PHE says no flu at all

[Andrew]

Is this because of social distancing, mask wearing, hand washing, fear or inability to get to a GP, or something else ?

See this article in the Inde -

[Jethro_uk]

Probably a combination. I wonder how the Faragist anti-vaxxer-anti- maskers will respond to this news, when a grown up has read it to them ?

The most persuasive argument is that the chance for people to spread flu by dragging their sickbed into their workplace has gone. Proof that a slightly more generous approach to sick pay could have a dramatic beneficial effect on public health generally. Not that any amount of proof can challenge the dogma that you must work till you die.

[Fredxx]

I've searched for anything that says Farage in an anti-vaxxer and failed. Perhaps your google-fu will be better?

Yes I fully accept he is anti-lockdown, though less certain about masks.

For small companies at least, sick pay is paid out of companies profits. I'm intrigued what this generous offer might be.

[The Natural Philosopher]

Why would being anti-vax or anti mask have anything to do with Nigel Farage

[Fredxx]

I think Jethro is confusing an anti-lockdown policy with anti-vaxxer and anti-mask wearers.

I have just signed the petition requiring only those vaccinated to be allowed in shops and pubs when lockdown ends, so I'm wondering what group Jethro is trying to abuse with Farage's name?

[tim...]

probably because all the people who actually died of flu were diagnosed a dying of Covid

[Brian Gaff (Sofa]

Well I guess we are suddenly less likely to spread anything. Brian

[Jethro_uk]

Where did I say he was ?

Well in a sane world, if you can avoid spreading flu - with the attendant expense to society up to and including premature death - by expending less on sick pay through the extra taxes you pick up, who wouldn't you ?

[Dave Plowman (News]

Of course he is anti-lockdown. The only people who actually believe him are the pissed in pubs. Everyone else knows him for the charlatan he is.

[Dave Plowman (News]

The deaths from Covid figures only apply to those who have tested positive.

[Andy Burns]

I suppose it shows how much more contagious covid19 is, if it can infect 1,495,408 cases out of 32,593,452 tests, while at the same time flu gets 0 out of 685,000 tests

[Fred]

Andrew [e-mail] wrote

It wouldn?t be that given that a few do end up in hospital and even on a respirator.

[Fredxx]

It was implied by, "Faragist anti-vaxxer-anti-maskers".

I you have said "Mark Harper anti-vaxxer-anti-maskers" it would have been more appropriate since Mr Harper was a remainer. :-)

Why do you target someone else to pay taxes. Is there any reason why you don't volunteer to pay more tax?

It's a common socialist ploy that it's everyone else who should pay taxes. Perhaps stick NI on pensions and dividend to create a level playing field?

[Max Demian]

...including those run over by a bus within 28 days of a positive test.

[Fredxx]

I think that is the case now, but not in the early days.

[Fredxx]

Very few, and I would expect with medical issues stopping them visiting pubs and shops.

As with any legislation there are always justified exceptions.

[Jethro_uk]

How do you know I don't, pray tell ?

[tim...]

there are reports of that not being the case

[alan_m]

I worked for a company that offered 6 months full pay for sickness and that didn't stop the spread colds and flu around the office/factory - possibly because it is already passed on before full symptoms appear.

[John Rumm]

While some of that will inevitably be true, i.e. they died with covid rather than necessarily from it, there is also a group of people who died free from covid but because of it.

This could en up being a very large number when you factor in all those deaths resulting from the inability (or reluctance) access healthcare, and preventative treatment and screening, let alone the economic and mental health effects.