Dafuq happened here then? This thread’s a train wreck :5:

[andipandi]

I don't get this, boot - other foot, comes to mind. If other countries had a new mutant strain (and the UK didn't) that transmits at plus 70% compared to the wave one strain, would we in the UK welcome people from that country? Of course we wouldn't. Lots of people didn't even want the (British) ex pats coming back from Spain, during the first wave.

I see the foreign press has labelled us " Plague Island", sounds about right to me.

 

[Enoch]

As i was reading this morning. It would be a medical novelty to have a new strain localised to one location in the world. That you can't just say its more transmissible without testing it which the only way to do that would be unethical (pump it into a room full of people) and a new strain that is no more dangerous and not going to affect the vaccine makes it a non story.

highlight of the pandemic for me, government lie about new strain and Europe immediately shut their borders to us!

Its bollocks, you know its bollocks, even deep down you know it is.

Same as this human disaster type speech going on right now if numbers increase. A) number of deaths has not significantly increased since may despite this and B) they are vaccinating the vulnerable so theoretically once they finish with that group, the number infected no longer carries much significance as there will be hardly any deaths.

Just peddling fear over and over. If there was a new strain that was more infectious then whole country should be closed to contain it, not left open for the most part.

Side note, read yesterday this infects children more because it is 'in the data'. this data doesn't say we had a lockdown and the only thing kept open for mingling was schools?

Load of bollocks, an excuse for london numbers that is now spiralling out of control and having a far bigger impact on foreign relations in a worldwide pandemic

 

[mick brown]

I don't get this, boot - other foot, comes to mind. If one of those listed countries had a new mutant strain that transmits at plus 70% compared to the wave one strain, would we in the UK welcome people from that country? Of course we effing wouldn't, lots of people didn't even want the (British) ex pats coming back from Spain, during the first wave.

I see the foreign press has labelled us " Plague Island", sounds about right to me.

It's my understanding that it IS in some other countries though

 

[mick brown]

As i was reading this morning. It would be a medical novelty to have a new strain localised to one location in the world. That you can't just say its more transmissible without testing it which the only way to do that would be unethical (pump it into a room full of people) and a new strain that is no more dangerous and not going to affect the vaccine makes it a non story.

highlight of the pandemic for me, government lie about new strain and Europe immediately shut their borders to us!

Its bollocks, you know its bollocks, even deep down you know it is.

Same as this human disaster type speech going on right now if numbers increase. A) number of deaths has not significantly increased since may despite this and B) they are vaccinating the vulnerable so theoretically once they finish with that group, the number infected no longer carries much significance as there will be hardly any deaths.

Just peddling fear over and over. If there was a new strain that was more infectious then whole country should be closed to contain it, not left open for the most part.

Side note, read yesterday this infects children more because it is 'in the data'. this data doesn't say we had a lockdown and the only thing kept open for mingling was schools?

Load of bollocks, an excuse for london numbers that is now spiralling out of control and having a far bigger impact on foreign relations in a worldwide pandemic

Also, more infections are being registered because of the increased testing.

 

[Enoch]

Also, more infections are being registered because of the increased testing.

completely true as well.

 

[andipandi]

It's my understanding that it IS in some other countries though

Where is this strain now?
Outside the UK, this strain has been detected in countries such as Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy and Australia. A similar but separate variant also has been identified in South Africa.

My post is now edited, accordingly

government lie about new strain

The Americans seem to believe it exists;

The new variant has a series of mutations, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
"Based on these mutations, this variant strain has been predicted to potentially be more rapidly transmissible than other circulating strains of SARS-CoV-2" -- the scientific name for the novel coronavirus, the CDC said.
........................................

Executive summary

A new variant strain of SARS-CoV-2 that contains a series of mutations has been described in the United Kingdom (UK) and become highly prevalent in London and southeast England. Based on these mutations, this variant strain has been predicted to potentially be more rapidly transmissible than other circulating strains of SARS-CoV-2. Although a variant may predominate in a geographic area, that fact alone does not mean that the variant is more infectious. Scientists are working to learn more about this variant to better understand how easily it might be transmitted and whether currently authorized vaccines will protect people against it. At this time, there is no evidence that this variant causes more severe illness or increased risk of death. Information regarding the virologic, epidemiologic, and clinical characteristics of the variant are rapidly emerging. CDC, in collaboration with other public health agencies, is monitoring the situation closely. CDC will communicate new information as it becomes available.

Why has this variant emerged in the UK?

We do not know. By chance alone, viral variants often emerge or disappear, and that may be the case here. Alternatively, it may be emerging because it is better fit to spread in humans. This rapid change from being a rare strain to becoming a common strain has concerned scientists in the UK, who are urgently evaluating the characteristics of the variant strain and of the illness that it causes.

Have we seen this variant in the United States?

The VOC 202012/01 variant has not been identified through sequencing efforts in the United States, although viruses have only been sequenced from about 51,000 of the 17 million US cases. Ongoing travel between the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the high prevalence of this variant among current UK infections, increase the likelihood of importation. Given the small fraction of US infections that have been sequenced, the variant could already be in the United States without having been detected.

What do we know already about variants containing N501Y?

Prior work on variants with N501Y suggests they may bind more tightly to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. It is unknown whether that tighter binding, if true, translates into any significant epidemiological or clinical differences. In one laboratory study of transmission of the virus between ferrets, this mutation (and one other) spontaneously arose in the ferrets during the experiment. The significance of this observation remains to be elucidated. VOC 202012/01 so far has no known association with animals or animal contact.


More;

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/more/scientific-brief-emerging-variant.html

 

[LordOdin]

How many Countries has the UK banned ?. Probably none because they are thick in the head and wouldn't have thought to do that. Close everything down, go into full lockdown and put the Army on the street to stop offenders, though why the Police can't do it is beyond me.

 

[Enoch]

Where is this strain now?
Outside the UK, this strain has been detected in countries such as Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy and Australia. A similar but separate variant also has been identified in South Africa.

My post is now edited, accordingly



The Americans seem to believe it exists;

The new variant has a series of mutations, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
"Based on these mutations, this variant strain has been predicted to potentially be more rapidly transmissible than other circulating strains of SARS-CoV-2" -- the scientific name for the novel coronavirus, the CDC said.
........................................

Executive summary

A new variant strain of SARS-CoV-2 that contains a series of mutations has been described in the United Kingdom (UK) and become highly prevalent in London and southeast England. Based on these mutations, this variant strain has been predicted to potentially be more rapidly transmissible than other circulating strains of SARS-CoV-2. Although a variant may predominate in a geographic area, that fact alone does not mean that the variant is more infectious. Scientists are working to learn more about this variant to better understand how easily it might be transmitted and whether currently authorized vaccines will protect people against it. At this time, there is no evidence that this variant causes more severe illness or increased risk of death. Information regarding the virologic, epidemiologic, and clinical characteristics of the variant are rapidly emerging. CDC, in collaboration with other public health agencies, is monitoring the situation closely. CDC will communicate new information as it becomes available.

Why has this variant emerged in the UK?

We do not know. By chance alone, viral variants often emerge or disappear, and that may be the case here. Alternatively, it may be emerging because it is better fit to spread in humans. This rapid change from being a rare strain to becoming a common strain has concerned scientists in the UK, who are urgently evaluating the characteristics of the variant strain and of the illness that it causes.

Have we seen this variant in the United States?

The VOC 202012/01 variant has not been identified through sequencing efforts in the United States, although viruses have only been sequenced from about 51,000 of the 17 million US cases. Ongoing travel between the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the high prevalence of this variant among current UK infections, increase the likelihood of importation. Given the small fraction of US infections that have been sequenced, the variant could already be in the United States without having been detected.

What do we know already about variants containing N501Y?

Prior work on variants with N501Y suggests they may bind more tightly to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. It is unknown whether that tighter binding, if true, translates into any significant epidemiological or clinical differences. In one laboratory study of transmission of the virus between ferrets, this mutation (and one other) spontaneously arose in the ferrets during the experiment. The significance of this observation remains to be elucidated. VOC 202012/01 so far has no known association with animals or animal contact.


More;

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/more/scientific-brief-emerging-variant.html

The thing is there was talks of new strains as early as the summer. It is a common thing for viruses to alter over time and develop new strains etc. Remember this one is no more dangerous, has not been tested to back its claims up and proves no more risk to the population.

However the timing of it just as they were about to deliver bad news about christmas is not coincidental.

If you compile everything we know this far, its a nothing thing to say as it doesn't change anything about current standings.

Oh and the 70% more transmissible, forgive me if i am wrong but the 'old' version was transmittable to everyone anyway to the tune of the unfortunate death total warranting lockdowns. Only way it is more transmissible is through social distincing and masks not working anymore, otherwise it has much the same chance as anything else right?

Just read between the lines is the best advice i can give. any article i have rad about this new strain has had some sort of redaction from scientists half way down hidden away to say how its not worse or its not tested.

 

[Mitz]

The UK government is actually taking credit for this new strain of the virus.
They are saying only UK and Denmark have been testing for it.
Here is a list of countries blocking the UK including Denmark
EU countries:
Individual countries released guidelines over the course of Sunday and Monday on travel, with some saying they will impose stricter bans, with later end points than others. The blanket statement from the EU may override these.

Here’s the list so far:

The Netherlands

Passengers travelling from the UK will be banned from entry until 1 January.

Belgium

Belgium banned flights from the UK for 24 hours — starting on Sunday. Leaders are waiting for more clarity until they take further action. There should be an update on this today.

Italy

Passengers travelling from Britain are banned until 6 January, as is anyone who transited through the UK in the past two weeks. Residents will still be able to leave the UK to return home.

Austria

Austria banned flights from the UK, but hasn’t specified for how long.

Germany

Reuters reporters have seen plans that, if implemented, would mean travellers from the UK and South Africa would be banned from entry until 6 January.

Spain

Spain said it will stop flights arriving from the UK if there is no joint EU response on the matter, but hasn’t yet ruled on what it will do.

Portugal

Only Portuguese people and residents of the country are permitted to travel from the UK, and everyone must sow proof of a negative COVID-19 test. Testing is accessible at airports upon landing.

Bulgaria

Flights are suspended from the UK until the end of January.

France

France announced on Sunday night that entry will be barred for 48 hours from those arriving by both air, road, sea or rail. Leaders have been trying to thrash out a deal to get lorries and freight moving again before Christmas.

Ireland

The Republic of Ireland’s government agreed this morning it would ban travel from Britain until the end of the year.

Czechia

The advice was originally that arrivals who have spent at least 24 hours in the UK will need to isolate in the Czech Republic. Since this afternoon, flights have been suspended.

Denmark

Denmark, which has already detected cases of the new strain, suspended flights from the UK for 48 hours, as of Monday morning.

Greece

Earlier, Greece said it would extend its quarantine period for travellers from the UK from three days to seven.

Sweden

Sweden confirmed it will impose an entry ban this afternoon. It will also stop travellers from Denmark entering the country.

“To minimise the risk of it spreading here, the government has today decided on a ban of entry,” the minister for the interior, Mikael Damberg, told a news conference, adding that Swedish citizens were exempt from the ban.

Luxembourg

Luxembourg earlier said it would ban flights in from the UK. This comes in conjunction with its national lockdown from 26 December to January 10.

Estonia

Estonia’s UK travel ban runs from Sunday 20 December at midnight until the end of the year.

Latvia
Latvia has suspended travel to and from the UK from 21 December to 1 January, the Latvian Ministry of Transportation said on Sunday.

Lithuania
Fights from the UK will be suspended, Lithuania's prime minister tweeted.

Rest of the world:
Norway

Norway’s health minister said in a statement on Monday that all flights from Britain will be suspended with immediate effect.

Turkey

Flights to Turkey will be suspended from the UK, Denmark and the Netherlands.

Canada

Flights from the UK are banned by Canada for the next 72 hours.

Saudi Arabia

All international travel has been suspended from the country for a week.

Israel

Israel banned entry to all non-Israelis jetting in from the UK. That includes those with layovers in the UK. People arriving from the UK will have to isolate in a hotel for two weeks.

El Salvador

El Salvador has banned people who have been in the UK in the last 30 days, including in transit.

India

India said it would suspend flights until the end of the year. The measures will come into effect at 6.29 GMT on Tuesday.

Oman

As of Tuesday 1am GMT Oman will shut its land, air and sea borders to UK travellers, according to reports by Reuters.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong has taken perhaps the most stringent precautions of the lot, as UK travellers to Hong Kong will be banned, while travellers that recently arrived in the country will need to extend the 14-day quarantine for another seven days. Total isolation time will now add up to 21 days.

Russia

Russia will suspend all incoming flights from the UK for a week.

Jordan

Reuters reported that Jordan will suspend flights to and from the UK as of today until 3 January.

Kuwait

Kuwait’s government said its borders would close to the UK until 1 January.

Peru

Peru said it would exact more wide-sweeping bans than just stopping travellers from the UK. It has also banned travellers from Europe. President Francisco Sagasti said that no direct flights from the UK had entered the country since December 15, when flights from Europe restarted.

Switzerland

Swiss officials pressed ahead with a UK travel ban too, but conceded it was likely the mutant strain was already in the country due to inbound flights from London over the past week. The country also moved to ban travel from South Africa.

Iran

Iran’s travel ban lasts for two weeks from the 20 December.

Sudan

Sudan said its travel ban will run from the 23 December for three weeks. Thompson Reuters Foundation reported that the ban is subject to renewal and more countries could be added to the list as the situation develops.

Pakistan

Pakistan said it would ban travel from the UK between 22 and 29 December for both travel originating in the UK and travellers that had been in the UK in the last 10 days. Passengers who transit through the UK and do not leave the airport will be allowed into the country.

Argentina

Argentina banned flights on Monday morning, according to a joint statement published Sunday by the Argentinian Health and Interior Ministries.

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has banned travel from the UK amid fears of the new COVID-19 variant. The Telegraph reported that the ban will also cover travellers from Italy, Denmark, Austria, the Netherlands, Australia and South Africa.

Moldova

Travellers from the UK are also banned from Moldova.

Cuba

Cuba has not (yet) closed its borders to Britons, but negative PCR tests may be required for travel to the island in the near future.

The Caribbean

Jamaica was the first Caribbean country to cancel all flights from the UK for the next fortnight, hitting this evening. Grenada and the Dominican Republic will also close their borders.

Saint Lucia said it would not impose a ban.

Other nations

Morocco, Chile, Finland and Colombia have also moved to ban travellers from the UK, alongside Poland, Lithuania and Latvia.

Taking credit for finding it, not creating it. Because we're world leading at genome sequencing and unlike most other countries we do it as a matter of routine.

 

[Simon G]

It's my understanding that it IS in some other countries though

My understanding is that it's been around since at least September and at least a few countries.

My feelings? That the government are using it to justify the u-turn from "It would be inhuman to stop people seeing their families at Christmas" to whatever their line is now.

3 weeks to flatten the curve.... (which we did) ..... to this and what is going to come next.

The reality is that it's probably a good thing, a virus mutating into a less harmful/more easily transferred strain is exactly what you would expect it to do. The new strain may not be any more deadly than a common cold coronavirus... there's no evidence to say otherwise yet, so why the panic?