r cent over ideal, has a BMI of 30 and is by definition obese.
This disease is profoundly different to the Spanish flu which was an indiscriminate killer, with the average age of victims just 27 years of age.
By using a BMI of 40 about 3 per cent of the adult population is considered at risk, but if the international BMI standard of 30 is used the at-risk proportion increases to about 23 per cent.
The HSE data, therefore, grossly understates the obesity risk, and under-records the effects of obesity by using a BMI of 40.
In the New York study referenced above, 41.7 per cent of admitted patients had a BMI of 30, the second most common risk factor after hypertension.
It has been shown that the highest risk factor for ICU admission is obesity; in Ireland even when using BMI of 40 as the criterion, 19 per cent of those admitted to ICU had this risk factor.
Should we be more worried about increasing numbers of cases?
From mid-July to mid-September there were almost 6,000 reported Covid-19 cases. The media and political reaction has amounted to a foreboding narrative akin to a major catastrophe.
The top TV story night after night features numbers of people testing positive for a condition associated with hospital and ICU admission rates of 2.5 per cent and 0.2 per cent respectively.
Admission rates are about one fifth of prior months and lower than those associated with seasonal flu. Such reporting would be more appropriate were the country dealing with an Ebola outbreak.
What is happening is what should be happening the young are working in essential services and socialising and contracting the virus, while the vulnerable, the elderly and those with illness are being cautious and, importantly, are being protected by the rest of society.
However, there is one worrying trend over four successive fortnight periods the proportion of cases in the over-65 age group has been 4 per cent, 5 per cent, 7 per cent, and 10 per cent.
This suggests a gradual relaxation in the at-risk group or by those around them? If so, this is where we need absolute vigilance.
Is there an alternative strategy?
Many scientists from around the world are now of the view that eradicating SARS-Covid-2 is not realistic in the short term. I say this as eradication appears to be the new goal in Ireland.
The initial response was entirely appropriate for a contagious disease with the suspected virulence of the 1917/18 Spanish flu.
However, after nine months of intensive scientific scrutiny of the virus’ behaviour globally concludes this is no longer the case.
This disease is profoundly different to the Spanish flu which was an indiscriminate killer, with the average age of victims just 27 years of age.
It’s also profoundly different to the seasonal Influenza. Therefore different strategies are required to manage Covid-19.
The Government deserves enormous credit for opening our schools. What is needed now is an extension of that thinking.
Experience has taught us that the at-risk and vulnerable individuals are identifiable with remarkable accuracy, and that protective measures – hygiene, masks, social distancing and cocooning – are extremely effective.
Common sense might dictate that we expose the low-risk population to this condition and protect the at-risk, i.e, the red rag of “herd immunity”.
That is what was happening and yet the policy seems to be to prevent this happening. This should particularly have been allowed to happen during the summer months before the “flu season” and thus reduce the workload on the health services during winter months.
Achieving a balance
The Government deserves enormous credit for opening our schools. What is needed now is an extension of that thinking to strike the right balance and avoid the cost greatly exceeding the benefit.
The at-risk can be protected by themselves and others adhering to proven protective measures.
By definition, almost all emergency hospital admissions are at risk and therefore the protective measures for patients and for the staff need to be retained; similarly for nursing
This disease is profoundly different to the Spanish flu which was an indiscriminate killer, with the average age of victims just 27 years of age.
By using a BMI of 40 about 3 per cent of the adult population is considered at risk, but if the international BMI standard of 30 is used the at-risk proportion increases to about 23 per cent.
The HSE data, therefore, grossly understates the obesity risk, and under-records the effects of obesity by using a BMI of 40.
In the New York study referenced above, 41.7 per cent of admitted patients had a BMI of 30, the second most common risk factor after hypertension.
It has been shown that the highest risk factor for ICU admission is obesity; in Ireland even when using BMI of 40 as the criterion, 19 per cent of those admitted to ICU had this risk factor.
Should we be more worried about increasing numbers of cases?
From mid-July to mid-September there were almost 6,000 reported Covid-19 cases. The media and political reaction has amounted to a foreboding narrative akin to a major catastrophe.
The top TV story night after night features numbers of people testing positive for a condition associated with hospital and ICU admission rates of 2.5 per cent and 0.2 per cent respectively.
Admission rates are about one fifth of prior months and lower than those associated with seasonal flu. Such reporting would be more appropriate were the country dealing with an Ebola outbreak.
What is happening is what should be happening the young are working in essential services and socialising and contracting the virus, while the vulnerable, the elderly and those with illness are being cautious and, importantly, are being protected by the rest of society.
However, there is one worrying trend over four successive fortnight periods the proportion of cases in the over-65 age group has been 4 per cent, 5 per cent, 7 per cent, and 10 per cent.
This suggests a gradual relaxation in the at-risk group or by those around them? If so, this is where we need absolute vigilance.
Is there an alternative strategy?
Many scientists from around the world are now of the view that eradicating SARS-Covid-2 is not realistic in the short term. I say this as eradication appears to be the new goal in Ireland.
The initial response was entirely appropriate for a contagious disease with the suspected virulence of the 1917/18 Spanish flu.
However, after nine months of intensive scientific scrutiny of the virus’ behaviour globally concludes this is no longer the case.
This disease is profoundly different to the Spanish flu which was an indiscriminate killer, with the average age of victims just 27 years of age.
It’s also profoundly different to the seasonal Influenza. Therefore different strategies are required to manage Covid-19.
The Government deserves enormous credit for opening our schools. What is needed now is an extension of that thinking.
Experience has taught us that the at-risk and vulnerable individuals are identifiable with remarkable accuracy, and that protective measures – hygiene, masks, social distancing and cocooning – are extremely effective.
Common sense might dictate that we expose the low-risk population to this condition and protect the at-risk, i.e, the red rag of “herd immunity”.
That is what was happening and yet the policy seems to be to prevent this happening. This should particularly have been allowed to happen during the summer months before the “flu season” and thus reduce the workload on the health services during winter months.
Achieving a balance
The Government deserves enormous credit for opening our schools. What is needed now is an extension of that thinking to strike the right balance and avoid the cost greatly exceeding the benefit.
The at-risk can be protected by themselves and others adhering to proven protective measures.
By definition, almost all emergency hospital admissions are at risk and therefore the protective measures for patients and for the staff need to be retained; similarly for nursing
homes. This policy will involve those “at risk” not going to work, which is much better than nobody going to work.
The young and healthy majority need to be allowed to live rather than exist, while being mindful of those at risk.
In living with this disease the able elderly may feel disinclined to comply with restrictions or cocoon, as indeed may others at risk. This, however, poses the mountain climber dilemma – “by putting myself in danger I am possibly asking others to risk their lives to save mine”.
Regardless, we need to stop scaring the nation; be honest with the nation and consider how to better facilitate personal choice.”(3)
(1) https://www.google.ie/amp/s/www.irishtimes.com/news/health/doctor-resigns-from-hospital-group-after-comments-on-draconian-covid-19-curbs-1.4356244%3fmode=amp
(2) https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/draconian-restrictions-around-covid-19-condemned-by-hse-doctor-1.4352701?mode=amp
(3) https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/dr-martin-feeley-young-and-healthy-majority-need-to-be-allowed-to-live-1.4362503?mode=amp
The young and healthy majority need to be allowed to live rather than exist, while being mindful of those at risk.
In living with this disease the able elderly may feel disinclined to comply with restrictions or cocoon, as indeed may others at risk. This, however, poses the mountain climber dilemma – “by putting myself in danger I am possibly asking others to risk their lives to save mine”.
Regardless, we need to stop scaring the nation; be honest with the nation and consider how to better facilitate personal choice.”(3)
(1) https://www.google.ie/amp/s/www.irishtimes.com/news/health/doctor-resigns-from-hospital-group-after-comments-on-draconian-covid-19-curbs-1.4356244%3fmode=amp
(2) https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/draconian-restrictions-around-covid-19-condemned-by-hse-doctor-1.4352701?mode=amp
(3) https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/dr-martin-feeley-young-and-healthy-majority-need-to-be-allowed-to-live-1.4362503?mode=amp
The Irish Times
Doctor resigns from hospital group after comments on ‘draconian’ Covid-19 curbs
HSE dissociated itself from Dr Martin Feeley’s remarks on herd immunity
Doctors lay out plan to ‘punish’ people who refuse coronavirus vaccine: ‘There is no alternative’
'Simply put, getting vaccinated is going to be our patriotic duty,' and America should consider making it difficult for the unvaccinated to participate in society, three doctors wrote.
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/doctors-lay-out-plan-to-punish-people-who-refuse-coronavirus-vaccine-there-is-no-alternative
'Simply put, getting vaccinated is going to be our patriotic duty,' and America should consider making it difficult for the unvaccinated to participate in society, three doctors wrote.
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/doctors-lay-out-plan-to-punish-people-who-refuse-coronavirus-vaccine-there-is-no-alternative
LifeSite
Doctors lay out plan to ‘punish’ people who refuse coronavirus vaccine: ‘There is no alternative’ - LifeSite
'Simply put, getting vaccinated is going to be our patriotic duty,' and America should consider making it difficult for the unvaccinated to participate in society, three doctors wrote.
London protest: Police warn against violence as anti-lockdown demonstrators gather in capital
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/london-protests-lockdown-police-violence-rally-coronavirus-b620702.html
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/london-protests-lockdown-police-violence-rally-coronavirus-b620702.html
The Independent
Thousands of maskless protesters gather in London for anti-lockdown rally
After multiple arrests and injuries at last weeks rally, Met urges protestors to abide by rules
Dear fellow frogs...it’s time to realise the water has almost reached boiling point...These Digital Health Passport aka Immunity Passports will evolve into a system where ANYTHING can be denied...Shops,transport,parks,international travel ....ANYTHING...You can be made an outcast at the push of the button...
P.S.Reject & Resist ...It’s not about the “virus”...It’s always about the Power & Control.
P.S.Reject & Resist ...It’s not about the “virus”...It’s always about the Power & Control.