Coronavirus - how is it/has it affected you?

Kellfire said:
She’ll grow old one day and then it’s a greater risk to her. Plus she could be a carrier and thus a risk to you and her grandparents. There is also the possibility of future variants that are much more dangerous to children (and everyone else) that these vaccinations can help to prevent.

It’s a bigger picture decision and I know it’s not an easy one when a child is involved but if I had children I’d be having them vaccinated.
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When she’s older and into the more at risk categories she’ll have it. Grandparents and parents will have had the vaccine so, in theory, covered. If a future variant that is more dangerous to children then that’s different but I’m undecided at present.
 
road2ruin said:
When she’s older and into the more at risk categories she’ll have it. Grandparents and parents will have had the vaccine so, in theory, covered. If a future variant that is more dangerous to children then that’s different but I’m undecided at present.
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The vaccinations may not cover for all variants, just like the flu jab covers for only those expected to be most prevalent each year. The more people that receive the vaccination, the less change of variants proliferating. But I know what you’re saying.
 
On children being vaccinated...whilst for children the level of risk of developing covid-19 might currently be assessed as being low, we don't know any 'dormancy' impacts that could develop over time, and the risk of onward transmission from children to adults may be low, I am not understanding the risks the vaccine poses to the child - and so I am asking 'why not?'. As the vaccines have not been tested on children there is that significant unknown - however I would have thought that our experience of vaccinating children in other contexts should tell us whether or not children are susceptible to side-effects not experienced by adults.

Is that the simple answer to my 'why not?'. After all, at some point in the past the decision was made to make the polio vaccine mandatory for children...yes - polio impacts children severely - so I guess the decision was made on a a risk/benefit consideration - and that is what is likely to happen with covid19 vaccines. I guess I have answered my own question and it'll be down to the parent making their own risk/benefit decision for their children. And so an elderly grandparent? Maybe you'll have your children vaccinated so that the child can see the grandparent and you know the grandparent will safe from the child.
 
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road2ruin said:
I’ve read in the papers this morning that the plan is to start vaccinations of children in August and I just admit I don’t know how I feel about this.

I’m not an anti-vaxxer, I’ve had everything that I’m supposed to have and my daughter (6yrs) has had likewise however I’m not convinced (at the moment) I would have her vaccinated against something that carries so little risk to her personally. Covid, fortunately, carries almost zero risk to children. I think I would want to see longer term data before having her given the jab.
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Its tricky, as there are two sides to balance out, the big public health picture(ie. you want to stop all transmission if possible) and then the individual risk attached with taking medinces/vaccines.

You always hope both are in the same direction and therefore the choice is easy and lets be honest with almost all vaccines past and future that would be true. With covid it perhaps isnt that easy at this stage, for the point you make above.

I came across this interesting twitter thread/provides lots of links/information to read (which actually came from another one in the thread, which is also very interesting read) a couple of days ago, but other views available:-

Infectious Disease Ethics on Twitter: "?On the view that children should be vaccinated against #covid19 This is complicated because it is unclear: - that individual benefits in children will outweigh even minor/rare harms - how much risk in older adults will be reduced by vaccinating kids 1/" / Twitter

(EDIT the thread doesnt seem to show all parts, when linked above, it has about 17 posts, might be better accessing via the main link Infectious Disease Ethics (@ID_ethics) / Twitter two threads were posted on the 22/3 and 23/3 )

One good bit of news is that the more vaccines applied and over a long period, along with the current trails in children undergoing, the more comfort you can draw. I wouldnt worry at this stage and look to review the situation and evidence in July. There is also evidence from Israel that the so called herd immunity is about 55% due to the pfizer vaccine as its stopping so much transmission as well, which will help with the big public health picture.

Very much a sit and wait game and let the events over the next few months build your confidence.
 
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bobmac said:
Could your child die from taking the vaccine?
Could your child die if he/she catches covid-19?
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1) Yes (though currently no evidence to suggest it is even a possibility never mind what probability - though see associated risk of 2) )
2) Yes (though current evidence is that probability is very low)
 
bobmac said:
Could your child die from taking the vaccine?
Could your child die if he/she catches covid-19?
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Me personally I would be trying to somehow(if you tick that way) need to consider much more, ie. how much harm you can come from catching the virus or from having the vaccine, verus the benefit if just looking at the individuals picture. Clearly any % or outlooks from the Vaccine part, you can only guess based on adult reactions (rightly or wronglyfully, personally I wouldnt), as they are only in trials.

BTW you will be surprised by the % chance of death from covid 19 in children, its super low %. Normally more children die of flu for example.

Time and evidence will be a friend to R2R. Even if that is with the next set of updated vaccines, which no doubt will be needed by autumn. Certainly not worth worrying about now, keep an eye on it and consider the evidence as it comes in.

I was in a similar situation 3-12 months over myself(early 50s), in the end for someone like me, the choice became clear, vaccine efficacy was to good to refuse (ie. high personally protection and lowish risk of side effects from the vaccine when compared to catching the virus which carries about a 1 in 9(edit should say 1 in 11 ie 9%) chance of being in hospital at my age..) and a win for public health/family/friends. Win win.
 
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bobmac said:
Could your child die from taking the vaccine?
Could your child die if he/she catches covid-19?
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No confirmation yet on child vaccination despite what papers may be saying but as someone who was injected with all sorts as a child to travel the world I never understand why people kick off after all the necessary tests and precautions.

Theres bad reactions to some medications for some whether it’s a pill, jab or medicine.
 
Old Skier said:
Theres bad reactions to some medications for some whether it’s a pill, jab or medicine.
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I have/had kidney problems a few years ago, not by popping pills, but one of the 1st question I got asked was about ibuprofen. Some people are popping it like candy without thinking about side effects and kidneys don’t seem to like it, but suddenly on a 2 times jab it’s all ‘be careful’.
 
I get the feeling that the mental health impacts of the virus and lockdowns are sometimes underplayed - or at least not taken as seriously as they should be...even looked at in terms of self-pity or weakness.

My wife has had a chat with a lad who's sister has developed serious OCD, and what verges on agoraphobia, over the last year - as a result of meticulous taking of precautions against picking up the virus and passing it on to her vulnerable mother. Terrible for his sister and the knock-on impact that this is having on her family is very difficult.

It's not all about being miserable due to missing out...it can be much more serious.
 
The trials for vaccinating kids haven't been completed and the August plan is speculation.

There is a risk that over time mutations develop that survive because they are more infectious and may be more severe. Vaccinating kids could help suppress the transmission of such derivatives.
 
You need a new flu jab every year.
You need a tetanus booster every few years
There are others that I have no idea about.

I would be surprised if covid is any different, but that is speaking as a lay-person. But I get miffed when I hear the possibility of this requirement being given as a reason for not having it.

SwingsitlikeHogan said:
I get the feeling that the mental health impacts of the virus and lockdowns are sometimes underplayed - or at least not taken as seriously as they should be...even looked at in terms of self-pity or weakness.
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I think it is only underplayed by folk who don't understand what is going on.

I am also amused when the media have a go at "government" (of any hue across the UK) for backlogs in operations, court cases and rising unemployment. What do they think would happen when you shut down for a year? They also moan about stronger measures when employed and the relaxation of them.

I also seem to learn more about increasing issues on the continent from posts about course closures on here, than from the tv news!
 
Watched Kate Garraway:Finding Derek last night. Pretty damned sobering. When it takes hold Covid is very, very nasty and I'm not sure yet we understand how many will have lifetime conditions as a result of catching it. The scary element is it seems, in many cases without underlying health issues, to be a lottery as to whether you get very sick or not.
 
AmandaJR said:
Watched Kate Garraway:Finding Derek last night. Pretty damned sobering. When it takes hold Covid is very, very nasty and I'm not sure yet we understand how many will have lifetime conditions as a result of catching it. The scary element is it seems, in many cases without underlying health issues, to be a lottery as to whether you get very sick or not.
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I sent info about this to a bolshy ex colleague of mine on Facebook who thinks restrictions are all a con as the "survival rate" is so high:rolleyes:
 
IanM said:
You need a new flu jab every year.
You need a tetanus booster every few years
There are others that I have no idea about.

I would be surprised if covid is any different, but that is speaking as a lay-person. But I get miffed when I hear the possibility of this requirement being given as a reason for not having it.

I think it is only underplayed by folk who don't understand what is going on.

I am also amused when the media have a go at "government" (of any hue across the UK) for backlogs in operations, court cases and rising unemployment. What do they think would happen when you shut down for a year? They also moan about stronger measures when employed and the relaxation of them.

I also seem to learn more about increasing issues on the continent from posts about course closures on here, than from the tv news!
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I agree - but that's my point. Too many - I fear - do not really understand the scope, prevalence and seriousness of the mental health issues than many live with - and that those close to them have to cope with. Wider understanding of mental health illness is certainly improving - but I am not sure that the understanding of the mental health illnesses developed by many due to and through the lockdown is fully appreciated - certainly in respect of illness in the adult population. I think there is a good understanding that children and teens could have significant issues that will manifest over the coming months and years, not so sure there is the same understanding for adults.
 
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AmandaJR said:
Watched Kate Garraway:Finding Derek last night. Pretty damned sobering. When it takes hold Covid is very, very nasty and I'm not sure yet we understand how many will have lifetime conditions as a result of catching it. The scary element is it seems, in many cases without underlying health issues, to be a lottery as to whether you get very sick or not.
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The vice chair of our RBL branch is in intensive care with Covid. He has been there a month. His wife asked on FB yesterday for people to watch this programme. She mentioned that folk might get an understanding of what its like being a family member having to go through this feeling helpless. Also it might make folk think before they ask “ is he getting better” X number of times a day.
I watched the show and it was heartbreaking, there was just so many questions I was asking Missis Tash when it had done.
 
SwingsitlikeHogan said:
Not going to be able to shop in John Lewis Sheffield - terrible blow for Sheffield City Centre.
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Pretty much the nail in the coffin for Queensgate in Peterborough as well, that whole shopping center was built around John Lewis. Sadly 2 many years of people taking the advice from the staff in John Lewis then buying the item cheap online.
 
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