BruceVC

Elerond how do the people of Finland feel about the Swedish experiment, what is the general view if any? For example are Finnish people disappointed with Sweden, angry that they tried something controversial or maybe they feel bad it failed and Sweden suffered more deaths ?

Great technical explanation, thanks for sharing I wonder how the average Swedish citizen feels about their governments perceived failures at stopping the virus? Because I can understand how the Swedish idea failed now but the average citizen still would have had valid reasons for supporting the initial strategy which means you wouldnt necessarily blame your government for this failure because citizens agreed and supported the same approach. So you would accept everyone simply made a mistake around assessing the best way to reduce the virus spread and not just blame the elected government

I have been wondering how the Swedish herd immunity experiment went, so has it been deemed a failure and has Sweden acknowledged this? What were the outcomes that led to it being a failure if you know The reason I am interested is I remember when they started the experiment and they were heavily criticized but to be fair to Sweden they are a very reasonable and sensitive nation and I am sure they had a real scientific reason it could work yet clearly it failed but I wonder what were the metrics that defined it as failure And then it is very relevant that you mentioned how the Nordic countries responded because as you know your countries really get on well with your " tree hugging, socialist....lets absorb all immigrant " common policies that no one else want to implement What do the other Nordic counties think about Swedens failed approach and what approach is Sweden now taking ?

This is such a classic cute cat photo....I thought initially it was your real cat

melkie it sounds like you were being lazy...you know that is one of the naughty things we dont do ? Please dont make me revoke your Internet privilege's like I nearly did with Mamie...neither of us wants that kind of punishment

No I answered your questions about WHO and how long the anti-bodies last and the difference between vaccine and natural immunity anti-bodies....I am not sure what other questions you have?

What you asking are similar questions to other people in other places, like SA talk shows , have raised about the virus and vaccine. Some people may think you trolling but I believe these are legitimate concerns and I can provide you with answers to most of your points. I can provide these answers because of what we have learnt from the virus and the terrible loss of lives of people from the 3 " original " countries that the virus reached after China and SK. China obviously was never going to understand how it could have prepared the world better by being completely honest with all the initial information around how the new virus was killing people and how it was able to infect people and what its symptoms were. Basically the entire world learnt most of this only when we all watched in horror and deep sympathy as thousands of people and hundreds of nurses doctors initially died in Italy, Spain and New York But the absolutely real positive outcome as the year went on and we witnessed second waves in most countries is the world now knows enough about this new virus that we have vaccines that have been tested and are being deployed So going back to your questions, dont read that much into the role WHO plays in the creation of these vaccines. The vaccines are created and tested primarily by independent, global pharmaceutical companies funded by governments to ensure that there is no resource problems....it has worked well. And of course other vaccines are created directly by certain countries like China and Russia but they will still go through expected live human testing and once the results are verified by independent scientists I would also take these vaccines if they become available in SA first The anti-bodies you can gain from the normal way of getting the virus and then recovering wont last as long as the clever vaccine which ends up being scenically altered to make the anti-bodies more long lasting. So the vaccine is better but it wont initially be a permanent solution so you should be prepared to get a new vaccine every year but that is not a unreasonable And more importantly I dont see why we should get too upset about people who refuse to take the virus, its going to be a personal choice for everyone and this decision should be a simple question , "do you want to have a normal life again like before the virus " People like me will take the vaccine and that means I wont get the virus and wont be able to spread it Its an easy choice I also watched a really good interview on CNN about one issue with the herd immunity objective without a vaccine , it actually will lead to people being systematically killed by the spread of the virus as the people are at high risk. ...its like a form of state sponsored killing of citizens because they are not able to naturally survive Its really cruel and unreasonable

Oh definitely, its not even a debate. Any study to ensure we can still eat crab and then who supports that will be a huge group, count me in

I have just had another vivid reminder of the importance of shrimp, I have ordered a Sushi combo for dinner and part of that is tempura shrimp on spicy mayo....how would you be able to order this type of sushi if there are no more shrimp? It would be a disaster and an affront to gastronomic culture everywhere ....we must do everything we can to ensure we keep the shrimp globally available

No, as I mentioned in the past you definitely not persona non grata. Like all of us some people appreciate you and enjoy your comments and some people dont I have always liked you for example, that must matter immensely ...thats a huge and popular endorsement on this forum But Merry Christmas to you and family on this special day And I hope you become a bit more active on this forum and share your views on all topics

I have bought all my ingredients for my " Im alone at Xmas lunch " lunch today I have received some nice videos and pic's from friends and family who all having there own respective " lockdown " Xmas parties So that always makes things better

I love Shrimp, we dont want anything to happen to impact the availability of that type of seafood so these studies must continue

I agree, I see this $2000 increase as firstly having nothing to do with Trump caring for most Americans but I see this as a form of Trump lashing out at some of the GOP for not standing by " the elections were a sham and my victory was stolen by the cheating Democrats " false narrative This would include Mitch McConnel, I feel sorry for McConnel as he now has to face the wrath of a belligerent, impulsive, emotional and paranoid Trump would is going to continue to create as much reasonable problems for all the people after him ..on both sides Like all these pardons he just gave

I will give you my proper feedback, without ruining anything, once I have completed it But I am thoroughly enjoying it now, similar to Divinity 2 part of that enjoyment is about 100% understanding the combat and that makes a huge difference as the narrative unfolds So well done for backing it, it was worth it

Trump has thrown the GOP under the bus by demanding the US stimulus is increased from $600 to $2000 per person Very mischievous and he leaves the GOP having to deliver on this much higher stimulus

One of my brothers wifes in Durban sent me a Xmas cake which was delivered today, what a thoughtful gesture

No we dont lose the ability to create Corona anti-virus as a normal way of defense but without the vaccine you need people to get sick to create the Corona anti-bodies and the problem with that approach is the percentage of people who will always die with Corona So the vaccine is the best strategy as you dont have small percentage of people who will die through our normal immunity

Are you still having your large family gathering, from your wife's side , this year? I cant imagine its going as well supported ? My family and cousins officially cancelled our yearly Xmas celebration at our beach cottage this morning , I had already cancelled my trip but now its officially cancelled for everyone else

https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-britain-freight/stranded-truckers-fume-as-they-wait-to-leave-uk-after-covid-blockade-idUKKBN28X0SB Have you guys been following these terrible truck queues in Dover trying to leave and enter the UK in France What a nightmare, imagine being a driver and being stuck in those lines for days

GD in your opinion do you think Trump was overall worse than Obama, who would you chose if you had to select one of them for another 4 years?

I hope you wrong but it is hard to dispute the science around how the virus spreads...and we all going to see carnage in our respective countries after Xmas and NY. I predict from the 3-5 Jan onwards In SA many people have disregarded the prudent advice to not travel and are happily going on Xmas holiday with no real awareness of what awaits them after 1 Jan 2021 I

Yeah, NZ is one of the few countries that can celebrate Xmas without the fear of virus spread or new strains that are more contagious I am glad there are some " good news " stories outside all the real and sustained damage and impact to our societies the pandemic has created

Biden is saying the worst days for the USA around the virus are still ahead ...not at all behind but its going to be worse until it gets better I am not sure I agree with that sentiment, I am well aware of the virus spread and loss of lives in the USA but I would say its going to be equally bad as the worst now, not worse, before its get better?

Malc !!!! I cannot believe you are so brazen with admitting you cheated in Arma....you a brave man to say something so iniquitous so openly on a forum of such hardcore gamers

Sup All So the pandemic has made this year the worst year in living memory for most of us Buts its still the best holiday of the year for me and an important time for Christians so this time really matters where we normally on leave and we spend time with family and friends What are your subdued and Corona limited Xmas plans? I am having Xmas by myself as I mentioned in a previous post and I cancelled my holiday trip to Durban due to the second and serious wave we seeing in SA I am going to replicate a Xmas lunch but just for myself, so the meal will include Roast Pork Roast potatoes made with Duck fat A nice, healthy salad But I hope to hear from others who will be celebrating Xmas with family and friends, not all countries are like SA with the new virus spread And NY is going to be very boring but safe. I am not going out and will probably follow CNN 24/7 coverage of the various NY global celebrations