It's hard to believe that there is a Covid inquiry going on right now, one of whose major findings is bound to be that the way in which Covid was managed was heavily biased against the health interests of those on lower incomes in the UK as a whole. Why do I say that? Because right now, the same scenario is being played out all over again.
I reported yesterday that Covid vaccines were, inexplicably, not to be made available to those under the age of 65 this winter.
Today the Guardian reports a change in position:
Now vaccines are to be available, on sale. But not until 2024, by when a crisis may have already hit us. And remember the supposed miracle of AstraZeneca? That's disappeared from the mix now.
But let's look at the reality of this. The first is that we are clearly not prepared for the coming winter.
The second is that there is to be rationing.
Third, rationing is not to be based on need but on the ability to pay.
It looks like we will be needing another Covid inquiry sometime soon.
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What can you say a nation predominantly dominated by politicians who’s core creed is greed! Will we see Starmer having anything to say on this. If not we can judge his support for the NHS is pure bogus, gas lighting as they now say!
Reading the Guardian article it also struck me that this was all part of the push towards privatised healthcare and turning the NHS into medicaid – only available for the old and very very poor. At an anticipated £100 + this will be well beyond the reach of people on low wages. ie all those essential workers that kept us going during lockdown, postal workers, bin men, nurses etc – although it was suggested that employers might like to pay to have their staff jabbed- that should put a final nail in the NHS and Local Authorities coffers.
Those at the top obviously taken the gamble that the ill health, loss of life and disruption to the NHS caused by Covid this winter won’t be too bad among those aged 50 to 64, without another round of vaccinations. I wonder how many deaths in this age group they have calculated they are happy to accept to save the cost of a wider vaccine rollout?
Actually, I suspect they have very little thought about the ill health aspect of things, turning a blind eye. There is plenty of evidence available that Covid infection substantially increases your chances of developing an autoimmune condition in the 12 months following infection and there is also a greatly increased risk of cardiac problems.
I suspect the longer-term costs of the ill health caused by repeated Covid infections will be substantial and haven’t been factored into their considerations. Those making the decisions will be more likely to be OK, of course. They will all be able to easily afford a private vaccination.
I think the bigger issue might be that they still haven’t finalised the plans for the over-65s rollout of vaccines this autumn. With a new wave on the way and the potential for the emergence of another Omicron-type of escape variant remaining high, it could be that that the vaccines will arrive too late for many of the elderly and most vulnerable.
The removal of the offer of flu vaccines for many groups of people is downright stupid in the current climate.
When confronted by multiple waves of what appear to be class warfare, it is tempting to agree entirely with you. On this issue, there may be a different reason. Biomedical friends suggest that the medical literature is now much more nuanced on the benefits of vaccines to folk not already quite old (think retirement age). This does go against the recent past. I could just be that the prioritisation avoids distribution to folk where it would provide little or no benefit, without undermining the credibility of vaccines (too many folk happy to jump on that bandwagon with little encouragement) ………
Total nonsense
Of course there is varying benefit – but they still help no end
Have you noticed how many younger people die from Covid?
Not just young people dying from covid, but are suffering from long covid.
By the way, what has happened about/ to the covid enquiry?
The last mention of it was 19th July.
It resumes in the autumn
There was a question on Pointless recently asking them to name secretaries of health from the start of the NHS.
Steve Barclay was pointless. Shows how few people bother about what’s happening in the NHS.
Very amusing
David Byrne says:
It is evident that the UK government (that is, individuals that can be named) has no regard or conscience over the ‘extra deaths’ caused by their policies; think of the words commission and omission in this context.
The focus upon under-resourcing the NHS in the blatant pursuit of private profit and personal enrichment are blindingly obvious to all except the stupid.
When will the actions of our government and their followers be viewed in terms of crimes against humanity.