On the subject of saving lives, a recent study published in the BMJ in November 2020 showed that the mortality rate amongst patients infected with covid 19 is somewhere around 1-2%

JA

Could you give a link to this article. I have been looking for a reliable source for this factor, to use in my home grown model, to fully understand the dynamics of the pandemic.

Many thanks for your feedback on my 'article'. I would be very happy for it to be used on the main site but, to be honest, I found it impossible to find a contact address for the editors...

As with many groups of people, the opinion of my colleagues on the subject of lockdown is divided.... though i would have to say, in Yorkshire where i work, it would seem to be around 75/25 against lockdown. This is a very rough estimate based on conversations with colleagues - i haven't done a proper poll. I am in my 50's and generally speaking, colleagues in a similar age-group seem to think that lockdown is unnecessary and inappropriate.

I have been exposed in close confimement to patients and colleagues who are known to be covid 19 positive on a regular basis over the last 9 months, though my last covid test (several months ago now) was negative.

I undertake a large number of home visits in my out of hours role and have visted several patients with respiratory symptoms, including a cough, who have refused to wear a mask. I tend to agree that mask-wearing per se is almost certainly ineffective at reducing wholesale spread of viral pathogens, but it would be nice to receive the courtesy from a coughing and probably infective patient when i am up close and personal with them during an examination. Of course, refusing to examine or treat the patient is not an option as i would, undoubtedly, be found negligent by the GMC if the patient came to any harm.

With regard to the BMJ article I mentioned - here is a link for anyone who is interested - https://www.bmj.com/content/371/bmj.m4509/rr

Many thanks for your feedback on my 'article'. I would be very happy for it to be used on the main site but, to be honest, I found it impossible to find a contact address for the editors...

The contact address is on this page and is realtobyyoung@gmail.com.

Many thanks Mr Austin.

We need strong legal sanctions against rogue epidemiologists, as we have against other forms of recklessness. Hit them where it hurts them the most, in their pockets. They'd think then.