Post by krwPost by Peter PercivalPost by krwIf you think its between 0.4 and 0.8 the actions/precautions are
somewhat different to if you think they are between 3.4 and 3.8.
But it appears to be down to someone's thinking rather than a real
measurement.
How about publishing the number of people tested and the number
positive (for the same day - so comparing like with like). At the
moment it might be yesterday's "number" of tests but the "number"
reported positive does not (as I understand it) relate to yesterday,
just x,000 were positive and were probably tested 2 - x days ago?
Given the computers at our disposal and the whole of Imperial College
able to get in on the act why are the numbers so rubbish?
Is it R_0 (the basic reproduction number) that concerns you?
All of the numbers bother me because they don't seem to stick to one
consistent basis, they are not compiled to an international standard as
far as I can see and they talk about different numbers on different days
to suit a PR message.
This scale is never capable of being 1 - as defined - so we are in a
police state forever.
They want to damage the huge improvements on the environment by telling
us to drive instead of using public transport.
They now tell us it is good to be outside - but the public parks such as
NT locations and so on have been locked up for weeks - we could have
been out there getting better not suffering.
Apparently at one point today two people could meet one person but then
they couldn't. So if the good wife and I go out and accidentally meet
Mr and Mrs X in the park, stop and chat and we all stay 6ft apart we are
now breaking the rules; parents - two of them can meet one child or
perhaps they can't because it depends on something. And why can I only
meet one person in the park but not equally distant in my own back
garden? I don't want them in the house or using my bathroom - but how
can that be a rule?
Amongst many other variations.
This is worrying too.
https://www.hsj.co.uk/government-to-make-emergency-changes-to-mental-health-act/7027149.article
"changes to the Mental Health Act, due to concerns there will be a
lack of psychiatrists available to assess people that may need to be
sectioned and admitted to hospital.
Several senior NHS sources told HSJ that temporary changes are likely
to include reducing the number of appropriate psychiatrists needed to
urgently assess whether someone should be sectioned, in case of staff
shortages.
Currently two doctors are required under the Act to carry out an
assessment, one of which has to be a section 12 approved doctor, but
new legislation is likely to allow for just one doctor.
This is due to concerns that the number of doctors available to make
assessments is likely to reduce as coronavirus spreads, as there is an
assumption that significant numbers of NHS staff will have to
self-isolate if they have symptoms.
Professor Wendy Burn, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists,
said: Were supportive of this during this time of crisis. This is
about keeping patients safe."
This is in operation