[ritchiebaby]

I'm not sure thats how a vaccines effectiveness is gauged Ritchie ?

Of course you are right about being cautious, we are going to be one great Petri dish at the moment with infections raging through the younger population. There is always the risk that a really dangerous mutation could develop. Also the risk of long covid is something that shouldn't be taken lightly.

But whilst people are not being hospitalised or dying in any great numbers people are just going to go for some kind of normality again, and I doubt there is much the politicians can do to stop them now.

I'm not sure how else you can realistically guage it, jim, but I'm open to being educated/corrected. I suppose the case of Andrew Marr, who caught Covid after being double vaccinated, is the most high-profile example.

The other statistic I often quote is that even using the latest worrying figures, less than 1% of the population has tested positive. Allowing for an assumed understatement of 10 times for those not tested, at least 90% are free from Covid, so should be able to go about their business safely.

The elephant in the room is that too many who should be self-isolating are not. I could quote many examples in my rural environment and I can only imagine it is probably worse in towns and cities. As you infer, I think we are too far down the road of relaxing restrictions to have any hope of having any control over the spread of the virus.

[hibeejim21]

The other elephant in the room is the Euros - there is a reason why males are outstripping females 3:1 in positive tests currently.

I know a few punters that went down to London without a ticket and came back with something else.

[0762]

4234 infections, 6 deaths today and E Lothian and Edinburgh high up in the total regional list of infections. Another causal factor is relative to the Euros again - lotsa folk sitting watching footie INDOORS together with pals who are not "in their bubble". A significant comment that keeps "ringing in my ears" is the one uttered months ago by the FM- "What is it with footie that makes these people think they are different from the rest of the population"????? The cautionary advice has been consistently broadcast to a targeted audience (incl footie clubs) by the Scottish Govt as I've listened to most of the advice in the past 12 months.
IMO there is a lotta stuff that is gonna "come out in the wash" in an eventual Public Inquiry and this whole topic re football and various issues of non-conformance to COVID rules has really gotta be part of that national debate.

[0762]

Watching yesterday's euphoric scenes in Italy when Mancini and his Azzurri heroes returned from England with the Henri Delaunay trophy deservedly won and "in the bag". And what a great story that unfolded re the trophy spotted lying next to a Scottish newspaper on a table in the Rome bound plane - Saturday's edition of The National in full view with the front page depicting a "photoshopped" Braveheart character (blue-painted face n all) of Mancini with a caption - Save us Roberto, You're our final hope!!! The Italian football team somehow acquired a copy of The National before the Euro final at Wembley and Mancini and that great defender/warrior, Chiellini, talking to the Italian media, both saying it was absolutely hilarious and they all loved it!!! A Scottish link to this deserved final win by Italy!! You couldn't make it up!! And Mancini now nicknamed Roberto the Bruce lol! Priceless!

[hibeejim21]

Chiellini is an absolute legend. He would absolutely achilles his granny to win.

To win tournaments you need players like him.

[0762]

Chiellini and Bonucci both defensive warriors of the highest order. Some of Bonucci''s long diagonal passes are absolutely brilliant. Indeed his defence-splitting through pass v England to Benardi in the second half should've been converted and won the Euro final outright had the Italian forward used his head to just nod the ball over the advancing Pickford. This pair should manage to make it through to one last World Cup tournament next year.

[ritchiebaby]

Back to Nicola, I must say I am very impressed with her attitude towards mask-wearing and social distancing being legally required. The Scottish Government are actually doing their job of governing, not letting people make up their own rules as they go along. We are stiil able to open up "normal" daily life as much as possible as long as the basics are being adhered to.

[hibeejim21]

I think a lot of the mayors down south have followed suit Ritchie.
The clowntramps "personal responsibility' plan is as we have pointed out is completely ludicrous and irresponsible. Quelle surprise.

The NHS is going to be under huge pressure this autumn/winter, after all its already endured. Its so frustrating watching the tories give more and more of it away, offering handclaps and medals instead of a proper wage increase for its staff.

[0762]

I must say I'm just waiting and watching what happens down south next week after observing all the social distancing and COVID rules effectively "binned" during the Wimbledon and Euro tournaments. I expect the rate of infections to multiply considerably from the already huge numbers of infected people during this week - absolute folly and poor government control of their situation at this particular time. In comparison, it is very noticeable how Nicola is quietly "getting on with it" - consistent cautionary advice being issued and explaining the Scot govt's position re the usual criticisms being uttered from different political and business circles. Three words describe the correct approach to this latest 3rd wave of the pandemic - cautious, responsible and sensible. To be anything other than cautious would be foolhardy and very irresponsible TBF!! We have come so far, uniting in the interest of each other, and we must continue with steady caution on the road to recovery if our dream of normality is to become a reality. Also I have two new grand kids to worry about too - got enough grey hairs as it is!! Hence I applaud the FM and the Scot govt's approach.

[St Charles Owl]

Sturgeon needs to be applauded for what she is doing with regards to Covid. The number of cases in the UK are nearing the same peaks that we saw at the turn of the year, and while the vaccine means a lot don't suffer as much as they would I find it unbelievable that "Freedom Day" is still going ahead!! Watching Boris is like watching the Trump train wreck but from a distance this time, he says he is listening to the science but the issue must be which individual is guiding him because we all know there are enough nut jobs in the scientific world. By all means open things up, but make masks mandatory while walking around inside and put some social distancing measures in, its can be done while still allowing businesses to get going again.

Over here most restrictions were lifted in June, people still wear masks voluntarily when its busy here in California but you are seeing less and less being worn in most places. The numbers here are rising as the Delta variant gets a hold in places but so far hospitalizations and deaths are almost exclusively the unvaccinated, and that is the problem we have. States like Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Missouri and Tennessee all have vaccination rates around 40% and yet still the Republicans will not advise people to get the vaccine that was created under Trump!!