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Where do you get that figure from Richard?I’ve seen in bandied about, but so easy to be misleading.  I.e. does this reflect total numbers since the start of the pandemic for example?  In which case it would be massively higher wouldn’t it as the greatest death numbers were 2020 and early 21 before vaccines were introduced.  Numbers have been so misquoted during the course of this pandemic (if interested to see these fact checked the ex head of health analysis from the ONS, Jamie Jenkins, reports a lot of these on his twitter.  Given his old job he might even be an expert ;-) ).Looking at the UKHSA numbers in their latest report this suggests 7:1 so a factor of 4 lower than the number you suggest.  Here’s the link if you would like to check - table 12 on page 43…..https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1046431/Vaccine-surveillance-report-week-2-2022.pdfI have seen a report that I can’t find now that virtually all Covid deaths reported are for people who have co-morbidities - around 17000 in the uk are without co-morbidities, which if true (I can’t find a link at the moment) would enable people to determine far more wide ranging risks to themselves.  Were I a parent of a school age child unless they had vulnerabilities I certainly would not suggest they get a jab for something of minimal risk to them especially as protection against transmission seems to fall away within a few weeks/ months so not really protecting those around them in any meaningful way.  Had I an elderly parent still alive in their 80s I would probably encourage them to have the jab because of their situation with a far weaker immune system.I despair at the total lack of critical thinking and context around this subject A shame that it’s easier to throw around insults like sheeple on all sides of the discussion.

Mike Warman ● 1478d

Mr Beer, I'd agree that this government has destroyed its credibility which is why Johnson should go (although I have a feeling he may not). Obviously, there's not much that can be done until the next general election except to send a message in the local elections later this year.Yes, the money wasted on test and trace was an appalling example of money wasted by incompetence. That doesn't mean an effective and efficient test and trace system wasn't needed: New Zealand and other countries managed it without, as far as I know, donating massive amounts of tax payers' money to their friends running consultancies who'd never built a test and trace system. (I suppose they see it as an investment for when their polical careers are over and they need a part time consultancy job or non exec position from one of their chums?)The fact one can't trust Johnson et al just means one needs to look at the science underlying it - from Neil Ferguson's modelling to Sarah Gilbert's research . (And to my knowledge they've not gained personally from the pandemic in a significant way. Obviously, it's Dame Sarah now but that was a reward for her excellent research over the years.)With Johnson's majority Starmer's limited in what he can do, and it makes sense for him to support measures that follow the science? To be honest, I'm not surprised by how this government has turned out, just as bad as I anticipated when Johnson won the 2019 election. What you should be worrying about is the legislation they're pushing through at present to curtail everyone's rights and extend police powers. Nothing to do with the pandemic or vaccines.

Michael Ixer ● 1478d