Three home games, one against struggling King's Lynn. I'd be over the moon with 7 points on our current form, 6 would be great. We haven't exactly been thrashed recently have we, lost most games by the odd goal, just need a bit of luck to go our way.

Boreham Wood (H) - December 21

Halifax Town (A) - December 26

King's Lynn Town H) - December 28

Halifax Town (H) - January 3

Rivals fixtures.....https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/grimsby-town-christmas-fixtures-promotion-6342871

It’ll be a nice thing if we get to go to any of them at this rate.

Quoted from promotion plaice

We haven't exactly been thrashed recently have we, lost most games by the odd goal, just need a bit of luck to go our way.

It's obviously not the whole picture, but we certainly haven't had the rub of the green over the last few months. I'd go a bit further than saying nobody has thrashed us recently too. Nobody (other than the second half at Bromley which I'm writing off due to freak biblical storm) has outplayed us all season. Look up and down that list of results at the losses and all I see is two narrow defeats to Notts and Chesterfield which could have gone either way and then a load of teams dragging us into scrappy dogfights. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying we deserve more points than we have as we need to toughen up and learn how to deal with these teams but the problem is definitely not being bettered in a footballing sense.

12 points. We're turning the screw and going up.

i just hope Halifax isnt as toxic as my last visit!

Quoted from Hagrid

i just hope Halifax isnt as toxic as my last visit!

Chernobyl is less toxic than Halifax 15/16, horrible day.

We’ve got to be hoping for 12 points really, you can’t afford to lose so many games and not expect to play catch-up even if that does mean having to pull a few upsets.

Saw plenty of people saying “you don’t win the division in October/November/December”. That’s true, but you can certainly lose it.

Hope for 12 points, naturally. Realistically expect 6, would be happy and impressed with 7+. UTM

Quoted from Hagrid

i just hope Halifax isnt as toxic as my last visit!

What happened?

Quoted from Mayaman

What happened?

Assuming he means in 2016 when we took about 2,000 fans and were 3-0 down after half an hour and lost 4-2. Loads of idiots smashed up Halifax Town centre and Toto Nsiala got racially abused thus pretty much ensuring he left us in the summer. Not our finest day at the office.

Quoted from Son of Cod

Assuming he means in 2016 when we took about 2,000 fans and were 3-0 down after half an hour and lost 4-2. Loads of idiots smashed up Halifax Town centre and Toto Nsiala got racially abused thus pretty mush ensuring he left us in the summer. Not our finest day at the office.

hurst was also abused constantly for 90 minutes, some quite disgusting things levelled at him

but the same folk are offended by a cupped ear

Quoted from Hagrid

hurst was also abused constantly for 90 minutes, some quite disgusting things levelled at him

but the same folk are offended by a cupped ear

Yeah, it was shocking that day.

There was one bloke near me endlessly chanting "Hursty is a w@nker" at the top of his voice, as soon as we went 2-0 down, his face contorted with hate. Worse thing was he was doing all this in front of his Son (I assume) who couldn't have been more than 12/13, who was doing exactly the same. The mind boggles with some people.

3 points against K Lynn and that's it

Fully expect the National League to be suspended indefinitely by New Year with the likelihood of null and void season.

League have already stated it will not continue if fans are not allowed to attend.

Utter excrement show

Quoted from male private Nale

Fully expect the National League to be suspended indefinitely by New Year with the likelihood of null and void season.

League have already stated it will not continue if fans are not allowed to attend.

Utter excrement show

This is very likley to happen the way things are going  at the moment

Fans posting 12 points in 4 games and thoughts of promotion, music to my ears. Positive optimism at its best, a good read, and a dam sight better than all the negative stuff that's been on here.

Of course we'll get promoted, just going through our bad spell and the others will have theirs to come, preferably in March and April.

Quoted from male private Nale

Fully expect the National League to be suspended indefinitely by New Year with the likelihood of null and void season.

League have already stated it will not continue if fans are not allowed to attend.

Utter excrement show

It’s absolute bóllocks in my opinion - literally no other country in the world is going so bat shít about Omicron, and the government clearly has other motives for manufacturing compelling, scare mongering headlines. Another Boris press conference at 5pm.

What a time to find ourselves in this shít show of a division.

Quoted from Poojah

It’s absolute bóllocks in my opinion - literally no other country in the world is going so bat shít about Omicron, and the government clearly has other motives for manufacturing compelling, scare mongering headlines. Another Boris press conference at 5pm.

What a time to find ourselves in this shít show of a division.

I think they call it cash? Or power? Or social control? Or all three and then some other nonsense thrown in for good measure…

I’m reaching a point where I want Hurst to succeed just to see those who seem so vehemently against him Becauee he cupped his ear or he’s a yorkie try and find some excuse to diminish his success…a bit like the old ‘only went up because Monkhouse got injured’ or some balderdash like that…

Personally I fancy us to get at least 6 points, may be 7…

Quoted from Poojah

It’s absolute bóllocks in my opinion - literally no other country in the world is going so bat shít about Omicron, and the government clearly has other motives for manufacturing compelling, scare mongering headlines. Another Boris press conference at 5pm.

What a time to find ourselves in this shít show of a division.

Your opinion aligns perfectly with mine and many others, the knee jerk reaction is totally inappropriate to what evidence is actually coming out of South Africa.

Like you say what a time to be non league as the powers that be will think as long as they maintain top level sports the natives will once again conform put up with artificial crowd sounds and empty stadiums delivered by these media corporations.

Feel sorry for all those people whose money is heavily invested in lower league football or their livelihood depends on it.

Quoted from Poojah

It’s absolute bóllocks in my opinion - literally no other country in the world is going so bat shít about Omicron, and the government clearly has other motives for manufacturing compelling, scare mongering headlines. Another Boris press conference at 5pm.

What a time to find ourselves in this shít show of a division.

It's not bollocks at all. I'm not sure where you live, but it feels like it's more rife than it's ever been in London right now. I know about 12-15 people who have tested positive in the past week alone. We should be in lockdown down here, but they're too scared to cancel Christmas two years running. I love to pile in on the government but them highlighting the severity of Omicron's impending spread isn't a fair criticism really, in my opinion.

Quoted from Poojah

It’s absolute bóllocks in my opinion - literally no other country in the world is going so bat shít about Omicron, and the government clearly has other motives for manufacturing compelling, scare mongering headlines. Another Boris press conference at 5pm.

What a time to find ourselves in this shít show of a division.

I agree with you, especially when Boris couldn't get 100 of his own MP's to vote for him. It's all a deflection for his incompetence and Christmas parties.

Quoted from Son of Cod

It's not bollocks at all. I'm not sure where you live, but it feels like it's more rife than it's ever been in London right now. I know about 12-15 people who have tested positive in the past week alone. We should be in lockdown down here, but they're too scared to cancel Christmas two years running. I love to pile in on the government but them highlighting the severity of Omicron's impending spread isn't a fair criticism really, in my opinion.

Let me be clear; I am no Covid-sceptic. Going back as far as January last year I was one of the first to raise alarm bells among family, friends and colleagues, and quite a bit of písstaking I took for it too. However, I have learned to become very sceptical of this cabinet and in particular Boris Johnson.

I think it’s fair to say that it is widely accepted that Omicron is an incredibly transmissible virus, and that’s evident in this country and in particular London right now. But other countries do not seem to be as panicked or as frenzied as we do, so why is that?

This article from the Telegraph suggests that Omicron may in fact be a very mild disease indeed, and top scientists in South Africa remain perplexed at our response to its arrival on our shores. It’s worth a read (link to bypass paywall):

https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%2Fnews%2F2021%2F12%2F14%2Fomicron-less-severe-covid-delta-variant-two-vaccine-jabs-give%2F

Now I realise you could come back at me with any number of doomsday-esque articles from our own press, and that selectively calling out particularly optimistic or grim articles isn’t a very objective way of looking at things.

But this is fact. The current 7 day average for Covid cases in South Africa is 21,917 - the highest it has ever been. The second highest was in early July, when cases hit just over 19,000. At that point in time the 7 day average for deaths was 338. The latest 7 day average death figure? 24, a number of which are understood to be Delta, not Omicron. I appreciate this is a small sample, but unless Omicron has a much greater lag between the recording of cases through to death, then it’s certainly indicative of a significant reduction in lethality.

So why would a government that has been famed for acting way, way too late multiple times in the past, suddenly become a world leader in urgency and caution? Why? Simply because it had found itself down political shít creek, and Omicron is its paddle.

I recognise the fact that Omicron’s transmissibility is problematic; I’m not completely dismissing it. But do I believe that all of the fear and panic currently being peddled is for the good of the British people, or for the British government? You can probably work out the answer to that.

Quoted from Poojah

It’s absolute bóllocks in my opinion - literally no other country in the world is going so bat shít about Omicron, and the government clearly has other motives for manufacturing compelling, scare mongering headlines. Another Boris press conference at 5pm.

What a time to find ourselves in this shít show of a division.

Ok. I’ll get drawn into the ‘non footy’ part of this. And if it continues it should be moved.
If it’s the governments motives for the scaremongering etc. How come it took the support of the opposition to avoid a highly embarrassing defeat. Or are you saying Labour are in on it as well.
Incidentally I actually think Boris has handled this situation appallingly !!

Because Kieth Starmer shíts his pants at the thought of doing any opposing for fear someone in the Telegraph would say he’s “playing politics”.

Just to get this back onto football, I hope someone does a Dave Busst on Starmer’s neck

Back on football track. As much as I'd like us to get as many points as possible I'm sceptical mainly because it's a good few games since we've played well enough to say we dominated opponents and came away thinking, we look good.

Even in the only game we've won in the last 8, for large parts of it we looked mediocre and toothless.

Lose
Lose
Win
Draw

In our 2 home losses so far the performance has been decent. If we fail to put a performance in and lose against Boreham Wood or Kings Lynn then BP will become toxic.

Quoted from Poojah

Let me be clear; I am no Covid-sceptic. Going back as far as January last year I was one of the first to raise alarm bells among family, friends and colleagues, and quite a bit of písstaking I took for it too. However, I have learned to become very sceptical of this cabinet and in particular Boris Johnson.

I think it’s fair to say that it is widely accepted that Omicron is an incredibly transmissible virus, and that’s evident in this country and in particular London right now. But other countries do not seem to be as panicked or as frenzied as we do, so why is that?

This article from the Telegraph suggests that Omicron may in fact be a very mild disease indeed, and top scientists in South Africa remain perplexed at our response to its arrival on our shores. It’s worth a read (link to bypass paywall):

https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%2Fnews%2F2021%2F12%2F14%2Fomicron-less-severe-covid-delta-variant-two-vaccine-jabs-give%2F

Now I realise you could come back at me with any number of doomsday-esque articles from our own press, and that selectively calling out particularly optimistic or grim articles isn’t a very objective way of looking at things.

But this is fact. The current 7 day average for Covid cases in South Africa is 21,917 - the highest it has ever been. The second highest was in early July, when cases hit just over 19,000. At that point in time the 7 day average for deaths was 338. The latest 7 day average death figure? 24, a number of which are understood to be Delta, not Omicron. I appreciate this is a small sample, but unless Omicron has a much greater lag between the recording of cases through to death, then it’s certainly indicative of a significant reduction in lethality.

So why would a government that has been famed for acting way, way too late multiple times in the past, suddenly become a world leader in urgency and caution? Why? Simply because it had found itself down political shít creek, and Omicron is its paddle.

I recognise the fact that Omicron’s transmissibility is problematic; I’m not completely dismissing it. But do I believe that all of the fear and panic currently being peddled is for the good of the British people, or for the British government? You can probably work out the answer to that.

Great post and absolutely agree. Actually, I’d go so far as to say, this isn’t just a well presented and reasoned opinion, it is fact.

To not be in lockdown and able to go to games

11pts and no lockdown please.

Quoted from Poojah

I recognise the fact that Omicron’s transmissibility is problematic; I’m not completely dismissing it. But do I believe that all of the fear and panic currently being peddled is for the good of the British people, or for the British government? You can probably work out the answer to that.

Again, I'm the first to stick the boot in on the current government however I think the answer to that is simply that this time round they have a vaccine in the early stages of what is set to become the dominant strain.

Quoted from Poojah

Let me be clear; I am no Covid-sceptic. Going back as far as January last year I was one of the first to raise alarm bells among family, friends and colleagues, and quite a bit of písstaking I took for it too. However, I have learned to become very sceptical of this cabinet and in particular Boris Johnson.

I think it’s fair to say that it is widely accepted that Omicron is an incredibly transmissible virus, and that’s evident in this country and in particular London right now. But other countries do not seem to be as panicked or as frenzied as we do, so why is that?

This article from the Telegraph suggests that Omicron may in fact be a very mild disease indeed, and top scientists in South Africa remain perplexed at our response to its arrival on our shores. It’s worth a read (link to bypass paywall):

https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%2Fnews%2F2021%2F12%2F14%2Fomicron-less-severe-covid-delta-variant-two-vaccine-jabs-give%2F

Now I realise you could come back at me with any number of doomsday-esque articles from our own press, and that selectively calling out particularly optimistic or grim articles isn’t a very objective way of looking at things.

But this is fact. The current 7 day average for Covid cases in South Africa is 21,917 - the highest it has ever been. The second highest was in early July, when cases hit just over 19,000. At that point in time the 7 day average for deaths was 338. The latest 7 day average death figure? 24, a number of which are understood to be Delta, not Omicron. I appreciate this is a small sample, but unless Omicron has a much greater lag between the recording of cases through to death, then it’s certainly indicative of a significant reduction in lethality.

So why would a government that has been famed for acting way, way too late multiple times in the past, suddenly become a world leader in urgency and caution? Why? Simply because it had found itself down political shít creek, and Omicron is its paddle.

I recognise the fact that Omicron’s transmissibility is problematic; I’m not completely dismissing it. But do I believe that all of the fear and panic currently being peddled is for the good of the British people, or for the British government? You can probably work out the answer to that.

Hmmm, yeah I see what you're saying but it's also worth considering that it took well over a month from the first confirmed case of COVID in Wuhan to the first confirmed death, so even in South Africa terms, Omicron is in its infancy and we already know these strains can mutate with devastating consequences.

And while there is some scientific fact behind the article that you posted, one of the main takeaways is that it was also written off the back of someone's opinion that included the phrase "my gut feeling is".

Not sure if you've read the latest statement from the WHO too? They're saying act now and act swiftly if you're in a position to be able to do so. The Netherlands have announced that they're closing schools and it seems like France are getting tetchy too now, so it's not wholly accurate to say that we're the only ones getting worked up. I do agree that there's been a tendency in this country for the media and the government to sensationalise reports though, although the BBC have at least been giving a little coverage to those opinions in the article you linked today.

I hope you're right and that this isn't gonna be as bad as previous variants. Hopefully, two years of lockdowns and working from home with the news on in the background are just finally taking its toll on me and I'm now being overly paranoid but it's too early for me to personally call bullshit on Omicron.

Quoted from Son of Cod

the news on in the background are just finally taking its toll on me and I'm now being overly paranoid but it's too early for me to personally call bullshit on Omicron.

Already at risk due to my health problems (as is my wife), about to embark on chemo again and having had Astra Zeneca vaccine (which I believe is next to useless) for injections #1 and #2) I happily confess to being paranoid and extremely concerned about all things Omicron and every other flipping variant named after Greek, Zulu, Nordic or Meggie names yet to evolve

Quoted from Ipswin

Already at risk due to my health problems (as is my wife), about to embark on chemo again and having had Astra Zeneca vaccine (which I believe is next to useless) for injections #1 and #2) I happily confess to being paranoid and extremely concerned about all things Omicron and every other flipping variant named after Greek, Zulu, Nordic or Meggie names yet to evolve

Well I guess that puts things into perspective, as I'm just being paranoid because I just want to get to my sister's for Christmas. I'm assuming you were offered a booster a while back but you've just not been able to go for some reason? My parents had Astra Zeneca for jabs 1 and 2 and then had Pfizer boosters. I think the whole Astra Zeneca being useless was misinformation anyway, it was just a bit less effective.

Quoted from Son of Cod

Well I guess that puts things into perspective, as I'm just being paranoid because I just want to get to my sister's for Christmas. I'm assuming you were offered a booster a while back but you've just not been able to go for some reason? My parents had Astra Zeneca for jabs 1 and 2 and then had Pfizer boosters. I think the whole Astra Zeneca being useless was misinformation anyway, it was just a bit less effective.

My booster was Pfizer and I think my ZA was, after 6/8 months, rather less than just 'a bit less effective'. Never mind jab #4 (or booster #2 if you prefer) in the early spring no doubt

On the positive side, thank intercourse it has enabled me to talk all our visitors and relatives out of turning up at our house over Christmas and supping all my Dubbel Trappist ales, just me and Mrs Swin - lovely!

Quoted from LH

11pts and no lockdown please.

How do you get 11 points out of the 4 games?

0,1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10 or 12 but not 11

Quoted from DB

How do you get 11 points out of the 4 games?

0,1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10 or 12 but not 11

I'm pretty sure it was said in jest DB mate  :)

Quoted from DB

How do you get 11 points out of the 4 games?

0,1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10 or 12 but not 11

SWWF

I hope we can get 12 and get right up there again. However realistically  I think...

Boreham wood 0 0 draw

Halifax  3 1 defeat

Kings Lynn 2 0 win

Halifax home 2 1 win

Beer

Beer/wine/Prosecco

Beer

Beer/wine

Quoted from WOZOFGRIMSBY

Beer

Beer/wine/Prosecco

Beer

Beer/wine

Can I come?  ;)

Quoted from WOZOFGRIMSBY

Beer

Beer/wine/Prosecco

Beer

Beer/wine

Good luck getting a drink at the home games if you go in the Lower Trust Bar, tried to get a drink in there at the Chesterfield game and it was about eight deep, and I went in there about five minutes before half time to try and beat the queues. Gave up in the end.

Wish they still had that table bar in the foyer/entrance.

Quoted from promotion plaice

Good luck getting a drink at the home games if you go in the Lower Trust Bar, tried to get a drink in there at the Chesterfield game and it was about eight deep, and I went in there about five minutes before half time to try and beat the queues. Gave up in the end.

Wish they still had that table bar in the foyer/entrance.

Wont be able to get to any of them unfortunately.

I hope six points, a win against Kings Lynn
Draws in the home games and the usual away defeat
Very worst case, three draws and a defeat If we continue with five at the back and no wingers.
Usual worry how will we ever score a goal to win a game!
Utm

Quoted from ska face

Because Kieth Starmer shíts his pants at the thought of doing any opposing for fear someone in the Telegraph would say he’s “playing politics”.

Just to get this back onto football, I hope someone does a Dave Busst on Starmer’s neck

Disgusting comment.


Moderators?

Quoted from promotion plaice

I'm pretty sure it was said in jest DB mate  :)

My apologies LH, didn't see the joke but get it now. ;)

Quoted from 137

Disgusting comment.


Moderators?

Quick, someone inform the Compliance Unit!

Quoted from Poojah

Let me be clear; I am no Covid-sceptic. Going back as far as January last year I was one of the first to raise alarm bells among family, friends and colleagues, and quite a bit of písstaking I took for it too. However, I have learned to become very sceptical of this cabinet and in particular Boris Johnson.

I think it’s fair to say that it is widely accepted that Omicron is an incredibly transmissible virus, and that’s evident in this country and in particular London right now. But other countries do not seem to be as panicked or as frenzied as we do, so why is that?

This article from the Telegraph suggests that Omicron may in fact be a very mild disease indeed, and top scientists in South Africa remain perplexed at our response to its arrival on our shores. It’s worth a read (link to bypass paywall):

https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%2Fnews%2F2021%2F12%2F14%2Fomicron-less-severe-covid-delta-variant-two-vaccine-jabs-give%2F

Now I realise you could come back at me with any number of doomsday-esque articles from our own press, and that selectively calling out particularly optimistic or grim articles isn’t a very objective way of looking at things.

But this is fact. The current 7 day average for Covid cases in South Africa is 21,917 - the highest it has ever been. The second highest was in early July, when cases hit just over 19,000. At that point in time the 7 day average for deaths was 338. The latest 7 day average death figure? 24, a number of which are understood to be Delta, not Omicron. I appreciate this is a small sample, but unless Omicron has a much greater lag between the recording of cases through to death, then it’s certainly indicative of a significant reduction in lethality.

So why would a government that has been famed for acting way, way too late multiple times in the past, suddenly become a world leader in urgency and caution? Why? Simply because it had found itself down political shít creek, and Omicron is its paddle.

I recognise the fact that Omicron’s transmissibility is problematic; I’m not completely dismissing it. But do I believe that all of the fear and panic currently being peddled is for the good of the British people, or for the British government? You can probably work out the answer to that.

Don't wholly disagree, but I don't think the number of deaths is what's scaring decision makers tbh.

It's incredibly transmissible and may see a rise on hospitalisatons not deaths. Given the state of our NHS and the fact is winter with flu season and other things going around, a small spike in hospitalizations could have disastrous consequences and lead to strain which again sees essential operations and screening etc not happen.

It's also around 10 day isolation of healthcare staff. There are some organisations with half their staff off work, if this is a hospital then things are going to get cancelled. Yes it may be mild for the staff but even Omicron poses risks to elderly and sick patients in hospital, as does flu - you wouldn't want a nurse with flu treating extremely ill patients in any ward.

Pre-covid the NHS was in such a state (and there a few reasons for this) that they were on their knees most winters without Covid to contend with.

Noone should be placing the disease of Covid post-vaccination in the same severity as other things - probably similar to the fiu which still does kill 30 000 a year. But the NHS and other fronting services cannot cope with it ripping through the population.

A better funded and stable NHS might have seen us able to act differently once majority were vaccinated, but that isn't our start point.

Quoted from MarinerWY

Don't wholly disagree, but I don't think the number of deaths is what's scaring decision makers tbh.

It's incredibly transmissible and may see a rise on hospitalisatons not deaths. Given the state of our NHS and the fact is winter with flu season and other things going around, a small spike in hospitalizations could have disastrous consequences and lead to strain which again sees essential operations and screening etc not happen.

It's also around 10 day isolation of healthcare staff. There are some organisations with half their staff off work, if this is a hospital then things are going to get cancelled. Yes it may be mild for the staff but even Omicron poses risks to elderly and sick patients in hospital, as does flu - you wouldn't want a nurse with flu treating extremely ill patients in any ward.

Pre-covid the NHS was in such a state (and there a few reasons for this) that they were on their knees most winters without Covid to contend with.

Noone should be placing the disease of Covid post-vaccination in the same severity as other things - probably similar to the fiu which still does kill 30 000 a year. But the NHS and other fronting services cannot cope with it ripping through the population.

A better funded and stable NHS might have seen us able to act differently once majority were vaccinated, but that isn't our start point.

Completely non-football, but a good post. If the ideal of the NHS was actually funded properly we probably would never have needed lockdowns in the first place.

Quoted from MarinerWY

Don't wholly disagree, but I don't think the number of deaths is what's scaring decision makers tbh.

It's incredibly transmissible and may see a rise on hospitalisatons not deaths. Given the state of our NHS and the fact is winter with flu season and other things going around, a small spike in hospitalizations could have disastrous consequences and lead to strain which again sees essential operations and screening etc not happen.

It's also around 10 day isolation of healthcare staff. There are some organisations with half their staff off work, if this is a hospital then things are going to get cancelled. Yes it may be mild for the staff but even Omicron poses risks to elderly and sick patients in hospital, as does flu - you wouldn't want a nurse with flu treating extremely ill patients in any ward.

Pre-covid the NHS was in such a state (and there a few reasons for this) that they were on their knees most winters without Covid to contend with.

Noone should be placing the disease of Covid post-vaccination in the same severity as other things - probably similar to the fiu which still does kill 30 000 a year. But the NHS and other fronting services cannot cope with it ripping through the population.

A better funded and stable NHS might have seen us able to act differently once majority were vaccinated, but that isn't our start point.

We’re all getting this over the course of the next few weeks, due to its transmissibility. However, there are positive signs that hospitalisations and deaths are going to be significantly lower per case. First, hospitalisations:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-17/s-africa-says-hospitalizations-in-omicron-wave-much-lower

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10322099/11-TIMES-fewer-Covid-patients-Omicron-ravaged-South-Africa-admitted-hospital.html

And then once in hospital, people are apparently falling far less ill:

https://mobile.twitter.com/michaelzlin/status/1471749391585214465?s=20

It’s going to be a rough few weeks, particularly after Christmas, purely due to how widespread this will be. But this will not be as terrifying as is being reported, and I say that who honestly has not downplayed previous waves.

Those figures are promising re hospitalisatons and deaths but doesn't help the staff shortage which is already happening:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/17/hundreds-off-work-ill-at-leading-london-hospital-as-omicron-cases-surge?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

Sadly I know people who have missed cancer screening appointments, cancer growths weren't identified and their cancer is now at a much later stage (in one case terminal and without long left) than it perhaps would have been without the NHS getting overwhelmed over the past 2 years.

Also , we very much aren't the only country bringing in measures to limit the spread of Omicron. Ireland, France, Denmark and the US to name a few.

It certainly appears as though Omicron is less virulent than Delta and an early study just released seems to indicate that it may be quite a bit less dangerous to lung tissue than all previous variants. The theory is that this might lead to less serious illness. However, the rapid infection rate means that this might not be enough to save us from disaster.

Important factors to consider when comparing what seems to be occurring in South Africa to what may happen here:

Median age in South Africa: ~28
Median age in the UK: ~40

We have a much, much older population than in South Africa. Age is the major factor with serious disease in Covid and it is pretty certain that this will hold true with Omicron.

South Africa has had approximately double the death rate per capita compared to the UK (as calculated through excess death estimates) during the pandemic. The 3 previous waves hit there badly and they didn't have the ability to lockdown in the way we did and didn't have the levels of medical care we did. This means that a lot of the most vulnerable in SA have already been lost before Omicron hit.

Seroprevalence measured in Gauteng province before Omicron hit was (I seem to remember reading - sorry don't have the link to hand) something over 70% i.e. around three-quarters of people have previously been infected. The ONS surveillance reports indicate that around 20% of the UK population have probably been infected during the pandemic. Rates in older people and the vulnerable will be a lot lower than this due to shielding and the lockdowns. It is thought that prior infection probably provides a broader immune response than the vaccines though not known if one is better than the other when it comes to avoiding serious disease.

It is the summer in South Africa and the winter here. You're not going to have many people meeting indoors with the windows and doors closed in SA to keep things warm enough. I wouldn't expect there is too much aircon in use in SA among the most vulnerable populations.

These factors need to be taken into account when comparing the UK with the outcomes in SA.

Things we have going in our benefit are that we've got a much, much larger proportion of the population vaccinated. We've got a stronger healthcare service as well, though that will break if Omicron isn't incredibly mild in comparison to previous variants. The rate of infection is incredible, doubling in 1.5 days at present (and Yorkshire & the Humber have the highest rate of increase in the latest data). If we just carry on as normal, the hospitals will be overwhelmed in a few weeks even if Omicron is only one 10th as dangerous as Delta (a hypothetical number plucked out of the air to prove a point) - at the current rates of increase (which are likely to fall), that's would be about one additional week of cases to wipe out the drop in risk of 90%.

We'll have to wait and see how serious it proves to be in populations with similar demographics and vaccine status to ourselves. Unfortunately, there is only the UK, Denmark and Norway at the head of the Omicron wave at present. Denmark a bit ahead of other developed countries though probably only by a few days. Denmark and Norway have already brought in some restrictions and are increasing them as the days go on. We're not. It will take a week or two to see how this affects infection rates over there (they will continue to rocket up in Denark and Norway for a while yet due to those already infected but not symptomatic) and it will provide an interesting comparison with our approach of doing sodomist all.

I'd guess we're heading towards disaster rather than catastrophe which doesn't exactly encourage me.

If a mod wants to move this post to the other forum, not a problem for me. Just replying here because that's where Poojah has made his comments.

Christmas fixtures what can we hope for………

A MIRACLE

Also, just a note re: hospitalisatons. Whilst there may be that data coming out of South Africa, in the UK we are already seeing Onicron lead to an increase in hospitalisatons:
BBC News - Covid: More measures needed to limit hospitalisations - Sage scientists
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-59707252

Admissions have been rising by 800-900 a day.

I'm not 'pro' or 'anti' lockdown. This year has been so incredibly hard I just desperately want this whole thing over. And I don't want to see schools and front line services close again cos we've seen so many vulnerable children slip through the net (I work in Children & Youth Services - it's not just the most horrific cases that we've all seen on the news recently, there are so many more). But neither do I want to see an overwhelmed NHS and essential healthcare appointments being cancelled, cancer screenings bring missed and operations being postponed.

I would reinstate furlough, bailouts of pub&restaurant industry, shut stuff down for a couple weeks but keep all front line services running in full (as in, face to face).

I worry they'll keep the Christmas trade open, then delay schools coming back. The longer professionals don't have sight of young people... the two weeks of Christmas holiday becoming 3 or 4 weeks, the more chance of unchecked abuse, or of suicidal ideation being acted on, or of malnutrition ... my red line is deaths within largely elderly folk who would potential die of the flu if they caught it, is less of a priority than safeguarding children. Obviously that's harsh for families of those people and of course its hugely regrettable, but weighing up that's where I'd put my priorities 1000%.

Quoted from MarinerWY

I worry they'll keep the Christmas trade open, then delay schools coming back.

There will be absolute carnage if they keep schools closed in January. I genuinely fear for the outlook kids of today have in 10-15 years due to the lost out education.

Mentally my eldest can't handle it, he's only just made friendships again and refuses to do any home learning.

Whatever they do, schools need to remain open now.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

There will be absolute carnage if they keep schools closed in January. I genuinely fear for the outlook kids of today have in 10-15 years due to the lost out education.

Mentally my eldest can't handle it, he's only just made friendships again and refuses to do any home learning.

Whatever they do, schools need to remain open now.

It’s interesting that any school leaders they seem to quote are seemingly ‘pro’ lockdown stuff when in truth, in my role I meet many school leaders who are saying very much the opposite.

I could write a thesis on the impact covid has had on both pupils and staff, then factor in parents etc.

The simple answer is, it’s very easy for someone sat on a panel or a government mouth piece to suggest a lockdown but in reality it’s not that simple. As an experienced educator, I’d say another bout of lockdown and home learning will be detrimental. You can argue about so called safety and the likes but I’m seeing kids who are ordinarily pretty ‘atypical’ finding things tough, the same is being seen in adults…as a phrase I heard the other day…”I don’t work from home, I sleep at work”…

It doesn’t matter whether you’re for or against lockdowns, the lasting effect is huge and I know someone will say health is more important and all that jazz but if the rest is ignored then we’re just heading for disaster…social care and mental health services, whilst being severely under funded are now at breaking point, education is all over the place and there’s an argument that suggests that had the NHS been funded appropriately in the past, it would be in a position to deal with the alleged increase in need…I say alleged because again, I’m not entirely sure the figures can be believed…

It’s a mess but for me there are equally as big concerns that need focus that aren’t getting it…that’s merely my opinion.

As for town, I’m hoping for at least 7 points…

Quoted from Maringer

It certainly appears as though Omicron is less virulent than Delta and an early study just released seems to indicate that it may be quite a bit less dangerous to lung tissue than all previous variants. The theory is that this might lead to less serious illness. However, the rapid infection rate means that this might not be enough to save us from disaster.

Important factors to consider when comparing what seems to be occurring in South Africa to what may happen here:

Median age in South Africa: ~28
Median age in the UK: ~40

We have a much, much older population than in South Africa. Age is the major factor with serious disease in Covid and it is pretty certain that this will hold true with Omicron.

South Africa has had approximately double the death rate per capita compared to the UK (as calculated through excess death estimates) during the pandemic. The 3 previous waves hit there badly and they didn't have the ability to lockdown in the way we did and didn't have the levels of medical care we did. This means that a lot of the most vulnerable in SA have already been lost before Omicron hit.

Seroprevalence measured in Gauteng province before Omicron hit was (I seem to remember reading - sorry don't have the link to hand) something over 70% i.e. around three-quarters of people have previously been infected. The ONS surveillance reports indicate that around 20% of the UK population have probably been infected during the pandemic. Rates in older people and the vulnerable will be a lot lower than this due to shielding and the lockdowns. It is thought that prior infection probably provides a broader immune response than the vaccines though not known if one is better than the other when it comes to avoiding serious disease.

It is the summer in South Africa and the winter here. You're not going to have many people meeting indoors with the windows and doors closed in SA to keep things warm enough. I wouldn't expect there is too much aircon in use in SA among the most vulnerable populations.

These factors need to be taken into account when comparing the UK with the outcomes in SA.

Things we have going in our benefit are that we've got a much, much larger proportion of the population vaccinated. We've got a stronger healthcare service as well, though that will break if Omicron isn't incredibly mild in comparison to previous variants. The rate of infection is incredible, doubling in 1.5 days at present (and Yorkshire & the Humber have the highest rate of increase in the latest data). If we just carry on as normal, the hospitals will be overwhelmed in a few weeks even if Omicron is only one 10th as dangerous as Delta (a hypothetical number plucked out of the air to prove a point) - at the current rates of increase (which are likely to fall), that's would be about one additional week of cases to wipe out the drop in risk of 90%.

We'll have to wait and see how serious it proves to be in populations with similar demographics and vaccine status to ourselves. Unfortunately, there is only the UK, Denmark and Norway at the head of the Omicron wave at present. Denmark a bit ahead of other developed countries though probably only by a few days. Denmark and Norway have already brought in some restrictions and are increasing them as the days go on. We're not. It will take a week or two to see how this affects infection rates over there (they will continue to rocket up in Denark and Norway for a while yet due to those already infected but not symptomatic) and it will provide an interesting comparison with our approach of doing sodomist all.

I'd guess we're heading towards disaster rather than catastrophe which doesn't exactly encourage me.

If a mod wants to move this post to the other forum, not a problem for me. Just replying here because that's where Poojah has made his comments.

I keep seeing these arguments regarding the younger population of South Africa, but it’s counter-intuitive. This isn’t the result of some kind of baby boom - the reason that the population of South Africa is 12 years younger than the UK is largely due to its average life expectancy being around 14 years lower; the average South African dies in their 60s.

This is because the people of SA are, on average, much poorer, less healthy and have less access to healthcare than the people of the UK. Whilst there may be a smaller concentration of over 70s, the level of vulnerability at each age group as you work down through the population is going to be significantly greater than it is in the UK. South Africa has a 20% prevalence of HIV amongst its adult population, which is astonishingly high when you think about it.

Add to that the much lower vaccination rates in SA, and now the fact that around half of UK adults have had a third jab (key in protection from Omicron), then there are even more advantages on our side.

Again, I would reiterate that I am not suggesting that Omicron is nothing to worry about. We have a messy few weeks ahead no doubt. But at every stage of the pandemic previously, models from the likes of SAGE etc have proven to be grossly pessimistic and I’d that to be especially pronounced this time around.

Anyway, time will tell if I’m right or wrong; probably only a couple of weeks’ worth.

Quoted from Son of Cod

Assuming he means in 2016 when we took about 2,000 fans and were 3-0 down after half an hour and lost 4-2. Loads of idiots smashed up Halifax Town centre and Toto Nsiala got racially abused thus pretty much ensuring he left us in the summer. Not our finest day at the office.

And then people moan when we receive a reduced ticket allocation, cant behave like neanderthals but expect to be treated like adults

Quoted from Simon

And then people moan when we receive a reduced ticket allocation, cant behave like neanderthals but expect to be treated like adults

That day at Halifax was embarrassing, the result was insignificant after people racially abused their own player and then many, plenty on here too, defended the actions and claimed there was no racist comments…if I remember rightly, the club did little to deal with it either…

Quoted from aldi_01

That day at Halifax was embarrassing, the result was insignificant after people racially abused their own player and then many, plenty on here too, defended the actions and claimed there was no racist comments…if I remember rightly, the club did little to deal with it either…

Was my worst experiance following town

Quoted from Hagrid

Was my worst experiance following town

Mine was when I desperately needed a shít at Hillsborough but all of the traps were full with people skinning up joints.

Quoted from MarinerWY

I worry they'll keep the Christmas trade open,
.

I would think it's absolutely 100% nailed on certain, after all we can't interfere with folk on their Christmas urine-ups in the pubs and clubs can we?

Quoted from Ipswin

I would think it's absolutely 100% nailed on certain, after all we can't interfere with folk on their Christmas urine-ups in the pubs and clubs can we?

Or equally see thousands of people out of work and losing money which in turn supports their families…

Quoted from Ipswin

I would think it's absolutely 100% nailed on certain, after all we can't interfere with folk on their Christmas urine-ups in the pubs and clubs can we?

The vast majority of people aren't going out because they don't want to isolate over Christmas anyway. I've just played my last football match of the year and normally we'd all be in the pub. There's only 2 going and almost everybody's reason is that they don't want to risk it.

As Chris Witty said, it's up to people to decide what is most important to them. Maybe some people's Christmas is about socialising with friends because they don't have a lot of family to see.

Quoted from aldi_01

Or equally see thousands of people out of work and losing money which in turn supports their families…

Or see thousands of people unable to work and losing money which in turn would have supported their families due to illness (be it Covid or other medical emergencies caused by NHS problems) or even death

No pockets in a shroud

Quoted from pen penfras

Maybe some people's Christmas is about socialising with friends because they don't have a lot of family to see.

The way things are going they could well have even less

Thread question
"Christmas fixtures, what can we hope for?"

3 postponements