I really don't know but this is going to turn into a rant about the NHS (sorry)

I honestly think a lot of the people that run the NHS and the people that work in it are revelling in the drama of it all, they are enjoying being the constant centre of attention. Why change the narrative, when the narrative boosts their egos.

The senior members of the NHS, the ones that influence the government and their 'advisors' are drunk on power. Lockdowns make their jobs so much easier because all the non covid sick people are staying home and not getting treated. They love a lockdown so make out the occupancy etc to be worse than it really is. Same money, less work.

The senior NHS whistleblower (George) who has been speaking the the telegraph's planet normal podcast for several months regularly rejects the hospital figures produced in the media, it has been a real eye opener listening to what he has to say about empty hospitals, covid patient numbers etc

Another whistleblower on that podcast who worked in the 111 call centre reported that in October they were ordered by senior mgmt that the message to callers must change from "if you have symptoms stay at home" to "if you have symptoms come to hospital" because they wanted all the empty beds filled in order to justify the November lockdown.

Those that choose to believe everything they read in the MSM have been massively mislead and manipulated in this regard.

There are lots of NHS whistleblowers now, but I cannot recall any patients piping up.

I do not and will not ever feel the same appreciation with the clapping and gratitude posters all over the place, the same NHS have neglected so many people in their quest to be the covid NHS. Someone I know told me her mother was diagnosed with cancer at the end of last Jan and was told sorry no treatment is available to you because of covid. Obvs I do not know the circumstances and whether the treatment may have helped.....but she got nothing, and she passed away in August. And the saddest thing is the lady told me "I've just accepted it" and shrugged her shoulders helplessly. Horrific.

Ultimately the NHS is in crisis every winter. Its over-capacity every winter.
Nothing to do with COVID - its normal.
2017/2018 winter people were being treated in ambulances and corridors on trolleys. We didn't lock down for that...

Add that to few fewer critical care beds per capita, fewer beds per capita, longer waiting lists and higher mortality lists.

Its not fit for purpose.

The problem is its become a religion and heresy to criticise up or mention its failings.
This means the problems will never get recognised, addressed and it'll never improve.

Certainly a lot of public/civil industries love lockdown. They get a guaranteed salary in exchange for a far lower workload.
Police another example and so on.

Ultimately the NHS is in crisis every winter. Its over-capacity every winter.
Nothing to do with COVID - its normal.
...
Add that to few fewer critical care beds per capita, fewer beds per capita, longer waiting lists and higher mortality lists.

Yes. The problem is exacerbated by an increase in the aged population - who are, of course, more susceptible to covid.

Yes - I listen to the Planet Normal podcast too and have heard 'George's' NHS figures.

I also heard a photographer/journalist last week phone in to talkradio saying that the doors are closed to anyone wanting to report on the situation. I just can't credit that in a nation of 60 -odd million, there is utter silence from anyone having attended a hospital as an inpatient/outpatient. There cannot be uniform corruption of media, surely? Being denied access would be a story in itself.

I can understand the winter capacity issue coupled with staff testing positive and being sent home for 2 weeks, but they are certainly blowing the nation's dwindling stores of goodwill with the endless catastrophising.