COVID-19 Pandemic

[Bristawl Si]

5 minutes ago, Stabilo19 said:

"David Solomon Halpern FAcSS is a British psychologist and civil servant, heading the Behavioural Insights Team spun out from the Cabinet Office."

 

There's plenty more information out there about this team and how they've had more and more influence in government in recent years. They're behavioural scientists, not virologists

They're part of a large team. How difficult is it to understand? The Guardian...ok. could they be stirring it a tad?

[kold weather]

10 minutes ago, Bristle boy said:

How do you know?

I mean whether you agree with what they are thinking, these are guys are clearly far more qualified than anyone on here. I have huge question marks, but they have access to data which we don't and for now the logic seems to be decent enough to me.

There IS definately a heavy hint of behavioural studies in there, nothing wrong with that either providing their modelling is correct...otherwise like many weather models, its going to be wrong. Hope to put our faith in them.

 

[Stabilo19]

 

1 minute ago, General Cluster said:

So what? We'd be bloody daft were we to ignore the effects a pandemic might have regarding people's behaviour...?

Expert advice about viral disease pandemics should be first and foremost from epidemiologists and virologists who have a whole life of experience in these areas. UK policy appears to be mostly affected by the nudge team (which is why it differs from literally every other country). 

[Bristawl Si]

Just now, Stabilo19 said:

 

Expert advice about viral disease pandemics should be first and foremost from epidemiologists and virologists who have a whole life of experience in these areas. UK policy appears to be mostly affected by the nudge team (which is why it differs from literally every other country). 

No it doesnt. You're just speculating. The advisory team will be more than a few individuals we've seen over last week or so. 

[Stabilo19]

1 minute ago, Bristle boy said:

They're part of a large team. How difficult is it to understand? The Guardian...ok. could they be stirring it a tad?

The point is, they have the largest influence on government policy on how to handle this outbreak. 

And the guardian is a credible news source? Are you questioning the BBC too? 

[MAF]

31 minutes ago, weirpig said:

When are the breakdown of locations released ? 

Try this BBC link 

Coronavirus: How many cases are there in your area?

WWW.BBC.CO.UK

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Key graphics explaining how the respiratory virus has grown in the UK and the government's response.

 

[Stabilo19]

Just now, Bristle boy said:

No it doesnt. You're just speculating. The advisory team will be more than a few individuals we've seen over last week or so. 

There's plenty of evidence that the nudge unit is directing government policy on this. You've seen two doctors on TV and seem to think otherwise.

[Bristawl Si]

Just now, Stabilo19 said:

The point is, they have the largest influence on government policy on how to handle this outbreak. 

And the guardian is a credible news source? Are you questioning the BBC too? 

I included behavioural aspects in my last few years of qual research work; it is definitely important, but remains a segment of the overall government and medical response. 

[kold weather]

5 minutes ago, Snipper said:

Just had another message from NHS 

 

Yes that follows the advice given out earlier.

My question again is people assuming they have it, but don't, then they go out thinking the are cured and then actually get it again but has spread it around. Very difficult for joe public to manage this, but not sure there is much choice.

Hoping we don't see a rapid death rate rise over the next 7-10 days but think thats kinda inevitable now given how relaxed we have been upto yesterday about things (IE the champions league match, Cheltenham, etc)

[Stabilo19]

Direct from the nudge unit's website:

"What is the Nudge Unit doing on coronavirus?

The Nudge Unit is working closely with the Department of Health and Social Care in crafting the government response. The most visible manifestation of its influence to date is in the communication around hand-washing and face touching – in particular the use of “disgust” as an incentive to wash hands and the suggestion of singing Happy Birthday to ensure hands are washed for the requisite 20 seconds. But it also seems to be influencing the more controversial question over when to move from “contain” to “delay” phasing. This is based on evidence about duration of compliance."

[Kirkcaldy Weather]

 

[kold weather]

Just now, Bristle boy said:

I included behavioural aspects in my last few years of qual research work; it is definitely important, but remains a segment of the overall government and medical response. 

I've done a bit of it as well with my teaching (in maybe a different field of course!) but I think people often under-estimate how power a tool it is, because the people best at doing it will be doing it to you and you won't even realize its happening.

It does seem to be the difference between our tactics and the rest of Europe's though, can't think of any other reason why we are so different.

[sundog]

Coronavirus Has Sparked A Monkey Gang War In Thailand After Tourists Stop Feeding Them

WWW.SICKCHIRPSE.COM

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Terrifying.

 

[Stabilo19]

4 minutes ago, kold weather said:

I've done a bit of it as well with my teaching (in maybe a different field of course!) but I think people often under-estimate how power a tool it is, because the people best at doing it will be doing it to you and you won't even realize its happening.

It does seem to be the difference between our tactics and the rest of Europe's though, can't think of any other reason why we are so different.

Behavioral science, as well as every other scientific discipline, is incredible important in unprecedented situations like covid-19.

Maybe the level of influence in the UK's handling of covid-19 perhaps should be questioned? And fortunately we live in a free enough society where we can do this. 

Edited March 13, 2020 by Stabilo19

[snow raven]

28 minutes ago, Bristle boy said:

Sir Patrick Vallance FRS FMedSci FRCP is Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA) and Head of the Government Science and Engineering (GSE) profession. His personal research was in the area of diseases of blood vessels and endothelial biology.

Patrick was President, R&D at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) from 2012 until 2017. Prior to this, he was Senior Vice President, Medicines Discovery and Development. He joined the company in May 2006 as Head of Drug Discovery. He was a member of the GSK Board and the Corporate Executive Team. During his period as head of R&D over 14 new medicines were approved for use worldwide, for diseases ranging from cancer to asthma and HIV.

Prior to joining GSK, he was a clinical academic, Professor of Medicine and led the Division of Medicine at UCL. He has over 20 years’ experience of basic and clinical research, and was a consultant physician in the NHS. His research spanned from work on medicinal chemistry and structural biology, through to cellular work, studies in humans and use of large electronic health record databases.

He was elected to the Academy of Medical Sciences in 1999 and to the Royal Society in 2017. He was on the Board of the UK Office for Strategic Co-ordination of Health Research (OSCHR) from 2009 to 2016. He is an Honorary Fellow at UCL and holds honorary degrees from Imperial College London, Glasgow University, University of York and St George’s, University of London. He was a non-executive director and board member for UK Biobank and a non-executive board member for Genome Research Limited but stepped down in taking up the GCSA role.

So a lot more educated in this subject than the armchair doctors in this thread then?

[kold weather]

Spain now up 1,188 today. and probably still got some more to rise as well. VERY bad day for them it has to be said, and makes me worried for what Italy will produce tonight. Got to be getting close to those countries top end testing capacity now?

Anyway amazing to think 3 months ago Coronavirus was pretty much unknown and we were taking the election and Brexit was some peoples biggest fear. Brexit looks utterly insignificant now...

[Summer Sun]

Italy have released data for deaths by age brackets in the Lombardy region

• 0-9 - No deaths
• 10-19 - No deaths
• 20-29 - No deaths
• 30 to 39 - 1 death (0.1%)
• 40 to 49 - 1 death (0.1%)
• 50-59 - 14 deaths (1.7%)
• 60-69 - 65 deaths (8.1%)
• 70-79 - 274 deaths (34.2%)
• 80-89 - 355 deaths (44.3%)
• 90+ - 75 deaths (9.3%)

18 deaths were not reported - Total deaths so far 803

[Snipper]

8 minutes ago, Stabilo19 said:

Behavioral science, as well as every other scientific discipline, is incredible important in unprecedented situations like covid-19.

Maybe the level of influence in the UK's handling of covid-19 perhaps should be questioned? And fortunately we live in a free enough society where we can do this. 

I expect all experts are questioning everything and everyone and a consensus is agreed as and when a decision  is needed.

[swebby]

20 minutes ago, Stabilo19 said:

 

Expert advice about viral disease pandemics should be first and foremost from epidemiologists and virologists who have a whole life of experience in these areas. UK policy appears to be mostly affected by the nudge team (which is why it differs from literally every other country). 

Just to clarify, before the thread heads off into another argument.

Epidemiology is basically the intersection between virology (the study of the physical nature of a virus and it's interaction at a cellular level)  and behavioral science (sociology and psychology). 

Virologists will be looking for a cure/vaccine, they will not be concerning themselves with the behavior of school kids or football fans. 

[Stabilo19]

4 minutes ago, snow raven said:

So a lot more educated in this subject than the armchair doctors in this thread then?

Are we not allowed to express our concerns about policy being **led** by psychologists and sociologists?

[Snipper]

1 minute ago, swebby said:

Just to clarify, before the thread heads off into another argument.

Epidemiology is basically the intersection between virology (the study of the physical nature of a virus and it's interaction at a cellular level)  and behavioral science (sociology and psychology). 

Virologists will be looking for a cure/vaccine, they will not be concerning themselves with the behavior of school kids or football fans. 

Argument?  Heaven forbid.  Don’t want anyone sent to bed early with no tea.  

[Summer Sun]

Jurgen Klopp has issued the following message to Liverpool fans

Jürgen Klopp's message to supporters - Liverpool FC

WWW.LIVERPOOLFC.COM

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Jürgen Klopp has today issued the following message to supporters following the Premier League's decision to postpone all football activity until April 3 at the earliest.

 

[Mr Frost]

13 minutes ago, snow raven said:

So a lot more educated in this subject than the armchair doctors in this thread then?

Spot on - some utter doomsday nonsense going on in here. (I would honestly advise any of you who suffer from mental illness or anxiety to take a step back from this thread)

Scotland up to 85 confirmed cases - 25 new cases confirmed today. 

I agree with this BBC News Science correspondent: Why is the U.K doing things different from everyone else?

 

UK Government have been spot on so far.

I also agree with @Man With Beard - confirmed deaths should be the thing to keep an eye on now. (Only ten at the moment)

I would happily take on the virus right now if it protects/helps out more people in the long run - older generation with underlying health issues should be self isolating...that I do agree with but we will all do as we please. My Grandad’s house was destroyed in the Clydebank Blitz during WW2 - who am I to tell him what is best/what to do? 

Edited March 13, 2020 by Mr Frost

[nick sussex]

The latest money making scheme by pharmacies here .

Went into the big one attached to the Le Clerc, asked for hand gel . Sorry out of that but we can give you the things you need and an instruction leaflet .

Aloe Vera , bottle of alcohol 90%, two bottles of scented oil, and two small bottles with pump.

31 Euros ! 

The supermarket was very busy even though I went at lunch time but no probs with toilet roll ! 

[Man With Beard]

12 minutes ago, Summer Sun said:

Italy have released data for deaths by age brackets in the Lombardy region

• 0-9 - No deaths
• 10-19 - No deaths
• 20-29 - No deaths
• 30 to 39 - 1 death (0.1%)
• 40 to 49 - 1 death (0.1%)
• 50-59 - 14 deaths (1.7%)
• 60-69 - 65 deaths (8.1%)
• 70-79 - 274 deaths (34.2%)
• 80-89 - 355 deaths (44.3%)
• 90+ - 75 deaths (9.3%)

18 deaths were not reported - Total deaths so far 803

That's terrible for the over 70s.

If only we could send them all to the Isle of Wight for 3 months holiday while the rest of us build up our immunity