town, George Street) the Bat and Bee and the Owl and Pussycat (New Town).
All locations have implemented deep-cleaning and contact-tracing procedures.
It appears that they have acted quickly and followed public health guidance to ensure the safety of their staff and customers.
The incidents serve as a reminder that the virus is still a real threat and emphasizes the need for supporting the 'test and trace' scheme.

We can speculate on whether travel restrictions would have prevented the virus from being introduced locally.

[seahermit]

For some reason, Hastings and other south-coast towns seem to have got off lightly so far, regarding the virus. In London, Manchester and other crowded cities it is the opposite.

Doesn't mean the virus cannot be taken seriously - it seems to be increasing in younger people and I also think irresponsibility has contributed. Even around Hastings, many people make no attempt at social distancing, don't wear masks etc. I think it quite likely there will be a general (but partial) lockdown again soon, across the country.

I was hoping to take a break in Scotland this autumn. Apart from all the usual complications of finding accommodation etc., restrictions in hotels, restaurants and pubs make it a hassle. And it seems irresponsible to travel up there at present - I cannot justify it as essential and the Scots might regard me with some suspicion!

[Richard]

A little off-topic but I tried to have a seasonal flu' jab recently.
Apparently there are two strains, one for the under 65's and one for those over 65.
I am just over 65 and will have to wait until the end of September, as supplies are now low, days after it being advertised widely.
Funny to think that a year makes all the difference to a particular type of flu' inoculation.
I said I was a young 65 but to no avail.
Doubtless there will be similar complications when a seasonal Covid jab becomes available!
The new normal?

[seahermit]

I haven't had flu (or a jab) for many years but in view of the virus it seems sensible to reduce the risks, so flu jab shortly.

Richard, you are just a baby, I didn't realise! I am ten years older than you.

Mind you, I am told that the flu jab "promotion" by the NHS is less effective than the bureaucrats would have you believe. It only deals with the most common, current strains and does not therefore protect all individuals. And of course one has to remember that new strains are evolving from time to time and appear quite rapidly - I don't know enough to tell you what the boffins do when they discover that a new strain is emerging!

[Richard]

Because the virus jab has to be made 6 months in advance there is a likelihood of some mutation in the seasonal flu in circulation, but there is still a good chance of it being effective.
On another level the older one is the less likely the vaccine is going to make the body produce antibodies in the first place, as follows:-

A Flu Vaccine, available for the first time this year in the UK for those aged 65 and over, could reduce GP consultations by 30,000, hospitalisations by over 2,000 and prevent over 700 hospital deaths from flu in England, alleviating some of the health burden that seasonal flu places on the population, workplaces and the NHS.
The newly available ‘adjuvanted’ vaccine is expected to significantly boost effectiveness by improving the body’s immune response to the vaccine. This is important because typically, older adults’ bodies do not respond as well to the flu vaccine due to their naturally weaker immune systems. Older adults are also more likely to suffer complications from flu.
The broader flu vaccination programme will also be improved by offering all eligible adults under 65, including pregnant women and those with long-term health conditions, the ‘quadrivalent’ vaccine in injected form.
This protects against a total of four strains of flu; two strains of flu A and two strains of flu B.

seahermit, the poetic coffin-dodger, may yet live to see another Spring!

[seahermit]

"Coffin-Dodger" - I love it. That's me! The final thing I want to be doing, before suddenly kicking the bucket, is partying and drinking Sambuca. Go down fighting.

[Richard]

I had the over-65's flu' jab at Morrisons on Tuesday morning.
Better than waiting at the G.P. surgery in a long queue.
My arm certainly ached for a couple of days afterwards, but not a big deal really.
I felt a little 'spacey' or more detached from my usual self.
Not bad in the scheme of things, and I slept better than normal.
If it helps me fight future viruses, including Covid-19, then so much the better.

The injection is basically a dose of dead virus cells, of various known strains, with a booster
to improve the ability of the body to produce antibodies and mount a more robust defence in future.
Not complaining!

[seahermit]

That's interesting and useful - I didn't know it was possible to have a jab at somewhere like Morrisons, presumably in the pharmacy, not near the fruit and veg stand!

I almost went to Scotland for a break but my conscience has deterred me. It seems very irresponsible at present, the news about the virus is very worrying and I think we all have to reduce the risks as much as we can.

I am pretty worried about getting through the next few weeks quite frankly, the streets are like a ghost town after dusk (especially in lousy weather like this!), everywhere closes down early and it is sad to see so many shops (and some pubs) boarded up and obviously they couldn't survive. Two pubs closed just a quarter of a mile from where I live. I know that many people are badly off - lost jobs, low income etc., but the lack of socialising is equally damaging to people's lives. I have renewed a subscription to Amazon Prime Video - with the BFI Player as an add-on. At least I can catch up on an array of great, old films and documentaries, cannot stand much of what is on TV. And thank heaven I love books! I will end up atleast as an educated "coffin dodger" ..

[Richard]

The local Chemist or Supermarket pharmacy will give fairly exact appointment times or even 'walk-in' service, whereas the G.P Surgery will just give surname block-bookings, with consequent queuing for an extended period, according to a rather unpredictable attendance.

[seahermit]

My Carisbrooke surgery is particularly unreliable just now, having put a number of restrictions on poeple wanting five minutes with a doctor or a nurse (we don't all want to be on Zoom or shouting down a phone). And they are in the process of shifting into new quarters down Bexhill Road. I think I will try a chemist.

Probably going to take a break along the coast to recharge my mentals - the charming Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway end to end, then exploring Hythe, then on to Fokestone for a couple of days (the old harbour area is revamped and really nice, several markets etc. Most of that using the Kent Weekender (sort of 3-day Rover). Fresh air probably safer than crowded supermarkets.